In Chapter 5 (“God’s Written Whispers”) of The Power of a Whisper, author and pastor Bill Hybels discusses Romans 8:28 in a section entitled “The Truth about Trials”. He begins by describing a trial he went through several years ago. While in Asia, Pastor Hybels picked up a virus. After wrestling with that virus for […]
At the conclusion of Chapter 11, Bill Hybels offers one final point concerning God’s promptings or whispers: despite any fear and/or doubt that may arise, be sure to obey- regardless of the cost. Pastor Hybels states that he has staked his entire adult life on following God’s still, small voice. He walked away from a […]
Pastor Bill Hybels discusses 4 practices we should consider when sensing any promptings from God throughout certain periods of our lives in Chapter 4 of The Power of a Whisper: 1. Ardently and repeatedly ask God to improve our hearing; to increase our capacity to perceive His voice. 2. Reduce the ambient (surrounding; on all […]
In Chapter 4 (“How to Know When You’re Hearing from God”) of The Power of a Whisper, author Bill Hybels clearly states that, while God’s whispers rarely are tangible, there are specific and concrete steps (aka “the whisper test) we can take to discern “if we’re hearing from God or hearing from the sushi we ate last […]
Bill Hybels devotes Chapter 3 (“Evidence from Everywhere”) of The Power of a Whisper to stories of people who have listened to God’s whispers. While there were many remarkable stories of obeying God’s promptings, the following story really touched my heart. A woman named Bev owned a condo that she had rented to her daughter. […]
Toward the end of Chapter 2 of The Power of a Whisper, Pastor Bill Hybels reflects on the New Testament account of the apostle Paul’s conversion, noting that Paul made the decision to listen to God’s whisper. Because Paul chose, through the Holy Spirit’s power, the path of obedience to God, he had a profound […]
In Chapter 2 (“Our Communicating God”) of The Power of a Whisper, Pastor Bill Hybels relates the story of Elijah as found in 1 Kings 19. Described as “zealous for God”, Elijah has reached rock-bottom in his ministry. The Israelites have forsaken God and murdered His prophets. Now only Elijah remains, and the Israelites are […]
Bill Hybels concludes Chapter 1 (“Samuel’s Ear”) of The Power of a Whisper by emphatically stating that he has learned, through his life-long walk with God, that even God’s tough assignments are precious entrustments. God does not call us into sacrificial roles without supplying us with his caring presence and affection. Such “whispers” can transform […]
As a teenager, Bill Hybels (The Power of a Whisper) began to second-guess his commitment to devote himself more fully to God. At that point in time, an older Christian man invited Bill to dinner. Not one to pass up a free meal, Bill accepted. During the meal, the man challenged Bill to do something […]
Phillip Yancy notes in Chapter 19 (“The Rest of the Body”) of Where is God When It Hurts? that the healthiest human body is one that feels the pain of its weakest parts. The author’s friend and colleague, Dr. Paul Brand, applies this concept to the body of Christ: “All of us rejoice at the […]
In Chapter 17 (“Hope”) of Where is God When It Hurts?, author Phillip Yancey discusses 6 aspects of hope while also contrasting hope with optimism. He begins the chapter by quoting Alexander Solzhenitsyn: “All the downtrodden can do is go on hoping. After every disappointment they must find fresh reason to hope.” The following concepts characterize […]
Norman Cousins (1915-1990), longtime editor of Saturday Review as well as an American political journalist, author and professor, once was hospitalized for a debilitating form of arthritis. Finding that the hospital environment seemed designed to immobilize both his body and his spirit, Mr. Cousins took steps to gain control over his destiny and restore his […]