Suzanne Woods Fisher's Blog, page 12
January 30, 2019
Scarcity Says…Abundance Answers: Living in an Age of Fear
Psychologists claim that we are living in an age of fear. Some findings from recent studies: 18% of all Americans suffer from anxiety disorders. Women are 60% more likely to experience anxiety than men. And children and teens are facing an epidemic of anxiety, surpassing rates of depression. Anxiety disorders have become the most common mental illness in the United States.
What’s at the heart of this rising trend of fearfulness?
Experts say it’s based on a lack of confidence in one’s environment. Ironically, there is timeless truth in that fear.
The first lie that Satan told in the Garden of Eden was that Adam and Eve could be like God (Genesis 3:4). As in…they could be sovereign over their circumstances.
Oh so quickly…Adam and Eve discovered that they had swallowed the ultimate deception.
Deep down, most of us know our ability to control our life is limited. Think of the last time you had a bout of stomach flu—a reminder of how fragile health can be. Or remember how it felt when your daughter called home from college with a broken heart? Or what about the panic that set in after getting laid off from work? Or recall how how everyone felt after 9/11.
There is an antidote to fear and anxiety: trust in and dependence on a good God, who reassures us with his constant presence. Emmanuel, God is with us. No matter what.
Throughout the Bible, God tells believers to “Fear not” over 83 times. “Do not be afraid, for I am with you,” is stated over 365 times. Arguably, there is some kind of admonishment to reject fearfulness and replace it with trust in God for every single day in the year. Every single day.
Scarcity says…Fear is a natural, human response to the unknown. And this world can be terrifying!
Abundance answers…”Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don’t for a minute lose sight of them. They’ll keep your soul alive and well, they’ll keep you fit and attractive. You’ll travel safely, you’ll neither tire nor trip. You’ll take afternoon naps without a worry, you’ll enjoy a good night’s sleep. No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday’s just around the corner, because GOD will be right there with you; he’ll keep you safe and sound (Proverbs 3:25-26, msg).
Source for fear and anxiety stats
P.S. To readers: This year, each Wednesday, I’m posting devotions on my blog from a work-in-progress called Scarcity Says…Abundance Answers. Your feedback is welcomed! Please leave your thoughts in comments or email me.
January 28, 2019
Author Spotlight with Jaime Jo Wright
Enter below for a chance to win a copy of Jaime Jo Wright’s new book, The Curse of Misty Wayfair.
Winner will be announced in the next Author Spotlight feature. Congratulations to Tammy Hudson for winning Laura Frantz’s book, A Bound Heart.
Please email my assistant Christen to claim your prize. Note: This post contains affiliate links meaning I will get a small commission if you click and buy from that link.
Left at an orphanage as a child, Thea Reed vowed to find her mother someday. Now grown, her search takes her to Pleasant Valley, Wisconsin, in 1908. When clues lead her to a mental asylum, Thea uses her experience as a post-mortem photographer to gain access and assist groundskeeper Simeon Coyle in photographing the patients and uncovering the secrets within. However, she never expected her personal quest would reawaken the legend of Misty Wayfair, a murdered woman who allegedly haunts the area and whose appearance portends death.
A century later, Heidi Lane receives a troubling letter from her mother–who is battling dementia–compelling her to travel to Pleasant Valley for answers to her own questions of identity. When she catches sight of a ghostly woman who haunts the asylum ruins in the woods, the long-standing story of Misty Wayfair returns–and with it, Heidi’s fear for her own life.
As two women across time seek answers about their identities and heritage, can they overcome the threat of the mysterious curse that has them inextricably intertwined?
Q&A with Jaime Jo Wright
I know an idea is good when… There is coffee involved
The best day of my life (so far!) was when… I married my pirate, Cap’n Hook
To de-stress, I like to… Curl up with a fluffy blanket, messy hair, cozy pajamas, a cup of coffee, and a book.
I stay in touch with the world through… Facebook mostly. Although, I’ve been known to use a phone to call someone now and then. Rarely.
I want to see… My kids grow up
I keep organized by… What does “organized” mean? 
January 26, 2019
More Dinosaurs in the Front Yard!
Last week’s headless dinosaur caption contest winner goes to Kathy Arnold, for her caption: “Ah! My migraine is finally gone.”
Last week, I received some pix about yet another dinosaur-in-the-front-yard lawn ornament. This Rex is dressed for each and every holiday. He’s even got his own Facebook page!
Here he is at Christmas…with the Abominable Snowman and poor Rudolph.
Dinosaur Rex at Thanksgiving…
I think this one is Mother’s Day…
But this might be my favorite of all. Valentine Rex…
Here’s a question for all of you…it’s hard to beat the dinosaur, but have you seen other curious lawn ornaments? And if so, what were they?
January 23, 2019
Scarcity Says…Abundance Answers: Never Enough Thyme
Years ago, I gave my mom a Christmas gift of a wooden sign with the words: Never Enough Thyme. It was one of those gifts that hit the mark; she loved that sign and kept it hanging in her living room for years.
