Melba's Swap Shop: Start the year with a prayer

Hi Lord, it's me. We're getting older and things are getting bad here. Gas prices are too high, no jobs, and food and heating costs too high. Some have taken you out of our schools, government and even Christmas, but Lord I'm asking you to come back and re-bless America.

We really need you! There are more of us who want you than those who don't! Thank You Lord, I Love you.

“Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil — it has no point.”

— KAREN BISHOP, Oklahoma City

DEAR READERS: I don't know who wrote this either, nor who sent it to me, but I enjoy reading it, and think you will, too.

I'LL WALK WITH GOD

I'll walk with God from this day on,

His helping hand I'll lean upon,

This is my prayer, my humble plea,

May the Lord be ever with me.

There is no death, though eyes grow dim,

There is no fear when I'm near to Him.

I'll lean on Him forever

And He'll forsake me never.

He will not fail me as long as my faith is strong,

Whatever road I may walk along,

I'll walk with God, I'll take His hand,

I'll talk with God, He'll understand.

I'll pray to Him, each day to Him,

And He'll hear the words that I say.

His hand will guide my throne and rod,

And I'll never walk alone while I walk with God.

— MELBA

DEAR MELBA: About 10 years ago, my wife and I were visiting her relatives in Oklahoma. As usual, we had some great food. One thing that stuck with us was the pecan pie one of her cousins made. What made this pie special, other than the Oklahoma pecans, was the fact the pecans were throughout the filling and not just floating on the top of the pie.