Let Summer Begin!

"Dear summer, I love you.
You have given me weeks at the Jersey shore as a kid , endless dinners on the grill, pool dates with friends, scattered flip flops everywhere, bonfires by the lake, Mr. Softee treat truck, and so much more. You have nursed my broken heart more than once through the years with gifts of sunshine and ice cream. Each year, you come back again to help me write another incredible story. Thank you."  P.S. Dear summer, you’re my absolute favorite, but don’t tell the other seasons..

Host, Sue Duffield, makes a vow to once again spend another summer in gratitude and worship. This is a time to feel the heavenly warmth on our face and revel in the beauty that surrounds us. Relax, have fun, celebrate, and abide in gratitude for the blessings that surround. Matthew 24:32 says, "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branches become tender and sprout leaves, you know that summer is near." Here are ways, mentioned in this episode, to make the most of your summer by consuming both refreshing fruits AND walking each day WITH the fruit of the Spirit.

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152. The Psalms Will Calm

Here's an episode with notes for this year’s "Ladies Only Retreat" in Twin Pines, PA. It's a study in the book of Psalms, highlighting each session with definitive passages of prophecies while dissecting each line and phrase. Sue Duffield takes a good look and lesson on what it means to pray the psalms. And as a project, she teaches women to re-write a psalm or two, in their own words, with their own sentiments and language. It's a significantly spiritual process to unfold some of the “not-so-popular” psalms by discovering how they apply to each one of us in the current world we live.

Who wrote the Psalms? And where is Jesus in all of it? Good questions to ask, and especially a good reason to discover how deeply woven the Son of God is IN the entire book. What does it mean, "He restores my soul"? Well, let's find out as we take on this journey online during this episode. The Psalms will calm.

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151. Influencer OR Influenza?

Influencers often inspire or guide the actions of others by posting about something (such as a consumer product or service) that they use or endorse based on brand partnerships. And today's episode is a sure shot response to Sue Duffield's recent "Effector" award of Top Influencer, but what she initially read was "Influenza!"

The most all-inclusive definition of an influencer is a person who has the ability to influence others. So, a politician making a speech, a business expert leading a seminar, and a celebrity endorsing a product are all technically influencers, and yes even pastors, singers and keynote speakers.

An infectious personality, like Sue, may know a lot, but an individual still needs the ability to advocate, sell and drum up enthusiasm. Influencers normally have high engagement rates with their audience (in person or on-line), taking on a hands-on approach with their people, showing great care, and always looking to serve their needs to better understand them.

So, just how important is it to be an effective influencer for the Kingdom's sake? Everything. Let Jesus shine SO much in your life that you're infectious and that you get reports of your influence - from all generations.

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150. Josh Singletary

An "off stage", reflective and honest nterview with no real direction or pre-programmed questions, makes this episode so enjoyable. Host, Sue Duffield, sits in her closet studio outside Nashville, while Josh Singletary opens his mic in his own music room across town - and away they go, with barely an edit! Very funny. Very emotional. And very real..

To those who are new to Josh Singletary, here's what you didn't know you needed to know: He's the red-headed, bow-tie wearin' baritone singer with Southern Gospel Music's Award-winning Tribute Quartet; a piano player extraordinaire; a lover of great classic comedians like Red Skelton; a stage presence so inclusive, you'll feel like he's been your best friend for years; a truly amazing communicator and producer; and a comedic talent with a vulnerable approach so deep, he probably doesn't even know how good he is. 

To quote John C. Maxwell, "Everyone communicates but few connect", Josh Singletary has masted the art of connection with his love for Jesus and his music, and it's just plain fun to see how he weaves it all together.

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149. Bend My Heart

How in the world could that heavy metal door just bend and mold itself around the stationary telephone pole with amazing ease? This question answered, plus a whole lot of levity and spiritual honesty, comes at the expense of a crazy car mishap and that telephone pole. That not-so-euphoric experience was a conversation piece for some time until Jeff Duffield, Sue's husband, had his own "come-to-Jesus-meeting" with a vehicle and a container pole at an ice cream stand. But that's another story...

One of Sue's favorite song's lyric says, "Move me with Your message once again, and bend my heart once more around the tree..." (written by Brandt Gillespie)

(Bend my heart once more around the tree? What could that mean?) 
Here's a few interpretations, talked about on this episode:

 1. Mold my heart around the cross, the stationary immovable depiction of a painful, gruesome method of execution? How strange..

2. Take my most prized life-sustaining organ and exchange it for God's act of love in Christ's sacrifice? How weird is that??

3. Better yet, live each day with a "cross" impression on my heart, much like a piece of metal bending around a telephone pole?? Sounds somewhat foolish..

