Everyday Miracles...

Hey 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 Starbucks gift card to someone who posts on my blog. So share an insight, bless lots of people, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend. 

Now on to my topic...

My son Jake shared an insight with a friend recently that deeply ministered to me. This friend is in a tough work situation. His boss is relentless, always looking for faults, mistakes, and foibles to highlight, and she never offers encouragement. The constant and unrelenting criticism has taken a toll on this young man. Maybe you know what it's like to be barely tolerated instead of lovingly celebrated. 

The young man said this to Jake, "I need a miracle. In fact, I need a miracle that I can't explain away. If I look back over the recent years, I can see plenty of ways God showed up and moved on my behalf. He has provided when we needed it most; He has opened doors I could not have opened myself. Yet, the truth is, I don't have to try too hard to find a logical explanation for each and every one of these instances in my life. What kind of man of faith am I? If this is a test of my faith, I'm surely failing." 

To that, Jake replied, "A friend recently challenged me to look at miracles from another angle. Take the time Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes, for example. The obvious miracle is that God multiplied a lunch to feed thousands and thousands of people. However, isn't it also a miracle that so many people sat down in community and broke bread together? People who probably would not have otherwise come together, did so because they all sought Jesus. They sat down on the hillside and shared a meal. Together. When I look at you and what you're currently walking through, here's what I see: you are in an impossible situation at work, yet you come home each night and you love your wife. You ask her how her day went and you listen to her. You're in an impossible situation at work, yet you're still tender to the things of God, still care whether or not you have enough faith. I'd say those are the miracles in your life right now. Just look at your situation from a different angle, God is there and He is doing something great in you."

Wow. Jake's insight blessed me beyond words. 

Maybe this word is for you today as well. If it's been a while since you've seen God move in your midst, scoot in a little closer and look at your situation with a fresh pair of eyes. You're still in the fight. You still want more of God. You still manage to be kind and loving to others though your own heart is breaking. Those are miracles in the most beautiful sense of the word.

God is with you. He is for you. And in due time, you will see Him do something big, something grand, if you continue onward and do not give up. But for now, hold close the everyday miracles. They are every bit as significant as the water-parting, death-defying kind. 

He is with you. He has not looked away or lost your number. May you see Him in fresh new ways today.

~Until next week.

Found In Him...

Greetings, Friends! Happy Wednesday!

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 Starbucks gift card to someone who posts on my blog. So share an insight, bless lots of people, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend!

One more note: I had a great show on Tuesday with Jason Vallotton. We discussed his book, The Supernatural Power of Forgiveness. When we make the subtle shift from hoping in God as our Source to hoping in people (who make a lousy source), we give away our God-given power to live free and full lives. Even so, there is a way to navigate through the relational waters in a healthy way. We love people, we hope in God who empowers us to thrive even in a broken world. If you're interested in listening to that interview, just click here.

Now on to my topic...

Words to an old hymn have been replaying in my head lately: On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand.

Psalm 62:7 says this: My salvation and my honor depend on God alone. He is my mighty Rock and Refuge.

He saves us, defends us, and protects our honor. He is the Rock on which we stand and the Refuge in which we find shelter. He is everything.

Picture standing on a solid, stable and level rock. On either side of the Rock you see bubbling pits of quicksand. On your right is the quicksand of pride, on your left is the quicksand of despair. If you shift your weight onto either of these, you'll sink. Sinking sand will swallow you alive.

In Philippians chapter three, Paul expressed that compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ, everything else was rubbish. If anyone had reason for pride, Paul did. Accomplished, educated, and accredited, the man had a resume. And if anyone had reason for despair, Paul did. God chose him as an ambassador of the faith and once his eyes were opened to the superior reality of faith in Christ, he was smacked with the depths of his sin. Paul was responsible for the torture, persecution, and death of innocent Christians. Can you imagine how the enemy used his own sin against him during those sleepless nights?

That's why this statement means so much coming from Paul: 

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:12-14). 

On our own, we don't have a leg to stand on, but thanks be to God, we have a strong and stable Rock as our foundation!

Pay attention this week to those zingers that steal your joy. Almost always they'll connect to thoughts that weaken you, thoughts that spew from the quicksand, "You're such a dunce. Always saying what you shouldn't." Or, "You'll never overcome your past. You're destined to repeat it." Or, "You are really something because of what you've accomplished. You're not as good as____, but you're definitely better than___. It's okay to use your position to get what you want."

Pride and despair are bottomless pits that will suck the life right out of us.

