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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 31, 2016)
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31 2016 7 A Prisoners of hope God is good. And He has a good plan for each of our lives. No matter what may be going on right now, God’s plan is unfolding. In the meantime, Romans 12:12 tells us to “rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying” (NLT). I think that’s good advice, especially in times when it feels like we’ve been waiting and waiting... and waiting for something to happen in our lives. Hope is vital in times like these and it will keep us looking ahead, anticipating, expecting whatever it is we’re hoping for. Over the years I’ve learned how to lock myself up in a prison of hope, knowing that God has nothing but His best planned for me. He promised me things concerning my min- istry and my life. And hope is what helped me hold on in those early years when it got hard. Anticipation: I remember it was just three weeks into my marriage to Dave, when he asked me one day, “What’s wrong with you? You have such a negative attitude!” And I said, “Well, if you don’t expect anything good to hap- pen, then you won’t be disap- pointed when it doesn’t.” That was how I felt based WE BUY GUNS FLORENCE GUN SHOP B U Y, S E L L & T R A D E 539 H IGHWAY 101, F LORENCE (541) 997-0500 WWW . FLORENCEGUNSHOP . COM on my feelings about past experiences. I had a very neg- ative outlook on life, so I spoke negatively about it. This is the way I used to live… before I became a pris- oner of hope. As I grew in my relationship with God, I learned how to trust Him, how to stand on His Word, and how to stand my ground in prayer when it got tough. Today my outlook on life is completely different from what it was many years ago. Now I enjoy my life and I encourage others to enjoy theirs as well. Jesus died for us to live an abundant, fulfill- ing life. And hope is the confi- dent, favorable expectation of this life. Double for Your Trouble: Now, I do realize there are many things that can happen to us that aren't so enjoyable. And that can make it difficult to grasp the idea of enjoying life. So, think of it this way: What are you hoping for? What are you expecting in life? What are you looking forward to? Focus on that. My negative outlook was due to my attitude about all the bad things that had hap- pened in my life. I was stuck in the pain of my past, so I didn't believe anything good would happen in my future. Because of all of the negative things that had happened, I was programmed to believe that negative things would always happen. I lost hope. Well, God was there and He knew that. But over time He kept loving me and dealing with me, promising me what Isaiah 61:7 says: “Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours” (NIV). That’s a promise for us all… a promise of double for your trouble! Double the blessing… double the joy… double the peace! Hallelujah! Now doesn’t that inspire hope in your heart? Of course, this double- blessing promise isn’t for the double-minded. When you walk it out in everyday life, there will be times when doubt, fear, unbelief and weariness will come against you. It’s in these times you will need to fight a good fight of faith. You will need to guard your mind against nega- tivity about your situation. I encourage you to find out what God says about it and then stand on the promises in His Word. The Bible tells of many times when people encoun- tered Jesus and He touched their lives, they wanted to stay with Him and follow Him… understandably so. But He sent them home-back to everyday life-to live out and share with others what He’d done. They had to hold on to what He had done for them. In the same way, we must hold on to whatever He promises us and be confident that He is work- ing in our situation. Hope releases the power of the Holy Spirit in these times. Hope I want to encourage you to make a decision to cul- tivate an attitude of hope in your life. Speak positive things about your future and refuse to be negative. You may not always feel hopeful but don't give in to your feelings. Catering to bad feelings feeds and empowers them. But standing our ground and not giving in to negative feelings starves them and causes them to lose their power over us. Just ask the Holy Spirit to lead you. Line your will up with His and get excited about serving God. You could even be one who inspires others to become pris- oners of hope! New Year, new beginnings at annual Unitarian Universalist Labyrinth Woody Woodbury 2066 Highway 101, Florence 541-997-0343 Independent Owner/Operator Florence Grocery Outlet 1SPEVDFt%BJSZ%FMJ )FBMUI#FBVUZ 'SP[FO'PPETt'SFTI.FBU )PVTFXBSFTt#FFS8JOF 0SHBOJD/BUVSBM'PPETBOENVDINPSF We have ample RV parking! Let me Showcase your property. Tim Sapp Owner / Principal Broker 541 999-8230 Sutton Lake Drive #200 – North lakes lot with several large trees, Heceta Water and utilites to the property line, with septic approval for low pressure bed system. $35,000. #2662- 16149446 New Year’s Eve is a time of new beginnings. Each year, the “New Beginnings” labyrinth at the Florence Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (FUUF) takes participants on a journey to release last year’s kaleidoscope of experiences, and opens awareness to the glory in today. On New Year’s Eve, begin- ning at 5 p.m., the “New Beginnings” labyrinth will be drawn inside the FUUF church. Everyone is invited to share in drawing and walking the labyrinth. Chanting and drumming will culminate in joyous cele- bration of 2017 at 9 p.m. Then, on New Year’s Day, seating will be arranged around the labyrinth as Larry and Linda Addison share new beginnings in stories and metaphors. The Florence UU Fellowship, 87738 Highway 101 at Heceta Beach Road, is wheelchair accessible. For more information, visit the FUUF website at www. flo- renceuuf.org. Baha’i invite all to New Year service On Monday, Jan 2 at 6:30 p.m., everyone is invited to join a group of friends from varied spiritual paths to par- ticipate in our yearly Burning Bowl and White Stone cere- mony. Rev Eleanor Ross of the New Thought Ministry will lead the group in a guided meditation. The group will reflect on the past year and consider the thoughts, emo- tions and behaviors that did not and do not serve their highest good. They will then release them by writing them down on paper and ceremoni- ously burning them. Next, the group will set a new intention for the coming year, which they write on a small white stone that serves as a reminder. This is an adaptation of two ancient practices that have become widely used in many New Thought church- es. The gathering will end at 8 p.m. with prayers for the requests left in the Prayer Pole in the garden of the Florence Playhouse and those shared by the group. For more information con- tact James Heintz, 875 Seventh St., or call 541-590- 0616. 1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200 Siuslaw News Photo of the Week: Est. 1936 SUBMIT PHOTOS (JPEGS) BY EMAIL TO E DITOR @T HE S IUSLAW N EWS . COM BY By Judy Yeager Marsall NOON ON T HURSDAYS Breakfast •Lunch • Dinner “Growlers Filled Here” GIFT CARDS Full Service Lottery • Full Bar • 20 Beers on Tap Open 7 days a week beachcomberpub.com 541-997-6357 1355 Bay St. • Old Town PeaceHealth offers hospice training Beginning in January, PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Medical Center Hospice will host a series of classes designed to train prospective volunteers to work directly with hospice patients in the community. The trainings will be held Jan. 14, 21 and 28 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Oregon Pacific Bank’s financial cen- ter, located at 1365 Highway 101 in Florence. Each year, Peace Harbor Hospice serves nearly 200 patients in the Florence, Mapleton and Deadwood communities. Many patients are home- bound and look forward to the companionship that vol- unteers bring. Volunteers play an impor- tant role at end-of-life for many hospice patients. Classes are free and open to the public. Prior medical experience is not required. Potential volun- teers must pass a preliminary background check and show proof of a current driver’s license and updated automo- bile insurance. Contact Christopher Hunt- ingdon at 541-997-3418 no later than Jan. 4 to sign up. Siuslaw News + www.shoppelocal.biz
