Rooted (IN): Thriving in Connection with God, Yourself, and Others

Book excerpt: We are all on a journey of becoming who we already are. We are already fully loved, created with intention, to live with joy and significance. To thrive in spirit, soul, and body. To live deeply connected with God, with our true selves, and with others. But something is in the way. Author Susan Carson says she has experienced it, too―the shame, pain, and disappointments of life leave you isolated and separated from God, your true self, and others. You end up drifting through life outside yourself, longing to experience love and acceptance and grace. You are made to live rooted in a deep and lasting experience of God's love. Rooted (IN) is a journey out of shame and into love. The spiritual paths and practices in this book open the way to living rooted and grounded in the love of Christ that heals and restores. Over the last few decades, serving as a Director of Roots&Branches Network, Susan Carson had the honor of praying with hundreds of people. She has learned the only way out of our shame and pain is a journey in. On your journey (IN), you'll Experience new ways to connect, to put down roots deep and wide that nourish and heal the soul Disconnect from shame and pain that leave you isolated and stuck Encounter God through prayerful practices that restore spirit, soul, and body Live more present to God, to your own heart, and to others Enjoy the fruit and flow of a life rooted in love Rooted (IN) will equip you with the principles and prayerful practices you need to stop being stuck and start living a life full of joy and meaning with your tribe. Editorial Reviews Review "Carson, founder of Cincinnati ministry Roots & Branches Network,explores the benefits of healing prayer in her engaging debut. Using her own experiences of depression, shame, and recovery from breast cancer,Carson skillfully blends pastoral wisdom, scripture, and prayer into apersuasive invitation to those who feel brokenhearted--"Broken hearts,broken bodies, broken minds, broken emotions. The fruit of ourbrokenness comes in many flavors and colors. But the roots are so verymuch the same." Healing the social isolation that can sometimes comewith modern life requires attention, quiet, and a radical openness to aspirit beyond oneself, she writes. Carson melds lectio divina(Ignatian prayer exercises) and other ancient practices withcontemporary models, such as life mapping and gratitude journals, toguide readers through the complexity and foundations of prayer. She also includes the wisdom and quotes of Christian luminaries, such as VictorHugo, Anne Lamott, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Dallas Willard. Carson'saccessible guide to prayer and spiritual self-care will resonate acrossthe Christian faith spectrum."--Publishers Weekly "Susan has a beautiful way of offering truth while being vulnerable. She dives deep into God's truth on how shame and lies distort who God made us to be. This is a story of leaving shame behind and stepping into the deepest kind of love,firmly rooted in truth, and connected with God. What a gift to the faith community she has given us!"--Beth Guckenberger, Co-Executive Director, Back2Back Ministries;speaker and author of Start with Amen: How I Learned to Surrender by Keeping the End in Mind "Susan Carson shapes a space for freedom and transformation. She's learned it from years in ministry--drawing on ancient practices, scriptural wisdom, and personal experience--and now makes that space available in this book. If you will enter IN to this gracious,imaginative, hopeful space, you may just find yourself in a new place with God."--Mandy Smith, Pastor, University Christian Church; and author, The Vulnerable Pastor "Susan has written such an accessible guide to spiritual growthand transformation. Personal, practical, and authentic in style, thisbook will help you go to the next level in your relationship with Godand your enjoyment of life in Him."--Chuck Mingo, Teaching Pastor,Crossroads Church "With wit and candor, Susan Carson masterfully weaves story and Scripture and sages' quotes into this inspiring book. Clearly she knows what it means to live deeply rooted in the love of God--a relationship forged through her own healing journey with Jesus and the remarkable friendship that has ensued. No reader will be untouched or left doubting that Jesus is still very much among us, working miracles in the midst of life's most confounding challenges!"--Beth A. Booram, Co-founder and Director, Fall Creek Abbey; spiritual director; author, Starting Something New, and coauthor with husband David, When Faith Becomes Sight