It’s interesting to see the kinds of verbs that are associated with time: losing time, pressed for time, time’s a-wasting, racing against time, time gets eaten up, running out of time. Verbs that carry a sense of loss, of something that’s out of our control.
And those phrases aren’t wrong! Time does fly like a flock of birds. There’s never enough of it.
Let’s flip this around to God’s perspective on time: It’s actually a very bad habit to complain or fret about the lack of time. He is a God of sufficiency, and that includes each and every 24 hour segment of time given to us. There’s enough time to do what He has called us to do, as long as we are responding to Him. And His grace is always there to help; it is eternally present.
Learning to rely on God for our “time needs” is a step of faith, every bit as important as trusting Him for our finances, or our health, or our deepest concerns.
And here’s the best news: the more we hold our time up to God to plan, the easier it is to sort out what’s important and what’s not. The key is trusting God, one day at a time.
Scarcity Says…Honey, your time is running out.
Abundance Answers…There’s plenty of it and more to come. “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please’” (Isaiah 26:10, niv).
Join the conversation! Please leave your thoughts in comments. And thanks for stopping by!
January 21, 2019
Author Spotlight with Laura Frantz
Enter below for a chance to win a copy of Laura Frantz’s new book, A Bound Heart.
Winner will be announced in the next Author Spotlight feature. Congratulations to Anne Rightler for winning Lynette Eason’s book, Code of Valor.
Please email my assistant Christen to claim your prize. Note: This post contains affiliate links meaning I will get a small commission if you click and buy from that link.
Historical romance favorite Laura Frantz brings the beginnings of America to life in this lush, detail-rich romance.
Their stations could not have been more different: a Scottish laird and a simple lass. Though Magnus MacLeish and Lark MacDougall grew up on the same castle grounds, Magnus is now laird of the great house and the Isle of Kerrera. Lark is but the keeper of his bees and the woman he is hoping will provide a tincture that might help his ailing wife conceive and bear him an heir.
When his wife dies suddenly, Magnus and Lark find themselves caught up in a whirlwind of accusations, expelled from their beloved island, and sold as indentured servants across the Atlantic. Even when all hope seems dashed against the rocky coastline of the Virginia colony, it may be that in this New World the two of them could make a new beginning—together.
Laura Frantz’s prose sparkles with authenticity and deep feeling as she digs into her own family history to share this breathless tale of love, exile, and courage in colonial America.
Q&A with Laura Frantz
The best day of my life (so far!) was when… Our two sons were born. I was an older mom so wasn’t sure I could even have children. Oh, the joy of boys!
To de-stress, I like to… Take long walks and cook/bake. I love collecting aprons and I’m enjoying Hello Fresh!
I keep organized by… Praying and trying to keep my desk clean!
Three guests at my dream dinner party would be… The literary giants, C.S. Lewis, George MacDonald, and Lucy Maud Montgomery. But I’d be too starstruck to eat a single bite
Purchase a copy of A Bound Heart: Amazon | B&N | CBD | IndieBound
Christy Award-winning author, Laura Frantz, is passionate about all things historical, particularly the 18th-century, and writes her manuscripts in longhand first. Her stories often incorporate Scottish themes that reflect her family heritage. She is a direct descendant of George Hume, Wedderburn Castle, Berwickshire, Scotland, who was exiled to the American colonies for his role in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, settled in Virginia, and is credited with teaching George Washington surveying in the years 1748-1750. Frantz lives and writes in a log cabin in the heart of Kentucky
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
Are you new here? You might want to subscribe to my email updates, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, or Instagram.
January 20, 2019
Photo Caption Contest: Dinosaur Drama
I’m late this week on posting the photo caption contest. I had trouble uploading the photo…and I just HAD to use this photo. A few weeks ago, I posted a photo of a dinosaur in my niece’s neighborhood. Just last week…some vandal came through in the night and took its head off!
(It wasn’t me! And I’m 99% sure it wasn’t my niece.)
So now…what would you say about this headless dinosaur?
Last week’s photo had wonderful captions–as always, it’s hard to choose! But the winner was Shirley Chapel, for her “Is this the way to China?” line. Shirley–email me and I’ll get a signed book in the mail to you asap.
Thanks to everyone for sharing your witty captions!
January 16, 2019
Scarcity Says…Abundance Answers: An Apple a Day
Consider the humble apple.
There are over 7500 varieties of apples grown throughout the world. Over 2500 varieties are grown in the United States. One hundred varieties are grown for commercial sale—those are the kinds you buy at the local grocery shop for your kids’ school lunches.*
Photo source: Guardian
Adam and Eve could have eaten an apple a day from a different tree for twenty-one years. Did they really need one more?
Yes. And no.
Yes, because the persistent hiss of the snake kept them focused on the one thing in the Garden of Eden that they thought they lacked. (Genesis 3)
And no…because God had given them all that they needed. (Genesis 1:31)
What we focus on, we find.
