![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jimanddoni.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/Ab4.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
It’s 2:00 PM and I should be cleaning.?? Don’t want to.?? I still have to get my floors done but Tori’s sleeping and I don’t want the vacuum to wake her up.?? Know what my excuse was before she went to bed??? Tori hates the vacuum and cries every time I turn it on.?? Can’t win I guess.?? Will have to wait until she is at least 4 before I do more floors.?? Such is life.?? \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n
A few days ago Jodi sent out an email about a song she loved from Addison Road, “What Do I Know of Holy”.?? Beautiful song.?? While I was listening I came across “Hope Now” and it moved me more than I have words for.?? I sent it to Heidi right away and now all three of us are advertising it on our blogs.?? \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n
Hope Now – Addison Road<\/p>\n
If everything comes down to love
\nThen just what am I afraid of
\nWhen I call out Your name
\nSomething inside awakes in my soul
\nHow quickly I forget I’m Yours<\/p>\n
(PRE-CHORUS)
\nI’m not my own
\nI’ve been carried by You
\nAll my life<\/p>\n
(CHORUS)
\nEverything rides on hope now
\nEverything rides on faith somehow
\nWhen the world has broken me down
\nYour love sets me free<\/p>\n
When my life is like a storm
\nRising waters all I want is the shore
\nYou say I’ll be ok and
\nMake it through the rain
\nYou are my shelter from the storm<\/p>\n
(CHORUS)
\nEverything rides on hope now
\nEverything rides on faith somehow
\nWhen the world has broken me down
\nYour love sets me free<\/p>\n
I am not my own
\nI’ve been carried by you all my life<\/p>\n
(CHORUS)
\nEverything rides on hope now
\nEverything rides on faith somehow
\nWhen the world has broken me down
\nYour love sets me free
\n(Repeat 2x)<\/p>\n
(CHORUS 2)
\nYou’ve become my hearts desire
\nI will sing Your praises higher
\nCause Your love sets me free
\nYour love sets me free
\nYour love sets me free<\/p>\n
The concept of “everything rides on hope now” is so powerful.?? Incredible really.?? I think back to Hebrews Chapter 11.?? “They died in faith believing having not received the fullfillment of the promise”.???? So many that walked before me, put it all on the line.?? Their belief so profound that they went to their graves knowing that some of the outcomes they watched for were just behind the veil.?? Everything rode on their hope.?? That was enough.?? That is the very definition of hope I think.<\/p>\n
My family and my friends are struggling.?? Can’t tell you how many conversations I have had with loved ones this month who are about to lose it all.?? Jobs gone with no end in sight.?? Houses in foreclosure or on the way.?? Cut backs, layoffs, no work….desperate times.??<\/p>\n
I was on the phone with one of my brothers a couple of weeks ago and we were having a long talk about all the situations that felt like impending doom.?? My brother said that he didn’t want to lose this moment.?? If he was going to “go out” – he wanted to go out believing.?? Believing that God’s plan is higher.?? That it is good.??He wanted to seize the moment and choose to believe despite the evidence of the day.?? And trust me, the evidence of that particular day suggested that his house would be burned down and his livestock dead of disease??and his children sold into slavery by the time he got there.?? THAT kind of day.???? When the worst scenario forecasted looked downright pleasant compared to the worst case scenario not predicted.??<\/p>\n
When I hung up with him though, despite all that was falling apart – we both had hope.???? Not hope that “things would work out”.?? Hope that comes from knowing your Daddy is God.?? He doesn’t abandon.??<\/p>\n
Notice that in Hebrews 11 – those people did DIE.????Then notice this??- they still believed.?? Imagine what their reception was like.?? To hear “well done good and faithful servant”.?? Could greater words of affirmation ever be spoken to me??? EVER????? So we hold on.?? And we make a decision.??<\/p>\n
Jesus – I am not my own.?? I have been carried by you ALL MY LIFE.?? I hope.?? Now.?? <\/em><\/p>\n