www.susielarson.com

A Clear Past...

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.

Each month I give away a $10.00 gift card to someone who posts on my blog. This month I'll give away a gift card from Starbucks, so leave a comment, share a story, and bless lots of people!

Now on to my topic...

A couple of months ago I was praying my way through the 23rd Psalm, and you know how this happens, a certain verse came off the page and begged for a deeper look. Here's the verse:

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (v.26).

I pondered the idea of 'mercy following me' and and considered it a fresh blessing from heaven!

One of my favorite verses is Psalm 139:5 ~ You both precede and follow me, You place Your hand of blessing upon my head.

The Lord of mercy follows us, covering our our (repented of) missteps and mistakes with His grace. He picks up the broken pieces of our lives and makes a beautiful collage of redemption. Every sin repented of, every misstep acknowledged at the Cross, is covered in Covenant blood. It's wiped out.

So when you or I strain our neck to look backwards at our past mistakes, Jesus is there. And if we don't see Him there, we are not seeing clearly. We are seeing a distorted picture. A fake one, actually. Because in the light of God's mercy, our past has been altered! Our past has been changed!

It is forgiven. In Christ, I'm forgiven and so are you. 

God takes every horrible situation and makes something out of it. He shapes circumstances and people and redeems every lost thing. He goes before us and clears the way. He walks behind us and paves the disjointed paths of our past with a fresh covering of mercy.

Often when the enemy gets us to consider our past, he does so by singling us out and amplifying our mistakes in the absence of grace and mercy. For the Believer, this is a totally distorted picture. For the Believer, this picture is a lie. 

Everyone has a past. Everyone has said, done, and thought things they'd rather forget. We've hurt others. We've been hurt by others. We've sinned in ways too many to count. But the point is: ALL have sinned and fallen way short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

Don't let the enemy single you out! 

Goliath tried to do that to young David. But David had the presence of mind to disregard those 'singling out' comments and shouted out, "Who is this Philistine that defies the armies of the living God?" In other words he was saying, "When you defy me, you defy the armies of the Living God! You will not pick me apart or single me out!"

Our strategy for standing strong against the enemy is to be strong in the Lord. We must not look at our pasts alone, with the devil, and a large HD TV (amplifying every mistake and misstep). Everything about that scenario is wrong. 

If we must look back, may we do so in the presence of love and grace and mercy, with God at our side, and amidst an army of Believers who have likewise sinned, but have been forgiven and redeemed. 

One redeemed sinner sends a thousand to flight, and two? Ten thousand! 

There's power in numbers and the mercy of God has our back! Praise be to God who always leads us in His triumph! As we dwell in the presence of the Lord from day to day, it becomes easier and easier to acquaint ourselves with His mercy, grace, and love. We are surrounded by His provision and forgiveness which is not so hard to grasp when we walk closely beside Him. 

Do not fixate on what lies behind you! Look forward to what God has set before you. Fix your eyes on Jesus and run the race marked out before you with focus, faith, discipline, and love. Miracle breakthroughs are on the horizon. 

Blessings to you this week~

PS - If you haven't signed up for my E-zine, you might want to! Four times a year you'll receive an email magazine with great devotional insights, free books from my author friends, great quotes, and great book recommendations. Here's the link in case you're interested:

Sign up for Susie's E-zine...

Speak!

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. 

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)

Speak to the Storms - Tell the storms to be still! Are you surrounded by chaos and confusion? God is the God of order! Speak to your storm and command order to return!  In Matthew 8, the disciples were in the boat with Jesus (who was taking a nap). The storm came and they called on the Lord (sounds like a good idea, no?), but Jesus wondered why their faith was so small. Jesus calmed the storm, but it would have pleased His heart for the disciples to do what He did. 

Speak to your Soul - Tell your soul to be at peace and remember the goodness of the Lord. Psalm 116:7 calls us to speak to that inner man when we are troubled inside: Be at peace (or at rest) once more O, my soul, for the Lord, has been good to you." God has been good and He'll be good again. He's a good God. Reflect on the many ways He has come through for you. Right here. Right now. Take a moment and say thank you for His faithfulness in your life.

Never underestimate the power of your words. They are a weapon in your hand. We'll be called to account for how we used this gift. Did we encourage those around us, or did we pick them apart? Did we talk about circumstances and people with cynicism or with hope? 

Dear Father in Heaven, Have mercy on us for every ill-spoken word! Renew our minds, our hearts, and our perspective. May we leave every person and situation better than we found them. Fill us with a greater sense of Your presence that we might impart life and refreshment wherever we go. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

Have a blessed week!

