I enjoy reading different translations of scripture. This past week I was introduced to TPT, “The Passion Translation”. When I read this verse from Proverbs 4:25 TPT, I understood it with a new mindset; “Set your gaze on the path before you. With fixed purpose, looking straight ahead, ignore life’s distractions.”

I have been meditating on “fixed purpose”. What do you think that means? The translation I commonly use is NIV, “New International Versión” and it translates as; “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.” Fixed is defined as, not fluctuating or varying. While purpose is defined as, the reason for which something is done or created.

If we look at this photo by Ray White, we known this must be a bush or a tree. God created it with a purpose, just like he created each of us for a purpose. Through God’s word we gain wisdom. It is our guide to maneuvering through Life. No matter what task is at hand, it is already fixed in place by are omnipotent God. He chose you for this task. God knows and understands there will be distractions. Will you go confidently today with the mindset that God chose you for a fixed purpose?

Everyday the tide rises and falls. The time may vary each day since the ocean tide follows the moon. The waves crash the shore more times than we can count. Depending on the tide and the wind, those waves may look differently. Even with those slight variances, the ocean remains the same. Just like the ocean, our creator, Jesus Christ never changes. We read in Hebrews‬ ‭13:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬; “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

As we gaze at this beautiful image captured by Ray White, we can almost feel the waves ticking our toes. On this Finish Friday let’s not forget how big our God is. Let’s not forget that not matter what changes life brings, God will never waiver. Will you walk confidently along God’s shoreline today with unwavering faith?

We have a lot to be thankful for on this Thankful Thursday. This picture below is of my family and our Pastor. Last Sunday my mom joined our church at Herbert Memorial United Methodist. It has been a long journey for my mom since my Dad passed away of cancer almost two years ago. Mom has adopted a saying for her self; “Not all who wander are lost”. In other words my mom wasn’t lost from God or family but lost in trying to figure out her new normal and where to put roots.

In this scripture from Ephesians, as a body of Christ Jesus, we are held together and support one another. Through the outpouring of God’s love, we help one other to love, serve, and grow in Christ Jesus. Fellowship is vital part of nurturing our relationships. We are thankful that we have the opportunity to worship together. In 2020 we learned to appreciate fellowship as most of us were not able to gather due to COVID. I encourage us all to not forget that season and to always be thankful for opportunities to fellowship and worship together with our brothers and sisters in God’s house.

“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Ephesians‬ ‭4:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In this photo by Ray White, God paints a beautiful picture. The sky reflecting on the water reminds me how we are made in God’s image. It reminds me that God pays attention to every little detail. Not one thing has been left undone. I consider Philippians 1:6 NIV to be 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.”

If God completed the earth in 7 days, we can be confident he can complete his work in us throughout our lifetime and beyond. He continues it on even through the legacies we leave. On this Water Walking Wednesday I encourage us all to be confident and keep persevering. The current path may seem long but God will finish what He started in each of us.

Will you look for God winks and opportunities that God is presenting to you today to carry you through?

I think it is safe to say that we all like to control our calendars, our plans, our emotions, our health, our relationships, and basically everything. I am sure we have all had our ups and downs at some point throughout 2021. Admitting we really don’t have control is the first step to surrendering everything over to God. One prayer that has always helped me maneuver through trying to control life is the Serenity Prayer; God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

This prayer has inspired my word for 2022; Serenity which means the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled. I think it is safe ro say we would all love a calm, peaceful, and untroubled life. In reality there will be many days the exact opposite. I can remember the serenity prayer and have the courage to change what I can. The scripture I have picked to stand on comes from Rom 15:13 NIV; “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” The gift of the Holy Spirit will also give me the wisdom to discern what I can not control.

From that same scripture I pull out the word “trust”. Trusting God with today, not worrying about what tomorrow will bring. I challenge us all to pay attention to how much our minds drift into tomorrow throughout our day. It is natural for us to dream and plan and even more natural to worry. From that I choose my mantra; Live for Today. If we don’t surrender today, tomorrow will hold us in chains. If we don’t surrender our best laid plans, our control may become out of control.

Choosing a word of the year can be what you want it to be. It can be as detailed as you have read above or as simple 😉 as you want it to be. The important part is that we remember that word and or mantra throughout the year. Even more important that with Gods help we grow from that word. Deborah and I have found it is easier to stick with a word for 365 days than it is a New Years resolution. What word or mantra will you choose?

In case you missed Deborah’s word of the year last week, you can click here.

I have run past this garden many times and seen all its beautiful phases. When you look at this photo today, you don’t see a garden. Yet underneath this grass is rich soil that has been carefully and thoughtfully taken care of. There are many steps to planting a garden. Once you know your location, layout, and what you want to plant, then you get the seeds and prepare the soil to plant. Once planted you have to weed, water, and control any pests. The harvest comes after the preparation.

On this Mindset Monday let’s look at this verse from Isaiah 26:3 NIV; “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Steadfast means firmly fixed in place. Just like the steps to gardening, we must stand firm and trust the process God has in place for us. Although the days, weeks, months, and years seem long sometimes, we can’t remove a step.

Today is the first Monday of the new year. We can move forward with a mindset to trust in the steps God has laid out for us. Let’s take one day at a time, not skipping a step. Will you choose to trust God with the process of your harvest?