Dear Friends,

Some time ago a man planted two rose bushes on either side of his house.   The bushes were equally strong and healthy, but after a time one grew and prospered, while the other one withered and died.   Then the man realised that the living one was on the sunny side of the house.   The one that died never experienced direct sunlight. This aptly illustrates the difference 'hope' makes to a person's life.   People who don't have hope and who are living without hope, find they are constantly living life in the shadows.   Those who have hope are able to rise above temporal problems and are somehow unaffected by difficulties around them.   The ultimate book of hope is the Bible and devout Christians worldwide are those who have an inner joy and hope which passes all understanding.   This 'hope' taught in the Bible is what often first attracts people to Christianity.   When asked 'why have you become a Christian?' many will explain that it was the attractiveness of the teaching and beliefs giving such hope which made them choose Christ.   So what is this hope? In fact there are many hopes and promises which keep Christians from despair and depression.   For example there is the hope and understanding that there is a loving and caring Creator behind the Universe and that this loving God will redress and put right all wrongs caused by the misuse of human freewill in eternity.   There is the promise that God has an immense plan and purpose for the human race and that in spite of disobedience some day there really will 'be no more pain or suffering or death for the former things have passed away'.   Again there is the hope and promise that this life is but a preparation for the real life that is to come in eternity that physical death is not the end and the effects of the fall of nature will be reversed.   Then again there is the promise of the forgiveness of sins to all who take God seriously and repent.   The Cross and Passion of Christ is an eternal ray of light shining brightly so that those who follow Him never walk in the darkness of despair.   The instant a mother knows that she is expecting, her whole attitude changes.   From that moment on she is looking forward with eager anticipation to the birth of her new born.   After a time she cannot make any decisions or think any thought that is disassociated from the coming of her child.   In France, if a man is introduced to a woman who is an expectant mother, it is the height of politeness for him to 'congratulate her on her hope'.   Those who take God's promises seriously constantly live in 'hope' just like an expectant mother they live in eager anticipation of what wonderful things lie ahead.

Sometime ago a faithful member of a Church congregation was diagnosed with terminal cancer and had been given three months to live.   As she was getting her things in order, she had a long chat with her Vicar.   She explained what songs she wanted at her funeral, what Bible readings she wanted etc.   She requested to be buried with her favourite Bible but that was not all!   She wanted to get a message across to others that this life was not the only life and the best was yet to come.   She requested that she was to be buried with a fork in her right hand!   The Vicar looked puzzled, but when she explained, it all made perfect sense.   She said 'For years I have helped at Church socials and pot luck dinners; when the dishes are being cleared away from the first course, we would always tell people 'keep your fork'.   It was a sign that more was to come - perhaps a chocolate cake or an apple pie.   When people hear that I have been buried with a fork in my hand and they ask 'what's with the fork?', it's my way of saying 'don't despair there's more to come because my soul is with the Lord.'

Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble, but be of good cheer - I have overcome the world."

Your Pastor and Friend,