31 Days of Hope Day 3

Welcome to day three of our 31 Days of Hope!

We know hope means to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence. We also know the enemy has a purpose to devour us (and our hope). 1Peter 5:8 warns us..."Be of sober spirit, be on alert. Your adversary the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour". The devil wants us to feel hopeless. He wants us to have a sense that what is desired can not be had. He wants us to give up. I know there have been many times in my life when I gave into the feeling of hopelessness. I think we have all experienced the feeling of, " whatever" or even thought, "why keep trying (or hoping), its pointless anyway,' and many of us have believed the biggest lie of all, and said, "I am not worthy of a second chance, I do not deserve forgiveness."

We must stop believing the lies! We have to focus on the truth!

As far as the east is from the west, so far He has removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12

I have wiped our your transgression like a thick cloud and your sins like a heavy mist. Return to me for I have redeemed you. Isaiah 44:22

In Him we have redemption through His blood the forgiveness of our trespasses according to the riches of His grace. Ephesians 1:7

The keys to hope are within your reach. You no longer have to be surrounded by hopelessness.

The first key is repentance. Jesus calls us to repent-Matthew 4:17 "From that time Jesus began to preach and say, " Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand". Repentance is an acknowledgment of your sin and a willingness to turn from it.

The second key is forgiveness. Unfortunately, forgiveness doesn't come with an eraser, however it does come with freedom. It's important to not only forgive those who have wronged us, but we must learn to forgive ourselves as well. Sin is sin and forgiveness is forgiveness, whether it is towards others or our self.

Once you hold these keys, it's important that you put them inside the lock, turn the key, and then it will unlock the hope that is within your reach (notice it takes action and willingness on your part)

A reminder of forgiveness is found in the lyrics by Santus Real  Click here to hear the song

Forgiven

Well the past is playing with my head


And failure knocks me down again


I’m reminded of the wrong


That I have said and done


And that devil just wont let me forget

 In this life


I know what I’ve been


But here in your arms


I know what I am

 [chorus]


I’m forgiven


I’m forgiven


And I don’t have to carry


The weight of who I’ve been


Cause I’m forgiven


My mistakes are running through my mind


And I’ll relive my days, in the middle of the night


When I struggle with my pain, wrestle with my pride


Sometimes I feel alone, and I cry


In this life


I know what I’ve been


But here in your arms


I know what I am

 [back to chorus]


When I don't fit in and I don’t feel like I belong anywhere


When I don’t measure up to much in this life


Oh, I’m a treasure in the arms of Christ ‘cause
 
(back to chorus)

*(Don't forget to stop by the other 31 Days bloggers-see their links on the right side)

31 Days of Hope...Day 2

Today we will look at The Hope of Two. There are three scriptures I want to focus on;

Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But, woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn.

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three have gathered, together in My name, there I am in their midst.

Matthew 19:5  "For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother and shall cleave to his wife: and the two shall become one flesh"

Each of these scriptures offer hope:

In Ecclesiastes we see hope in friendship and the purpose of fellowship.

In Matthew 18 we see there is hope in prayer. Of course, we know God hears our prayers if we are alone, however, this verse reminds us again, of the purpose of other's being involved in our life. We were not created to be "loners". We need each other.

Matthew 19 tells us of the hope and beauty of marriage. God wants us to enjoy the companionship and commitment of marriage. We are expected to leave our parents and become one with our spouse. The marriage commitment is deeper than any relationship mentioned in the Bible outside of the relationship God desires to have with us.

Be encouraged today and find hope in your friendships, prayers, and marriage!

From time to time I will include some of your comments/answers that you sent to me regarding the questions I asked about hope.

* David M- tells us 1 Peter 3:15 is a verse that reminds him of HOPE- David has an incredible story of hope and redemption http://thefatherslovebook.com


(Don't forget to stop by the other 31 Days blogs- see their links on the right side and be encouraged today!)

