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Now here's today's news, discerned differently.

Wrestling with hope, struggling to find good in the world, seeking comfort in hard times.

Jesus' timeless wisdom holds answers we all need in tumultuous times.

In my latest book, Bright Hope for Tomorrow, how Jesus' parables illuminate our darkest days, I delve into ten of Jesus'

parables that offer us hope in hard times. I pray that its words console and encourage you

or a loved one. Please request your copy, and any copies for friends and family today. Request

your copy of my newest book today at the daily article.org.

Tara Simmons quit school at 13 and gave birth at 15. Nonetheless, she graduated high school and

nursing school, then worked for 11 years as a registered nurse. However, drugs she was taking

for depression, along with the alcohol abuse that began when she was a teenager, led to a downward

spiral that nearly destroyed her life.

Tara was arrested three times for selling drugs and sentenced in 2011 to 30 months in prison.

When she was released in 2013, Burger King was the only place that would give me a job, she says.

My wages were being garnished to pay my court fines,

and I was also trying to reunify and catch up with my kids. It was a really hard time.

The barriers to succeed seemed overwhelming. Worried that she might start the cycle of drug abuse

again, she reached out to a law student who had been outspoken about his own conviction

for bank robbery. He helped her apply to law school. She eventually graduated with honors and

became a civil rights attorney. Last week, she was elected to the Washington House of Representatives

with nearly 65% of the vote. When people wonder what it feels like to be the first ex-con to take a seat in the Washington House,

...