Dotsie Bregel reviews Mom I Want to Be

July 30, 2007 | T. Suzanne Eller

Dotsie Bregel, founder of the National Association of Boomer Women, shares her review of The Mom I Want to Be: Rising Above Your Past to Give Your Kids a a Great Future at Boomer Babes Rock blog.

 Excerpt: I bought it [The Mom I Want to Be] to browse, and then give to my church library. My kids are basically raised. The youngest turns 19 this week so I thought it might not speak to me since the larger part of my parenting was done. Boy was I wrong. The book is beautiful. I’m getting to know the heart of Suzie and her mom and I love them. I have already shared the gist of her story with a friend and I believe it helped her see the light about something going on within her own family. You can break the chain of abuse as Suzie so eloquently shares.

Our girls are in trouble

July 27, 2007 | T. Suzanne Eller

Lindsey. Brittney. Paris.

Who cares, you might ask, if these girls are in trouble?

I care, and so do many other women who watch as our young girls, and those who are older, accept less and less in relationships and in life.  

I’m not pointing a finger–at least, not at this generation or even at youth culture, but I am taking a good look at my own life. As an older woman, I believe that it is my responsibility to not only notice what is happening with our girls, but to respond.

Not just with words. Not just by talking about what is wrong.

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Home sweet home

July 26, 2007 | T. Suzanne Eller

I’m home for a month, but my to-do list is long.

But, did I say it? I’m home sweet home.

My new book just came in and I have tons of marketing to do. If you belong to a book club, or want postcards to mail to your friends or take to your bookstore or library to tell them about The Woman I Am Becoming, e-mail me or leave a comment and I’ll send you pre-stamped postcards to send out. That would be awesome!

But for today I plan to work in my yard. I long to stick my hands in the dirt and get sweaty and plant flowers and cut grass. How’s that for a day off?

Suz

Man on a mission

July 20, 2007 | quotes

Jesus Christ was a man on a mission, and his purpose was never in question. He did not, however, misuse the notion that God was working his purpose out through his life by adopting a passive attitude toward his work for God. He did not halfheartedly live, but actively obeyed every command of the Father to the point that the life which he calls every Christian to imitate is a life of action fueled by the knowledge that their ultimate purpose is and remains the glory of God. … Jesus never structured the purposes of God around themes of self-importance or self-esteem. Rather, he spoke of taking up a cross, laying one’s life down for others, and following in the footsteps of one described as a man of sorrows acquainted with grief.” - Douglas Baker in Baptist Press 1/27/06

Girls just gotta have fun

T. Suzanne Eller

Last weekend I went to Eureka Springs to hang out with ten friends from Muskogee.

Sometimes you just need to have fun, and I did. Thanks, ladies, for an awesome weekend.

We stumbled onto a fun street exhibition. Our first question was, “can we do this?”.

Later that night, we were given an opportunity. The answer was, “yes”–at least minus the juggling part.

Renee gave it a shot, then Lora, then Penny. Penny won the style award hands down, as she could both hula hoop and walk and dance. I was lucky to keep the hula hoop around my waist, but did for a long time as long as I stayed in the same place.

The only problem is that I slipped my wallet under my arm while I hulahooped, and the zipper became attached to my shirt. Embarrassing!

I had such a great time. There’s something powerful about hanging out with friends with diverse jobs, diverse beliefs, and who are strong women who love to talk and think about those things. I need to do this more often.

ICRS Atlanta

July 19, 2007 | calendar, interviews

ICRS is a national trade show, but it’s more than that for me. Each year I am reminded of why I love writing, and ministry.

This year was a hectic year. Two of my books were released. A discipleship book for teens, Making It Real: Whose Faith Is It Anyway? through Kregel Publishers, and The Woman I Am Becoming: Embracing the Chase for Identity, Faith, and Destiny through Harvest House.

My days were crazy, running from the convention center to the CNN Omni to Westin and back. On Monday, the 9th, I signed books twice, interviewed with FamilyLife (Campus Crusade) radio, met with the Intercontinental News Service, and taped a broadcast with Atlanta TV station, WATC Channel 57. (more…)

Balancing ministry and life

July 18, 2007 | faith, ministry life

I leave again on Friday. Something that both excites me, and yet has become a balancing act. I am excited to speak to the teens at Youth Encounter. I’m praying for them, asking God to change lives and to spark fire in the heart of teens wanting to live as followers of Christ.

But I also leave behind my husband–again, and am missing a huge, important day in the life of my nephew, Chad. I contracted this event over a year ago, and my nephew’s news came a few months back. He understands, but that doesn’t make it any easier. (more…)

Show, don’t tell me, who God is. . .

July 17, 2007 | quotes

People aren’t looking for information about God. They want to experience God, himself. Information leaves them bored, uninterested. Experience, especially the ultimate experience any human being can ever have, leaves them breathless. And that’s exactly what we have to offer. - Mark Tabb, Mission to Oz

Rest, and faith

July 16, 2007 | T. Suzanne Eller

Genesis 1:5

God called the light day and the darkness he called night. And there was evening and there was morning.

 I was studying last week when notes from a commentary by Henry J. Graf V leaped from the page. It was about a little thing called “rest”.

We live in a culture where time off is actually viewed in a negative light. That doesn’t mean that we don’t know how to play; we do. When we play, we play hard.

We also know how to work. We know how to fill time with e-mail, and activities, and our to-do list, but the reality is that we aren’t really very good at resting.

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The Edge (Youth Encounter), Kansas City, MO July 20-24

July 14, 2007 | calendar

I get to hang out with teens at Youth Encounter - Edge National Convention on July 20-24 in Kansas City, MO.

If you are in the area, come connect with Hawk Nelson, The Skit Guys, and speakers Jeremy Kingsley, and me as we worship, teaching, friendship, and hands-on ministry.

I’m digging deep in scripture this week, and I have a message burning on my heart for teens. I’d love your prayers. It’s a busy week, speaking seven times in four days, hanging out with lots and lots of youth, but also a privilege and I’m pumped to have the opportunity.