Solitude is the state or situation of being alone. Sometimes we all need solitude. We all need time to be alone with God to process and pray. Time alone with God gives us rest and renews us.

Today is Finish Friday. Have you had a busy week? Are you tired and weary? Do you need some time alone to rejuvenate? Even Jesus realized the value and importance of solitude.

“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

“After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14:23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭1:35‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As you finish the work week, make a plan to step away from your busy schedule at some point this weekend. Be intentional in choosing a block of time that you can spend talking and listening to God. Where can you go or what can you do to have some solitude? You could take a walk, sit on your porch, or simply go in a room by yourself. It doesn’t have to be a large block of time. Often we feel we can’t take the time to be alone when we have a long to-do list. Just remember, even Jesus recognized the value of solitude. Finish this week with some solitude so you are prepared to walk through next week’s Holy Week by the side of Christ.

Love. I am thankful for love. There are many types of love. This Thankful Thursday I am thankful for the love of my family. Love isn’t always neat or easy, especially family love.

Let me be totally transparent. My family is far from perfect. I am not the perfect parent and my children are not perfect either. But we do love each other, faults and all. My family love is just one of many things I am grateful to have in my life.

For what are you thankful? If I asked you to make a list of 100 things you are grateful for, would it be a hard task? How about 25? 10? 5? If you struggle to make a list, I encourage you to Google “things to be grateful for.” We each have so many blessings. We rush through our days and miss many of those blessings.

Take a few minutes this morning and make a gratitude list. Start with love. List all the things that exemplify love in your life. Think big things and small. Starting your day with gratitude will affect the rest of your day in a positive way!

What do you think of when you see this picture? What feelings arise when you see a moving truck? Have you experienced moving? I grew up as the daughter of a United Methodist minister which means I experienced moving many times. Over the years I have had people ask me if moving was hard or if I liked moving. The answer is yes to both. Leaving behind friends and starting out in a new place was always hard, but moving also afforded me opportunities I may not have had otherwise.

The few times we rented a Uhaul truck, I was always intrigued by the picture on the side paying tribute to a state in the United States. I often imagined all the places the truck had been and all the lives that had been changed through moving.

I think that moving from place to place also taught me to not be afraid but to embrace change. Change can be scary because the outcome is unknown. Change also can be exciting because the outcome is unknown. To me, change represents growth and I am a nerd when it comes to growing. I am eager to learn, whether I am growing as a Christian, in my work, or in my personal development. In today’s scripture, Peter is encouraging the early Christians to continue growing.

This Transformation Tips Tuesday I encourage you to examine your growth mindset. Are you eager to learn? What are you doing to grow in your Christian walk? How do you approach change? Allow the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts as you prayerfully consider your growth mindset.

If you would like to know more about the images on the side of Uhaul trucks, click this link that explains the SuperGraphics.

John 3:16 is arguably the most known scripture. It was the first scripture I remember memorizing and proudly reciting to others. John 3:16 is the crux of the Good News. However, when asked, I don’t immediately reply that it is my favorite scripture.

In our Sunday School class we have been sharing our favorite Bible verses. I challenged everyone to share their favorite verse or verses and why it’s their favorite. How about you? Do you have a verse that you rely on regularly? Do you have a verse that you consider your “life verse”? Why is that verse important to you?

On this Mindset Monday I challenge you to spend some time prayerfully considering what verse or verses are your “go to” verses. Then consider using those verses as an outlet to witness to others. Knowing why that verse is important to you may also be a connection you can make with someone and an opportunity to share the Good News. Be mindful of ways God is asking you to be a witness. We are called to grow the Kingdom of God. How can your favorite scriptures be an outlet of ministry to others?

Good Sunday morning! I am intrigued by purple martin homes like the ones in this picture captured by Ray White. When I was a child and my family lived in Lancaster, SC, our neighbor had several poles of purple martin houses. When I think of these unique houses I am reminded of living in community with my church family. First, let me share some purple martin facts.

Purple martins migrate to South America in the winter. They eat flying insects so people sometimes believe they are good to have around to control mosquitoes. However, purple martins fly higher in the sky so mosquito control is a misconception. Purple martins live in communities and each year return to the same home if it has been cleaned out.

Just as I am intrigued by purple martins, I am also intrigued by the lifestyle of the early Christian church.

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:42-47‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Can you imagine living in such a community? The early Christians devoted their lives to growing their faith, encouraging one another, and spreading the Good News! It is vital for us to be a part of a Christian community so we can grow, encourage one another, and spread the Good News together.

Are you a member of a church? Do you have a church family? This Spiritual Sunday I encourage you to be intentional about the time you are at church today. Use your time with your church family to be intentional about growing and encouraging one another. Eagerly partner with other Christians to spread the Good News and grow the Kingdom. Go to your places of worship today reflecting on the early church and ways we can mirror their enthusiasm and unity.

Grab your Coffee and join me for See You Saturday!!

Click Here and Let’s talk about the week and gratitude!