We have implemented something New!! Click the video link to join us on Saturdays! Welcome to See You Saturday

“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:6-7‬ ‭MSG‬‬

I wanted you to read theses verses above from Paul first. I love how the message version makes it so simple. I encourage you to read it a second time and really meditate on it.

Now look at the photo below by Ray White. I see an overgrown forest with a clear path. I also see how worry and fear can be overgrown around us but with Christ at the center, our path is clear. This doesn’t mean we won’t have road blocks or detours but we know we can let our petitions and praises shape our worries into prayers.

On this Finish Friday is worry the center of your life? Or is Christ at the center? Let’s go into our weekend with a fresh renewing of God’s peace. It is time to clear the forest!

This past Tuesday our twins played their last first soccer game as High School Seniors. It was a joyful night for them as players and us as spectators. From the time they started playing at 4 years old, this verse has always come to mind; “Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.” Psalm‬ ‭96:12‬ ‭NIV‬

On this Thankful Thursday whatever our fields may be, whether it is a job or volunteering or taking care of loved ones, may we all be jubilant. What does Jubilant mean? Feeling or expressing great happiness and triumph. The word joy is very similar in that it means a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. When I looked up the difference I found that Jubilant is joy without end. Think about that; joy without end! A life with Jesus isn’t promised to be easy but we do have the blessing of experiencing His joy without end.

On this Thankful Thursday I pray we all experience His Joy without end!!

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of lent. Those that are participating will be fasting from today through Holy Thursday, April 14th. Before Jesus began His ministry, he fasted in the wilderness for 40 days and nights (Matt 4:1-11). Lent is a time we can draw closer to Him through our own fasting and suffering. In Matt 4:4 NIV When being tempted by Satan; “Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’””

Although you don’t need to practice Lent to be a Water Walker, I wanted to share with you my experience and how it has helped me grow closer to God. There is an urban legend, that if you walk closely behind your Rabbi that you will be covered in the dust from their sandals. I think about the Sandy beach. No matter what I do, I am covered in sand when I return home. There is sand in my hair and in between my toes. As a Water Walker and a Disciple of Jesus, I want to be covered in dust because I am following Jesus so closely.

I will be fasting fried foods. Fried chicken, french fries, and chips are 3 of my weaknesses. Sundays are a time of celebration and a break from the fast.

Will you be participating in the fast? You are welcome to comment what you will be fasting.

As I have shared in the past, I consider Phil 1:6 NIV my life verse; “ Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” When I think if the word Transformation, I think if this verse. Paul uses the word “began”, meaning the work is not finished.

Our Transformation can be dramatic or a subtle change over a lifetime. Opposite of that would be reverting or withering. On this Transformation Tips Tuesday, I encourage us all to keep moving and working towards God’s perfect will for our lives. Even if the subtle change is unseen at this moment, keep going. The following verses tie in with Paul’s words:

“With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.”
‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭1:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“The Lord will work out his plans for my life— for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭138:8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As Walt Disney said; “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths”.

Will you stay curious after God’s perfect will?

On this Mindset Monday, do you have any barcadas that are hindering you or any hesitation that is keeping you from walking through an open door. In Revelation‬ ‭3:7-8‬ ‭NIV‬‬ we read about how God can open and close doors.

““To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.”

I look at this fence along the dunes that has fallen down and think about how God opens doors in unexpected ways. In Ephesians 3:20 NIV God is in the unexpected.

“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,”

What is your mindset today? Are you ready to walk through? Or are you stuck standing still in your expectations? God is bigger!

Deep Red roses can be a symbol of love and grief. On this earth we are guaranteed to experience both. In Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV Paul gives us two instructions; 1. Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children. 2. Walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

It isn’t always easy to follow God’s example and be a fragrant offering when life stinks. Spiritual Sunday is a time of renewal and to regain our strength as we walk into God’s arms. It’s a time of humility, surrender and sacrifice as we come to His altar where his unconditional love and grace covers our sins and lifts up our burdens.

In this song, My Prayer for You by Alisa Turner she is speaking to those that have prayed a thousand prayers with no answers, loosing hope, and who are tired and weary. Her prayer is that God will help those to see that God is still greater, courage to believe He is still able, and feel the peace of God through trials.

Will you allow God to be your helper on this Spiritual Sunday?

“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

Will you allow God to be your shelter on this Spiritual Sunday?

“For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.” Psalms‬ ‭27:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