In HOPE

 

 

 

  In HOPE 9.10

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David Timms  

 

 

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 Prayer for Today

Father, open my eyes today to those around me and open my mouth to speak a word that heals, helps, and brings hope. May the words of my mouth serve Your creative purposes.

Guard me from the gossip, criticism, sarcasm, bitterness, spite, and harshness that marks too many of my words. Instead, infuse my words (and my heart) today with fresh grace and compassion.

Lord, take the feeble words I utter today and make them gospel words -- good news words -- for someone else; even my spouse, my children, my workmates, and my neighbors. To You be all glory, honor, and praise. Amen.

A New Book Coming

I thought you may be interested to know that my next book Sacred Waiting: Waiting on God in a World That Waits for Nothing will be released on September 1, 2009.

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“Let your speech always be with grace,
seasoned, as it were, with salt." 
~ Colossians 4:6

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Not Just a Word

On May 7, 2008 Lt. Brian Brennan suffered horrific injuries from a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. The 44 pounds of explosives tore off his legs, killed three fellow soldiers, and left him with traumatic brain injuries.

There seemed little hope for recovery.

Then, after three weeks in a coma, Brennan received a special visit. General David H. Petraeus, Commanding General of Multi-National Force Iraq at the time, came to the hospital.

Petraeus had once commanded the 101st Airborne to which Brennan now belonged. "It was a very, very grim situation; very tough one," said Petraeus. He gave some of the usual encouragement. "Hang tough, big guy. Your troopers need you back out there." But nothing registered.

Brennan's blue eyes just stared straight back and through the General. He showed no recognition or response whatsoever.

Petraeus turned to leave and decided to give one more try. At the door he turned and called out a single word -- "Currahee" -- an old Cherokee word from Toccoa Falls, Georgia that also served as the motto for the famous "Band of Brothers" regiment in the 101st.

Suddenly Brian Brennan came to life. His body shuffled and straightened. His stumps started banging up and down on the sheets and his head moved from side to side.

A single word broke through the hard shell that had encased Brian Brennan since the attack. A single word catapulted him to consciousness and life.

A month ago, less than a year after the horrific event, Lt. Brian Brennan delivered an acceptance speech to the New Jersey Hall of Fame before a crowd of 2000.

A word changed a life. It still does.

In the beginning, God spoke and the world was created (Genesis 1). And even now He takes our words -- gospel words -- and transforms lives and the world, if we allow Him. It's not the profundity of the words nor our eloquence, but the Spirit who utilizes even our most feeble efforts.

We all know the destructive and harmful potential of words. Perhaps today we'll wait on Him and trust Him to empower a word from us for the hurting, the broken, and the spiritually numb. It's not just a word. 

In HOPE –

David

 

 

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You can find back issues of "In HOPE" (2005-2009) at http://www.hiu.edu/inhope/.

David Timms serves in the Graduate Ministry Department at Hope International University in Fullerton, California. "In HOPE", however, is not an official publication of the University and the views expressed are not necessarily those of the Administrators or Board. "In HOPE" has been a regular e-publication since January, 2001.