One week from today we traditionally celebrate Thanksgiving. However, since I was married and later my brother was married, our family has adjusted our Thanksgiving (and Christmas) celebration to accommodate both sides of our family. Instead of totally not being able to gather, we choose to gather on another day other than the fourth Thursday of November. We have come to appreciate that it’s not the date that matters but that we are able to gather together and celebrate.

So, this past Sunday we gathered at my parents house and celebrated Thanksgiving together. This beautiful tree was standing in the back yard and some of its colorful foliage had fallen and covered the ground. As I looked at the beautiful tree I thought of all the seasons it had been through and yet was showing it’s glory.

For this thankful Thursday, spend some time reading all of Psalm 107. I am sure I have shared it before, but it warrants reading again. The chapter begins by giving thanks to God and states “His love endures forever.” The writer goes on to share the unfaithfulness of the people and yet how God continues to lead and save them. As you read, examine where you are today in your walk with God. Are there areas that you have strayed from God or are not being obedient? Have you allowed the world to be your guide instead of listening to the voice of God? Although the seasons you have endured, are you still giving God the glory?

After your time of self reflection, remember to :“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭107:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This picture, captured by Ray White, blows me away. Look closely at the school of fish that are caught up in the wave. At this moment in time the wave is carrying them and the fish have no control over the direction they are headed.

Just like the school of fish, I sometimes get caught in the worries of life and unintentionally allow the wave of stress to to carry me and guide my direction. I have had a very busy week and it’s only Wednesday. My house is less than pristine, my office desk is covered in papers, and my schedule for the next few days is overbooked. I could very easily get caught in the “stress wave” but today I choose to focus on the presence of God.

Our Sunday School class is currently doing a study by Max Lucado called “Anxious For Nothing.” The study has proven to be insightful and is teaching us to focus on God instead of the problems or stresses around us.

On this Water Walking Wednesday I encourage you to keep Philippians 4:6-7 in the forefront of your mind. When you feel a wave of anxiety or worry, focus on God’s presence. Don’t get caught in the wave of stress. By focusing on Christ you may just find yourself walking on water.

Last Tuesday Julie encouraged us to begin looking back and begin the process of reflecting as well as planning. As she shared, she and I began choosing a word of the year in 2017. That year my word was joy and John 17:13 was the key scripture that helped to guide my selection of the word. My dear friend Dorothy brought me this ornament as a visual reminder of my word of the year and I kept it on my chair side table all year. I was striving to “have the full measure of” His joy within me. As I wrote in the blog in December 2016, often the word I choose as my word of the year is also the area Satan chooses to test me. That means, whatever word we choose for 2022, we need to be intentional about our focus and be alert.

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

For Transformation Tip Tuesday, I am also encouraging you to be reflective over the last year and to also look ahead and plan for 2022. Are you going to choose a word as your focus for the new year? Has God given you a new purpose or ministry to nurture? Are you ready to be intentional in God’s direction for you?

Julie and I will continue to share our past words of the year and perhaps you will connect with one of them. If you choose a word for 2022 we would love to hear from you so we may spur one another on in our growth journey.

What is your first thought when you see the ground covered with leaves? Do you dread the thought of needing to rake them up or do you see the beauty at your feet? Does a pile of leaves remind you of work or does it conjure up childhood memories of the fun of jumping in a mountain of leaves?

Each of us has had different experiences to shape our perspectives, but as Christians we all share the Holy Spirit. You and I both have the opportunity to allow the Holy Spirit to guide and direct our thoughts and perspectives.

On this Mindset Monday I encourage you to read Romans 8:1-17. As you read, examine the perspective and mindset you have as you head into your day. Are you looking at your environment through your human eyes or the lens of Christ? Do you see problems before you or opportunities to minister? Do you see dry, cracked leaves at your feet or beautiful jewel colored carpet?

Ray White practiced much patience and perseverance to capture this beautiful image. I love butterflies because they epitomize transformation. This beautiful butterfly was once a caterpillar. Once this life form crawled on the ground and now it flies in the sky and has a new perspective.

Each time we gather to worship, we too have the opportunity to be “transformed into His image.”As Christians, you and I have the opportunity to be more like Christ! We too, can have our perspectives changed, if we are willing to yield to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Are you growing in your faith? Are you open to being transformed and changing? Do you need to submit to the Holy Spirit so you can fly high?

As you start this Spiritual Sunday, I encourage you to read 2 Corinthians 3:7-18. Are your eyes veiled or unveiled? Are you “being transformed into His image”?

May each of us enter worship this Spiritual Sunday with unveiled eyes, open to being transformed into the likeness of Jesus. May we each become beautiful butterflies who fly high.

Jesus realized the need to pull away from the busy times of life and spend time alone with God in prayer. Jesus modeled for us the need for a time of solitude.

“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As I look at this beautiful picture captured by Ray White, I wonder what brought this lone bird to perch here. Was he looking for a place to rest? Was he looking for food? Or was he just taking a look at the landscape around him?

On this Finish Friday I encourage you to examine your prayer life. Have you taken time lately to be alone with God? Do you set time aside daily to sit and talk with God? Are you intentional with your prayer time or do you squeeze it in as you rush through your day?

Take some time to listen to this song by Elevation Worship Talking To Jesus as you examine your prayer life.

You may have noticed that I have shared several times that the pictures I post were taken when I was on a walk. My walking time is special time I share with God. I choose to listen to Christian music as I walk. Sometimes I talk and God listens. Sometimes God talks and I listen. While I walk I try to look at the scenery around me through new eyes. Usually I travel the roads by car so traveling on foot gives me a new perspective and I am able to notice things I may not usually see. For example, this lone flower which made me think of Isaiah 40:8 that I posted in the picture.

On this Thankful Thursday I am overwhelmed with thanksgiving for the love, comfort and strength God gives me through Scripture. Earlier this week I asked if you had scriptures memorized to rely on in times of need. This morning as I was reading, I continued to read all of Isaiah 40 which brought me to my life verse Isaiah 40:31. As I read, I was reminded of how many times God has provided for me through this scripture and I gave thanks that:

“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.””
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40:8‬ ‭NIV

Today I ask you to call on your favorite scripture again. As you recall the word of God, be comforted and draw strength with the knowledge that no matter what happens around us, “the word of our God endures forever”and then give thanks.