January 2008

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A Note from Susie

Greetings, Dear Friends!

I love crossing over the threshold into a new year because it reminds me once again, that God makes all things NEW! He is in the business of restoration.

In the 1800’s, author James Smetham penned these words:

“How could I be anything but quite happy if I believed always that all of the past is forgiven, and all of the present furnished with power, and all of the future bright with hope…”

The past is forgiven; the future is bright with hope; the present is filled with power.
And so you have the theme of this quarterly Ezine:

Live UP to Your Privilege as one who belongs to the Most High God.

The Bible says that we’ve been given everything we need to live victoriously; overwhelming victory is ours when we believe; we’ve been made rich in every way and we can be generous on every occasion. The heavens are bursting with promise for those who will lay hold of it.

But…God Himself wonders this: when He returns, will He find faith on the earth?
(See Luke 18:8)

It’s painfully easy to fix our eyes on our circumstances and fill our thoughts with what’s lacking in our lives – and yet this gets us nowhere. In fact, it makes us lose ground.

Do you know who knows your name? I’ll tell you who; it’s the One who set the stars in place and spoke the world into being!

Nothing is too hard for Him. Nothing is impossible with Him!

Read this excerpt from Jennifer Kennedy Dean’s study, “Secrets Jesus Shared””

“It’s simple for God to meet your needs. Everything in the universe is His. Everything is at His command. The story is told of a woman who said rather self-righteously to her pastor, “Pastor, I never bother God with the little things,” to which her pastor answered, “Madam, He’s God. To Him, it’s all little.””

Determine to live this year full of faith and expectancy, no matter your circumstance.

Be tenacious in faith and fervent in prayer. Do not be quick to let go of the things He has promised you. We are way too easily dissuaded when we face a little opposition.
Be strong and courageous. The Lord is with you!

A.W. Tozer once wrote, “If it’s true that the very power that raised Christ from the dead is available to those who believe, then we should be some of the most amazing people on earth!”

He further wrote, “We must live up to our rights as Children of the Most High God.”

If you’ve been born again – you’ve been born into privilege.
You have access to more resources than you could ever put into use.

Refuse from this day forward to entertain thoughts of unbelief or discouragement.

Do not camp in the wilderness of your circumstance; get ready to move on to your next place of promise, because for the Believer…we are called to go from strength to strength, victory to victory and promise to promise; shining ever brighter until the full light of day.

You cannot possibly exhaust all of the riches Christ has offered you, but why not stand on your tiptoes and try?

Bless the day, my friend.

Susie Larson

                                              

A Quick  Update

 Wow! Where do I start? Oh, I know! I’ll start with the fun stuff.

This Ezine will be a bit longer than usual because I have a number of things to give away. So here we go, onto the newest feature in my Ezine…
 

Amazing Giveaways:

I love to give gifts and I have so many people who have encouraged me as I have worked to encourage others, so what better way than to start giving things away???

Masterful Messengers:

The winner of the $50.00 Visa gift card is (drum roll, please…)

Andie Munn!

Andie is someone who for years has masterfully helped get my books and CD’s into the hands of those who need them. I really don’t know how many people have received my books because of her; I’ve lost count. Andie sends me wonderfully encouraging emails with stories of how God has worked through this ministry. I am blessed because of her.

Thank you, Andie.

The winner of the $25.00 Visa gift card is…

Angie Green!

Angie is someone I’ve yet to meet face-to-face, but she has become a friend to this ministry. She loves the “Sacred Conversations” journal and ordered a number of copies for others. She too has shared with me several stories of how God has used the message in my journal. She has been a great blessing to me.

 Thank you, Angie.

Best Bloggers and Subscribers:

As many of you know, I am a member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. Some of my fabulous AWSA author friends have donated books for this giveaway.

If your name is listed here, please email me at: info@susielarson.com and I will connect you with your author.

The winners came from those who posted on my blog or who have dropped me a note of encouragement. It helps me so much to know you’re out there! if you didn’t win something this time, hang in there, you’ll probably get something next time!

I do have a little string attached…These wonderful authors are sending their books free of charge. They will also be sending you some of their promo material and a cover letter for your women’s ministry director. Will you help promote these beautiful women by giving their material to your women’s ministry person?

Thanks so much!

Here are the winners…

 Moving from Fear to Freedom: A Woman's Guide to Peace in Every SituationCarrie Kuiken wins, “Moving From Fear to Freedom” by Grace Fox 
 

 


 Kay Blake wins “Men are Like Waffles, Women are Like Spaghetti” by Pam Farrel
 



 Bonnie Newberg wins, “Red Hot Monogamy” by Pam Farrel



 


 Krissy Hall wins, “Devotions for Women on the Go” by  Pam Farrel


 

 

Chris Clements wins, “The One Year Women of the Bible” by Dianne Neal Matthews

 


 


 Linda Apple wins, “The One Year, On This Day” by Dianne Neal Matthews

 

 

 

Laura Boggess wins, “Seeing Through the Lies: Unmasking the Myths Women Believe” by Vonda Skelton 
 

 


 Linda Mahmarian wins a great suspense novel, “Obsession” by Kathi Macias 
 


If you’re a winner, email me privately and I’ll connect you with your author!

Ways to win more fun and fabulous stuff:

• Help me get my books into the hands of those who need them

• Help others subscribe to my mailing list (have them mention your  
    name in the comment box).

• Post on my blog

• Drop me a note and tell me what God is doing in your life!

