A Reflection along the Road

This is a picture on the road to Crane Mountain in New York's Adirondacks. I'm not much of a photographer, but I'm glad I was able to take a quick snapshot while driving to the trailhead for our hike last summer . Don't you just love the reflection of the trees and clouds in the water?

In the same way, our lives will reflect what is in our hearts.

Are we filling our hearts and lives with the living, powerful Word of God? Because there is something that I have learned from experience - when I am following the destructive downward path called "sin", I stop reading my Bible. When I read the Holy Scriptures, God's Word pierces my heart and I have to do one of two things: Confess my sin and throw myself on the mercies of God or I can keep following that downward path to destruction. And make no mistake, the Bible says the Devil is walking around this earth like a roaring lion seeking whom he can devour.

If you are a believer in Christ, a true Christian who follows Jesus, (not just in name only), Satan cannot touch your eternal soul, but he can wreck havoc in our lives if we let him. Oh it doesn't happen usually all at once, more often it is a step by step process that leaves us dazed and confused wondering at the end of sin's trail, "How did I get here?"

What we need to do is this: Acknowlege our sins, confess our sins and ask God for forgiveness - daily.

First John 1:6-9 says this, "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth; But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (KJV)

That confessing my friends is daily. That cleansing my friends is also daily. Yes, we come to Christ once for forgiveness of sins and become His child when we accept Christ's finished work on the cross as payment for our sins, but as God's child, we need to have fellowship with him and that means we need to talk to God daily and get things right. Hey, Daniel in the Bible made a good habit of talking to God three times a day!

What is God speaking to your heart about today? May each of us submit to the convicting power of God's Word and yield to the Holy Spirit's work in our lives.

I give myself over today to my merciful God and Savior. Lord, have Your way in my life.

Live the adventure,
Susan

Simplify Your Holidays Blog Tour

Are you looking for a way to simplify the most stressful time of the year? Feeling like it’s impossible to keep up with all the demands of the coming holiday season? Marcia Ramsland, The Organizing Pro and author of Simplify Your Holidays, has found a way to change seasonal stress into intentional success! She believes everyone can find that calm and peace they are looking for.

Every year the holidays come around and we face them with mixed emotions. You have a great book title of Simplify Your Holidays, but how do you simplify the holidays?

I love the dictionary definition of “simplify” – “To make something less complicated and therefore easier to do.” I can’t think of a more complicated time in the year than the holidays. Why? Because we are already busy 24/7 and then we add another layer of complexity to our lives – the holiday season.

In my view as a Professional Organizer, simplifying your holidays is all about having a meaningful Christmas without feeling overcommitted or under prepared. And my motto is: If you do anything more than once in life, organize it and simplify it. That’s especially true for the holidays that come year after year like clockwork.

I can’t think of a more complicated time or emotionally challenged season, but I also know you don’t have to stress to get through it.

Were you always ready and organized for the holidays?

No way! Before I became “The Organizing Pro” I struggled with holiday pressures big time. I was stuck in the mall shopping for gifts at the last minute, standing in the rain looking for a “real” Christmas tree late in December, and staying up Christmas Eve wrapping presents. That was a stressful life I decided to change, and did years ago.

One day I sat down at the kitchen table determined to get control of the season. Looking at my calendar, it suddenly dawned on me -- there was an easy way to manage it all! It all hinged on one date and no, it wasn’t Thanksgiving.

Many people, myself included, have used Thanksgiving to trigger serious action steps for Christmas. It just didn’t seem right to commercialize Christmas by purchasing gifts before Thanksgiving. But that’s the problem. Waiting until after Thanksgiving does commercialize the holidays and puts us smack dab in the middle of a mall with throngs of shoppers.

So how did you change from frazzled to peaceful… and you now have a beautiful new three ring notebook, Simplify Your Holidays? And Sam’s Club just bought 15,000 of them! Good for you.

My first personal turning point came when I discovered one particular holiday occurs exactly eight weeks before Christmas -- and it’s NOT Thanksgiving. It is Halloween. That event is important to note because the next day you can kick off your holiday plan on November 1 every year.

