HOPETIMIST!

How does one become a hope-timist? Is that even a word?

It is now, at least in my vocabulary.

H eals

O ur

P ainful

E xperiences

Where is this hope found? In God's Word---that's the obvious answer. But....sometimes we struggle even when we know the "right" answer.

For God alone my soul waits in silence,
for my hope is from Him. (Psalm 62:5)

I wait for the LORD, my whole being, and in his word I put my hope.

(Psalm 130:5)

Hmmmmm---Another word jumped out as I was searching for hope.

WAIT! 

I don't always wait well! But God in His love and mercy showed me what to do while I wait. Help others find hope.

H elps

O ther

P eople

E veyday

May I be a true hope-timist and help others as I wait.

CHOOSE: HOPE

God's Word says it well. (Romans 15:13)

When I choose hope, I choose from within. 

I choose God, my source of hope! 

Op-TEA-mistic Cuppa

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 

(1 Timothy 2:1, ESV)

Some things just keep me "in the pink." "In the pink," as an idiom, can indicate good health---either physical or emotional. I would add spiritual as well, though the Free Dictionary does not include that aspect.

In 2009, I was sent to Texas to start my cancer journey with every "pink" goodie imaginable which was great for my emotional well being, from bedding and jammies to pink journals and a pink Bible--thanks to the generosity of my H2H Bible study group.

During my cancer surgeries prayer support from my community of faith kept me "in the pink" spiritually.....which spilled over into the physical aspect as well.

Some days a good start to my day can have me feeling "in the pink." A good night's sleep. Time with the Lord. A brisk cuppa. Even a crossword puzzle can seem to start my day with an "op-TEA-mistic cuppa.

But God....today has shown me that true hope (an op-TEA-mistic cuppa) comes from relying, with confidence, on His Word. Not my fluctuating feelings.
At times, when it has been difficult to start my day with optimism....for our nation, my friends and others who are in difficult, if not dire circumstances, I have to wholly cling to the "anchor" of His word, as I pray for others. Not trusting in what I "see" or feel, which I can be prone to do, but by placing my trust solely in His Word.
A cuppa op-TEA-mism is all the "warmer" for our soul, when our sight and feelings begin to fail and we allow our faith to refill our life's cup.

Hopeful Meditation #4

12/23/13 Having prayed verse 13 from the 15th chapter of Romans for a friend this weekend,  I realized that it was a perfect verse for meditation during this Christmas week. Hope began at Christmas.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

Filled with hope. Abounding in hope. Overflowing with hope. Because of the One who gives hope.

ETERNAL HOPE

11/18/13 Life is full of struggles. There are many kinds of struggles.

What can one say to one in the midst of a struggle? 

Hope is the answer. Hope for a better tomorrow. 

Hope promotes the desire for a positive future, regardless of the circumstances of the day.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (Romans 5:5) 

 That hope is eternal. Eternity with the One who is our “Hope!”

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS:HOPE #3

10/20/13 An equation of hope revisited.....

My Dismay + His Presence = Hope

A hope this side of heaven for both our physical and our spiritual well-being. An eternal hope, as well. Hope can come to us through God's Word, prayers, encouragement of others and ordinary things viewed from a new perspective.

A Tableau of Hope
 for all to see as they travel east on Poplar Avenue toward Germatnown, TN

HOPEFUL MEDITATION #1

8/12/13

Following yesterday’s entry about hope, I spent time in the Psalms.

Those who acknowledge God in their lives have a hope that others might not even understand. God matters to them. Hope for better tomorrows are a part of their lives, regardless of the trials or struggles they are facing this side of heaven. They acknowledge His goodness. Their hope is in Him.

Show me your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me,
 
for you are God my Savior,and my hope is in you all day long Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,or they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me,
for you, Lord, are good. (Psalm 25:4-7) 

Today, “think” on the hope offered by the Lord.

Dreg of Excessive Planning addendum

6/20/13 Two days ago I posted the "dreg"(sin) in my life. Excessive overplanning. With further research  I "stumbled" on "Over Planners Anonymous." Everything from an "empty blog" and discussion groups---with some like gripe sessions others like funny confessionals (I'm such a super planner that I have to plan time for spontaneity) to thought-provoking devotionals. Funny and convicting. There was even a blog for "Disney trip overplanners." More conviction!

Just naming said dreg as sin was convicting enough for me. But God......didn't leave me there wallowing in  anguish and defeat.

Example of "old school" excessive planning---add to that...electronic calendars w/ audio prompts & emails and piles of post-it notes and you have an idea of the weight of my "dreg."

My blog entry ended with my confession but God began to bring scripture to mind. Reminders for one who trusts in the Lord and not in self from Proverbs 3: 5-6 soothed me with the words of reassurance,  "that as I acknowledge Him, He will direct me, making my paths straight."
Other verses of comfort:

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." (Proverbs 16:3, NIV)

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21, NIV) 

And we know that all things God work for the good of those who know Him.. (Romans 8:28, NIV)

So grateful that God's word always gives hope---even for  "excessive overplanners."

Simplicity group members access to "Overplanners Anonymous."