Simplicity

Okay, so I know I've gone alittle post happy this week (smile), but I was so excited when I read my Joni E. Tada online devotional today, I just had to take a moment and record what God is doing. There's a recurring theme this week, oh goodness, let's just say this is an area God needs to work on me and it has to do with keeping life simple.

When your schedule seems too hectic, when you're feeling like you're on activity overload, when you're feeling like you don't know where to begin, maybe it's time to draw back and focus on what's important.

Joni says this about King David's priorities in Psalm 34:12-14.

"If we want to have a life (not activity but life) and enjoy our days and the length of them, there are four things that we must do:

Keep our tongue from deceit.

Depart from evil.

Do good.

Seek peace.

This list represents a life of simplicity, devoid of deadlines and calendars. Take today, [February 29th], this extra day, and cultivate the habit of placing David's list on your agenda."

Somehow that brings me release, that no matter what is on my schedule, God will have the final say. He may add. He may take away. But whatever happens, I don't have to worry. Living life's adventure doesn't have to be at a frantic pace. All God asks us to do is follow Him, take it a step at a time, and enjoy!

Live the adventure,
Susan

Attitude Check

Anyone here in need of an attitude check? I know I am! I just read a really short, great and very convicting post at Comfort Cafe. (Click here if you dare.) It's not your typical Mary/Martha post.

Now, I'm not one of those gourmet type cooks, but I tend to get easily overwhelmed with tasks at hand. I've often complained, "How am I ever going to get it all done? There's not enough hours in the day."

The real question is not so much how, but what. What is my attitude about the tasks at hand. Am I letting the Holy Spirit do His work in me with the everyday tasks - in the mundane chores that I tend to avoid? How about you?

Live the adventure,
Susan

POLAR BEAR ATTACK IN CHURCHILL, MANITOBA

THAT IS ONE DISGRUNTLED BABY BEAR... (SMILE)

I WONDER WHO HAS BEEN EATING HIS PORRIDGE?

A Precious Ruby

I unearthed some buried treasure last week.

My discovery led me to James chapter four. My initial intent was to find a Bible verse for Memory Verse Monday about drawing near to God. I know there are loads of verses on the topic, but I couldn’t think of one specific reference. So, off I went on my hunt. What I found was like opening a tiny treasure box with a ruby, a diamond, and an emerald.

The emerald about drawing near to God was in James 4:8, but as I read the previous verses, the Bible explained how to draw near to God. So, my Bible memory verse for last week was James 4:6 and what a beautiful ruby it is! This week will be the diamond and next week, Lord willing I’ll reveal the emerald. Here’s my ruby: “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’” James 4:6

The verses in the beginning of chapter four talk about fighting and war. It doesn’t take much to look around and see the strife in this world. But on a deeper level, I thought about the strife that can be in our homes. Are our homes filled with peace – a peace that can only come from a relationship with God – a relationship that draws near to Jesus?

God says He will give us grace to stop the strife. But there’s something standing in our way. Pride. Someone once pointed out to me that the middle letter in the word prIde is the letter “I”. When we only think of ourselves and about our own happiness, the result is strife.

I don’t like living in strife, do you? But many times, I have been the cause of contention because I think my way is best or what I want to do is “right” - because of pride. Does that mean I can’t have any say in the matter? No, but what and how I say it does matter.

James 4:6 tells us God gives grace to the humble. When we humble ourselves before God, He will help us, giving us the grace we need. I don’t know about you, but that makes me glad because I can’t do it on my own. But then Jesus never intended for it to be that way, did He? He said He’d always be with us.

Notice, that twice in this verse God says that HE GIVES the grace. Are we willing to humble ourselves and accept His grace? His grace gives us the ability to humble ourselves before each other. I recently read a good thought at Susan at Penless Writer's blog. It went something like this: Humility is not thinking less of yourself. It’s thinking or yourself less.

Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that is deeper than all our sin… I need that grace, how about you?

