C.H. Spurgeon's Evening Devotional
Saturday July 19, 2025

"A bruised reed shall He not break, and smoking flax shall He not quench."-Matthew 12:20
    
    What is weaker than the bruised reed or the smoking flax? A reed that groweth in the fen or marsh, let but the wild duck light upon it, and it snaps; let but the foot of man brush against it, and it is bruised and broken; every wind that flits across the river moves it to and fro. You can conceive of nothing more frail or brittle, or whose existence is more in jeopardy, than a bruised reed. Then look at the smoking flax-what is it? It has a spark within it, it is true, but it is almost smothered; an infant's breath might blow it out; nothing has a more precarious existence than its flame. Weak things are here described, yet Jesus says of them, "The smoking flax I will not quench; the bruised reed I will not break." Some of God's children are made strong to do mighty works for Him; God has His Samsons here and there who can pull up Gaza's gates, and carry them to the top of the hill; He has a few mighties who are lion-like men, but the majority of His people are a timid, trembling race. They are like starlings, frightened at every passer by; a little fearful flock. If temptation comes, they are taken like birds in a snare; if trial threatens, they are ready to faint; their frail skiff is tossed up and down by every wave, they are drifted along like a sea bird on the crest of the billows-weak things, without strength, without wisdom, without foresight. Yet, weak as they are, and because they are so weak, they have this promise made specially to them. Herein is grace and graciousness! Herein is love and lovingkindness! How it opens to us the compassion of Jesus-so gentle, tender, considerate! We need never shrink back from His touch. We need never fear a harsh word from Him; though He might well chide us for our weakness, He rebuketh not. Bruised reeds shall have no blows from Him, and the smoking flax no damping frowns.
Brought to you by

Put this devotional on your site or Subscribe




Thursday, April 26, 2012

The Sound of Red Returning by Sue Duffy

Be sure to read to the end of this post as there is a book giveaway included.





This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Sound of Red Returning
Kregel Publications (December 9, 2011)
by
Sue Duffy


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sue Duffy is an award-winning writer whose work has appeared in Moody magazine, The Presbyterian Journal, Sunday Digest, and The Christian Reader. She is the author of Mortal Wounds (Barbour, 2001), Fatal Loyalty (Kregel, 2010), and The Sound of Red Returning (Kregel, 2011). Sue has also contributed to Stories for a Woman’s Heart (Multnomah). She and her husband, Mike, have three grown children.

ABOUT THE BOOK

After losing everyone she loves, concert pianist Liesl Bower has nowhere to go but to escape into her music. Searching for the peace she usually finds in her concertos and sonatas, Liesl can't shake the feeling that she is being haunted by her past . . . and by someone following her. When she spots a familiar and eerie face in the audience of a concert she's giving for the president in Washington, DC, the scariest day of her life comes back to her with a flash.

It has been fifteen years since Liesl watched her beloved Harvard music mentor assaulted on a dark night in Moscow and just as long since the CIA disclosed to her that he'd been spying for Russia. She had seen that man-that eerie face-the night Professor Devoe was attacked. And now he's back-and coming for her.


ENDORSEMENTS:

“Sue Duffy has mixed the mayhem of political intrigue with the melody of romance.” —Dick Bohrer, author, editor, and former journalism professor

“Intrigue and suspense come together in an incredible story of love and betrayal, commitment and courage, power and danger . . . and a God who controls it all. Sue Duffy is a wonderfully gifted writer and this book is a must-read.” —Steve Brown, founder and president of Key Life and host of Steve Brown Etc.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Sound of Red Returning, go HERE.

I have a copy of this book for giveaway.  If you'd like a chance at winning, please leave a comment. Sorry but must limit this to US mailing addresses only.  Since I've been studying for a test here of late I'll make this easy.  Just be a follower of my blog - GFC or email and tell me what you have been doing of late.  I'll draw a winner for this book from those comments that meet requirements on Monday, May 14th.  Be sure to leave a way of contact.  Thanks.


Posted by at
Labels: , , ,

5 comments:

  1. Abigail MitchellApril 26, 2012 at 1:51 PM

    Looks interesting! I would love to read it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. LindaApril 26, 2012 at 4:09 PM

    I would love to win a copy of this. Espionage for another country gets one in trouble yesterday once found out. This is the type of book that raises the hair on the back of your neck!

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. LindaApril 26, 2012 at 4:11 PM

    I thought I entered, but the box ended up empty. So I'm trying again.

    Love books about espionage--gets a person in trouble yesterday!
    Please enter me. Thanks.

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. rubynrebaApril 28, 2012 at 4:07 PM

    I am a follower and an email subscriber. I'd love to read this book! Had a busy morning today going to garage sales with my granddaughter! Fun!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  5. misskallie2000May 12, 2012 at 1:23 PM

    Danger, thrills, espionage and romance make for a great book. I have already added to my wish list. Thanks for the opportunity to enter giveaway.

    I am just chilling it today. No plans.

    Old GFC follower and
    Email subscriber

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for adding a Scrap of your Life.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)