Amazing...

Greetings to you all!

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.

First of all, I want to apologize for missing you last week. I was on vacation in northern Minnesota and the internet was down at the resort. I had fully planned on posting, but the forced break from my computer was a welcomed one.

This week I am in Orlando at the giant Christian booksellers convention. Today is my first day online in what seems like ages. In a moment I'll respond to some of your posts from last week (bless you for stopping by!).

Before I get into my topic, I wanted to remind you of a couple of things. Each month I give away a $10.00 gift card to Caribou to someone who posts on this blog. I love to hear from you!

In celebration of my new release, "The Uncommon Woman" I will award a $50.00 VISA gift card to someone who posts in August. Each week I'll post about what it means to be uncommon and I want to hear from you! The call to be uncommon is straight from the Word of God, and I want to hear from you!

Now, on to my topic...

I'm here in Orlando to celebrate and promote the release of my new book (can I just say that this new book is truly the book of my heart?). I'm doing radio and TV interviews, I had a speaking engagement and a book signing, I've had editor/agent meetings, I've connected with a number of my author friends, and I've walked the convention floor to see what new books are hitting the shelves.

Each day I see someone 'famous'. The other day I had an interview right after Liz Curtis Higgs and before Karen Kingsbury. During one of my interviews, I looked to my right and a couple feet away, Rebecca St. James was giving an interview, and Ralph Reed was on deck. Yesterday as I walked onto the convention floor, I looked over my shoulder and noticed Kirk Cameron walking right behind me.

Truth be told, I'm not one to get star struck, but this whole event got me thinking about status and fame. This morning I had the most amazing prayer time in my hotel room.

With the Word of God open before me, I pondered God's greatness and majesty. I thought of the oceans and the mountains and the stars in the sky. He holds it all in the palm of His hands. Amazing. 

While we pine and posture to get our way, He tells us to delight in Him and He promises that He'll establish us.

While we strive and strain because of our many responsibilities, He tells us to be still and know that He is God.

While we are instantly impressed with the accomplishments of man, we often miss the wonders of God's hand.

We love to be noticed and embraced by someone of influence, and yet we often miss or make light of God's invitation to be much with Him.

To think that God Most High - the Maker of the Universe - thinks much of us, is amazing.

To think that the God - the One who is a Consuming Fire - draws us near without burning us up, is amazing.

To think that that Jesus - the King of the Earth - invites us to come boldly and gladly into His presence, is absolutely, amazing. 

May we value the Lord the way He has valued us.

May we take seriously the invitation to be much with Him and trust Him to make a way for us.

May we honor the invitation to come before Him, and do so regularly.

And may we understand in a fresh new way, what it means to walk in the fear of the Lord. 

He is our Friend, but He is far more than that. He is God Most High. He is a consuming fire. 

He is Authority.

He is Power.

He is Peace.

He is Forgiveness.

He is Love.

He is the Judge and He will judge sin and selfishness.

There can be nothing casual about this relationship.

He deserves our affections and our praise, our trust and our gratitude, our reverence and our honor.

He is God Most High and He invites us into a deep and abiding relationship with Him.

Isn't that just...amazing?

Everything else pales in comparison.

Slow down today and ponder what it means to be linked in fellowship with the One who holds the Universe in the palm of His hand.

Have you honored lesser things over the honor due Him?

Reflect again on the greatness of God.

Have a blessed and reverent week.

Until next week~

Comments

[Rebecca]

Amazing! What an exciting time for you Susie. It's great to hear your keeping this in perspective.I LOVE your book! I knew I would, but the cool thing about it is my entire fast and still, the Lord was speaking loud and clear "Don't listen to that lying voice telling you can't do it. Trust me, and I will be with you. Faith without action is dead."I can't thank you enough Susie. You will never understand the impact you have had and still have on my life. I'm sitting at my dining room table praising God for what He is doing in your life!! Because He is working through you to reach a hurting world! Bless you!!! ~Rebecca

[Helen Martin]

Your words have smitten me is a wonderful way.

I am far too concerned with man's approval. I have God who wants to be with me, and I neglect him for emails, and iTunes, and food I don't need to eat.

I'm still doing the Waiting on God. I just repeated Day 14 because I new that I blew it off yesterday... I read it, but I didn't ponder it... it was on patience, as ironic as that is. My new song will come with patience...

[Helen Martin]

Susie, do you mind if I ask Rebecca to email me about what led to her 40 day fast, how she did it, and if she read a book about it first?

Rebecca, if you click on my blog, you can email me there...

[Connie Lorenz]

Your blog today was just what I needed, a reminder to me that God wants a relationship with me, even me. It is also a reminder that I need to draw near toHim every hour of every day.

[Aimee]

Thanks for the reminder today about having the relationship that is SO important and so easy to push aside. We have been looking at Mary and Martha in my Bible study and whether we are doers or able to be still and enjoy our time with God. Your message comes a great time for me and your encouragement is always appreciated. Enjoy your trip.

[Rebecca]

Hi Helen! I emailed you.Rebecca

[Jane Squires]

I was uplifted a little by your blog and I sure need it to today. I love Liz Curtis Higgs. I won her book and was delighted to read it while laid up from an ankle fusion. Right now I need a big God and after 50 years of serving Him this has been my hardest year yet.God Bless you and I would love to win the contest as I am an avid coffee drinker. Please tell me it can be used online as I never heard of that place.

[Abby Kinsey]

Susie,

It's been a while since I've taken the opportunity to sit and read, and write to you. I hope you remember me from the Hearts at Home conference.

