In the summer of 2000, my family and I made a trip from middle Tennessee to Los Angeles, crossing the western states by car.  It was our first time making this trek and we loved seeing the beauty of the terrain, the mountains, the rock formations and the desert.  As we passed through Kingman, Arizona, we approached the stretch of highway that crossed the Mahave Desert.  For all of us, this was our first experience being in the desert environment.  I remember feeling a little nervous about the drive as we stopped to make sure our fuel tank was full and our water supply was sufficient.

The beauty of the landscape was breathtaking.  Even in an area that was so barren and hot (116 degrees F), it was awe-inspiring to see the mountains, cacti, and the colors of the terrain.  We stopped at one point to take a break, pulling off into a small town along the way.  As we stepped out of the vehicle, the heat and warm breeze felt so different from anything I had ever experienced.  As we always say, "It was a dry heat."  There was no humidity in the air that made it feel muggy and sticky, as we were accustomed to in the southeastern part of the country.  Instead, it was dry and arid.  There was almost an eerie feeling of being caught in this oven, where, if your air conditioner failed, you would not survive.  These were not necessarily rational thoughts, but felt real just the same.  It is hard to imagine that flowers could survive in such harsh conditions.  Yet, it is possible...and even natural...for flowering plants to exist there.  It is a beautiful illustration of being able to bloom where you are planted.  Even the same desert place in different years can produce very different vegetation.  When the rainfall varies between 0.2 inches and 4.7 inches, as these two photos show, the same location can look very different (photos from the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum).

In this week's podcast, Jasman interviews award-winning contemporary gospel artist, Chesternique, about the seasons of life and how God works through them in our journey (take a listen here).  As she unfolded her journey that has led her currently to the work and ministry of serving as a social worker, I was struck by her sharing of three things she has learned, that can be summed up as "blooming where you are planted."

Humility - Sprout Before You Can Bloom (Contentment)
Every beautiful rose, or towering oak, starts out as a tiny sprout.  Small, easily overlooked, and seemingly insignificant, they break through the soil and poke their heads into the sunshine to start their life of destiny...being the American Beauty or the acorn-producing home of the squirrel family.  But, the beginning is a humble one.

Just as Chesternique spoke of the season of being a background singer and what she learned in that experience, in our journey of fulfilling our purpose, we will likely find ourselves in the background at times.  We may see that our journey is taking us through a season of serving and wondering, "How does this fulfill the purpose to which God is calling me?"  (I wrote about that in a previous post).  In those seasons, if we will find contentment in humbly being our best in that role, we will be able to soak in all of the nutrients and resources that will enable us to thrive and bloom when our time comes.  These seasons are just as important as the others.  We can be just as productive and influential.  But, it is all about our attitude and approach to that time in our life.   Humility and contentment is the key.

Time is Valuable - Give Yourself Time to Grow (Development)
I remember learning the "Laws of the Harvest" many years ago.  They are simple truths that are valuable to learn early on in life.  I have found them to be true...both for the positive and negative outcomes they represent.  They are:

1. You always reap what you sow.
2. You always reap more than you sow.
3. You always reap later than you sow.

That third law is the hardest.  I remember the few times that I attempted my hand at gardening, as a kid.  I loved the tilling, preparing and sowing of the seed.  Waiting for the harvest was excruciating to me.  I guess I was a little impatient.  But, when those plants started to break through the soil, or when those plants started to produce blooms that were going to bring fruit, I got excited.

As we pursue our purpose in life, we often expect results and a great harvest right away, not thinking about how much time is involved in growing into that place of abundance.  One of the struggles of many newly married couples is the expectation that they should immediately enjoy the lifestyle and amenities that their parents afforded them at home.  They forget that it took decades for their parents to be in a position to provide the blessings that they enjoyed while they were at home with them.

Give yourself time...time to grow, time to learn, time to develop into the person God intends for you to be.  Waiting doesn't mean being idle, it just means being patient and being willing to work well with all that God has placed within your hands at that moment, making the most of it for His glory.  He will take care of the rest.

Your Gift is Valuable - Value What You Have to Offer (Opportunity)
There are currently approximately 374,000 identified species of plants in the world, with approximately 80% of those being flowering plants.  Can you imagine all of the varying flowers that represents?  When most of us think about flowers, we have maybe 10-12 variations that come to mind, which we plant in our flower garden or use to adorn our patios and homes.  However, if you used all 295,000 flowering plants to decorate your home and garden, you would be overrun with a jungle and no place to sit, eat or sleep!  But, think of how beautiful all of those flowers would be.  Each one unique, exotic and colorful in its own way.

