“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:5-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Let’s begin our Mindset Monday by letting go of the grip we have on worry. Let’s open our closed fist hands one finger at a time and release all of the what if’s that consume our thoughts. Today, each time worry tries to creep in, let’s imagine this photo of the beach with a clear blue sky and trust. Let the words of the song “Everything” by Lauren Daigle remind us.

“Even the oceans push and pull at your command. So you can still my heart with your hand. You tell the seasons when it’s time for them to turn. So I will trust you when it hurts.”

No matter what troubles we face, God has us in the palm of His hand. Our Heavenly Father will guide and direct us if we will trust and obey. Today, let’s set the tone for our week by letting go of worry and embracing trust. Beginning our Mindset Monday with the right perspective will ensure our Monday isn’t a Manic Monday!

Click here to listen to “Everything” by Lauren Daigle. Allow the words to surround you as you let go of worry and embrace trust.

“That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!””
‭‭Mark‬ ‭4:35-41‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Study this beautiful picture captured by Ray White. Notice how calm the water appears. The surface seems as smooth as glass. As you go about your Spiritual Sunday I encourage you to keep this visual of the calm ocean in your mind. As you go about your day and the rest of your week, when the waves of life begin to churn, call out to Jesus to rebuke the storm. Keep your eyes on Jesus and allow Him to say, “Quiet! Be still!”

As you begin your Spiritual Sunday I encourage you to Click here to listen to “Through It All” by Kristen DeMarco. Allow the words to cover you with strength and courage.

“The seas that are shaken and stirred can be calmed and broken for my regard.”

“Let go my soul and trust in Him. The waves and wind still know His name.”

“Through it all my eyes are on you.”

No matter what storm you find yourself in, keep your eyes on Jesus. Trust in His power and strength. Have faith in Him, so that in time, you can confidently say, “It is well with my soul!”

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

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭27:17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today I was inspired to share a Friendship Friday post. Recently I have had the opportunity to gather with various groups of friends and make memories of a lifetime. As I reflect on our time together, I give thanks for the blessings of Christian friends. I am also thankful that these special women are only a sampling of the friendships I have in my life.

The ladies in each of these pictures are women I know I can count on and call on at any given time. Each of them teach me what it means to be a true friend. I also realize each of them helps me grow as a Christian.

What does Christian friendship look like in your life? How do your friends sharpen you and help you grow? Have you been a true friend to them?

Spend some time this Friendship Friday assessing what kind of friend you are and ways you can be even better. What can you do to sharpen your friends? Today, take a few moments to thank your friends for sharpening you, and then brainstorm ways you can sharpen them.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.”
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As I prayed and looked ahead at my writing for this week, I mapped out what scriptures I would use as well as the pictures that would illustrate the messages. However, I didn’t have a clear direction for my Thankful Thursday post. Off and on all week I have been praying about it and have kept my eyes, ears, and mind open for a message from God. I even went to sleep last night praying for direction. This morning I woke up before my alarm sounded and my very first thought was, “Thank you God for this day.” That was the answer to my prayer!

Often, we get caught up in thinking our words should be fancy or elaborate to give God praise. However, God doesn’t expect flowery words. God adores us and loves any time we spend talking and sharing in prayer. This Thankful Thursday God reminded me to go back to the basics…back to the beginning. God created light and day just after creating the heavens and earth. And it was good!

Today I went back to the very first picture I have saved from Ray White and I thanked the Lord for Ray, his talent, and that God nudged Ray to share his gift with Julie and I.

Today I am thankful that God continues to inspire Julie and I to share the Good News. I am thankful God uses each of you to bless us and encourage us on our Christian growth journey.

Today I woke up and God gave me today. Thank you God.

Now it’s your turn. Let go of all the expectations and pressure for fancy words and prayers. Take a few moments to go back to the basics and pray a simple prayer of thanksgiving.

To start your prayer time, Click here to listen to “Morning Has Broken” and give thanks.

“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:15-16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How good are you at swimming? Are you confident enough in your swimming to save another swimmer? As a Christian, I would like to challenge you to be a lifeguard.

Today is Waterwalking Wednesday and lately, Julie and I have encouraged you to be a missionary and spread the Good News. Today, I would like for you to realize that as a Christian you hold the life preserver that could save another life. Sharing the Good News is a way to save someone who is drowning in the turmoil and chaos of our world.

A lifeguard is always on the lookout for anyone that may be in danger. A lifeguard is always ready to jump in and save another life. As Christians we are called to do just that. You and I should have our eyes open and ready to share the love of Christ at any moment.

If you have friends or family who are unbelievers, don’t give up. Keep praying, keep sharing, and keep living your life in such a way that others will see Christ in your life. One day, someone around you may be feeling the tug of the undertow of life pulling them under. At just the right moment you will throw the life preserver and share Christ in a way that surrounds them like never before. So for now, build your Spiritual muscles by reading Scripture, spending time in devotion, and praying for God to nudge you for the right moment to throw His life preserver. Being an expert swimmer is not necessary to be a Kingdom Lifeguard.

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:22-24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Can’t you hear this picture? The sound of water running over rocks is usually a comforting sound to us. Imagine how rough the rocks in this stream may have been originally. However, after years of water pouring across them the rocks have been shaped and are now smooth around the edges. The rocks have been transformed.

This Transformation Tips Tuesday I want you to think of the difficult situations in your life as a form of running water. Reflect on ways you have changed over the years. How have you been refined? Are you becoming smooth around the edges? Have you allowed God to use the circumstances of your life to transform you? Close your eyes and allow the sound of the running water comfort you as you are being shaped by God.