Sue Duffield believes it makes perfect sense to those who, for the Kingdom's sake, desire hearts that are bent over backwards, forwards, sideways or whatever it takes, to make a "God impression" in this world.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
1 Corinthians 1:18-19

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148. Overcoming Compassion Fatigue with Dr. Don Lichi

Sue Duffield's guest, Donald A. Lichi, PhD is a licensed psychologist, serving as Vice President of Emerge Counseling Ministries in Akron, OH. Don gives such great wisdom when it comes to listening, serving and even recovering from compassion fatigue. This epsiode was recorded soon after the news of the Covenant School shooting and  devastation here in Nashville, so his heart is both tender, compassionate and hopeful for those familes who will forever be in a stage of recovery and healing. 

Throughout his career, Dr. Lichi has taught as adjunct professor with Trinity International University (IL), the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (AGTS), the Asia Theological Center (Singapore), and All Nations Theological Seminary (Malawi, Africa). He also taught for six years in the graduate school at the University of Akron. He was in private practice for over five years, taught school, and directed a school-based counseling program for six years. While in the United States Air Force, he served for three years in Italy and three years in Alaska. He has been a speaker at numerous conferences and workshops on pastoral health, Christian education, parenting, marriage, and family issues. He has published several articles on Christian mental health, and is the co-author of the book, Broken Windows of the Soul (Moody Press).

Recent ministry has taken him to India, Brazil, Thailand, Ecuador, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Romania, China, Malaysia, Russia, Hungary, Nicaragua, and Singapore. Currently, he serves on the pastoral teaching team of the Akron Chinese Christian Church and the board of Emmanuel Christian Academy, which ministers to “at risk” children in the inner city of Akron, OH.

Best of all, he is married to Marcie and they have three adult children and eight grandchildren.

www.emerge.org

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147. Whatcha Cookin'?

Sheep don't eat fish, that we're aware of. But "Feed My Sheep", makes one wonder - what DO they eat, and what does that mean from a scriptural context?

This narrative of an episode starts with the disciples of Jesus having another encounter with the risen Lord. This time He breaks into their everyday world and turns it upside down. They realize that they can't even go fishing without the help of the Lord. Jesus, now, the RISEN Lord, says something that will forever change how we view life on the other side of the cross. He says to Peter, “Feed my sheep.”

Everything changes. Peter knows there's no going back. He'll never be able to "fish" in the same way again.

Then enter "The Waffle House", and how a modern day approach to hearing the voice of God can even happen in a favorite fastfood breakfast spot!

When we choose to dwell on God’s light and truth, our souls can overflow with the comfort of being guided by God (see Psalm 43:3). Talk about a FEAST! When we choose to live close to God’s heart, we overflow with delight and joy (see verse 4). So, “Whatcha Cookin now??” If you are submerged in pain, sorrow, despair or confusion, maybe you need to give your soul a good talking to.

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146. Find My

The app, "Find My", takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to finding God. You'll enjoy this episode as Sue Duffield reveals how her Find My app saved her iPad. But what would happen if we had a "Find My God" app? Would we find God in our hearts? Good question.

Discover five ways to recognize or discover God’s purpose for your life and why you should know about them so you can fulfill the purpose for which you were created. So, simply, let’s just say we’ll activate the “Find MY GOD” feature in your heart and brain today with this episode! The better we know the will of God, the more likely we’ll find God’s given purpose for our life.

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145. Mike, Is That You?

Sue Duffield's plethora of stories and comedic experiences never quit. She goes back to the story of when she traveled with the Sammy Hall Singers, and an episode of embarrassment that still makes her laugh today. "Mike, Is That You?", will be forever embedded in your brain, once you hear the story.

”Humor is the great thing, the saving thing. The minute it crops up, all our irritations and resentments slip away and a sunny spirit takes their place," so said American humorist Mark Twain. Also mentioned in this episode 145 is Sue's former pastor and friend, John Hamercheck, whose humor and love of life was one of a kind. 

Taking a good look at what laughter can do from a Christian perspective, is the constant desire and focus of Sue's ministry. In this crazy world of bad news, we need humor! Sadly, it is our nature, a human tendency, to focus on shocking, tragic, and overall negative news and information. It fascinates us and we're simply drawn to it.

But this time, we'll pay attention to the hilarity and joy of every day life, that should be at the heart of every believer.

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144. A Life Without Worry

Put your worries behind you, and don’t even be worried that you’re worried! There’s too much life and promise to live every single day to its fullest. And that's the truth coming from Matthew 6: 25-34, Jesus' sermon. When Jesus says, “Don’t worry”, it’s in the context of those teachings. The people who don’t have to worry are those who seek treasure in heaven, those who have made Jesus their Master and those who are living in a love relationship with God the Father.

This is such a great reminder for all believers. There is a Life Without Worry, and it's yours if you choose it.

