Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Hope Burns On

Hi Friends~


I hope that you were all blessed with a very special Easter.  I apologize for not being here.  Things turned a bit upside down.  Family didn't come down.  I have whip-lash (again.)  I didn't even get to go to church...but I am going to watch the video listed under blogs on the right side. (Northland Community Church)  I am in pretty severe pain, so this is going to be a rather short post.  I am glad you are here!  And, I will randomly choose 2 people to receive cards on Thursday instead of one!  So, leave a comment before midnight tonight!


I am going to share something that I really needed to read today.  It is a Devotion (is that word capitalized?  What do you think?)  And, it is from the book Quiet Moments in the Presence of God.  This book is published by Bethany House.


_________________________________


"You are my hope; O Lord God, You are my confidence from my youth." Psalm 71:5

Hope Burns On


An ancient Ethiopian legend tells about a shepherd boy named Alemayu.  One time he was stranded on a frozen mountain, clothed only in a thin cloak.  After a long and treacherous night, he returned home.  The villagers were amazed that he had survived as well as he had.  When asked to explain, he said, "The night was bitter cold.  The sky was pitch-dark.  Then, far off, I saw a shepherd's fire on another mountain.  I kept my eyes on the red glow in the distance and hoped of being warm."


Hope is a fire that burns in your heart and won't go out even in dark and difficult times.  Hope tells you tomorrow will be better.


Always have a supply of hope on hand to help you plan your tomorrows.


"What a God we have!  And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus!  Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for."  1 Peter 1:3


Let's pray the prayer that is included.  Will you join me?
Dear God, I know that my hope is a forecast of Your presence and a foretaste of Your power.   In Jesus' Name. Amen.

_________________________________


I really needed to read about hope.  I opened the book to any page, and this was there!  I feel that I made a promise to God that I would write this blog to serve the Lord!  And, when I am in so much pain that I can't think straight, or it hurts too much to type, I told you I wouldn't be here on those days.  I feel like I have failed you...and that I have failed God!  I mean I know we all sin.  This feels different.  I need hope.  Now, I know you don't come here to be bummed out...I am here to help encourage you...but, I am in a low place.  A lot is on my plate physically...yet it could be worse.  And, He could heal me in a whisper...even after all of these years.  But, honestly, there are times when I don't have as much hope as I should.  As I feel I should.  And, then I feel like I am further away from Him than I would like to be. 


I would love to hear some of your stories of hope.  You could put them in the comment section...it will uplift others, too.  Or you can email them to me.  tracistarkweather@gmail.com  Please put He IS Able in the subject or I am nervous about opening email when I don't recognize the name.  Or perhaps, you don't want to share a story of hope...how about a Scripture or two about it?  I am very grateful to all of you.  Thank you so much for being here!  May your hearts be filled with hope.


He IS Able!
Traci Starkweather

6 comments:

  1. Dear Traci-I am lifting you up in prayer as I type. I too have been in desperate need of healing & hope. I had cancer in 2005. Spent 11 mths in & out of the hospital taking chemo (Tues-Fri every week) What doesn't kill us-makes us stronger! The Lord is our ever present HOPE. One scripture I kept close was Isaiah 40:31:
    31 but those who hope in the LORD
    will renew their strength.
    They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

    Keep up the good fight! Huggles!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Karen~

      Thank you for your prayers, and your heartfelt story. Isaiah 40:31 is one Scripture that I really rest on. In fact, I have a stamp set from ODBD that uses it.

      Thank you for being here, and praying for the blog to reach Christians and non-Christians alike. I appreciate you a lot!

      His,
      Traci

      Delete
  2. Thanks, Traci, for writing this. The story of the shepherd's fire resonates with me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Cindy~

      Thank you for taking the time to let me know that the Devotion resonated with you. Hopefully you will rely on the Lord for hope in your life. If you have any prayer request, you can leave it here, and we will pray for you, or you can email me. It is in the post you just read. Thank you for being here.

      His,
      Traci
      Traci

      Delete
  3. Traci- I also need to remember Hope. I know that God is always present in my life! The shepherds story reminds me to trust in God.
    I am praying for you and all the readers of the bog!

    Blessings and hugs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi jcb--
      I am so glad that the story reminded you to trust in God! He is forever faithful! I am praying for you, also, my friend!

      He IS Able!
      Traci

      Delete

Thank you so much for leaving your thoughts, ideas,prayer requests and comments! We love to read them all! And, if you had a prayer request, the Prayer Team will begin praying for your needs today. God Bless!