Looking for a Bible study?
I’m hanging out with author Stephanie Shott over at Moms Together today. Stephanie just released a new Bible study book called Understanding What Matters. It’s a study of Ecclasiastes and it’s a great resource if you’ve been searching for a personal Bible study tool, or looking for one for your small group or discipleship class.
What I love about this is that it’s easy to read, written in a warm, conversational tone, but isn’t afraid to take you deep into the topic.
Posted by Suzie @
12:37 pm |
Discontented?
Discontented?
Sometimes I feel discontented and I’m not sure why. I wonder if I should “do” something. .
It’s not that I don’t love God, because I do.
It’s not that I’m pursuing things that could hurt me, or my relationship with my beautiful family, or even with God.
I’m just out of sorts.
So I pick up the Bible. Where do I read? It’s as familiar as my heartbeat. Is there something fresh, something new? Where do I go?
I pick up a devotional. The words settle as I read: I am God, with you. Don’t let the familiarity of that concept numb your consciousness. My perpetual presence with you can be a source of Joy, springing up and flowing out in streams of abundant life.
That’s it. Right there. (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
9:46 am |
To live free: believe in the impossible
One of my heroes is a man who fought for his marriage when it seemed impossible.
“I’d leave,” one advised.
“Turn, and never look back,” said another.
To be honest. It made sense. He had a biblical foundation to give up on his marriage, but he refused. (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
3:12 am |
Walking in a new direction: when marriage is hard
Go gently through this day, keeping your eyes on me. . . Sometimes the way before you appears to be blocked. If you focus on the obstacle or search for a way around it, you will probably go off course.
(Sarah Young, Jesus Calling, page 305)
A marriage was in trouble. She felt as if she couldn’t stay in it anymore.
“Suzie, why would God want me to stay when I just don’t feel it anymore? He’s the one who changed, not me.”
As I listened to her grievances, I didn’t try to advise her. I’ve never walked in her footsteps. My heart would be broken if my husband had changed from the man I married. It wasn’t infidelity. It wasn’t abuse. But it was a huge loss to the woman who once felt as one with the man she loved.
I did promise to pray. To believe with her. And while she was waiting, I asked if it was possible to focus on what He offered her in the difficult part of our “I do’s”.
“I don’t think that’s possible,” she said.
Later I saw her FB status updates, her blog posts. Something was happening.
Words of simple faith started appearing. Scriptures that promised to sustain us in the hard places. Words that spoke life into her. (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
3:55 am |
Start in me
I returned from Atlanta on Saturday night tired but spiritually refreshed, and with a few new friends.
I spoke at a Let’s Get Real conference in Duluth, GA this past weekend. I was met at the airport by one of the youngest almost 60-year-olds I have ever met. She’s a pastor’s wife, but also teaches a spin class. I love that combo!
Jeanne has a desire to see God work in her community and in her church, and it shows. She has a “whatever it takes, God” heartbeat, but is willing for that work to begin in her first.
“If God wants me on my knees, I’ll go to my knees,” she said softly. “And if He wants me on my face, I’ll go to my face on the ground.”
I just have to wonder what God can do with a heart like that.
What could He do in our ministries? Our families? Our churches? Our communities?
Let’s Get Real was one of their first events in this church’s new women’s ministry, and every detail was beautiful, including the focus of the team. One by one they shared how they had prayed, how they had asked God for big things. (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
1:55 pm |
You are adopted
If you came over from Encouragement for Today, welcome!
Just this past weekend, my husband and I participated in a 5k called Titus Task. It’s an amazing event created by Noel and Lori Tugwell. After years of not having children, they adopted a beautiful child from China. Then they began the process of adopting two more children from a Haiti orphanage, Louis and Titus.
Before the papers were fully processed one of the much-loved children died of malnutrition. The Tugwells were devastated. They flew to Haiti and brought Louis home, but they never forgot his brother, Titus.
They started the Titus foundation, which raises money to help offer matching grants to families who desire to adopt domestic or international orphans. Since the inception, many little ones have found a loving home.
There were many highlights of the race. First, the beautiful diversity of children running around doing what kids do, laughing, playing. Second, the immense privilege of running with our adopted angel, Luke — our 4 month-old grandson.
Luke and Richard were the first stroller/runner team to cross the line.
The smile on his face said it all. He loved it! (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
3:12 am |
