Author: Susan Panzica

Splendor in the Ordinary

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Last night, some friends and I attended a minor league baseball game.
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Parking Fee: $2.00
Entrance Fee: $7.00
Piece of Americana: Priceless

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It was so much fun watching and participating in this all-American sport – being at this small venue, rooting for the home team, eating hot dogs (my son, not me!), seeing the local advertisers. And after the game – a terrific fireworks display.
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I noticed that during the fireworks, the ground crew was busy on the field, in the dark, cleaning up the infield, going about their business, paying no attention whatsoever to the splendor above them.
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And I wondered…
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How often do I go about my business, running errands, cleaning up my home, and fail to notice the spendor all around me?
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How often do I miss the plants, green all summer, that burst into bloom now in the fall? The photos of my loved ones on the windowsill that might need dusting, but really need a prayer today? The sun behind the clouds providing warmth and light? The stars and moon illuminating the night sky like jewels on velvet?
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How often to I take for granted my abilities just to do my ordinary tasks? To be thankful for limbs that work, eyes that see, ears that hear? To appreciate my voice that can’t sing a note on key, but can be heard by my children, sharing words of encouragement? To be grateful for the heart that pumps without my notice, the lungs that breathe in comingled air – take in needed oxygen – and expel the rest, the tiny circulating white blood cell soldiers combating infection, all without my notice?
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How often do I grumble rather than thank my Provider for my home that needs work? my clutter that represents memories of sweet days gone by? my other clutter demanding my attention which, in time, I am able to provide?
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Do I resent the intrusion of cell phones that keeps my kids fingers texting at the dinner table or do I thank the Lord for technology that allows me to keep in touch with them in their language while they are away at college? that even took the picture above capturing my moment of inspiration?
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Sharing this with my husband, he said, “The crew sees the fireworks every night. They just wanna go home.” And that is true enough. But there is splendor in our every day experiences that we miss because they become ordinary to us.
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Today, I encourage you to take notice of God’s presence in the ordinary. Your day will not be the same!
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Be thankful in all circumstances,
for this is God’s will for you
who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thess.5:18


Susan

To Provoke or Not To Provoke

Posted on by Susan Panzica

At a recent conference I attended, David LeCompte stood before the audience, showing photos of Christians in Arab strongholds in Iran, Iraq and the West Bank city of Ramalla. I understood the bravery of these Christians going against the fierce tide of Muslim society. I recognized the need to share the love of Christ with those descendents of Abraham. But I also had a uneasy feeling, particularly when it came to the Palestinians in Ramalla. As he shared his experiences with these people, I recalled the many negative emails I’ve received and news stories I read about them.
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As a Jewish believer, I realized my perspective is biased, harboring resentment toward those who seek to destroy my people. The Israeli Prime Minister said “If the Palestinians put down their weapons, there will be peace. If the Israelis put down their weapons, there will be no Israel.” Israelis don’t strap bombs to their children and send them off to crowded markets. They don’t destroy property and the environment. They live in the 21st century, not as if they were still in ancient times. I could list off many reasons to harbor ill will toward them. But David LeCompte encouraged me to love them as Jesus did, dying for each one of them as He did for me.
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After the session, I had hoped to express to him how difficult this is for a Jewish person. No sooner did this thought cross my mind than he walked out of the building right in front of me, and I had the chance to share my concern. He understood perfectly and prayed with me. He said that as he spreads his message of love for the Arab people, he encounters resistance from many Christians, supporters of Israel. Then he said, “I guess I am a provoker.”
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I’ve thought a lot since then about being a provoker.
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The dictionary defines provoking as:
1. to anger, enrage, exasperate, or vex
2. to stir up, arouse, or call forth
3. to incite or provide the needed stimulus for action
4. to give rise to, induce, or bring about
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By this definition, provoking can be good or bad. It depends on who’s getting “vexed” or the action that is stimulated. To me, the word “provoke” always had a negative connotation. But looking at this list, I see that Jesus was a provoker in every category. He angered the religious leaders of the day, pointing out their folly. He aroused the crowds and called forth disciples. He stimulated people to action, leaving home and families to follow Him. He brought about a transformation that changed the course of history.
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After researching this in the Word, I compiled a few do’s and don’ts regarding provoking:

