Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper…(I Kings 19:11b-12)

F.W. Robertson makes an insightful observation here:
“There are some spirits which must go through a discipline analogous to that sustained by Elijah. The storm-struggle must precede the still small voice. There are minds which must be convulsed with doubt before they can repose in faith. There are hearts which must be broken with disappointment before they can rise into hope. There are dispositions which, like Job, must have all things taken from them before they can find all things again in God. Blessed is the man who, when the tempest has spent its fury, recognizes his Father’s voice in its under-tone, and bares his head and bows his knee, as Elijah did.”

Welcome to Comfort Cafe, an ezine and resource center offering hope, help and healing for women.

Ruth’s Blog

Comfort Cafe’s editor, Ruth Wood, brings a personal connection to the site through her blog. Her latest posts are: The Holy Spirit—my Travel Companion, My Friend. See Ruth’s Blog.

Photography Blog

Deb Allen is the author of Creation Speaks—short devotionals illustrated by beautiful photos she’s taken of nature. Enjoy her latest posts at www.heartscribeforhim.com/CreationSpeaks1.htm.

In this Issue: Overcoming Depression

What should a Christian do if overwhelmed with depression?
http://www.christiananswers.net/q-acb/acb-f001.html

Bible Verses to Help Overcome Depression Listed Here:
www.truthablaze.com/depression.html

Coffee Shop Concert

With the ability to move hearts to tears one minute and then feet to dance the next, contemporary Christian singer-songwriter Becky Carey overflows with joy as she ministers to the brokenhearted, proclaims freedom to the bound, and encourages everyone that their God given purpose and dreams can be realized through the power and provision found only in a relationship with the risen Redeemer, Jesus Christ!
Coffee Shop Concert page.

Life Stories

Hope vanishes like a mirage. Desperate to end the pain, I want to sleep and never wake again. Nothing can be worse than the ache of sorrow on my heart. I can’t wait for God to take me home…now, not later, now.
The Other Side of the Fence, by Mimi Marie

Some things seem so innocent—and make perfect sense. But in the end, they cause pain. You look back and say, “I should have seen that coming. I should have known better. Why did I DO that?!”
Steff’s Stuff—Shoes and Blues, by Stephanie McIver

Articles

We all understand that depression is a major problem in our time. Every year in America 9.5% of all adults are diagnosed with some degree of clinical depression.
Prophet on the Run—Elijah’s Depression, by Ray Pritchard

I’ve had nearly six weeks now in which I’ve no longer experienced the depression I was battling the prior two months, which I blogged about earlier. Like some physical problems I’ve had, I don’t know why the depression came or why it left.
Depression, Gratitude, and Charles Haddon Spurgeon, by Randy Alcorn

Do you remember this song from Sesame Street? I suppose it was a career awareness attempt; however, when I was a mom of young children, I was struck by the satisfaction expressed in this chorus line about a job, “I like it fine.”
“It’s My Job, and I Like It Fine…”, by Marianne Miles, Miles to Go

Devotionals

I was not a great youth pastor. One of the reasons why I was so lame was because I hate theme parks.
Power in Weakness, by James MacDonald

In front of the new hospital they’ve erected a sculpture featuring five life-sized, stilt-walking figures captured mid-stride.
A Fine Balance, by Phyllis Nissila

It was the spring of 1995 and Spring Breakaway was just around the corner. Normally this event was a highlight of my year. I always looked forward to teaching at this very special retreat for women in Fort Lauderdale, Florida - not this year. This year I didn’t even want to go, and I certainly did not want to teach.
What Am I Doing in this Pit?, by Mary Southerland