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TIM TEBOW FOUNDATION: FAITH, HOPE, LOVE, AND TEAMWORK

If you know much about national sports, then you may agree that Tim Tebow is a sports icon. He was a two-time national college football champion, Heisman Trophy winner, first-round NFL draft pick, ESPN contributor, and is now a professional baseball outfielder with the New York Mets.

You may not know Tim is an author of several books, including the New York Times bestseller SHAKEN that was named 2017 Book of the Year by Evangelical Christian Publishers Association.

Despite Tim’s many activities and achievements he began his most important work in 2010 when he created the Tim Tebow Foundation.

The foundation’s mission is to bring Faith, Hope, and Love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need. This mission is accomplished through several individual ministries.

Two of the ministries are Orphan Care and Adoption Aid. Through such ministries thousands of deserving children around the world are served by the foundation.

Others share Tim’s passion to bring more faith, hope, and love to the world. Tim shows his heart in his response to donors who contribute to these worthwhile ministries.

“What you’re doing with us matters. It matters because people matter, and together we can celebrate and love people who need it most. We can share Faith, Hope and Love, and that is one of the biggest things we can do in life… help someone else. So thank you for partnering with us to help us fight for those who can’t fight for themselves!”

It gives me hope to know there are others who believe in Tim’s cause enough to join him. The Tebow “team” is making the world a brighter place for everyone not just those in their darkest hour of need.

Somehow it seems appropriate to end with some “grand slam home run” excitement. Go, Tim! Go Team Tebow! Bring it on — faith, hope, and love — and score big for the planet!

 

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.” Phillipians 2:4

“May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope in the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Visit the website @ Timtebowfoundation.org to learn more about how a Christian young man is making the world a better place and touching lives as he shares faith, hope, and love.

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AUSTIN PERINE: HOPE FROM A HERO

Austin Perine is a hero, who brings hope to the homeless every week along with the usual chicken sandwiches and his advice to “show love!” He seems to be a natural at showing the love for which he so frequently advises.

The people Austin helps will often return his kindness and optimism with genuine smiles even in the midst of dire circumstances. Many in need are reaping the benefits of his presence in their lives. Those accepting his chicken sandwiches also receive love and hope.

Their gain from a positive connection with Austin is more than just physical. The amazing change in their countenance is evidence of a deeper emotional change. The difference is visible; their look becomes less depressed and more hopeful as if Austin’s joy and optimism are infectious.

Maybe such a change is to be expected when one experiences a real hero, especially a self-proclaimed “Super Hero” with super powers and wearing his own cape!  Maybe that’s not really surprising when you realize he’s only four years old!

Austin’s parents have my respect. They are doing something right in their parenting roles. May God bless them as they continue to guide him. May Austin always use his special gift to help others. May the rest of us learn by his example to show love!

 

Psalm 146:7: “He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry….”

Visit Austin’s website @ presidentaustin.org to learn more about this great American super hero in Alabama who plans to run for President when he’s old enough. Until then he’s getting used to the sound of “President Austin Perine” and often uses the alias. I think it has a nice sound to it!

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FATHER GREG and HOMEBOY: BEACON OF HOPE AND OPPORTUNITY

Their website claims they serve “as a beacon of hope and opportunity for those seeking to leave gang life.”  I am writing about Homeboy Industries, an amazing non-profit organization in Los Angeles that gave me hope when I learned about their services and impressive successes!

Homeboy Industries serves high-risk, formerly gang-involved and former incarcerated men (homeboys) and women (homegirls) with a large variety of free services and programs, including education and job-training opportunities.

More than a national model, Homeboy Industries is recognized as the world’s largest and most successful gang intervention, re-entry, and re-hab program.

Homeboy sees positive results on average each month serving 1,000 former gang members; 800 tatoo-removal sessions; 140 appointments for legal services; and 400 students attending education classes.

How does hope relate to gang involvement? “Gang violence is about a lethal absence of hope,” Father Gregory Boyle wisely recognized, “Nobody has ever met a hopeful kid who joined a gang.”

Father Greg seems to understand “homies” and the role of hope in their success in becoming contributing community members. He has spent almost 30 years working with gang members in Los Angeles where he founded Homeboy Industries.

