peace . love . joy

i said in a 17102006 post "appetite's back" that i read a daily bread passage that realli struck me..

because i'm back in gOd's oasis and into His presence after wandering for months in the desert (granted it wasnt 40 years like the Isrealites, but it was long enough for me to feel tired, weary and jus so wrung dry), reading this passage realli helped, and i hope it'll help all those who are feeling abit dry and having a space in your hearts that somehow refuses to be filled..

Our Journey, sep . oct . nov 2006, october 16 - monday, Steve Farrar

In his book More than Conquerors, John Woodbridge writes about J.C. Penny, a man who wanted to do business by the golden rule.

Early in Penny's career, his integrity was tested when he refused to be involved in a kickback scheme. Because of his refusal, his business was boycotted and he had to shut it down and leave town. Then in 1907, an opportunity to start a new store in Wyoming opened up. In just 5 years, it grew to 34 stored with sales of over $2 million! By 1929, he had 1400 stores across the US.

But Penny's public prosperity didn't shield him from personal hardship and suffering. As he walked his remarkable pathway to success, his wife died, leaving him with two young sons. In 1916, he remarried. But his new wife, Mary Kimball, died shortly after giving birth to their son, Kimball. Six years later, Penny lost $40 million in the stock market crash. He was virtually penniless. It was too much for Penny to bear. With a broken heart and the loss of a fortune, he wound up as a patient in a sanitorium. He was just 56 years old.

J.C. Penny was fighting the biggest battle of his life -- not to rebuild his empire, but to regain his trust in the goodness of God. One morning, as he fought off depression, he heard some employees singing a hymn in the kitchen as they prepared breakfast:" Be not dismayed whate'er betide, God will take care of you."

That line from a beloved hymn invaded the heart of J.C. Penny, and hope was reborn. Some simple words reconnected Penny's heart to the One he thought had abandoned him. He recommitted his life to God that very moment. And at the age of 56, he was ready to start over from scratch.

God didn't leave J.C. Penny in the sanitorium. And he won't leave you, no matter where you are. With confidence, you can say as the psalmist did," My hope is in You" (Psalm 39:7)

Hebrews 13 : 5-6
(5) Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

(6) So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Psalm 39 : 4-7
(4) LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am.

(5) Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.

(6) Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

(7) And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

God will take care of you =]

have a bLEsSed day, all

me