Greetings, Dear Friends!
Greetings, Dear Friends!
Posted at 10:55 AM in God Reminders... | Permalink | Comments (15) | TrackBack (0)
Greetings, Dear Friends!
And to those visiting, I say welcome! I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way.
Each month I give away a $10.00 gift card to someone who posts on my blog. This month, one of you will win a $10.00 gift card to Barnes & Noble, so leave a comment, share a story, and bless us all with your wisdom and insight!
Now on to my topic...
You've heard it said before, "Show me a man's checkbook register, and I'll show you what he cares about." Don't worry, we're not sharing check registers today, but I want to make a parallel statement: Show me what a person says, and I'll tell you what they believe.
More and more I'm learning the importance of and the power behind our words. Words are envelopes that carry powerful messages. Our words affect our circumstances, surroundings, and perspectives. Maybe you've heard me say this before but it bears repeating: Our words are seeds that bear fruit. Every time we open our mouth, little seeds drop to the ground and eventually produce fruit - sometimes rotten fruit, sometimes nourishing fruit.
The reason our words are important is because we are important. We are messengers; conduits of God's grace. We have an important job to do during our time on earth. If we believe any less than that or if we think we are more than that in ourselves, our words will reflect those beliefs.
Read this important verse: From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things, as surely as the work of his hands rewards him (Proverbs 12:14).
Think about it. If you have a full time job, you expect your paycheck at the end of the week. Likewise, we can expect that the words of our mouth will produce a result: they'll either bless or curse those in our sphere of influence.
What's the answer? Spend time with God. Nestle in close and trade our unbelief for belief. Trade our anxiety for peace. Trade our doubt for faith. Get to a place where we are once again assured of God's promise to stand with us and provide for us in every season of life.
From there, we get up, and we SPEAK!
Speak to the Mountains - Tell your obstacles to move into the sea! Does the enemy of your soul continually throw road blocks in your path? Speak to those obstacles and tell them to move! Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt...you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done (Matthew 21:21)
Posted at 09:55 AM in God Reminders... | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)
And to those visiting, I say welcome! I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way.
Each month I give away a $10.00 gift card, and this month's gift card is from Barnes & Noble. So stop by, leave a comment, share a story, and bless lots of visitors!
Now on to my topic...
On Monday I lost a very precious friend. Wendy (pictured above) died of a heart attack. She was only in her thirties. Wendy and I met about 7 years ago when I taught aerobics at Life Time Fitness. She went from being an avid participant to becoming an amazing instructor. I absolutely loved this girl.
I eventually retired from teaching to go into ministry full time. I joined the YMCA near my home and was absolutely thrilled to learn that Wendy started teaching there. Wendy was my favorite instructor by a lot. Wendy had an electric personality and lit up a room the moment she stepped foot in it. She was hilariously funny and wonderfully caring.
After cycle class Wendy and I loved to hang out and work on aerobic combinations together. We'd laugh and jump around and then end up leaning on the bikes and talking about family, faith, God, and life. To tell you the truth, I am absolutely devastated by this loss.
The Bible says that it's better to go to a house of mourning than a house where there's a party. Parties inspire us to leave our cares at the door - which we need to do from time to time. But houses of mourning remind us - on a very deep level - what is truly important. All of the peripherals fall by the wayside.
Thank you for letting me share about my friend. But there's a takeaway for you here too, I hope.
We have today and what a gift it is.
Embrace life today. Embrace the fact that you have breath in your lungs and loved ones who are still with you. Kiss them, hug them, and tell them why you think they're great.
Embrace God and His unimaginable love for you. Nothing can separate you from His love. And daily He pours it out, so stop amidst your busy, stress-filled day, and look up. Open your hands. God has something for you to do today and it may very well be off your radar screen. Surrender your task list and ask God for a better one. Be in tune with the Holy Spirit who whispers in your ear. Make your life count.
