This will be another first for us without Daddy. The holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries leave a yearning in my heart. I wish that he could be with us just the way he used to, but I know the joy that he is experiencing in heaven is better than any celebration we can ever imagine this side of heaven! And that my sweet friends, brings me so much peace!
Speaking of peace, my darlin' friend Elaine at Peace for the Journey has sent me her new book to share with you on my blog! I hold in my little 'ol hands a copy of this amazing book that I am going to soon place in the hands of one of you all, my bloggy friends! I LOVE give-aways, and am so excited to share this one with y'all.
Here's what I want you to do. First, leave me a comment as to what truly gives you peace in your life. Then, hop over to Elaine's blog and share that with her as well. I am really looking forward to reading your comments as I know others are too. Y'all, Elaine has poured her heart into this book. I read just a bit of it in carpool line yesterday....my quietest time of the day! No interruptions! I love those precious times. It was just me, the book, and God in my mini van in the quiet before the last bell rang. As I read, God tugged on my heart strings. The tears welled up in my eyes, and I searched for the box of kleenex (which was stuck in the very back of the van!)
This is one of those books that I will read and reread. I will ponder and pray and search my Bible for Scripture that Elaine has referenced. This is a book that will encourage you. This is a book that will bless you. This is a book that I want to share with you. I will let you know who will get this wonderful book on Friday, May 14. I cannot wait to hear your comments!
The winner of Elaine's book is Three Blessings!!! If you will email me at scrunnermom@gmail.com with your address, I will get your book in the mail to you ASAP! Thanks to you all for your wonderful comments. Hugs!
Sweet Blessings,
24 comments:
Happy Mother's Day Susan!
I am so excited for Elaine.
I went to a local Christian bookstore this morning. I asked if they had the latest new release of Elaine Olsen called "Peace for the Journey". He looked it up and said they would need to order it. I said YES YOU DO!
Abiding in Christ brings me peace!
Hugs,
Debbie
Thanks Debbie; thanks Susan. Thanks to all my blogging friends who have brought me to my knees on several occasions throughout the course of the last week. I've wanted to write my thanks at the blog, but felt I needed to give the current post a week's worth of staging... in many ways it is a birth of something (as Sassy Granny has so aptly put things). It took a year to write, a year to publish, and now that it's arrived, I'm not sure what to do with all of the emotions stirring in my heart.
It kind of freaks me out thinking about someone actually holding my book in their hands, for you see, I am certain there are things I wish I'd done differently, words I wish I'd written better, editing I wish I'd done closer... thinking sometimes, it's not good enough. That's where the doubt has come for me in these past couple of days.
I know it's foolish, but with every new and changing endeavor we undertake for the kingdom, there's always a corresponding desire that we give God our best... that we get it right... that it's everything he intends for it to be.
Where's my peace tonight? What brings me peace? Peace is where He's always been, what He's always been...
Right here beside me, reminding me that even in the questions I can rest in his love and know that the results of my penned obedience now belong to Him to take it where he desires and as he will.
God keep us faithful to our giftings and our obedience therein. There is nothing that honors your heart more, Lord. How I long to always be found faithful with the big and small parts of my day. Amen.
Thanks for listening to my heart tonight, friend. This endeavor wouldn't have been half as meaningful to me without you alongside to offer your giftings.
I love you.
peace~elaine
I am soo jealous that you have that book and I. Do not.
So let's see, what gives me peace? A biggie for me is looking up at the night sky when I am all alone outside. I don't know, it just makes me feel closer to HIm.
Okay, now I'm going over to tell Elaine.
Thanks, Susan. I will get my hands on this book one way or another. Can't wait to see your pictures!
Happy Mother's Day, Susan! Enjoy your dinner tonight!
He Himself is our peace! Congratulations to Elaine on her book!
For He Himself is our peace...
Eph. 2:14
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.
1 Thess. :23
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
2 Thess. 3:16
True, lasting peace comes from God... it surpasses all our understanding and can transform any circumstance we go through. It guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus!(Phil. 4:7)
True peace is a promise from God that if we rest in Him He will provide it.
And beyond that, He gives us the beautiful rush of a morning as the sun is rising, or the whispered awe when the sun is setting. The sounds of night coming alive as the moon and stars shine from above. All of those things bring a peace around me.
I pray you are having a fabulous Mothers Day! You deserve it, sister!
The book sounds so good, and I can't wait to see the shots you took!
Happy Mother's Day, Susan.
I think Phil 4:7-9 reveal how the "peace of God" and the "God of peace" are bookends surrounding my thought life. When I divert my thoughts from the downward spiral of despair to the upward ascent of thinking "on these things," I sense peace in His presence.
Congratulations to both you and Elaine. Looking forward to her words and your pictures.
Susan
Hi Susan, I plan to get the book either way, so you don't have to include me in the drawing. I hope to place my order today!
But I'll answer the question all the same. What brings me peace? It really is what Elaine says. This Truth that Peace isn't a feeling or an experience or a set of circumstances or a vacation. Peace is a Person.
I find Peace, by growing closer to Him every single day.
Thanks, Susan, for highlighting Elaine's book today!
