Water Walking

Water cascaded over the side of the rocky incline. I stared at the waterfall thirty feet away and the rushing water in front of me. What am I doing? Am I crazy?

"Come on Mom. It's great." Jared yelled above the roar of the water. Dark water swirled around my teenage son as he grasped another rock along the edge of the rushing river.

"Oh, it's cold," I shrieked as I slid into the water. My husband was just a few feet in front of me. The water was slightly above his waist, but when I plunged in, it came up to my chest. How did I end up river walking? We were just going to dip our feet in and get a few pictures of the waterfall!

"You can do it, Sue. Just move one foot at a time. Get a good grip of the rocks on the side. The current is strong and it's slippery under the water, so step carefully."

After several minutes of moving against the force of the water, I stopped about ten feet from Auger Falls. "This is far enough for me. I can see the waterfall great from here," I yelled above the noise.

My son peeked out from a narrow crevice behind the cascading water. "No, Mom. You have to come all the way - all the way behind the waterfall."

My husband turned around. "You can do it, just grab my hand."

"I can't. I'm fine right here."

"You can." Jim extended his hand. "You'll be safe with me."

I looked into my husband's eyes and then took a deep breath and leaned forward. Our hands interlocked and I squeezed tight while clinging to the rock with my right. Little by little, I edged forward, closer to the waterfall. Soon, I was looking out from under a veil of falling water at the rushing river below.

"I can't believe this." I leaned against the cool, wet rock wall that surrounded us on three sides. "It's amazing!"

"Isn't it great?" Jared said, his voice echoing slightly under the rocky shelf.

"You did it Sue." Jim looked at me with a smile. "I knew you could."

"With your help, Jim. I wouldn't have made it without you."

Life is a little like water walking. Sometimes God doesn't allow us to see the waterfall from the sidelines. There are times He brings us right down into the rushing river and allows us to see life and eternity from a different vantage point.

Don't stop. Keep moving. Reach out and grasp the Rock of Christ. Allow your friends and family to help you along the journey. God has given us friends in the Lord to encourage and help one another. And the beautiful part is that along the way, you just might discover that life with Christ is one amazing adventure!

Won't you join the journey?

In Jesus' love,
Susan

P.S. This event really happened last summer at Auger Falls in New York. It was my first waterfall river walk!

Soar

Did you ever watch an eagle soar through the sky? What an amazing sight to behold. Majestic and strong, this beautiful bird will rise and crest with the wind. God says that we can mount up with wings like eagles. I like that promise!



Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:30,31

These Bible verses are special to me. In fact, after attending public school up through the eighth grade, I had the opportunity to attend a little Christian school for my high school years. Isaiah 40:31 was our field hockey team's theme verse.

On various trips, I remember riding along in the yellow school bus to and from our games singing with the rest of the girls, "They that wait upon the LORD, shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles..."

Surely that Scripture song has come back to me again and again, on good days and days that I'm having a really tough time. You see, with Jesus Christ, we can mount up and rise above life's circumstances, just like an eagle. The LORD surely will carry us through.

Teach me LORD, teach me LORD to wait!

Live the adventure,
Susan

A Noteworthy Quote

I found this "noteworthy quote" in my Women of Faith devotional Bible today:

"I want to be able to say yes to everything God has for me, not because I've become courageous, but because He's God. And He's great; and He's good; and He's true; and He's faithful! Shelia Walsh

Look for more noteworthy quotes from time to time, right here on Adventurous Living!

Live the adventure,
Susan

Let's chat for a moment...

Hi my friends!

Just a few thoughts:

First, thank you for your lovely comments. I love hearing from you. I love interacting with you here at Adventurous Living and on your blogs. God has given us such an amazing and fun network here, hasn't He?

The picture in the post below was taken on our summer family vacation. Every year we visit the Adirondack Mountains in New York and enjoy a hike. This hike was on a favorite trail to Crane Mountain. To the right is another picture of the trail. This picture includes my husband and my youngest son. At times the trail became very rocky and difficult. But it was worth the effort!

As many of you know, I like to think of life as a journey, an adventure that God has set out before us, an adventure that He promises to travel WITH us. No matter how difficult it may get, God is leading us home. I am so glad for that. How about you? If you are not sure - if you are not absolutely certain about your eternity, you can be. God says so, not me. Please email me at skskitt@comcast.net. I'd love to chat with you more and show you through the Bible what God says.

