Month: June 2020

What Does Hope Look Like?

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But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.  Ruth 1:16 ESV

In this small Old Testament book, we meet a woman named Naomi, for whom all natural hope seemed to be lost. She had followed her husband to a foreign land where he and both of their sons died. Naomi was alone in that strange place, a woman with no resources, no hope, future and no idea where to turn. Her only choice was to return to her home village.

But Naomi found hope in the unexpected kindness of her faithful daughter-in-law Ruth. Ruth shows all of us how holding on to God in desperate times gives hope both to us and to those around us. Even at the lowest point of Naomi’s life, God had already begun to work to restore hope. That hope began in the form of Ruth. Though no one else would go with Naomi and no one else would help, Ruth chose to remain. Ruth chose to walk with Naomi through that darkest time of her life. Ruth had no answers to give and no special abilities to offer. Ruth simply stood by her friend.

God has also begun a work in every one of our lives. Even when we find ourselves in unexpected sorrow God is in control. We don’t need to know all the answers to be kind. God Himself will bring us Hope and He can use us to bring hope to someone else. What does hope look like? With God’s help it just might look like you or me!

What Does Hope Look Like? by Peter Caligiuri © 2020 All rights reserved

Let’s Talk

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So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.  John 21:15

There is an old gospel song that says, “So let us have a little talk with Jesus” When we think of having this short conversation it mostly comes to our minds what we will say. But there are times when we need to let Jesus talk first! Our verse today is about a conversation that Jesus had been trying to have with Peter for years. In the past sometimes Peter got it, like the time when he said, “You are the Christ the Son of the Living God!” But sometimes Peter didn’t know what to say and yet he talked anyway. (Sound familiar) And sometimes Peter just liked to boast such as when he said;

“…Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.” Matthew 26:33

Even though Peter felt that because of his failure his life was over Jesus still loved him and still had a job for him to do. That was good news for Peter as well as for all the rest of us.

If you are reading these words it’s a sure thing that your life isn’t over either and Jesus wants to with you. It doesn’t matter how recently we have messed up or even how many times we have failed. God’s plan depends only on our willingness to listen and then do what He says; “Do you love Him? Then go take care of some of His lambs!”

Faith and Feathers

/ pastorpete51 / 5 Comments

This week-end I came across a feather that one of the hawks in our neighborhood lost in a tussle with a mocking bird. It was still so well preserved that i brought it home and washed it and then mailed it off with this poem to our youngest grandson. I hope that it may be a blessing to some other child like thinking friends out there. I hope everyone has a great week!

Faith is Like a Feather

Faith is like a feather

That can move a million pounds

It can shake a mighty mountain

Without making any sounds

It sings when we are lonely

And sits close when we are sad

Then carries us to Jesus

To forgive us when we’re bad

It will teach us to keep praying

Even when we’re growing weak

And will fly with us to heaven

Where with Jesus we will meet

Faith and Feathers by Peter Caligiuri © 2020 All rights reserved