Susan,
I, too, join in your celebration of Elaine's book!!!!! I can't wait to get my copy and dig into it.
What gives me peace? Definitely being in God's creation. Dan and I are going backpacking in the Grand Canyon on Friday (another story) and we've been doing training hikes at a small mountain nearby. The view from the top of the surrounding countryside, the verdant farmland, the river in the distance, the birds soaring overhead fill me with a tremendous sense of peace.
Blessings, my friend,
Kelli
I'm wayyyy behind on my blog hopping! Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day.
What gives me peace? My JESUS. :-)
The only peace I have is that "Peace, peace....wonderful peace...coming down from the Father above!"
So excited about Elaine's new book! I know God is going to use her greatly through this!
Marilyn...in Mississippi
Susan,
Peace...is the one thing that I was looking for when I found Jesus.
I've ordered my own copy as of last week, but if I should win, I have a friend in mind that I would like to have you send it to. ;-)
Lovingly,
Yolanda
Peace. I lived in unrest and anxiety all my life. A few weeks before I turned 30 I trusted and believed in Jesus. I thought that would bring peace to my life but it didn't. I knew that because of Jesus that I was at peace with God but to know it deep in my inner self, no, I knew no peace. It was like that for 8 and a half years.
But God!
A year and a half ago, God began to do a great work in me. To sum it up I came to the end of my SELF and there was JESUS. I began to know deep within my spirit Who Jesus is and who I am because of Him! HE anointed and taught me (1 John 2:27) His truths. He taught me that He IS Peace, He is Rest, He is Joy, He is Patience, He is Truth, He is Love. He Is the fruit of the Spirit. He is the Vine and I am the branch, apart from Him I can do nothing! It is His life that flows in and through me. And NOW, Peace. His continual presence and fellowship is my Peace. What a beautiful journey He and I are on!
Blessings!
Starla Ellison
Oh, what a great giveaway!
Peace. Well, I think peace of spirit comes when I have spent time with the Lord on a regular, consistent basis. A peaceful evening is everyone at home. A peaceful me-time is reading a great book in the hammock.
Thanks for sharing. I know there is only one source of true peace, and that is in Christ. There are times that the peace he gives has flooded me, and it is undescribable! I find joy in other relationships, and even comfort, but HE alone is the only one that can bring the PEACE that we all long for. Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day, and thanks again for sharing. Jackie
good morning Susan!
knowing that God has a plan... that He knows exactly what the future holds, the decisions we'll make, whether they are the 'right' decisions or not... he's got a plan for it all. That he can turn the ugliest mess into something beautiful. This is what gives me the greatest peace!
Thanks for visiting yesterday. Nice to meet you! :) -- Lou
What an honor and privelege to pray for your friend...thank you!
I've already ordered her book, but I wanted to drop by and say "hi." I haven't had time to read any of my friends' blogs lately, and I am praising Him to have a few minutes to do so...
Much love,
LauraLee
What gives me peace? I am at total peace and comfort when I am singing. My mama always told me to use my gift to reach out to others and that is what I am doing. I sing at churches, baptisms, confirmations, graduations...it is something I can do to touch others and it brings me peace.
I am so happy for her. What a wonderful blessing.
I would say the moments I receive complete peace is when I come to HIM and lay everything before. There are times when I try to gather everything back up from him before leaving, which never works and leaves me with everything back in my hands to juggle. Completely leaving it in HIS hands and walking alway knowing that whatever happens is his will. That gives me complete peace.
Hugs,
Amy
Susan:
What a great idea and question... I too, am so thrilled about Elaine's book... can't wait to read it.
Peace?? the only true and lasting peace is from Jesus... I know that for sure! I rob myself of peace when I am not abiding in Him.
Hugs!
Sonja
I think of you when I'm walking...really I do. I think about how I could just take off and run. I try...my side always hurts and has from when I was a child. It only hurts when I run...ugh. Does this ever happen to you? Maybe I need to just run through the pain and I will get use to it..maybe. Run for me ok...I will be the one in the back of the line walking and hollering "it's ok...go ahead without me" Ha! Have a great weekend my friend~ xoxox Susie
Hi, sweet Susan!
I am so glad you got to have a delicious meal with your mom and all your boys for Mother's Day! I'm so sorry about the ache of missing your father. I was just talking to my husband the other day about how I still after almost 16 years have days where my heart aches for him to be here with us. But you are so right...our daddies are in the best, best, best place!
One thing that brings this heart peace is knowing it is all going to be worth it...every trial, every struggle, every tear...when we see our Savior face to face, it will all be worth it!
Love and hugs,
Kimberly
P.S. The book sounds wonderful! Thanks for telling us about it and for sharing it! :)
Hi Susan! I just wanted to say hello and see how life is going for you. I'll never forget meeting you at She Speaks, you are just sweet. I'm sorry you have that pain of missing your Daddy, but I love how you respect his time with his Savior. What would we do if we didn't have Hope???? Oh I don't see how people grieve loved ones without the excitement of being able to see them again!
Sendig much love your way!!
Are you going to SS again this year? I can't this year, but hopefully next year Jesus will let me! :)
Love,
Lelia
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