If you haven't checked out my April 9th post, please take a few moments to read the interview with Allison Bottke about her new book, Setting Boundaries with Your Adult Children. If you leave a comment on that post (and if you desire), you will be entered into a giveaway for Allison's book. The deadline to enter is midnight tonight, Eastern Standard Time. I will announce the winner tomorrow!

Speaking of deadlines, it is tax return deadline for those of us living in the United States. I am thankful this year that our return is in early. There have been times in the past where I was running right up until the deadline... who needs that stress?

Remember, that in life, we have a deadline. And unlike the deadline for our taxes, we don't know the day or hour our life will end here on earth. God says we need to be ready. In John 14:6, Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." Your decision needs to made NOW!

God's way is straight. It is narrow. It is ONE way. Are you traveling on the right path? I hope and pray you are. If you aren't, it only takes a moment to change direction. There is nothing we can do to save ourselves. We cannot be good enough to come to God. In fact, the Bible says our sin separates us from God. Romans 6:23 says, "The wages of sin is death, BUT the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

What a gift! What a Savior - Jesus Christ our Lord! Have you received that gift? I hope and pray you have. If not, why not receive it right now? You will have peace with God and a home reserved for you in Heaven.

Live the adventure,
Susan

Trying to Escape?

Escape...

That’s what I would have done, or at least that’s what I thought I would have done, until I understood there was more going on than some power hungry king taking people captive.

Daniel, a young man from the land of Judah didn’t try to escape the clutches of a foreign king. Why?

He was content to serve God exactly where God had placed him. In fact, Daniel was obeying God’s order to stay in the land of Babylon. God’s people as a nation had been walking on thin ice for quite a few years. The prophet Jeremiah warned the nation of Israel that judgment was coming for their sin. They were specifically warned not to run away when it happened.

So what did Daniel do? He obeyed.

Years passed and kings came and went and Daniel remained faithful in that foreign land. He served God and gave God all the praise and glory. Through the years, there were numerous death threats on Daniel’s life and the life of his friends, whether from an irate king or jealous men.

But in the midst of all the craziness, Daniel remained steadfast, content with where God had placed him. Did that mean Daniel sat back and had a fatalist attitude when threatened with death? No. I don’t believe that’s what it means to be content. Daniel prayed. He grabbed his three buddies and they held a prayer meeting on more than one occasion.

The Bible says, “Then Daniel went to his house, and made the decision known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Bablyon.” (Daniel 2:16,17)

It’s interesting to note that by the time Daniel faces a den of hungry lions, Daniel is no longer a young man, in fact he’s quite old.

The Bible says, “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.” (Daniel 6:10)

“As was his custom.” I’d say Daniel had developed some good habits. He prayed, even when Daniel knew a decree had been signed that said he would be put to death. He obeyed God and he was content.

Let’s face it, not many of us are faced with death on a daily basis. But who knows, with the way America is going, one day we or our children might be. No matter what happens, we can learn to be content in the Lord. We can learn what it means to pray.

Nothing is out of God’s control. Daniel believed God. What about you? What about me? Will we like Daniel pray and thank God for His goodness? Will we come to the Lord and humbly admit our willful, sinful ways and ask for forgiveness? Will we like Daniel plead God’s mercy?

“For we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies.” (Daniel 9:18)

Oh Lord, help us like Daniel to understand Your truth. Help us to read Your Holy Word and cry out to you. May we like Your beloved Daniel learn what it means to serve You and be content, knowing you hold all things in Your Almighty hand. May we like Daniel plead Your everlasting mercies. You are good oh Lord. You are righteous. In Christ’s righteousness we stand secure. In Jesus’ holy name I pray it, Amen.

Power Source

What does it mean to have “God’s power?”

I’ve been racking my brain this past week trying to figure it out while learning Isaiah 40:29 for Memory Verse Monday. Isaiah 40:29 (NKJV) says, “He [God] gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might, He increases strength.”

It’s always a good idea to see the Biblical context of a verse, so I checked out the preceding verses in Isaiah chapter 40 that talk about God’s creative and sustaining power. God is the Creator of this world and outerspace. He spoke everything into existence and He keeps everything by His mighty hand. And He doesn’t get the least bit tired. That’s good news to me because the older I get, the more tired I am! And to think I was one of those awful children who never took naps… my poor Mom!