Oh, and PS - if you haven't signed up for my quarterly Ezine, be sure to do so! It's full of great stuff (book giveaways, devotional insights, book recommendations, great quotes, etc.) Here's the link:

Susie's Ezine Signup...

Embrace Life...

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.

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:

Susie's Ezine signup...

Certainty in Uncertain Times...

Greetings, Everyone!

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.

Each month I giveaway a $10.00 gift card to someone who posts on my blog. In honor of the holidays, today I'm giving away a $25.00 gift card from Starbucks. So stop by, share a story, leave a post, and bless lots of people with your insights. Maybe you'll win next month!

And the winner of the $25.00 Starbucks gift card for December is...Linda D.!!! 

Here's the clincher, you have to contact me before I give away next month's gift card. I wish I had the time to track you down, but I don't. Email me at: info@susielarson.com ~ Congratulations!

Now on to my topic...

How are things going in your life? Do your aspirations and cares feel planned out, provided for, steady-Eddie, no problems you can think of right now? I didn't think so.

You'd have to be a rich person living in a mountain cabin with no access to media or people, and no sense of God's burden for the world to be out of touch with the uncertainty of the times.

I've been here before, this place where all appears up in the air, undecided, not-sure-which-way-the-wind-will blow. And each of those times, God has used fleeting circumstances to strengthen my frame, my roots, and my sense of purpose despite the ever-changing world all around me.

Each time I walked through such a season, I grabbed my 'helmet of Salvation' and pulled it on just a little tighter. I asked, "Give me an eternal perspective, here, Lord. What are You doing in my midst and how should I think about it? May the helmet on my head affect my thinking here on earth. The earth is Yours and so there's always more going on than meets the eye. Nothing escapes Your attention. I'm standing with You; help me to think like You." 

The amazing thing is, every time I ask for a higher perspective, I get one. And every time I'm faced with uncertainty, I eventually come upon a deeper peace, an inner strength, and a profound trust that God is who He says He is. I shall not be moved.

Let's look at a couple of verses that support this idea:

James 1:1-8

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. for you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance his fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. 

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.  

Count it all joy - in every trial - consider it an opportunity to be strengthened and prepared to stand for the days ahead! So let it grow. In due time, even in sparse times, you'll have all that you need. You'll lack nothing because your resources are the unlimited resources of Heaven.

If you need wisdom for your current situation, ask for it. God will not breathe a heavy sigh or roll His eyes because you feel in over your head. He is a generous God and He will gently and lovingly guide you through all of life's trials. In fact, He loves it when we ask for wisdom! It's a wise thing to do!

But we must make sure that our loyalties are not divided, that we are not double-minded, and that we not live with one foot of affection on worldly pursuits and one foot of affection on Kingdom living. If we attempt to, we'll be miserable and must not expect to receive the wisdom God offers for our current need. Why? Because even if He is speaking wisdom to us, it's not getting through to us. When our footing is unstable and shaky, the first place our eyes go is downward. When our footsteps are firm, we can look up and listen.

Hebrews 10:23

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope that we profess, for God who promised, is faithful.

Romans 8:38

I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from the love of God. Death can't. Life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, or worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away.

So you see, we can either run to and fro and grab quick, band-aid solutions to our problems (which are no solutions at all), or we can call on the Name of the Lord, knowing full well, He is the One who can keep us from falling. He is the One who supplies all our needs! (Phil. 4:19). He is the One who loves us dearly. And He is the One who hears us when we call out to Him.

Refuse to give way to a stressed out, uncertain mindset. That's for un-believers. Do you believe God is true to His Word? Then stand on it! Do not waver! Ask for wisdom! Get rid of the garbage in your life that messes you up and slows you down. Get serious about your walk of faith because the times call for it. 

Nothing is more powerful than a woman or man in step with the Living God. When others see peace and certainty reflected in your countenance, they will be drawn to the Jesus in you. And that was His plan all along.

Have a blessed week.

PS ~ My quarterly E-zine will come out again on January 15th (free books, great quotes, devotional thoughts, ministry updates, etc.) Interested? Subscribe by clicking on this link:

Susie's E-zine

Love Heals...

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.

I'm back from last week's publicity tour and I have to say, things went extremely well. I missed connecting with you though and I have a fun message to share today.

Before I get into my topic I have a little business to take care of. As most of you regulars know, each month I give away a $10.00 Caribou Coffee gift card to someone who posts on my blog. Next week I'll announce the winner for September. Remember, you have to claim your prize. I wish I had time to chase you down, but I don't. So if you see your name posted next week, be sure to contact me.