Give life today. Every chance you get, offer encouragement; offer a word of hope; pray for peace. The Bible calls us to encourage one another - all the more - as we see the days coming to a close. Use every opportunity you have to offer life and a faith-filled perspective to those in need. Speak the truth in love. Forgive the grudge. Reflect back to others all of the great things you see in them. Be joyful in all things.
Receive life today. When others tell you the great things they see in you - receive their words. Embrace the blessings God sends your way whether they be in the form of a compliment, sudden clarity, a held door, or a free cup of coffee. When people compliment you, don't dismiss it. When your child says, 'I love you' slow down long enough to cherish those words, and the child who speaks them. Every day the Heavens pour forth speech and provision. Receive every shred of life God sends your way.
Believe in life today. You are called. You are chosen. You have a divine destiny written over your life. Believe it! Precious soul, you are far more important than you know. Believe that you are alive today for a very distinct purpose. Believe that you have access to the riches of Heaven to accomplish your divine purpose. Believe that what you do in this life directly affects how eternity will be for you. Believe that no one can diminish your value because God has already determined it. Believe that faith, hope, love, courage, compassion, and conviction are essential to the life of the Believer. Believe that today is a gift straight from Heaven, because it is.
Even if you feel sluggish or bored or weighed down by your cares, rise above it! Embrace life today with everything in you. Take in the sights and sounds all around you and be fully present, here, now, in this day. You have today. Don't squander it and don't miss the chance to live fully today. And remember, you are loved deeply.
Be blessed today!
Until next week~
PS - If you haven't signed up for my quarterly Ezine yet, you may want to. Four times a year I release an Ezine packed with good stuff (book giveaways, devotional thoughts, great quotes, and great book recommendations). Signing up is easy, click the link below:
Posted at 08:26 AM in God Reminders... | Permalink | Comments (12) | TrackBack (0)
Greetings, Everyone!
Posted at 11:49 AM in God Reminders... | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)
Greetings, Dear Friends!
Posted at 10:20 AM in God Reminders... | Permalink | Comments (11) | TrackBack (0)
Greetings, Dear Friends!
Posted at 02:46 PM in God Reminders... | Permalink | Comments (22) | TrackBack (0)
Greetings, Dear Friends!
Posted at 12:49 PM in God Reminders... | Permalink | Comments (18) | TrackBack (0)
Posted at 10:24 AM in God Reminders... | Permalink | Comments (24) | TrackBack (0)
Greetings, Friends!
And to those visiting, I say welcome! I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way. It feels like ages since I've connected with you although it's only been a short time. Two weeks ago I was in North Carolina attending a writers conference, and last week, I was in recovery mode after our hugely successful benefit dinner for the International Justice Mission.
You may notice this post looking different these days. Well TypePad has kindly imposed some "improvements" to this site that have left me pulling out my hair and wanting to jump and and down and scream. How's that for a peaceful picture? This morning I had my blog all ready to post and if can say this, I loved what I wrote about rest and replenishment. I pushed the "Save" button and my post completely disappeared. I worked all morning on that little ditty and then it was gone. I just returned from an appointment and sat down to re-write this blog and for the last hour, I've battled with the elements and barely won. So here I am with blue font, no ability to post links, and feeling completely beside myself with frustration.
What a perfect time to stop, take a deep breath, and remember again what I wrote about this morning.
Before I get into my topic, I need to award May's winner of the $10.00 Caribou gift card. And the winner is...Lynda Bishop! Lynda, congratulations! Please email me at: info@susielarson.com to claim your prize.
Like coffee? Post some on this blog in June and you may be a winner!
Now on to my topic...
If you've heard me speak before, you've no doubt heard me say this: With all my heart, I believe one of the enemy's ploys in our day is to get us so over-committed, so depleted, that we completely lose our sense of wonder, awe, and peace. He wants us running in so many directions, or simply running too fast in one direction, that we forget that life is more than our task list.
I'm reading a wonderful book on the Sabbath by Wayne Muller. And though I don't agree with everything he writes, I'm learning again how to rest, not just on Sundays, but - to a certain degree - every day. There's something to be said about unstrapping the harness or setting down the load of cares, and resting for a moment.
