I am wrapping up an inspiring trip in the Middle East on behalf of ServeNow. There are so many stories to share and thoughts to articulate. But allow me to summarize a few fundamental realities in the top five words that come to mind.
Tag Archives: Hope
Beauty and Tragedy
On our first morning in Hawaii, we saw a rainbow right out over our balcony view. A reminder of God’s promises and faithfulness. A reminder that all that is good comes from God, and all that will be good again will be because He is a God who restores that which is broke. For now, we must face tragedy with hope and allow beauty to renew our hope.
It’s Here! New Book Reveal!
Check out this video reveal of my new book, Everything is Meaningless: Finding Purpose in a World of Despair! Order a copy today here: https://weservenow.org/books/everything-is-meaningless/.
Early Testimony of New Book!
“Even within the first two chapters of reading this book, my mindset is changing about how I can see and relate to my pain, sadness, situational depression due to medical issues, stress, the events of the world, etc. Maybe it is here – in the hard part of life – that I will see what Hope really actually is. And maybe diving deeper into my struggle and being willing to wrestle with this hardship will give me the most compassionate, empathetic, and loving relationships with those around me.” -Everything is Meaningless early reader.
Everything is Meaningless
Pre-order for my second book is now available: Everything is Meaningless: Finding Purpose in a World of Despair!
Book Announcement!
Do our lives matter? What is the point of life when it is fleeting, temporary, and finite? Where can we find meaning, significance, and purpose? In the follow-up to Hope Rising: Finding Hope in a Turbulent World, author Ben Foley takes an honest look at the despair and cynicism that characterize and plague our generation. From depression to the reality of injustice to the emptiness of pleasure, wealth, fame, education, and achievement, Everything is Meaningless wrestles with life’s philosophical and practical concerns.
Suffering and Silence
One of the most important distinctions I have come to see regarding suffering is that God’s silence is not evidence of God’s absence. His silence in our suffering may in fact be evidence of us gracious presence. Let me explain
Suicide and Shame
Suicide can affect anyone, even those whose circumstances would otherwise suggest a “good life.” We need to talk about suicide more, because it’s an epidemic and a real struggle for so many. At its core, it’s also a loss of hope
Compassionate Anger
This is what I mean by compassionate anger. Jesus channeled his anger in such a way that he created space for the humble to find the grace they needed to transform their lives. Jesus was not just dealing with injustice. He was restoring justice.
Waiting on God
Waiting sucks. Can I get an amen? I don’t like to wait for anything or anyone. Waiting is one of the most painful things to do in life for me. It is also one of the most critical parts of the Christian life
True Freedom = Serving
This weekend, American’s will be celebrating the 4th of July, which proclaims our independence and freedom. But often, I believe we miss what true freedom is and means according to Scripture. Regardless of how independent we may be externally, everyone is still a slave to something or someone. We are born slaves to sin according to Scripture with a propensity towards selfishness. Our sinfulness and selfishness are why we need a Savior; to set us free from our sin and deliver us from our selfishness. True freedom is not divorced from responsibility or found in indulging ourselves; it’s found instead in living for Christ and serving others.
Death & Eternity
We are awaiting the transition from the earthly and imperfect; to the eternal and perfect. The paradox of the Christian life is that though we die, death does not have the final word. Just as the weakness of the cross gave way to the power of the resurrection, we have the same hope in Jesus. And that is why despite our earthly struggles, we do not lose hope in our eternal future.
Depression: A Gift and a Curse
For as long as I can remember, I have battled with cycles of depression to varying degrees. I recently just came through two of the worst and longest-lasting episodes in quite a while. Two of the lowest points in my life during these cycles were the day my first book, a book on Hope, was published and my master’s degree graduation day. What should have been two of the most joyful days of my life were instead two of the most depressing days of life.
As a Child, Like a Child.
The good news of Christmas, the Good News of the Gospel, is that Christ has come for all, and all can come to him by faith in hope and find rest for their weary souls. This is the very promise of Christ himself. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Hope Rising: New Book Announcement!
I am so excited to announce the arrival of my first book, Hope Rising: Finding Hope in a Turbulent World! In this blog post, I want to give you a little of the backstory and context for why I wrote this book, along with the Founder (Lars Dunberg) of the mission organization I lead, called ServeNow.
We Can’t Forget the World!
Take whatever challenges COVID has meant in the US and multiply that by at least 10X or more in other parts of the world. Additionally, it has officially been projected that an additional 130 million people (double last year) could be facing acute hunger (starvation) this year worldwide. In just one Asian country where the mission organization I lead serves, it is estimated that 300,000 children could die in the next 6 months. 350 million people in this one country alone are being thrust back below the poverty line of less than $2 a day.
There is Always Hope
However, the verse that most struck me and has stayed with me is how, the Lord had promised to keep the lamp of David’s kingdom burning brightly. Amid human failure, was still divine faithfulness! Among a people who had lost their way was a promise that not all was lost. Towards a nation living beneath their calling, was a word of eternal hope.
Uncertainity
In times like this that are uncertain and unfamiliar, panic and fear grips hearts, and people begin to focus on their personal needs and concerns in a way that can lead to hoarding, selfishness, and self-preservation. In times opposite of this however, people become arrogant and overly confident in the stock market or their comfortable lives that they take for granted. That is why this passage caught my eye in a new way…
You are not Alone!
These scenes remind me of passages right out of the bible. But I am not talking about the ones where God himself tells us he is with us. I am not diminishing those promises at all, but what I want to focus on in this blog is the fact that not only is God with us, but so are angels and other saints, both past and present. We are part of a much larger community and spiritual family than we often realize or remember. And it is this message that we are not alone that I believe needs rediscovered today.
Ben Foley 