It has been a serious challenge to remain in the joy of the Lord or even to maintain my focus on Him and His goodness during this time of toxic politics.
I was grieving over America recently and the Lord pointed something out that has helped me. He said: “I love America more than you do.”
That lifted a load off of my shoulders, because it helped me shift my focus away from beseeching the Lord to DO Something! ANYTHING! to asking Him to show me how I could help Him achieveHis goals for America.
I prayed like this: Lord? How can I help You achieve Your purposes for America?
The next morning the Lord spoke Psalm 46:10 to me, using King James language because that is how I had learned the verse many years ago. He said: “Be still, and know that I am God.”
I looked up Psalm 46:10 in the NAS and found it translated this way: “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.”
Being me, I checked out the Hebrew for the meaning of “cease striving” and found that it means to let go and relax.
Sometimes our greatest act of faith is to simply let go, relax and know that God is God.
The best way to contact me is by email at thepool@thepoolministries.org. If you would rather call, you must leave a message and I will call you back. I am happy to answer questions or schedule prayer ministry over the phone, but because of robo calls we do not answer the landline unless a call is scheduled.
That number is 205.556.4555, country code 01. Remember to leave a message.
If The Pool is a blessing to you, please consider blessing The Pool with your prayers and donations.
Sorry I have been so silent lately, at least on this medium of communication. There are lots of good things happening at The Pool. So much so that my attention has been given to those things and not to blogging. Soooo … what is up with us you ask?
First, I have been teaching a group via Zoom. You can find the course on YouTube. It is composed of ten lessons and is called Your Identity and the Heart. It makes an excellent accompaniment to The Quiet Heart: A Foundational Guide to Inner Healing and Deliverance. Please watch them in order because they build upon one another.
I am starting to write a new book titled A Believing Heart: How to Teach Your Heart to Believe. And I am teaching a course via Zoom called Hearing God. I will be videoing that course also for YouTube eventually. If you follow the ministry’s channel, you will get updates when a new video is posted.
On Tuesday, Sam starts a Zoom class on the symbols in Revelation. This class is mind-blowing. No one teaches Revelation in this thoroughly researched and encouraging way. If you struggle with Revelation, are afraid of it or know someone who is, shoot me an email letting me know that you want to be a part of this teaching. You will be sent the first lessons in a study guide and a Zoom link that lets you join. The ministry email is at the bottom of this.
Our Bible School is moving forward slowly as the building comes together. A Christian literacy ministry has offered us space, but the renovation on their building came to a halt during the worst of COVID-19. They are raising funds for a new HVAC system for the historic building that will eventually house their wonderful ministry.
Sam’s book My Birding Adventures with God makes a great Christmas gift. From funny to profound, these thought-provoking, real-life stories gently remind us that the Lord is with us in all things.
One thing, dear ones, to mediate on: The Lord Jesus does not want YOU to bear your sins. He asks if you will let Him bear them for you. Beating yourself up and living in regret doesn’t accomplish a thing.
Why does He want you to LET Him bear your sins for you? Because He knows our frame—that we are but dust (Psalm 103:14).
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21
God Bless!
Susan
The best way to contact me is by email at thepool@thepoolministries.org.
If you would rather call, you must leave a message and I will call you back. I am happy to answer questions or schedule prayer ministry over the phone, but because of robo calls we do not answer the landline.
That number is 205.556.4555, country code 01. Remember to leave a message.
If The Pool is a blessing to you, please consider blessing The Pool with your prayers and donations.
This morning I woke up to a text from my friend, Annica. Annica didn’t know that the Facebook posts I have boosted to the UK have received many violent and obscene curses from atheists living there.
(If you would like to see what I am writing about, go to The Pool Ministries’ Facebook page and scroll down to the post Judging Bites Back. I have been deleting the nastiest comments since then).
Because of this, I have been grieving over the UK, and—honestly—curses hurt. They are meant to hurt. But I put it all away, because what can I do?
The blessing she sent was a reminder from the Lord that He doesn’t put away my sorrows. He sees my tears and is concerned about my hurts. That it is personal with Him.
Your sorrows and joys are also very personal to Him.
I pray over you that the Lord will show you just how important you are to Him; that He will prove to you that He is with you and He is for you. That He cares about your children and your children’s children. That He is giving you hope and a future.