Lord, I want to take this nugget of truth, this precious ruby from Your Word and let it sink deep into the dark recesses of my heart and soul. Thank you for your grace. May I humbly submit to You and let You do Your work in me. In Jesus most precious name I pray, Amen.

Photo Credit: Gem Select

Snow, Glorious Snow

I gaze out the window this morning at the softly falling snow. The heavens are an expanse of brilliant white. It's hard to tell where the sky ends and the earth begins. Only the evergreens, tall and proud mark the vast boundary to the blanket of snow on the ground.

Tears dot my cheeks as I think of the tender love God has for humankind. His love is gentle, like the steady falling snow. The Father sends His love, cleansing us, causing the hearts of those who know Him to sink into the comfort of His presence, safe and secure.

There is no greater love than this that God would give His Son, His only begotten Son to save us. How can it be that Jesus, God the Son left His throne room in Heaven to come to earth set us free from the darkness of sin, to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, to make our hearts clean, to make us white as snow?

"...Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." Psalm 51:7

"...Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow..." Isaiah 1:18

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations." Psalm 100:4,5

"Hast thou entered into the treasuries of the snow?..." Job 38:22

Lord, thank You for Your treasure of snow, wonderful snow. Thank You for Your love and mercy. I praise You and lift up Your name, Creator, Savior, Father, and friend. You are beautiful to me and I see your hand in nature itself. I see Your expression of purity and goodness and righteousness. Thank You for Your forgiveness, for Your cleansing power, that saves, keeps, and satisfies. I am resting in Your love. Your daughter - Susan

Of Sillyness, Science, & Significance

What type of Mother Hen Are You?
by Montessorimom.com: Educational Resource

Some things are just too silly. I just took a little test and found out that I'm a Groovy Mother Hen - LOL! Joel's home sick today so between making chicken noodle soup and unsheathing fruit popcicles, I'm catching up on some paperwork and some computer time. Does that make me groovy? My, oh my.

Science. Since my college background is in Science, I'm always thrilled when I discover a really cool article. Click here for a quick read about some strange and fantastical creatures our God made in the deep, dark sea. Wow! Have you ever heard of a sea spider the size of a dinner plate? Yikes!

And last but certainly not least, significance. My author friend Connie is hosting a writing contest until the end of February. She is collecting stories about someone who has made a difference in your life. Click here to visit her blog and find out more. Everyone is welcome to join in.

Well, enough computer time for today my friends. Other motherly and wifely tasks are calling my name...

Find out about our fun weekend in the post below and get ready to take the next step!

Live the adventure,
Susan

The Next Step

It’s interesting to see how God teaches us.

We went away to the Pocono Mountains this weekend. It’s a once a year tradition (well at least we try - last year we couldn’t make it.) The kids had off from school on Monday, so we decided to brave the packed Pennsylvania ski mountains on Presidents Day weekend. Saturday, my hubby and teenage son had to work so we drove up late Saturday night. Sunday morning before leaving to ski, we all gathered in the living room of my friend Linda’s cozy mountain retreat. Jim Kelly opened up the Bible and shared a devotional about the importance of prayer.

Together we paged through the Word of God, looking at examples of why we need to pray and what has happened in times past when God’s people did not pray. From time to time, the kids would pipe in. Fascinated, I listened to the kids’ contribution to the Bible study. Our friend’s nine-year-old son said, “I just learned that Bible verse at school.” Joel didn’t look up from his coloring book but added insightful comments for a little six-year-old boy. I watched Jared jotting down Scripture references and taking notes. The children were listening, even if the younger ones were a bit restless.

Monday dawned bright and beautiful. In the quiet of the morning, I climbed down the steps with my Bible. The kids were fast asleep after a fun day at the slopes. As I read in Ezekiel, I thought about the importance of teaching our children God’s Word and ways. The book of Ezekiel says over and over again, “I the Lord have spoken it, and I will do it.” And, “Then they shall know that I am the LORD.” Chapter 34 gives warning to those who were to lead God’s people.

