Kris Hopes

Booklist 2012

Kris Wood — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 20:29:55 +0000

Libraries have been a part of my life as long as I can remember. What fun to walk to the local building in Minneapolis as a child and choose armloads full each summer.

As I plan for 2012, I want to do some soul tending with the reading I choose each month. Here’s the working list I have going thus far. Each number corresponds to the month.

What books do you expect to read? Please share! I’m here…I’m listening…

Celebration of Discipline, by Richard Foster
The Stewardship Bible, devotionals (various authors)
Practicing the Presence of God, by Brother Lawrence
Writings of Julian of Norwich
How People Grow, by Dr. Henry Cloud
Biography of an overcoming Christian (perhaps Hudson Taylor or others.)
Books on Prayer – O. Hallesby, EM Bounds, others
Hymns and spiritual poems (Fanny Crosby, St Teresa, David, others)
Counterfeit Gods, by Tim Keller
It Came from Within, by Andy Stanley
A Life Well Lived (several stories of overcoming Christians – read online http://www.ccel.us/Titles.html)
Rediscover Advent, by Matthew Kelly

Where God Dwells

Kris Wood — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:23:45 +0000

Not so long ago during staff devotions, we were to plan ahead for the next week in thinking about “What does prayer mean to you? “

Wanna know my first thought?

Home.

That’s a surprise! Normally, I would have answered communicating with God or listening or something like that. So…I’ve let “home” cook and I’ve asked God more about this. He gave me a poem, of sorts…

Prayer is a lavish, welcoming place

where God dwells.

He invites me in

To speak Friend to friend

Or Parent to child

Or Lover to beloved.

Prayer is God’s home

It’s a place where I feel most safe, most significant, most stable

It’s intimate and familiar; refreshing and restful…though sometimes, mysterious.

As God reveals Himself to me

I am renewed and know myself better

It is in his home that I discover

Again

that I am

Accepted and cherished

Wanted and chosen

Equipped and sent

At home with God is a chance

to just be…

To pour out my soul

To nestle in

To accept instruction, correction, direction

To dream, to soar, to wonder

To get caught up

in His loving pursuit of me

And to pass all of this on to others…

To bring the magnanimous hospitality of His grace

To others…

And invite them…

Home.

The Bible? Yep, there’s an app for that!

Kris Wood — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 13:38:14 +0000

There are so many good Bible apps that you may want to take advantage of several of these freebies. (The Christian Post provided this info as part of today’s “Living” article written by R. Leigh Coleman.)

Here is a list of some of the new technology for Bible reading mobile apps and Internet programs available online:

The “YouVersion” downloads for free and works on iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry, Palm web OS and the Windows Phone 7: http://www.youversion.com/ E-reader bibles, in EPUB format are suitable for the Sony Reader, Nook, Kobo, iPad and other E-Reader devices: http://www.ereaderbibles.com/ iPhone Apps: http://www.youversion.com/mobile/iphone The new Kobo eReader Touch edition: http://kobobooks.com/touch “The Essential 100 Challenge” or the E100: http://www.e100challenge.com/pages/# Read the Bible in 90 Days: http://www.biblein90days.org/ Virtual experiences and reading the Bible in new interactive ways: http://www.bibleglo.com/

Love Came Down — Mama Maggie Gobran #wcagls

Kris Wood — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 02:19:52 +0000

2011 Global Leadership Summit Session 5 Notes: Mama Maggie Gobran #wcagls. Thank you, Mama Maggie. I am inspired and blessed by you. Your devotion to Jesus is reflected so beautifully in your countenance and your humility. Thank you.

PSALM 23 FOR BUSY PEOPLE

Kris Wood — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 11:18:32 +0000

The following rewrite is one of my all time fave quotes: Psalm 23 for Busy People.

We all know that we need to slow down and remember our priorities. It’s not likely that others will make sure we rest, focus and pace ourselves, so we need to find ways to be intentional about it. Take time to read it slowly…and aloud. Consider this your permission slip you’ve been looking for. Have you seen this before? Do you find it helpful? Let me know. I’m here…I’m listening… :)

PSALM 23 FOR BUSY PEOPLE

Toki Miyashina

The Lord is my Pace Setter, I shall not rush,
He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals,
He provides me with images of stillness,
Which restore my serenity.
He leads me in ways of efficiency,
through calmness of mind; and his guidance is peace.
Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day,
I will not fret, for his presence is here.
His timelessness, his all-importance will keep me in balance.
He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity,
by anointing my head with his oils of tranquility,
My cup of joyous energy overflows.
Surely harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruit of my hours,
For I shall walk in the pace of my Lord,
and dwell in his house for ever.