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143. Women Who Changed the World

March is Women’s History Month! This episode celebrates great women in history that have influenced Sue Duffield's life as a believer, a singer and minister of the gospel. Her mother and grandmothers set such a standard of faith. And then there was her mother-in-law who was an exceptional woman of faith, whose words and presence still hover over her.
The one thing that they all had in common was prayer. And in the world of honoring women that have done good deeds and have sacrificed much are women in Sue's history that have made prayer the most important thing.

This is a tribute to every praying woman. Do you ever wonder if God hears your prayers or if He listens to women at all? In the Bible, women have played an important role. Mothers who have raised God-fearing children who change the world as well as sisters stepping into dangerous jobs, help while working alongside female friends and neighbors who share God's love and make it their mission to pray and believe God for the impossible.

In every culture of these scripturally heroic women is the discipline of prayer.

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142. I Presume You Already Know This

With both levity and concern, this episode features the overwhelming ability we all have with presumption. Host, Sue Duffield shares "Tips to Remember Before Jumping to Conclusions."

1. Sometimes it is easy for tempers to flare in traffic. When something happens that catches you off guard, take a deep breath and collect your thoughts. Remember you are God’s child and want to be a good witness, even on the road.
2. Take 1 Corinthians 13 to heart, and remember that love:
* Is not arrogant or rude.
* Does not insist on its own way.
* Is not irritable or resentful.
3. Remember that love also believes the best about others. Don’t assume if someone makes you upset that they deliberately set out to do so.

 “Don’t jump to conclusions – there may be a perfectly good explanation for what you just saw.” – Proverbs 25:8, MSG 

From Charles Swindoll to Justin Beiber to Janel in that Grand Rapids Coffee Shop, this episode is packed full of biblical wisdom and insight as to why we continue to "assume" or "presume". The Suebiquitous Podcast is an extreme and honest step of faith in a virtual fake world. Anyone, at any time, can grab a microphone, load up an episode on the internet and call it a “faith podcast” when indeed they're living an alternative lifestyle, not even coherent with their own words. But Sue's hope and joy is to grow with you every single time we meet, and challenge you to take a grip of the gospel like never before. Make Jesus the Big Deal He is.

Thank you in advance for giving and sharing this podcast on your social media sites. www.sueduffield.com is the place to stay in touch, and since you now know Sue's heart even more, Jesus really loves you, and "I presume you already know this…"

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141. For The Love Of February

This month as we celebrate Valentine’s Day, Black History Month, Groundhog Day, Play your Ukulele Day, National Carrot Cake Day, Work Naked Day (!), Farmer’s Day, Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, National Marriage Week, Laugh and Get Rich Day, National Pizza Day, Armed Forces Day, National Shut In Day, Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday, National Football Hangover Day, (13th), Susan B. Anthony’s Birthday, National Cabbage Day, National Crab Stuffed Flounder Day, National Love Your Pet Day, President’s Day, Shrove Monday, Ash Wednesday, National Chili Day and National No Brainer Day…. whew,,,
Let’s just say it’s National LOVE MONTH, and it SHOULD start with you and me!

This episode is a clear message from the book of Romans 12: 9-16 and  seems, at first glance, to be an unconnected series of fragmented commands; a “rag bag” of miscellaneous exhortations. But a closer examination reveals that these verses completely affirm what love looks like in the Christian life. This theme of love is not hard to find: Love must govern all our relationships.

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140. Drift Ye Not

If you can picture Sue Duffield in a kayak adrift in the middle of a lake without a paddle, then that memory and depiction could coincide with a spiritual revelation that, quite frankly, is evident of many ministries, non-profits and Christian leaders today. Adrift. They've either lost their paddle or their anchor. This episode gives fair warning to those who have forsaken their original calling. There's reasons why some believers literally just drift away. But there's also a biblically prophetic reason too, that in the end times - some will just fall away. Be encouraged and be strengthened by not letting your missional calling drift. 

Also mentioned on this episode is the book, "Mission Drift - The Unspoken Crisis Facing Leaders, Charities and Churches", written by Peter Greer and Chris Horst, available on Amazon. This is a useful book for key leaders in churches, pastors, nonprofit agencies, and social service agencies. "Drift Ye Not!"

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139. Tea Bag Therapy

There's such a strong correlation between the healing properties of used tea bags and the healing balm mentioned in the scriptures. And what a fun way to present the gospel too, knowing that (1) tea bags are great for chapped lips, (2) puffy eyes, (3) reducing swelling while stopping the bleeding, and (4) to get rid of pungent odor. Think about that for a moment: In the Kingdom, God's Word has the power to keep our mouths clean and to keep them shut when they need to be shut; God's Word has the power to reduce the self-inflicted puffiness and the healing of spiritual wounds; and God's Word has the power to keep us from stinking it up!

Then Jesus walked up to him and asked a strange question, “Do you want to get well?” (John 5:6b) Answering that question takes a lot of guts, because if you really do want to get well, then you'll really need to follow Jesus. Tea Bag Therapy, if nothing more, will make you look at tea bags in a whole new light!

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