Also, on October 15th, my quarterly E-zine goes out to my mailing list subscribers. This E-zine is packed with fun information. From health and balance tips to great book recommendations. From devotional insights to a handful of fun giveaways. If you've not subscribed yet, do so by clicking the following link:

E-zine Subscribe...

You'll receive the E-zine in October, January, April, and July. A couple times a year you'll receive a "Members Only" email offering great discounts on my books and CDs. 

Okay, now on to my topic...

About a year ago I blogged about a stray, abused dog my son rescued from traffic. In that post I wrote about the power of loving the weak and the call to to be more like Christ in this way. Check it out:

Loving the Weak...

Anyway, when Jordan rescued, "Bubs" (a name he gave the dog after we tried every other name we could think of including Steve and Phil), he was scruffy, scared, and completely messed up. His nails were grown into a full circle. His teeth were black. He was filthy and without a collar. Whenever I reached up to scratch my head, he would shrink back in fear. Any movement made in his presence made him jump back and cower as if he was about to be hit.

(A little note: if you took the time to read the "Loving the Weak" post (which I love), you'll notice I referred to Bubs as a 'she' but we were more than a little wrong about that little point.)

Whenever I opened the sliding glass door for Bubs to go outside, he would shrink back, start shaking, and cry like a baby. Every. Single. Time.

I started to wonder if he had been slammed in the door or kicked out the door when it was time to go to the bathroom. 

Even now, when the storms rage outside, he trembles and cries in my arms. I have to wrap him in a blanket and hold him tight to get him to stop crying. My heart broke as I imagined him stuck outside on stormy nights. What a broken, wounded animal this was!

But boy, how have things changed for Bubs!

Just after we decided to keep him and care for him, we put about $350.00 into his teeth, nails, hair, shots, etc., etc. His whole appearance changed.

In the months that followed Bubs got perkier and perkier. He follows me around. Everywhere. I can't get up and take two steps without him right at my side.

My friend said that dogs know when they've been rescued and they're forever grateful. 

Bubs is definitely grateful.

What's amazing is that I can now open the sliding door just enough to let him out, and he'll bolt right through without a hint of fear! I used to have to open the door all the way and gently carry him out onto the deck. 

Now that Bub's feels safe, his funny personality has emerged. He makes us laugh every day. 

He still makes an occasional mess and sometimes smells bad. But he knows he's loved. 

Look again at the picture above. Now that dog has a good gig!

Just what does this have to do with you and me?

Well, I can think of several areas of my life that were once marked by fear, cowering, and shrinking back, and are now forever changed because of God's love and truth in my life

God's love heals.

He loves us. He wants to go to every deep, wounded, dark place, and shine His light there. He is intent on our healing and freedom. 

Read this great excerpt from, "Sparkling Gems from the Greek"

"...you can be sure that the 'agape' love of God wil never fail you or let you down. This love is constant, unchanging, and dependable. It is a love you will always find to be reliable and true--a love on which you can depend." (p.687)

When we're messy and when we smell bad, God loves us still.

When we're grateful and when we're growing, God cheers us on.

When we're afraid and we cower, God holds us close. 

When we cling to our fears more than the promises of God, we break His heart. And there is a point where those fears then, become rebellious.

It's for FREEDOM that Christ has set us free!

Just for good measure, I'll include one more picture of Bubs. Jordan 'super-tucked' him (something Kevin did for our boys every night when they were young).

Daily, God pours forth a new measure of grace and healing. 

Slow down, look up, and open your hands.

Receive what He so lovingly wants to give you. 

Walk in a greater measure of wholeness today than you did yesterday.

Know and believe that God is up to great things in your life!

Have a blessed and wonderful week.

A Taste of Things to Come...

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. 

As usual, before I get in to my topic, I have a little business to take care of. Each month I give away a little treat (and every once in a while, a big treat!). This month, one of you who posts on my blog will win a $10.00 gift card to Caribou Coffee. Here's how you win: post on my blog and come back to visit. I'll announce the winner on the first Wednesday in September. It's important to note, if you're name is announced, you need to contact me in order to claim your prize. So pay attention and watch for your name!

Now on to my topic...

The other morning during my time of prayer, I lingered for a while on a passage from the Gospel of Mark, chapter eleven.

Jesus rode through town on a donkey. The people took off their jackets and laid them on the ground that the King of glory and His never-ridden donkey might walk over them. The crowds shouted at the tops of their lungs, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" (See Mark 11:7-10)

What a humble picture of our Lord receiving praise from those who would later shout in favor of His execution. If we were on that donkey, we might have gotten quite a rise from being the object of the crowd's affection. Jesus had a clear perspective in good times and bad. In fact, several times in the New Testament it says that because Jesus knew what was in the heart of man, He entrusted Himself to no one.

