On this Mindset Monday, do you have any barcadas that are hindering you or any hesitation that is keeping you from walking through an open door. In Revelation‬ ‭3:7-8‬ ‭NIV‬‬ we read about how God can open and close doors.

““To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.”

I look at this fence along the dunes that has fallen down and think about how God opens doors in unexpected ways. In Ephesians 3:20 NIV God is in the unexpected.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,”

What is your mindset today? Are you ready to walk through? Or are you stuck standing still in your expectations? God is bigger!

Deep Red roses can be a symbol of love and grief. On this earth we are guaranteed to experience both. In Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV Paul gives us two instructions; 1. Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children. 2. Walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

It isn’t always easy to follow God’s example and be a fragrant offering when life stinks. Spiritual Sunday is a time of renewal and to regain our strength as we walk into God’s arms. It’s a time of humility, surrender and sacrifice as we come to His altar where his unconditional love and grace covers our sins and lifts up our burdens.

In this song, My Prayer for You by Alisa Turner she is speaking to those that have prayed a thousand prayers with no answers, loosing hope, and who are tired and weary. Her prayer is that God will help those to see that God is still greater, courage to believe He is still able, and feel the peace of God through trials.

Will you allow God to be your helper on this Spiritual Sunday?

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah‬ ‭41:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Will you allow God to be your shelter on this Spiritual Sunday?

“For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.” Psalms‬ ‭27:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Yesterday a coworker and myself reflected on the time the world shutdown in March 2020. I encourage you to take a moment to look back on that time with me now. What memories stand out to you, other than us all scrambling to find toilet paper? My first thoughts of the time were overall pleasant. All four of my family members were home, we spent a lot of time outside, we did puzzles and played games together. As I think on the time even longer, then I remember the anxiety I had from worrying about the unknown. I remember the frustration I had from feeling helpless and the disappointment from cancelled activities. Looking back, I also realize how I spent too much time worrying instead of living in the moment.

How about you? What memories stick out when you reflect on that time? Did you spend time anxious and worried? Were you truly living in the moment?

““Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:25-34‬ NIV

I know I have shared this song before but to begin this Finish Friday please take a moment to listen to Keep Me In the Moment by Jeremy Camp. Especially pay attention to the last line in the chorus, “I don’t want to miss what you have for me.”

As we Finish Friday, may each of us truly live in the moment of today. Let’s be intentional to not spend time worrying over so many things out of our control. Let’s focus on the blessings of today so we don’t miss what our Creator has for us in this moment.

Look at the newly opened tub of butter. The ripples seem to be perfectly placed. In fact, it looked so perfect that I hesitated to stick the knife in it and mess up the illusion of perfection.

We all know that few things in life are perfect. However, many of us strive to present a picture of perfection to the outside world. Facebook and Instagram are filled with illusions of perfection. As Christians we know there was only one who achieved perfection. Jesus Christ.

“But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭3:21-31‬ ‭NIV‬‬

On this Thankful Thursday spend some time thanking God for our perfect sacrifice. Today I thank God for grace, mercy and love. I thank God that despite my imperfections I am justified by my faith in Jesus Christ.

Today is Water Walking Wednesday. Each Wednesday Julie and I encourage you to step out of your boat, follow Christ, and walk on water. Walking on water takes much faith and trust. Today, I am going to encourage you to pray a prayer that requires much faith, trust, and submission.

Life is full of ups and downs. Often the sea of our life is not smooth like glass, but instead is full of crashing waves like today’s picture captured by Ray White. As we approach the stormy seas of life, we have learned from the example God gave us in the Lord’s Prayer to pray, “thy will be done.” However, to truly mean that takes great faith. When we say, “thy will be done,” we often still have in mind what our plan would be for the situation. Then when the story unfolds, we are at odds with God because we don’t agree with His will. So today I am going to encourage you to walk on water and pray a bold prayer. Not only pray, “thy will be done,” but also pray, “Lord prepare me to accept Your will.” By adding that last part, we must give up control and submit to God’s will, even if it doesn’t line up with our own will.

We read in the Bible that in the hours leading up to His crucifixion, Jesus also struggled with His own will versus God’s will.

““Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭22:42-44‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Are you ready to step out of the boat? Are you ready to release control and let go of your will? Are you ready to pray a bold prayer? “Lord prepare me to accept Your will.”

The pictures today are from a shelf in my kitchen that I transform each holiday. Decorating for the different seasons and changing out the decor is exciting and enjoyable to me. However, I can’t say I always approach transformation in myself with the same enthusiasm. How about you? Are you eager to change? Do you look forward to transforming?

I am currently in the process of trying to change habits. Transforming decor is much easier than transforming habits. I have had a new “aha” moment and realize not only do I need to alter my visible habits, but I also need to allow God to change my mind. In case you aren’t aware, changing the mind is not so simple. The mind has a mind of its own lol. I am learning transforming the mind requires focusing on My Savior and things above instead of on myself. So today’s transformation tip for you and I is the following prayer:

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭51:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As we go throughout our day and feel the tug to change, may we be unwavering in our resolve to transform.

Yesterday I met a friend at 8 Oaks to walk while her son had ball practice. As I drove towards the park, I was overwhelmed with unexpected emotions. For a moment I wanted to burst into tears as I recalled all the memories our family made over the many years of my children playing ball at the facility. However, I quickly recalled a quote I heard a few years ago: “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” (Side note: this quote has been contributed to Dr. Seuss but upon further investigation it seems it was first said by Ludwig Jacobowski.)

Back to the quote, “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” Ecclesiastes tells us there is a time for everything.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3:1-8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Remembering this quote and scripture completely changed the attitude I had when thinking about the memories of 8 Oaks. Instead of sadness, I began to have an attitude of gratitude.

This practice is called “flipping the script.” If you Google the phrase you will find there is a book and cult following on flipping the script but I became familiar with it from Mark Batterson. In his book, “Win the Day”, Batterson says the #1 habit to instill to win the day is to flip the script and change your thoughts.

Today is Mindset Monday. Is there an area in your life that you need to flip the script? I encourage you to allow Jesus Christ to help you with your script. Allow Your Savior to guide and direct your thoughts. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. John 14:6.

As you begin Mindset Monday:

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭NIV‬

As we go about our day, may each of us allow our thoughts to be led by Christ. Ours minds can take us in many directions, but may we flip the script to His script for each of us!