Noting that November 1 is your springboard to begin the holiday season means you have eight weeks until December 25. Now you have a structure to easily organize and prepare -- with a good plan. You’re back in control whatever day it is.

Once I figured that out, I found you can organize your holidays no matter how many weeks you have left before Christmas. In my book I have an 8-week, 4-week, 2-week calendar plans you can choose to guide you whatever day you start. The Plans are like a “holiday compass” that people use year after year to stay focused and take the stress out of the holidays.

What else can you tell us to ease the calendar stress for the holidays?

My second discovery came when I noticed that almost all holiday events landed the three weeks of December right before Christmas. Children’s school parties, the neighborhood cookie exchange, church events, civic symphony concerts, friends’ Open Houses, and an office potluck luncheon the last day before vacation. ALL fell into the last three weeks before Christmas.

No wonder we are stressed trying to buy gifts and partake in the busiest social season of the year. All these things are good, but it’s plain stressful to be listening to the Hallelujah chorus thinking about how many things you have to pick up on the way home and still get on-line to purchase gifts with “expedite shipping” costs involved.

Ok, but the thing I dread is going to the attic and basement dealing with all those holiday decorations that take up so much room. What can I do?

I agree. My third discovery came when I tried to simplify my holiday decorations after the holidays. It just seemed too much to put it all up so I thought I’d simplify it.

But alas, I found even charities would not accept holiday decorations after December 25. They had nowhere to store them until next year. That was the next discovery – if I store holiday decorations for 11 months of the year, then why do we hesitate about getting them up?

A recent poll showed most people take down their holiday decorations the weekend after New Year’s Day. If that’s the case, what date do we need to put them up to enjoy them for 4-6 weeks? Especially when they are taking up valuable space for 11 months of the year.

The answer? Pick a date (or weekend) to put up your decorations early every year so they can be enjoyed. Typically it’s either the first weekend in December, or even Thanksgiving weekend to be ready to turn the lights on December 1. I found I’m happier the sooner I start and get full enjoyment of them for the season… and give some away each year.

Marcia, tell us what’s in your notebook and why is it considered a classic Christmas planner to pull off your shelf and use year after year?

Once I got organized I thought of every woman struggling to pull together meaningful holidays in an already busy life. So I created a hand made notebook years ago which my publisher picked up and is available right now on my website or wherever books are sold. This is a holiday planner you can pull off your bookshelf any time day or night and start the season.

The six tabs inside the three-ring notebook include: The Plan, Gifts, Cards & Decorations, Events, December 1-25 Inspiration, and Recipes. There are almost 200 pages of charts, table talk topics for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, room for photos, and even journal pages of “The Best Things that Happened This Christmas.”

Within those six tabs I’ve sprinkled “10 Tips from 10 Experts” covering things like 10 Money Saving Tips for Holiday Gifts, 10 Super Simple Holiday Décor Tips, 10 Holiday Tips for the Working Woman, 10 Tips to Serve Fabulous Food and Impress Your Guests, 10 Tips for a Successful Event, and 10 Tips to Celebrate and Not Gain Weight!

Thanks for having me today. I truly believe you can simplify the coming holiday season and have a more meaningful season than ever!

Marcia Ramsland, The Organizing Pro
Speaker * Author * Media Guest Expert

P.S. Can you simplify your holidays this year? I truly believe so and am eager to know how you do it with my new book, Simplify Your Holidays. Start today by getting your notebook and downloading your FR*EE Master Gift List at http://www.organizingpro.com

It's Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas

Dashing through the snow, on a one horse open sleigh,

O'er the fields we go, laughing all the way...

No, it's not snowing here in Pennsylvania, although when my seven-year-old walked out the door the other day on the way to school he said, "Mom, it smells like snow."

Sure enough, it did smell like snow. For any of my warm weather dwelling friends, it's a crisp, cold, still air that wraps your senses in an invisible blanket. And even though fluffy flakes are not spiraling from the sky, I want you all to start thinking, CHRISTMAS.

