Recently Clark and I went to the beach for a relaxing walk after his work day. The pictures today were taken that evening as the sun set. I was mesmerized by the rays of light shining from behind the clouds and was reminded of the light God brings to the world. The light beams are like the presence of the Holy Spirit shining into the darkness of our world.

In worship services we often light candles to represent the presence of God just as I like to light a candle when I begin my devotion time. On this Spiritual Sunday I encourage you to be aware of light around you. At some point today, light a candle, turn on a lamp or even flip a light switch. Take a moment to be mindful of the light and thank God for shining through the darkness. Be aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit and ask God to help you also carry the light of Christ into the darkness of our world.

Before rushing into your day, begin this Spiritual Sunday Click here and listen to the song “Holy Spirit” as you invite the Holy Spirit into your day.

Hello Water Walking friends!

Click here for See You Saturday as I talk about patience and hope!

I know Deborah has talked about the rabbit hole of comparison before. How about the rabbit hole of stressing over what’s next? How can we get back to enjoying every day simple things verses planning and stressing over tomorrow? It’s ok to not always be doing big things. Simple is good too. We can enjoy and rely on God’s strength to keep us from that rabbit hole; “Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”” Nehemiah‬ ‭8:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How about the rabbit hole of details? We stress, plan, and stress some more. How can we get back to trusting and leaning on God to work it out? It’s ok to not have it all figured out all the time. Flexibility is good too. We can choose surrender to keep us from that rabbit hole; “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;” Proverbs‬ ‭3:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

On this Finish Friday, what is your rabbit hole? Good news with God we don’t have to stay there. Rather we can choose the peace of God to fill our hearts and minds today. God is the only one that can lead our souls to perfect peace and complete rest.

Click here to worship with Ryan Ellis and Gonna Be Alright.

While at Clemson, one of the speakers encouraged the students to practice gratitude. Practicing gratitude? They say it takes about 21 days to create a new habit if you make it a daily practice. In this verse from Thessalonians giving thanks in all circumstances is like practicing gratitude; “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thes‬ ‭5:18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In this song I’m So Blessed by Cain the lyrics sing; “On my best day, I am a child of God. On my worst day, I am a child of God.” If you are struggling to find gratitude today, remember that you are a child of God. I encourage you to watch the video, it is a funny way to give thanks in all circumstances.

One of my favorite ways to practice gratitude is being outdoors and experiencing God’s beauty. I am thankful for this beautiful beach picture. I am especially thankful for another day to be a child of God. How will you practice gratitude today?

This picture I took last night as I was finishing up a late night run where I could find light. One of my favorite songs played, Oceans by Hillsong United. This has been my go to song for Water Walking for years. Our mission field can seem scary and overwhelming, whether we are called overseas or called in our communities. Even though I have been encouraging us all to be mission minded, I haven’t been very mission minded myself. In the last few weeks I have been waiting on test results and the next step from my Doctor. Life seemed to stand still for me. Thankfully I received some good news this week and I am working towards a plan with my Doctor.

Last night was a God Wink for me in that even when God takes us down paths We didn’t think our feet could wonder, we need to keep the faith. Jesus is always there to reach out to us, just like He did for Peter; “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Matt‬ ‭14:31‬ ‭NIV‬‬. Especially in our trials, God can use us for missions. We can be mission minded in allowing God to use us when life is difficult. We are not alone in this mission field. We have a strong community of believers.

Are you feeling stuck today? Are you consumed with your present situation? Don’t let doubt take over, keep the faith! Let’s take a moment to worship with Hillsong United!

Patience means the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset. If you notice in this verse from Romans 12:12 NIV, patience is sandwiched between hope and prayer; “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Last Tuesday Deborah talked on spiritual disciplines and prayer was one of those disciplines. When you are short on patience, do you go to the Lord in prayer?

Patience otherwise known as forbearance is also a fruit of the spirit; “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Gal‬ ‭5:22-23‬ ‭NIV‬. Just like eating real fruit, the fruits of the spirit should be a daily spiritual discipline. On this Transformation Tips Tuesday, I encourage us all to write down at least one of the fruits that we will work on this week through our spiritual disciplines. Which one would you choose to work on?

I can imagine these flowers pictured here have taken several years to grow into the beauty they hold today. Imagine the beauty we can hold when we choose to work on our patience or any of the other eight fruits. Will you remember to sandwich your patience between hope and prayer? Let’s all go and be transformed in God’s beauty today.

If you read yesterdays blog, you know we went to Clemson with our son. One of the speakers said something that really stood out to me. “They got accepted, they belong here”. Wow! Can you flip that and imagine God saying that to each one of us? Now let’s read Jeremiah 17:7 NIV; “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.” Have you asked Jesus to live in your heart and for the forgiveness of your sins? ‬Good news, we’ve already been accepted. We belong with Christ Jesus. The answer was yes before we even asked. We have a Godly confidence when we put our faith and trust in Him.

Look at this photo taken by Ray White. What do you see? I see two sets of flip flops. I imagine they belong to a couple who are walking the beach. For me taking my shoes off is an indication I am feeling comfortable. It may also indicate confidence. Yesterday in church we sang the song Holy Ground. Below is the piano tracks with lyrics, arranged by Russell Mauldin. On this Mindset Monday, I encourage us to open that song, take off our shoes, close our eyes, and really worship. Thank God, for we have been accepted and belong in Him. Now let’s go in confidence today!

Click Here to worship!