So, the next question I asked myself was, “How does God’s Almighty power affect my daily life? What does that creative and sustaining power look like?”

When I became a young widow raising my infant son at the age of twenty-five, I knew what it meant to be weak – physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially. I didn’t know how I was going to make it, I only knew that my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ would make a way, and He did.

Fast forward seventeen years. It’s easy for me to forget about God’s sustaining power and begin to fret about the future. Often, I’m running ahead of the Lord and shifting into high gear, planning, scheduling, rescheduling wondering all the time, “How is God going to work all this out?”

But that’s just it. God doesn’t want us to figure it all out. Right before the Bible tells us that God gives power to the weak, the Bible says that God’s understanding is unsearchable! When my focus is on the problem and not the God over the problem, I am living in my own strength and not God’s strength. You see, God doesn’t promise power to the strong, He promises power to the weak. God doesn’t say He will increase strength to the mighty, He promises strength to those who have no might.

So I humbly admit once again, “Lord, I don’t know what to do or how to do it, so please show me the way. You know the needs of our family and the deepest needs of my heart. You are the One, the only one with all the power and might. There is none like You! Help me to wait on You and then as You reveal Your will, take the next step.”

What about you? What has God shown you about His power and strength? I’d love to hear from you on this subject.

Live the adventure,
Susan

“But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 NKJV

Picture Credit: Wikipedia; Wind Turbine

Sorry, No Returns

A few weeks ago, I began a journey memorizing three Bible verses for Memory Verse Monday. I originally wanted to find a verse that talked about drawing near to God. “What a treasure!” I thought when I discovered James 4:8. It looked like a beautiful emerald to me. The first half of James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

Drawing near to God was so appealing to me that I decided it would be good to memorize James 4:6 one week, James 4:7 the next week, and James 4:8 the last week to learn how. James 4:6 glistened like a ruby and James 4:7 sparkled like a diamond - precious jewels indeed.

However, by the middle of last week I was ready to give my emerald back.

There is a second half to James 4:8. “Cleanse your hands you sinners and purify your hearts you double-minded.”

At first, I thought “no sweat, that’s not a problem.” In my excitement, I thought I would compare cleansing our hands from sin with how necessary it is to wash our hands with soap to help get rid of germs that can cause sickness. But as the week progressed, I found out God was going to get much more thorough in His washing procedure. Let’s just say I needed a good scrubbing.

Sometimes stains can be stubborn. Not too long ago I opened my electric clothes dryer and gasped. “What happened?” I pulled out a light blue shirt and discovered dark blue blotches all over it. Not only was the shirt ruined, but the inside drum of the dryer was covered in ink. A pen had exploded. What a mess!

Through a particular article a friend had written, God showed me that I have some big blue blotches in an area of my life that has to do with my spending habits. This wasn’t the first time that God had convicted me in this area, but this time He was telling me to do something about it. I was so disturbed with this discovery, I felt like tossing that “emerald” back into the treasure box and closing the lid. “Do I need this extra stress? I LIKE what I’m doing. I like shopping. I like…”

I felt the Holy Spirit’s gentle nudging. “Susan, didn’t you say you wanted to draw near to me? Now let me clean up this mess in your life. Let me help you take the next step.”

“But Lord, I take great pleasure in my shopping trips. I love…”

God’s voice wasn’t audible, but I felt Him drawing close. “Take pleasure in Me.”

My jaw nearly dropped to the ground. “I do Lord. I take pleasure in You.”

The Holy Spirit’s voice was smooth and clear - like cleansing water. “Find your pleasure in Me.”

My eyes filled with tears. “Okay Lord.” I didn’t know what else to say. I knew I needed to submit to the Lord. He impressed on me that He is the source of true and lasting pleasure.

The Lord speaks to us through the Bible but He will also use friends who are obeying His voice and reading His Word. James 4:8 is an emerald indeed, one I want to keep. And wise friends - praying friends who are not afraid to speak the truth in love are another one of God’s special treasures.

Live the adventure,
Susan

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

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.

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

Hidden Treasure

"My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God." Proverbs 2:1-5 NKJV

Did you ever go on a treasure hunt?

I feel like a big kid watching my six-year-old son and his cousins blaze a trail through the backyard on a quest for hidden treasure. The kids chatter with excitement and form a huddle, pouring over directions that take them from clue to clue. Their faces light up with joy when they finally uncover a special treasure box filled with treats. The hunt is often as exciting as finding the prize!