Please listen to the blessing Annica sent to me. I pray you are also blessed and encouraged.
Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:18
The best way to contact me is by email at thepool@thepoolministries.org.
If you would rather call, you must leave a message and I will call you back. I am happy to answer questions or schedule prayer ministry over the phone, but because of robo calls we do not answer the landline.
That number is 205.556.4555, country code 01. Remember to leave a message.
If The Pool is a blessing to you, please consider blessing The Pool with your prayers and donations.
My newest book, The Quiet Heart: A Foundational Guide to Inner Healing an Deliverance, is on sale as an eBook at Smashwords through May 31, 2020.
Here is what readers are saying about The Quiet Heart.
This book has been a life changer for me. It has opened my eyes to how God designed me and how sin has distorted that design. The book showed me how to get back on track spiritually through prayer, being in touch with my spirit, and the Holy Spirit. Having a quiet heart is priceless. Pamela
Even if you have been a Christian for years, The Quiet Heart reveals Biblical truths that you have most likely never heard from a pastor. If you are not a Christian, this book will lead you into an understanding of what can await you if you give your heart to Christ. This is not a book of opinion. Every point that the author makes is referenced to Scripture, book, chapter and verse. These Biblical truths are nothing new, but to most Christians they will be, because for various reasons it is rare to hear them preached or even talked about. The Quiet Heart will teach you how to have your spirit and soul work in harmony, and bring you closer to the Father as you walk with him. Joe
This book is wonderful. Because becoming a Christian doesn’t mean your life will automatically become perfect. We struggle – with circumstances, with God, and with ourselves. With our perceptions and thoughts. With cycles of behavior we don’t like, but can’t seem to shake. This book explains why and outlines steps you can take to break free from the cycle. And most importantly, it explains the ways that God communicates with you, so you can hear what He has for you when you ask the questions that weigh on your heart. Heather
This book has given me the knowledge and tools I need to help me be free from self-criticism. It also pointed out that the reason for wrong in the world is because of the fall, not because of me. James
Click the link below to purchase The Quiet Heart at a very low we-are-all-tired-of-being-quarantined sale price! (The sale price is only good at Smashwords).
Since the start of this Covid-19 quarantine, I’ve watched my fellow ministers post lots of relevant and encouraging responses to this situation. And I have wondered if I should write something relevant, encouraging and responsive. Then I’ve put a pillow over my head and tried to go back to sleep.
I have a case of the Quarantine Blues. Is my faith shaken by the virus and collapse of the economy? Not particularly. And let’s be honest. What can I speak into this mess that hasn’t been said? From end-of-the-world predictions to everything is going to be alright, it’s all being said.
But I do have some musings to share – honest and not very spiritualized – I admit it up front.
1. I’m bored. It is a confusing boredom because just a few days ago, my husband and I commented on how little we enjoyed leaving our home. Now that we are not supposed to leave our home (the same home that we enjoy so much), we are bored and can’t wait to escape.
2. I’m confused. Why is my small city with only 0 – 5 cases of Covid-19 in ICU with less than 20 in hospital totally shut down like we are NYC? Scratching my head.
3. I’m worried. Not so much about my family’s financial security, but about people like the owner of the small restaurant my son works at part-time. Over 50% of profit goes to salaries. All of his employees are out of work. Will my intellectually challenged son have a job when this is over? Will the restaurant go out of business? Do you have any idea how difficult it is to find safe and suitable employment for the intellectually challenged?
4. I’m scared. In my head I think the risk is very low given how my city does life. We are not packed together. Public transportation isn’t much of a thing here. But what if I’m wrong? What if we are all going to die a horrible death!!!!
Ok. Enough of that.
Yesterday, Jay (my son) and I were returning from a grocery run to a packed-out Winn Dixie which was out of steaks! Can you imagine? The meat people are out of steaks, but I digress. Jay kept asking and asking and asking when he is going back to work and _if_ he is going back to work.
I wasn’t having my best day. (See list above). So, I told him to please stop — just stop with the questions about this stupid virus. He fell silent, then he popped up with this: The Lord just said: “Fear not, for I am with you.”
