Looking Out the Window: The Peaceful Writing of Eileen Rife

DEVOTIONAL AND BOOK GIVEAWAY

Excerpt from TRANQUIL MOMENTS, SPIRITUAL REFRESHMENT FROM the ISLAND OF MAUI by Eileen Rife

Son Blockers

“Make Your face to shine upon Your servant; Save me in Your loving kindness.” –Psalm 31:16

Sitting on the sand outside our motel in LaHaina, I apply more sunscreen, smoothing it over my arms and legs, covering every exposed area to block the sun’s harmful UV rays. I want the glorious benefits of the sun’s warmth and light, but I realize, in this marred world that too much exposure may come with a price: detriment to long-term health.

Indeed, the tainted earth and heavens groan with longing for their redemption, freedom from the effects of sin, just as I long for release from this imperfect body in which I dwell. A curse fell on the world like a wet blanket, snuffing out the laughter and joy at God’s creation party. And so we both wait—creation and I—for the final, freeing touch of the Son’s hand.

In the meantime, I want nothing to block Him from my view. His light and warmth are perfect—no harmful UV rays. His light shines into every corner of my exposed life and reveals hidden sin. Application of His words to my life will block the lustful tendencies of the flesh and eyes and the boastful pride of life (1 John 2:16), so that I may do only what pleases Him. I don’t want anything blocking the Son’s light from penetrating my soul, for then I can be whole, move toward maturity, and be free to invest my life in others.

But allowing the Son free access to my life is risky. I risk a friend’s laughter, family criticism, co-workers’ ridicule, and a spouse’s scorn. At times I experience sheer loneliness. Still, anything less than total exposure to the Son will never do. Loneliness is simply God’s calling card to seek the Son even more. God can’t work when I am still holding on to the world, compromising His message or repeating sinful behaviors. All I can do is fix may gaze on the Son and lay my soul bare to His light, moving forward by faith and trusting Him for the outcome.

Then I will experience the good pleasure of His face shining upon me and be shielded from this world’s allurements. The Sunshine of His face always provides a tranquil moment.

Spiritual Renewal Plan:

Is there anything blocking your view of the Son today? Some habit, some thought or some action that you need to relinquish? Allow the penetrating light of God’s Word to reveal any hidden areas of sin that you need to confess and abandon. Refuse to dwell in the darkness. Live in the Sonlight.

About Eileen's book, TRANQUIL MOMENTS, SPIRITUAL REFRESHMENT FROM THE ISLAND OF MAUI: “A tranquil heart is life to the body.” Proverbs 14:30a

Life is filled with stress. How we handle it will determine whether we live a life of peace or a life of perpetual panic. Tranquil Moments, Spiritual Refreshment from the Island of Maui provides thirty-one vignettes which take you on a spiritual journey. View God’s promise in a rainbow spreading across a Maui mountaintop, His peace in a cascading waterfall and His faithfulness in a colorful sunrise. Included are 101 ways to add a tranquil moment to your day, plus a therapist’s guide to tranquility. Available at http://www.amazon.com/.

BIO

"Healing words for hurting hearts," is how Eileen Rife describes her books. Whether through fiction or nonfiction, Eileen wants readers to come away with love that extends beyond themselves, faith that can see the impossible, and hope that endures against all odds.

As a child, Eileen loved writing and telling stories. Walking to school every morning, she created characters, then talked to them as she ambled down the road, which was often her way of dealing with grief and loss. After the death of her brother, Eileen learned to empathize with the underdog. Many of Eileen's stories revolve around issues that many find difficult to talk about—death, homosexuality, sex trafficking. Through her characters, she offers readers an opportunity to draw close, peel back the layers of their own hearts, and examine what lies within.

And added to the mix--romance, always a romance around one corner or another!

An alumna of Christian Writers Guild and member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Eileen has published several non-fiction books, written newsletters, a marriage column, and over ten church dramas. Her byline has appeared in magazines, such as Discipleship Journal, Marriage Partnership, Mature Living, Christian Home & School, Drama Ministry, and ParentLife, as well as other print and online publications. Her fiction works include Journey to Judah and Restored Hearts, recently released by OakTara. Chosen Ones, her third book in the Born for India trilogy is due out soon. She and husband, Chuck, a licensed professional counselor and marriage/family therapist conduct marriage seminars for churches and organizations in the States as well as overseas. They have three married children and six grandchildren.

You can visit Eileen at http://www.eileenrife.com/, http://www.guardyourmarriage.com/, and http://www.eileen-rife.blogspot.com/.

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