31 Days of Hope...Day 1

Welcome to our first day together as we journey towards HOPE for 31 Days.

My heart is full of anticipation and hope as I begin this blogging challenge. I have never participated in anything like this before. I have always preferred not being tide down to a specific day or time frame to write blogs.  I am an relational writer and relational writers have to relate or experience something in order to write. I instantly develop writers block when I consider writing a piece of fiction or on a topic I am not passionate about.

I attend a Writers Group that meets twice a month.  One week is critic and the other is creative writing.  Whenever we have a creative writing exercise that has to do with fiction or we are given a topic that I can not relate to, I struggle through it.  I feel as if I have grown in this area however, I don't enjoy it and for that simple reason, I am looking at this opportunity to stretch and grow in my writing.  I have also looked at this month as a "fast" of sorts. My hearts desire is to drawer nearer to the Lord and connect more with those who are reading this blog...now onto HOPE!

As I was praying about 31 Days of Hope, I was reminded once again, that God always has a purpose and a plan.  God is intentional in every detail.  Today, July 1st marks our first day into 31 days.  Today is also the day I am speaking at Lighthouse Church, in Farmington, New Mexico.  For the past five years my family has been invited to Farmington, my husband helps an affiliate radio station (KPCL Passion Radio) with  a fundraiser for Passion Play International Ministries. Last year when we came, I was honored and blessed to speak at three churches.  This year, we were a little late in organizing our details, so it looked as if I wouldn't have a speaking opportunity. Through a series of conversations and God ordained details, I spoke with David Velasquez, who connected me to Pastor John Shrock of Lighthouse Church. Lighthouse Church is a Messianic Jewish church.  If I had spoken at Lighthouse last year, I would have enjoyed it and appreciated the experience.  For those who may not know; I am going to Israel in the fall.  In light of my involvement with a Biblical Study Program that culminates with two weeks in Israel, it is more than I could have hoped for to have this opportunity today, especially on this first day of Hope!

If you are feeling hopeless about something in your life today, please let me encourage you, God has not forgotten you.  God always has a purpose and a plan.  God is always intentional. God is our HOPE and we have not been forgotten!

"Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands" Isaiah 49:16a

Here is a song to keep on your mind all day...There is HOPE and you are not forgotten!

I am Not Forgotten (video and lyrics)

31 Days of Hope, Victory, Freedom, Purpose, Love, and Wellness

 I would like to challenge you for the next 31 Days to commit to reading our blogs....I believe the saying "garbage in...garbage out" is true, what we choose to focus on, listen, read, and watch goes into our minds and hearts. This is an opportunity to fill our minds and hearts with hope, victory, freedom, purpose, love, and wellness!

God is VERY intentional. God has a plan and purpose for each of us during the next 31 Days!

Please join us!

31 Days of Hope- Sheryl Griffin at A Scarlet Cord of Hope:: http://www.sherylgriffin.com/

31 Days of Victory- Monique Zackery at Finding Me in You:: http://www.moniquezackery.blogspot.com/

31 Days of Freedom- Jennifer Lain at Parent Passion:: http://www.parentpassion.com/

31 Days of Purpose- Carla Hendricks at Sojourner of Truth:: http://www.sojourneroftruth.com/

31 Days of Love- Beckah Shae at http://www.beckashae.com/

31 Days of Wellness: Mind, Body & Spirit- Michelle Discavage at http://www.chelled.blogspot.com/

31 Days of Hope....Questions For You

In preparation for our 31 Days...of HOPE I would like to involve YOU and ask a few questions. Don't feel obligated to answer every question (unless, of course, you want to). You can post them here or email me directly Sheryl@SherylGriffin.com. Share as much or as little as you would like. Please let me know if its OK to share your first name or if you prefer to be anonymous (in the event that I comment on your answer or question on a blog).

