Connor came home from school downcast and gloomily admitted, “I got in trouble today.” When I asked him what happened, he told me he had been caught... “fake talking!"

When the cafeteria monitor told the kids to have a moment of silence, he turned to his friend and proceeded to shake his head as if he was having a conversation by silently moving his mouth and... fake talked! I giggled and told him that he was pushing the boundaries and it was no wonder that he was noticed!

His real punishment for the fake crime was to sit on the stage in the cafeteria to eat his lunch the next day. He was distraught, full of dread and totally hopeless about the future of his elementary career!!

I offered the usual consolations... it will be ok; this isn’t the worst thing that’s ever happened; in five years, you won't even remember it... and for the finale I said “Connor, this one thing won't ruin your life.” Finally he exhaled with quite the lugubrious tone; “I know that one thing won't ruin your life, but two might, and now I am halfway there!”

Little Connor needed some big encouragement. He needed to turn his pessimism into optimism.

Have you ever felt that way?? Like you are just one mistake away from failure, one choice away from blowing it... halfway there? We all have, and these are all opportunities to learn optimism. Winston Churchill once said; “The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

Optimism, or hope, is not a just feeling that we feel, it’s a choice we make. In fact, the choice to be optimistic is a field of study called learned optimism. It's founder, Martin. E. P. Seligman said; “Optimism is a learned skill. Once learned, it increases achievement at work and improves physical health.”

For believers, optimism and hope are more than simple “learned” skills, they are our birthright. The wise Psalmist, David, affirmed the reason for optimism and hope as he spoke to his soul. He said, “Why are you in despair, my soul... hope in God. (Psalm 42:5,11)

Hope is putting faith to work when giving up would be easier.

We all feel despair at times and we can all grow in optimism as we tell our souls to not give in to that despair but, rather, choose to hope in God. Whatever you are going through today, don’t choose to believe the worst, believe God. Choose to be hopeful and instead of focusing on the fact that you are “halfway there,” focus on the truth that you have come a long way! See your difficulty as an opportunity to train your soul to be optimistic.

So, my friend, be joyful in hope (Rom. 12:12). It holds the seeds of faith and love (Col. 1:5). It is the foundation for faith and knowledge (Titus 1:2). Hope is your calling (Eph. 1:18); hope is alive (I Peter 1:3); hope is a gift from God (Jer. 29:11); hope is Christ in you (Col. 1:27). It is the anchor for your soul (Heb. 6:19). Hope will embolden you (II Cor.3:12) and inspire endurance (I Thess. 1:3). Hope is Jesus Himself! (I Tim. 1:1)

Blessings and Joy,
Jennifer Rothschild
Author of Lessons I Learned in the Dark (and Light),
and Founder of WomensMinistry.NET
 

This particular ministry is targeted to new mothers, new brides and the bereaved. The idea can be modified to meet your church's needs.

Our Women's Enrichment Ministry (WEM) has a basket ministry for those women in our church who have a death in their families, who are new mothers and new brides.

New Baby Basket - We fill a basket with items for a newborn - clothing, blankets, a quilt, lotions, toys and either a pink or blue new testament. This basket is delivered to the new mother along with a small basket especially for her and a gift bag with a few toys for brothers or sisters in the home.

Bride Basket - We take a large basket of gadgets (small kitchen items) to the new bride and her husband. We always include a white Bible and devotional book. We include a list of the gadgets with a scripture for each.

Bereavement Basket - We take a large basket filled with paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, cups, utensils, ziplock bags, trash bags, napkins, paper , bottled water and coffee) whenever there is a death in our church family or the family of women from our community who attend our Women's Ministry programs. The basket is delivered and the next week we visit the receipient to pick up the basket. This gives her two visits from our church in her time of need.

All our items for tyhe baskets are either donated or purchased with cash donations. The baskets are put together and delivered by members of the WEM team.

Submitted by: Betty Barker
Church:South Fork Baptist Church, Marion, VA
Church size: Below 250
Email: mrsbarker@adelphia.net

Take a minute to revisit last week's sponsor...

• WomensMinistry.Net Great Ideas Contest

Objectives: To get women to know a little bit more about each other. To have women physically see that they are not alone.

Materials: A list of questions, some fun and some serious.

Procedure: Compile a list of questions to read that start with, "Stand Up If..." (Example...you lettered in High School... you've never been out of the United States... You kissed your spouse on the first date... you've gotten a traffic ticket in the last year... you've been a Christian less than 2 years... you were a straight A student in High School... you have more than one degree... you love Precept Bible Studies... you have attended a Women of Faith Conference...you have more than three pets... you are a native whatever-town-you-are-in...etc.) This can go on as long as you have time. Have a combination of fun and serious questions. Women stand up and sit down after each question as it applies to them. It can be a great conversation starter, a great eye opener, and a great way to see that a few other women share some of the same things that we do.

Wrap up the game by reminding the women that they are not alone! There are wonderful women to the right and left of them who are part of their journey.

Submitted by: Sheri Price of El Cajon, CA
Email: sprice@skylinechurch.org

Java with Jennifer is an informal monthly ministry update specifically for friends who want to keep up-to-date on what is happening with Jennifer Rothschild's ministry of writing, speaking, and singing.

Obviously, because you are receiving this eNewsletter, you are signed up for the Jennifer's "weekly" WomensMinistry.NET eNewsletter. However, if you want to get up close, and personal with Jennifer, just click on the Update Profile link at the bottom of this email, and select the Java with Jennifer interest group when asked to update your profile.

Still not sure?

See the Latest Issue here.

This unique song has been written and recorded by a mom, Angela Lashley, whose son is in Iraq. I wanted to use it as a featured link, but thought it needed a little more explanation.

Here is a quote from Angela on the song website: "Hello, My son Jonathan and his best friend since childhood, Brandon, are now both serving somewhere in Iraq. With Godspeed and honor due, this mother’s wish is to see all American sons and daughters home safely and commended for their bravery."

If you have a minute, visit the site. You can also download the song on iTunes and other music sites.

Someone Has to Win... Why Not You!

When you visit our Featured Sponsor link, you will automatically be entered to win a free book, cd, or other resource from WomensMinistry.NET.

 

We randomly select the winner from those that click through the featured sponsor links in last week's issue.
This week's winner is...
dlscrog@yah...
 

reaching more than 20,000 influential women's ministry leaders across the world. Click here for Advertising Rates

Here's what some of our recent Ad Sponsors are saying:

"We have never been disappointed in how advertising in the WomensMinistry.NET newsletter has put us in touch with women of prayer all across the world. Thank you, Phil and Jennifer, for this AWESOME newsletter. The MDOP ministry will be forever blessed because of it." Kathy Coleman, Founder, Mom's Days of Prayer

Here's how it works... send us your great ideas and if we use them in a newsletter you will be automatically entered to win the book bundle for the quarter. The more great ideas you submit, the more chances to win. At the end of the quarter we will announce the winner and the books she has won!

Its that time of year again! ... Our popular WomensMinistry.NET Directory of Speaker, Authors, and other Gifted Communicators is accepting renewals and new listings for 2007. Silver and Gold Listings receive special pricing on eNewsletter Sponsor Ads.

Just click on the link below to update your personal information today.