H.O.P.E. (Having Only Positive Expectations)

Make the Most of Your Day

2012-01-27T09:44:00.000-09:00

1. Wake Up !! Decide to have a good day.
"Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" Psalms 118:24
2. Dress Up !! The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart."
I Samuel 16:7
3 Shut Up!! Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking. "He who guards his lips guards his soul." Proverbs 13:3

4. Stand Up!!... For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything.. "Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good..." Galatians 6:9-10
5. Look Up !!... To the Lord.
"I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me."
Philippians 4:13

6. Reach Up !!... For something higher. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, And He will direct your path."
Proverbs 3:5-6
7. Lift Up !!... Your Prayers.
"Do not worry about anything;
Instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING."
Philippians 4:6

Reference: http://www.cherishyourday.com/biblical%20quotes.html

Encouragement from a Friend

2011-11-22T11:11:00.000-09:00

Awhile back one of my dearest friends, Sherese Wilson from Hawaii wrote me this and I thought I'd share with you women as well.

"It is always hard stepping out in Uncharted Territory for the Lord... Its just a time when you have to be confident in the things the Lord is calling you to accomplish in this season of your life... just remember when God calls you to something greater, things will come against you... just know your right where the Lord wants you... just know, when God asks you to do something beyond yourself, that he trusts you and he will go before you and prepare the way.. be encouraged and remain faithful, it's Gods because it's something we can't accomplish on our own... Just be Confident, and trust the Lord with "everything", family, friends, your relationship, school, job! and all the tings in between.. I believe this is a season of Growth in the Lord, your christ character, will be strengthened... and you will be renewed everyday! just rely on the Lord, knowing he has called and chosen you to accomplish something this season, thats never been done and through you! be strong and couragous, just as he reminded Joshua, he's reminding you1 you will see the fruit of your labor return 100 folds more! who you are is enough in Him!"

Happy Thanksgiving (No Women's Meeting this week) - November 25, 2011

2011-11-22T10:16:00.001-09:00

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name."

We do not have a meeting this week however please ladies take the time to listen to this message: What it Means to be Thankful http://onelove.org/Media/Player.aspx?media_id=1000018100&file_id=1000020683

Suggested Readings!

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Read Philippians 4:6

Read Colossians 2:6-7

Read Psalms 68:19

Psalm 95:2 says to come before the presence of the Lord with what?

When giving thanks to God, we should make known what? 1 Chronicles 16:8

According to 1 Chronicles 16:34 we should give thanks to the Lord because…. He is ___________ and His ____________ endureth forever.

“When things are going as we want, we can easily be thankful. However, when things aren’t going so good, it’s hard. But we can still have an attitude of thanksgiving towards God no matter the situation.”

Thanksgiving in Action!

Take time to “live your Thanksgiving” and call or visit someone who is alone or having a hard time on this holiday.

Volunteer at a shelter or nursing home.

Make an extra pie and give it to a family who doesn’t have one.

Make a list of all of the things you are blessed with. Then ask yourself what can you give back to God?

Let’s pray and praise with thanks-giving, not just on the holiday but every day of the year!

“Let’s not stop counting our blessings or dwelling on things that we should appreciate. In spite of everything negative that may be going on in our life, let’s be sure that gratitude is consistently overflowing from our life.”

Lady of Reckless Abandonment (4th Meeting) - Friday, November 18, 2011

2011-11-21T16:49:00.001-09:00

Lady in Waiting - Chapter 1 - Lady of Reckless Abandonment

On Friday, November 18th, 2011. We met at the house I'm staying at to share with each other what is going on in our lives as well as to go over the first Chapter in our Study. Afterward a few of us fellowships by going to the UAA Hockey Game where we won 3-1 :) It was a fun evening and we hope to do more activities like this in the future. Below is the questions we went through from the first chapter. Once a week please come back and review these, we want to meditate on these lessons that Christ is trying to share with us during this season of growth.

From your perspective, what is the difference between “token commitment” and reckless abandonment” to Jesus? Is your relationship with Jesus one of sacrifice or convenience? (2 Sam. 24:24)

We all agreed that a token of commitment was approaching our relationship with Christ only half-hearted. It's mainly for our own convenience. Whereas reckless abandonment is going all out; where will will sacrifice things for the Lord.

Have you broken you “alabaster box” at the feet of Jesus? (see Mark 14:3-9 and Luke 7:36-39.) Are you afraid to break your box at His feet? Why?
Some of us had broken our alabaster box whereas other's had not. We discussed what is inside our alabaster box (Our dreams, spiritual gifts, personality, experiences, heart, abilities, love, compassion, strength, gratitude and faith).

Like Ruth, has your relationship with Jesus affected your friends, your surroundings, and your faith? (Mt.19:29).
We agreed that our relationships with Jesus has affected our friends, surroundings and faith but not to the extent that we would like.

Does your life have public and private evidences of your reckless abandonment to Jesus Christ? Explain.
Yes, our lives have both public and private evidence of our reckless abandonment to Jesus.

Read Colossians 2:10. What does being complete in Jesus mean to you? In what ways do you feel incomplete? How can that be changed?Know who you are in Christ.

