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!

Meet my Yorkshire Terrier Abby. She likes to dig through trash cans. Most every morning when I go in the bathroom to get ready for my day, she sneaks around to the trash can and rummages through the trash looking for a “treasure”. Most every morning I ask her, “Have you been digging in the trash?” That’s when she acts just as a child would and she turns her head to avoid eye contact because she knows I am going to fuss at her. She knows she was in the wrong.

Abby reminds me of myself and maybe you can also relate. I have that one area that I constantly battle and keep falling into the trap of sin. I know it’s wrong, yet I still allow the lure of the trash to entice me for momentary, earthly pleasure from what is really trash treasure. I fall into a vicious cycle.

Praise God for a new day and new mercies. Praise God for redemption through Jesus Christ. Praise God for love and grace.

Today is Spiritual Sunday. Today I will go to church to worship. Today I will go to the foot of the cross, repent, and die to my sin.

“For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:6-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How about you? Do you have that one sin that has enslaved you? Do you have that one treasure you have been seeking in the trash? Today, I pray that you also will go to the foot of the cross, repent, and die to that enslaving sin. May you and I feel God’s love and mercy as we are covered by our Redeemer.

Please take some time to day to listen to this testimony from Big Daddy Weave and the story behind the song Redeemed.

As we begin this Finish Friday that is leading us to Valentine’s Day, let’s be intentional about doing “everything in love.”

1 Corinthians was written to the Corinthians by Paul. In chapter 16 Paul is encouraging the Corinthians in their faith journey. Read these two versions of the same verses.

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭16:13-14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute, and love without stopping.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭16:13-14‬ ‭MSG‬‬

What are ways that you “do everything in love” or “love without stopping”? Do you give sacrificially to your family and friends? Have you shown love through your actions? Today I want to encourage you to also examine your attitude. Greet others with a positive attitude. Tackle each task today with a loving attitude. Being intentional with your attitude will invariably affect your actions. Before you know it, others will notice and wonder why you have a loving approach. As a result, they will “know we are Christians by our love.”

Listen to this version of the song By Our Love by King and Country as you prayerfully consider how you will show love this Finish Friday. Let us love without stopping!

Imagine walking along evergreen trees and suddenly a pop of red leaves dangles among the green foliage. What a beautiful and unexpected surprise. Last night, I had something similar happen to me.

After a long and rather nonstop day, I decided to make a quick stop in a store I had not been in for a while. After making a purchase I went to another area of the store to browse. As I entered back into the aisle I was face to face with a friend I have not seen in a long while. We talked together and caught up with one another for a few minutes. As I left the store I thanked God for the unexpected blessing of seeing her after so long. She was a pop of color among the foliage of my day.

“Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1:16-18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

On this Thankful Thursday I encourage you to be on the lookout for all the “good and perfect gifts from above.” Be open to the Holy Spirit’s nudging you to do something you may not have originally planned. You never know what blessing or pop of color may be at the end of the aisle! In fact, you may be the unexpected blessing for someone else!