Jesus entered Jerusalem and looked around. He assessed the state of things. 

The next day Jesus and His disciples were walking along and Jesus felt His stomach growl. He was hungry.

In the distance He noticed a fig tree with its leaves. Let's read the passage of Scripture:

"...He went to see if He could find anything on (the fig tree). When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And He said to it, 'May no one eat fruit from you again.'" (Mark 11:13-14)

This passage troubled me.

If it wasn't the season for figs, how is that the tree was expected to bear fruit? 

Seems a little harsh, doesn't it?

Well I did a little investigating and I found a delicious little nugget in one of my commentaries.

Hang with me and read what I found in the "Believer's Bible Commentary"...

"Fig trees in Bible lands produced an early edible fruit before the leaves appeared. It was a harbinger of the regular crop, here described as the 'season for figs.' If no early figs appeared, it was a sign that there would be no regular crop later on...There was a promise without fulfillment, profession without reality...Although the primary interpretation of this passage relates to the nation of Israel, it has application to people of all ages who combine high talk with low walk." (p. 1350)

If there were leaves on the fig tree, there should also have been some edible fruit.

If we say we are Believers, it means there needs to be fruit, growth, increase, and nourishment going in and flowing out of us.

These are sobering times calling for real faith and tangible results. 

God has given good gifts to His children. He has planted seeds in our garden. 

Have we cultivated an atmosphere for growth?

Are people nourished by the fruit of our lives?

Traveling around as I do, I meet many Christians of all shapes and sizes. Some take seriously this walk of faith. Others, run to and fro, trying to keep up with their many commitments, thinking they'll nurture their relationship with Jesus...another day.

Over and over in Scripture, we are instructed to be ready; to have oil in our lamps and a watchful eye on the times. 

Read this verse from Matthew 13:12...

To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But to those who are not listening, even what they have will be taken away from them.

That verse haunts me when I pray for women on the go who have no time to pray.

We can't be luke-warm and survive. Jesus would much rather our yes be yes and our no be no. He'd prefer we be honest about the matters of our heart. 

If we truly are Believers, may our walk match our talk. May our lives shine His light. And may the fruit that comes from our relationship with Him, nourish many.

Father in Heaven, I pray for my fellow brothers an sisters right now. Help us to keep You first and foremost in our hearts. May our hearts beat in rhythm with Yours. Help us love what You love and do what You would do. May we make the most of the times, for Your Namesake. Amen.

I'll miss you next week. I'll be on a publicity tour but I'll post again the following week.

Peace to you~

Nothing and Everything...

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 and challenge your faith along the way.

Before I get into my topic, I have a little business to take care of. As most of you know, I give away a $10.00 Caribou gift card each month to someone who posts on my blog. It's time to announce July's winner...

Anna J! ~ Please email me to claim your prize and tell me where I should mail your gift card (info@susielarson.com) Congratulations!

In celebration of my new release, 'The Uncommon Woman', this month I'm giving away a $50.00 VISA gift card to someone who posts on this blog. 

Each week I'll post on what it means to be uncommon, and I want to hear from you! Share with us your own divine insights and perspectives. Lots of people visit this blog each week and even if they don't post, they're reading what you have to say.

Now, on to my topic...

At the opening of my book - the first section in fact - I make this statement, "The Uncommon Woman understands that paradox that she is nothing and everything."

In order for us to rise above the petty fray and to live up to our privilege as ones who belong to the Creator of Heaven and Earth, we must see ourselves in the proper light.

We are nothing without God. 

We can do nothing of substance - nothing of lasting value - apart from Him. We need His influence and His life-giving power operating in us and through us every moment of the day. 

If left to ourselves, we quickly become self-aware. We become strivers instead of 'resters.' We become 'grabbers' instead of 'releasers.' We become motivated by fear instead of by faith. Even on our good days, our good deeds amount to a pile of grimy rags (because that's what the Word says). 

To live up to the high calling that's ours in Christ Jesus, we must have a clear and sober view of ourselves. We love people, we love ourselves, but we put our hope in God. He stoops down to make us great (See Psalm 18:35).

But here's some really GREAT news: We may be nothing without Him, but we're everything to Him.

He's written our name on His hand. He thinks about us every day. And though the enemy accuses us day and night, Jesus intercedes for us every minute of every day.

He's pulling for us, cheering for us, rejoicing over us, singing songs of love for us, He's leading us, guiding us, providing for us, and correcting us when we need it. He forgives, restores, and replenishes us because we need it. He sends new mercies our way every morning and declares His faithfulness during the dark nights of the soul. He is strong and mighty. He is faithful and true. 

