Susan I. Spieth > Quotes

“Worship is a verb. It should be active, engaging and it should ask me for something—an offering, an affirmation of faith, a response, my singing, my heart, my mind—anything that challenges me toward more faith, more love, more grace.”
― Susan I. Spieth, I Was a Stranger: Reflections From First-Time Visits to 50 Churches

“The sermon followed and it had to be the best sermon I’ve heard in a long time. It was probably less than ten minutes long, but he packed a punch. The Gospel lesson from Luke 7:1, 7-14, tells when Jesus went to a Pharisee’s house for a sabbath meal. When he noticed the guests jockeying for the best seat, Jesus admonished them, saying they should choose the lowest seat. By choosing the lowest, Jesus said, the Host may elevate and honor us. But if we choose the highest place, the Host may replace us with someone more worthy, and we will be shamed or embarrassed at the very least. This pastor artfully elaborated and articulated on this message. Then, toward the end of his sermon, he took the meaning one step further. He said that the lowest place of all is death. And every one of us, without exception, will one day sit at the lowest seat of death. The pastor said this scripture reminds us that in that day, when we sit in the seat of death, our Host will say to us, “Friend, what are you doing down there? Come on up here and sit next to me.” I can tell you that his interpretation had a deeply moving effect on the congregation, myself included.”
― Susan I. Spieth, I Was a Stranger: Reflections From First-Time Visits to 50 Churches

“Postscript 2: My cancer friend passed away in April 2020. My alcoholic friend is probably going to die from the disease in due course. While my prayers seemed to temporarily help both situations, there remains this struggle with how, why and if prayer works. If prayers are not answered the way we wish, does it mean God doesn’t hear or care? Does it mean nothing changed? Does it mean we failed? Does it even mean anything? This subject has been thoroughly examined by many others and still cannot be fully answered. I happen to believe prayers help, even if things don’t go my way. We still die, we still fail, we still have suffering, pain and evil in this world. Yet, I choose to keep praying anyway. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1. October 6, 2019 Salt packets.”
― Susan I. Spieth, I Was a Stranger: Reflections From First-Time Visits to 50 Churches

“Call me old fashioned, but I always think it's important to read scripture from the Bible. Actually, holding the Bible. I think something is lost when the reader holds a piece of paper, or an iPad. It may be more convenient, but it’s important for people to see a real Bible. Even better, the scripture reader should ask everyone to open their pew Bibles and read along. It helps instill a familiarity with the scriptures, and it's just a good practice to do week after week, year after year.”
― Susan I. Spieth, I Was a Stranger: Reflections From First-Time Visits to 50 Churches

“There’s a section in the Bible when Jesus returned to his hometown. He had become quite a sensation by then, and the whole world wanted to see, hear, and touch him. But his townies weren’t so impressed. They were like, “Hey, isn’t this the carpenter? Mary’s son? His whole family lives right down the street, right?” Jesus replied with something like, “You can never be a hero to the folks you grew up with.” He actually said it a little more formally: “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.” It’s hard to see those closest to us as anything special. They’re just regular folks like us, right? The older I get, however, the more I realize that my friends were prophets in their own hometown. They were brilliant, amazing, and altogether remarkable. I just didn’t realize it then. In fact, I took them for granted back then, never realizing how awesome they were. As the years have passed and I’ve grown in my understanding of just about everything, I’ve come to see that in many ways, God walked with me through my friends.”
― Susan I. Spieth, Fall Out: Courage Always Stands its Ground

“wounds. Hard work and gracious people have been the key to my health and happiness. If I look very closely, I can still see the faint scars on my heart and mind, but they don’t limit me in any way. They do not burn, they do not itch, and they do not cause any concern. I usually don’t even notice them. And every now and then, when I do see a scar, I smile. My scars remind me of what I’ve endured. And they bear witness to the immeasurable strength within the human spirit, within my spirit.  I’m proud of my scars.”
― Susan I. Spieth, Fall Out: Courage Always Stands its Ground