Paul's goal was to be 'found in Christ' - always and ever drawing life from his association with the one true Vine. Paul accomplished what he did for the Kingdom because he refused to be bogged down by shame and condemnation, and he refused to be puffed up by his accomplishments. As far as he was concerned, it was all garbage compared to the moment-by-moment intimacy he enjoyed with Christ.

This is not to say that what we accomplish for Christ is rubbish; it's a true treasure to serve Him. But the minute we shift our weight off of who we are in Christ and onto what we do for Him, even our works of service become filthy rags because they cannot save us. The Bible says that even our best effort is only as significant as a dirty rag apart from Christ.

And a final word about shame and condemnation. My mentor told me recently that shame is an inward reproach.

In other words, to embrace shame is to hold ourselves in contempt. Shame is a blemish or stain that discredits us and holds us captive only by our agreement. It's time to disagree with shame and condemnation! There is NOW therefore NO condemnation for those in Christ Jesus! (Romans 8:1).

Stay firmly planted on the Rock of your salvation! He saves, He delivers, He establishes, and He protects. All other ground is sinking sand...

~Until next week.

What Are You Afraid Of?

Hey Friends! Happy Wednesday! 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 Starbucks gift card to someone who posts on my blog. So leave a post, share an insight, bless lots of people, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend.

It's time to announce the winner for June...Andrea Abernathy, congratulations! Please email me your mailing address and I'll get the card in the mail within the next 2 weeks. My address is: info@susielarson.com Thanks for posting and bless you! 

Now on to my topic...

A couple of years ago, while speaking at a women's retreat, I decided to try something new on the women. I told them to come to Saturday night's session titled, "The Fear of the Lord" in comfortable clothes and armed with their Bibles, notebooks, pillow, and blanket. My  plan was for them to 'camp' in the presence of the Lord. 

Using Hebrews chapter 12 along with a few other passages of Scripture, I taught for ten minutes, then I stepped away from the podium and put on about ten minutes of beautiful music and gave the women journal and prayer assignments (all the while, Power Point slides rotated different 'fear of the Lord Scripture' against an ocean background). After ten minutes of journal and prayer, I stepped up again and taught for ten minutes, followed by another ten minutes of music and reflection. We did this for a full hour. I talked about humility, teachability, the discipline of the Lord, what it means to honor Him, and Who it is we come to when we come to Him.

We spent an hour re-setting our spiritual lives; humbling ourselves; remembering again how mighty this God is that we serve. When I looked around the room, I saw a beautiful combination of reverence for the Lord and a comfort in His presence. Not casual in His presence. But comfortable with the idea of His love, His mercy, and His forgiveness. Not because we deserve it, but because He offers it. 

We need moments like this. Lots more of them. 

When we run to and fro in our busy lives, we so easily default to fears that are not ours to embrace. We fear other's opinions; the stock market; the unknown; the loyalty of friends; ourselves. 

One of my favorite verses is this one:

Do not fear ANYTHING except the Lord Almighty; for HE ALONE is the Holy One. If you fear Him, you need fear nothing else. He will keep you safe (Isaiah 8:13). 

When we say things we shouldn't say, and we fear getting caught more than we fear dishonoring our God, it's time to re-set, and remember to Whom we are ultimately accountable. 

When we give more weight to man's words than God's Word, it's time to re-set, and remember that no words can diminish us if God's Word is strong in us.

When we pay more attention to the economy than to how the Holy Spirit is moving around us, it's time to re-set and remember that we are not made for this place. We are just passing through. We serve a Living God and His economy is strong indeed. 

When we acquaint ourselves more with our circumstances than our identity in Christ, it's time to re-set and remember once again who we are, and whose we are. We are His. And everything He has is ours. We have more than enough to live abundantly today.

If we're bent on fear, may ours be a fear of the Lord. May we know in our core of our potential to squander time, embrace selfishness, and overlook the suffering. And in light of our earthbound ways, may we walk ever closer to Him and fully trust Him in these trying times. He is Lord. We are on the winning side.

Until next week (Maybe. I'll be out of pocket for most of next week but I'll do my best to post!)~

Make Space for Hope...

Happy Wednesday, 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 Starbucks gift card to someone who posts on my blog. So leave a post, share an insight, bless lots of people, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend!

Now on to my topic...

Yesterday on Live the Promise, I interviewed my friend, author Tricia Goyer and her co-author, novelist Robin Jones Gunn. We talked about their new book, Praying for Your Future Husband. We had a great discussion about the importance of engaging the Lord in prayer for your future spouse. I can't even remember in what context she said it, but at one point, Robin said, "We have to make space for hope." or "There's always a place for hope." Something like that. Either way, that concept really resonated with me. 

