Shows / A Moment of Hope
A Moment of Hope
Begin your day with a "Moment of Hope." This podcast is a compliment to David and Marilynn's weekday devotional - providing deeper insights and encouragement. Featuring Jenn Houston.
Episodes
- A Moment of Hope
Greater Elevation Equals Greater Revelation
"Seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God" (Colossians 3:1). It's God's wisdom from above that can move us forward in…
- A Moment of Hope
Freedom Is an Illusion as Long as You Don't Have to Pay Your Bills
"Freedom is an illusion as long as you don't have to pay your bills." It's a reminder my wife Marilynn and I would say to our children when they told us they…
- A Moment of Hope
Blessed Are the Flexible for They Shall Not Be Broken
Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be broken. While it's not in the Bible, it's a message that could be! Because ultimately, it's about our faith…
- A Moment of Hope
Beware When Your Competence Outpaces Your Character
"A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold" (Proverbs 22:1). What happens in our lives when our success or…
- A Moment of Hope
Let the Game Come to You
"Let the game come to you!" My college basketball coach, Dean Smith, would often remind his players of this wise and proven adage, but I've heard it said by a…
- A Moment of Hope
God Is More Concerned with Your Eternal Character than Your Present Comfort
When hard places occur in our lives, we often wonder where God is. We may feel forgotten. Overlooked. Alone. Yet Romans 5:3-5 says that we are to rejoice in…
- A Moment of Hope
Practice the 5-year Marriage Plan
Use the 5-year marriage plan. It's advice I've given to couples who are going through a rough patch. Experiencing a period in their marriage when they are…
- A Moment of Hope
Practice the 5-year Parenting Plan
What exactly is the 5-year parenting plan? It's what Marilynn and I committed to follow with all three of our children. We've never regretted our decision. Not…
- A Moment of Hope
Get Strife Out of Your Life
What words come to mind when you think of strife? Maybe conflict. Disagreement. Hostility. Here's what the Word of God has to say about strife: Get strife out…
- A Moment of Hope
Under the Circumstances, I'm Fine
"Under the circumstances, I'm fine." How many times have you heard this reply from friends when you ask how their day is going? Or maybe you've sometimes said…
- A Moment of Hope
Turn Your Scars Into Stars
What's one thing that soldiers and athletes have in common? Scars. Sustained from injuries, lesions, or lacerations while participating in combat with others…
- A Moment of Hope
Double Restoration
In the book of Job, we learn of the incredible suffering Job endured while being tested by Satan. At the end of the story – after all that Job had lost – God…
- A Moment of Hope
Keeping Up With the Joneses and Finding Out They've Refinanced
"Keeping up with the Joneses" is widely used in today's culture given the innate propensity of human beings to want what others have. Keeping up with the…
- A Moment of Hope
Trophies Gather Dust, Friends Don't
In this day and age, almost everyone has received a trophy of some kind. Trophies typically represent success in a specific sport, talent or interest. Success…
- A Moment of Hope
The Truth Usually Lies Somewhere In Between
"Son, the truth usually lies somewhere in between." My dad would often say these words to me when I was growing up. As I was trying to figure out which stand…
- A Moment of Hope
If You Have to Choose Between Being Right or to Love, Choose Love
If you have to choose between being right and to love, choose to love. It's a great piece of advice for all relationships. Especially for marriages! When…
- A Moment of Hope
Fear God, Not Man
Most people associate the word fear with the feeling of being scared. Anticipating danger or harm. Being afraid of something or someone. But the biblical…
- A Moment of Hope
The Hotter the Pot, the Looser the Goose
Two missionary friends of mine lived in an extremely hostile nation. They were under constant threat of persecution. Knowing that at any time, their lives…
- A Moment of Hope
If You Did It Once, You Can Do It Again
What would you consider the greatest miracle in the Old Testament? The New Testament? The parting of the Red Sea and the Resurrection are the centerpiece…
- A Moment of Hope
Speak to Your Soul
What do you do when you're feeling heartache? Discouragement? Despair? King David experienced a lot of joy throughout his lifetime. Along with plenty of hurt…
- A Moment of Hope
Life and Death is in the Tongue
In order to accommodate our staff's summer vacation schedules, this week we are re-publishing blogs from 2021. This week's blogs do not have audio…
- A Moment of Hope
God Collects All Our Tears in a Bottle
"You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I…
- A Moment of Hope
Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Your Anger
"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger" (Ephesians 4:26). While we usually hear this biblical truth when it's spoken to married…
- A Moment of Hope
Act Like You've Been Here Before
The expression, "Act like you've been there before!" comes from legendary football coach Vince Lombardi. It was a favorite saying of my college basketball…
- A Moment of Hope
It Is Fatal to Go Into War Without the Will to End It
Douglas MacArthur spoke this truth, "It's fatal to go into war without the will to win it." Are you aware that Christ followers are constantly at war…
- A Moment of Hope
Today, Stop Doing One Stupid Thing!
What's a simple but surefire way to experience more success in your life? Today, stop doing one stupid thing! Something that is hindering you from moving…
- A Moment of Hope
True Success
How do you define and measure true success? In my opinion, true success is doing the best you can with what you have. Period. It's not defined in comparison…
- A Moment of Hope
Not "Show and Tell" but "Go and Tell!"