You are a unique creation of God.  He has designed you, gifted and equipped you, with all of the special traits, abilities and characteristics to be the person He has called you to be!  That means your gift is valuable...the gift you have to offer and the gift you are to the world...to His kingdom.  Don't sell yourself short, or underestimate the person He is making you to be, and the great things He wants to do in and through you for His glory.  I've said it before, but it bears repeating...you are a masterpiece.  Just as the Stradivarius has the sweetest sound and the most expensive price because of the master who made it, you will exhibit the most beautiful life with the highest value because of the Master who has made you and who has called you to a special role in His plan...a plan to bring eternal life to the world. Whatever your gift...whatever your role...it is valuable, and God wants to use it in amazing ways.

So, there you have it...bloom where you're planted...whether you are just sprouting, in the growing season, or filling out your life with beautiful flowers for all to enjoy.  It is all a fragrant aroma to the Father who has planted you and continues to nourish your growth for the harvest that He has ordained.  Bloom beautifully, my friends!  Your beauty is needed in our world!

Check out the biography and music of this week's podcast guest, Chesternique at her website: www.chesterniquemusic.com.

It was September 18, 2010.  My wife and I had traveled from our home in central Arkansas to middle Tennessee, for a weekend of ministry.  We had been invited back to the congregation we had served for 10 years, as they were dedicating a new facility to serve their community.  As I prepared the message I would share that Sunday morning, I had no idea how the truth God showed me would be a test of my own trust in His sovereignty.

The dedication message on that Sunday would come from Joshua 4:1-11.  It was a challenge and encouragement to stack the stones of life that represent how God has worked in us, so that they offer a memorial/testimony of praise to His glory.  I encouraged the people to glorify God because He is faithful, honor Him as the Great Provider, and to glorify Him for the sake of future generations.

God has a knack of bringing the truth of His Word into the reality of our daily lives in ways we might not expect.  Saturday night, prior to my sermon presentation, the process began to do just that.  I would have the opportunity to have my trust in God's sovereignty tested and tried and proven.  That evening I received a call from a pastor of one or our churches in St. Croix, Virgin Islands.  As the call unfolded, I learned of the tragic accident that resulted in the death of one of their high school students in the church and school.  The loss of this young man was having a ripple effect among the students and the community.  They needed someone to come and provide crisis/grief counseling to their students and families.  He asked if I would come and help.

Take Charge and Get Things Planned
Time was of the essence.  The students, staff and families needed support and counseling as soon as possible.  There was no time to waste, so we went to work trying to plan the logistics of getting me to St. Croix and getting my wife back home.  I had to re-pack and arrange my flight out of Little Rock, once I returned home on Monday.  It was a 7-hour drive back to our home, the best I could do was to arrive on the island on late Tuesday evening.  This was at least 24 hours too long.  But, what could we do?  How could we make it work?  We were working as hard as we could to come up with a plan.  Nothing seemed to work to make the timetable meet the need.  Our best efforts were coming up short. 

Life is like that sometimes...we think we have it figured out, or we give our best effort to make things work out as needed.  Our best efforts sometimes fall short.  But, when we trust God's sovereignty, things come together in ways we can't imagine.  That's because He isn't limited by the same things that limit us.

God Already Has It Worked Out
As we were developing the plan, it was in a conversation with the travel agent with whom we were working that it suddenly occurred to us...we were thinking about this all wrong.  The agent pointed out to us that we were already in an ideal location to make the timetable work perfectly.  Flying out of Nashville provided a flight schedule that was perfect for our needs.  So, I booked my flight for 6:00 am on Monday morning, heading to St. Croix.  My wife booked her flight to Little Rock for 6:30 am.  Our vehicle was left at the airport for me to drive home upon my return.  Friends picked her up at the airport to get her home.  I was on the ground on Monday afternoon in St. Croix, at 2:45 pm...over 24 hours earlier than we could have made possible with our original plans.  What about my clothes (I had only packed for a two-day trip)?  The ministry in St. Croix purchased clothes for me to wear during the week I was there.  You see, God already had me in the ideal location at the ideal time to make it possible to go and minister to the needs of hurting people.  God's sovereignty is perfect as He goes before us to prepare the way...His faithfulness is sure, His provision is enough and His timing is perfect.

