“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God — this is your true and proper worship. 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 ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Transformation means a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance. Today’s featured photo is definitely an example of transformation. Last Friday Julie shared another picture taken at the same time, of the same thing, that looks a little different than this picture. Can you tell what is pictured? Are you intrigued?

You and I should have similar transformations due to the presence of Jesus in our lives. Every area of our lives should be a reflection of Christ. Others should be so intrigued by our transformations that they want to seek the Christ who has affected our lives so dramatically. Do you have a transformation mindset?

If you are not new to Christianity you may be thinking you have already been transformed and there is nothing left to change. I beg to differ. I believe each of us falls short in one area or another. Each of us has an area of our lives that Jesus can transform. On this Transformation Tuesday I encourage you to spend some time examining all the areas of your life. Ask God to reveal to you an area that you need to dramatically change with His help. Look for any area that you are conforming to the world instead of God’s will. Read Scripture and pray for guidance and direction as you move toward transformation. Let us be so transformed that others are intrigued.

As for today’s picture, did you figure out what it is? Ray took this picture one morning when he was warming his wife’s car. It is heavy frost on the windshield. What a different perspective of a beautiful transformation! Now let’s go leave people wondering about our own beautiful transformation!

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

After His resurrection, Jesus spoke the above words, known as The Great Commission, to His disciples. He has also charged you and I with the Great Commission.

On this Mission-Minded Monday, I ask you to examine ways that you are mission-minded. Are you intentional about your daily interactions with others? Do you seek opportunities to be a witness for Christ? Do you consciously plan ways for you to “go and make disciples”?

Today I encourage you to not only reflect but make a plan. Brainstorm a list of ways you can initiate or participate in the mission field. While you and I may not feel called to become a formal missionaries, we are still called to participate in growing the Kingdom of God.

After you have brainstormed, choose one idea on your list and act on it. Set a goal and a timeline for when you will accomplish your mission.

As we go about this Mission-Minded Monday let’s be like the birds in today’s photo by Ray White. Just as they pepper the sky and cover a lot of territory, may you and I infiltrate our environment with the love of Jesus Christ and grow the Kingdom of God. I leave you with a question I once heard minister Rick Warren ask, “How many people will be in heaven because of you?”

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John‬ ‭14‬:‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This week I will be writing about mindset. Merriam-Webster defines mindset as “a mental attitude or inclination.” What is your mindset? How is your mindset influenced? How does your mindset affect your actions and attitudes? 

As I share some Biblical truths about mindset I encourage you to examine your mindset and ask God to lay on your heart any ways He is leading you to grow. 

Today is Spirit-Filled Sunday. Jesus spoke the words of today’s scripture to His disciples in the Upper Room as they were sharing the Last Supper. He knew what was ahead and wanted to prepare them for a time when He would not be with them physically. You and I also have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide, direct, and comfort us. The Holy Spirit works in and through us.

This Spirit Filled Sunday, I encourage you to be very present as you worship. Be aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Heed the leading of the Holy Spirit and allow the peace of the Spirit to fall afresh on you. As you prepare for worship this morning Click here to listen to Fall Afresh” by Jeremy Riddle. This version is long, so allow it to play as you are getting dressed or as you drive to your place of worship. Go into worship with an awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Allow your mind to be governed by the Holy Spirit and cling to life and peace.

“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John‬ ‭14‬:‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This week I will be writing about mindset. Merriam-Webster defines mindset as “a mental attitude or inclination.” What is your mindset? How is your mindset influenced? How does your mindset affect your actions and attitudes?

As I share some Biblical truths about mindset I encourage you to examine your mindset and ask God to lay on your heart any ways He is leading you to grow.

Today is Spirit-Filled Sunday. Jesus spoke the words of today’s scripture to His disciples in the Upper Room as they were sharing the Last Supper. He knew what was ahead and wanted to prepare them for a time when He would not be with them physically. You and I also have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide, direct, and comfort us. The Holy Spirit works in and through us.

This Spirit Filled Sunday, I encourage you to be very present as you worship. Be aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Heed the leading of the Holy Spirit and allow the peace of the Spirit to fall afresh on you. As you prepare for worship this morning Click here to listen to Fall Afresh” by Jeremy Riddle. This version is long, so allow it to play as you are getting dressed or as you drive to your place of worship. Go into worship with an awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Allow your mind to be governed by the Holy Spirit and cling to life and peace.

“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another.” Proverbs‬ ‭27‬:‭17‬ ‭MSG‬

Click here to watch today’s See You Saturday video.

Thank you to my college roommate, Tara White, for being my videographer today. I am so blessed and thankful for friends that love and support me in the storms of life and sharpen me to help me “stay salty”.

““Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.” Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭13‬ ‭MSG‬‬

“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

My dogs love to been held. Abby, a Yorkshire Terrier, is truly a lap dog. Max, a 100-pound lab, thinks he is a lap dog. Both of them are most content when I finally sit down and they can settle down and rest in my lap. I believe when they are being held they feel loved, comforted, and safe.

Do you rest in the lap of Christ? Do you allow yourself to be held in His hands? This week I have been sharing about our responses to trials. I have found that during a storm, the lap of Christ is the best place you can go. When you are held by Christ, you are able to feel loved, comforted, and safe.

On this Freedom Friday I want you to consider letting go of feeling that you need to be in control. When you feel you have one obstacle after another and feel you can’t go on, surrender and fall in the lap of Christ. In times of struggle He wants to hold you close, just as you want to hold your family close when they are hurting. Releasing control and allowing Christ to hold you can give you the peace you are seeking.

Click here to listen to “Be Held” by Casting Crowns. As the song says, “And when you’re tired of fighting chained by your control, there’s freedom in surrender. Lay it down and let it go. You’re not alone, stop holding on and just be held.”

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Did you know that there are actually benefits to fire? Under the right conditions and when controlled, fire is healthy for forests, fields, and grasslands. An article published by the California government states, “Fire removes low-growing underbrush, cleans the forest floor of debris, opens it up to sunlight, and nourishes the soil.” Click here to read the full article about the benefits of fire.

Today’s picture by Ray White almost looks like the sky is on fire. Yet, it is a new dawn rising, full of possibilities and blessings. Read the Message version of James 1:2-4:

“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭MSG‬‬

This Thankful Thursday I am able to thank God for the fires I walk through because I know God is walking through the fires with me and He has it all under control. I am trusting that although the heat may seem unbearable, on the other side of it I will be cleaned of debris, I will be opened up to the “Son” light, and my soul will be nourished.

Click here to listen to the song “Fires” by Jordan St. Cyr. Listen carefully to the words and draw strength from the promises shared. “When the smoke billows higher, oh and higher and it feels like I can barely breathe, I’ll walk through these fires ’cause You’re walking with me.”