Jay loves going to church on Sunday. He has friends there, the kindest of Christians who love and accept him, so he misses church deeply. To fill that void, he has asked us to read the Easter story together in the evenings. So this Holy Week, we have gathered as a family to worship, read the story and share communion. First time ever that Jay has been willing to participate in family worship.
And games! He is willing to play simple games with me. Because of his handicap, he has shied away from competitive games. Turns out he is a ruthless Uno player.
And there are things that I do not miss about our old way of life.
1. The pace. I realize this isn’t true for those who are essential workers (Who the heck isn’t essential? Someone has to pay the bills!) But I go to sleep at night and wake up in the morning without that anxious push to accomplish something. That’s nice. I needed a break without knowing I needed a break.
2. The traffic. My daughter moved from her condo into a house in the midst of this and needed our help. She lives in Atlanta where the traffic is terrifying. Not this trip. Nice and quiet.
3. The neighbors Disappearing into the work place, coming home and disappearing into our houses is the norm around here. But now my neighbors are working in their yards and taking walks. Jay and I enjoy waving and greeting these people as we wander around outside. It’s as if our neighborhood has been populated with humans for the first time.
Hey. I do have something spiritual to take away from this: I’m ready for Jesus to return. I’m not just saying I’m saved and thus ready to die. I’m saying that I have pondered the second coming, and I’m ready for God to wrap up this age of suffering.
I couldn’t say that before. There was always a smidgen of fear, a worry about my people, an attachment to this world that sounded an alarm whenever I considered the return of Christ. I can now say that I don’t feel that way anymore.
Sure. There is some fear of the unknown, but I’m ready whenever You are, Lord.
Maranatha! Come soon, sweet Jesus.
Hugs, Susan
Buy my book! And review it on Amazon or Smashwords! Reviews help so much.
Email the Pool at thepool@thepoolministries.org. If you would rather, you may call 205.556.4555 and leave a message. We are happy to answer questions or schedule prayer ministry, but because of robo calls, you must leave a message. We will call you back.
If The Pool is a blessing to you, please consider blessing The Pool with your prayers and donations.
The launch of my new book, The Quiet Heart: A Foundational Guide to Inner Healing and Deliverance, has bumped into roadblock after roadblock until I became very discouraged. Then … now … during this peculiar time when we are staying at home as much as possible, tiptoeing around each other in the grocery aisles and spending our nights wrestling with fear and uncertainty, it is ready to go.
I am in awe of God’s timing. Has there ever been a better time to address the issues lurking about in our hearts? Trust and abandonment issues. Hurts and unrelenting thoughts. Habits and bondages that we limp along with every day, but in these days feel overwhelming.
It is a good time to heal and move forward with God.
Just click on the link to my website and purchase The Quiet Heart. It is available in print and in all the digital formats including Kindle. A preview is available on Amazon and Smashwords. Links are provided on the website.
Read the book prayerfully and apply the strategic tools within its pages. Your heart, your soul, your spirit and your mind will thank you.
If you have questions or need prayer support, we are here and happy to answer your emails and arrange for telephone appointments.
Never before have we, as a community, needed a quiet heart.
Love from the Lord,
Susan
The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good … Luke 6:45
Email the Pool at thepool@thepoolministries.org. If you would rather, you may call 205.556.4555 and leave a message. We are happy to answer questions or schedule prayer ministry, but because of robo calls, you must leave a message. We will call you back.
A few days ago I woke up to the Lord advising me to change my approach to praying for truth and integrity in the media. Here is what He suggested. I believe that the more of us using this strategy, the better the results will be, so please join me.
First, let me establish that we, as His followers, have been ordered by Jesus to operate with and under His authority (Matthew 28:18-20). Confronting and removing demons is part of that authority (see Mark 3 and 6). In Revelation 5:10, we are named priests and kings who are to rule and reign with Him in the earth.
In Hebrews 1:14, angels are described as ministering spirits to the heirs of salvation: “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?”
Let’s go to the strategy.
The Lord showed me that much of the body of Christ—myself included—has interpreted Ephesians 2:2 to mean that the enemy owns the airways. This is NOT so! All of creation belongs to our Lord, including the atmosphere.
1. If you have simply accepted that the enemy owns the airways and media, then repent like this:
Father God, Creator of all things, forgive me and my ancestors for believing the lie that the enemy owns the airways and the media. You are the legal owner of all things because You created them and because our Lord Jesus Christ made right what was lost in the fall.
