He has taken me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love…many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away…Place me like a seal over your heart…(Selections from Song of Songs, NIV)

This is a great time of year to focus on the Lord’s great love for us. In all its many forms. How does He love you and me? Let me count the ways… Regardless of what is in our past, present or future, the Lord promises that nothing can separate us from His love. In light of all He means to us, how can we not worship?

Happy Valentine’s Day, Jesus.

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

WIN A DOOR PRIZE!!!

Drop your email in our subscription box (see left hand corner of website) and automatically qualify for our drawing! This month’s gift is Nancy Guthrie’s book, “Hoping for Something Better; a 10-week journey through the hope-filled message of Hebrews.” Sign up now to win this encouraging book!

CONGRATULATIONS TO LAST MONTH’S DOOR PRIZE WINNERS:

Carolyn Clifton, Florida; Mary J. Turner, Arizona

Ruth’s Blog

Comfort Cafe’s editor, Ruth Wood, brings a personal connection to the site through her blog. Her latest posts are: Knowing Myself and Fit For Service. 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.

Coffee Shop Concert

You will enjoy Indie Heaven Momentum Awards nominee, Mindy Boyd. Her relaxed, folksy sound and beautiful words creates a peaceful atmosphere. Don’t miss Mindy’s Coffee Shop Concert.

LIFE STORIES

A number of years ago I went through a debilitating depression. I went through intense counseling to help me deal with my abandonment and replacement feelings. In my counseling I came to understand about the emptiness in my heart and realized the issues I had never dealt with. See The Lord, Healer of My Hurts, by Cheryl Gerou

Oh no, did I turn off the stove? I hope the house isn’t burned down when I get home! Where did that thought come from? See How Can I Step On a Crack Without Cracking Up? (Surviving Compulsive Obsessive Disorder), by Mary Lapé Nixon

I wanted to “freeze frame” the moment. Hit rewind and then replay. I didn’t – mostly because we were standing in the church foyer. Here’s what happened…See Freeze Frame, by Kristine Lowder

Hanging up the phone, with tears streaming down my face, I wondered, “How did we ever get to this point?” Inexplicably, my life-long relationship with my best friend was at a complete impasse. See The Bigger Picture, by Cindy Simpson

After eight years of marriage, my husband suddenly left me. We had three small children ages three, six, and eight. Shortly before he left, I had a complete breakdown. See The Open Arms of a Loving God, by Constance Korn

DEVOTIONALS

Espresso for the Heart
The child in the crib wore an adorable sleeper covered with tiny baby ducks that seemed to dance above a see of pale blue sheets. The child’s round cheeks and gentle smile told me she was well cared. To me this cherub seemed out of place in a facility for disabled children.Growing Up, by Louise Bergmann DuMont

The pandemonium of getting settled at the table had just calmed down when the phone rang. Bo stepped into another room to answer it. A few minutes later he walked into the dining room and in a subdued voice said, “I have some bad news. Dan Harrison died today.” See Listen For The Whisper, by Kathryn M. Graves

A little over a week ago, my sister and her husband awoke suddenly at 4:00 am and realized the house next door was on fire! Just as sudden, they began to smell the distinct odor of burning plastic and knew their house could be next. See Seeing God Through The Fire, by Bridget Gazlay

As I walked by, a spring gust shook loose a cluster of blossoms from a cherry tree. I stopped, and lifted my head and hands to the pink profusion. I felt suddenly as light- and joy-filled as a girl receiving her first bouquet. See Beloved, by Phyllis M. Nissila

ARTICLES

For every phase of my life there have been Bible verses that have helped me grow in Christ. You may have been impacted by the same verses only in different circumstances of your life. See The Verses of My Life, by Sue A. Winchester

Have you ever been angry at God? Have you felt that He was unfair, disinterested, harsh, or even wrong? See Transparency With God, by Valerie Ronald

THE HEALING HEARTH
As a young believer in the 1980’s I set out with great enthusiasm for Jesus, agreeing with the Scriptures and doing my best to live for Him. I really loved God but misunderstood the Christian life. Disappointment soon followed. See The Lie, by Victoria Gaines

MILES TO GO
…The man who taught in the public high school spoke up. “You know who the hardest parent is to work with?” We all paused, waiting for him to tell us. “The mom of a special needs kid.” Ouch. That smarted, but I thought I might know where he was going with this. See When a Mother’s Love Isn’t, by Marianne Miles

Looking for Writers

Our Help for the Hurting page lists all the topics we hope to address in the future. If you have a story or article that relates to one of these areas, I’d love to hear from you. Review our writer’s guidelines, then send your material to submissions@comfort-cafe.net.