Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come. (II Corinthians 5:17)

At no other time do we ponder new beginnings more than at New Year. As you reflect on the past twelve months, what would you like to see different in 2009? One thing comforts me in particular—that Christ’s life in me is “new” all the time. It’s not dependent on New Year’s resolutions or my fickle will power. He continues to be faithful to me despite my failures and weaknesses.

May the wonder of God making “all things new” fill you with joy and gratitude throughout the coming year,

Ruth

Welcome to Comfort Cafe, an ezine and resource center offering women facing difficult life challenges hope, help and healing.

Coping with Divorce

If you are healing from a divorce, the following site is highly worthwhile to visit and browse.

My Divorce Recovery Site
A very sensitive and personal site with much compassionate understanding. There’s excellent material here from someone who’s been through it:
http://home.att.net/~velvet-hammer/divorcerecovery.html

Ruth’s Blog

Comfort Cafe’s editor, Ruth Wood, brings a personal connection to the site. Latest post, “You’re Kidding—Forgive How Many Times?” 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—Becky Thomas

Becky’s album, “I Delight in You”, has just received four Covenant award nominations from the Canadian Gospel Music Association! See the Coffee Shop Concert page.

Column—Miles to Go

The young mother smiled thinly as we put on our coats at the end of the party. “May I ask you something?” she said. My curiosity piqued. “Sure,” I replied, “What’s up?” She maneuvered me away from the group. “It’s about Timothy.”
Wonderfully Made, by Marianne Miles

Articles

There is a biblical perspective we need to remember at the beginning of a new year. It’s a perspective that’s wrapped up in one simple word. If you remember not to use this particular word this year, your chances of succeeding are going to go through the roof. In fact, I think you’ll be happier if you make a decision here and now to cut this word right out of your vocabulary…
One Word You Shouldn’t Say in 2009, Sermon By Ray Pritchard

I received an email from a man…He is a Christian, divorced, and in his forties. He met a Christian woman who seems to be an answer to prayer…But they can’t marry right now because of financial reasons. Meanwhile they have started having sex together…
Sleeping Together and Christ’s Global Cause, Sermon By Ray Pritchard

Divorce is taking its toll on evangelical churches. Recently, columnist Chuck Colson revealed some shocking statistics. “Pollster George Barna discovered that born-again Christians actually have a higher rate of divorce (27 percent) than nonbelievers (23 percent).
What Does the Bible Say About Divorce and Remarriage? Sermon By Ray Pritchard

One night a man heard a noise nearby and thought there was a burglar in his backyard. The stress was so great he died of a heart attack. Did the burglar cause his stress? No. There was no burglar. What caused his stress—and cost him his life—was not reality but his faulty perception of reality.
Circumstances or Perspective? by Randy Alcorn

As Christmas comes to an end we anxiously await the words “Happy New Year!” My best friend and I have this tradition we do every year…
A New Year’s Perspective, by Filoiann Wiedenhoff

Devotional

Scientists have begun very expensive high tech experiments to try to discover what happened at the so-called Big Bang…
Big Bang, by Phyllis Nissila

Additional Material

You will find related material to our theme of Coping With Divorce on the following pages from our Resource Center where we recommend books, websites, and relevant articles:

Help for the Hurting—Divorce
Help for the Hurting—Grief
Help for the Hurting—Moving/Transitions
Help for the Hurting—Singleness
Help for the Hurting—Single Parenting
Help for the Hurting—Stress

Feedback

New Year’s is typically a time of evaluation and planning. We’d love your input on the content we’re providing. Would you consider leaving us a comment? Suggestions for improvements as well as letting us know what we’re doing right are welcome at info@comfort-cafe.net.