Peering Through Life's Window

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...

I immediately added clean water and the preservative that came with my flower to the rose my husband gave me on Valentine’s Day. But the next day, February 15th, the stem drooped an inch below its bloom. That afternoon the sun shone through the sliding glass door the brightest I’d seen since early December. But the rose sat there, it’s pretty head tilted down toward the table. Wednesday morning I walked in the kitchen to find the rose straight again. Not quite believing it, I leaned down and studied the flower. I checked it later that afternoon. And another time early in the evening. It wasn’t my imagination. It’s five days later, and the rose stands straight on its stem, its petals just beginning to age a tiny bit on the edge, otherwise intact. I’d never seen a flower do that, but I’m no horticulturist, so I thought maybe some varieties of roses perk up once the recipient adds the preservative. Even so, that wouldn’t explain why it wilted the day after I added it. My curiosity wouldn’...

LOVE LETTERS One day, while cleaning out our closet, I found a shoe box tucked behind a bunch of clutter on my husband’s side. Curiosity bid me, and I pulled it down and sifted through the items. There were rusted railroad nails, an antique pocket watch attached to a chain, old baseball game stubs and numerous other creased, rusted, or slightly tarnished items. My heart was touched to see the softer side of my husband displayed in the saving of each item. I’m certain every stub and nail told a story, perhaps of the first game he attended alone or the watch given to him by his grandfather who has since passed. But what touched me most were the numerous slips of paper and cards I found buried beneath it all, my young, immature writing scrawled across them. I had to giggle at my immaturity. I love you, heart, heart, dot the exclamation point with a large heart. Those letters had touched my husband deeply, so much so that he had saved them all these years. I paused, remembering the first ...

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...

STARTING IN FEBRUARY Stop by often Read a series of devotionals written by different authors. From time to time look for author interviews and giveaways. I'm excited to have so many good writers coming to my blog to share their devotionals. From time to time there will be author interviews and giveaways too. I hope you'll come by to read these wonderful, inspirational posts. See you soon!

It snowed in Georgia on Christmas day. It was the first time we’d had a white Christmas in over one hundred years. I think the birds were as surprised as we were. The area around the bird feeder in our backyard looked like an aviary. I was glad that my husband, Rick, checks and fills it every day. The cardinals, wrens, nuthatches and English sparrows found what they needed. They stayed with us for a long time and came in flocks throughout the day. I couldn’t help but think of Luke 12:24, “Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet, God feeds them…” That day the birds got a little help from Rick. I recalled the rest of the verse, “And how much more valuable you are than birds!” If we feed the birds, shouldn’t we help one another? Matthew 22: 37 - 39, “Love the Lord your God with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”