"Christmas," you may say. "Why, Susan, whatever for?"

I'm glad you asked.

On Monday, October 27th, I will be hosting Organizing Pro Marcia Ramsland right here at Adventurous Living. Marcia has written many books including Simplify Your Life, Simplify Your Time, Simplify Your Space, and now her brand new book: Simplify Your Holidays. Check out her website at http://www.organizingpro.com/



I don't know about you all, but as much as I know the Reason for the Season is all about Jesus my Savior, sometimes the hustle and bustle of the holidays leaves me worn out. How do we get out of the frantic trap that captures many of us during this blessed season? Marcia offers helpful hints and a plan to make your holidays a relaxed time with family and friends so you can focus on what's really important.

I hope you will join me on Monday to discover tips on how you can Simplify Your Holidays.

Live the adventure,
Susan

All Warmed Up

Okay, it was thirty degrees here in Pennsylvania this morning. I'm starting to see a trend. Since it's feeling a bit more like winter than fall, I have something up my sleeve (my long sleeve) for next Monday that I think you all will really enjoy.

Hint: Start thinking Christmas!!! I will say no more until later this week. But slate Monday, October 27th on your blog reading schedule to come on by. I am going to have a very special guest that you won't want to miss at Adventurous Living!

Now on another note, it's been a long time since I've printed a Joni e-devotional here. If you're not familiar with Joni, click here to find out more about this faithful woman of God. She is a quadriplegic and you will be amazed at what God is doing to help people through the ministry the Lord has entrusted to her.

Below is her e-devotional for today. It really moved me and I wanted to share it with you. I am so glad I am clothed in God's righteousness. It keeps me warm all the way to my toes. Well, you'll see what I mean when you read below.

Live the adventure,
Susan


Clothed in Righteousness

For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.--Galatians 3:27


I often wish I could dress myself. I can't pull on a sweater, button a jacket, or hike up a pair of slacks. This frustrating predicament has driven me at times to God for help. And isn't it like the Lord to give not only grace, but insight.

I was reading today's verse and decided to hunt down other references to clothes. Isaiah 61:10 says "I delight greatly in the Lord... for he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness."


There's a similar reference in Revelation 19:8. Even back at the Garden of Eden, it was God who provided skins to clothe Adam and Eve after the Fall. Why does the Bible say that God clothes us when it speaks of our righteousness?

Then it hit me. Garments of salvation and robes of righteousness are things we cannot provide for ourselves. God provides the salvation and the righteousness - yes, we can clothe ourselves with Christ as it says in today's reading, but it's his righteousness, not ours.


Righteousness is something that God does to us and for us. In fact, when we try to impress God by our own acts of righteousness, the Bible doesn't call them clothes, but "filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). Can you imagine putting on a garment which you sewed out of smelly, soiled rags? I now have a whole new perspective on my "robe of righteousness" whenever someone dresses me!

The Lord Jesus Christ is our garment of praise, our robe of righteousness, our garment of salvation. Put him on today and delight in all that he sacrificed to clothe you in something so precious, so priceless... his righteousness.


Lord God, I want to head into this day clothed in your righteousness, not righteous acts performed through my fleshly effort. I put you on today. Help me to put off sin and self-centeredness and anything that detracts from your glory. You are my robe of salvation and I couldn't be dressed in a finer garment!

Blessings,
Joni and Friends

Where Did It Go?

Where did it go? No, I'm not trying to find my keys this time. I'm talking weather here.

I woke up this morning to get ready (actually preparing myself in order to get my youngest son ready) for my seven-year-old's soccer game. Brrrrr!!!!!!! The temperature read - now get this - 33 degrees here in Bucks County, Pennsylvania (that's Fahrenheit for all you people outside the U.S.A.). One degree above freezing!

Anyhow, I bundled up for the game, fleece shirt, down vest, blanket, and then I rubbed my little guy's fingers in between his playing time on the soccer field. Oh those little patties (my Grandmother calls kids fingers "patties" or maybe it's spelled "paddies", I don't know) were cold!