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1. Don’t provoke the Lord to jealousy. The Israelites did this repeatedly in the Old Testament, following after kings and other gods, losing sight of the One who deserved their love and full attention. Paul asked the believers, “Do you dare to provoke the Lord’s jealousy as Israel did? Do you think you are stronger than He is?” 1 Cor. 10:22

2. Don’t provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Eph. 6:4) lest they be discouraged (Col. 3:21)

3. DO provoke one another to love and good works! (Heb. 10:24) The NLT translates this verse: “Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds.” I love that – outbursts of love!

So, let’s start provoking! Let us stir up love, encourage good works, speak up for those who cannot. What can 1 person do? Start with your family. Provoke those around you to love and good works. Start a transformation that can change the course of history !
Susan

A Desperate Day – A Glorious Day

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Sept 1st.
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I set the date weeks ago.
The day both kids are off at college.
The day I will become organized, disciplined, focused.
The day I will start my healthy regimen of both diet and exercise.
The day I will block out a schedule for Tuesdays and Thursdays
(the days I don’t work from 8 am to 8 pm).
The day I set with Cheri, my accountability partner.
The day I woke up on my own at 6 am, eager to get started!
The day I went back to sleep, woke up at 7 am, went back to sleep and finally crawled out of bed at 8 am. Ugh!
The day I decided to go for a long brisk walk with my dog, but stopped to load some new Travis Cottrell worship cd’s onto my ipod first. Oh boy!
The day I stopped by the computer to check my email before I picked up my Bible to check in with the Lord. Uh-oh!
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Just yesterday I wrote about Christians who rarely read the Bible settling for just an experiential relationship with the Lord. I knew when I wrote it that I was the “chiefest of sinners” in this matter, and that I was speaking to myself as much as anyone else, yet here I was the very next day doing the same old bad habits.
I want to do what is right, but I can’t.
I want to do what is good, but I don’t.
I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.
Oh, what a miserable person I am!
Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin…?
Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 7:18-19, 24-25 NLT
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I saw in my email that Cheri was organizing, exercising, being accountable.
Like I was supposed to be.
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I had a choice.
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I could say, “Today is lost already. I’ll just start Thursday instead.”
Or I could say, “Okay, you lost a few hours, but get moving now!”
I chose the second.
And my day went from desperate to glorious.
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As Roxie and I set out, the day was perfect. When I entered the neighborhood arboretum where I walk, I turned to the left instead of my normal route to the right and witnessed some beautiful new sights along the way as I worshipped the Lord with my new tunes!
A new gazebo was being installed.
A rainbow shimmered in the spray of the fountain.
A family of ducks gently skimmed their way across the pond.
A new bench was under the trees near a grove of 8 foot tall magnificent plants I never saw before.
My 20 minute excursion lasted almost an hour.
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At the beginning of our walk, Roxie rubbed her face on the ground because of the Gentle Leader around her nose (see her feelings about that here.) After a warning from me, she continued to walk ahead of me, but would often turn around to check to see if she was on the right track.
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After the Lord so gently chided me, I plan to keep checking with Him to make sure I’m on the right track!
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So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
And because you belong to Him,
the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin.
Romans 8:1-2
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My accountability email from Cheri ended with these words, “There are obvious blessings in this day……….and some not so easily recognized! I hope He makes you aware of all of them!!!!”
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I’m thanking God that so far He made me aware of many of them, and I’m anticipating more to come!
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If you would like to join me in my quest for discipline, please let me know. You can comment on the blog or privately send me an email. We can be accountability partners through the miracle of the internet! Let us encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today… Heb. 3:13


the new gazebo . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the rainbow in the spray

the new bench by the grove

Susan

By Person AND By Letter

Posted on by Susan Panzica

With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter. 2 Thess. 2:15 NLT
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Preparing for my Sunday School class last week, this Scripture verse caught my attention. We have been studying the letters Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica, a church born in the midst of struggle. In his 2nd letter, Paul corrected their errors and encouraged them again to stand firm in the face of persecution. He urged them to “keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter.” The Thessalonians heard from Paul both in person and by letter.
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Likewise, we need to hear from God both in person and by letter.

