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

You may have noticed that we have been spending the week in Psalms. Today is a hard verse to read. In Ps 22:1; “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?” Ps 22:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This verse appears in the Gospels as well, Mat 27:46 and Mark 15:34 NIV; “About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).” Mat‬ ‭27:46‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Have you ever felt like God had abandoned you? Have you ever prayed a prayer that you didn’t think God would ever answer? In these verses Jesus is crying out to His Father. I know there have been times I have cried out. If we allow it, our relationship with God can grow cold like this photo. We must understand that Jesus’s blood was sacrificed so that we could have grace and a relationship with our Heavenly Father.

On this Finish Friday, I encourage us to examine our hearts, minds, and souls. Maybe grief has caused your heart to grow cold. Maybe old resentment has gotten in between you and God. Maybe you have stopped praying because God has been silent. It is ok to be sad, mad, and silent. We are all human. I am here to encourage us all to keep the faith and keep praying long. Remember to finish strong like Jesus. We used to wear bracelets that said “what would Jesus do?” I still have mine. What would Jesus do in your situation?

Maybe none of these scenarios are you. I am sure we all have a friend or family member in need. Let’s shine the light of Jesus into their lives. Let’s encourage them that it is never too late to run into God’s arms and experience our Fathers unconditional love.

Listen to this song Why God? By Austin French.

My favorite race day verse is from Psalm 118:24 NLT; “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” On Saturday I ran a long run in preparation for a Marathon. Deborah along with our friend Melody, and my Mom joined me on different parts of that journey. I tell you this on Thankful Thursday because I am so thankful to have their support. I share this verse because even in the hard things we should rejoice.

Running long is not always easy. I like to do it because it’s a slow conversational pace that I can often get a lot of prayer miles in, or listen to podcasts and books. I know that God made that very Day, knowing I would do that hard thing. He strategically planned ever detail, down to when, where, and how my support team would come rally me on.

This very day on Thankful Thursday the Lord has made too. Some of you may be in the middle of a trial right now and think it’s impossible to rejoice. If that is you, I encourage you to rejoice in the little details like friends and family showing up in your time of need. Some of you may be on a mountain top experience right now. If that is you, don’t forget to rejoice because things have gotten easier. “Rejoice always,” 1 Thes‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