Lee Strobel is a Christian who is impacting our world as a best-selling author of award-winning Christian books. He once held a position as award-winning legal editor at The Chicago Tribune — and a personal position as an atheist.
A miracle occurred when he used his investigative journalism skills and legal knowledge attempting to disprove Jesus as the Son of God. The miraculous result of his efforts lead Strobel to become a Christian and a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. Why did his research lead him to such a life-changing decision?
“In short, I didn’t become a Christian because God promised I would have an even happier life than I had as an atheist. He never promised any such thing. Indeed, following him would inevitably bring divine demotions in the eyes of the world.
Rather, I became a Christian because the evidence was so compelling that Jesus really is the one-and-only Son of God who proved his divinity by rising from the dead. That meant following him was the most rational and logical step I could possibly take.” (Lee Strobel)
Lee Strobel is the bestselling author of The Case for Christ, The Case for Christ Devotional, The Case for Christianity Answer book, The Case for Faith, The Case for a Creator, and The Case for Grace, The Case for Miracles, The Case for HOPE, and more.
He holds degrees that include a journalism degree from the University of Missouri and a Master of Studies in Law degree from Yale. His awards include four Gold Medallions for publishing excellence. He is co-author of the Christian Book of the Year. Strobel is Professor of Christian Thought at Houston Baptist University.
Visit his website @ leestrobel.com and learn more.
Strobel’s personal experience may cause you to re-evaluate your faith (or lack of). If you will look honestly at the evidence, I believe you’ll come to the same conclusion of Truth and Hope. Consider yourself challenged!
“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)
In Christendom there is a common Easter greeting, “He is risen!” with the reply, “He is risen indeed!” Today I want to say, “He is risen!” and share the hopeful lyrics of Stuart Townend’s Resurrection Song.
“See what a morning, gloriously bright
With the dawning of hope in Jerusalem;
Folded the grave-clothes,
Tomb filled with light,
As the angels announce Christ is risen!
See God’s salvation plan, wrought in love,
Borne in pain, paid in sacrifice,
Fulfilled in Christ the Man for He lives,
Christ is risen from the dead!
See Mary weeping: ‘Where is He laid?’
As in sorrow she turns from the empty tomb;
Hears a voice speaking, calling her name:
It’s the Master, the Lord raised to life again!
The voice that spans the years,
Speaking life, stirring hope,
Bringing peace to us,
Will sound till He appears,
For He lives; Christ is risen from the dead!
One with the Father, Ancient of Days,
Through the Spirit,
Who clothes faith with certainty,
Honor and blessing, glory and praise
To the King crowned
With power and authority!
And we are raised with Him;
Death is dead, love has won,
Christ has conquered;
And we shall reign with Him,
For He lives; Christ is risen from the dead!”
(Stuart Townend)
He is risen indeed!
Easter Day (sometimes called Resurrection Sunday) is a holy day that celebrates the fact that Jesus Christ arose from the dead and lives today in the hearts of Christian believers around the world.
Today’s blog post features the words spoken by Jesus as He was on the cross of crucifixion. His words are given in the New Testament gospels.
Thankfully His death and burial were not the end of the story. Easter followed, and a risen Savior lives!
FORGIVENESS BRINGS HOPE
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.” (Jesus on cross)
As he suffered the greatest agony and pain while on the cross, Jesus forgave the very ones who were causing his suffering. I don’t mean only the soldiers instructed to carry out the execution orders. I mean those for whom he died. It was my sins and yours that caused Him to lay down His life. We caused His ultimate sacrifice and death.
Thank God His love and mercy were great enough to lead to Jesus’ willingness to die for us. Thank God His power and might were strong enough to conquer death as shown by Jesus’ resurrection. This amazing power over death indicates what He will do for us if we are His. We will live forever with Him, because we are completely forgiven.
This forgiveness brings hope to hearts of those of us who are born again… those of us who will live forever with Him!
HOPE FOR PARADISE
“Today you will be with Me in paradise.” (Jesus on the cross)
These words were directed to one of two thieves being crucified. He was a sinner condemned to death.
During his final hours or moments this one thief expressed words from a repentant heart by admitting his own sin. He showed faith in Jesus by asking Him to remember him in God’s kingdom.