Instantly I thought of my responsibility to my children and the next generation at large. God says in chapter 34, verse 2 and following, “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?... The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost, but with force and cruelty you have ruled them.”

Oh, how do I handle my own dear precious children? It’s easy to get frustrated with constant questions and their need for attention, but those “interruptions” are an important part of the teaching process.

I do not have all the answers to life’s questions. But God does. All He asks us to do is follow Him and take the next step. Talk to Him today. He’s waiting for you. Let Him reveal Himself to you through His precious Word. And when He shows Himself to you, teach your children. If you do not have children, maybe God’s been impressing on you to teach a children’s class at your church. I know from my years of being a children’s church teacher that in the process of preparing a Bible lesson, the teacher often learns more than the students do! Whatever way God is leading you, the next generation needs to be taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

Are you ready to take the next step?

Live the adventure,
Susan

“Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me. For You are the God of my salvation; On you I wait all the day long.” Psalm 25:4,5

Picture Credits: Big Bear Vacations

Who is the God of our Salvation?

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits. The God of our Salvation.” Psalm 68:19 Selah

The Lord knows I needed to dwell on Psalm 68:19 – it’s been a rough week. I’m posting Memory Verse Monday a bit early. Many decisions need to be made involving our sons and their education. Many questions weigh in the balance. The answers seem unclear. Each child has unique gifts and needs. How do we discover how to best provide for those needs?

I’ve explored Psalm 68:19 before in a previous post, noting the words, “daily” and “loads” when it comes to praising God for His benefits. But this week God has impressed on my heart the last part of this verse, “The God of our Salvation.” At the end of this Scripture, I noticed the Hebrew word - Selah. Selah is a term that tells the reader to pause and think on what was said.

So, who is the God of our Salvation?

Sometimes it’s good to go back and review the attributes of God. I know it has helped me appreciate anew the nature of God in whom I trust. (click here for the resource link about God’s attributes with supporting Scriptures) Of course God's attributes are not limited to this list. This is just a reminder to begin to search the wonders of our God.

God’s Natural Attributes: Inwardly in Himself

Omniscient: Knows everything
Immutable: God never changes
Infinite: No limits/The heavens cannot contain Him
Omnipotent: Has all power
Incomprehensible: Beyond our understanding
Transcendent: Above creation/Exists totally apart from His creation
Sovereign: He is in total control & is totally supreme/God does whatever He pleases
Omnipresent: Present everywhere/All of God, all the time
Self-Existent: Depends on nothing for His existence
Self-Sufficient: Brings about His will without help
Eternal: No beginning & End/Not confined to time


God’s Moral Attributes: Outwardly to His Creation

Holy: Morally Excellent/Perfect
Long-suffering: Righteous anger is slow to be kindled
Wrathful: Hatred for all unrighteousness
Wise: Causes Him to choose righteous ends
Righteous: Always does right
Truthful: Whatever God says is truth/God of truth
Faithful: Always true to promises
Loving: exhibits a love not based on worth or merit of object of His love
Just: Fair in all His actions
Good: God gives according to His good will
Merciful: Lovingkindness/Compassion
Jealous: Unwilling to share what is rightfully His (ie: he cannot endure anything standing between Him and your heart’s love)

This week God has taken me to task. Am I praising the God of my Salvation? Am I looking to Him for the answers?

Oh Lord, forgive me for failing to praise You for who You are. You are wise and good and all powerful. Nothing is too hard for You. May I rest in that knowledge today knowing You will show Yourself faithful. I thank You for who You are. You are God, very God and there is none like You. Thank you Jesus. I love You.

Double Sevens

I've been tagged by Helen at A Work of Heart for a 7 Random Things MeMe.

I thought, well, I've done this MeMe before, but I figured maybe I'd try to be a bit more random this time. Helen, you did a good job with randomness!

Let's see if I can make this brief. (smile) On to the double sevens...

1 - My favorite flowers are Gerber Daisies.

