Hearts at Home, Escondido, CA

January 7, 2008 | T. Suzanne Eller, calendar

Today I got to spend a half-day with the Sand Springs, OK MOPS group. It was less than 90 miles from me, a beautiful early morning drive. But more than that, it was awesome spending time with moms as I shared a 90-minute workshop “The Mom I Want to Be: Rising Above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future”. I am grateful for new friends, and for the stories shared by these beautiful moms.

If I met you today, welcome to daretobelieve. I loved sharing time with Sand Springs MOPS today.

Later this month I’ll be in California. If you live near San Diego, Hearts at Home, an International moms group and conference, will offer a one-day Moms Day Out conference for 1,000 women in Escondido, CA. Here are the details:  (more…)

What are you known for?

January 5, 2008 | T. Suzanne Eller

I’m meeting with two smart and God-filled people this month, and one of them asked this question: What are you known for?

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Living as a forgiver

January 4, 2008 | T. Suzanne Eller

I’ve been working on a new book about forgiveness. The deeper that I get into this book, the more I realize how much work there is left to do in my own heart. That’s the beauty of writing, whether in a journal or a book. You can’t get away from the black and white clarity.

I forgive easily. Or at least I say I do. I’m compassionate. I tend to see things through the eyes of mercy, rather than judgment. The big things are forgiven because I know that there is a process, and at the end of it is a healthy perspective and wholeness.

But the guy who has road rage? The person who is unkind to someone because they don’t measure up in image or intellect? The insenstive man or woman who fails to see the needs of those around them?

Not so much.

Because I was once hurt, I throw on my avenger cape and try to make these people conform to my standards, so that they won’t hurt.

This is the problem. Most of the time my avenger cape just gets in the way. People work through conflict. The road rage guy gets pulled over. The person who is insensitve has a chance to apologize.

There are times that I NEED to step in, and I will not hesitate to do that in those cases, but for the most part I need to step back.

I talked about this with two friends who are also authors. One had a dad who was an alcoholic. The other was molested as a child. Their faith in an amazing God has healed them. They both write and speak, and one has a national organization that reaches hundreds of thousands of women.

But they both said this was still a work in progress in them. They’ve conquered, with God’s help, the big things.

Now it’s the little things that irk, annoy, irritate, or inflame.

Yesterday, as I wrote a chapter, I asked God to perform in me what I believed to be a bridge to healing: to live a life as a forgiver–in big and small things.

Suz

Treasure who you have–today

November 27, 2007 | T. Suzanne Eller

A fellow writer and friend just found out she has cancer. Life turned upside down overnight. Right now the report is that she has weeks to live.Kristy Dikes is a red-head. She’s feisty. She loves her family and her husband. She’s a writer and a speaker. She normally blogs, but her husband has blogged since her surgery (at her request).

Yesterday I read a new post. It is a husband’s plea to all men to treasure who you have today, because you never know what tomorrow might bring. It’s insightful. It’s beautiful. It’s painful. It’s relevant.

And I think the message should be read by all. This is how the post begins: (more…)

An ordinary night

November 26, 2007 | T. Suzanne Eller

Last night I sat in my home church, savoring all that was going on around me. One woman worshiped God with her entire being. Another wept through prayer. Some sat quietly. A few teens talked or texted or listened. One older guy slept, his mouth slightly open.

An ordinary night.

And yet I love what I felt and what I saw.

The woman who sat two rows in front of me weeping has had a hard life. She has posted a sign on her front door that says, “go away if you are selling drugs”, because that is what her life has consisted of until now. (more…)

TCW Article

September 13, 2007 | T. Suzanne Eller, articles

I’m getting lots of e-mails from women from all over the nation in response to this month’s article, “The Rise of Raunch”, in Today’s Christian Woman.

If you are one of those, and especially if you are asking for additional information about mentoring, I’m listening! I promise I’ll share more information right here on DTB very soon. It’s obvious that there are a lot of amazing women who want to step in and make a difference in the lives of girls. (more…)

Moving

September 7, 2007 | T. Suzanne Eller

I will be saying goodbye to my home of 13 years. There are a lot of memories in this house. It’s where Ryan, Melissa, and Leslie grew up. It’s where my horses play. We will move in 29 days to a home near the university where Richard is studying.

I can’t wait, and yet I have waited–for four years. . .

Has that ever happened to you? You know that things will change, and yet nothing does. I knew we were going to move–toward God’s plan, away from familiarity and comfort, nearly four years ago. I write about this today on Boomer Babes Rock, in a post titled “MOVE“. Here is an excerpt from that post:

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If you belong to a book club

August 30, 2007 | T. Suzanne Eller

Are you a leader of a study group or book club? Would you like to add a fun twist to your meetings? Would you like a free, autographed copy of one of these books to use in your book club/study group? (more…)

The art of saying no, and yes

August 28, 2007 | T. Suzanne Eller

I have refined saying “no” to a fine art. I know when to say “this is not for me” or “this is not the time” or maybe even “this is an amazing opportunity, but the ultimate Boss says nope”. (more…)

Radio Interview Today: Water Through The Word

August 16, 2007 | T. Suzanne Eller, calendar, media interviews

 Friday, August 17, I invite you to join me as I am interviewed by the host of Water Through The Word, WVCX 1050 AM, Cincinnati at 5 p.m. and again at 7:30 p.m.

You can listen to it, even if you don’t live in Cincinnati, OH, by logging onto www.WCVX.com during the above broadcast dates and times.

Erin Campbell and I talk about The Mom I Want to Be: Rising Above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future. It was a wonderful interview. Erin is compassionate, a warm and fun interviewer, and we talked in-depth about some pretty key issues to help move past the past, how to forgive, let go, and impact your relationships as you live in wholeness.

Join us. I’ll “see” you there.

Suzie