What a blessing to hear Jesus’ reply! What peace to face death with the personal promise of Jesus! The thief went from dread of hell to hope for paradise based on a promise of the Lord of Lords and King of Kings!
Jesus was the Savior of the world, and now Jesus was this man’s own personal Savior reassuring him of life to come after death. How this great hope must have filled his heart!
When death comes, we choose in advance whether we’ll face it alone or whether we can have a sure hope that we will be with Jesus in paradise.
Just like that thief we are guilty, and also like him we need a Savior. Like him when we express faith in Jesus we will receive Jesus’ promise of eternal life. These words of promise by Jesus can bring hope for paradise and peace in our hearts no matter how close we are to death’s door.
HOPE DURING SORROW
“Behold your son; behold your mother.” (Jesus on the cross)
These words demonstrate Jesus’ deep compassion for His beloved mother, Mary, and John, His beloved friend and disciple.
During a horrific crucifixion Jesus chose to show compassion to two humans He likely loved more deeply than any others. These were possibly the two strongest human relationships He had on earth.
Jesus’ words came from His heart of pure love, a deep feeling of responsibility for others, and an understanding and vision for their future. They both would gain from this new relationship during Jesus’ physical absence.
God has a plan for each of us just as He had a plan for Mary and John. Nothing could stop Jesus from caring for them nor expressing His compassion toward them. That surely gave them hope to hold onto in the midst of deep sorrow.
FORSAKEN YET HOPEFUL
“My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?” (Jesus on the cross)
This cry relates probably the hardest aspect of Jesus’ suffering on the cross of Calvary. For a painful instant in time there was a separation between God the Father and God the Son. It had never happened before nor has since.
This separation was painfully unnatural to the Triune God. It occurred when the heavy weight of the world’s sin was placed on Jesus. He suffered this excruciating pain to free us from sin to make us acceptable to a just and holy God.
Without this extreme painful event there would be no way for sinful humans to enter God’s heaven and spend eternity with Him. It would not have occurred at all had God not loved us so much. Despite Jesus being forsaken for a time by Father God there is still hope, because it provided the way for our salvation.
Otherwise we would be left in our sinful condition that is chosen by ourselves. Jesus’ death was necessary, and by God’s grace the miraculous resurrection followed. Hallelujah!
Though the pain was real, the separation was not permanent. Jesus endured such horrific pain that I don’t believe we can possibly relate. I believe there is great hope where there is great love. The crucifixion showed the greatest love; the resurrection gives the greatest hope.
THIRST FOR HOPE
“I thirst.” (Jesus on the cross)
Jesus made a simple statement that expressed a dire need. His physical body had suffered massive blood loss from violent beating and was dangerously dehydrated. He needed water and relief for His physical body. His statement related a need that all human bodies have.
Jesus was uniquely God and man. The fact that He was man means He understands our needs. The fact that He is God means He could meet our greatest need for a Savior.
Just as He thirsted physically for water, we thirst for His righteousness spiritually. There’s only one way to receive it. It involves a rebirth –regeneration — by the Holy Spirit that transforms us spiritually into new creations. That makes us worthy to be in God’s family because of Jesus’ blood and righteousness covering our sin debt.
That thought gives hope when we understand that it’s not from our own efforts but by the completed work of Jesus Christ on the cross. This greatest event in humanity’s history on planet Earth made personal salvation possible. A personal Savior met humanity’s greatest need that is greater than any physical need.
Thirst to a life-and-death extent was only part of what Jesus endured for us. May we hunger and thirst for His righteousness as we live according to His plan for our lives. May we thirst for Him, because He IS our greatest need, and that means He is worth placing our hope therein.
HOPE IN A FINISHED WORK
“It is finished.“ (Jesus on the cross)
This declaration is extremely hopeful. It means that our salvation was completed. Jesus had done what was necessary to accomplish our salvation.
We can add nothing to complete God’s free gift of salvation. That means not our own goodness, nor ethnicity, nor church membership, nor works, nor wealth, nor education, nor power, nor prestige, nor anything we can do….
It means our only need is to accept the gift and to hope in the completed work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Thank You, Jesus! It is finished!
HOPE IN GOD’S PLAN
“Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit.” (Jesus on the cross)
The last of Jesus’ “last words” on the cross showed His confidence in God His Father and in God’s plan since the beginning. The plan now accomplished meant His heavenly Being would soon return to heaven.
