Precious Jesus...

Hello, Everyone...

Susie Larson here...

I pray this note finds you well.

I'm writing today's post from my hotel room. As I reflect back over the past several days, I am once again reminded of how sweet and sincere and kind our God really is.

Last weekend I spoke a retreat in Murietta Hot Springs. God showed up and we were blessed. These women showed up with expectancy to encounter the living God and I'll tell you, He did not disappoint.

In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 8, we read about the time when Jesus delivered a man from a legion of demons. When the townspeople rushed to see this man sitting calmly in his right mind, they begged Jesus to leave. After this miracle, they begged Him to leave.

On the other side of the lake, the Bible says they received Jesus with open arms because they had been waiting for him.

The same Jesus, two different responses.

Even today people perceive Jesus in different ways.

But for those of us who love Him, we know Him to be kind, and wonderful, and true...

Proverbs 9:10 tell us that "knowing the Holy One results in understanding."

The more we get to know Him, the more we understand (and love) Him.

God is good and His promises are true.

One of the things I love most about Jesus is the way He surprises us with unexpected blessings.

I received one such blessing just the other day.

Even though I love speaking at retreats and spending three days getting know 100 new sisters in Christ, I usually come off of those events absolutely exhausted.

After last weekend's retreat, a friend arranged for me to stay with her friend until my husband arrived in town.

My new friend Barb invited me to stay in her guest cottage. A totally unexpected blessing.

My heart did a little pitter patter when I walked in the door of the cottage which looked out to mountains, and flowers, and hummingbirds.

After a good night's sleep, I found my favorite chair, hugged my morning cup of coffee, and held my journal and my Bible in my lap.

Outside in the distance I surveyed the beautiful landscape of mountains. Up close, just on the other side of my window, I gazed at an array of perennials - different shapes, colors, and sizes. The hummingbirds loved the flowers closest to the window. They fluttered in the air, kissed the flowers, and then flew away again.

In a very short amount of time, my cup was replenished again.

As we go about our day, we must remind ourselves that Jesus is kind and sweet and faithful. And when the stresses of our day seem bigger than His love, we must, we must, take the time to remember that He knows our needs and plants flowers in our path at just the right time.

Trust Him to be good because He is.

Blessings, friend.

Sorry, Folks!

Hello, Everyone!

Susie Larson here...

You regular visitors know that I am pretty consistent with my weekly posts. Well, today I must ask for some grace. My day is bursting at the seams with two radio interviews and back to back meetings. I am also prepping for an out-of-state retreat and racing toward a book deadline.

I've been meaning to get my blog post done but I just don't have it to give today.

In fact, I really covet your prayers during this marathon month.

I hope and pray this note finds you well and walking in the grace of Jesus!

I thank God for your faithful visits to this site!

Next week I'll be writing from California.

Be blessed, my friend.

I Shall Not Want...

Greetings, Dear Friends!

Susie Larson here...

Though we live in a day when it's normal to race from one thing to the next, we just have to slow down and remember that...

The Lord is my Shepherd...

God in heaven, help us slow down enough to be led. May we not get moving so fast that we miss our appointed way. Help us to stop, take a deep breath, and exhale. Help us to look up and behold the new sky You painted today. And may we pause long enough to remember that we have plenty of time today to accomplish all You've given us to do...

Though at times our to-do list exceeds our capacity to get it done, we have all we need in Christ. We need to declare for our own ears t hear...

The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want...

Precious, Lord, Help me to remember that You are the Source of everything I need. Forgive me for all of the ways I strive to get my needs met when You so willingly have offered to meet my needs. You call me to a life of faith and rest amidst the busy and frantic culture in which I live. You are my Shepherd, so I have everything I need. You will lead me to places of rest and places of provision...at just the right time.

Listen and Do...

Hello, Dear Friends!

Susie Larson Here...

And to those visiting, I say welcome! I post every Wednesday and my purpose is to bless you and nourish your soul along the way.

My son Luke was home visiting from college this weekend. He filled the entry way with his dirty laundry, backpack full of books, and music equipment (guitar, amplifier, speaker, sound board, etc.).

I love having him home even though he brings all of his belongings with him every time he comes home for a visit. I love all of who he is, the musician, the son, the computer techie, and the follower of Jesus. I treasure this boy.

Slowly but surely Luke carried all of his equipment up to his room and the entry way looked somewhat normal again.

