OUR FOCUS — To provide a network of loving support and resources that will help women in divorce crisis.
My Special Moment
Rest in your spirit, a respite for your mind, a place of solitude for your soul. These I wish for you, my fellow servants. May the One who washed and healed us from our own sin, suffering, self righteousness and pain continue to give us rest and peace in Him. And may we pass it on.
A wonderful sister in the Lord, Rachel Coltharp, posted this on one of my favorite websites. Just wanted to pass it on to you. We have all received from the Lord. Even though we may be going through difficult circumstances, maybe we could reach down deep and find a word of encouragement that would bring rest and peace to a troubled heart.
A newsletter dedicated to the education and well-being of today’s caregiver to the elderly.
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; …honor to whom honor (Romans 13:7).
HOPE…Healing Our Painful Experiences 2008,
The national Ladies committee had long desired to begin a ministry for divorced or separated women, especially those in the ministry. In a Connections meeting the subject was discussed once again and with the help of the Lord we were soon ready to begin. Ruth Harvey submitted the name HOPE with the acronym above as our official title. Linda Gleason was chosen as the Director. She works with volunteer women who have expertise in the area of divorce and separation.
PLEASE NOTE: We realize there are many painful situations that occur in life - often to innocent and unsuspecting individuals. Although HOPE is designed for those involved in divorce, there are links below to help if you are dealing with other difficult and painful hurts. Counselors are available to give you support and prayer. Please don't hesitate to seek guidance for healing from these available ministries. You can find the links below opposite the picture of the HOPE Umbrella.
Have you experienced the pain of a failed marriage?
Do you feel rejected and abandoned
by your social circle?
Have you lost HOPE?
Welcome to HOPE, ministry dedicated to Healing Our Painful Experiences. Divorce has rapidly escalated in our homes and churches. No one is exempt and many times a minister's wife finds herself caught in this tragedy. Much of the time her identity is lost, her security is snatched away, and her former place of ministry no longer exists, causing her to feel alienated from the Body of Christ.
If this is where you find yourself today, let us walk with you. Our desire is to provide resources that will strengthen and encourage you on this new path in your life. Here you will find articles and testimonies from others
who have faced similar struggles. Links to additional helpful Web sites are found below. You may also confidentially email us with your questions.
“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance” (Psalm 42:5).
The Umbrella of HOPE
There is HOPE
I sit down to write on this beautiful, sunshiny day. Yet my heart is heavy as our nation reels in the aftermath of a brutal terrorist attack at the Boston Marathon followed by the horrific explosion in West, Texas of the fertilizer plant. So many people are experiencing total upheaval and grief in their lives. It it difficult to even begin to imagine the pain of loss.
For many of you who are visiting this site, your circumstances are not front page news. Perhaps there are very few who are even aware of the pain you are facing with the turmoil in your life. Yet you are also experiencing grief and loss as relationship unravels and children are confused and hurt.
On April 20, 2013, I spoke for the Mississippi singles conference. One of the main points I made is that our completeness is in Jesus Christ. It does not matter whether we are single, divorced, never married, or widowed, our identity must be in the Lord Jesus Christ. Colossians 2: 9&10 – “You are complete in Him.”
Do you have a friend who is facing the destructive fallout of infidelity, betrayal, emotional abuse, and divorce? If so, you will find the HOPE Kit a wonderful way to minister to her during this difficult time. You will receive two books by authors who have experience the pain of divorce and an inspirational bookmark packaged in an attractive bag with the HOPE logo. In addition, you will receive a booklet that offers helpful ways in which you can minister to those in need.
To order the HOPE Kit please call 314-837-7304 extension 412
"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."
Galations 6:2
Romans 15:1 "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak."
HOPE ministry offers strength and encouragement, help and healing to women who are going through the pain of separation and divorce
For help to guide you through traumatic times you may contact us confidentially by Email at lmhope@upci.org
We all face times of stress and problems. Right now, you may be thinking, “Will this situation ever get better?” Yes. Remember, it is a season in your life, and seasons pass.
Why Life Savers? When stress comes, you always have a Life Saver that you can depend on.
Life Savers were first made by Kraft Foods in 1912, and they are celebrating their 100th year. They were designed as a “summer” candy…something that would not melt in the heat. I did an experiment with a Raspberry Life Saver. Do you know it how long it takes to dissolve a Life Saver in your mouth?…9 minutes! Even afterwards, the taste lingered and my tongue stayed a raspberry color for a while.
When you really “connect” with Jesus Christ about a stressful situation…whether it is only nine minutes, or 90 minutes…it will leave an effect on your life!!! (O taste and see that the LORD is good!!!)
Do you know what the word “stressed” reads backwards? Desserts! I would much rather enjoy a delicious dessert, than handle stress.
We can read in the Bible of many situations that were stressful:
1. Naaman – the leper (given a death sentence)
2. David – Goliath – life threatened
3. Hannah – Barren
4. Disciples – Financial crisis – taxes
5. Daniel – life and death situation
6. Job – Afflicted with boils, children die, livestock died, wife and friends did not encourage him.
How did all of these people manage? They put their TRUST IN THE LORD!!! This is the same answer today when we face stress.
Jesus Christ is our Life Saver…He is there in the heat of the battle and will not disappear when you need Him. You can relay on Him 24/7!
Little things matter…a card, a plant, a box of candy. Even a plate of food! Do you have some leftovers from the dinner you cooked? Arrange them on a microwavable plate and take to a single mom. Not only will it encourage her to know someone is thinking of her, it will save her time and a little money by having a meal provided. Little kindnesses warm the heart!
These two books are written in a heart-to-heart style by ordinary women who have triumphed over some of life’s toughest situations.
The biblical answers provided by these Spirit-filled women will offer you hope and encouragement as you, or someone close to you, face similar struggles.
HOPE Kit
The books within the HOPE Kit were written by ladies who have walked down the path of divorce. They have felt the pain, and their testimonies will provide strength and encouragement for those now walking that same path.
The booklet that accompanies the kit offers ideas and suggestions for helping someone who is in the painful experience of divorce. Walk with a friend through the healing process and bless them with your acts of kindness and words of strength.
The HOPE Kit (shown above) may be purchased by calling Ladies Ministries
at 314-837-7304 extension 412
