Hope & Faith

I wrote this song years ago after hearing stories from people who came to my church of abuse that they had suffered. Today, around the world, Christians suffer and are even tortured and killed because of their faith. Our hope is that this song would give comfort, strength and courage to those who suffer at the hands of others in the world. Jesus suffered horribly on our behalf in order to bring the power of darkness and to offer us a future and a hope. May you find that hope and healing in Him - Dan Adler. From the CD 'The Best So Far'. Written by Dan Adler and performed by Dan and Sandy Adler. Available at www.danandsandyadler.com, iTunes, Amazon and most mp3 sites. For words and chords, contact [email protected].

One man with Down syndrome has achieved a marathon milestone, completing the world’s top six marathons.

People can be needlessly cruel. They will say or do harmful, painful and damaging things to others for no apparent reason. Even if people don’t intend to be cruel, their words and actions can have a long-lasting impact. People may not do something because of what someone said to them in the past.

Sadly, in addition to being coldhearted and cruel, individuals can be dismissive and closed-minded. Most people don’t seem able to look at someone and see their potential. Instead of saying what they can do, they will often look at someone and state what they can’t or will not be able to do or achieve.

Chris Nikic and his father know this situation all too well. Chris is an athlete and has Down syndrome but has not let his condition or other people’s opinions or hurtful words keep him from achieving something no one else has done.

According to a video posted on YouTube, Chris recently became the first person with Down syndrome to participate in and finish the world’s top six marathons. Chris set the world record in March when he completed the Tokyo marathon.

The clip adds that Chris is also the first person with Down syndrome to take part in and complete an Ironman triathlon. 

Chris’s father understands that people can be cruel, but instead of letting their hurtful words stop them, they have used those remarks as motivation.

“When Chris was born, everyone told us all the things he couldn’t do,” his father said. “And part of the reason that we go all over the world, and we do so many events, it’s an opportunity to show other parents like me and my wife that there’s hope and that their kids can do amazing things and live an amazing life.”

People look at others and see what they cannot do, but God looks at someone and sees their heart,  potential and what they can do.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, said the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

One young woman’s remarkable recovery ended in victory after tripping and falling during a race.

Life is a series of often unexplainable and unpredictable ups and downs. Some situations and circumstances will throw your entire world into chaos, and you won’t see them coming. Many of these instances will be immensely painful, resulting in terrible grief and heartache. Some may even feel that they can't go on any longer. 

As painful as it may be, and even though life can and will cause you to stumble and fall, knocking you down, giving up is never an option. Persevering through those trying times and hardships is the only way. We never know what’s on the other side and how God will use that trial to bring about good in your life and those of others.

A clip posted on social media shows a young lady participating in the 100-meter hurdles race during a track meet. The short, 15-second clip begins with her way out in front of the pack, as she easily moves over the hurdles.

But then she encounters trouble. As she continues the race, her foot clips one of the hurdles, causing her to tumble forward, sending her face-first into the next hurdle. 

However, the young woman doesn’t stay down long. She immediately gathers herself, gets back up and continues running and jumping over the hurdles. 

Despite her fall, she perseveres, finishes and actually ends up winning the race. 

In that short 15-second clip, that young lady demonstrated a ton of character and a refusal to give up when things became difficult, which literally sent her to the ground. We’d all be much better if we had that level of tenacity and perseverance during life’s trials and hardships.

We really never know what may happen and what God will do if we keep going and don’t give up. 

1 Corinthians 9:24 “Do you not see that in a running competition, all take park, but only one gets the reward? So let your minds be fixed on the reward.”

A song about forgiveness. Christians aren't people who are perfect or always consistent, nor are we people who hope to have our good deeds outweigh our bad deeds before God. We are people who have One who atones for our sins as we humble ourselves and confess them to Him. Jesus Christ's death on a cross made atonement for those who receive Him and He invites us to boldly come to Him to receive grace and mercy in our time of need. He is our Hope and Salvation so that even when we fail, we can find peace, hope and even joy in coming to our Savior to receive what only He can give. From the CD 'Songs for the Battle'. Written by Dan Adler. Available at www.danandsandyadler.com, iTunes and most mp3 sites.

The “smallest baby ever born” in a suburban Chicago hospital has finally gone home after spending the first six months of her life in the medical facility, and her story is a miracle for sure. 