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all…
- A Moment of Hope
The Most Difficult Position to Play in the Orchestra is Second Fiddle
The famous conductor Leonard Bernstein once said that the most difficult position to play in the orchestra is second fiddle. How true! Everyone wants to be…
- A Moment of Hope
The Christian Life Is a Series of New Beginnings
Christ followers go through all kinds of stages and phases as our faith develops. Sometimes we may suffer small setbacks. Sometimes even large ones. Why?…
- A Moment of Hope
Their God Is in Their Belly
"For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their…
- A Moment of Hope
If You Want to Lead the Orchestra, You'll Have to Turn Your Back to the Crowd
If you want to lead the orchestra, you'll have to turn your back to the crowd. Why? Because leaders cannot be people-pleasers. People are fickle. Changing…
- A Moment of Hope
Failing to Prepare Is Preparing to Fail
It's an oft-quoted phrase in the business world today, coined by Benjamin Franklin in the 1700's: "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail." It must be true…
- A Moment of Hope
Holding On to Bitterness is like Drinking Arsenic and Expecting the Other Person to Die
It's an often-quoted precept, but eternally true: Holding on to bitterness is like drinking arsenic and expecting the other person to die. Hebrews 12:15 speaks…
- A Moment of Hope
Sometimes Jesus Calms the Storm. Sometimes He Calls You Amidst the Storm.
Sometimes Jesus calms the storm. Sometimes he calms you amidst the storm. Jesus, the Lord of the universe, is quite able to calm any storm surrounding us with…
- A Moment of Hope
God, I've Got a Few Questions for You!
God, I've got a few questions for you! How often we all say this, if only to ourselves. There are mysteries in this life. Secret things. Hidden things…
A Moment of HopeLove Their Mother
It was the night before I was going to marry Marilynn, now over 40 years ago. My dad was going to perform the wedding service the next day. Dad was a great…
- A Moment of Hope
Double Your Trouble
"Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land they shall possess a…
- A Moment of Hope
What Is Hidden from You Is Not Hidden from God
What is hidden from you is not hidden from God. We live in a temporal, visible world. God lives in an eternal, invisible world. If the life of Job teaches us…
- A Moment of Hope
If You Don't Know What to Do, Don't!
Think of the last time you found yourself in a situation where you didn't know how to proceed. Couldn't decide what to do. Arrived at a stalemate. Not sure of…
- A Moment of Hope
God Gives the Best to Those Who Leave the Choice to Him
God gives the best to those who leave the choice to him. Consider the story of Abraham and Lot. Their herdsmen were in constant strife with one another…
- A Moment of Hope
Be a Walking ICU to Those Who Are Grieving
We all have hurting people around us. This world is broken. Not operating as God originally intended. We have broken bodies. We are in broken relationships. We…
- A Moment of Hope
Don't Ever Say to a Hurting Person, "I Know Exactly How You're Feeling"
"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18). Only God fully knows the extent of our pain. Grief. Sorrow. Failure…
- A Moment of Hope
Walk Softly Around a Broken Heart
Walk softly around a broken heart. Consider this lesson from the book of Job. During a time in Job's life when he was immensely suffering, three of Job's…
- A Moment of Hope
The Steepest Part of the Mountain is Right Before the Pinnacle
Every experienced mountain climber will share this reality: The steepest part of the mountain is right before the pinnacle. It's a life lesson for us all. When…
- A Moment of Hope
You'll Never Know Jesus Is All You Need Until Jesus Is All You've Got
Mother Theresa once said, "You'll never know Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you've got." This truth is illustrated through the life of the apostle…
- A Moment of Hope
We Are Blessed to Be a Blessing
We are blessed to be a blessing. How has God blessed you? Make a list. Write out all your blessings. God told Abraham that he was going to bless him. Make his…
- A Moment of Hope
Holiness Over Happiness
Your holiness or your happiness? Which is more important to you? To God, our eternal holiness is far more significant than our momentary happiness. Of course…
- A Moment of Hope
God Can't Steer a Parked Car
"God can't steer a parked car." It's a hackneyed phrase you've likely heard before. The reason behind its staying power? It's true. Have you ever tried to…
- A Moment of Hope
Delayed Obedience Is Disobedience
Did you know that delayed obedience is the same thing as disobedience? It is. The Bible says, "Without delay I hurry to obey your commands" (Psalm 119:60 GNT)…
- A Moment of Hope
Why Doesn't God Speak to Me?
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27). When we follow Jesus, he does speak to his people. He will lead us to exactly where…
- A Moment of Hope
Have a L-I-T-T-L-E Faith
Have a L-I-T-T-L-E faith. What? According to Jesus, I thought we were supposed to have an enormous, vast, gigantic faith? One that can move mountains (Mark…
- A Moment of Hope
Make Sure God's Spirit and His Word Are in Your Life
Make sure God's Spirit and Word - both together - are in your daily life. Sadly, Christians too often emphasize one over the other. But both are very important…
- A Moment of Hope
You Do and I Will
What is Jesus's divine order for his followers' faith to work? You do and I will. Note the order. Commit it to memory. First, we do. Then, Jesus will. Do…
- A Moment of Hope
First, Smooth Your Socks
Legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden won more NCAA basketball trophies than anyone in history: 10. His coaching acumen has informed thousands of coaches…
- A Moment of Hope
Repent!
"From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand'" (Matthew 4:17). Repent! It's the MIA word in the Christian…
- A Moment of Hope
Success Usually Demands Lots of Inspiration and Perspiration
What do vastly successful people do that sets them apart from others? They dream dreams. Big dreams. Dreams so huge only God could make them come true. And…
- A Moment of Hope
Assume the Best in Others Until Proven Otherwise
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you…
- A Moment of Hope
If I Was Delivered Once, I Can Be Delivered Again
"We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope" (Romans 5:3-4). If I…
- A Moment of Hope
AO1
NFL quarterback Carson Wentz created AO1 as a reminder of how to live out his faith in every area of his life - especially with the cruel critics in the NFL…