Jesus knew He would soon breathe His last breath in His physical body. He would soon exchange his human manifestation for His former full glory as part of the Triune God.
God the Son had laid aside His full glory when He entered time and space on planet Earth as Jesus the Incarnate God-with-us, the babe in the manger, the Messiah, sacrificial Lamb of God….
Now His greatest and most significant mission — our salvation — was completed. Jesus had lived fully in and by the power from God the Father, on Whom He relied fully. We should follow His example and place our hope in God the Father and in His plan.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
I have liked the song, “Oh, How He Loves You and Me“ by Kurt Kaiser, since first hearing it probably in the 1970s. It has a lovely tune with an important reminder of the great love that Jesus has for us all.
A song can have simple lyrics and still relate a powerful Truth. I believe this short simple song does just that.
The lyrics remind us that Jesus gave his life then asks, “What more could He give?” Also we’re reminded that Jesus went to Calvary to show His love for sinners (meaning all of us).
One line especially makes this song right for being included in my blog. The song acknowledges that what He (Jesus) did there (at Calvary) brought hope from despair.
As sinners we would be left in utter despair with no hope if a perfect Savior had not willingly gone to Calvary to show His love for us and pay the price required by a holy God. What Jesus did there at Calvary truly brought hope from despair.
When we have received by faith the redemption that cleanses and gives new life then we can experience a sure hope. We can agree with these simple yet powerful lyrics, “Oh, how He loves you; Oh, how he loves me; Oh, how he loves you and me.”
“We know love by this, that Jesus laid down His life for us….” (I John 3:16)
I want to be open to recognize examples of hope, and I find them in various situations and places. I didn’t expect to find hope in a tiny magazine ad and certainly not an ad for help with speech impediments, but I did.
The ad was only about 2″ x 5″, but its photo of Winston Churchill caught my attention. I admire Churchill as a WWII hero and a great historical figure. I took a minute to read the ad and found hope.
I think too few today appreciate the greatness of people like Churchill and their tremendous contribution to the cause for freedom in the WWII-era world. However my intention today is not to share hope of the Greatest Generation and an Allied victory but to focus on this particular ad.
According to the ad, Winston Churchill stuttered. Yet he became the voice that inspired his British countrymen during dark days of war. It is remarkable that he overcame stuttering to deliver some of the most influential speeches in 20th century world history.
Whether or not your personal challenge is stuttering, each of us had, has, or will have obstacles to overcome. I find hope when someone clearly accomplishes success and sometimes even greatness despite the struggle.
Let’s be on the lookout for hope. It may be nearer than we think and often where we least expect it.
“I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
When pondering hope, I realized that HOPE can stand for Heaven On Planet Earth. There’s no need for hope in heaven. It will have been attained. Here on earth, however, there’s great need for hope.
That Hope is synonymous with Jesus Christ. When He is ours and we are His we can experience just a glimpse of heaven while still here on earth. With Him we have hope to reach heaven where we will have no need of such hope ever again.
What is Hope & Eternal Life Lost? That’s HELL. It’s a simple acrostic but a profound and tragic truth.
According to the Bible, hell is a real place. It is where there is no hope; no life (dying only with no end); and nothing gained. Hell is where there is no God, no love, no goodness, no joy, no comfort, no possibility of escape.
The Way to avoid hell must be chosen here and now. He is Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, the Messiah, the Savior of the world, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Way, the Truth, and the Life….
Freely giving Himself, Christ paid the price, and all that is needed is for His gift of eternal life to be received by faith in Him. A simple act of trusting Him and obedience to His Word and His way of salvation provides heaven and avoids hell.
I believe the most important decision for us earthlings is to choose Jesus Christ. That choice determines whether we experience glorious hope attained in heaven or horrific hopelessness in hell without Him. Either way He loves us and allows us to decide, then He honors our choice. Thankfully His sacrifice provided the way for our salvation when we respond to His love.
Choose Jesus Christ, choose Hope. You have an eternity in heaven to gain (and an eternity in hell to lose).
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
I want to introduce readers to ROOTS, an important book about leaving a life of crime by Marie Louise Toksvig. It is Nedim Yasar’s personal memoirs….
