pray with me

October 21, 2010 | Faith: Knowing Christ, Feelings: Intentional freedom, Ministry Life

I’m on my way to speak at a women’s retreat in Shawnee, Kansas. There’s just something inside of me that gets excited on days like this. I anticipate what God wants to do. As I pray, I ask God to help me hear His heart for the women waiting.

I can’t do anything on my own, and I’m very aware of my limitations. But when God becomes part of the plan, I love to sit back and watch Him at work.

I’ll be speaking on a tough topic: forgiveness. It’s a topic that I sometimes want to shy away from, and yet I meet so many who struggle with it, and for good reason.

And yet I know that it holds us back. It creates bitterness. It is passed down to our children, shows up in our relationships with our spouses, and even with those we hold at arms length. Sometimes it shows up in our relationship with God.

So I keep talking about it. What it means to forgive. What it doesn’t mean. Why God cares so much about it, and the freedom we find when we do.

So, if you will, pray with me today for tomorrow and Saturday. That God will gently and powerfully touch the women as they let go of anything that stands in the way of running after Him and all that He wants to give.  That He will heal. That He will help them leave with all that they need to live fully and free.

oh, how I love Jesus ♫

September 12, 2010 | Faith: Knowing Christ, Feelings: Intentional freedom, Just me, Ministry Life

I was discouraged last week.

Big time.

Does that every happen to you? If I could describe it, I would paint it as a dark cloud that I couldn’t shake. I knew the truth. I knew the promises. I held fast to what I believed, and yet it remained. (more…)

we can’t fly solo

July 29, 2010 | Ministry Life

I’m in Heaven.  I’m surrounded by women running after their dream. Who get me. Who listen, and who I love to listen to…

We all need that, don’t we?

(more…)

she speaks

July 20, 2010 | Ministry Life

I’m tearing my attention away from Elle to focus on one of the best conferences for women who feel called to write and/or speak: She Speaks!

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what a privilege

June 29, 2010 | Books, Family: Nurturing Family, Ministry Life

I met by phone last night with Regina Marshall and 10 other beautiful ladies who were studying The Mom I Want to Be. They asked great questions and it was clear that Regina and her co-leader were doing a great job connecting with women as they discussed the tough stuff, prepared to grow through it.

I love hearing from women who are determined to give their children something greater. As we discussed last night, it’s hard work and sometimes it’s messy. It’s messy to forgive when your feelings aren’t quite there yet, but you want to be whole. It’s messy when you’re ready to become a great mom, and your own mom is an addict.

But messy or not, these women will emerge as strong woman of faith — not perfect — but determined, joy-filled, and their children will gain the fruit of that transformation.

If you are leading a Bible study group for The Mom I Want to Be: Rising Above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future, let me know. I’d love to call in and sit in on one of your sessions. I’d love to answer questions, pray with your group, and just make some new friends.

Suz

dreaming

May 17, 2010 | Family: Nurturing Family, Just me, Ministry Life

We’ve been on a journey with a very specific goal these past four years. Richard’s carried the heaviest loads in school, and for the past two years worked full-time. Goal? Graduation w/Masters and license in December, 2010.

When we rounded the corner of 2010, suddenly the goal felt like a reality. When he finished this spring semester, one of the most intense yet, the weight lifted a little and dreaming began. (more…)