2. Next, as a priest and king, an heir of salvation operating under the authority of Christ, command the enemy:
Therefore, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I command all demonic entities to stop using the media as a mouthpiece. It is forbidden.
3. Now instruct your angels:
Angels, punish all demonic entities using the media as a mouthpiece until they obey my command.
4. Repeat as often as it comes to mind or until you get a release. It’s time to take back what belongs to the Kingdom of God.
This strategy is worth unleashing against the demonic forces inhabiting arts and entertainment. I think many of us have accepted that the arts belong to the devil. Let me be clear. NOTHING belongs to the devil.
Use the above strategy to recapture arts and entertainment as well as the media. Just change the language.
God bless you and email me if you want. I love hearing from you.
Susan
Please call 205.556.4555 and leave a message. We are happy to answer questions or schedule prayer ministry, but because of robo calls, we ask that you leave a message or schedule a call time by emailing thepool@thepoolministries.org. We will call you back.
If The Pool is a blessing to you, please consider blessing The Pool with your prayers and donations.
Please call 205.556.4555 and leave a message. We are happy to answer questions or schedule prayer ministry, but because of robo calls, we ask that you leave a message or schedule a call time by emailing thepool@thepoolministries.org. We will call you back.
If The Pool is a blessing to you, please consider blessing The Pool with your prayers and donations.
Yes! I do know that the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil most likely wasn’t an apple. Ok. We’ve got that out of the way.
Most discussion about the first sin centers on Eve being deceived by the devil. She told God that she was deceived and the New Testament records that she was deceived (Genesis 3:13 & 1 Timothy 2:14). And no. This is not about whether men are more important than women. Sheesh. This article is fraught with pitfalls. We will sidestep the pitfalls and forge ahead to my subject.
Which is—ta da—Adam’s sin which was the sin of going along to get along. A sin that I recently participated in myself. Here is what happened. A new friend offered me snacks that she had prepared just for me and that I didn’t want because I wasn’t hungry and have been on a pretty strict diet for years. BUT because I didn’t want to hurt her feelings, I ignored the “don’t do it” coming from both the Lord and my own spirit and I ate. Apples were not involved
From that time forward, I struggled with staying true to my diet. Eating spiraled out of control. Shame and the pounds piled on. What had happened? I had no clue, until I gave up on getting an answer directly from God and enlisted the support of my friends. Sometimes we need our friends.
And no. This article isn’t about overeating. Our relationship with food is exceedingly and extremely and extraordinarily defiled because it was involved in the first sin. You can recognize this because those who eat right are proud and those who don’t eat right are ashamed. Pride and Shame. So, let’s move away from that and back to Adam’s sin and my sin.
My friends and I prayed together at the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16) and the Lord showed us that when I had chosen to eat food that I didn’t want—knowing that it was wrong for me and knowing that God didn’t want me to—I stepped out of agreement with the Lord. In other words, I feared another human more than God AND I valued that human relationship more than my relationship with God. I was acting like Adam
There are consequences when we make these kinds of decisions. For example, I lost control over my food choices and shame crept into my thought life along with lots of confusion.
Repentance is such a powerful weapon. Once I had some understanding and language for how I had gotten off track, I repented. And control over my eating choices is slowly being restored.
Is there something in your life that you can’t get a handle on? Ask the Lord if you have chosen to follow a human instead of Him. See what He says. And remember that repentance is your friend.
Hugs and blessings,
Susan
Book Update! My new book is available in print and hopefully will be available as an eBook across all digital platforms by next week. I will send details and links and all that stuff soon.
We are happy to answer questions or schedule prayer ministry, but because of robo calls, we ask that you schedule a call time by emailing thepool@thepoolministries.org.
If The Pool is a blessing to you, please consider blessing The Pool with your prayers and donations. You can donate at http://www.thepoolministries.org
Shout Out to Dr. Alexander Sinu MD who posted about this in his blog: DSM (Defeating Stigma Mindfully).
I lifted this information on forgiveness from the website Human Performance Psychology because it is so interesting from a medical standpoint. You can read the entire article here:
Just click or paste the link into your browser bar, scroll down to Free Downloads and click Multifaceted Cross (pdf) to download the article.