We need Sabbath moments every single day.
Right now, I have all of my boys at home. And though two of them are preparing for their next phase of life, I have them with me now. I'm struck by how quickly their childhood came and went. My sons are now men. And so, for this short time, I relish their nearness. When we sit down together for dinner, I light a candle and sit down to enjoy my family. We take longer to eat; we linger at the table and laugh about trivial things. Dinners with my family have been Sabbath moments for me.
Another sacred time for me is the morning. Even on the brisk mornings my husband and I head out to the deck swing. Wrapped in a blanket and hugging our morning we coffee, we pray for our boys, our country, and for the safety of our friends at International Justice Mission. Mornings replenish me.
Since I am a doer, I must constantly watch over my schedule and make sure I'm not squandering my time on things God has not called me to do. I think a lot of us struggle doing a lot of good things at the expense of the highest and best thing.
So why do we go on overdrive and neglect our soul and body's need for rest? I submit that we do this for one of two reasons. 1 - We have a bloated view of self (we think we are the only ones who can save the world, or do our job, or whatever). 2 - We have a shriveled view of God (we lose sight of the fact that He holds it all; He provides it all; and He commands us to rest).
Read this excerpt from Muller's book on the Sabbath:
"Sabbath requires surrender. If we only stop when we are finished with all our work, we will never stop - because our work is never completely done. With every accomplishment there arises a new responsibility. Every swept floor invites another sweeping, every child bathed invites another bathing. When all life moves in such cycles, what is ever finished? The sun goes round, the moon goes round, the tides and seasons go round, people are born and die, and when are we finished? If we refuse rest until we are finished, we will never rest until we die. Sabbath dissolves the artificial urgency of our days, because it liberates us from the need to be finished."
I love that.
Sabbath moments are the exhale to our inhale. They are the ebb of the flowing tide. They are the down beat in the rhythm of life. Just as it's impossible to be healthy by only eating on the weekends, it's impossible to enjoy a peaceful, rhythmic life without responding to your body's and soul's regular need for a little down time.
Sit in your car in the parking lot, put your head back, and soak in the words to a profound song. Pull into a park, and sit on a bench. Watch the trees sway in the breeze and ask God for that kind of flexibility. Get up early, or stay up late, and take a few moments to ponder the idea that you are someone God loves.
Refuse the staleness of a hurried life.
Work hard, yes. Do what yo do with excellence. But don't think for a moment that your tasks are more important than the condition of your soul.
In his book, "Celtic Devotions", Dr. Calvin Miller penned this profound little prayer, "Lord, Help me to remember that I can make more bricks in six days than I can in seven."
I love that too. :)
Be fully present with your family around the table tonight. Take hold of those promised Sabbath moments God offers you each day. And when you feel that inner nudge to spend a little more time with Him, consider yourself honored to do so.
Have a blessed week~
Posted at 02:02 PM in God Reminders... | Permalink | Comments (22) | TrackBack (0)
Greetings, Dear Friends!
Susie Larson here...
And to those visiting, I say welcome!
I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way.
First things first. If you take the time to post on my blog in April, you may win a $10.00 gift card to Caribou, Target, OR Dairy Queen! Your choice. So drop me a note and say hi! Next week I'll announce April's gift card winner.
A week ago today, I was in Michigan for a speaking event. My hosts picked me up from the airport, got me something to eat, and then dropped me off at my hotel for a little down time before the big event.
I put on some music, set my alarm, and dozed in and out of sleep. Curled up in a ball and hugging my pillow, I prayed for the women for whom I had come to serve. I asked God to meet them in a profound way and to provide for their needs.
Instantly He led me to the first few verses in the 23rd Psalm. Over and over again, I prayed those verses and pondered them on behalf of my Michigan group of women.
Suddenly I realized that four specific needs are addressed in just the first two verses; in fact six needs are addressed in the first three verses:
Guidance, provision, rest, renewal, strength, and honor.
Let's take a closer look...
Posted at 08:57 AM in God Reminders... | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)