Children are one of the Lord’s biggest blessings. Becoming a parent and welcoming a child into your life will forever change you and how you view the world. Things that seemed like a big deal will be much less critical when you are entrusted with taking care of a little one.

However, every pregnancy is different and has its own complications and precautions. A team of dedicated doctors and nurses will guide and support that mother and father-to-be throughout the process. But there are limits to what those medical professionals can do, and sometimes, the Lord will have to come in and perform a miracle or two.

Nyla Howard was born at just 22 weeks. A YouTube clip describes her as a “micro-preemie.” Her lungs were underdeveloped, her skin was still translucent and she weighed as much as a can of soup. 

The child was delivered so early because her mother had been diagnosed with preeclampsia. 

The clip adds that little Nyla was only given a 10 percent chance of surviving. But that precious little child beat those odds, and she is now at home with her parents, having left the hospital after six months. She left the medical facility weighing in at 10 pounds. 

One of the doctors on the child’s team said she came out crying, calling her a fighter right from the start. 

Nyla’s mother is thankful for her little miracle baby.

“I just don’t have the words in all honesty,” Nyla’s mother said. “We’re just super grateful that she’s here, she’s healthy and she’s doing amazing.”

Psalm 139:14 “I will praise you; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are your works; and that my soul knows right well.”

Emmy Russell reflected on God’s Love and His Plan after she was voted off American Idol.

Most people have a plan and blueprint for their lives and how they see things going in the future. They want to accomplish this by a specific time while also ensuring they do that over there. We all have it worked out, right? 

God doesn’t do things according to our plans and work in our timeframe. He has His timing and doesn’t often consult us to see if His plan works with our schedules. His timing and plan are perfect, and ours is flawed and imperfect. 

Emmy Russell, the granddaughter of the late country music star Loretta Lynn, made it to the top five on American Idol before being voted off the program. She consistently turned in flawless performances, often playing the piano while displaying her beautiful voice. She even sang her grandmother’s classic “Coal Miner’s Daughter” for one of her performances. 

However, she was recently voted off and praised God for His love and perfect plan in a video posted on social media. She understands that her winning American Idol was not part of God’s plan for her life.

“I’m just really feeling grateful, you know?” Emmy said. “I didn’t make top three, you know, but that’s a part of, that was God’s plan.”

She says that even though the voters may not have selected her, she knows her Heavenly Father did.

“You know, it’s funny because before I got eliminated, I really felt like, I think like God told me like, He was like, ‘Emmy, you’re not going to be chosen by America, but I chose you.’”

Emmy is not taking the loss hard because she knows that the one true King has chosen her, and His vote and plan are the only ones that matter.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, said the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

In an emotional video, former American Idol contestant Emmy Russell praised and thanked God for caring about the “little details” in our lives.

Life is an unpredictable experience, a series of ups and downs. Unfortunately, we will also experience periods of hurt, sadness and heartache. No one will be able to leave this Earth unscathed and without feeling immense grief and pain. Sadly, that’s part of being a human being. 

However, while we endure that pain and go through those dark valleys, God will remain by our side. He will provide comfort, healing and rest. He is faithful and has promised to stay by our side in our time of need. 

However, because of God’s never-ending love for us, He will go above and beyond simply remaining by our side. He knows us intimately and understands each person’s personality and individual needs. He even cares about the little, often overlooked things in our lives. 

In a clip posted on YouTube, Emmy Russell, granddaughter of late country music legend Loretta Lynn, praises God for caring about the “little details” in our lives. 

Through tears, Emmy says that she was recently thinking back on her “Coal Miner’s Daughter” performance on American Idol and experienced a vision of herself in Heaven with her grandmother.

“I feel like, I saw like, God just bring my grandma, and like, me just like, give her a deep hug, of like, ‘I miss you and I love you,’” she said.

She said that moment and vision from God brought her a lot of healing and closure. 

“I love that God cares about, like, those little details, of, like, healing and, like, having closure,” Emmy said. “And I feel like I just experienced closure listening back to that song.”

She added, “It’s just so sweet that God cares about just every detail of our life.”

Jeremiah 17:14 “Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for you are my praise.”

Don’t miss Phil Wickham as he shares an enthusiastic message of the hope each one of us has found in Jesus! Phil Wickham stands out not only as a talented musician but also as a passionate advocate for the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. In his concerts, Phil doesn't just perform; he passionately shares a message of hope, redemption, and salvation.