Nedim Yasar was born in Turkey, moved to Denmark at age four, and grew up to be the subject of this book. His story is not ordinary, because he also grew up to become leader of Los Guerreros, a notorious gang heavily involved with the drug trade and related crimes, including violence, robbery, and blackmail.
In 2012 a major turning point in Vasar’s life contributed to his story becoming even more extraordinary. He made a decision to end his gang affiliation when he learned he was going to become a father.
After participating in a successful exit program in Copenhagen, he dedicated himself to help steer others away from gang life. Yasar mentored young people as host of a local Copenhagen radio station and became a respected voice for change.
Then murderers shot and killed 31 year old Yasar in November 2018. This cowardly act just as his book was being released could cause hopelessness, because it appeared that evil had won. Yet I think there is much hope to be found in Yasar’s life-changing decision and dedicated efforts to help young people avoid his previous path.
As his child, a son, grows up, may he be proud of his father and see Nedim Yasar as a courageous hero who took a stand for his son to have a better life. Yasar didn’t choose to “disappear” into anonymity — a much safer choice — but chose to proceed publicly via his radio show, this book, and other meaningful efforts. He must have realized the dangers of sharing his personal story in a public way especially after a previous attempt on his life a year earlier.
Yasar must have had hope that his son will never fall prey to the dangerous hate-filled lifestyle that he had experienced in his own past. Yasar chose hope to change first his own life then modeled hope for his son and other young people.
The hope presented here today is the reality of a changed life. Also I find hope in the fact that hope didn’t end with Yasar’s death. The book, ROOTS, is full of hope and impacts others. The legacy of Nedim Yasar includes countless changed lives. His heritage is a son to follow his determined walk in a different direction toward a better life.
I want to share Nedim Yasar’s story and promote the hope at the heart of his changed life. I believe that his murderers did not win. Nothing can stop real hope. Hope always trumps hate… always.
A quote by holocaust survivor Corrie Ten Boom comes to mind: “There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still.”
Two ordinary guys from Indiana… boyhood friends, husbands, fathers, skilled carpenters, experienced contractors… blessed with God-given talent using their voices to sing Christian gospel songs and hymn classics accapella on job sites… cell phone video has gone viral with millions of viewers!
Maybe they don’t sound like ordinary guys at all. The story of the musical journey of Josh Arnett and Aaron Gray really is remarkable.
Two ordinary contractors singing to share hope and almost immediately gaining a following of thousands of fans (of whom I am one) is more extraordinary than ordinary. Theirs is a true story, and they are real… real in their song choices, real in their Christian faith, real in their ordinary roots.
What else would singing contractors call themselves except The Singing Contractors? If you haven’t heard them yet, then go to youtube.com or their official website at thesingingcontractors.com.
“I am a little overwhelmed by how good God has been to us,” admitted Arnett.
Gray added, “As far as the fame, it’s never something we wanted or asked for, it’s just something that God has placed in our laps, and we’re just trusting that we can get His message of hope out there.”
Responses have been remarkable and indicate their music and message offer more than mere enjoyment. At least one life has been touched in a real life-and-death way, as indicated by the following communication they received.
“Thank you so much for singing that song. It’s made me question myself and stop myself from committing suicide….” (unnamed source)
The Singing Contractors agree that is a wonderful story and say if they have done nothing else in this world and saved one life, it is worth it all to them!
It seems The Singing Contractors are good at building more than homes. They are building an important legacy of hope as they share the message of their music.
Maybe Gray and Arnett are two ordinary guys from Indiana, but they trust an extraordinary God. That makes all the difference.
“By wisdom a house is built,
And by understanding it is established; And by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” (Proverbs 24:3, 4)
“Sing to the LORD a new song;
Sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. (Psalm 96:1, 2)
Zach Williams was a rock musician bound by chains of alcohol and drugs. He is now free of those chains, but his freedom didn’t happen in his strength. His new freedom — and a better life — happened by the power of Jesus Christ, THE Chain Breaker.
The song he co-wrote, “He’s A Chain Breaker,” reveals Williams’ personal experience. Real change and new freedom is visible in the transformed Zach Williams, who is now a Christian musician.
See if you can relate to the words of the song below. If you can, then consider accepting a better life in Christ free from chains.
