“I got somethin’ make the Devil gonna run” are the lyrics from Run Devil Run by Crowder. This is a popular song for a runners playlist. Everyone seems to pick up their pace when it plays. On this Mindset Monday we have a choice on setting our pace for the day. Even Jesus set the example when Peter tried rebuke Jesus dying on the cross; “Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”” Matt ‭16:23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In this photo the path looks like it is inviting us to a tranquil spot. I see vibrant shades of green and the sun appears to be shining. I can only imagine this path leads to the beach. Our path with Jesus isn’t guaranteed to be tranquil or easy. Thankfully through Jesus, we have God with us on our path. When today brings a Monday, let’s take a deep breathe, close our eyes, envision this photo, and say “Not today Satan”. Remember God is with us.

Many of us in South Carolina got up early to experience the beautiful snow falling effortlessly from the sky. Although it didn’t last long, it was enjoyable. My daughter snapped this photo of her foot prints and reminded me of how God often Carries us.

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Is‬ ‭46:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Of course there are many stories of how God rescues us. We read in Matthew chapter 18, verses 10-14, the parable of the lost sheep. God will leave the 99 so that he can rescue 1. The image of him carrying us as little lambs so effortlessly because of the loving father He is.

“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Is‬ ‭40:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God is in the rescue business. You may not need rescuing today. Maybe God has placed you in someone’s life to be a vessel. On this Spiritual Sunday, picture yourself as a little lamb resting in God’s loving arms. Thank Him for the unconditional love He so freely gives. Ask God to carry you through this week so that you can be a vessel to the 1 in need of a rescue.

I encourage you to listen to the song, Rescue by Lauren Daigle.

This has been a difficult week for me. Did anyone else have struggles this week? The good news is, no matter how many times we have stumbled, God is there to support us. Despite our failures and sins, God loves us.

Today is a new day! We have a clean slate and new opportunities. Let’s not focus on our struggles or failures, but the love of God. Let’s thank God that Christ died for us and use each moment to show thanksgiving through our actions. As the sun rises on this Finish Friday, let’s face each task with new eyes and focus. With God’s help, we can finish today strong!

I am intrigued when I see a flock of birds. Whether they are flying together in formation or perched in a line like the ones in this photo, I find it interesting how they stick together.

Who is in your flock? Who sticks with you when you are flying high or at a standstill? On this Thankful Thursday take time to show appreciation to your flock. Send a text of thankfulness or even better a handwritten note. Do an unexpected kind deed for them or surprise them with a small token of appreciation. Be thankful for those in your flock who “sharpen” you and help you strive to be your best. Go spread thankfulness!

Water walking can be scary at first!

Last week Julie shared that at the beginning of our blog writing days, we stepped out of our boat of comfort and prayed the prayer of Jabez.

“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.”
‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭4:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

At some point during our journey, our Sunday School class read the book “The Prayer of Jabez” by Bruce Wilkinson. If you truly think about this prayer, it can be a scary one to pray. If you are willling to truly pray the prayer of Jabez, then you must totally submit to God’s will and be willing to be act. God will stretch you. You will have to cross over fences. Often you will have to step out of your boat of comfort and walk on water.

On this Water Walking Wednesday I ask that you take some time to pray about where God is stretching you. How is God enlarging your territory? Are you spreading God’s word and growing the kingdom of God through your territory of influence? How is God asking you to walk on water?

My prayer is that each of us will be brave enough to ask God to enlarge our territory and may we then spread the word of God through our words and actions.

I am no scientist so when I saw these frozen puddles I was interested in the patterns I saw. When I took these pictures, I was thinking all that had to happen for ice to form was for the temperature to drop below 32 degrees. However, there’s much more to it. In other words, water transforming into ice is not as simple as it looks.

My quick Google search revealed “Water turning into ice is not as straightforward as just getting cold. Other things also affect water freezing including dissolved solids, water density, pressure and movement.” (sciencelearn.org)

In other words, water freezing is a process. This explains why not all the puddles in my yard were frozen. Some of the variables must have been different in them that caused those puddles to remain liquid.

Just like the process of water freezing, transformation in ourselves is dependent on so many variables. The one constant is the steady hand of our Lord. No matter where you are in your journey of transformation, Jesus Christ is there to guide and direct you. No matter how many times you may fall and stumble, God will continue to help you get back up and travel further.

“though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭37:24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In the words of Julie Andrews, “Perseverance is falling 19 times and succeeding the 20th.” My tip for you on this Transformation Tip Tuesday is, get back up! The transformation journey is not easy and you may fall, but keep getting back up, keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep relying on God to uphold you with His hand.

This past Friday and Saturday our area had a winter storm that produced freezing rain. While the icy conditions are not ideal, we did have pretty scenery. As I left church yesterday, the shrubbery around the building caught my eye. As you can see, the branches of the bush were encased in ice. While it appears to be strong, you and I know differently. As soon as the temperature rises and heats up, the ice melts away revealing a twig that can easily snap under pressure.

As we begin this Mindset Monday, let’s resolve to be different than the frozen bush. Let’s tuck the promise of this Psalm in our memory.

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭73:26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today, and in the days ahead, when things heat up around us let’s find strength and courage in Christ. Let’s rely on Christ so we don’t snap under pressure like the twig.