Does God Need Our Help?
I was reminded that week, that God is always at work to accomplish His plan.  He isn't surprised by the unexpected circumstances of our lives.  I've found that there is tremendous comfort in the reality that God is already present in the moments we have yet to experience.  He is already there to be present with us when we arrive.  That means He already has it under control.  He is already there with the resources we need to be sustained and equipped for the moment.

The next time we face those unexpected challenges...the struggles or opportunities that life presents...let's lean into His sovereignty and trust His goodness.  He doesn't need us to help Him out.  He just wants us to look for His hand at work...and find peace.  That is how we know we are living a life of purpose.

[This post is a companion to the podcast, episode 5, by the same title.  Hop over here to listen before you read on.]

The sun was just beginning to set over the hill that overlooked our subdivision.  The smell of freshly cut grass lingered in the air and the shouts and laughter of us kids floated above the pulsing din of the cicadas.  Our parents watched from the back deck of our neighbor's house as we zigzagged across the yard, mason jars in hand, trying to capture as many fireflies as we could.   Those elusive insects were here, then there, and we darted toward each flashing light, trying to catch another one before it disappeared into the fragrant wall of honeysuckle that bordered the grass-carpeted playing field of our childhood antics.  We finally collapsed onto the lawn, laughing, sweaty bodies itching from the grass in which we rolled.  Our parents called us to come in as the last glimmer of light faded from the summer sky.

Summer...it is my favorite season of the year.  It was as a child, and it continues to be so now.  I love the sunny days, the warm nights, the comfort of being outside and all of the fauna and flora that come with it.  Some of my fondest memories are associated with summer. 

Conversely, I don't like winter.  It may be overreacting to say I hate the winter season, but not too much so.  I don't like the cold, damp days.  I don't like the short days that go from dreary to dark all too quickly.  I don't like the dead look of the vegetation.  I don't like to walk on brown grass that crunches under your feet.  Snow...well, that's the only redeeming element of the season.

But, here's the thing...we don't get summer without having winter...at least here in North America.  You see, after enduring the harshness and unpleasantness of winter, I get to see everything gradually come to life in the spring...trees budding, flowers blooming, birds singing, young wildlife running about.  Then, spring gradually transitions into those lazy, hazy days of summer...at least in a perfect world.  But, you get the idea.

Bottom line...seasons are all necessary and each one serves its purpose.  The same is true in our lives.  We go through various seasons over the course of our lives and each one fits a need in the linear process.  Sometimes they build upon one another, at other times they provide transition, and still others, they place us on a sort of hold to give us a chance to reset.  These, and many others, are the reasons that seasons exist in our lives.

God Wastes Nothing
So you see, this season of life turned out to be more than just a year of waiting for life to start.  It was a training ground in so many ways.  It proves that God wastes nothing.

This is a truth that we all need to understand when it comes to pursuing and fulfilling our purpose in His master plan.  He uses everything in our lives as a part of His shaping and forming process, so that we can fulfill His purpose for us.  For each of us that is unique, and for all of us it is the same.  What I mean is, He molds us into a vessel of honor as He prepares and uses us to fulfill our unique role in His Kingdom.  He molds us into the image of His Son, so that we can all become more and more like Jesus until we arrive at our ultimate destination to spend eternity with Him.  We will never understand how to fully pursue our purpose without understanding that simple truth.

What do you get when you cross a cognitive psychologist, a neuroscientist, saxophone player and record producer?  You get Daniel Levitin, a American-Canadian university Dean of Social Sciences and Professor Emeritus.  Levitin has written extensively on the impact and integral thread of music in our lives.  In an interview on NPR's Morning Edition, he talks about how he fed over 500 musical scores into a computer and discovered that musical compositions that spanned centuries actually reflect a rhythm we find in nature.  He says, "You can see it in a snowflake or the leaf of a fern, where the smallest part of an object repeats itself over and over again to create the whole.  Scientists call these patterns fractals, and that kind of pattern is buried in the music's rhythms, whether it's Bach or Chopin."