Watch and post on my blog in January…I’ll be giving away some Caribou gift cards
 

     
 

 Ministry Updates

• Alone in Marriage continues to sell and minister to women in
    need of encouragement. Praise!
 I'm Glad I'm a Mom: Inspirational Stories of Love, Laughter, and Everyday Life
• I contributed to the upcoming Hearts at Home release, I’m Glad
    I’m a Mom published by Harvest House Publishers (releases in
   March)

• I finished writing my July ’08 release, The Uncommon Woman:
   Making an Ordinary Life Extraordinary

• I’m doing more with radio lately. More info later!
 

Remember I write a devotional Blog every Wednesday. You can either visit the site weekly or subscribe and receive the weekly post by email.

 

     

Speaking, TV & Radio Schedule for January thru March:

January - 2008
11-13 – Lord of Life Retreat (MN)
26 – Chapel Hill One Day Event (MN)

February – 2008
1-3 – Hope Church Retreat (MN
8-9 – Crosspoint Church Retreat (MN)
29/1- - Harvest TV Show (IN) (combined with March 1st event)

March – 2008
1 – Women’s Conference, Kendra Smiley’s Church (IL)
7-8 – Set Apart Conference, (MN)
13-16 – Hearts at Home National Conference (IL)
25 – WBCL radio (Fort Wayne, IN)
28-30 – Women’s Retreat (GA)

*If you live in Minnesota, listen in for my frequent appearances on Lisa Barry’s show.

                                          

Great Tips for Balance, Peace, and Perspective
 

  • Tighten a boundary ~ Is there an area in your life where you allow a measure of excess? Maybe you eat too much at night; maybe you watch too much television after work; maybe you spend too much time on email (hmmm, might I be talking to myself?) Determine to pull in the reigns a bit and make yourself deal with it. You’ll gain some time in your day while building virtue into your character.
     

  • Talk Less, Pray More ~ Slip out of bed and onto your knees; commit the day to God. Throughout the day, acknowledge His presence and His affection for you. When pulled into conversations, pray first so that your words will build up and bless those who are listening (See Eph. 4:29).
     

  • Read a Classic~ My favorite is Andrew Murray. He’s all about intimacy with God. A.W. Tozer is wonderful too. You might have your own favorite, but read an author from times past; ask for fresh insight and revelation; ponder the legacy you want to leave behind.
     

  • Write a note to a friend, give to the poor, pray for our soldiers~ The Bible says that you nourish yourself when you are kind. Use some of your valuable time to make deposits into the lives of others.
     

  • Fast from sweets ~ Okay, you’ve been partying for a month now and Valentines Day is just around the corner; stay away from treats, drink more water, and go for a brisk walk in the crisp winter air. You will feel like a million bucks!
     

     

Great Books for a Deeper Life:

Beyond JabezBeyond Jabez,
by Bruce Wilkinson
Retail:  $16.99
Sale Price:  $13.59

I received this book for Christmas from my sister-in-law and I can’t begin to convey how much it has blessed me! Maybe it’s because I’m right there, on the edge, facing a new land. On one hand, I feel totally inadequate to step into uncharted territory, but on the other hand, I can’t let fear and unbelief dictate my future?

Ever feel like that?

In his book, Wilkinson dares to ask, “What part of God’s dream is linked to your destiny?” He further writes:

“You were designed to live your life constantly in His supernatural power. If you don’t, you’ll perform without real effect, as though the hand of God were not available to you. Your efforts will not advance God’s reputation. You’ll never experience the thrill of watching God part the clouds and come down to do a work that could only be His. And you may never realize what you’re missing” (p.127).

Wilkinson also debunks some of the mis-assigned motives attached to his runaway bestseller, “The Prayer of Jabez.” This is a Kingdom man of God and he is out there doing for the world what most of us only dream of doing.  Buy this book!
 


Touching the Clouds: Encouraging Stories to Make Your Faith SoarTouching the Clouds: Stories to Make Your Faith Soar
by Fran Caffey Sandin
Retail:  $13.99
Sale Price:  $11.19

Fran is a fellow AWSA member and has a passion for God. If you like to read short stories with biblical application, this book is for you! Fran compiled a handful of real life stories of struggle and triumph dealing with issues like compassion, forgiveness, and unconditional love. She doesn’t stop there though. In between each story, Fran uniquely takes a look at each story in the light of faith. She uses the opportunity to teach a biblical perspective. This is truly a unique book.  Check it out!
 

                                               
A Little Poem to Nourish Your Soul
 

Life Abundantly
 By Susie Larson

The skies are full with mercy
My sin is wiped away
I have more than I could ever spend
To live abundantly today
I am rich beyond my knowledge
I am full beyond my senses
I am free beyond what my eyes can see
Lord, help me to live up to such privilege

 

     

 

A Quick Prayer to Send You on Your Way...

Precious Father,
Restore to me, the joy of my salvation. Pour over me a fresh revelation of Your love. May it wash over me like a spring rain and may I be child-like enough to look up and feel it touch my skin. When I rise in the morning and I’m tempted to rush through my day, may Your divine hand grab my chin and cause me to notice the morning sky. When I’m tempted to lose courage and perspective, help me to say the words of Andrew Murray, “Every day I’m in the Father’s presence, and all that He has is mine!” Part of my job is to live and breathe and know that I am the object of Your affection, and in doing so, some of heaven comes to earth. Give me such a generous, faithful heart, that others are drawn to You when they encounter me. This I pray in Your Mighty and Powerful Name, Amen.
 


      

I hope you enjoyed my Ezine. The next edition will be out in April 2008.   Please send along any questions or comments. If you know of others who would benefit from this Ezine, please send them my way. You are free to unsubscribe at any time.

May the richness of God be your reality, this day and always.

~Susie

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