Peering Through Life's Window

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.

WELCOME SWEET ROMANCE AUTHOR DANIELLE THORNE DISCUSSING HER BELIEFS ABOUT ATONEMENT Finding Peace Through Self-Forgiveness Consider this anecdote: The Devil & the Duck Once there was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner. As he was walking back he saw his grandma's pet duck. Out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head and killed it. How he was shocked and grieved! In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile, only to see his sister watching. Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing. After lunch the next day Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes." But Sally said, "Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen." Then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?" So Johnny did the dishes. Later that day, Grand

Not A Dress Rehearsal My pastor on Sunday used this phrase, "It's not a dress rehearsal", referring to life. Whatever it is we want to do for Christ, we have one life to do it. I really held onto that. There's no do-overs, there's no practice. This is it. My husband, my children, my ministries, my role in these relationships- it's all a now-or-never/ do-or-die kind of thing. And time is ever slipping away. So I've been pondering this the last few days... The difference between a dress rehearsal and the real show is that the real show brings a sense of urgency; a sense of intensity, concentration, and focus. THIS IS IT, DON'T BLOW IT. So these words bring with them the call to action- to not put off those things you talk about wanting to do, like daily devotions, weekly family times, volunteering, studying the Bible more deeply, or having a heart-to-heart talk with your kids/spouse/loved one about Christ. Don't say "some day I'd like to do

I'm so happy to have Elaine Marie Cooper here with an inspirational devotional, "Unwrapped Hearts," and a giveaway for February. She'll also tell us about her new book, The Road to Deer Run, and share some of her reviews. Be sure to leave a comment with your email address (name at address dot com) for a chance to win a copy. I'll draw a name and announce a winner on Monday, February 7th. UNWRAPPED HEARTS Don’t you love those bright, beribboned heart boxes of candy that appear in the stores in February? You hope against common-sense hope (how many calories in those sweets?? Oh my…!) that maybe you will be one of the lucky recipients this year. But imagine receiving such a heartfelt gift from someone you love…only to discover that someone had been poking around in there beforehand, leaving undetected holes in the bottom of each candy. I would personally be hurt and more than a little disappointed. No one wants such a special gift to be ruined by someone’s selfish ac

I carried the blue canvas stadium chair to the beach and planted it in the deep, white sand. A baby lizard lay in the seat. My husband, Rick, flipped it out with his hand and turned around to set up his chair. Tail and all, the tiny creature measured only one to one-and-a-half inches. Trying to move, it writhed in the grained earth. Bright sunshine lit up the fall day, but the shore felt chilly to my bare feet. He must be cold. I stared at the lizard. His little arms and legs so thin; his fingers, like short pieces of thread, wiggled frantically. “Now you’ve done it.” Rick sat down. “He can’t travel on the beach,” I said. Rick stood. Using his foot, he scooped up a large amount of sand with the lizard atop it. He took several steps, and the sand filtered to the ground, so he flicked off the lizard and repeated the process. At first the little reptile squirmed as though he tried to escape. But after a while he lay very still while Rick picked him up and moved him. At last Rick reached