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Archive for the ‘Hope’ Category

no more pain

Posted in encouraging verse, Friends, Hope, overcome, tagged , , on May 12, 2011| 5 Comments »

 
Why is my pain unending and
my wound grievous and incurable?
Jeremiah 15:18
 
 
My heart is heavy because of the intense chronic headache pain of a new friend and the emotional pain of an old friend.  The pain of my friends, my daily pain, plus the suffering in the world often feels overwhelming.  It gives me hope to remember that “there will come a day, no more tears, no more pain, no more fears” (Jeremy Camp).  When our pain feels unending we can know that there will be an end to our pain.

This day is an actual day that will occur.  It is not some far-off dream, but a reality and one we can look forward to like we would a wedding or a birth.  For important days there are preparations and anticipation. Let’s prepare for and anticipate the day that we will be free from pain.  God will wipe every tear from our eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain (based on Revelation 21:4).

“If you are hurting today, take heart. Every day you are one day closer to the other side of your pain.”  Chrystie Cole 

“Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth.  The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.  But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create ….”  Isaiah 65:1

To hear Jeremy Camp’s song There Will be a Day click here. 

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His saints

Posted in God, Hope, Inspiring verse, poverty, tagged , , , on May 5, 2011| 2 Comments »

 

 Precious in the sight of the Lord

 

 is the death of His saints.

 

Psalm 116:15

 

Many people died last week due to the tornadoes in the south.  There was another sudden death on April 27, 2011.  David Wilkerson, who passionately loved God, died instantly in a car accident.  Although I did not know him personally, his words touched me deeply.

This is what he wrote on his blog the day he died:

To those going through the valley and shadow of death, hear this word: Weeping will last through some dark, awful nights—and in that darkness you will soon hear the Father whisper, “I am with you. I cannot tell you why right now, but one day it will all make sense. You will see it was all part of my plan. It was no accident. It was no failure on your part. Hold fast. Let me embrace you in your hour of pain.”

Beloved, God has never failed to act but in goodness and love. When all means fail—his love prevails. Hold fast to your faith. Stand fast in his Word. There is no other hope in this world.”

“David Wilkerson’s last mission on earth was to be an advocate for the poorest of the poor”.  Gary Wilkerson

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overflow with hope

Posted in encouraging verse, fire, God, Hope, overcome, tagged , , , on February 2, 2011| 2 Comments »

 
May the God of Hope
 
Fill you with all joy and peace …
 
So that you may overflow with Hope.
 
Romans 15:13
 
 
When I find something that truly helps someone who has overcome horrific physical and emotional pain, I pay attention.  My friend Christine gave me the book The Allure of Hope for my 40th birthday.  This book helped her tremendously after she was burned in a grease fire.          (You can read about her story by clicking here.)
 
In the book The Allure of Hope, Jan Meyers Proett clearly shows how hope is not a passive concept, but an active, life-changing reality.  This book touched my heart by giving words to how it feels when I am “jolted by life’s suffering.”  Seeing hope as a radical way of responding to life, rather than a mere desire for something good to happen, helps me to coexist with pain.  When you live with pain on a daily basis, it is hard to have hope, but it is possible.  This book invites you to do the courageous — and glorious work — of hoping.
 
Hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts.  Romans 5:5
 

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eat with joy

Posted in 5 senses, encouraging verse, friendship, Hope, tagged , , on January 28, 2011| 2 Comments »

 
Go eat your food with joy ….
 
Ecclesiastes 9:7
 
 
I found this verse last year, on the last day of my fast.  I wrote it in my journal along with these words: “God wants us to enjoy our food and appreciate it.  Not eating for a while certainly makes you appreciate food!”  I know that sounds simple, but fasting helps put food in its proper place in life — something to be enjoyed in a healthy way.  Our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, and taking a break from eating (or eating certain foods) causes you to notice how you are caring for your body.
 
Eating can be very complicated for some people.  I have one dear friend who is struggling with an eating disorder and another one who is trying to lose weight.  For them, food is not a source of joy, as God desires.  Thankfully, there is hope for all who struggle with food issues.  Embracing hope is one of the first steps to discovering how eating can be a joy. 
 
 
You still the hunger of those you cherish.  Psalm 17:14
Fast 
Book recommendation: The Allure of Hope, Jan Meyers
 
Disclaimer:  I am not recommending that anyone with an eating disorder fast or that fasting be used as a weight loss strategy.  I am only recommending fasting as a spiritual discipline for healthy adults.  
 

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the desert

Posted in Hope, Inspiring verse, overcome, tagged , , , , on November 7, 2009| 2 Comments »

 
Therefore I am now going to allure her;
I will lead her into the desert and speak
tenderly to her.  There I will give her
back her vineyards, and will make the
Valley of Achor a Door of Hope.
Hosea 2:14-15
 
 
Imagine standing in a valley named “Trouble” (Achor means trouble) and in the far distance you see a doorway labeled “Hope”.  What do you hope is on the other side of that door?  From where you stand in the valley, what lies between you and the door?  What steps must you take to go through the Valley of Trouble and walk through the door into renewal?  How can focusing on God’s intimate, committed love deliver, heal and transform you?

 

For Piotr, Michelle, and Dana, who work with those who are in the desert of chronic pain. 

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