BOOK GIVEAWAY in Honor of my 40th Wedding Anniversary!

Redemption for a post-abortive woman and a foster mom. Both want the same child, but who will win?

Join me this Friday, July 15 at 2:00 p.m. to discuss my novel, Masquerade. FREE ebook copy to one participant!

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BOOK GIVEAWAY IN HONOR OF MY 40TH--FB EVENT!

Life Lessons from Art

In a recent art class, I picked up techniques to help me draw better. But I also picked up a few life lessons in the process. 

My instructor insisted that his number one challenge in teaching art is getting his students to really see what they are drawing. To observe the visible, tangible item and apply the brain/hand connection on paper.

As a writer of eternal themes, I share a similar challenge, but in reverse: helping readers see the invisible--what God has revealed about Himself through His creation, His Word (the Bible), and His Son (Jesus Christ).

As with drawing, sometimes brain blockers exist, hindering one's ability to see. Really see. Damaged love receptors can distort one's view of who God really is--an eternal being full of love, grace, and truth. 

Yet the physical world around us, the Bible, and Jesus testify to the truth.

For those with spirit eyes to see . . .

Life Lesson 1: My instructor taught me to identify my light source so that I know where to apply specific shading. Jesus is my spiritual Light source. He is truth and the revealer of truth. 

Life Lesson 2: My instructor taught me how to use horizontal/vertical lines to draw a figure. When he stood in the center of the classroom with outstretched arms it reminded me of Christ's death on the cross as payment for my sin and provision for my forgiveness. 

Life Lesson 3: My instructor taught me how to use one/two point perspective. This technique reminded me that Christ and His Word is the reference point which provides proper perspective for shaping my life. 

Life Lesson 4: My instructor taught me how to draw with ink. This reminded me of the old hymn, "The Love of God" penned by Frederick M. Lehman in 1917. 

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

(View the full hymn and story behind the hymn)

I'm amazed, awed really, that no matter the discipline, God is there, revealing Himself--the Designer of all things beautiful, chief of which is a redeemed soul!

The Christmas Child

My grandson, Ethan (4), cupped my chin in his hands, looked into my eyes, and said, "God wants to do great things with little children."

He reminded me of this statement two or three times throughout our Grandma/Ethan date. I couldn't help but giggle.

On reflection, I realize how powerful a line my young grandson delivered. For isn't that the very heart of Christmas?

God wants to do great things through a Child.

And so He did. 

God came down in human flesh, clothed as a baby . . . as one of us. Humble beginnings in a manger. Feeling the same soaked diapers we experience, the same hungry stomach gnawing, the same loneliness, sadness, grief.

In order to identify with mankind. With you. With me.

To know how we feel, in every way . . . physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. He became one of us. 

And then He died, for us. Because He could. Since He was also fully God, He was the only One who could bear our sin, offering redemption through His blood.

Oh, glorious Christmas Child! The One who invites each of us to become little children in the attitudes of our heart. To be humble enough to admit our sin, draw near to Him, and accept His gift.

The ultimate Christmas gift from one Child to another.

~~

Eileen Rife, author of Second Chance, invites women to discover who they are in Christ and what part they play in His amazing story! The article above is taken from a newly-released devotional titled, Penned from the Heart, compiled by Marilyn Nutter. www.eileenrife.com, www.eileen-rife.blogspot.com .

http://www.amazon.com/Penned-Heart-Vol-Marilyn-Nutter/dp/0936369523/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1418063205&sr=1-1&keywords=penned+from+the+heart

Beauty

Have you ever wondered why we spend so much time fixing up our homes and ourselves. Painting, plucking, and powdering? Why we flip through remodeling and gardening magazines searching for the right faucet, seedling, or statue? Why we frost cookies, decorate Christmas trees with silver and gold, and light candles to fill our homes with spicy fragrance?

            Because deep within the heart of every man, woman, and child is a longing for beauty. God, the Beautiful One and Creator of all things beautiful, designed us with that desire.

            We need look no further than the Babe in the manger to capture beauty in its truest form. The Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace all rolled into the Person of Christ is the One in whom all things exist and hold together.

           The phrase “God doesn’t make junk,” is actually true. In the beginning, God looked at creation and labeled it “good.” Only when sin entered the world did disarray, disorder, dysfunction, and disease in all its ugliness plague mankind.

           Yet, man retained his innate desire for a perfect world, one of unity and beauty.

           All our days we strive for the good, the right, the lovely, but that desire did not originate in our own thoughts. God planted the seed deep within that nothing can destroy. That yearning for the beautiful is meant to drive us to the Beautiful One who holds the key to perfection. Only in His death, burial, and resurrection can we know Him and truly understand what beauty really is. It is through His promise of a restored heaven and earth that one day true, undaunted beauty will be unveiled.

        So, as you gather to celebrate Christmas this year and enjoy the glittering tree, blazing fire, golden, roasted turkey, and laughter of family and friends, remember the One who gifted you with all things beautiful.

           And humbly thank Him.

~~

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003O405FO

The Christmas Child

My grandson, Ethan (4), cupped my chin in his hands, looked into my eyes, and said, "God wants to do great things with little children."

He reminded me of this statement two or three times throughout our Grandma/Ethan date. I couldn't help but giggle.

On reflection, I realize how powerful a line my young grandson delivered. For isn't that the very heart of Christmas?

God wants to do great things through a Child.

And so He did. 

God came down in human flesh, clothed as a baby . . . as one of us. Humble beginnings in a manger. Feeling the same soaked diapers we experience, the same hungry stomach gnawing, the same loneliness, sadness, grief.

In order to identify with mankind. With you. With me.

To know how we feel, in every way . . . physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. He became one of us. 

And then He died, for us. Because He could. Since He was also fully God, He was the only One who could bear our sin, offering redemption through His blood.

Oh, glorious Christmas Child! The One who invites each of us to become little children in the attitudes of our heart. To be humble enough to admit our sin, draw near to Him, and accept His gift.

The ultimate Christmas gift from one Child to another.

For more of my writings, visit my Author Page:

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003O405FO 

Okay, Ebook lovers--SECOND CHANCE, now available on Kindle!

Second Chance is now available on Amazon Kindle! Check it out!


http://www.amazon.com/Second-Chance-ebook/dp/B007IFGT3M/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1331298259&sr=1-1