I hope today’s blog will encourage you to visit homeboyindustries.org to learn more about their important work of shining a beacon of hope. Perhaps you can help them make our world brighter… [Donations are tax-deductible due to 501(c)(3) status.]

(Also if you’re looking for a worthwhile book that will surely touch your heart and may even move you to help the cause, check out Tatoos on the Heart; The Power of Boundless Compassion by Gregory Boyle.)

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BIRTHDAY BLESSING: HOPE FOR BELLA’S FUTURE

Ciao, Bella!!!

Happy birthday with love to my precious granddaughter! How perfect that Bella in Italian means “beautiful.” I totally agree that you are — even if we’re not Italian!

Remember that it’s more important to be beautiful on the inside than on the outside. It’s better to be kind and good and loving than just to look pretty. Follow God everyday to become truly beautiful in your heart!

Remember that it’s more important to be wise than just smart. It’s better to be wise enough to make right choices and think good thoughts than to be smart enough to be a clever fool. Learn God’s ways to grow in His wisdom to live right!

God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. He will be with you ALWAYS! Remember one of our favorite verses: “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me!” (Phillipians 4:13)

I remember your birth brought hope for your future, prayers, and excitement! The first time I met you as a beautiful bundle of baby I unleashed a load of love and released tears of joy. It was a moment I will always cherish and never forget.

You, granddaughter, are a gift from heaven, and I am blessed beyond measure to be your grandparent! To your parents: THANK YOU for your part in the Beautiful Bella miracle!

To God, the Creator of Life: Thank You for this amazing gift of a granddaughter! May her life be filled with Faith, Hope, and Love. May she walk Your Way, believe Your Truth, and live Life according to Your plan. Thank You for her time now on earth, and thank You even more for her eternal life to come in heaven that will never end, because her name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

“Behold, children are a gift of the Lord.” Psalm 127:3

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HOPEFUL or HOPELESS: HOPE RIGHTLY PLACED

Hope is a good thing. Hope is a needed thing, but it matters in whom or what my hope is placed. I believe it makes all the difference in the world.

Hope misplaced is, well, hopeless. Hope rightly placed results in whatever — or Whomever — hoped for being reached or received.

If my hope lies in something or someone false or even non-existent, will I receive that for which I hope? Of course not! My hope must lie in that which has the ability or capability to fulfill my hope. My hope must be rightly placed.

Perhaps the saddest thing in life is being hopeless. To live without hope is hardly living at all. Hopelessness may be the reason for many suicidal deaths.

How different is the life promised to believers who have chosen to place our hope in Jesus Christ. The difference is abundant living versus hopelessness. (That’s only in this life on earth. It gets even more important in the  afterlife, because the difference is eternal life versus eternal death.)

Jesus said, “…I came that they might have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) Why would anyone choose less when it is so freely offered?

Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, so in Him hope is rightly placed. Hope will not be disappointed when placed in the One whom God gave for that purpose.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (Jesus) that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) That’s reason for hope!

As Edward Mote, the author of the beloved hymn, “The Solid Rock,” professed in 1834: “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness….” Amen!

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PRECIOUS MOMENTS CHAPEL: MESSAGE of LOVE, HOPE, & INSPIRATION

The Precious Moments Chapel near Carthage, Missouri, is a unique place. It offers visitors an opportunity to experience a moving message from the heart of an artist.  It is a message of love, hope, and inspiration. The results of Sam Butcher’s dream that originated almost 40 years ago has blessed many lives since the Precious Moments Chapel opened almost 30 years ago.

I hope you will visit online at preciousmomentschapel.org to see photos, to learn about the artist, and to understand the history of this special place.  Even better, visit in person to experience firsthand the chapel, the museum, and the beautiful grounds. Enjoy the figurines, murals, fountains, statues, and more. Go, and allow your heart to feel loved, hopeful, and inspired.

Sharing more than his dream and artwork, Sam Butcher shared his faith and this prayer: “It is my prayer that through my work in the Chapel, I might share my faith with others and that the Spirit of God might touch the visitors’ hearts and bring them to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, our Lord.”

I am thankful for Sam’s beautiful testament that is a place where precious moments truly abound.