Taking care of children is among the most noble and important activities in which we can be engaged.  Children offer so much to our lives.  A major thing they bring to us is hope.  At the same time, one of the most tragic things is a child whose hope is challenged. In this episode, I'm speaking with Chris Moran, Director of the North Alabama Chrisian Children's Home in Florence, Alabama.  Chris and I talk about their mission and how they help children and their families discover, sustain, or perhaps regain hope. This program is personal to me.  I was reared in an orp ..read more

In this episode I am sharing an excerpt from my book, Journey to Hope.  I look at two seemingly unrelated events in the life of Christ where He heals two men of paralysis.   I will talk to the similarities and differences in these two events and what we can learn from them.  We'll focus on the most important point in these two events and how that applies to us today. If you want to read more about hope, please consider purchasing a copy of the book, "Journey to Hope".  It is available through Amazon.  It is also available through Kindle.   All proceeds from the ..read more

When I teach folks about getting out of their selves and looking how they can help people as the best way to find and sustain hope, I also ask them to look at what is in their hands and think about how they can use that in the effort.  All of us have things we can do, talents we can use to help others in their journey to hope.  No where is this more evident than in the guest on this episode.  Our guest is gifted with the ability to interpret for the deaf and hard of hearing. In this episode I interview Robert and Minnie Vickrey about how they help bring hope to the deaf and har ..read more

Imagine going through a difficult cancer only to have it resurface again.  Just when you began to think you've defeated this evil disease, it comes back with a vengence, perhaps worse than before. Such is the challenge to hope that my guest, Todd Tipton is facing.  But unlike some, rather than give in to the life threatening situation, Todd lives up to his faith and knowledge that he is not alone.  He has a wonderful support system with family and his church, but more importantly, he knows that through his relationship with our Lord Jesus, he has an eternal hope that cannot fad ..read more

When we hear that hospice has been called in to assist someone, we often think the person is at the end of their life, that there remains no more hope for living.  This is not always true.  Hospice does so much more for a person and his or her family.    In this episode I speak with Chasity Abram, a hospice nurse with Ivy Creek Hospice Care.  This wonderful care provider explains to us what hospice does to help patients and their family discover, sustain, and regain hope.  Please note the passion for care as she speaks with us.    If you are wondering ho ..read more

In this episode I will discuss a bit about finding hope through reflection.  I will discuss what reflection is and how it relates to hope.  I'll give some practical things we can do to grow in hope. I apply the meaning of reflection as looking back or looking at a situation in my life and think about what it meant or how it impacted my life.  This action helps us to be aware of ourselves and how events, relationships, or the lack of relationship impact us in our physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual self.    That sounds like a mouthful, but it comes down to ..read more

In this episode, I have a conversation with Donna McChord of Women of Hope.  This organization helps bring hope to those who have survived breast cancer or are currently fighting the fight.  Donna is the President of Women of Hope, Montgomery, Alabama.   Donna shares her own battle with breast cancer and how she now is able to pay it back and pay it forward by providing support and encouragement.  She also discusses how we can help these folks facing their challenge. The web page for this organization is: http://www.thewomenofhope.org/  They are located by phone at ..read more

Yet again, if we simply look around we can find ways to use our gifts as a way to bring hope to others.  You might think that simply smiling and offering friendship doesn't seem like much, but it is truly a great way to share hope.  In this episode, I have a conversation with Lisa Missildine as we explore how we offer hope to others when we express hospitality.  Lisa is a wonderful example of how to use the gift of hospitality to bring true and lasting hope. I'm reminded of an interesting passage of scripture found in Hebrews  13:12,   "Do not neglect to show hospita ..read more

Sometimes we think that we have to do great and glorious things to make a difference in someone's life.  That is a bit of a misunderstanding.  Sometimes just being there as a friend is wonderful beyond our imagination. Such is the case in the life of Devon and Paul Hewlett.  This wonderful couple are friends of my daughter, and now our friends.  They proved that friendship as my daughter was going through lymphoma several years ago.  But the amazing thing is, Devon was fighting breast cancer at the same time.  Through their shared challenge to hope, they helped b ..read more

Every now and then we come across someone in our life that leaves us breathless.  Such was my reaction from my recent aquaintance with Michaela (Chaeli) Mycroft of Cape Town South Africa.  This remarkable woman has won international recognition from such agencies as the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates as an advocate for the disabled.  She has literally climbed mountains and run marathons to bring attention to the disabled.  And she's done all that while being disabled herself with cerebral palsy.  Do not use the word cannot with Chaeli! As you listen to this epi ..read more