The theme for our Summer's End Journal, if you haven't already guessed, is HOPE. God is bringing hope to His church in many ways in this season. And all of us at Embracing Life Ministries are excited to celebrate the release of our latest publication, More Hope! Women Emerging from the Shadow of Breast Cancer in the coming weeks. As one of our breast cancer survivors in the More Hope! beta group remarked, "This group has helped me say 'it's time to make room for the new things,'" revealing a renewed sense of HOPE for her future.

MORE HOPE! RISING

By Jonathan Hunter

ELM's autumn release of More Hope! Women Emerging from the Shadow of Breast Cancer is the result of an enduring, rich friendship of many years between Beth Webb and me. Our relationship began years ago as co-workers in AIDS ministry and since then has become more like that of brother and sister. She always renders invaluable counsel and is a faithful, cherished friend indeed!

When Beth first showed me a seminary paper about her breast cancer experience, I was moved and impressed. What made reading it compelling was her disarming, transparent writing style: unabashedly honest about the emotional and spiritual struggles within and frank about what was helpful (or not) when it came to the advice from without.

While Beth's seminary paper was our primary source in deciding what issues to cover in More Hope!, we also sought out testimonies, through a questionnaire, from other women of varied backgrounds who have also been impacted by breast cancer: marrieds, singles, different ethnicities - all friends and acquaintances. To them we owe much for their heartfelt candor in sharing their experiences with us. We are so very grateful for their integral input found throughout this guide.

We have attempted to put together a sensitive and respectful booklet that provides Christian women with thoughtful, compassionate teachings, testimonies and prayers that address some of the deeply, personal issues surrounding breast cancer and its treatment.

Proverbs 13:12says, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life." I pray that the hope and healing found in and through the Cross of Christ (the "tree of life") woven into this booklet will help fulfill the longing you may have for honest fellowship with like-minded sisters. May it encourage you with hope for the future.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jer.29:11).

Hope Is On My Heart

By Debbie Driscoll

"...Christ in you, the Hope of Glory!" (Col.1:27)

As we finish up the final editing on our new publication, More Hope! Women Emerging from the Shadow of Breast Cancer, my own memories of having cancer come to mind. I can't help but realize how appropriate the title of this interactive guide is in light of the God we serve.

I remember how traumatizing the diagnosis, treatment and subsequent healing process were, but what I gained after emerging from my own cancer experience is priceless: HOPE! The reality of our "Quote of the Month"(Romans 8:28) is deeply planted in my heart and soul. There is nothing that our God cannot redeem and literally turn into the best for us.

I sometimes haltingly say that I am grateful for the experience I had. I am not saying that I am grateful to have had cancer, but I am grateful for what God can do with the cancer experience. I received many (what I call) golden nuggets from the Lord in exchange for the definitely unwanted, unmerited suffering that came into my life. But the greatest nugget of them all that I am firmly left with is HOPE! It is our prayer that God is doing a good work of HOPE in your heart today.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

Romans 8:28 (NET)

²⁸And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose...

We hope you will consider sharing this email with friends and loved ones whom you think would benefit from the ministry of Embracing Life. This is a good way to introduce the material and we would appreciate your passing it along. Thanks!

His Grace & Peace to you,

Jonathan Hunter

Director, Embracing Life Ministries

THANK YOU!

THE EMBRACING LIFE SERIES FASTRACK

October 2,3 2015

Friday, 9AM-9PM

Saturday, 9AM-9PM

HRock Hope Center

Church Offices

1610 E. Elizabeth St. RM U-5

Pasadena, CA

ELS is a unique, redemptive journey of encounters with the Lord as we discover our humanity, healing and service to the world.

We address topics such as Illness, Created in His Image, The Cross, Forgiveness, Treatments and Faith, Shame, Self-Hatred, Despair, Devotional Life and Hope.

The result: Our hearts are healed and our minds are transformed by the Lord. True Identity, Authority and Hope are restored for the sick of heart or body, for both the new and seasoned believer.

Please consider attending this seminar for a unique approach to personal transformation.

TWO OPPORTUNITIES FOR

MORE LIFE!

COMING SOON

More Life! consists of worship, teaching, interaction and prayers focused on identifying and confronting the influence of the spirit of death in our lives.
This group is about exercising our authority and getting free to experience more of the abundant life Jesus promises us.

See dates and times below.

ORANGE COUNTY

Mondays

SEPT. 21 - NOV. 9TH

7pm-9pm, worship, teaching, interaction and prayer each week. This is an open group so no registration is needed.

The River Church

1891 Alton Parkway, #C

Irvine, CA 92606

Contact: Debbie @ voicemail

(714)526-6365

PASADENA

MORE LIFE! HROCK 1-DAY INTENSIVE