The Bible is like a treasure map. On our own, it’s hard to understand God, to know His ways. How can we? We are finite human beings trying to figure out an infinite God. But, He has made a way for us to know Him. He has revealed Himself to us through His Holy Word, the Bible.

Consider the first words in Proverbs chapter two, verse five: "Then you will understand." What are the requirements to understanding God’s wisdom? It is laid out like a treasure map for us in the preceding verses. Proverbs chapter two, verses one through four, hold the clues.

First clue: Receive my words

Second clue: Treasure my commands

Third clue: Incline your ear

Fourth clue: Apply your heart

Fifth clue: Cry out for discernment

Sixth clue: Lift up your voice for understanding

Seventh clue: Seek her as silver

Eighth clue: Search for her as hidden treasures

The treasure: Understanding and knowledge of God to help us on life's journey

The wisdom of God is like hidden treasure, just waiting for us to uncover its precious jewels. It only takes a minute to reach up on that shelf and dust off your Bible. Are you ready to join the fun and discover hidden treasure?

A Change In Plans

Have you ever experienced a change in plans? Maybe you are cruising along, thinking, “This is what God wants” when all of sudden something happens to change course.

It’s happened to me. In the process, I’ve had to ask myself hard questions like, “Am I really following God? Am I walking outside of His will?”

Daily, we need to evaluate our hearts and lives to answer that question for ourselves. Admittedly, there have been times I have gone off track and yet there are times when my fellowship with God has been sweet and then the Lord has shown me a different way.

I’ve been reading in I Chronicles, (after reading Jeremiah, I Chronicles is next in the chronological Bible reading plan), and stopped to ponder chapter 17, verses 1-4.

“1 Now it came to pass, when David was dwelling in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under tent curtains.”2 Then Nathan said to David, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.” 3 But it happened that night that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, 4 “Go and tell My servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: “You shall not build Me a house to dwell in." (NKJV)

Years before, Nathan and David had a different type of conversation. Nathan the prophet confronted David, correcting the King when David was clearly walking outside of God’s will by having an affair with Bathsheba. (See II Samuel 12:1-15)

But this time, things are good. The King is not messing around or messing up. So David comes to Nathan the prophet in I Chronicles seventeen and tells him how he wants to build a house for God. Look at Nathan’s response in verse two. “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.”

But then something happens.

That night God comes to Nathan and tells him something different. God says, “You shall not build Me a house…”

So was David outside of God’s will? No. David was walking with God at this point. But God had a different plan. As David prepared to move forward with his plan, God showed him another way.

When you don’t know what to do about a situation, look to God. Ask Jesus what to do. At times, the way has been unclear to me. I must admit, I’m experiencing one of those times in my life right now. Often, the answer doesn’t come overnight. There have been times I’ve wondered and prayed for months, even years. Instead of worrying through those silent times, I need to come to God like King Jehoshaphat (see II Chronicles chapter 20) and pray, “I don’t know what to do, but my eyes are on You, Lord Jesus.”

I’m so glad God knows the way. All we need to do is commit our way to Him and follow the Lord as He reveals His plan. And with 2008 on the horizon, we can enter the New Year with His peace and promise of direction.

Lord, you know the way. May I simply rest in Your Word and the promise of Your direction today. I thank you for Your wisdom, Your direction, but most of all for Your never ending love. I pray that others might experience the peace that passes all understanding that only You can give. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Joy, Joy, Joy

This is my youngest son Joel's Kindergarten class singing at their school Christmas concert. (My Joel is the fifth child on the left with his mouth wide open - hee, hee, hee! Just click on the picture to get a closer view.)

My heart just wells up with JOY!

One summer many years ago, I was walking home from a playground with my ten-month-old son Jared. (Jared is now sixteen.) As I pushed his stroller along the bumpy path, I met an older woman. After we exchanged pleasantries, she politely asked, "Is this your only child?"

Now normally that question would not have been a big deal except for something that had happened six weeks previous.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and tried my best to paste a smile on my face. "Yep," I said, my lower lip quivering. "He's my only one." In my mind I added, "Yep and he'll be the only one I'll ever have since my husband just died."

So why am I posting this at Christmastime?

