Jesus realized the need to pull away from the busy times of life and spend time alone with God in prayer. Jesus modeled for us the need for a time of solitude.

“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As I look at this beautiful picture captured by Ray White, I wonder what brought this lone bird to perch here. Was he looking for a place to rest? Was he looking for food? Or was he just taking a look at the landscape around him?

On this Finish Friday I encourage you to examine your prayer life. Have you taken time lately to be alone with God? Do you set time aside daily to sit and talk with God? Are you intentional with your prayer time or do you squeeze it in as you rush through your day?

Take some time to listen to this song by Elevation Worship Talking To Jesus as you examine your prayer life.

You may have noticed that I have shared several times that the pictures I post were taken when I was on a walk. My walking time is special time I share with God. I choose to listen to Christian music as I walk. Sometimes I talk and God listens. Sometimes God talks and I listen. While I walk I try to look at the scenery around me through new eyes. Usually I travel the roads by car so traveling on foot gives me a new perspective and I am able to notice things I may not usually see. For example, this lone flower which made me think of Isaiah 40:8 that I posted in the picture.

On this Thankful Thursday I am overwhelmed with thanksgiving for the love, comfort and strength God gives me through Scripture. Earlier this week I asked if you had scriptures memorized to rely on in times of need. This morning as I was reading, I continued to read all of Isaiah 40 which brought me to my life verse Isaiah 40:31. As I read, I was reminded of how many times God has provided for me through this scripture and I gave thanks that:

“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.””
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40:8‬ ‭NIV

Today I ask you to call on your favorite scripture again. As you recall the word of God, be comforted and draw strength with the knowledge that no matter what happens around us, “the word of our God endures forever”and then give thanks.

I have a mug from Disney World that has printed on it the quote from Walt Disney: “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.” Above the quote is the word VISION.

Look at this beautiful picture taken by Ray White. Think about the miracle of mountains. Think about the miracle of leaves changing colors. Impossible is not a word in God’s vocabulary. Read the scriptures below about God’s view on impossibility.

Matthew 19:26

Luke 1:37

Jeremiah 32:17

Philippians 4:13

Ephesians 3:20

On this Water Walking Wednesday let’s do some dreaming. Spend some time today brainstorming big dreams that seem impossible without the help of God. Prayerfully consider which big dream God is leading you toward. Then step out of the boat and walk with God toward that big dream. Together you two can do the impossible!

As you dream, listen to this song about our Unstoppable God by Elevation Worship.

Today is Transformation Tip Tuesday. On a recent walk I came across this twisted tree. I do not know what kind of tree it is, nor do I know if it is normal for it to grow this way. I wonder what causes it to form this way. Notice that not only is it twisted, but it is also leaning on the pine tree.

In our day to day lives, many circumstances and outside forces influence us. We could easily become twisted ourselves. As I was praying this morning I realized that when I face struggles I tend to recall scripture to ground me or guide my thoughts. I have a handful of scriptures I have committed to memory. Other scriptures may be ones I have heard or read often enough to remember part or the context so I can look them up when I need to call on them. What about you? Do you have a favorite scripture? Do you have a bank of scriptures to call on throughout your day?

On this Transformation Tip Tuesday I encourage you to memorize a scripture. Perhaps write it on an index card or sticky note and carry it with you today. Recite the scripture throughout the day and allow the scripture to transform your thoughts. Let scripture be the outside force that shapes you and may each of you have a strong pine tree in your life to lean on in hard times.

P.S. If you know more about the type of tree this is or why it is shaped this way, please share with us.

Yesterday in Sunday School, our video topic was gentleness. Since then, I have been prayerfully pondering gentleness.

The definition of gentleness is “the quality of being kind, tender, and mild-mannered.” The Biblical definition of gentleness is “showing care and respect for others in the way that you act and speak.”

Those definitions are similar but also different. The Biblical definition adds action. On this Mindset Monday, let’s all examine our actions and our reactions to others. Let’s start this work week with a gentleness mindset. Let’s be Jesus in the way we act and speak. How will you show gentleness today?