Think about it.  Rhythms are so imbedded in our experience that we may not give it a lot of thought at first glance.  However, consider how rhythms permeate our daily lives.  There is the cardiogram that assesses the rhythm of our hearts.  Biological rhythms manage and coordinate the functions of our bodies (Circadian Rhythm and REM cycles of sleep), the behavior of animals (bird migration, salmon spawning), and marine life that reacts to the lunar tidal cycles of the oceans. 

We also have the seasonal rhythm of our year.  For those of us in the mid-latitudes of the earth, we experience four distinct seasons: spring, summer, fall and winter.  Those who are in areas closer to the equator, experience less variation and have the rainy season and dry season.  The latitudes near the poles, generally have colder, less variable seasons that are more discernable by the amount of daylight and darkness they have.  Regardless, however, of where you live on the globe, you can see a rhythm of the seasons that creates a predictable cycle...therefore, a sense of cohesion and continuity.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.
            Ecclesiastes 3:1

God inspired King Solomon to write about the seasons of life when he stated, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens."  He goes on to talk about all the varying "seasons" that we experience in life.  While he lists a vast array of "opposites" in our life experiences, the purpose is simply to teach us that things change in various seasons of our lives and to assure us that it is natural.  Whatever those varying seasons, God remains the constant through them all.  That gives us peace.  When we see that creation is replete with the rhythms that reflect God's design, that gives us security and a sense of the bigger picture of His Plan.  That is the perfect context in which to pursue our purpose...fitting into God's big plan and depending upon His faithfulness.

Reflecting the Rhythms in Our Daily Lives
God has designed rhythms into His creation.  Doesn't it make sense that developing rhythms in our daily lives, reflecting the rhythms in creation, would create a sense of cohesion and security?  The more in touch with God's plan that we are, the more potential we have for understanding how to live out our purpose.

Life feels more balanced when we develop rhythms that support our wellbeing.  God's rhythms in creation make things operate in concert.  When something gets out of sync, the operation of the system is thrown off.  We all know when our life gets out of sync.  It shows up in a lack of peace, feeling incompetent in fulfilling our purpose and experiencing dissatisfaction in general.  On the other hand, living our purpose is enhanced as we develop certain rhythms, because a balanced life is an effective life.

• ​Rhythm of Worship and Communion

We can't hope to live our purpose...our God-given purpose...if we aren't in connection with the God who has created and called us.  Ultimately, our purpose is to be like Jesus and to bring glory to God.  How can we hope to do that if we don't spend time with Him?

Worship is the act of giving ourselves to the One who has redeemed us through his gift of love, and Who's Spirit lives in us and draws us into relationship with Him.  We thrive as we develop a rhythm of daily personal worship and weekly corporate worship.  In doing so, we maintain our relationship and intimacy with our heavenly Father through His Son...we commune in the quiet place that we set aside for that connection.  Through praise and prayer, we practice the presence of our God.  Starting the day with Him, seeking Him throughout the day and ending the day with Him creates a rhythm that keeps us connected to the One who loves us radically.

Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You.
                             Psalm 143:8

• Rhythm of Growth and Development

John C. Maxwell says, "A leader is a reader."  The key to being a good leader is the attitude of learning and growing.  Learning and development are central to the life of a growing person.  If we aren't growing, we are shrinking.  Just as atrophy sets in for a muscle that we don't use, atrophy of our skills and abilities sets in if we aren't using them and always seeking to increase our competency.  You may not consider yourself a leader, but however you live the purpose of your life, you can always grow in your ability to fulfill that purpose.  This means we have to be a student of God's Word.  Spending time reading and applying God's Word to our lives daily is essential to our growth as a follower of Christ.  We can't hope to know our purpose without it.

Reading after others, studying in groups, taking courses, whatever fits your lifestyle and circumstance, incorporate growth rhythms in your life.  In our information-saturated age, take advantage of the myriad options to read, learn and grow.  Do it regularly.  

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path...I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.
                  Psalm 119:105, 147-148

• ​Rhythm of Rest and Self-Care

If you don't fuel yourself, you will have no resources from which to give to others.   A rhythm of taking care of yourself is essential to prevent burnout and to guard against increased vulnerability to temptation from the flesh or the enemy.  If you know anything about addiction or dealing with temptation to sin, you may have heard the H.A.L.T. acronym, when describing the times we are most vulnerable to failure.

