Buffy St. John: Blog

What is the definition of Hope? Trust; Reliance; Desire accompanied by expectation of fulfillment; One that gives promise for the future.
 We don’t hear very much about hope. We hear about trust, faith, love, but hope seems very elusive for some reason. H-O-P-E, hope a desire accompanied by expectation. Hmmmm Yet we live in and with  hope everyday. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. An expectation is something still in the future. We look forward to an event, a fulfillment of a promise.
 A woman will look forward to her wedding day and prepares for it as if it will happen. No one can dissuade her of her upcoming nuptials. She knows her color scheme and plans accordingly. She orders her bridesmaid dresses, flowers, decorations, reception, food and all that is necessary for the fulfillment of that promise as well as the enjoyment of sharing that fulfillment with others. There is an expectation and the work that [...]

Joshua 1: 8-9
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
It is interesting that God tells Joshua to meditate on the word of God day and night, to observe to do according to what is written and if he does that then he shall be prosperous and have good success.
Many times when assessing a situation that demands a decision that will take us into an unknown direction fear can creep in and paralyze us. When Moses (Numbers 13: 17-33) sent out the 12 spies to check out the land that would be given to the Israelites, 10 of them turned the people’s heart with tales of giants. “The fruit is incredible and the land [...]

In the years that we have spent counseling Pastors and Church Ministry Leaders; they usually come to us when they are burnt out and ready to quit. They have spent themselves and are discouraged. They seem to be pushing against a brick wall. Often times, what they preach doesn’t seem to fit what they live. Have you felt like that? What you proclaim in your church and in your Christian circle doesn’t seem to fit what you are really going through or what is actually happening in your home? The kids are rebelling, your marriage seems to be disseminating before your very eyes. The love and kindness that you are to exemplify seems to have turned to anger and exasperation at the closest ones you are to protect and serve. You are frustrated with your home environment and now you get hit with a self portrait that has mostly lows and mediocre peaks if you can call it that. You certainly have no desire to teach Sunday school, preach or do any type of ministry if you can’t live it [...]

Have you ever met someone who always tries to keep up with or supersede the Joneses? They are so concerned with how others see them that they plan the move to the better, richer neighborhood. The kids have to go to a certain school or they would be social outcasts or better yet scarred for life. They belong to the country club and are always worried if they have the right outfit, if they fit in and are usually too loud and brash.
Spouses nag about the income level and if they have the right car and social standings. They buy, buy, buy because heaven forbid if someone they are trying to impress comes over and their flat screen TV is less than 60 inches, why it would be catastrophic!
These people have determined their social value, careers, self worth, and personalities on how others see them. They try to act like someone else and have lost somewhere along the line their identity. Their reputation is the most important part of their lives and they guard it selfishly not realizing that they [...]