February 2013, A Letter from June on ‘Wife Abuse’

Remember in 2009 . . . images of the bloodied, swollen face of pop singer Rihanna? Remember the police reports of a violent encounter with her live-in boyfriend? This is just another gruesome glimpse of the painful reality for millions of women who live with an abusive partner. In the United States alone, about 1 in 3 women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. Most people find it difficult to grasp these statistics. They wonder, Why does he do it? Why does she put up with it? Why doesn’t she just leave?

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January 2013, A Letter from June on ‘HOPE’

Since “confession is good for the soul,” I have a confession. In 1986 I named our ministry Hope For The Heart. Yet for years, if you’d asked me, “June, what exactly is hope?” I couldn’t have told you. Clearly, I had an incomplete understanding of hope. Oh, I knew the definition of hope. . . . I had taught on hope. . . . I knew that we all need hope. But back then, “hope” was still an intangible, elusive concept to me—cloud-like, ethereal. I found it difficult to get a handle on hope.

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December 2012, A Letter from June on ‘Sharing HOPE’

Caring compassion has been a theme throughout this ministry, not because we originated this conviction, but because it truly is the heart of our Savior . . . to provide real hope for every heart. As 2012 draws to a close, I must express how thankful I am for you. Without you as our caring friend, our partner in ministry walking alongside us, we would not be able to offer hope and help to the countless people God puts in our path.

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November 2012, A Letter from June on ‘Who are you thankful for?’

Whether it’s a parent, teacher, spouse, coach, Sunday school teacher, pastor, friend, or counselor ... anyone whose loving investment in your life has made an indelible mark and an unforgettable difference, why not let them know with a special tribute? Express your Thankful Heart with a gift to Hope or go to www.HopeForTheHeart.org/ThankfulHearts.

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October 2012, A Letter from June on Financial Freedom

Having a written plan helped Dana see that her financial future wasn’t hopeless. Indeed, on paper I showed her how, in a matter of less than two years, she could be completely debt-free. Once she could see the way out of her financial wilderness, Dana’s attitude completely changed. Rather than defeated and hopeless, she became energized and eager to live according to her new plan, knowing that sacrifices along the way would be well worth it.

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September 2012, A Letter from June on Bullying

Bullying is responsible for more than 160,000 students across America missing class each day. Typically, both boy and girl bullies target someone who is perceived to be weaker physically or psychologically. They delight in causing pain and receive an emotional sense of reward, significance, or gratification from abusing others. Like animals sensing weakness, instinctively, they are aware that “. . . a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22 NIV).

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August 2012, A Letter from June on Sharing HOPE Around The World

I believe with all of my heart that, to succeed on the job, you must earn a reputation as a trustworthy employee with uncompromising business practices – a person known for doing the right thing and encouraging others to do likewise. Proverbs 11:3 makes it plain: “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.”

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July 2012, A Letter from June on Employment

I believe with all of my heart that, to succeed on the job, you must earn a reputation as a trustworthy employee with uncompromising business practices – a person known for doing the right thing and encouraging others to do likewise. Proverbs 11:3 makes it plain: “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.”

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June 2012, A Letter from June on Dysfunctional Families

Sometimes it’s hard to admit, but if we honestly evaluate the emotional and psychological well-being of our families, most of us would find patterns of dysfunction -- some more apparent than others. Whether it’s an unethical parent or grandparent, an inappropriate uncle or aunt, a toxic sister or brother, our families often repeat destructive patterns for generations ... draining the “fun” out of “Dysfunctional”!

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May 2012, A Letter from June on Blended Families

If only blending a family was that easy. Today, more than 40% of American adults have at least one step-relative in their family—a step-parent, sibling or child. Despite a desire to “blend” quickly, it typically takes four to seven years before a family begins to function and feel like ... “family.”

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