With the depth of challenge faced by homeowners, business owners, and anyone else trying to budget over the past 18 months, the word hope has become very familiar.

There's an old hymn that goes, "Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness…" How true for us as Christians.

For those of us who believe, hope is a means to an end. Hope is not random, mysterious, or elusive. Hope is not an escape from reality. Hope is intentional. For those who know Christ, being hopeful is something like rolling out the red carpet for our Lord!

Romans 5:5 "Hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

How do we share hope with a hopeless generation? How do you tell a kid whose dad is in jail – again – that he should have hope? How do you bring hope to a 14-year-old mom who is pregnant with her second baby? How does a high-school junior surrounded by drugs, alcohol, sexuality, and negative peer pressure acquire strength and determination?

Ephesians 1:18-19: "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe."

Day after day, as we share hope with these kids on your behalf, we see the lights go on. This week three teenage moms expressed their desire to become followers of Christ after being challenged with the truth of God's design for their lives. At a Clovis East outreach, open-microphone time revealed a mix of brokenness, loneliness, and the hope brought to many through the example of on-campus believers. A neighborhood girl in our City Life club shared that coming to club has made her a better person because she learns about Jesus here. She shares what she learns with her grandmother at home.

Titus 2:12-13 tells us about God's grace, which "teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ."

The Blessed Hope – Jesus Christ himself. "On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand."

Many, many kids have already had enough of a hopeless existence. Sometimes it is as simple as telling the great story of our Blessed Hope. Thank you for putting our staff and volunteers in the position to do that.

Finally, one more exhortation that is good for all of us to remember, especially in light of our current economic situation:

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." 1 Timothy 6:17-19

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul. Firm and secure.

Let's share the hope together!

Ed Kaczmarek

Executive Director

Announcements:

*SaveMart SHARES cards – Good at SaveMart, Food Maxx, and Lucky. One easy swipe of the card and 3% of your purchase value is donated to the ministry! No cost, no paperwork. Call us for your card.

*See the Story Hour – Friday, March 12^th, 12-1pm at YFC. Call to RSVP for this free lunch and tour – held on the 2^nd Friday each month.

*43^rd Annual Golf Classic – Thursday, April 22^nd, Fort Washington Golf and Country Club. Download the brochure right here on the website - just click the link to Golf Tournament off the home page. Sponsor the event or golf with us!