October 2007

Visit Susie's Website

Order Books

Visit Susie's Blog

Christian Author's Network (CAN)

CAN Blog



Add this eZine
to your address book.

With the advent of Spam Filters into  today's online community, we want to
make sure that you receive our eZine without any problems. To insure receiving your copy, please add the following email address to your address book:
susie@pcpublications.org

A Note from Susie

Greetings, Dear Friends!

The fall season is in full swing and our summer season is fast becoming a memory. I hope this note finds you well. But, if you’re like most of us, your fall schedule has taken on a life of its own and you are wondering if balance is achievable, if peace is within reach, or if perspective is even possible. Well guess what friend; we are not going to wait for the New Year to tackle this topic. No! Our schedules will serve us; we will not serve them. We will head into our holidays with a sense of peace and perspective instead of the usual frantic, frenzied state-of-mind. We are going to pause, take a little inventory, and recapture the abundant life God has promised us. Our theme in this quarterly E-zine is threefold: balance, peace, and perspective. With all my heart I pray you’ll be encouraged, inspired, and blessed as you read. You were not made for the harried lifestyle to which most have become accustomed. You were made for greater things. Tell yourself so every single day.

Bless the day, my friend.

Susie Larson


      

A Quick Book Update

Alone in Marriage: Encouragement for the Times When it’s all up to You, published by Moody Publishers is receiving great reviews.  Click here to hear a greeting from me regarding my new book.


Great Reviews:

          Thanks for the copy of your latest book. My wife and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I am about 80% finished and I am impressed with your gift of communication and the depth of your insights. I am sure we will be recommending your book to women as we meet with them and they are going through the season you so aptly describe. Keep up the good work.

–         Larry Ballard, International Director of YWAM  Family Ministries

      I've shared you book "Alone in Marriage" with a few friends and WOW has God being doing a great work as a  result....I've been renewed in His Sprit and on fire again for Christ, I've had dreams and have shared them with the people God wants me too and you would not believe the incredible blessing as a results of it. A particular Sister in The Lord is going thru a very difficult season in her marriage and I've been able to encourage her as well as her husband in the promises of God...Thank you so much for all your words of encouragement and your obedience to Gods calling for in your life...

--Audrey, California

 I just received 6 copies of your recent book, "Alone In Marriage."  Our family moved to Germany 2 months ago and because of my husband's job in the military I am hoping to use this book as a catalyst for reaching out to women whose husband's are deployed.  My prayer is that I can start a small group and we'll study the book together and support one another. I always find so much encouragement in your words, Susie.  Thank you for using your gifts and talents to build up and bless so many!

       --Sharon, Germany

 The following is an Amazon review…

 This book was such a gift and blessing to my spirit. I appreciate the fact that Mrs. Larson didn't "bad mouth" husbands or put the blame on them, but rather emphasized the fact that GOD can work miraculously even in the most one-sided situations. She reminds us that we all have our flaws and that the canvas of marriage is an excellent place for GOD to create HIS masterpiece. She offers many spiritually practical ways of working through the anxiety, fear, and anger that understandably surface during these times, and she also provides numerous examples of how GOD works through even the most difficult circumstances.

               I was doubly blessed to find that many of her suggestions and insight have spilled over into other areas of my life that aren't marriage related. I highly recommend this book to my married friends and also my single friends who are waiting for their mates. I truly believe that the more biblically based information we receive the better prepared we are to face the battles ahead. (Thank you for sharing such a great gift!)

 If you know of anyone who would benefit from this book, please direct them to their local Christian bookstore, to Amazon.com, or to my website. Thank you, and God bless you!

 Click on this link to hear a greeting from me regarding my new book: http://www.susielarson.com/aloneinmarriage.html

 Click on this link to view my book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cnTk-LpO7Y

 

Book Postcards and Promotion:

Would you help me promote my new book?   My publisher designed a beautiful postcard with my book cover on the front and the book description and bio on the back.  If you would be willing to hand out a stack of my postcards to women who could use my book, I will put your name in a drawing for a $50.00 gift certificate to Amazon.com.   If you’re interested, just email me at info@susielarson.com and let me know how many postcards you need and where I should send them.

Book Giveaway:

If you know of any book club or Bible Study group who wants to use Alone in Marriage for their book study, please let me know and I’ll send a complimentary copy of the book to the group leader and I’ll call in some time during the course of their study.

Thanks so much for helping me get this new release off to a great start!

 

     
 

 Ministry Updates

Radio Interviews:

WRMB – Boyton Beach, Florida (check station for air date)

WWJC – Duluth, Minnesota (10/12/07 – 10:35 CST)

WMBI – Chicago, Illinois (10/17/07 – 10:05 CST)

MBN Midday Connection – Chicago, Illinois (Noon CST – 1 hour)

KBJS – Jacksonville, Texas (10/24/07 – 7:35 CST)

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

 

     

Great Tips for Balance, Peace, and Perspective

In his wonderful book, Margin, Dr. Richard Swenson wrote this, “In an age of strife and unrest, when our bodies are weary and our spirits are frenzied, ‘Don’t worry, be happy’ will not rescue us. I prefer Corrie Ten Boom’s ‘Don’t wrestle, just nestle.’ Even when I feel inferior, even when I have been victimized, even when the pace and pressures of life bring me to the point of collapse, Christ brings me to His rest. When my surrender is completed and His yoke is accepted, then my soul will find rest. And it is imperative, in such an age as ours, that we rest spiritually.” (p. 234)