Because as the months progressed, I knew I needed to give all my unfulfilled dreams to Jesus and leave them there. It wasn't easy. Many times my desire for a husband and more children seemed to strangle my perspective on life. Each time that hurt would surge, I just kept laying it at Jesus feet.

God tells us in I Peter 5:7, "Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully." (Amplified Bible)

So why is it when we have anxieties or worries or concerns that we try to take them back from God? God tells us to leave them with Him once and for all. Why? Because He cares for us and wants what is best for us.

God works differently in the lives of people. Not everyone sees their hopes and dreams fulfilled. But sometimes God gives us visible reminders of His eternal promises in everyday life. In my life, God blessed me once again with the joy of loving a husband and the birth of another child. God in His infinite wisdom knows just what we need. And in that knowledge, I find rest.

So as Jim and I, along with our oldest son Jared (Jim adopted Jared after we were married), Jim's mom, my grandparents, and parents, watched Joel sing his little heart out on stage, I was acutely reminded that although God allows sorrow, He also brings joy. My little six-year-old boy is a daily reminder of God's willingness to give unexpected surprises along life's journey.

May you find the true and abiding source of JOY - JESUS! God loves you so much!

Live the adventure,
Susan

Return to Him

I’m reading in the book of Amos right now, following the chronological schedule for reading through the Bible. I won’t make it through the Bible in one year this time, but I am steadily reading along. In times past, I would get discouraged when I got behind in my reading and I’d just completely give up.

I’ve since learned the benefits of continuing to read through: Perspective. God’s Word gives us perspective on life and the afterlife. Many people have questions, I know I do, and where better to look for the answers than from the Creator Himself?

For example, in the first four chapters of Amos, the phrase “Thus says the LORD” or “says the LORD” appears nearly THIRTY times.

What is God trying to tell us? God used Amos, a sheepbreeder, to give His message to Israel in the days of King Uzziah. The Women of Faith Devotional Bible commentary has this to say about the book of Amos.

“The people of Israel were materialistic, immoral, and indifferent to the Word of God. Sound familiar? It doesn’t necessarily sound like something taken from a book written nearly three thousand years ago, does it? And yet these words describe the times of Amos, the prophet who called his people to heed the message of the Lord. Amos makes crystal clear the cause for concern, but as is always the case with a loving God, Amos assures us there is hope when we trust Him.”

Amos 1:9 says, “They did not remember the covenant of brotherhood.”

Amos 2:4 says, “Their lies lead them astray.”

Amos 3:10 says, “They do not know to do right.”

Amos 4 says over and over again, “You have not returned to Me,” says the LORD.

How can we really know what God says unless we read His Word?

Amos 4:13 says this about God. “For behold, He who forms mountains, And creates wind, Who declares to man what his thought is, And makes the morning darkness, Who treads the high places of the earth—The LORD God of hosts is His name.”

Sound intimidating? But listen, God says this in chapter 5, verse 4, “Seek Me and live.”

The incredible thing to grasp is this: The Creator of the Universe loves you. He doesn't want you to live a runied life. He wants you to know life and life eternal. He says to you and me, “Seek Me.”

I’m so glad to know He loves us that much, aren’t you? Won’t you seek Him today? He’s all ready seeking you.

Live the adventure,

The Great Adventure

Proverbs Journey – Day 31 “The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.” Proverbs 31:11,12,26,27

What an adventure these last thirty-one days have been!

What jumped out at me today in this chapter that includes the virtuous woman was the idea that her husband safely trusts her. For many years, I breezed over the accomplishments of this woman thinking it was an unattainable goal. Good thoughts, wonderful example, but me? I don’t think it’s happening.

Check out the whole list in this chapter. (click here for a link)

I personally don’t like to sew (although I have a mom and sisters who do and make some beautiful items), I’m not a gourmet cook (however I have satisfactorily learned how to make a juicy grilled chicken breast along with a few other things), I don’t have servants working for me (but the idea of a weekly visit from a maid service has crossed my mind, but doesn’t quite agree with my pocketbook), I tend to be a bit of a talker (which sometimes means I say way too much and can get into trouble), so what’s this forty-something wife and mom to do?

In the Women of Faith Devotional Bible I am reading this year, the commentary says this at the beginning of Proverbs, “It has been said, ‘If you want to be a Proverbs 31 woman, the best thing to do is read and apply the first 30 chapters of the book to your life.”