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Supernaturally, by the Holy Spirit, we can experience the presence of God. We sense His leading. We feel His peace. We are strengthened by His power. We can hear from God in person.
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We also hear from God through the Bible, His love letter to us, His children. The words in the Word are “living and active.” They are not merely ink on a page. They speak directly to our hearts in miraculous ways.
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The danger is when our relationship with God is one OR the other.

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I know some Christians who have an entirely experiential relationship with God. They rarely read the Bible. They don’t ever memorize Scripture. They attend Christian functions, listen to Christian radio and music, shoot off prayer requests, even serve in ministry. But they depend upon experiences alone to hear from God. Maybe a word from the pulpit or from another Christian hits a nerve. But without reading the Bible on their own, they are like a boat without an anchor. They drift along from experience to experience without any foundation. In the book of Acts, Luke tells us that he Beareans were considered more noble than those in Thessalonica because after they heard the word from Paul, they searched the Scriptures to see if what Paul was saying was true. Likewise, we must partake of our spiritual food (milk as babes, then meat) to grow into mature Christians. When we speak we use words, when God speaks, He uses His Word.
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I know other Christians who are scholars in the Word. They can cite verse and address and put myself to shame. But the danger here is that it is just head knowledge. An old tract was titled, “Missing Heaven By 18 Inches” because 18 inches is the distance between our head and our heart. We can store up much information in our brains, but if we lack love, we are just a resounding gong and will be lacking the other fruits of the Spirit – joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
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Today, would you join me and let’s examine ourselves?
Let us always seek to hear from God both in person and by letter!
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Susan

Cash for Clunkers!

Posted on by Susan Panzica

I have been hearing a lot about this new government stimulus program. My friend, Donna, was telling me about the new van she got. She drove her old one to the dealership, and it died right there in the lot! She drove out with a beautiful new, totally decked out model – thanks to Cash for Clunkers.

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Every time I hear that phrase, I just can’t help but think about God’s plan that changed clunky old me into something of value.
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To the woman caught in adultery, Jesus said, “Where are your accusers? Neither do I condemn you.” He gave the blind man sight, made the lame to walk, healed the leper and raised men, women & children from the dead. Those He touched would never be the same. I may not have been blind, lame, diseased, or dead physically, but spiritually and emotionally, I was all those things. His touch on my life provided healing, freedom, peace, hope and joy, and I will never be the same.
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Like Donna’s old van, I was dead, had nothing more to give. And like her new van, I am decked out! Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” He has made my life full, not so much with worldly riches, but with the peace that passes understanding, with His love that endures forever, with abundant grace, with truth that set me free. He bound up the brokenhearted, and set the captives free.
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Do I ever have clunky days? Moments when I’m sure I failed? Times when I feel unlovable? Absolutely, I do. But I also have God’s Word that reassures me of the truth. I have His presence near me and in me confirming His truth to me. And what He did for clunky old me, He will surely do for you!
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What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you’ll have it all—life healed and whole. 1 Peter 1:3-4 The Message
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Susan

Here’s the video from yesterday!

Posted on by Susan Panzica

For my sweet subscribers, I understand that for many of you yesterday’s YouTube video didn’t arrive in the email. If that happens, you can always just head over to the blog itself. It’s http://www.eternitycafe.blogspot.com/. Just a reminder that this video relates to my husband’s choice words of Scripture that I shared with you yesterday.

Here’s the link to the video, called Solomon’s Beloved:

If it doesn’t link to YouTube when you click, just copy & paste the link into your browser bar. Enjoy!


I just want to add – this video is of author Vonda Skelton who I met at the Philadelphia Writers Conference. She is an awesome speaker and writer. And since I couldn’t attend her workshop (I chose the new writers session), I had a 15 minute meeting with her. She was as helpful and encouraging as she could be. Her most recent book is: Seeing Through the Lies: Unmasking the Myths Women Believe.

Susan

True Beauty!