He has His eye on you and me and He delights in using us for His grand purposes. 

With God at our side, nothing will be impossible for us. In our weakness He is strong. When we have faith - even mustard seed sized faith - He will move mountains on our behalf. 

What a privilege and honor it is to belong to the One who knows each star by name.

How is it that we stray from His majesty and dare to think we are more than we are? Even so, He knows us intimately and loves us deeply. He knows we are dust and yet He cherishes us just the same. 

Amazing love. 

Read this great quote from Brennan Manning:

"Uncontaminated trust in the revelation of Jesus allows us to breathe more freely, to dance more joyfully, and to sing more gratefully about the gift of salvation."

Isn't that just grand?

And the following is a quote from my own book (PS ~ the term 'accepts acceptance' is borrowed from Brennan Manning and referenced in my book):

"Accepting acceptance means having the courage to face your foibles without it diminishing your value. Accepting acceptance means refusing to let others define you, because God already has. Accepting acceptance means cherishing the fact that you've been bought with a price, and thus embracing the call to become more and more like Christ every day." P.23

The idea that we are 'nothing and everything'  to me, makes the narrow road a bit more narrow. It's the place of humility and power, of holy confidence and humble dependence. It's the place where miracles happen.

May we embrace this beautiful truth today.

Blessings to you all~

Shaken...

Greetings, Dear Friends!

And to those visiting, I say welcome!

Susie Larson here...

I post every Wednesday, and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way. 

Before I get into my topic, I have a gift card to give away. And the winner is...Rebecca Marshaw! Congratulations and thank you for stopping by week after week. Please email me at info@susielarson.com to claim your gift card.

Each month I give away a $10.00 gift Caribou Coffee gift card to someone who has posted on my blog. Leave a comment; you may win a nice treat!

I'm excited to announce the release of my new book, "The Uncommon Woman"

We have lots of exciting things going on as a result. Visit my website for more information. One thing I'll share is especially for you. In August instead of giving away a $10.00 gift card, we're giving away a $50.00 VISA card as well as several copies of my new book. Each week I will post on what it means to be uncommon and I want to hear from you! If you post, your name will go into the drawing. Drop me a line and say hi!

Ahhhh...And now on to my topic...

I've talked to a lot of people lately (myself included...yup, that's right; I do talk to myself on occasion) and you know, there's a whole lot of shakin' goin' on!

Many people have expressed an unsettling feeling; a sense that change is coming; and a profound awareness of their own frailties and weaknesses (myself included).

Whatever is not grounded in Christ, whatever is not nailed down in our character is being stirred up!

This past Sunday, before church, my husband and I sat out on the deck and talked about the countless ways God has been faithful to us. I turned to Kevin and said, "You know, five years ago, I sought hard after the Lord and asked Him for a vision for my next place of promise..."

If you've heard me speak, you know I firmly believe that we are called to go from strength to strength; from glory to glory; shining ever brighter until the full light of day (See Psalm 84:7 and Proverbs 4:18). The righteous shall live by faith. Without faith it's impossible to please Him. And there's a 'next place' of promise for all of us.

I continued with my husband, "Five years ago, God gave me a very clear sense of His plan for me and since then, all of those things have come to pass. But with all of the 'shaking' going on, I've not asked God for a fresh vision for my future. I've been more motivated by fear than by faith. I'm more aware of my weakness than I am His strength."

Together we came to the conclusion that the Lord deserves our highest and best. We bowed our heads, we confessed our own lack of faith, and we asked God for a fresh perspective and vision for our future. As soon as we said, "Amen" I was filled with faith and peace.

Within the past few days, some mighty opportunities have come our way. Not what I expected. Not something I feel qualified for. But instead of looking down, my faith compelled me to look up.

This morning during our prayer time on the deck I told Kevin, "You know, I'm glad God allowed that little sifting time because it forced me to reconcile every shred of unbelief in me. In so many ways it feels like our lives are about to change, but I can trust Him. I know it." 

Are you currently experiencing a time of sifting or shaking? Pay close attention to what God is putting His finger on in you! Maybe you're trusting more in your ability than His. Maybe you're more motivated by fear than faith. Just maybe, He wants to do a BIG thing, and you're expecting He'll do noth-ing. 

Put everything on the table, all of your hopes and dreams and fears, and then step back and say, "You get to decide how this goes, Lord. My times are in Your hands."

If He's shaking that which is unsettled in you, it's only because He wants you prepared to go to the next place He has for you. And be sure of this - He has a next place of promise for you.

Be blessed and full of faith this week.

He is faith-FULL.

Rest and Replenishment...

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~

"I'm Here For You..."

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...