Judson Press :: The Secret Place

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For less than two pennies a day The Secret Place renews your faith, invigorates your spirit, and strengthens your relationship with God.

Each daily devotion in this quarterly magazine includes a Scripture passage, an original meditation, and a brief prayer. Written by Christian writers from across the nation, these meditations share comfort and inspiration found in life’s everyday details. This combination of Scriptural and personal insight, along with contributors' photographs and illustrations, provides both a timeless and timely perspective for contemplative meditation that draws you closer to God in your daily walk as a Christian.

"My spirits have been lifted by the example of others' response to God and Jesus and to the manner in which they witnessed to their faith. It has been a wonderful, encouraging, and uplifting way to start the day."—Reader from Lynchburg, VA

"I love The Secret Place so much that I can't imagine a day without it." —Reader from Wrightsville Beach, NC

"For years I have been enjoying The Secret Place -- and for years, I have always planned on writing to express my thanks and gratitude for the devotions -- only I haven't followed through on my thanks. Does that remind you of a Bible story? I have been blest so many many times by the writings -- some times they inspire me to add to my personal devotional writings. So, thank you, thank you many times over. Keep up the good work." —Helones Nelson, Burke, SD

Did you know that The Secret Place is being translated into Japanese by an 87-year-old reader from Nagano, Japan?Seiroku Shinohara places these translations on her web and blog pages. She writes, "I will continue this work as my life work for the kingdom of God. Also, every Tuesday some people are gathering at our home to study The Secret Place. Hoping The Secret Place continues eternally." Praise God!

FRIDAY, MARCH 12

Matthew 15:21-28

The Value of a Compliment

THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Jesus gives this compliment to a mother who came to Him for help: "You are a woman of great faith!" Matthew 15:28 (GNB)

When I was a young man I enjoyed reading the syndicated newspaper columnist, Dr. George W. Crane. Dr. Crane was an interesting man, having obtained four university degrees, including both an M.D. as well as a Ph.D. He attributed much of his learning from working on a farm in the summer while attending high school and college. His column, "The Worry Clinic" dispensed much common "Horse Sense" to his readers. What I learned from Dr. Crane was the value of a compliment. Out of his teaching experience he formed "The Compliment Club" in which he directed his students to give an honest compliment to three people for 30 days, and this club spread beyond the classroom, moving many to mature relationships.

The Bible says: "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones" (Proverbs 16:24 NIV), and a sincere compliment paid to another certainly consists of "pleasant words."

A compliment you and I give can lift another, perhaps just when that person may need a lift. And giving a compliment helps to form within us compassion, concern, and care, qualities that are Christ-like. James Whitcomb Riley, the American poet from Indiana, wrote a line in one of his poems, "Let something good be said." And that line which is the title of that poem aptly defines a compliment.

PRAYER: Lord, help me this day to bless others with my words; In Jesus' name. Amen.

Ted De Hass—Bedford, Iowa

"My Secret Place"