Let’s ask ourselves; Am I trying to please people? In this verse from Galatians 1:10 NIV we learn only the applause of one matters; “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

Is people pleasing a stumbling block? I know for me it can be. Often I learn the hard way. Two things tend to happen when I people please. If it is not my assignment from God, I get overwhelmed and lack in more important areas of my life. If it is for my applause, I can be left disappointed when I don’t get the approval I thought I needed or deserved.

The truth is, at the end of the day we have no one we need to please other than the creator of this beautiful beach scene. On this Finish Friday let’s not forget to be a servant of God.

As I was running last night, I listened to a Run for God Club podcast. Something that stood out to me was Mitchell Hollis saying; “Humbleness needs to come with graciousness”. Mitchell and Dean had been talking about often with humility we cut ourselves short and don’t give ourselves grace. Could this be a stumbling block in our Christian walk? Being humble, yet not giving ourselves grace? In this verse from Psa 149:4 NIV God gives victory to the humble; “For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.”

In my picture below I am stepping on a fallen, dead tree branch. I normally choose to be a road runner verses a trail runner because of debris that could make me stumble. On this Thankful Thursday, I want us to wear our crown of victory with humility and grace. Let’s take a moment to thank God for His continual work in each of us to be the best version of ourselves. As we pray, envision God removing the debris that could cause us to stumble.

Let’s pray!

Heavenly Father, thank you for taking delight in me and crowing me with victory. Thank you for the continual work you are doing in me so that I can be the best version of myself. Please remove any debris that could cause me to stumble. Remind me to give myself the same grace you give so freely. Guide me today to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with you. In the name of Jesus I pray Amen
‭‭(Micah‬ ‭6:8‬)

Do you ever let your mind get in the way of what God can do? For me it can be a stumbling block to limit God. Notice in Eph 3:20 NIV, God isn’t just capable of immeasurably more in our circumstances, He is also immeasurably more within you and I; Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,”

In the song “Didn’t I walk on Water”, some of the lyrics sing; Didn’t I walk on the water and I calme the raging sea. I spoke to the wind, it hushed and I gave you peace. Didn’t I run to your rescue, didn’t I hear you when you called
I walked right beside you just so you wouldn’t fall. Didn’t I leave all of heaven just to die for your sins. Searched until I found you and Id do it all again.

Like in this picture, we can make a puddle of water into a raging sea. Good news, God is in our hearts and our minds. He can bring peace to our minds. We just have to call His name. On this Water Walking Wednesday let’s remember this song and know that God can do immeasurably more in both the puddles and the raging seas.

Click Here and let’s worship with the Dunaways!

Yesterday I encouraged us to be intentional with the stumbling blocks that could hold us back from listening, loving, and following Jesus. On this Transformation Tips Tuesday a stumbling block for me is only leaning into God when times are tough or when at a cross road. If you look at this picture there is an arrow pointing to the Half-Marathon and an arrow pointing to the Marathon. This particular day I had to go right. It was hard but I leaned into God for strength and put my trust in Him. If I had the choice to go left, would I have leaned into and trusted God the same? Unfortunately probably not because it would have been an easier road.

Is our stumbling block, only putting trust in God when we are afraid? “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Psa‬ ‭56:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God tells us He will be with us wherever we go. This means both to the left or right, easier path or harder path; “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.””
‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I encourage us to remove the blocks by leaning into God for strength and trusting Him at all times. I pray everyone has an easy road to travel this week! Let’s not forget to praise Him along the way.

Yesterday our the church’s bulletin there was a quote; “The first duty of love is to listen” – Paul Tillich. Then in the sermon, Pastor Charles said; “to follow, we must first listen”. God really had my attention, especially after last week on Transformation Tips Tuesday, Deborah talked about listening. If you missed that post, you can click here to read.

As I sit and ponder those words this morning, I think about what are my stumbling blocks that may hold me back from loving, listening, and following. Just before Jesus’s instruction in Matthew‬ ‭16:24‬ ‭NIV, Peter was arguing with Jesus about the prediction of His death. Jesus went as far in verse 23 to tell Peter he was a stumbling block.

“Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”‬‬

On this Mindset Monday, let’s be intentional with our Christian walk throughout the week. This picture is a reminder that we must daily take up our cross. The blocks we move today, may be the same blocks we move tomorrow. It is ok because it is the daily act of taking up our cross, listening, loving, and following our Jesus that expresses our love.

Happy Mothers Day to all our Mamas. If your not a mama, you may be a daughter or son. You may be an aunt or uncle. Either way on this Spiritual Sunday, let’s honor all the beautiful women in our lives. In God’s eyes, the beauty comes from within; “Be beautiful in your heart by being gentle and quiet. This kind of beauty will last, and God considers it very special.” 1 Pet‬ ‭3:4‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Why are Sunday mornings the hardest? It seems like that is when all the fights happen. Why does the clock seem different on Sunday mornings? We can be on time Monday – Saturday, but Sundays we can barely make it out the door. These are memories I have as a child and as a parent. It seems to be true in most households. Let’s not get stuck on the moments we yelled too loud or said words we can’t take back. Yet rather look back on the legacy that was left and the legacy carried on. It is the quiet, gentle moments of God’s love shining through the madness that will be cherished and remembered.

On this Spiritual Sunday Click here and listen to Leave a Legacy by Alita. Remember we don’t have to be a mother to pass on a legacy. We are all children of God and it takes a village to raise our children.

Click Here to join me in See You Saturday!

FYI, if you watch the video you will know what the laundry is all about in this picture 👇