Hope is Contagious by Ken Hutcherson

Reviewed by Dale Lewis

"...bestows biblical wisdom with a tinge of humor and common sense in a straight up heart-to-heart with the readers."

Hope is a commodity not easily found or held onto securely in this time of fear and uneasiness. Discouragement can rears its depressing head at any given time. Dr. Ken 'Hutch' Hutcherson offers his story of living with a terminal illness while trusting a God who cares more about our character than our comfort.

Exceedingly beyond a “rah-rah!” pep talk from this former NFL player, pastor Ken bestows biblical wisdom with a tinge of humor and common sense in a straight up heart-to-heart with the readers. His hope is not based upon sheer will power or expended energy to survive these times of tremendous turbulence. He wants us to celebrate, even savor, every moment of our lives. Growth and maturity through perseverance is a byproduct of contagious hope. As he would say, “It’s all good!”

In his chapter “Why Good People Do Bad Things,” Hutcherson breaks down Paul’s “what I do and what I don’t do “confession in Romans 7. He also puts the spiritual struggles with right and wrong of “Chili Con Carne” Christians under the microscope.

The question, “How can something bad be good?” covers the age-old dichotomy of suffering for the Christ-follower. When we try to explain it by appealing to the human perspective, we distort the truth of God’s mindset and that rubs Hutcherson just a little. In the closing paragraph of this chapter, he says” Every inconvenience, every accident, every tragedy has a divine purpose. All things. To make you more and more like Jesus. To let you share in his glory. And, through it all, to attract more people to him.” May that profound truth permeate our heads and our hearts spurring an attitude change when it comes to suffering and less-than-ideal situations!

Hutch is keenly insightful when it comes to coping with tough times, unexpected tragedy and personal adversity. He is a God-fearing, breathing example of contagious hope.

Hope Is Contagious is inspiring but not to the point where the practical is ignored. I highly recommend this refreshing book.

Dale Lewis now mans the front desk at the EFCA (The Evangelical Free Church of America) National Office in Minneapolis, MN. He was the graphic designer/pre-press production artist for over twelve years before being asked to step into this new role. Prior to that, he was the publications manager at his alma mater, Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN in the public relations office as well as the adviser to the college’s yearbook. He's a director/actor/writer for the Hope Church (Oakdale, MN) adult drama worship team and was the senior editor of the church newsletter. He's also written two collections of poetry, “Whispers of Assurance” and “On Life: Constant Communion Without Ceasing” as well as a devotional entitled “Eternal Education.” He and his family live in Oakdale, Minnesota.