Sharing the message of Jesus Christ can often feel daunting, especially in a world where beliefs are diverse and opinions vary widely. However, Phil embraces this challenge with fervor and conviction. He reminds audiences of the universal invitation extended by Jesus, echoing the words from Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Phil's message is crystal clear: Jesus is the ultimate source of hope and salvation. He emphasizes Jesus' unconditional love and acceptance, inviting everyone, regardless of their past or present circumstances, to experience the transformative power of Christ's love.

Through his music, Phil paints a vivid picture of the hope found in Jesus Christ. He sings not just of heavenly realms but of the intimate relationship believers can have with their Savior. For Phil, it's not merely about reaching some distant paradise but about encountering the loving presence of Jesus Himself.

The heart of Phil's message resonates deeply with the human experience. In a world filled with uncertainty, pain, and brokenness, people are searching for something—or someone—to anchor their lives to. Jesus Christ offers that anchor—the assurance of forgiveness, redemption, and eternal life.

Phil's unwavering commitment to sharing the message of Jesus Christ reflects on how Jesus came for everyone. He said, “My friends, Jesus came for every one of you. And whether you’ve been to prison, whether you have a past or that you think is too sick and too gross, Jesus is calling every one of you and He is calling every one of you ‘to come and sit at My table, be in My family, live with me forever and be all that you were meant to be. Be all that you were created to be.’ There is hope in Jesus. There is life in Jesus and that’s why I love singing about heaven. Not because it means I get to go to some shiny place but because I get to see Jesus and He loves me! Amen!”

Through his music and testimony, Phil embodies this unapologetic proclamation of the gospel, knowing that it has the power to transform lives.

In a culture that often trivializes or marginalizes matters of faith, Phil's boldness is refreshing. He reminds us that the message of Jesus Christ is timeless and relevant, offering hope and healing to all who are willing to receive it.

Ultimately, Phil Wickham's concerts are not just musical performances; they are opportunities for people to encounter the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. Through his passionate delivery and heartfelt lyrics, Phil continues to be a beacon of hope and redemption in the world of Christian music.

Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

An elderly woman battling and struggling with late-stage dementia had no problem remembering Jesus Christ, His love and what He did and does for her.

Watching a loved one age and battle health problems is one of the most challenging situations we’ll ever encounter on this Earth. It’s gut-wrenching to watch someone we love deteriorate right before our eyes, knowing there is nothing we can do to ease their pain and suffering. Most would do anything for them, including switching places if possible.

The aging process is often brutal and unforgiving, and it impacts us all. It robs us of our hair, mobility, hearing and sadly, even our memories. Dementia can turn someone who was once sharp as a tack, with a lightning-quick recall, into an individual who cannot remember their own children or even what they had for dinner the night before. 

A clip posted on social media shows an 88-year-old woman who is battling late-stage dementia. Throughout the video, the elderly woman’s daughter asks her a series of questions, testing her memory and ability to remember simple facts. 

The woman off-camera asks the 88-year-old if she knows her mailing address, what she had for lunch that day and what color shirt she wore yesterday. To all of those questions, the woman has no idea, unable to remember and correctly answer any of those questions.

However, near the end of the clip, the woman behind the camera asks the 88-year-old, “Who is Jesus?”

Without even a moment’s hesitation, the elderly woman responds with a coherent and articulate answer to the question about Jesus Christ.

“Well, Jesus is the one who saved me and lives in my heart and will take me home,” she said. 

“I love Him,” the woman adds. 

 What a beautiful and moving, but at the same time, heartbreaking clip.

Acts 4:12 “And in no other is there salvation: for there is no other name under heaven, given among men, through which we may have salvation.”

On the heels of the 40th Anniversary of his 1984 Olympic gold medal win, figure skating legend, Scott Hamilton, explains how his faith has guided him through his cancer fight. 

Scott Hamilton began his battle with cancer in 1997. He recounts his cancer journey with Jennifer Hudson in this clip from his appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show. 

When asked how he’s feeling, the 65-year-old olympian jokes, “I’ve never been this old before.” Then, he goes on to say “It’s great.” Scott shares that his first cancer diagnosis, which was testicular cancer, came in 1997. 

After surviving the first bout, Scott was again struck with cancer in 2004—two years after marrying wife Tracie Robinson in 2002. This time, he had a brain tumor, and a biopsy revealed that he’d been born with it. According to Scott, it was this episode that really “ignited” his faith. 