Gratitude

Kris Wood — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 23:21:32 +0000

I’ve started another blog…and it’s just for capturing gratitude. It’s already renewing my love of writing and being positive. And, I love that it’s online. It fits me! Come visit at http://www.krishopesagain.wordpress.com

Do you have a gratitude journal? If so, what venue do you use — blog, handwritten or other?

Talk with me. I’m here…I’m listening… :)

What’s [God] Got To Do With It?

Kris Wood — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 21:49:09 +0000

Just about everyone I know is familiar with 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Go ahead – Read it again.

“ ⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ⁸ Love never fails…”

Yep, it’s the love chapter that’s often used in weddings. In reading it again this week, I got to thinking about what it would be like if we lived this way as couples, in families, schools, churches, businesses, communities and beyond. What if we lived this out? ”Well yeah”, you may be saying, “We’ve been taught that from Day One” Not a new concept, right?

Well, how about this idea? Since God is love (1 John 4:7), how about if we look at these verses again.

Put God’s name wherever the word “Love” or a reference to love is mentioned. Somehow, this gives me a fresh perspective. Not only can I “live loved”, but live loved by God Himself. …He keeps no record of wrongs; he does not boast, nor is self-seeking….

O how He enjoys us, never fails, is patient with us, is kind towards us, always wants the best for us, always hopes for us, always perseveres, for us. …For YOU!

Then, out of THAT welcome news, we share the overflow of God in us and together, live out the love God sheds abroad in our hearts. It continues…“God does not rejoice when evil happens to us and is not easily angered by us… And this chapter finishes by saying, “The greatest of these is love.”

So, what’s it like to live loved? What phrase or adjective especially stands out about God’s love toward you? Tell me about it. I’m here and I’m listening. :)

Learning to Count

Kris Wood — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 16:17:19 +0000

Are you like me? I really enjoy reminiscing about simple things: colorful kites in the breeze, sidewalk chalk art and red trikes parked in a row. Today, I’m remembering many years ago when my first son, Benjamin, was learning to count. It was so exciting for both of us to see him learn the names of the numbers and the order that they go. 1, 2, 3… Such a primary thing. 4, 5, 6… And yet, a profoundly important thing because it’s one of the “firsts” that come before the “nexts”. 7, 8, 9…10! I would clap and say “yay” when he’d get to 10 and we’d celebrate that milestone, all the while I knew there were so many more numbers for him yet to add. It’s that way in life too, isn’t it? Just when we celebrate milestones in awareness, in loving better and in overcoming issues, we have good news to anticipate: There’s more! Not in a hype-driven way, but in a rich, this-is-what-matters-in-life kind of way. So for today, my nostalgic celebration is the way to slow time and I come away quieted, richer, grateful.

What about you? What milestone are you celebrating? What “more” are you anticipating? Tell me about it. I’m here ~ I’m listening…

Plussing the Youth Leaders Oasis at Lifest! (via Wandering for Life!)

Kris Wood — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 15:58:49 +0000

Check it out! Youth Leaders have an Oasis at Lifest! www.lifest.com

If you have been around a Disney theme park or even seen a Disney movie you may be familiar with a concept called "plussing." Plussing is when you take an all ready great experience and add value to it to make the experience even better. These aren't always big changes but add to the over all experience. For example, Walt usually walked around the theme parks and asked questions of their guests. He asked one little girl what her favorite part of … Read More

via Wandering for Life!

Communication Breakdown (via Conversations on the Fringe)

Kris Wood — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 20:28:25 +0000

Take a look at this concise and helpful blog in dealing with conflict. You just may want to post this in your home, or church or school or office!

When working with kids, parents, volunteers, other staff most of our problems begin with a breakdown in communication. Dr. Alan Godwin, a practicing psychologist certified in Alternative Dispute Resolution, writes in his book, "How to Solve Your People Problems" that when in conflict there are typically four types of problems we encounter and knowing which one we are dealing with is half the battle. He says, "Pay attention the next time you're i … Read More

via Conversations on the Fringe