For the Christ-follower, hope is always an option. So when life crowds our perspective and clouds our view, we have to push back on what presses us and give ourselves some room to find hope again.

I don't know what life is like for you but I can guess that you have more work to do than time to do it. Maybe your heart aches for an unfulfilled request. Or maybe you've been misjudged or misunderstood. So painful. Or, maybe you're in need of physical healing. May God grant the desires of your heart! If you've lost hope, or if your hope has faded to a dull shade of gray, it's time to grab hold of hope once again!

Last night we were under a tornado warning. I heard there was actually a touch down nearby. Once the storm passed by, the sun broke through creating silver linings on those once dark and looming clouds. And when the storm was over, the air was especially fresh. The birds sang, the scents came alive, and the gentle breeze called my name.

I just had to get on my bike and hit the paths. Yes, I had dishes in the sink and 400 emails in my inbox, but I'd been working all day and I desperately needed some time to behold the greatness of God. 

So I pushed back my task list; told it to get in line and take a number. I looked at my dishes and said, "Be right back" and I hopped on my bike. I can't even express to you how glorious it was. At certain times during my bike ride, my mind raced through my extensive task list. And yet, with every ounce of grit I had in me, I took those thoughts captive and put them away. I was determined to stay in the moment and breathe in the nourishing power of the moment. And nourishing it was! 

Psalm 19:1-2 says this: The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.
 Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known.

Day after day God pours forth wisdom, words of love, and affirmation for us because we are the apple of His eye. Day after day He speaks to a waiting and watching world. The problem is, so few are waiting or watching.

If you are in a funk and your life has become a series of responses, do this: push back on all that presses you and make some room, make some space to hear from God, to be nourished in His presence, and to find your strength in Him.

The Lord God Almighty is with you, He's for you, and He makes Himself available to you. Make yourself available to Him. You'll find your soul's deepest needs filled and your hunger satisfied in His presence.

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him (Psalm 62:5)

~Until Next Week

Start Again Today...

Happy Wednesday, 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 give away a $10.00 Starbucks gift card to someone who posts on my blog. So leave a post, share an insight, bless lots of people, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend!

Now on to my topic...

One day a couple of months ago, someone paid me a compliment that actually surprised me. A high profile woman said to me, "You are a really good writer." Her words jolted me in a way they shouldn't have. I realized I had given up some ground in my thought life with regards to my writing life.

Let me explain. My last book came out a year ago. I set book-writing aside for a few seasons to launch the radio show. Most of my author friends are primarily writers who speak once in a while. They daily practice their craft. They've honed their skill. And they are excellent at what they do. I was a speaker before I was a writer. And then I got into radio. Only a fraction of my time goes to writing. When I write a book, I spend a few months grinding it out and then I go back out on the road again. Most of my author friends can write circles around me because they spend consistent time applying themselves to it.

This past year my focus has largely been on radio and speaking. So when harassing thoughts swirled around my head like, "You can't write" "You don't know what you're doing when it comes to writing" "You have nothing to say" - instead of stopping those thoughts in their tracks, taking them captive, and putting them in prison, I simply waved them away like an irritating gnat. I didn't take care of them and as a result, they multiplied in my midst. 

When that wonderful, sincere compliment came my way, it actually sounded untrue because for too long, I had tolerated a lie. I had given up ground that God had entrusted to me. I'm certainly not the best writer I know, but I'm not the worst either. No matter. God has given me something to say and I'll never hear Him clearly as long as I give any air time to that lying enemy of our souls. 

Just because I wasn't in book-writing mode doesn't mean I didn't need to guard my yard. 

How about you?

Have you given up some ground by not defending it against the lies of the enemy? Has the enemy crept onto your territory and tried to re-claim certain places that belong to you? Maybe related to your identity? Your future? Your calling? Your value? 

Don't beat yourself up. Just rise up, raise your shield, and take back your land! It doesn't matter if God's truth doesn't feel true for you. It's still true. You are valuable. You are gifted. You are called. You are loved. You are treasured.

You have certain gifts entrusted to you and God absolutely LOVES to see you in your sweet spot - using those gifts in the very ways He planned for you. Here again is the call to be more God-aware than self-aware! 

It doesn't matter if or how the lie overshadowed the truth, what matters is that you and I start again today, affirming what's true about us because we belong to God. 

Lead me by your truth and teach me,for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you (Psalm 25:5). 

~Until next week