Friday, April 09, 2010

OOOOOO-laaaaaaa-WEEEEEEeeeee

Yesterday, my friend Shannon and I drove into the little town of Exeter, California, and strolled into Monet's. Rustic like a cafe, elegant like a four-star restaurant, with a background serande that was perfect for relaxing the soul and making it happy. The food, I have been craving ever since we walked out the doors and stepped back into reality. This restaurant treasure was the perfect place to spill our guts and be refreshed and revived!

Truly, for me, the two hours of fellowshipping (and eating the most delicious salad and pannini ever) were the equivalent of an entire weekend retreat. 

God is good like that!

Right when you need encouragement the most, He chauffers you to the perfect spot where that need can be met. Talking and heart-to-heart sharing with my trusted BFF of 28.75 years was what the Lord knew I needed.

When King David and his men came to the city of Ziklag, the very spirit of their hearts dropped as they discovered the city burned and every inhabitant carried away by the evil-thinking Amalekites. David's own men, in their distressing grief, talked of stoning David. But David, but he "strengthened himself in the LORD his God" (1 Samuel 30).

No matter what you are facing today, turn to the Word and seek the face of God. In Him there is mercy and compassion, strength and grace, help and provision. Strengthen yourself in the Lord by believing in His promises - they are the only foundation on which to stand - in joyous times or sorrowful ones.

Ask Him to encourage your heart in the midst of the trial. God's faithfulness is great, and though He might tarry with the answer you seek, His grace and comfort are immediate. 

And who knows? Maybe, His answer will come through wisdom shared from your Best Pal, in a small, remote town, in a cozy corner of some fabulous cafe!

I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 
Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord!
Psalm 27:13-14

3 comments:

Mona said...

Hi. I'm really enjoying your blog. I ran across the pink bible that you had talked about and didn't get it, so next time I went to that store wanted to get it, but they were all gone!:( It does look like a really good and readable bible. Here's my question, though, I am wanting to do a bible study or woman's study, but will probably just be doing it on my own. Have you come across any really good bible studies that I could do? I would much appreciate any input. Thanks, Mona

an encourager said...

Hi M. J.

I hope you read this, because I could not reach your blog or email...

For Bible study suggestions, I am loving this 8-week study our group is doing. It's called Hope by Jack Kuhatschek. I also recommend Debbie Alsdorf's Steadfast Love study, which I guess the updated version is called He is My All.

If you click on the following links you can see inside them on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=hope+jack+kuhatschek&x=14&y=14

http://www.amazon.com/He-My-All-Living-Design4living/dp/1434768368/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1270965754&sr=8-2

Hope this helps! :)

Jennifer @ Fruit of My Hands said...

I really like the pictures with this post--lovely.