And this is from my own book, Balance That Works When Life Doesn’t: “It really is a matter of belief. Will God come through for me if I put more on His shoulders than I put on my own? There is a certain feeling that if we don’t worry about everything, we’ll get lackadaisical and everything will fall apart. On the contrary, the kind of rest we are called to has a focus and a purpose to it. When we are living in the shelter of the Most High, we will have a front row seat to see with our spiritual eyes and hear with our spiritual ears what God is doing in the world, in the hearts of our loved ones, and in our own lives. We are far more effective living close to the Source with a heart at rest than we are running a thousand directions amid the clamor of the world.” (p. 213)

So just how do we get to a place of rest and peace when the season asks more from us than we were meant to give?

Try this:

~Start your day with prayer and time in the Word. My pastor often says to himself, “No Bible, no breakfast!” Each morning, take a few deep breaths and exhale slowly. Remind yourself that God has given you enough time today to do everything He has called you to do.

~Watch your speech. The more you rehearse your crazy, impossible schedule, the more stressed you’ll feel. Begin declaring the promises of God over your life. Say things like this: In Jesus’ Name I declare that I am above, not beneath my circumstances! I operate out of abundance and overflow because I belong to Him. God has given me all grace to abound in every good work. I lack nothing!

~Write down three major priorities that you want to uphold during the months of October, November, and December. Before saying ‘yes’ to anything, measure it against your priorities. Determine to walk through the next three months keeping the main thing, the main thing.

~Get some exercise. I sound like a broken record but the fact remains: you were made to move. Make a commitment to exercise at least twice a week from now until the end of the year (you won’t be sorry!).

~Go on a “noise fast.” Over the next three months, take a little time each day with no T.V., no computer screens, and no cell phones. Play some instrumental music or enjoy the peace and quiet.

~Pace yourself. Not to sound like Scrooge, but don’t say yes to every holiday party invitation (especially if one of your priorities is sipping cider by the tree, or watching Christmas movies with the kids, or visiting the folks). Determine how many parties you can handle, and cross out the other dates and leave them open for rest, relaxation, or some old-fashioned spontaneous fun.

     

Great Books for a Deeper Life:

The Glory of Christmas: Inspirational Writings from…Charles Swindoll, Max Lucado, and Charles Colson (Published by Word Publishing, ISBN #0-8499-5273-5)

 This is one of my favorite Christmas books and I’m telling you about it now so you’ll have time to pick it up and enjoy it throughout the holiday season.

 Here’s an excerpt:

        “A small cathedral outside Bethlehem marks the supposed birthplace of Jesus. Behind a high altar in the church is a cave, a little cavern lit by silver lamps. You can enter the main edifice and admire the ancient church. You can also enter the quiet cave where a star embedded in the floor recognizes the birth of a King. There is one stipulation, however. You have to stoop. The door is so low you can’t go in standing up.

           The same is true of Christ. You can see the world standing tall, but to witness the Savior, you have to get on your knees.” –Max Lucado (p. 143)

The Fisherman 
by Larry Huntsperger
(Published by Revell, ISBN #0-8007-5844-7) 
I have to be honest, I am only part way through this book, but I absolutely love it! This historical fiction brings the disciple Peter to life. I find myself smiling as I read. One day I realized I had my hand on my heart as I read about Peter’s perspective of Jesus. It made me love Him more.

 Here’s an excerpt:

        “I sometimes think the greatest gift the Master ever gave me was his permission to be myself. It was a gift he gave me most of all through all the things I never heard him say. I look back over an endless stream of stupid things I said and did during the months I spent with him. Yet not once did I ever hear him say, ‘Peter, you’re such a fool!’ or ‘Peter, you blew it again!’ or ‘Peter, just once would you try thinking before you speak!’ or ‘Peter, I’ve had it with your endless egotistical stupidity – get out of here!’

        Amazingly, he seemed well content to have me forever blundering along at his side, knowing the only thing that would transform my life was the discovery that even my worst failures would never separate me from my Master’s love.” (p. 28)

 

     


Great Quotes to Nourish Your Soul

With each new dawn, life delivers a package to your front door, rings the doorbell, and runs.

                             -- Chuck Swindoll

 Wherever God has put you, that is your vocation. It is not what we do but how much love we put into it.

                              -- Mother Teresa

 

     

 

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

Precious Lord Jesus,

You are my Prince of Peace. Help me not to race through this busy season and miss You. Guide me to those places of rest and peace that I might gain a true perspective. Every day You’re speaking; every day You’re providing what I need. Help me to look up, open my hands, and receive what You so lovingly want to give. I refuse the rat race when You have made me for something better. Lord, may this holiday season – may my life, be marked by profound peace and a fresh perspective because I belong to You.

 You are all that I need. I love You, Jesus. Amen

 

      

I hope you enjoyed my Ezine. The next edition will be out in January, 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

You are receiving this eZine because you shared your email address with author and speaker Susie Larson. If you prefer not to receive future issues, please unsubscribe by sending a blank email with "unsubscribe" in the subject line to susielarson@pcpublications.org. We will never share your email address with anyone - ever.