Just a few days ago, Wednesday to be exact, I was sporting my black Nike sleeveless exercise shirt in 80 degree weather. Crazy, huh? Aww, it doesn't help that I'm fighting a head cold.

It just makes me think how once we get to Heaven, there's going to be stability with the environment. How God is going to line things up exactly, I'm not sure. He did make the seasons after all.

Actually things will be made right all the way around, socially, economically, and physically. Hmm.... I wonder what it will be like? Can't wait to find out! How about you? Even so come quickly Lord, Jesus. Until then, we have God's Word and the ministry of the Holy Spirit to show us the way!

Live the adventure,
Susan

"Then God said, 'Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years;'" Genesis 1:14

Boldly Go!

What a testimony under persecution!

That's the note I jotted in the sidebar of my Bible after reading Acts chapter four.

Peter was one bold speaker. After spending the night in prison for preaching about Jesus, Peter and John stood before the religious rulers in Israel and plainly said this about Jesus Christ:

"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (4:12)

Oh man, the bigshot leaders did not like that one bit. The Bible says that they saw Peter and John's boldness and when they, "perceived that they [Peter and John] were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus." (4:13)

Then they commanded Peter and John to not speak or teach in the name of Jesus. What did Peter and John do? They said this:

"For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." (4:20)

Don't you just love it? Peter and John were not intimidated. They didn't give up.

After being let go, they met up with friends and reported what happened. What did they do next? Worry? Fear? Bite their nails? No. Check this out. They prayed. Yep, they went to God in prayer. The end of their prayer goes like this: "Now Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your Word..." (4:29) They didn't give up.

And what really wows me comes next. The Bible says that "when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness." (4:31)

What threat is there on your life today? Maybe you are facing persecution from outside of your family. Maybe you are facing persecution within the walls of your home. Maybe the threat on your life is sickness or anxiety. Whatever it is, PRAY. Pray that you may continue to speak boldly for the Lord. Let God be Your help and strength.

We don't have to be an expert to talk about Jesus our Savior. Just look at Peter and John's example. Take time to be in God's Word, pray, and then let's boldly GO!

Live the adventure,
Susan

Yom Kippur, Field Hockey, & Philly Cheesesteaks

Okay, so I want to blab a little here today.

Let's go. What happened yesterday? I'm so glad you asked. Let me tell you about my day.

We had a guest missionary speaker for our church's special "Anniversary Day". Our little country church in the city was built in 1873. We celebrate our years of service and outreach to the neighborhood each October with a special speaker and dinner afterward downstairs.

Our speaker was a local missionary to Philadelphia. Tom and Sharon Huckel have been ministering to the Jewish community for many years. Check out their work at Hananeel Ministries. Rev. Huckel is available to go to churches to speak, so you're in for a major blessing if you have him to your church. And his dear wife, who has MS, has a lovely voice and has recorded several CD albums.

Yesterday, Rev. Huckel beautifully spoke about how Christ is the fulfillment and completion of the Day of Atonement (check out Leviticus chapter 16). With Yom Kippur just passing on October 9th, (the time the Jewish community celebrates the Day of Atonement), it was especially meaningful.

On the Day of Atonement, the Jewish High Priest would dress completely in white linen to complete his task of sacrificing an innocent goat and also releasing a scapegoat. Rev. Huckel mentioned that linen helps keep a person from sweating and it was "no sweat" for Christ, our High Priest, to complete the work of salvation when he went to the cross. That's how much Jesus loves us. He didn't hold anything back.

Yes, it's true that Jesus' work was difficult, there is no doubt. Jesus even sweated great drops the Bible says as it were of blood in the Garden before going to the cross. But when it came down to it, Jesus did what He came to do - die for our sins and rise again from the dead. The Bible tells us that without the shedding of blood, there is no remission or forgiveness of sins. (The life is in the blood, that is why the blood is so important and that is how terrible sin is!)