HE’S A CHAIN BREAKER:
“If you’ve been walking the same old road for miles and miles;
If you’ve been hearing the same old voice tell the same old lies;
If you’re trying to fill the same old holes inside;
There’s a better life,
There’s a better life.
If you’ve got pain,
He’s a pain taker.
If you feel lost,
He’s a way maker.
If you need freedom or saving,
He’s a prison-shaking Savior.
If you’ve got chains,
He’s a chain breaker.
We’ve all searched for the light of day in the dead of night;
We’ve all found ourselves worn out from the same old fight;
We’ve all run to things we know just ain’t right;
And there’s a better life,
There’s a better life.
If you’ve got pain,
He’s a pain taker.
If you feel lost,
He’s a way maker.
If you need freedom or saving,
He’s a prison-shaking Savior.
If you’ve got chains,
He’s a chain breaker.
If you believe it;
If you receive it;
If you can feel it;
Somebody testify….
If you’ve got pain,
He’s a pain taker.
If you feel lost,
He’s a way maker.
If you need freedom or saving,
He’s a prison-shaking Savior.
If you’ve got chains,
He’s a chain breaker.
If you need freedom or saving,
He’s a prison-shaking Savior.
If you’ve got chains,
He’s a chain breaker.”
(Songwriters: Jonathan Lindley Smith, Mia Fieldes, & Zach Williams)
“Out of my distress I called upon the Lord.” (Psalm 118:5)
“For the law of the Spirit of Life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2)
“So if the Son makes you free you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
ESPN named Coach John Wooden as “Coach of The 20th Century.”
Sports Illustrated declared, “There’s never been a finer coach in American sports than John Wooden. Nor a finer man.”
Sport Magazine entitled him, “Greatest Coach of the Century.”
There’s no doubt that the success of Coach John Wooden has been well-documented. I am writing about him today, because his legendary greatness extends beyond the sports realm.
Coach John Wooden was a coach among coaches in terms of team championships, leadership awards, and accolades. His legacy is especially amazing in how he impacted the young men he coached.
Perhaps more important than the best-selling books he authored, the record wins he led, the leadership awards that were named for him… perhaps more important were the character he modeled, the hope he inspired, and the hearts he touched.
“Coach Wooden never talked about winning and losing but rather about the effort to win. He rarely talked about basketball but generally about life. He never talked about strategy, statistics or plays but rather about people and character. Coach Wooden never tired of telling us that once you become a good person, then you have a chance of becoming a good basketball player.” (Bill Walton)
Coach Wooden often shared wisdom worth remembering and is known for many quotes including these following.
“It’s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.” (John R. Wooden)
“Never mistake activity for achievement.” (JRW)
“Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.” (JRW)
“Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be.” (JRW)
“…stay the course even when that course is most difficult and the obstacles seem insurmountable…. Be persistent. Be determined. Be tenacious. Be unrelenting. The road to achievement is rocky, hard, and long. Things easily achieved are rarely long-lasting or significant.” (JRW)
The John R. Wooden Award is prestigious and was named for Coach. This John R. Wooden Award Trophy goes anually to “The Outstanding College Basketball Player in the United States.” To be considered as a candidate, not only the player’s performance in the regular season, conference tournaments and post-season are taken into account but also the player’s character.”
It seems that Coach’s calling was more than to be successful but also to teach others to be successful. Coach developed the Pyramid of Success, which is worth noting by those aspiring to more than a mediocre going-with-the-flow ride through life.
Aspects of this model include character traits vital to attaining success in all areas of life not just sports. These traits included confidence, cooperation, enthusiasm, friendship, initiative, loyalty, poise, and self-control.
You may rightly assume that faith is part of Coach’s model just as it was part of his personal success and of his own life. Working at being the very best he could be wasn’t just Coach’s “talk” but was his “walk” and was practiced in his personal life and in his personal faith.
He was intentional in praying, reading Scripture, and working to grow in his faith and in his love for God. A silver cross carried in his pocket tangibly symbolized his faith in the One Who is the “Alpha” and “Omega,” the words etched thereupon.
Our planet will be a more hopeful place if we all strive to leave footprints worth following as those of John R. Wooden.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God, “who was and who is and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8)
“Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” (Proverbs 16:3)
Much more info may be found at www.coachwooden.com and many other online sites as well as in books authored both by and about John Wooden.