Don’t we all have a just one more thing? The one worry or hope or temptation that keeps tugging our focus away from God’s sufficiency for us…and onto a perceived deficiency. Just this week, four different conversations with friends revealed their one more thing: concern for a child’s future, hope for career advancement, struggle to afford a first home, exhaustion from caregiving a daughter afflicted with Early Onset Alzheimer’s.
Imagine how the story changes when perspective shifts from scarcity and deficiency to one of sufficiency, of abundance. To trusting God with our one more thing.
What we focus on, we find.
Scarcity says…what I have…just isn’t enough.
Abundance answers…“You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. Our God and Father abounds in glory that just pours out into eternity. Yes!” (Philippians 4:19, msg).
*Source of Apple Facts: University of Illinois
Any feedback to the Scarcity Says…Abundance Answers devotions? Please share in comments. I value your input!
January 14, 2019
Author Spotlight with Lynette Eason
Enter below for a chance to win a copy of Lynette Eason’s new book, Code of Valor.
Winner will be announced in the next Author Spotlight feature. Congratulations to Audrey Stewart for winning Erin Bartel’s book, We Hope for Better Things.
Please email my assistant Christen to claim your prize. Note: This post contains affiliate links meaning I will get a small commission if you click and buy from that link.
In the third installment of the suspense-driven Blue Justice series, Lynette Eason keeps the stakes high as a detective’s vacation turns into a fight to keep both himself and a stranger alive.
What Detective Brady St. John really needs is a relaxing vacation. Unfortunately, on his second day at a friend’s cabin on Lake Henley, he hears a scream and races to rescue a woman from her would-be killer. Unfortunately, the assailant escapes, and financial crimes investigator Emily Chastain has no idea why anyone would be after her. When the killer returns to finish the job, Brady vows to utilize his many resources to keep her safe—and to catch those who want her dead.
Bestselling and award-winning author Lynette Eason sends readers on a race for the truth in this heart-stopping story of risk, regret, and redemption.
Q&A with Lynette Eason
I know an idea is good when… I can’t leave it alone.
The best day of my life (so far!) was when… My husband asked me to marry him tied with the birth of my children tied with the call from the first editor who wanted to buy my book.
To de-stress, I like to… Binge watch British television episodes or Netflix or invite friends over to eat and laugh.
Purchase a copy of Code of Valor: Amazon | B&N | CBD | IndieBound
Lynette Eason writes for Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Her books have appeared on the CBA, ECPA, and Publisher’s Weekly bestseller lists. In 2016, Lynette placed in the top ten in the James Patterson co-writers contest. She has won the Carol Award, the IRCC award, the Selah, Killer Nashville’s Reader’s Choice Award, the Christian Retailing’s Best Award and more. Lynette’s Love Inspired Suspense novel, Her Stolen Past was made into a Lifetime Movie Network movie which aired in February 2018. Lynette is a member of ACFW, RWA, MWA, ITW, FHL and KOD
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Are you new here? You might want to subscribe to my email updates, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, or Instagram.
January 11, 2019
Photo Contest: Caption This!
Last week’s dinosaur pix brought in EXCELLENT suggestions about how to dress it. Thank you for your comments–I laughed at each one! I finally picked Erika Luther’s idea of dressing the dinosaur up like Elvis Presley…considering it was Elvis’s 80th birthday this week.
But all of you had such amusing ideas…one person emailed to say she would make one tooth gold and add a pirate’s eye patch.
The possibilties are endless! We could have so much fun with dressing up my niece’s neighbor’s dinosaur-in-the-frontyard, as long as we aren’t too worried about property values dropping. 
January 9, 2019
Scarcity Says…Abundance Answers…A Study in Contrasts
Scarcity and Abundance are a study in contrasts. There’s a reason for that—it illustrates the diametrically opposing pull on our hearts, our minds, even our bodies.
Scarcity is at the heart of our sin nature. It’s so much a part of us that we don’t even recognize it. Lack of peace, hopelessness, fear and anxiety, doubt, jealousy, insecurity, guilt–reduce those down, like syrup on the stovetop, and you’ll be left with the undiluted bitter taste of Scarcity. It’s an overpowering mindset that flavors and colors everything. “For as he thinks within himself, so he is” (Proverbs 23:7, nasb).
But Jesus promised followers a life of Abundance, not one hobbled by Scarcity’s tight grasp on our heel. And he clearly indicated it was available to us now, not just “waiting for pick up” at Heaven’s pearly gates. (John 10:10).
So how do we get from Scarcity to Abundance in our everyday, burnt toast moments?
Through the Word of God. Scripture shifts our perspective from one of Scarcity to one of sufficiency, of abundance. The Holy Spirit works through God’s Word to correct our thinking, shape and redirect our focus, and restore a healthy, lively two-way communication with our Maker.
Less of us, more of God.
Scarcity says… “Change (whatever kind of change you’re hoping for) is impossible. It is what it is. Give up now.”
Abundance answers… “God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us” (Ephesians 3:20, msg).
I encourage you to leave feedback in the comments–I genuinely value your input!