It occurred to me that as I grow in my Spiritual life and trust God, my husband and children will be able to trust me. The fruits of the Spirit in my life will become a natural out-pouring of my time spent with God. As I yield myself to him, he will show me how to become a better wife, mom, and homemaker, because God is interested in helping his children succeed.

I may never pick up sewing, but I do like to work with my hands and have refinished furniture and woodwork in our home. I enjoy making my home comfortable with pillows and blankets and books to read. I love to fill my kitchen with the aroma of apple-cinnamon cider (look for the simple recipe at my new blog, Susie’s Kitchen) and occasionally whip out the flour and sugar and bake chocolate-chip cookies with my sons. (Chocolate chips are my husband’s favorite!) I try to shop for bargains and clothe my family with practical yet stylish clothes. I look for ways to volunteer at my sons schools and have fun riding bike with my family. And even though I often have to make a mad dash to the grocery store for that forgotten item or get a little grumpy when we’re running late, my family still loves me.

God, in his infinite wisdom, brought a twenty-seven-year-old widow and a thirty-two-year-old bachelor together in marriage fourteen years ago. My husband and I often laugh and say, “When God brought us together, our paths collided!”

I once asked him why he chose to marry me after waiting so long. He simply said this, “Sue, I knew you. I knew your family. I knew I could trust you.”

Each of us has varying gifts from God, some we are developing and some we are still discovering. We won’t be proficient in everything, but when we open our hearts and lives and learn from Jesus, we will discover his ways and that’s all that really matters.

Are you ready for the great adventure?

Live the adventure,
Susan

Confessions on the Journey

Proverbs Journey – Day 30 “Surely I am more stupid than any man, And do not have the understanding of a man. I neither learned wisdom, nor have knowledge of the Holy One. Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name? And His Son’s name? If you know? Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.” Proverbs 30:1-5

I once read about Corrie ten Boom’s journeys after surviving the terrors of the concentration camp during World War II. She traveled around the world, relying on God for his strength and direction, just as she had during the horrors of the war.

Something that struck me after all she had been through, after all she had done for Christ, is she still had struggles. I know we all do, but what rocks me to my core is her willingness to admit her shortcomings.

One hot summer’s night at a youth rally in Cuba, she was feeling pretty grumpy, tired, and impatient during a long, noisy, insect filled service. When it came to the end, the speaker gave an invitation for people to come forward and receive Christ as Savior.

It was late, and after hours of being in the small stifling room, she thought, “I hope nobody comes to the front. I long to get out of here and go to bed.”

Yet to her surprise, people began coming forward, kneeling at the altar with tears in their eyes.

Her heart melted at the sight and she said, “A startling realization swept over me. I was selfish.”

She readily confessed this to the Lord and God renewed her strength. The next morning she spoke in a beautiful church that had an introductory article in a parish magazine about her ministry. It said, “Corrie ten Boom is a most popular world evangelist… She is tireless and completely selfless in her absolute dedication to the cause of the Gospel.”

Corrie thought, “O Lord, if only these people knew who the real Corrie ten Boom is, they would not have come out this morning to hear me.”

She felt God prompting her tell the people in the congregation what had happened. After a bit of an internal struggle, she obeyed. Before speaking, she read the quote from the parish paper and then said, “Sometimes I get a headache from the heat of the halo that people put around my head. Would you like to know what Corrie ten Boom is really like?”

She proceeded to tell them what happened the night before. “But,” she said, “When I confessed my selfishness and egotism to the Father, Jesus Christ washed them in His blood. They are cast into the deepest part of the sea and a sign is put up that says, NO FISHING ALLOWED. Corrie ten Boom is lazy, selfish, and filled with ego. But Jesus in Corrie ten Boom is just the opposite of all these things.”

If you’ve been following along on this Proverbs Journey, I readily admit that Susan Kelly Skitt is fearful, selfish, impulsive, and proud. But Jesus Christ in me, is none of those things, Praise God. And when I confess my sin to Jesus, the Father forgives me and the Holy Spirit is able to do his work.

Romans 8:1& 2 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”

Every one of God’s words is pure, revealing to us what we need to know on life’s journey. He is the One that never fails and is always willing to forgive when we confess our sin. I’m glad I can trust him. How about you?

Live the adventure,
Susan

Quotes taken from Tramp for the Lord, the unforgettable true story of faith and survival by Corrie ten Boom

Finding Happiness

Proverbs Journey – Day 29 "Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.” Proverbs 29:18

“God’s Word is revelation. Everything else is just speculation.”