Have you experienced the completeness that comes from the courtship available with your heavenly Fiancé? Consider this dating prerequisite: You must understand you are complete in Jesus before you ever date or marry.
Some of us need reminders of this in our lives.

What does the following statement mean to you: “Any woman who does not understand that she is complete in Jesus is susceptible to idolatry”? (This idolatry is dependence on a guy to make her complete-thus putting him in God’s place.) Consider this verse: “How happy are those who know their need for God…” (Mt. 5:3 Phillips).
We all know that we can only be complete in Christ! :) Yet, we get distracted by the things of this world, we need reminders and encouragement from each other to stay on the right path.

Scheduling & Sharing (2nd & 3rd Meetings) - Friday October 28/November 4th 2011

2011-11-08T10:41:00.003-09:00

On Friday, October 28, 2011 we met up for our second women's meeting at Qudoba. We sat down and scheduled upcoming meetings. Listed below is our tenative plans. We've decided that we will be reading the book "Ladies in Waiting" as a group and doing a study on it.

On, Friday, November 4th, 2011 - We meet at Kaladi Brother's on Tudor at 1:30pm. We discussed more what is going on in each of our lives and asked for pray. Start reading your "Lady in Waiting!" Read Chapter 1, we will be discussing the chapter and going over the Study Questions.

Thursday or Sunday , 2011 - To be decided..

Friday November 18th, 2011 - We will be meeting up where I am house sitting at to have our meeting around 5:30. Then we will be going to the UAA Hockey Game at 7pm.

Friday November 25th, 2011 - No Women's Meeting! Happy Thanksgiving!

Friday December 2nd, 2011 - Cooking/Baking at mi casa! Think of some meals or desserts you'd like to make yourselves! Time will be announced later.

Friday December 9th 2011 - Study Session!! Finals are next week. Lets gather together to be productive! Bring snacks and any school work! Time & Place to be announced.

Friday December 16th 2011 - Dinner out! Finals are done! Let's Celebrate! (Tenative) Gift exchange.

Friday December 23rd 2011 - No Women's Meeting! Merry Christmas!

Friday December 30th 2011 - To be announced.

Side Street Expresso (1st Meeting) - Friday, October 21, 2011

2011-10-25T09:11:00.001-08:00

On Friday, October 21 we had our first women's meeting at Side Street Expresso. Herys, myself, Haley and Josie attended. We basically just discussed what is going on in our lives, trying to get to know one another in a more personable way. We are also trying to come up with a group name for us. :) Any suggestions please let me know.

Let's go see Courageous on Thursday Evening! Does 6:55pm work for everyone?

Our Second meeting will be on October 28, 2011 on Friday (time & place to be announced).

Letter to Women's Group & Vision Statement

2011-10-05T19:52:00.005-08:00

Dear Ladies,

I am delighted that you have decided to become a part of this small adult women's group. Your role is vital in the spiritual growth and encouragement of those in the group.

We all come from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences. We are praying with you that those who have not placed their faith in Christ will come to know Him, that those of you who know Him will grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus, and that you all would support and encourage one another in the Lord.

May the Lord bless you all.

Vision Statement
The group exists to connect women of church and community to Christ, to women of similar age and to ministry service, in order to grow together in the faith, knowledge and love of Jesus.

We are looking for a group of young adult women who will:
1. Attend weekly meetings
2. Pray consistently
3. Regularly keep in contact with group members
4. Encourage one another

Background about Myself

2011-10-05T19:52:00.004-08:00

Over the past year I felt the calling to start a Christian Group. Originally I was determined to start this as soon as I got back to Alaska in December 09, unfortunately my doubts got the best of me and I put this calling aside. Slowly I drifted away from my Christian friends, not really attending church of my adult groups. But my something was missing, my heart wanted to grow closer to Christ. :)

During the past few months, I've got back into the routine of attending weekly adult groups and church. This past weekend Della invited me to a christian bonfire were we shared with each other that we were searching for a group. More specifically a group of young women who we could have a strong relationship with, that would help us in our spiritual growth. After realizing we both had the same desires placed in our hearts, we've decided to put this into action to form a young women's group.

I'm so excited to see what the future holds!

Lesson: I am a Women of God

2011-10-04T11:04:00.053-08:00

Scripture of the Week: ""It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." (Gen. 2:18)

Bible Story: The Creation of Eve (Genesis Chapter 2)

Breif Summary: God created the world and man, the masterpiece seems complete. Yet the Lord says that something is not good, not right. "Something is missing.. and that something is Eve." Woman. She is the final work of God. We are not an afterthought. Not some "nice addition". No, she fills a place nothing else can fill. The world wasn't complete with out Eve; without you!

Reflections: As you read Genesis 2, consider the following questions:
What were Eve's accomplishments? What are yours?
What were Eve's strengths? What are yours?
What were Eve's weaknesses? What are yours?
What does it mean to be human? What are our qualities and limitations?
How are we created in "God's image"?
What have we learned from Eve in the Bible?

Application Steps: Read The Creation of Eve every day this week. Let it soak into your heart, mind and soul and become a living reality in your life. Use one of your strengths to grow closer to God. Tell a friend about a weakness you found, ask them to pray for you. Take a half an hour or so to your self, go look at God's creation and say to yourselve, "The whole, vast world was incomplete without me. Creation reached its finishing touch in me."