We never have to worry about receiving an invitation when it comes to our relationship with God. We don’t have to wonder, will we make the list? Will we get an invite? Our social status is nonexistent. Like this empty bench, there is always a place we can retreat with God. There is always a plus one.

Are we accepting the invite? Are we choosing to follow God? Are we choosing rest? Look over your calendar today and see if you can be honest with yourself. Over the past few weeks I was forced to rest due to COVID. Although I missed people interaction, it was a nice change of pace to be forced to rest. On this Thankful Thursday I can look back and be thankful for the opportunity to sit with God longer. I found myself finding joy in the little things like a full moon lighting up the sky. I hope we can all lean into God today and accept His invitation.

“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”” Mark‬ ‭6:31‬ ‭NIV‬

Ok so I know this really isn’t a mountain pictured here but it is as close as I can get in our coastal area. One of my favorite verses in Psalm 121:1-2 NIV references mountains; “I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” We can look to the mountains as God’s creation. He is the maker of all things so our help comes from Him.

SOS is an international code signal of distress. This is commonly used out at sea. It is an urgent appeal for help. On this Water Walking Wednesday we don’t have to wait to be rescued by an SOS rescue mission. We can say a simple breath prayer or go to the prayer room and stay in His presence.

Do you feel like you are out at sea waiting to be rescued? Don’t forget to look up. God is waiting for you to ask for help.

This past Sunday Deborah, myself, our daughters, and so many special family and friends of our church gathered for a Senior Tea. My daughter Kendal and my niece Kori were honored as the Senior young ladies of our church.

I love the variety of teas at a tea party. My favorite is black tea and I love Chai. As a tea bag is emerged in hot water, the tea leaves are triggered to move and start the diffusion process. It is fascinating to watch the water as it changes till it’s rich in color, taste, and smell.

Over the years we nurture our children in God’s word. Every time they attend a church service, VBS, camp, and hear the word of God our homes, it is diffused in them so that they have the fragrance of Christ Jesus. We read in Pro 22:5 NIV; “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

On this Transformation Tips Tuesday I want us to recall all the people that have encouraged our children over the years. If you don’t have children, recall all the people that encouraged you. Take a moment to thank someone that has meant so much to you in your Christian walk.

Change is inevitable. Mondays are are no exception for change. It may be unwanted or desired. I love the quote; “If nothing changed, there’d be no butterfly’s”. I have seen this shared by Walt Disney and a few others. The scripture that comes to mind is from Ecc 3:11; “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”

On this Mindset Monday how will you handle change? I encourage us all to say a breath prayer and ask God to equip us to handle that change because we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us! We can’t always fathom the grand plan but we can choose how we handle it as it unfolds.

The Holy Spirit is alive in each of us. In the song Holy Spirit come, he sings “Come like a flood, like a fire”. When I look at this picture I can imagine the Holy Spirit. We can’t see it but it’s all around us and in us. The Holy Spirit fills the spaces of our hearts and minds as well as our churches, our homes, and our work places. In this verse, we can ask God to lead us on level ground. As we go to our places of worship today, let’s ask the Holy Spirit to flood us. Let that flood guide our worship experiences.

As we go throughout our week, everyday we are like toddlers in our Christian walk. We must seek God to teach us to do His will. We should be on repeat, “Daddy are we there yet” or “Daddy how much longer?” Remember those car trips that seemed to detour and last forever. We should keep that child like faith! Will you allow the Holy Spirit to guide you this week? Even when it seems you have detoured, keep the faith.

Holy Spirit Come by Patrick Mayberry

Wow! What a busy and fast paced week! Life seems to always be one busy schedule after another. As you look out the window in your life, does it seem like everything is moving so fast. Just like the colors bleeding together in this beautiful photo from Ray White, we sometimes jump from one task to another and everything runs together. Slow down this Finish Friday. Before you jump from one task to another, take a deep breath and wait on God to clarify and guide your next task. Instead of the colors of your day running together, look out your window and see each individual color and it’s beauty.

“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭27:13-14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

To you this may just be a sign but it means much more to me. This sign represents a service that has become invaluable to me. From the beginning, the Walmart grocery pickup became a convenience for me as a busy parent. However, during the pandemic, this service has become a blessing. While the service sometimes has some issues, I try to remember to be flexible and offer grace. After all, the workers are providing a service for me and for that I am so thankful. Lately, I have been intentional about telling the workers how thankful I am for their service and that they are appreciated.

On this Thankful Thursday, let’s intentionally thank someone who is serving us in some capacity. Let’s also examine ourselves and our service. Read this excerpt from 1 Peter.

“The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:7-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

What gifts are you using? How are you serving others? Let’s give thanks to God for the gifts we are blessed with and show our love for others though our service.