2 - I love to get up before everyone in my house is awake and read (my Bible and other books) and write. My dream is to have a children's picture book published.

3 - One of my favorite treats are chocolate covered pretzels.

4 - I injured my knee skiing when my oldest son was one and a half years old. (He's 16 now.) The crazy thing was I continued playing on a raquetball league through the spring only to discover in June when I was in severe pain with my knee buckling out from under me that I had blown my Anterior Cruciate Ligament out while skiing in February.

5 - August of 1993, five days before my second scheduled knee surgery to reconstruct the ligament with part of my hamstring muscle (the 1st was to remove what little remained of the ligament), I hiked to the top of Crane Mountain in New York with my boyfriend Jim. (Most of you know that my first husband died when I was twenty-five. My oldest son was 9 months old.) At the top of the mountain Jim whipped out a diamond ring and proposed.

6 - One of my favorite Bible stories is about Joseph.

7 - My middle name is Irene which means peace. The name Kelly was my first married name (Susan Irene Kelly), but I kept the Kelly name to develop a sense of heritage and connection for my oldest son, Jared Alan Kelly Skitt.

Oh I tried to be random, but it's hard for me. I'm a writer and a thinker and I love for things to flow logically. So maybe this post isn't completely random...

Anyhow, the rules are to tag 7 other people. I'm going to bend the rules a bit and leave it open to whomever would like to play. Just leave a note in my comment section if you're participating so others can read.

Happy Wednesday!

Live the adventure,
Susan

A High and Holy Calling

I have to admit, I’ve been excited to see what God was going to show me this past week through memorizing Ezekiel 11:19, 20.

On Tuesday, I drove to my local office supply store and purchased a small two-ring notebook containing 5x7 cards. At home, I wrote: “Week of February 4, 2008, Bible Memory, Ezekiel 11:19, 20. “Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statues and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.”

My brain is a little rusty as far as memorizing goes, but each day, sometimes several times a day; I’d grab my notebook and read the verses. Then I’d try to recite sections, adding as I went.

So, what has God impressed on my heart?

“Then I will give them one heart.” The word ONE stood out to me. At first when I was memorizing, I kept trying to say, “A heart”, but God said ONE. What does that mean? Well, I’m not a Bible scholar, but to me one means one - not two or three or ten, God said ONE heart. God wants us to have a heart that is singularly devoted to Him, not divided.

In conjunction with ONE heart, God says that He will put a NEW spirit in us, taking out our stony heart, our hard hearts, giving us a tender heart towards Him and His ways. Notice the person doing this is God, not us. God says, “I will give…I will put… [I will] take… [I will] give.”

What is God’s desire for us? To walk in His statutes and keep His judgments and DO them. Faith, living faith is active and obedient. Now you all know that it is one thing to KNOW what to do and it’s quite another to DO it!

As I read further in Ezekiel during the week, God impressed on me some of those “things” I need to be DOING. Chapter 16 verse 49 talks about some previous nations that had sinned and God said His people, Israel, were worse. What are some of the sins God pointed out? “Pride, fullness of food, abundance of idleness, did not help the poor and needy.”

Wow! What a mouthful!

Besides the ugly pride with which I struggle and the tendency I have to grab an unhealthy snack instead of fruit, God really hit home in my heart about “idleness”. Now I don’t like to think of myself that way. I’m a busy person - active in church, my sons' schools, I like to read and write, and workout at the gym.

All of these things are good but there’s something that’s been getting the short end of the stick - my home. In the process of avoiding household tasks like routine cleaning (I tend to marathon clean – ie: someone’s coming, I better get in gear and get my house cleaned from top to bottom), my family has become the “poor and needy.” My husband and my children say, “Mom, there aren’t any cups in the cabinet…”

When my family points this out to me, I usually joke and say, “My, my, did I leave the dishes in the sink and forget to load the dishwasher?” Forget? Hardly, more like AVOID. There’s not enough time in today’s post to discuss all of my housekeeping skills or lack thereof. And yes, I do have my sons help with certain household chores, including dishes, just not every day.