In an interview with People, Scott shared that Tracie inspired him to form a deeper relationship with God, saying, “When you’re skating in front of millions, you pray. When you’re diagnosed with cancer, you pray. But when we started going to church together, it connected the dots for me. I knew all the things that had happened to me weren’t accidental.”      

When the cancer returned in 2010, Scott had 9 surgeries to treat the benign tumor. However, when doctors found yet another benign tumor in 2016, Scott chose not to treat the tumor with the surgical or medical options presented. This time, in his words, he elected to “go home” and “get strong.” 

Scott jokes that he had to “negotiate” his high school diploma. In the same way that choosing “all of the above” may result in being at least a little right, Scott explains that he figured he’d try to get healthy in lots of ways—physically, emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. That’s just what he did!

When he returned to the doctor next, his tumor had not grown. When he returned 3 months after that, it had shrunk by 45%! Scott’s surgeon offered only one explanation for the size reduction. God!

In the years since, Scott’s tumor has shrunk and grown, grown and shrunk, but he has decided to quit thinking about it. Eight years after making that decision, Scott says that he’s never been stronger in his faith and never been stronger emotionally or intellectually. He reports that he has a great quality of life, and Jennifer calls him a “walking testimony.”

The father of four lost his mother to cancer 47 years ago. After going through that, he became a fundraiser, but when he was diagnosed 20 years after her death, he became an activist. He says his mother never had an opportunity for survival, but the work and research of two scientists in Indiana have made it possible for Scott to live many years beyond his initial diagnosis. 

Scott founded CARES (Cancer Alliance for Research Education and Survivorship). The organization is dedicated to the future of cancer, which Mr. Hamilton believes is in immunotherapy. With tears in his eyes, he shares that on the night of his 40th-anniversary celebration, he was able to announce that the research program for the type of cancer that killed his mother will now go into clinical trials! 

Scott Hamilton has persevered to use his talent, faith, and platform to live the best life he can for his own family and to make the lives of so many other families better!

“I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders, and miracles.” 2 Corinthians 12:12 

One paralyzed man, a father of six children, has built a spectacular bedroom for his daughters.

Life can and will sometimes throw you overwhelming and devastating situations. These moments, which can come without any warning, will change your life forever. 

No one can predict the future. The only thing we can do is to continue fighting, not give in or fold up. It’s about making the best of the present circumstances. Sadly, another part of life is playing the hands you’ve been dealt and making the best out of even bad situations. 

According to the video posted on YouTube, one man, Daniel Kotter, experienced a devastating and life-altering injury that left him paralyzed. In 2013, Daniel was working on a house before the accident. 

He says that he was “setting the trusses for the roof,” took a couple of steps and then the next thing he remembers is waking up in the hospital. While in the hospital recovering, Daniel started considering his future as a paralyzed individual. What were the people who were paralyzed doing? 

Daniel started looking online for answers but didn’t find much. However, that has not stopped him from continuing to build and work with his hands. 

For over a year, Daniel worked meticulously, pouring his blood, sweat and tears into building an imaginative and spectacular bedroom for his daughters. In addition to the beds, he constructed a set of stairs in the room that folds up into the wall.

Daniel admits that putting his daughters’ unique bedroom together helped him in a variety of ways.

“It’s kind of challenging in a good way, mentally,” he said. “Physically, it’s such a positive beat for me. Like, I have extreme nerve pain. Anytime I can stay really active, doing something like that helps negotiate that down.”

Daniel did a fantastic job because the results are absolutely spectacular!

Luke 14:28 “For which of you, desiring to put up a tower, does not first give much thought to the price, if he will have enough to make it complete?”

My Life

My Life

George Janko | For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. - Romans 3:23 #bibleverse #biblicaltruth

'Amazing Grace' is one of the most well-known and dearly-loved hymns ever written but everyone who has experienced or witnessed God's grace in action in their lives or in the lives of others would agree that such grace is surely much more than just 'amazing'. We congratulate musicians for an amazing performance, footballers for an amazing goal or friends for an amazing new hairstyle but find grace to be far beyond such an over-used adjective. For some people, grace seems so unfair, especially when shown to the worst of us that we can be outraged by what appears to be injustice. But God's grace is truly outrageous because our sin in so awful yet God's love is so great! Read the stories told in the Bible about forgiveness that show us grace which is beyond our comprehension - outrageous grace!