On the Day of Atonement people were NOT to do any work. The High Priest was the only one who would work. In the same manner, Christ is the only One who could complete the work of salvation. We can not work or offer anything to what Jesus did. It is His work alone. All we need do is receive His finished work on the cross as payment for our sins! Isn't that so cool?

And unlike the earthly Jewish High Priests of bygone years, when Jesus Christ our High Priest, finished His work, His sacrifice did not need to be repeated. He is the innocent One without sin. Up until that point, sins were covered or "atoned". For those who trust Jesus as their personal Savior, He will cleanse you from all sin for all time - One sacrifice for sins forever!

Check out what Hebrews chapter 10 has to say, "And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices which can never take away sins. But this Man (Jesus - see the earlier verses), after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God." (v. 11,12)

Did you get those highlighted words? Rev. Huckel pointed out the other priests work was never done, so they continued to stand. There was no chair to sit on in the tabernacle/temple. Christ's work on the cross was complete. When He was finished His work that lasts forever, He sat down.

Isn't that so amazing when you see little things like that that you never noticed before like the "stand" vs. "sit"? Praise God for His goodness for sending us men of God that read the Word and study the Scriptures. Make sure you are going to a Bible believing and teaching church, okay? Turn off those radio speakers who tell you that you don't need to meet as a body of Christ and open the Word and pray together. That's rubbish!

Now after the carry-in lunch with hot turkey sandwiches and cool cut veggies and dip, my husband, my youngest son and I hopped in the car (my oldest son is visiting his cousins this weekend and checking out a college) to see my niece play in her field hockey game. She is a first year college student in a University in Philadelphia.

After that, since we didn't have an evening service, (a few times a year when we have a special day with lunch we don't have a Sunday night service), the three of us drove to South Philadelphia.

Now you would think with me growing up in NE Philly that I would have experienced a Philadelphia cheese steak at one of the many places in South Philadelphia. I had not. From the Northeast to the South is over an hour ride and quite frankly, my dad did not take his kids down there (except to a Phillies baseball game).

Anyhow, we sat out under the bright neon signs of the steak place and munched on delicious cheese steak sandwiches and fries. Yum! Not the most healthy of meals, but hey, I don't eat cheesesteak sandwiches that often. If you've never had a Philly cheesesteak, next time you visit the area, you have to try one - that and a Philly soft pretzel! There's no imitation. Even in the NE where I grew up, they knew how to make it right!

Well, that was my adventure this weekend. We had a fun time, a good time in the Lord, and fun with our family. God's good.

Live the adventure,
Susan

A Bloggy Adventure

It all began with a short email…

“I’ll be traveling to your area and would love to meet with you.”

And so the planning began. In the back of my mind I wondered, “Would this person be who she said she was? I had never done something like this before. What if the 110lb woman with auburn hair on the blog turned out to be a 300lb crazed prison escapee posing as a young, beautiful woman?”

Never fear. None of my wild imaginations materialized. (Thank God!) My dear blog friend, Colleen, was indeed who she said she was and we had a delightful time meeting at a cozy little café in Bucks County, Pa at summer’s end. From the moment we met, I felt like I knew this girl. I say girl because she is ten years my junior. (How did I get this old?)

I love visiting Colleen’s blog(s) because she writes from the heart with humor and wit and with words that draw you into her world, a world of sunsets and rainbows and gooey marshmallow smores. From the first moment I read her writing, I knew I had found a delightful surprise package within this creative girl.

We sat across from each other at a tiny café table and talked and talked and talked. We talked about our homes, our families (even our dogs), our hopes and dreams with writing, but most importantly, our relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. We could have kept on talking, but alas, the afternoon slipped away from us and as the sun dipped in the sky, it was time for each of us to go. But not without an official picture of two real life blog friends! Yes, my friends, we people in blogland really do exist!

How sweet it is to meet with like-minded people. How sweet it is to know you Colleen, through your first blogs, Inside My Head & Love Letters to the Savior, and now in person! I am thrilled to point you to Colleen’s new blog. I think it is a combination of everything good and God: Free to Be.