But God has pointed out to me that taking care of my family is a high-calling, not a joke. I’ve known this all along, but this was God’s nudge in the right direction to start obeying. Instead of grabbing a book or working on a new writing project (including blogging), I need to make sure the needs of my family are cared for first.

So what did I learn this week? That I want God to give me ONE heart and let Him put that NEW spirit in me so I have a desire to walk in His ways and not be idle. I can continue to do good things, but not to the extreme of neglecting to take care of the needs of my family, a high and holy calling from the Lord.

And I’m happy to report that this past week there has indeed been drinking cups IN the kitchen cabinet and I didn’t even have to run out to the store and waste more money on a stack of paper cups. It actually felt good to get my dishes done each day. Praise God for HIS work!

My memory verse for this coming week? A review of Psalm 68:19. This is a verse I had tried to memorize before, but I keep forgetting parts of it. “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation.”

I wonder what God will be up to this week? If you’d like to join in the fun, visit Karen’s Ramblings for Memory Verse Monday!

Live the adventure,
Susan

Sunday Stuff and Superheros

For the sake of fun and parenting, I fondly entitle this post: Sunday Stuff (not to be confused with Sue at Praise and Coffee's, Friday Fluff) I'm just having a little fun reporting a few afternoon happenings in the Skitt household today and doing a little spoof off of my blogging friend's "fluff" idea.

"Three superheros decend the stairs in the Skitt house this afternoon. Batman, aka, Justin, age 10, Superman, aka Jason, age 9, and a daring version of Spiderman, aka, Joel, age six who amazingly crammed his growing body into a size 4 superhero costume from years gone by.

With the outfits soon discarded in the middle of the family room floor, the cousins are having a grand time playing video games - competing in a SSX Tricky Snowboard game to see who can get 'New boards, new outfits, and new places, and new ranks,' or so it was reported to one said Mom/Aunt Sue (yes, my nephews call me Aunt Sue, not Susan). Joel has opted to put on his soccer shorts and shirt. My nephews don't have the option of raiding clothes drawers, although they are back in their jeans and shirts.

With the winter chill and winds whipping at a frantic speed, all the Sunday happenings that happen after church - wrestling, running, sending a little parachute man sailing in the air - are happening inside today. (Can you see my eyes crossing?)

Well, it's time for this little Sunday stuff post to end. I have some chicken nuggets to get in the oven and then into some very hungry boys (and some apple and orange slices too) before venturing out into the frigid night for Sunday evening church. Brrr..."

Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend!

Live the adventure,
Susan

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness,

O God, my Father;

There is no shadow of turning with Thee.

Thou changest not; Thy compassions, they fail not.

As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide.

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow-

Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside!

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.

This is my dear Mom's favorite hymn! I just wanted to share the beautiful words with you today. May you discover the wonderful mercies of Jesus every day!

Credits: Song Lyrics: Thomas O. Chisholm

Picture: unknown-beautiful computer sample picture

Faith Journey

Did you ever think about the word faith?

A simple dictionary definition of faith is "belief or trust." Whom are you trusting with your life and your eternity?

I have chosen to place my faith, my trust, in God.

Romans 10:17 says, "So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." The Bible says that God sent His perfect Son, Jesus Christ, into this world to die on the cross for our sins. But Jesus, God in the flesh, didn't stay dead. He rose up from the grave three days later, just as He promised!

Why is that so important?

Because that is how God has made a way for us to go to Heaven, by placing our faith, our trust in Jesus' finished work on the cross. And part of God's promise for those who trust Jesus as Savior includes traveling with us on life's journey.

Leviticus 25:23 says, "We are strangers and sojourners WITH GOD." What an adventure!

One of my favorite devotional writers, Joni E. Tada says this: "Faith enables us to realize our true positions as sojourners on this planet... through faith we understand that we are not physical beings having a spiritual experience but spiritual beings having a physical experience."

