• Hope is always open, while expectation has a result, a goal in mind, an image of how it will be.
• Hope is based on trust and is self-generated while expectations often require performance by others, bringing blame and disappontment.
• In Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s Gifts from the Sea, digging for treasure is an expectation (p 17), but waiting for the "gift from the sea" is hope.
• Expectations often are romanticized or idealized and bring disappointment.
• Culture courts expectations among the young and old as an enticement to consumerism.
• Hope changes us in the process. Expectations do not.
• Hope can absorb disappointments and unmet expectations.

Bible study: Mark 9:38 "whoever is not against us is for us"

moving beyond either/or thinking

institutional changes

family traditions: holidays, reconfiguring families

morality

wealth and what to buy with it

how to find time for reflection

how to find balance/ to complement what's consuming us

look for articles around body/family/society and world (global economics)

Bible study: "Who is my father and mother?" or "Become as a child"

children are either the center of attention or discards

time pressures on parents

lots of activities, competition, performance, high expectations

need mentoring, relationship with a caring adult (not necessarily a parent)

violence, scapegoating, in & out of crowd, peer pressure

advertising: created needs, expectation

outdoor education, care for the earth

grandparenting as a call to service

• small groups in a nursing home
• small churches (not all have to be big)
• unreal expectations of clergy
• tools for finding or creating community
• barriers: time, must seek it, different expectations, passed on by experience
• supports: cul de sac living, mission trips, noontime Bible studies
• "You can tell what kind of God people believe in by the temples they build"
• hospice workers: "What's happening to you while serving others?"

Bible study: Jairus' daughter "Don't be afraid; only believe"
• mission trips
• setting up hospice care for people who don't live near parents
• giving projects from your church (ask in earlier issue)
• gratitude and giving back
• schools, hospitals in poor areas

• Faith At Work is a resource for individuals and small groups who want to deepen their connection with Christ. It's a ministry of experience and relationship with God, self, others and the earth. Think about your audience as you write your story. They want your experience, not a theoretical or "preachy" piece.
• As you prepare to write, be clear about the message you want to share. Try to complete at least an outline of your story in one sitting--this provides a form for your thoughts and helps you see where you can expand or contract as necessary.
• Be specific. Readers can relate to your story when you tell it the way you lived it, describing your feelings and thoughts, barriers and breakthroughs. Think of "how it was, what happened and how it is now" as an outline.
• Write your story and then determine the type of editing it needs. We can help with that. We are looking for manuscripts of 650 words (3 double-spaced pages). Fewer words and a picture will increase the impact of your story. FAW reserves the right to edit for the sake of clarity and space but major changes will be cleared with you.
• Remember, the purpose for publishing you story is to describe God at work in the world through events and people in ordinary circumstances. We are especially interested in examples of

-- awakening to your spiritual life;

-- experience of finding or developing Christian community;

-- attention to call and gifts offered at a point of need;

-- effective church programs for empowering lay ministry;

-- ministry in daily life;

-- new models of ministry that embody God for others.

• Deadlines for the quarterly Faith At Work magazine are:

Nov 15 for Spring/Easter publication in February;

Feb 15 for Summer/Pentecost publication in May;

May 15 for Fall publication in August;

Aug 15 for Winter/Christmas publication in November.

Faith At Work, Inc.

106 E Broad St #B

Falls Church, Virginia 22046-4501

703..237.3426          Fax: 703..237.0157

E-mail: info@FaithAtWork.com

Web: http://www.FaithAtWork.com

If you have questions about possible articles, please feel free to contact the editor.

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Faith @ Work magazine is a ministry of Faith At Work, Inc.
Duplication of articles is permissible (unless stated otherwise) provided credit is given to the author and Faith At Work.

Contact Faith At Work on the web: www.FaithAtWork.com or by phone: 800-245-7378 or 703-237-3426.