And Colleen, I hope the next time you visit from the west coast we can do some sightseeing together in beautiful Bucks County. Thank you for a fun afternoon and most of all for the treasure of your friendship!

Live the adventure,
Susan

What About "The American Dream"?

My dear friend, Maxine, has a wonderful post series happening on her blog called "The American Dream." She recently asked people what they thought and expressed her own view.

Here's what I had to say on her site about my dream for the United States of America.

"My vision of The American Dream is to bring back to this great country of the United States of America something that we as a nation have lost: God Consciousness. In this way, the Holy Spirit can do His work and the Father's eternal purpose will prevail which is expressed to us through the truth of the Bible and through the example and loving sacrifice of God the Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

God is certainly working in this heavy and sometimes heated political climate of America. Much is at stake for our country in the days ahead. But please, remember my friends that God, yes GOD is in control. And that no matter who enters the White House here in America in the next few months, God will use it for His glory - that is His promise.

Remember how he used a foreign, Godless king from Babylon to humble His people Israel in the days of God-fearing Daniel and his three buddies who loved the Lord? Check out the book of Daniel in the Bible for a boost of encouragement that God is certainly with those who trust Him!

In keeping with the American Dream, my son who just turned 17 had to write a 5-paragraph paper for his Christian school history class on "What is the American Dream." I encouraged him to put his writing on his blog. He's such a good kid who really loves the Lord and wants to please His Savior, Jesus. As time allows between baseball training, school, and a part-time job, he writes his thoughts about life and the Bible. Just click on the highlighted link to my son's blog, Resting Content.

Yes, truly God will give us peace and He will enable us to rest content in His everlasting arms! Won't you come to Jesus? He's waiting for you to live HIS DREAM!

Live the adventure,
Susan

Day by Day - Revisited

Hi everyone! I'm still a busy lady, but every once and a while a girl needs a break, right? I can't wait to get back in gear and do some blog visiting next week and catch up with what you all have been up to :)

Anyhow, I thought I'd revisit something I wrote about way back in July of 2007. I have two things in common, oh make that three (maybe more, I don't know for sure), with a lady named Lina Sandall. Even though an entire century and the Atlantic Ocean separates us in time and distance, I feel linked to Lina.

She was a pastor's daughter. I am a pastor's daughter.

Someone whom she loved very much died tragically. Those of you who have visited my blog long enough know my story. In June of 1992, I became a young widow when my son was only nine-months old. By God's grace I have continued on and you can read many stories of where and how God has brought me through the years. By His grace - day by day.

And both Lina and I have a profound love for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Bible and we love to write about it, (well, she did, oh who knows, maybe she's still writing up in Heaven!) especially when it comes to music. Everyone in Glory is surely praising God just like we should be down here on earth!

Well my friends, here it is:

Lina Sandall, a pastor’s daughter born in Sweden in 1832, loved to write songs. While accompanying her father on a trip to Gothenburg, the boat they were traveling on suddenly lurched and her father fell overboard. Helpless to do anything, Lina watched her beloved father drown before her eyes.

Heartbroken, Lina learned to trust God in a way she never had before. The song, Day by Day, is one of the many songs Lina penned after this tragedy reflecting her trust in Christ and His promise to never leave us or forsake us.

Remember my friends, no matter what happens on life’s journey, God promises to be with you, not just sometimes, all the time. Our Heavenly Father loves you. Jesus gave His life for you. What more could He give?

Walking by faith,
Susan

Day by Day

by Lina Sandall

Day by day and with each passing moment,

Strength I find to meet my trials here;

Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,

I’ve not cause for worry or for fear.

He whose heart is kind beyond all measure

Gives unto each day what He deems best—

Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,

Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Every day the Lord Himself is near me

With a special mercy for each hour;

All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me,

He whose name is Counselor and Power.

The protection of His child and treasure

Is a charge that on Himself He laid;

“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”

This the pledge to me He made.

Help me then in every tribulation

So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,

That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation

Offered me within Thy Holy Word.

Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,

E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,

One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,

Till I reach the Promised Land.