Here is an excerpt from Why Forgiveness is So Important from the website Human Performance Psychology.
“An astonishing example of the power of forgiveness can be found in the practice of burn surgeon Dabney Ewin. His patients would enter the ER ‘all burned up’ both inside and out, writes Megan Feldman Bettencourt in her new book Triumph of the Heart: Forgiveness in an Unforgiving World.
As they lay in agony, enraged at themselves or someone else for their wretched injuries, Ewin spoke to them more like a therapist than a doctor: ‘You can still pursue damages through an attorney. You’re entitled to be angry, but for now I’m asking you to abandon your entitlement and let it go, to direct your energy toward healing, and turn this over to God or nature or whoever you worship. When you know at a feeling level that you’re letting it go, raise your hand. Then I’d shut up, they’d raise their hand, and I’d know that skin graft was gonna take.
‘Over many decades of treating burns, Ewin discovered that the attitude of his patients greatly impacted their healing.
‘With someone who’s real angry, we’d put three or four skin grafts on, but his body would reject them.’
For this surgeon, helping his patients forgive was step one.”
Hugs and blessings, Susan
Please call 205.556.4555 and leave a message. We are happy to answer questions or schedule prayer ministry, but because of robo calls, we ask that you leave a message or schedule a call time by emailing thepool@thepoolministries.org.
We will call you back.
If The Pool is a blessing to you, please consider blessing The Pool with your prayers and donations.
I have long held the opinion that the ever-popular teaching about finding your destiny and/or calling is flat-out wrong and even dangerous. Now, let me clarify. It isn’t that I believe people don’t have destinies or callings. I think that pursuing a calling or destiny is where we go wrong. Remember this common Christian warning: The enemy only needs to get you off a little bit. When we pursue destiny or calling or even purpose, we are off that little bit. Here is why.
The word “destiny” isn’t in the Bible (that I can find). The word “calling” appears to mean being called by God to Himself; not called to a ministry or to perform some great feat. More like your mother calling you to come in for supper.
So, my understanding is that pursuits of callings and destinies are a diversion from our pursuit of the Lord. It is a little bit off. Jesus told us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Then, and only then, are the other things added to us by God.
So, if I’m not here to be important and accomplish great things, why am I here? I think all of us are here for this reason: To Learn to Follow Jesus Every Single Day No Matter What and No Matter the Cost.
Along that path, we may achieve a purpose or realize a destiny. Our dreams may come true. But as soon as we make those things the reason we roll out of bed, we are on the wrong path. How many times have I seen wounded people (that includes us all) desperately clinging to the hope of someday realizing a far-off destiny that will heal all their hurts and fulfill all their dreams? Too many times.
When I was a new Christian, I remember longing to be in ministry so that I would feel worthwhile. I longed for a destiny that would make me important, admired and acceptable in the eyes of my fellow fallen man. (And—to be completely honest—safe from the unkindness of my fellow fallen man).
I have learned that the admiration of people is thrilling for about 5 minutes, then the craving for more sets in. It doesn’t satisfy. Nothing within a malfunctioning heart is ever healed by gaining the admiration of fallen humanity.
Please consider laying down your desire for a destiny or calling. Instead, deliberately take up your cross and follow Him. Just do that every day for the rest of your life.
What is taking up your cross? In this case, it is laying down your pursuit of any destiny beyond following Jesus (Luke 9:23). Because there is only one way to safely and meaningfully navigate the fall. There is only one way that will ultimately fulfill and satisfy us completely (John 14:6).
When you do lay down your hopes and ambitions, you will never be disappointed if things don’t work out. Why? Because you are following Jesus through the good times and the bad. That is your calling, your destiny and purpose. That is the fulfillment of your hopes and dreams.
We are not here to be famous, important or even to write books (that’s for me). We are not here to get married, have a family or become wealthy. We are not here to be pastors or prophets. We are here to follow Him. Only that, and it is more than enough.
This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. John 17:3
Blessings and hugs, Susan
To contact the ministry, please cal 205.556.4555 and leave a message.We are happy to answer questions or schedule prayer ministry, but because of robo calls, we ask that you leave a message or schedule a call time by emailing thepool@thepoolministries.org. We will call you back.
