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.

Click the link below and watch today’s “See You Saturday” video.

“See You Saturday”

Today is Finish Friday. How are you ending your work week? Are you praising God?

I like the song “Good God Almighty” by Crowder. Click the song title to listen. The lyrics remind me that no matter what, I should be praising God.

One of the lines says, “Like the sun in the morning, I know You’re gonna be there everyday. So what on earth could make me be afraid?”

The chorus declares, “Good God Almighty, I hope You’ll find me praising Your Name no matter what comes!”

This is how I want to finish this Friday. Let’s greet today with a thankful heart and see each task through the lens of thankfulness. Begin an attitude of gratitude by reading all of Psalm 150 below. Then walk into this Finish Friday with praise to the Father on your lips.

“Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭150:1-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I shared with you that in Sunday School this past Sunday our class discussed abiding with Jesus. We were completing our study on the book “Anxious For Nothing” by Max Lucado. In the study, Lucado explained that our goal should not be the fruit of the Spirit. Instead our goal should be abiding with Christ and as a result of abiding with Christ we will display the fruit of the Spirit. WOW! I have never thought of it that way. This point has changed my perspective.

Just like today’s picture, the path ahead is not clear cut or well defined. However, we have the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us as promised by our Savior.

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”
‭‭John‬ ‭14:16-17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This Thankful Thursday let’s be thankful for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Let’s be mindful of the presence of the Holy Spirit and give thanks for clarity and new perspectives. As we give thanks, let’s abide with Christ and as a result become more like Him.

Since Sunday, I have been trying to be cognizant of what it means to abide in Christ. Being aware of Christ’s presence and the Holy Spirit’s guidance has caused me to be more careful in my interactions and responses. I have done more listening and less talking.

The images above are a visual representation of my thoughts this week. When I see the picture of the ocean I automatically think of the sound the ocean produces. Don’t get me wrong. I love the sound of the ocean. In fact, at our house we all sleep to the ocean sound. My point being, the ocean produces a distinct noise whereas the marsh is quieter. The marsh is more peaceful. To hear sounds around a marsh you must be quiet and listen.

Just like the two bodies of water, we must be aware of the words we speak. There are times we may be loud, talking with others and responding to conversations. Sometimes we may be like a marsh. We may need to be quiet and listen. However, at all times we should be mindful that our words are gentle and life-giving.

On this Water Walking Wednesday, I encourage you to be aware of the Holy Spirit’s guidance as you interact with others. Listen and pause before responding and be sure the words you speak are Christ-like. Be mindful that sometimes you need to be an ocean and sometimes the situation calls for a marsh.

“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