The next day was a writing day for me (because I am racing towards a deadline). "Luke," I asked, "would you please unload the dishwasher for me?" He kindly and happily said, "Sure."

I went back to work and spent the next six hours writing.

When I came up for air I noticed that Luke not only unloaded the dishwasher, he loaded the dirty dishes, he washed the big pans and bowls, and he wiped down the counter.

My heart did a little flip inside. He not only listened to my words, he responded sweetly. And he not only responded sweetly, he did what I asked. And he not only did what I asked, he went above and beyond my request.

I wanted to give him money, bake him cookies, and wrap him in a big bear hug.

When we listen to God and do what He says, His heart swells with excitement over our obedience. And though this isn't our motivation, when we do what He says, He pours out His blessing on us!

This morning I read this verse in James, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."

Just how do we listen to the word, and then deceive ourselves?

Read on...

We talk about prayer (because Jesus tells us to pray about everything), but we rarely actually pray.

We tell people we will pray for them and then we don't follow through.

We feel good that we've articulated our belief in the power of prayer, but we neglect our time alone with the Lord and live power-less lives as a result.

We read great biblically based books on marriage, but we rarely apply what we learn.

We discern areas of weakness in our spouse and instead of using our strength to build them up, we use our knowledge to tear them down.

Just because we see something amiss doesn't mean we've been faithful with what we know.

When we don't do what God tells us to do, we deceive ourselves.

We read God's Word where it tells us to be at peace with others as far as it concerns us, and we ponder those words, but still we carry around with us age-old grudges against people who don't even know they've offended us.

Jesus tells us to love our neighbor but we don't even know their name (God, forgive me).

God's Word tells us to love Him with our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to let His love in, that we might identify ourselves as someone He cherishes.

God delights in us with great affection and yet, we put more faith in our frailties than we do the idea that Jesus sings over us.

Forgive me, Precious Father, for the countless ways I have heard You, but have not done what you've asked. Thankfully there is no condemnation for me because I belong to You. It's your grace that strengthens my heart and so I open my hands and receive Your mercy and Your grace for this hour. Help me to earnestly seek after you and listen to what You have to say. Heighten my conviction to listen and to obey. Help me to walk in a manner worthy of my calling. To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. Give me eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to do Your will. Amen.

Follow Him...

Hello, Dear Friends!

Susie Larson here...

And to those visiting, I say welcome! I post every Wednesday and my goal is to bless you and nourish your soul along the way.

This morning I sat out on my deck on my favorite beat-up old swing and I watched the sun come up through the trees.

With my Bible in my lap and my journal at my side, I prayed about many things.

When I came to the end of my quiet time, I asked the Lord what my blog topic should be.

Instantly a picture came to my mind.

I envisioned a pond with irregular borders reaching this way and that. The edges of the pond were so shallow that it was hard to discern where the water ended and the land began.

In the center of the pond you could see the weeds stretching up from water's floor. You could see large rocks and old logs piled up just under the surface.

As I pondered this picture, another picture came to mind. I saw God take His mighty arms and shore up this little pond. He wrapped His arms around the water's edge and brought in its boundaries, causing the pond to appear smaller and go deeper.

Perhaps this is what God has for you in this next season of life...

With the fall season approaching us, we will be faced with countless committees and commitments asking for our time.

Many, if not most of these requests are for good causes.

Maybe you've heard this quote before but Oswald Chambers once wrote, "The greatest enemy of the best is the good."

Before you walk into this fall season and open up your blank calendar pages to the countless people begging for your attention...get alone with God.

Allow Him to shore you up and bring a greater depth to your life.

Spend some significant time in His presence and dare to ask Him this question, "Lord, what would YOU have me do this season? What would you have me stay away from? What is the BEST way I can serve You with my time?"

Then be quiet and listen.

Ask God for a heightened sensitivity to His voice so that you will hear Him when He says, "No, don't say yes to that. I have something better for you."

Some say yes too often. Others say no too often.

We all have a responsibility to fulfill our God-given call.

We all have the privilege of serving God in profound and beautiful ways.

Carve out some time this week...two, three hours. And give it to God.

Listen to His voice. Follow His lead. Enjoy a fruitful, grace-filled life.

Your three hours with God will be the best investment you've made all summer.

For You make me glad by Your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the work of Your hands. How great are Your works, O Lord. How profound are Your thoughts. Psalm 92: 4-5

Have a blessed week.

Make my day and pick up a copy of my new release, Alone in Marriage: Encouragement for the Times When it's all up to You