Posted on by Susan Panzica

23 years ago, when my husband and I were dating, he decided to share some scripture with me. Such a darling! As we sat side-by-side, his hand stroking my hair, he said, “Your hair is like goat’s hair.” Yup, that’s my guy! He went on to declare that my nose was like the “tower of Lebanon.” So romantic!! We’ve joked about that to this day!

Wasn’t I suprised to come across this hysterical video. Enjoy!!

That’s true beauty!

Susan

God’s Eye View

Posted on by Susan Panzica
As the plane began its descent, I spotted a familiar circular building, a hotel on NJ’s Route 80. Knowing it was near my home, I scanned the landscape for other familiar landmarks. There’s the Garden State Plaza, Ikea and my house! Continuing to focus out the window, I spotted Route 46, Teterboro Airport with its tiny white planes scattered on the tarmac, two Giant Stadiums side-by-side next to the watery Meadowlands landscape. I spotted Lady Liberty, gracefully welcoming visitors amid the busyness of New York City and Port Newark.
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As we neared Newark Airport, I spied stacks of brightly colored containers that looked like a Crayola box, but were in fact huge trailers. There were boats in the port unloading their container cargo, trains racing, planes taxiing, and cars, trucks & buses speeding along the roadways. This birds-eye view enabled me to see a wide spectrum of activity so familiar to me, yet never seen all at once. Since I am usually on the ground amid all this activity, I can never see what is beyond my sight distance. I don’t know that around the bend may be a dangerous accident or that there is a fire burning a few miles away. I am limited in my vision because I am on the ground. But up here in the sky, I can see the bigger picture.
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Hmmm, maybe that’s why I can trust that God knows more than me! I can only see with limited vision, but He can see the big picture. He knows my past, my present and my future. My own memory of my past is colored by various emotions. My present may be pretty clear at the moment. But my future is a complete unknown. And I can only discern that which is in my immediate vicinity. But God can see it all. He knows when I stand and when I sit (Ps 139:2). He knows when you stand and sit. He knows when his child on the other side of the world stands and sits. He knows who I will meet tomorrow. Is there anything He doesn’t know? I don’t know! But He does!
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So our challenge is to fully put our trust in a God who fully deserves it. When we totally grasp that He is not limited as we are, we are able to release what we hold onto and leave it in His capable arms.
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Broken Dreams
By: Author Unknown
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As children bring their broken toys
With tears for us to mend,
I brought my broken dreams to God
Because He was my friend.
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But then instead of leaving Him
In peace to work alone,
I hung around and tried to help
With ways that were my own.
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At last I snatched them back and cried,
“How could you be so slow”
“My child,” He said, “What could I do?
You never did let go.”
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Will you let go to the God who sees it all ?

Susan

The Last Update!

Posted on by Susan Panzica

So much to say, so little time!
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I’m back from my 2 conferences and my special 3 days in between with my family at the Jersey shore. It’s been a whirlwind, but a good one. I learned so much and met so many, that it’s hard to keep it all straight in my brain.
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Things I’m grateful for:
– the invitation to be part of the VA posse – Kelly, Sonya and Laurie (girls just need a group, don’t they? And this group welcomed me & was so sweet, funny and encouraging.)
– hearing encouraging words from editors, even the agent who gave excellent constructive criticism that I took to heart, prayed with me & directed me to devotion publishers
– Marlene, the conference director, who spoke to the Father as she spoke to us – He & we were her audience
– faithful men & women of God who are farther along in their journey taking the time and effort to mentor those who are less accomplished. This echoes my desire for ministry (my blog, speaking & writing) – may I be one beggar showing another beggar where the bread is.
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I’m so grateful to you all for your prayers, and I have some good news. But you’ll have to keep prayin’! There were 4 publishers who expressed interest in my book. So now I have much work to do. I need to keep writing it (duh!), plus I need to do a lot of followup work and some platform-building work, such as writing devotions and doing more speaking engagements. It’s exciting stuff, but a little terrifying too!
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Thank you to those who responded to be part of my prayer circle. Your support means more than I can say. And if anyone else would care to join this prayer circle, please let me know. I’d love to have you come on board.
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Resting in: He who began a good work will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil 1:6