I received my copy of your new book, as well as a copy that I've passed along. God immediately told me who it needed to go to, I'm excited to read it with her.

Now I'm going to go try to catch up on the weeks I've missed of your writing!

~abby~

[susan]

Last night I returned from 4 days of laughter, shopping, reading, sailing, and biking with girlfriends. I was so sad to come back to the routines of life. Your words made me realize the wonder and honor of my daily at home time with Jesus. As I read your words, the sadness and reluctance to pick up "regular" life fell away and I was revitalized to let Him accompany me through cleaning, groceries,and laundry. How amazing that the King of Kings wants to go with me in my everyday living. Thank you!

[kuiken]

Several years ago I was hit with the reality of many lost dreams...As I sat on my deck and wondered what I would do with my "little" life I heard the words, be still and know that I am God... I was prompted in my heart that entire year to stop EVERYTHING distracting (even planting flowers) and get to know and understand the heart and voice of my God. Every where I went I deliberately took God with me. I wanted to hear His voice at every turn. I even took this when it came to buying toilet paper! (which brand God)? It was a year and a lesson that changed my life forever. My "little" life has expanded to a grand "famous" life in God's eyes.

[Sara Cox]

I'm a bit late in reading this, but Susie I have to say it comes at the perfect time. Last night I was feeling down about not being "good enough". With a mother who showers her pagent queens with attention and love I was again caught in the "if only I had a crown too..." tape. Your reminder that I am crowned from Our Heavenly Father was most needed. Thank you. I plan to come see you at Northwestern Book store. I have another something for you. :) I hope you had a great time in Orlando, have a safe trip back.Take care.God Bless.

[Sandy]

Hi, I purchased your book "The Uncommon Woman" yesterday while browsing in Lifeway. I came to your website and seen your blog and read it and I am amazed at it was what I needed. I am looking foward to reading your book......God Bless........

[Sandy]

Hi, I purchased your book "The Uncommon Woman" yesterday while browsing in Lifeway. I came to your website and seen your blog and read it and I am amazed at it was what I needed. I am looking foward to reading your book......God Bless........

[Bonnie]

You quoted a passage from Eph. 3 in your talk on Psalms 23:1,2. I have tried to find it, but without any success. Would you confirm that is the right passage? Thankyou.

[Margaret]

Susie,A friend of mine was in Lifeway last week and bought me your new book "The Uncommon Woman". It was supposed to be for me to read and study while I am away next week, however I decided I would take a quick look at chapter one. Wow, This is going to be an amazng book. I am so excited to move on to the next chapter. I have already decided after reading the first chapter that I need to recommend this book to everyone! So, thats how I found your website and blog. I look forward to your Wednesday post.Sweet Blessings,Margaret

[Kelly]

Responding to this and the last post...5yrs ago I was praying for direction in my life, but only according to MY way. I was too fearful of the fire. But then my faith deepened and as I stepped into the fire I was not burned, I was REFINED. It was then that it was revealed to me how the same God then is the same God now. The God of Abraham is the God of ME!

I met you and we embraced at Hearts at Home 2006, and wish you were in Michigan this yr!

Kelly, Ohio

[Susie Larson]

Dear Rebecca,

I sound like a broken record but I truly mean this. Your words of encouragement and prayers for my ministry, mean the WORLD to me!I am continually inspired by your earnest pursuit of God.

[Susie Larson]

Dear Helen,I absolutely love your honesty. And don't we all choose lesser things over Him from time to time?Oh, to be aware of His invitation, every minute of every day.Bless you~

[Susie Larson]

Connie,I'm thankful you were encouraged and blessed by the post.Be at peace once more...:)

Blessings~Susie

[Susie Larson]

Dear Aimee,

Which study are you doing? Sounds great! It's so important to work hard and yet to do so with a heart at rest - a heart set on Him - is the real challenge. Don't you think?I can't help but think these are the latter days and I shudder to think of how many are out there running around without 'oil in their lamps'. We need Him every hour.Blessings to you~

[Susie Larson]

Dear Jane,It sounds like you've walked the difficult path of health issues. I know how you feel and I know how wearing it can be. I pray that right here, right now, you will sense God's loving arms around you. If you would like me to send you a complimentary copy of my first book, "Mercy in the Wilderness" I'd be happy to send you one. This book chronicles my journey (and God's faithfulness) through some pretty desperate times. Just email me offline if you're interested (info@susielarson.com)Blessings~

[Susie Larson]

Dear Abby,Of course I remember you! How nice to hear from you.I do hope you enjoy my new book. It really is - of all my books - the book of my heart. It's my life's message all wrapped up in one book.I pray all is well with youBless you~

[Susie Larson]

Susan,First of all, your description of your time with your friends (or sisters, was it?) made me wish I was there with you!These times are essential for the sake of replenishment, don't you think?But you're so right, re-entry can be difficult and requires that we put a boundary around our thoughts, and that we re-establish our routine with God at our side. Loved your post.

[Susie Larson]

Carrie,You said it right.When we acknowledge Him in every little thing, He makes a BIG thing out of it! He's made us for great things.You ARE living an extraordinary life!

[Susie Larson]

Sara,We all need a reminder from time to time, no? We forget about the bigger perspective and the greater hand at work in our lives. And He has crowned you with His love.

The other day I pondered this powerful passage from 2 Corinthians 4:17 and it says this:

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."

Now that's perspective.

As my friend said the other day, "May we live in light of eternity."

Amen and amen.