A Ram in the Thicket

A Ram in the Thicket
Amazing Stories of God’s Provision
By Eileen Rife

Based on Genesis 22:10-14

Then he (Abraham) reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”
“Here I am,” he replied.
“Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide.


Is there a cherished dream, relationship, place, or position on which you have raised the knife? Did God turn around and provide a ram in the thicket just when you thought all hope was lost?

Share your story.
Word count: 500-1500
Include at least one Scripture indicating how God worked in your life.
Selections will be made based on the following criteria:

* Emotional appeal—Does your experience generate a heart response?
* Unusual experience—Is your experience something only God could do?
* Spiritual principle—Is there a specific Scriptural principle you learned?
* Ease of reading—Does your writing flow?
* Take-away value for reader—What can a reader learn from your experience?

This inspirational work-in-progress is a compilation of stories chosen from submissions. If you would like to contribute to this book, email eileenrife@yahoo.com. If your piece is accepted, you will receive a free copy of the book upon publication and an attribution in the back of the book.

ONLINE WRITING CLASS! $59 FOR TWO SESSIONS

Have you secretly harbored a desire to write? Maybe you've talked with others about getting started on a book project. Perhaps, you would just like to write down those family stories for your children and grandchildren.

Test the writing waters. Take my online seminar. Two sessions will introduce you to the writer's life and provide amble opportunity to determine if you want to wade in deeper.

Cost: $59 for two lessons with phone consult as needed

Contact: eileenrife@yahoo.com

COUNTDOWN TO BANGALORE BABIES--8 MONTHS!

Wedding Wows for Matt and Steph July 26, 2008

Jesus' First Miracle

Did you know that Jesus' first miracle was at a wedding? That's right. Look it up.

All right. I'll make it easy for you. Read John 2:1-11. As I flip through the gospel accounts, it appears that John is the only apostle who recorded this significant event.

I think it's sweet that Jesus chose to display His authority and power at a wedding. What a reassurance to me as I stood at the kitchen sink one morning three months ago worrying about whether we would have enough food at Steph's wedding. The Holy Spirit reminded me through Jesus's first miracle that the Lord cares about the special moments in our lives, especially weddings, since He uses the picture of the marriage relationship to show how He loves us!

Over and over again in planning Steph and Matt's outdoor wedding, the Lord answered prayer, right down to the weather. Even as I decorated the white gazebo in a light shower of rain on their wedding morning, I pressed forward in faith. The Lord had promised He'd come through for us, and He did! What a gorgeous day it turned out to be and the moderate temperature was a delight.

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Brantham Kramm

Married Saturday, July 26, 2008

My prayers go with you.

Novel Update

I sit at the computer typing chapter three of Chosen Ones which profiles a couple experiencing infertility and a child enslaved in sex trafficking. People in crisis, yet worlds apart. As I research the topic of trafficking my heart breaks over the millions of women and children who fall prey to sex lords every year. Promised a better life, they unwittingly land in the hands of pimps who use and abuse for the almighty dollar. It sickens me to think that in our depraved world much simply comes down to money.

As with my last novel in the Born for India trilogy, I need much prayer to complete this task. I desire to be another voice of awareness for the children. I'm learning that they aren't just on the other side of the world, but perhaps right in my own backyard. And that is the most sickening thought of all.

Home Sweet Home

There truly is no place like America! I returned from India right into the open arms of my hubby. How I missed him! And his zany ways . . .

Like for instance, how he manages pest control at our home.

He uses bubble gum to plug up bee holes in our deck. I can only imagine there are several bumble bees (no, not bubble bees) flying around Roanoke blowing bubbles.

He sprinkles grits around the perimeter of our home and places a bowl of water beside it. He claims that the ants eat the grits, then drink the water and blow up! I have to chuckle. But, you know, it works!