H - hungry
A - angry
L - lonely
T - tired

All of these signs of vulnerability to temptation are addressed through self care.  Whether it is the rhythm of getting enough rest daily, or taking a break to rejuvenate weekly, or a "sabbatical" of vacation annually (or semi-annually), rest and recharging is essential to healthy living, physically, emotionally and spiritually.  Give yourself permission to rest!  Don't buy into the lie that the successful and fruitful life is the one that is lived non-stop.  If you crash from fatigue or from a failure in sin, your ability to live your purpose will be limited or damaged.

Take care of yourself...your family will appreciate you, your Father will affirm you, and your future self will thank you.

And I gave them my Sabbath days of rest as a sign between them and me. It was to remind them that I am the LORD, who had set them apart to be holy.
                                         Ezekiel 20:12

And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.
                                   Mark 2:27

What are the rhythms you have developed in your life?  How have rhythms of worship, growth or self care made a difference in your life?  What rhythms do you want to create?  Share your thoughts in the comments...our community is eager to engage!

I stood at the end of a road that used to lead to one of the most popular resort areas on Mindanao, Philippines.  This road was well traveled because it led to the mountain resorts that Filipinos and international tourists would flock to in search of relaxation, leisure and escape from the heat, in the mountains near New Bataan.  But, this day, the road was not traveled by tourists and people on holiday.  Instead, it was a dead end, as the roadway literally disappeared into a sea of boulders (some the size of an automobile), tree trunks, mud and debris.  There was an earie quiet as people stood, or slowly milled around among the scattered items that had been left in the aftermath of the raging avalanche of water that had devastated this region just a month earlier.

On December 4, 2012, Typhoon Bopha, nicknamed "Pablo" made its way across the southern Philippines island of Mindanao and left a path of destruction that wiped out coastal villages, flattened banana plantations and destroyed the homes of hundreds of thousands of Filipinos.  After the storm had passed, and days of search and rescue, and weeks of recovery efforts were made, this category 5 storm had killed over 1,000 people and displaced more than 400,000.  Standing there in disbelief at the destruction I was viewing, trying to imagine this massive river of water, a mile wide, that had swept boulders, trees, structures and people from the mountains into the valley, two filipino men walked up to talk with our team (I was with a Christian humanitarian aid team from the U.S.) and share their stories.  With them was an older man, who was blind, being led by his grandson, a young man in his twenties.  As they told the story, they described the impact of the storm, the chaos of its violent force as 160 mph winds ripped through their house and uprooted trees.  They talked about loved ones who were swept away and never found.  The elderly gentleman, who spoke no English, shared with us through a translator, how he had been swept from his home and family and carried by the flood waters for miles before being rescued, along with his grandson.  They were the only two surviving members of his family.  As we stood in awestruck silence, listening to their stories, we were astonished at their survival.  Because we were obviously not Filipinos, they knew we were there as a part of recovery and support efforts and they thanked us for our work.  In a bit of a spontaneous response, we stopped to pray aloud for the victims and their families in the aftermath of this catastrophic experience.  When we uttered the final "amen," one of the young men picked up a small smooth stone and handed it to me.  "Take this with you to remind you of the people of New Bataan," he said.  I smiled and assured him I would do so, and to continue to pray for their healing and recovery.  We shook hands as he smiled and thanked me once again.

They're called "the smiling Asians," I'm told...Filipinos.  Typhoon season is an annual experience in southeast Asia, and especially among the Philippine islands.  Every year they brace themselves for the storm systems that make their way through this region of the world.  It is a part of life in this country that ranges from remote primitive villages to sprawling, modern cities.  If there is one word I would use to describe the Filipino people, it would be resilient.  My job as part of the humanitarian team was to do crisis counseling with the people who came through our mobile  clinic.  After receiving medical care, they would meet with me and (usually through a translator) I would explore their support network, provide mental and emotional processing for grounding and spiritual counseling of hope and the gospel.  I always offered to pray with them, and I don't recall anyone refusing.  But, one thing struck me through all the hundreds and hundreds of people I met over those days of ministry...it was the HOPE that they held in spite of immense odds against them.  The experience taught me what hope looks like and, because many of them found their hope in Jehovah Jireh (The God who Provides), that lasting hope comes from the One who has us in His hands.  It was a beautiful intersection of purpose...I was living out my purpose in serving the needs of the Filipino people, and they were living out their purpose in demonstrating the powerful hope of the Savior in the midst of trials!  What a lesson in God's sovereignty!