Susan

Susan

News from Susan

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Dear friends,
I interrupt my summer reruns & hiatus from posting to share with you a brief update on how the conference last weekend went and what’s coming up.
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On the way to Charlotte, I was delayed an hour in Newark airport. What else is new? (or as Grandma used to say – “So, vat elz iz noo?”) Then 20 minutes into the flight, the pilot announced that we were returning to Newark airport because of trouble with the landing gear. So eager was I to get to Charlotte, my first thought was “Why are we turning back? We could crash land in Charlotte as easily as we could crash land in Newark!” Have you ever been so eager to get somewhere or do something that rational thought completely escapes you? Anyway, turn back, we did, and as we approached landing, the flight attendant warned, “Please fasten your seat belts tightly.” Tightly? Did she really say “tightly?” Would a tight seatbelt really make a difference in this situation?

We had to deplane (btw-is deplane really a word??) and wait for a new plane. My husband (through texting) wisely suggested I write while I wait. Here’s my divine inspiration: “They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength… Obviously, Isaiah never waited in Newark airport.” Now, that’s good writing!

Once there, I missed my connection to the hotel, but was able to meet up with my new friend, Karen (another woefully delayed sister thanks to Continental Airlines), and we had a beautiful time of fellowship on the way. God can always redeem a mess!

There is much to tell, but I’ll just summarize briefly, then share what made the greatest impact on me.

– On the first day, two editors took my book proposal for review. One wants to consider reworking the project for a teen audience. This is very exciting for me since I already had a vision for developing it for teens in the future. Who needs to learn about true identity more than teens? Shortly after this meeting, I was introduced to Shannon, a beautiful young author, who has written 10 books for teen girls, offering me help to tailor my message in the language that teen girls can receive. You can find her at www.beingagirlbooks.com

Then, on the last morning of the conference, I met a friend from last year’s conference, and I may have the opportunity to write devotions for a new ministry focused on young women ages 18-29, possibly in conjunction with my 20 year old daughter (who is thrilled about this possibility!) See a pattern developing here? Thank you Lord.
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– Then, on the second day, based on a 1 sentence description of my book, an editor said that I need to do more research – there may too much competition on this topic out there. Well, that was all I needed to hear to send my spirits to the basement. I have researched the competition and found very little that speaks the message the way I do, but frankly, it occurred to me how much easier it would be for me to acknowledge that the need is already met and give up writing for publication. I took a step heading down the slippery slope of despair. How quickly the joy of yesterday melted under the disappointment of today.

– Later that evening, Lisa (my dinner table-mate), shared what her book-to-be about. She could have been describing my book word for word, but with a different, excellent format. She seemed so much more confident and wise, younger and more beautiful, and definitely more spiritual than me. Okay, guess I should just hang it up. I’m heading into the empty nest stage, I would love more time to relax and enjoy my time with my husband.

Our speaker that evening was Jennifer Rothschild. If you want a blessing, you can read about her here http://www.jenniferrothschild.com/. After hearing her, the only thing I could think of was: It’s not about me. It’s about Him. Nothing else.

Lisa and I had the most wonderful conversation after the message. She had experienced exactly the same feelings I had! We laughed, we cried, we prayed, we hugged. It’s not about either of us! It is about HIM empowering women to know who they are because it’s who God says they are and to equip them to live with strength and do what He’s called them to do. And whoever writes this book, and publishes it, and gets the message out there is who God wants to. And in the end, we know that each of us will be equally happy if either of our books is published. Because it’s not about us. It’s about Him and His message.
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– Now I have to edit my proposal to reflect what I’ve just learned, so I can present a better version this weekend in Philadelphia. One thing that I was encouraged to do is to develop a prayer circle. If this work is to go forward, the enemy is sure to come against it. If you would consider being a part of a prayer team with me, please comment or email me. I will keep you posted every 2 weeks (or as needed!).
[and JoEllen – I did get your message but need your email address to respond!]
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So ladies, that’s it for now! Please keep this weekend (Aug 6-8) in prayer as I attend the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference. I so appreciate all of you!!

Susan