This week I’m giving away THREE copies of Pete Wilson‘s new book, Let Hope In. Pete is the founding and senior pastor of Cross Point Church in Nashville, TN. Pete desires to see churches become radically devoted to Christ, irrevocably committed to one another, and relentlessly dedicated to reaching those outside of God’s family. Pete and his wife, Brandi, have three boys.
I recently had the chance to ask Pete a few questions about his new book: Margaret: For readers who aren’t familiar with the book, what is the main idea of Let Hope In?
Pete: The main idea behind the book is that “Hope changes everything.” As a pastor I’ve walked with people through almost every imaginable circumstance over the past two decades and I’m convinced more than ever before that hope is not something that happens to you but rather something that each of us has the opportunity to choose. Hope can disarm guilt, shatter shame and put your past in it’s place. Letting it in won’t always be easy or quick but it’s possible because we serve a God who promises over and over again that anything is possible.
What has been the greatest encouragement in your writing experience?
I think my greatest encouragement was also my greatest surprise, which was the notion that I could actually do this. I could write. I’m not saying that I’m a great writer because I’m far from it. However, learning how to weave stories and principles together in a way that helps to raise the ‘get it’ factor for people has been a blast. I remember when my publisher asked me to write my first book Plan B. He told me the expectation for the book length was 60,000 words. I had already completed a sermon series on that topic and since I write out my messages word for word I dumped all six of those message into 1 Microsoft Word document thinking it would exceed the book length. I remember looking at the world count and all six messages only equaled 12,983 words. I panicked. That was absolutely everything that I knew about that topic. I had no idea where the other 47,000 words were going to come from. It turns out God was gracious and had more truth for me to write so as I sat down to write, the words just started to come.
What were the biggest challenges or struggles during the writing process?
I think the greatest surprise for me in the writing process has been the self-awareness that I’ve gained through it. I’m an extrovert. I’ve spent most of my life in crowds of people. And while this is where I tend to get my energy, I think I’ve also used it to shield myself from, at times, some of the painful internal realities. The practice of getting alone to write has helped me shed some of the scaffolding I’ve used to hide. When I write there’s no friends, no cell-phones, no TV, no meetings, no music, just nothing.
Nothing but me and my brokenness.
Nothing but me, my brokenness and my God who wants to meet me right there. It’s scary, challenging, and encouraging and hope-filled all at the same time.
What do you hope will happen in the reader’s heart and mind after they finish with the book?
I’m praying that they will embrace God’s grace which will release them from where they’ve been so they can receive what God has for them now. Inside all of us is a pull toward regret. Inside all of us is a tug toward fear. But also inside of all of us is a desire for hope. I’m praying they’ll realize that deep within, nothing is hopeless. We are children of God and he’s planted hope in us. If we can, with His help, let go of the regret and fear we can choose to let hope in.
Check out the book trailer for Let Hope In:
(RSS Subscribers, click here to view.)
To win ONE of THREE copies of Let Hope In, enter a comment on the original blog post at MargaretFeinberg.com. Winners will be selected and announced on Friday.
Congratulations to the winners: Karla Meachem, Rob Robinson, Angela
Hope changes everything. How have you seen this to be true in your life?
I have found HOPE to be that thread that God weaves in my life to keep it ALL together. As I have continued to walk a step at a time and then another step, those threads that God has woven in my life have kept me going. I have felt at times like circumstances around me had the world falling in on me. Hope is definitely Holding On and Praying Expectantly. Thank you Father. The winners will definitely be blessed !!
Would make an excellent Easter campaign from the sound of it. Amen!
This looks like a great book. I would love to read it!
Margaret!! First loved seeing you in Nashville, please know that the ladies at FBC Jackson, Ms are praying for you !!!
2nd. Would love to have this book !! It sounds GREAT !!!
Have been reading so much about this book. Would love to read it. Or maybe give it as a gift for Christmas 🙂
I choose hope! I loved the video and had to write down something Pete said, “God is bigger than you history and He is more concerned with your destiny.” That is amazing! I would love to win a copy of this book.
Hope is what I need to let in…fear and regret are things I need to let go…I am using the words from this interview as a prayer for release and as a prayer to let God’s hope in. Thank you so much for sharing this!
Blessings,
Linda
“Hope changes everything” I LOVE that!
Love it!
Seems there is always the letting go before we can truly grasp onto the depths of the hope that Christ brings to us in all of the fullness of His great grace and love. Sounds like this will be a book to read and to pass on to others 🙂
I know someone who so needs this book! Not that we all don’t! It sounds like a book anyone could benefit from reading. Thank you for the chance to win one! Kathi
What a book filled with encouragement, with God’s help, to pull onesself from the strongholds which bind us so tightly and free ourselves to the grace of God and hope He has waiting. Thank you, Pete!
Would love to read this book
Sounds like a great book. I would love to read it.
I’d love to read this book. This first week of Advent has been challenging me to find HOPE in the midst of my mess.
awesome giveaway! Thanks for the opportunity!
God bless.:)
I read Plan B right after I was laid off from a job I’d hate for nearly twenty years. Pete’s book was stop on as I navigated those new waters. Now my husband has been out of work for six months. Perhaps another Pete book would be a big encouragement.
Encouraging that “hope is a choice” and not to wait for it to happen to you. New concept for me…was thinking hope came in some form of circumstance.
This sounds like a great book and something that would really help strengthen my faith during this difficult time in my life. Thanks for the opportunity to possibly win a copy.
Sounds like an outstanding book! And what a great time of year too! Every year I use Christmas stars to remind the children in my class that we always have hope.
Let Hope In – what a wonderful concept.
As Christians we know, no matter what
the circumstances, nothing is impossible for God.
If the worst outcome is, “all things work together for good”,
we certainly do have hope – in Him – always!
I need Hope today…was in a group study this last year called the Hope Group…
Thank you for the encouragement….Sounds like a great book…blessings
pearl
Thank you . At this time in my life Hope is my life line that is keeping me connected to God. This book would help , I would like to read it, like so many others it has been a bad year for me. Thank you for your post and introducing Pete.
Hope is something I need to focus more on in my life especially after my dad was diagnosed with dementia.
This sounds like a wonderful book! I would love to win a copy!
I’d love to read this! Thanks for the chance!
I would really like to read this book.
faith the substance of things hoped for
This book sounds awesome!
Hope…we all need it…it gives us a reason to press on in life…strength to endure…courage to move forward despite affliction…HOPE breathes LIFE into desperate circumstances…
One acronym that encouraged me during a dark time was:
H. – Hold
O. – on
P. – Pain
E. – ends
#trustHIM
Hope is what gives meaning o our lives as we wait to be totally redeemed when we see Christ.
Hope gives me the reason to believe that tomorrow will be better…
Definitely one to read! Thank you for telling us about it.
We have hope because we know God is Good!
Hello Margaret!! Sounds like a good book. I know Pete is a much better author than he gives himself credit. Plan B was really good! I would love to add “Dare to Hope” to my library!!
I appreciate your questions to him concerning him writing. It’s something I want to do… Break through and get the words out. “Nothing but me and my brokenness.”
This book sounds like a breath of fresh air, would be an awesome blessing to read. Thanks for the opportunity to enter 🙂
I would love to add this book to my library. God is doing a new work in me this season.
Thank you for continuing to be a blessing,
Peace and good to you in your journey, Margaret.
I continue to pray for zero.
In Peace,