Life is short! The Bible tells us that we are like the flowers that we see in the fields; we're not around for long. But we also read of how God has made a home where we can be with Him forever. It can be ours because Jesus gives new life to anyone who trusts in Him as their Saviour. When we know who Jesus is and what He has done for us, we have a new future. While we are 'passing through' on our way to be with Jesus forever, He has also promised to be our Good Shepherd on that journey. That's the theme of this song based on Hebrews 11.13 to 16.

Actor Ryan Reynolds had what is likely the sweetest conversation with a child during a visit to the hospital.

Life is often an unkind and unfair experience. Some people are given pretty bad cards and can do nothing but play the hand they were dealt. Some people are given more than their fair share of issues and problems. They are forced to endure terrible situations. 

Those sad, horrible and unavoidable circumstances may involve cancer or some other disease or condition. It’s always awful to watch a loved one go through something like that, knowing that there is little to nothing you can do to ease their pain. But it’s made much worse when the person inflicted with a debilitating or life-threatening medical condition is a child.

While we may not be able to alleviate their pain, we can still offer them love and kindness. That’s precisely what actor Ryan Reynolds did when he visited a hospital and visited with a young lady who had just undergone a bowel transplant.

In a clip posted on social media, the “Deadpool” actor kneeled and leaned onto Bella’s hospital bed, and the two had a cute and lengthy conversation. Topics included in their discussion included video games, hospital food and Bella’s surgery.

“Bella, did you have the transplant yet?” Ryan asks her.

“Yep,” she responds.

“And how’d it go?” he follows up. 

“I can walk,” Bella says.

Later in their conversation, Bella adds that she can now eat, and her favorite food is a roast beef sandwich served by the hospital. 

Ryan also asked the young lady how she handles a situation like that when she is about to undergo a massive surgery. Surprisingly, the little girl states in a way that shows it doesn’t affect her much at all. She does it. 

What a strong little girl who has obviously been through so much but has not let it phase her. 

Ephesians 4:32 “And be kind to one another, full of pity, having forgiveness for one another, even as God in Christ had forgiveness for you.”

Don't let your circumstances dictate how you feel.

God is building your testimony.

In a world where sisterhood is often celebrated for its bonds of friendship and camaraderie, a group of five heroic college students rescue mom and two children from a sinking car!

A group of five sorority sisters from the University of Georgia prove that sisterhood can also mean selflessness, courage, and heroism. Dubbed ‘The Fearless Five,’ Molly McCollum, Jane McArdle, Eleanor Cart, Clarke Jones, and Kaitlyn Iannace became beacons of hope and inspiration after their extraordinary act of bravery rescued mother Cori Craft and her two young sons from a sinking vehicle in a creek.

It was a fateful day as the sisters embarked on a journey to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and decided to take a detour to satisfy their craving for cheesy biscuits. Little did they know that their detour through a rural area would lead them to a moment that would define their lives forever. 

As they drove, they witnessed a terrifying light and a cloud of dust, prompting them to investigate. What they discovered was a car sinking rapidly into the water, with Cori and her children trapped inside.

In a moment of instinct and compassion, the sisters sprang into action. Without hesitation, they called for help and plunged into the cold water to rescue the family. Despite the danger and uncertainty, they remained steadfast in their mission to save lives. As they quickly brought Cori’s older son to safety, the youngest remained trapped underwater, buckled in his car seat, his life hanging in the balance.

"Time is ticking. It had been like 4 to 5 minutes … it was just, like, every second mattered," Molly recalled of the scary moment. 

With every second crucial, the sisters refused to give up. Drawing upon their collective strength and training, they worked tirelessly to free the young boy from his car seat. Clarke then began performing CPR on the little boy. And when all seemed lost, their prayers were answered as the boy started breathing again, a moment of sheer relief and joy for all involved.

Through the seemingly ordinary cravings of these extraordinary young women, God intervened to turn them into instruments of His grace and mercy. Their swift and selfless actions saved a family from tragedy and also served as a powerful testament to the strength of sisterhood and the guiding hand of God. 

In a world often fraught with uncertainty, their story stands as a beacon of hope, reminding us that even in our most unexpected moments, God can use us to bring light and salvation to those in need. As we reflect on their heroic deeds, let us be inspired to embrace the call to compassion and kindness. We know that with God by our side, we, too, can become vessels of His love and instruments of His peace.

Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."