Though this storm was the most powerful to hit the Southeast Asian islands to date, they had no idea that, just a few months later, on November 3-11, 2013, super typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) would strike further north in the islands of the Philippines bringing destruction.  Haiyan resulted in over 7,300 casualties and over 28,000 injured.  Yet, the faith and hope of the Filipino people remained strong.  Take a moment to watch the video below and note the hope that is expressed by those who were in the midst of suffering!  I'll wrap this up on the others side.

Without hope, all is lost.  It is hope that has kept people strong and resilient through the most difficult of circumstances.  Prisoners of war survived their captivity because of hope of rescue.  Cancer survivors have persevered because they had hope of healing and recovery.  The greatest obstacles we face in life can be overcome because of hope.  This is no surprise to those who have experienced the redemption of Christ.  The good news of Jesus Christ...Messiah...is a story and message of hope.

You see...God has made a promise and, as the scriptures tell us, He cannot lie.  In Him...that is in Jesus Christ, we find refuge, hope and access to the Father, therefore, His eternal life.  That is the hope that anchors our souls.  Perhaps a quick acrostic will help to drive it home for us.

We have hope, no matter our circumstances, because...

Honesty Opens the Door to Hope

In the video clip above, and in my experience in talking with the Filipinos I met in 2013, I realized, if anything, they were brutally honest with themselves and with God.  They didn't sugar coat their situation, or try to explain it away, or live in denial.  They faced their situation head on and were honest enough to say, "This is how it is."  But, those who followed God (or at least acknowledged Him) were also honest enough to look to Him rather than blame Him.  That's a huge lesson for us...when tough times come, honesty with ourselves and God is the first step to seeing our situation through eyes of hope.

Openness to God's Plan

God is always working out His plan in our world.  He desires that all people come to Him and receive the salvation Jesus purchased (2 Peter 3:9).  God is also working out His plan in and through you as His follower.  Our hope is predicated upon the reality that we are in His hands and we are a part of HIs plan.  Knowing that He is in control and is working all things for our good, provides hope in the bleakest of times.

Perseverance Through the Tough Times

Perseverance is both learned and enabled.  Unfortunately, I'm afraid that we do our children a disservice by "rescuing" them from every tough moment that comes their way.  When the going gets tough, parents sometimes step in and remove the struggle or remove the child from the struggle.  That is the worst possible thing to do in those moments.  Our children need to learn to persevere through hard things and to learn to wait, push through, figure it out, and ultimately, trust God in those circumstances.  Paul recognized this value when he wrote the message Jesus gave him about persevering, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  Hope enables us to persevere, and perseverance sustains our hope.

Entrance is Made Possible by Jesus Christ

The writer of Hebrews 6 (above) informs us that when Christ died for us, He tore the curtain that separated the Holy Place, from the Holy of Holies, in the temple.  That area (Holy of Holies) was the most sacred place in the temple.  It contained the Ark of the Covenant, atop of which was the Mercy Seat.  This was the place where God exhibited his presence and where, twice a year, the High Priest would go in to sprinkle the blood of the sacrifice to atone for (seek forgiveness) the sins of the people.  This most holy place was so sacred that the priest would wear a bell on his garment so that those outside would know that he is still alive, and would have a rope tied around his ankle so that, if he went in without having been cleansed from his sin through repentance, he would die and they would have to pull him out with the rope.  Suffice it to say, going into the presence of the Most High God was a serious matter.

However, when Jesus paid the final sacrifice, doing away with the animal sacrifices that had only pointed forward to His ultimate provision, that curtain that separated all people from the presence of God, was torn down.  He made it possible for all of us, through His redemptive work, to have access directly to the Father.  We no long have to have another man go to God for us.  This Hope we have in Jesus has delivered us directly into the presence of our heavenly Father and we can communicate with Him directly.  So, in life...through all of our ups and downs...no matter the situation...we can go to God with our needs and our hurts and our failures...we have hope because we have access to the One who gives abundant life through Jesus Christ.  That is a hope that endures...the anchor for our souls!

If you haven't done so, hop over to our podcast and listen to the latest episode as Christian Hip-Hop artist, Kyren Monteiro, shares his story of "Hope for the Broken."