Imagine? We are spiritual beings having a physical experience! Good food for thought to consider on this journey of faith!

Live the adventure,
Susan

Uh, What did God say again?

Did you ever wonder which way to go? On life's journey we may not always have our maps, our Bibles, with us. But we can learn to hide God's Word in our heart. It's been a long time since I've learned a new Bible verse on my own. Sometimes I find myself saying, "Uh, what did God say again? I forget the exact words..."

Last week while reading my Bible, I underlined two verses in Ezekiel. Well, many verses, but these are two that I will be committing to memory this week.

"Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God." Ezekiel 11:19,20 NKJV

Thank you Karen at Karen's Ramblings for hosting Memory Verse Monday and thank you Susan at Penless Writer for linking me there.

Live the adventure,

Susan

P.S. I've posted twice today, don't miss out on the short video link below...

Flashback

Sometimes good things bear repeating.

This is one of those things. I posted this on my blog a long time ago and have also included it in my sidebar under Links to Check Out as "A true story you will not forget."

Make sure you grab a box of tissues before you hit this link. Really, or you'll be wiping your nose on your sleeve. Oh and don't forget to raise the volume on your computer. I like to read posts in silence, but this link is a short video narrated by a loving father. You don't want to miss what he has to say.

God often chooses the weak in this world to display His power. This is one of those times. Be blessed and continue to keep this family in your prayers.

http://www.ignitermedia.com/products/iv/singles/570/99-Balloons

Much love,
Susan

Awards, Awards, Awards

There's alot of love being passed around in blogland!

Hi all. Just making note of some special friends who have graced me with some amazing blog awards. Now, I'm a simple kind of gal, a bit dramatic at times, but in many other ways very simple. I tend to pick neutral color clothes (blues, tans, whites, blacks), I like to eat my chocolate plain (no nuts or mint in it, please), and my home decor tends to lean on the Scandinavian side, (I don't collect knick-knacks). Simple. Plain. I like it like that.

With that said, I'm simply listing the awards with the award givers below. No flash. No fan fare. I've included links to these wonderful sites so you can find out more about the awards and the award givers. As for viewing the little widgets (that's what you call blog images, right?), I'm having a bit of trouble loading pictures on Blogger right now. So when I pass on each of these three awards to three blogging friends, if you receive the award and would like to include the award image on your site, please click on the underlined link included. Does that make sense? Aw, if you don't get me, you can always email me :)

Oh, and one more thought before the unveiling. I've included a list of blog awards in my sidebar with links to the award givers. Thank you all. You bless me so much! Without much further ado:

The Loveable Blog Award: From Angela at Refresh My Soul

I am passing on the Loveable Blog Award to Helen at Muisto. Helen, it's only fair, you gave me a pink award, now it's my turn to give you one! (smile) Just take a look at Helen's photo image in her sidebar and you'll have an idea why I chose her to receive the Loveable Award! Cute as a doll that girl is. Hugs to you my friend.

E for Excellent Award: From Helen at Work of Heart

I am passing the Excellent Award to Inspired at The Salem Family Blog. Stephen, you make me smile every time I visit your site. From one parent to another, your boys are simply adorable and your photos catch them in all sorts of daily adventures. I just have to smile every time I visit! And guess what? This blog award is black and white, not pink. (smile)

Forever Friends Award: From Nedra at Ink Recitals

Now I could pass this award along to most every one of you who stop by, really, no joke. I've made some amazing friends with kindred spirits here online. But I just have to give this award to Helen at Work of Heart. Helen I remember the first time I came across your site. I sat there saying, "Wow!" Your writing moves me. I so identify with your heart for God and your family. Helen I am honored to call you my forever friend, all because of Jesus! So please accept this little award that looks like a bubble gum machine (hee, hee, hee). I hope it doesn't clash with your new colors on your blog. (Oh that's so like a girl to say that, isn't it?)

Once again, thank you my friends. God bless and have a great day!

Live the adventure,
Susan