Hope for Life Blog

I love first impressions. It’s the only chance you get to show off the person you wish you really were. For that one moment in time you can be any type of person you wish. If you want to be a generous person, you’ve got one chance to prove it. If you want to be intelligent, you’ve got one chance to show it. Once the first impression has passed, people will begin to form a perspective of you based on what they see of your life. They will factor in every little piece of information that they learn. So while the first impression may imply one thing, your life may imply something entirely different.

The problem with a first impression is that it’s hard to erase. This is not a problem if you are lucky enough to have a good first impression. What about when it doesn’t go like you want? Or, what happens when the person you were when you made your first impression is no longer who you are today?

As I have grown, I have made many changes in my life. The greatest of which was the decision to become a Christian. I made the decision that every Christian must make; I chose to live my life for God and to turn away from my old lifestyle.

The challenge with changing your life is that too many people already know you as part of your old life. The first impressions of Skye the non-Christian were firmly grounded in the minds of everyone I knew. Even though my actions and words suggested I was a different person, my first impression was too strong to erase.

Jesus faced a similar struggle when he attempted to teach and heal the sick in his hometown. Many of the people in his hometown had already made their first impression of Jesus. They knew him as the “carpenter’s son” and the “son of Mary.” They knew his wisdom from the time he was a child, but now Jesus had revealed himself as the Son of God. Because they could not understand his new lifestyle, they were confused and took offense at him. Jesus himself said to his disciples:

“Only in his home town, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor.”

Mark 6:4

Jesus understands what it feels like when people will not accept the reality of a changed life. Everyday that we choose to live for God the world will struggle to understand our personal change, but we must make new first impressions and try to change the old ones. Feel free to browse around this website and hear stories of true hope. If you would like to share your story of Hope and Change leave me a comment or send me a message at skye@hopeforlife.org.

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Mathew 7:12).

This phrase of Jesus spoken during the Sermon on the Mount is referred to as the Golden Rule. I am curious how the world would react if the Golden Rule was enforced.

Consider how our lives would be if the way that we treat people determines the way others treat us in return. People would speak more encouragingly to each other and hesitate to raise their voice. Taking a drive in traffic would be easier, no longer being cut off at every angle. Even politicians would find a way to be polite.

How would this affect our Christian lives? How would church be different? Perhaps the visitors would receive special attention and be invited to a place of honor as guest. Christian groups would cease to gossip and slander one another over meaningless traditions.

Jesus warns us about the temptation to judge others and implies that the Golden Rule will also apply to judgment.

“Do not Judge, or you will be judged. For in the same way you judge others you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Mathew 7:1-2).

In a world plagued by hatred and envy, Jesus calls us to the principles of forgiveness. Jesus makes clear that we are to love our neighbor in thought and in deed. Treat your neighbor as you would want to be treated and judge him as you would have God judge you.

Let us continue to work toward a loving church and devoted community by committing our lives to a rule of grace. Please send us a message or leave a comment with your thoughts.

God Bless,

Skye

October 31st is the holiday known to many as Halloween. A day that draws mixed feelings from all who witness it. Some people embrace the opportunity to dress up in scary costumes and play pranks on friends, while others see it as a children’s holiday with no meaning other than free candy and cute costumes. It’s the dark origination and history of Halloween that draws such mixed feelings from Christians. There are many verses of scripture that speak to a Christian’s association with darkness.

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible.”

Ephesians 5:8-14

“Do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.”

3 John 1:11

Many Christians and churches have attempted to find ways of embracing this holiday without actually embracing its dark roots. These attempts include everything from Christian haunted houses that depict a non-believer’s journey to hell, to family oriented Fall Festivals that play host to a variety of games and food.

God’s Holy Spirit is the only spirit worth celebrating
I can not make the decision for every Christian in reference to their observation of Halloween. That is a decision that each believer must reach on their own through prayer and study of scripture. As believers we are faced with the dilemma of living in this world but not of this world. Though scriptures teach this world is influenced by spirits of good and evil, we can stand boldly for God has revealed to us that…

“The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

1 John 4:4

No matter what evil spirits are present in this life, we know that God has given us a spirit that is stronger than all others. The message of God to this world is that God’s Holy Spirit is the only spirit worth celebrating, even on Halloween.

If you would like to learn more about the Holy Sprit of God please contact me personally at skye@hopeforlife.org.

I’ve learned there is a certain art to clearing a pathway. I’m an expert at clearing paths through people, storms, bushes, and just about anything else you can think of. I’ve always been willing to step out and be the first to go into unknown territory. The number one rule in clearing a good path is to always keep moving. There is nothing that will cause panic quicker than getting half way into the unknown and to see your leader get lost and stop. No matter what happens, keep moving forward! Change directions maybe, but always keep moving.

There are so many times in life that the world around me is full of confusing messages. It’s hard to know which way to turn and it seems impossible to find my way. The good news is that as a Christian I have someone to clear the path ahead for me. Jesus who came to earth has cleared a path through the snags and traps of this life. He was tempted and tricked in every way possible, but kept moving forward. Jesus has cleared a path through this world that leads straight to God. The example of Jesus’ life is the only guide we’ll ever need.

Just like the rule I use when clearing a path, Jesus never faltered as he pushed toward his goal. There were times of great trial and confusion, but he remained strong and continued to move forward. After fasting and praying for 40 days, Jesus was tempted by Satan, but he remained strong. While praying in the garden, Jesus knew that his betrayal was only hours away and he pleaded for another direction, but he never quit moving toward the goal of fulfilling God’s will. When everyone had abandoned him and his mother stood at the foot of the cross, he never turned from his purpose; Jesus pressed forward and cleared a pathway of righteousness, a path that we could have never found any other way.

You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.

Acts 2:28

You may have felt lost in this world like I did, but the good news of Jesus is for us all. I have found the way. I found the man to follow and his name is Jesus. He’s shown that he can survive every power of Satan and all we have to do is follow his example. The path to God is narrow and it’s easy to get lost, but just remember to follow Jesus and keep moving forward!

If you would like more information about finding the path of Jesus please contact me at skye@hopeforlife.org.