I love that simple statement about the Bible. God leaves no room for additions and subtractions. The Bible is complete and God has revealed to us what we need to know for life and life eternal.

Today’s verse talks about people who cast off restraint. When we turn on the T.V., we see example after example of people going wild, following their own desires. They may look happy; they may feel happy… for a time. But the results of living in sin ultimately lead to destruction.

We can speculate about life and the future and completely miss the mark. From Genesis to Revelation, all sixty-six books teach us God’s way. And what is God’s way? Believing in his Son, Jesus Christ—trusting him for eternal life.

Once we trust Christ as personal Savior, the Holy Spirit will teach us what we need to know, convicting our hearts and minds, guiding us, comforting us, helping us to grow. But we won’t know what God is saying unless we read his Word and then obey.

Stop speculating. Go to God, the source of all wisdom and read his Word. Trust Jesus Christ, the Living Word. Only then will we find true happiness.

He loves you. He’s waiting with open arms!

Live the adventure,
Susan

My prayer today: Oh Lord, I am convicted once again how much I need you, how much I need the truth of your Word. There have been times where I’ve wanted to cast aside restraint, but your convicting Spirit brings me back. Thank you for the joy that only you can bring, dear Heavenly Father. Thank you Jesus. Thank you Holy Spirit. You are an amazing God, the only God. My heart stands in awe of you. I kneel before you and look forward to the day when I will fall at the feet of Jesus my Savior. You alone are worthy of all praise, and honor, and glory…

Walk Wisely

Proverbs Journey – Day 28 “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.” Proverbs 28:26

Whom can you trust now days?

Often we’re left disappointed with slick presentations that promise the world and don’t deliver - pills that promise miracle weight-loss, cleansers that promise a glowing complexion, hair tonic (for all you men out there) that promise a full head of hair.

People say, “follow your heart”. It sounds romantic, but it only leads to trouble. The Bible says “whoever walks wisely will be delivered.” Delivered from what? From reaping the consequences of foolish choices.

It’s impossible to go back in time and change things, but with God, we can have a fresh start. Maybe you’ve been disappointed with all life has to offer. Get to know Jesus and learn about his promises. He will show you true wisdom.

When we learn God’s wisdom, we won’t be disappointed. The Bible reveals not only what God has done, but who he is and what he is doing with this world. That means you and me.

Let’s follow Jesus and learn to walk wisely. He is trustworthy. Don’t just take my word for it - check it out for yourself. You’ll be glad you did.

Live the adventure,
Susan

The Unexpected

Proverbs Journey – Day 27 “Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27:1

I tiptoed into my son’s room and peeked into his crib. Jared lay fast asleep, oblivious to the day’s horrific events. Tenderly, I brushed his baby-fine hair from his forehead and whispered a prayer. What am I going to do? How am I going to make it without my husband Gerry?

Shuffling down the hallway, I felt more like an eighty-six-year-old woman instead of a instead of twenty-six-year-old mother. My mom and my sister Pam, the only ones left from the mass of people that had converged on my house that evening, waited for me in the family room. The end table lamp cast a dim light. I felt glad. My eyes hurt from crying.

I could picture Gerry in this room, holding Jared’s little fingers while teaching him to walk. “You’re my boy. When you get bigger, Daddy’s going to take you hiking. We’re going to have so much fun.”

Exhausted, I sank into the seat next to my mom and lay my head against her shoulder. “Do you remember when…?” I began. It didn’t seem right talking about Gerry in the past tense. How could he be here one minute and gone the next? Death’s cold grip wasn’t supposed to touch our lives this soon, was it?

But it did. In a fraction of a moment, my life and the lives of our families changed forever. Earlier that afternoon, Gerry’s car had veered off the highway and rolled over. He didn’t survive the crash. God took Gerry home to Heaven.

This is my true story. Much has happened in the last fifteen years. But there’s one thing I’m sure of: God has been with me all the way.

Do I know what a day may bring forth? No. But I know the One who has held my hand and promises to never let go. Jesus promises to be with me, guarding me; guiding me, until I reach my home in Heaven.

Are you ready for eternity?

The Bible says you can be. Trust Jesus with your life. God doesn’t promise that this life will be easy, but he does promise to be with us when we know him as our personal Savior.

I can say with confidence, “And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)

Live the adventure,
Susan