1.  What does HOPE mean to you?

2. Is there an area in your life that you need HOPE?

3. How do you share HOPE with others?

4. Is there a verse or a song that reminds you of HOPE?

5. Is there a person or story in the Bible that exemplifies HOPE to you?

6. Is there a time in your life that you felt hopeless?

7. Actions speak louder than words...how do you *see* HOPE in action

8. Using the five Love Languages: words of affirmation, physical touch, quality time, acts of service, and gifts...how would you show HOPE to someone (if you know your main love language-how would you like someone to speak HOPE to you)?

9. Do you believe there is always HOPE? (why or why not)

10. Is there a topic within HOPE that you would like to be encouraged or inspired by on this blog within the next 31 Days?

I am excited to see all that God has in store for this event!  I look forward to hearing from you and I encourage you to check in with the other blogs and be encouraged and inspired by them as well, within the next 31 Days!

31 Days of Hope

I will post a blog on the topic of HOPE for 31 days, the entire month of July!  I have joined in this inspirational event with four other women.  We have each picked a topic and we are ready for the challenge!  I hope that you will hold me accountable and read my blogs.  I also encourage you to stop by the other blogs and be encouraged!

I have a feeling God is up to something BIG and I am excited! 

Please check back often and feel free to comment or email!

The other blog links are:

31 Days of Wellness::Mind. Body. Spirit. - Chasing the Divine (Michelle Discavage at www.chelled.blogspot.com)

31 Days of Parent Passion (Jennifer Laine at www.parentpassion.com) 

31 Days of Love (Beckah Shae at www.beckahshae.com)

31 Days of Victory- Finding Me in You (Monique Zackery at www.moniquezackery.blogspot.com)

Unplanned Choices

 
I recently read a book titled, Jessica Lost: A Story of Birth, Adoption & The Meaning of Motherhood . I am always intrigued with memoir's, biography's and autobiography's. I was drawn to the raw emotions the authors, Bunny Crumpacker and J.S. Picariello share about their life and experience within the world of adoption, both from the view point of the mother and the child.

I have friends who have been adopted and know many who have chosen adoption.  I believe every situation is unique and no adoption process is exactly the same.  Similar to giving birth; no two women will have the exact same experience. The main difference in adoption is the intention. You can not have an "oops" baby when you adopt.   

If you have read my book A Scarlet Cord of Hope you know part of my story involves abortion. While abortion wasn't my choice, it was the decision that was made, and I will always have regret, however, I know that I am forgiven and I have finally found a place within my heart to forgive myself as well. 

There was a part in the book when Bunny (the mother) seems to be comparing adoption and abortion and she comments that those who choose abortion do not have the lingering pain and emotions that women who place children up for adoption do.  I realize she is writing from her own personal experience, so she could not possibly understand the guilt, shame, and lingering pain that also stays with the choice of abortion. 

It is only by the grace of God that I am able to share my story and offer the hope that I have found after my abortion.  Any unplanned pregnancy that may result in adoption, abortion, or keeping the baby, has the same ability to create long term effects that linger and may take years to overcome.

Sometimes the decision to keep the baby results in financial struggles, custody battles, and letting go of your dreams. Abortion is a decision that never leaves you free either.  You may not have the due date etched in your mind, you may not know the sex of the baby, however you have enough knowledge to know there is life growing inside you and you never forget that day. While abortion may appear like a "quick fix" and then you move on; let me tell you, it's not that easy. While I can agree with Bunny's emotions that adoption does leave you with potential guilt, shame, and pain, you at least know that your baby is wanted and will be welcomed into a loving home.

It was interesting to read the view point from the birth mother and the child she gave up, and their journey that led them to connect forty two years later.They were able to build a strong healthy relationship as time allowed for healing and closure to their respective emotions and questions. 

If you or someone you know is dealing with an unplanned pregnancy and you would like information or someone to talk to please email me at Sheryl@SherylGriffin.com

There is always HOPE!