Saturday, February 28, 2009

Hope in the Lord

Why are you in despair, O my soul?
And why are you disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God. 
Psalm 43:5

What is it today that has you despairing? Are you worried about losing your job, have you already lost your job, or maybe you wish you could quit your job? Perhaps you are grieving the loss of a relationship or even a loved one. Maybe you are struggling with something that seems trivial to others: health problems, depression, children who won't cooperate. 

Whatever it is, there is someone who wants to hear about it. There is someone who won't let you down. He is better than a bank account
and stronger than a storm. If we will turn to God, we will find hope. Not a 'maybe-it-will-be-okay' kind of hope, but a confident, joy-filled hope. He provides a huge, you-are-not-alone hope.

Sometimes it seems easier to place our hope in something earthly. Sometimes it IS easier to put our confidence in our own abilities or the idea that something like the right job, a better husband, smarter kids, a better president or a nicer house will make us happy. But it's wrong. Our only hope is the Lord.

How do we do put our hope in Him? We go to Him first. We ask Him to help us. We admit that we need Him. "I do believe; help my unbelief." (Mark 9:24b).

Remember, "God can do anything, you know — far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us." (Ephesians 3:20 The Message).

Hope in the Lord!


Friday, February 20, 2009

That's Not a Good Sign


Spotted recently in the upstate by my reporters in the field:


Photo courtesy of Suzi Kroske.

???? It's not Spanish and it's not French; must be back woods Greer.

 


Photo courtesy of Abby Cazel

So maybe there is a guy named Herb inside just waiting to welcome you to his clinic, but I'm really more concerned about the acupunture.  Is that some sort of new highly precise double entendre?



Monday, February 16, 2009

Friday, February 13, 2009

A Love Letter for You

My beloved child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. I know when you sit down and when you rise up. I am familiar with all your ways. (Psalm 139:1-3)

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. (Matthew 10:30)

For you were made in my image. (Genesis 1:27)

In me you live and move and have your being, for you are my offspring. (Acts 17:28)

I knew you even before you were conceived, before I formed you in your mother's womb. (Jeremiah 1:4-5)

I chose you when I planned creation.  (Ephesians 1:11-12)

You are not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. (Psalm 139:16)

I have called you by your name; you are mine. (Isaiah 43:1)

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. I chose to make you my child by giving you my true word. And you, out of all creation, are my choice possession.  (James 1:17-18)

My plan for your future is filled with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Because I love you with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3)

My thoughts toward you are innumerable; they outnumber the grains of sand! (Psalm 139:17-18)

I take great delight in you. I will calm all your fears and rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

I will never stop doing good for you. (Jeremiah 32:40)

For you are my own special treasure. (Exodus 19:5)

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. (Deuteronomy 4:29)

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)

For it is I working in you, giving you the desire to obey me and the power to do what pleases me. (Philippians 2:13)

I know what you need even before you ask. (Matthew 6:8)

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. (Ephesians 3:20)

For I am your greatest encourager and I give you strength in every good thing you do and say. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles so that you can comfort others. (2 Corinthians 1:4)

When you are in trouble, I will answer you and rescue you. (Psalm 91:15)

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. (Psalm 34:18)

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. (Isaiah 40:11)

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. And I will take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. (Revelation 21:4)

I am your Father, and I love you as much as I love my son, Jesus. (John 17:23)

For in Jesue, my love for you is revealed. (John 17:26)

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. (Romans 8:31)

And to tell you that I am not holding your sins against you. Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

This is real love. (1 John 4:10)

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. (1 John 2:23)

And absolutely nothing will ever separate you from my love again. (Romans 8:38-39)

With my unfailing love,
Your Heavenly Father, God


Tuesday, February 10, 2009

True Story

So, the other day I was in the dressing room at Dillard's when I overheard this:

Grunt . . . groan . . . heavy breathing . . . ooh.

Gosh, I wondered, what the heck is going on over there?

And then, in a heavy southern accent:

"Oh, hon, maybe you need another size."

Did I mention that this was the dressing room in the lingerie department?

Loud exhale.

"Is it supposed to do that?"

"Darlin, I don't think so."

"It's just pushing my fat right up over the top."

"Well, I've never tried on Spanx before, so I'm just not sure."

Oh, Spanx! I was beginning to get the picture, an image I haven't been able to forget.

Now, I have a few dents in the old fender due to the extra junk in the trunk, but I have yet to try any body-shaping undergarments. I've just been letting my jeans do all the work. Is it really that difficult? Because now I'm afraid. Someday I might want to upgrade from this mommy uniform and I might need the help of a smoothing mid-thigh shaper under my clothes. Do I need to bring a helper in the dressing room?  I'm just not sure I have any friends who would do that for me. I've got some super girlfriends, but wow, wouldn't that be asking a lot?

Someone please advise.