I briefly met Josh McDowell in the early 1970’s after he had just spoken to a large gathering of college students. He won’t remember meeting me, one of the many students in the crowd, but I remember that time as an important point in my spiritual journey. Josh offered logical, reasonable, fact-based reasons for my faith.
Josh didn’t determine what I believed, but he did help me to better make sense of my beliefs. I believed what he said, because he said what I believed. I considered it a blessing to learn from Josh and have since read many books he has authored.
I remember one topic Josh spoke about then was the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The message he shared hasn’t changed nearly a half-century later. He continues to share because of its truth and its meaning to the world and to each individual’s heart. It is an event he calls “the great hope… to a hopeless world.”
“Christ’s resurrection is the great hope that Christianity offers to a hopeless world — forgiveness of sin and an afterlife with God, free of pain and suffering, and filled with boundless joy!” (Josh McDowell)
I invite you to go to josh.org to find more about the historic fact of the Resurrection. It could lead you to the hope you need but didn’t know where to find.
There’s a beautiful prayer that holds much meaning for many hearts. The Serenity Prayer is believed to be written by Reinhold Niebuhr. I remember when I first discovered it, and even then as a child I knew it was meaningful.
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
and the Wisdom to know the difference.” (Reinhold Niebuhr)
Through the years the Serenity Prayer has been prayed by countless people, including members of Alcoholics Anonymous and other such programs. There are multiple versions, and a more recent “people” version is used by CoDependents Anonymous.
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change,
Courage to change the person I can,
And the wisdom to know that person is me.” (Origin unknown)
I believe both prayers are full of hope. If you have hope enough to pray, then perhaps you have faith enough to move mountains. Consider the small size of a mustard seed….
Jesus said, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.” (Matthew 17:20)
Now that gives me hope….
God, grant me the HOPE to pray, the FAITH to move mountains, and the LOVE to share that hope and faith. Amen.
If you know gospel music then you’ve heard of the Talleys, a well-known and well-respected family in Christian music for decades. The Talley Trio is Roger, his wife Debra, and their daughter Lauren. Their lives and music are dedicated to communicating the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Talleys have blessed listeners with award-winning music that resulted in a Dove Award, numerous Singing News Awards, and 11 number one songs. They have shared their music and message on television, in church services, and in concerts across our country and internationally.
“When people hear our songs, we want them to clearly understand the gospel in the lyrics and know that God really can make a difference in their lives,” says Lauren. “Whether we’re in front of thousands or in the local church on a Sunday, that message is the same.”
Below are lyrics to MOUNTAIN MOVER. The Talley Trio sing it like they believe it… like they have hope in a Mountain Mover!
“My God is a Mountain Mover. My God’s gonna make a way. Can’t count all the time He’s proven We can trust him; just have faith. Take a hopeless situation; Watch Him turn it all around. Nothing is impossible. I can’t hold back. I’ve gotta shout: My God, My God, My God Is a Mountain mover.
Got a problem in my pathway; I feel I’m frozen here. Doubts are circling high above me, But in the shadow of my fear The Fire of Faith is stirring, Growing inside of me, Reminding me of something I already believe.
He’s a God of Mighty Miracles. When the days are dark I will keep on trusting Him. I will not lose heart.
My God is a Mountain Mover. My God’s gonna make a way. Can’t count all the time He’s proven We can trust him; just have faith. Take a hopeless situation; Watch Him turn it all around. Nothing is impossible. I can’t hold back. I’ve gotta shout: My God, My God, My God Is a Mountain Mover.”
