Every day should be Thankful Thursday. Often we we allow our surroundings and circumstances to bring us down. This morning as I am making my list of gratitudes I am blessed to be able to sit in God’s courts. I have entered my devotion area with praise. Three of my senses are overwhelmed with the sound of the birds chirping, the smell of the flowers blooming, and the sight of the moon on this crisp morning.

My list of 5 gratitudes

1. The sound of birds chirping

2. A warm cup of black coffee

3. We had a 2020-2021 soccer season

4. Getting ready for Junior Spring Fling

5. My flowers are blooming

What are your 5 gratitudes? I encourage you to use your 5 senses when making your list; skin, nose, ear, eye, and tongue. I pray we all have an attitude of gratitude as we go about our day.

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Psalm‬ ‭100:4‬ ‭NIV‬

Deborah and I called our blog Water Walkers because we want to have bold faith, step out of our boat, and walk on water with Jesus. Will we be like David and tell our Lord that we desire to do His will?

I like the message version. He says; “I’m coming to the party you’re throwing me”. life May not always be a party. There are many times we’d rather stay in the comfort of our boat. I encourage each of us to boldly pray;

Lord, I surrender my will today. I desire to do your will. Equip me to step out of my boat. When you call my name, I want to walk on water for your glory.

“So I answered, “I’m coming. I read in your letter what you wrote about me, And I’m coming to the party you’re throwing for me.” That’s when God’s Word entered my life, became part of my very being.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭40:7-8‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Transformation means a thorough change in form or appearance. I planted this Cala Lilly in an area full of tree roots. I had to put a lot of rich soil down to nurture the plant. Over the years I hope to see this flower flourish and multiply. Just like our faith journey, over time being transformed into His image. I like the message version which says we are to become brighter and more beautiful. How can we accomplish this? My tip for you today is to surround yourselves with other Godly men and woman that will help nurture you. Just like the stars shine brighter because they are clustered together. Will you allow the glory of The Lord to shine through you today?

“Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We’re free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭3:16-18‬ ‭MSG‬

Is it hard for you to get back into a weekday routine? For me it is helpful that 7 days a week I have the same mourning routine. I get up and have coffee with Jesus every morning. Some mornings are later than others. Like today, I struggled to get up and going. This routine is vital to my cheerful heart. It boosts my Monday and everyday mindset. This cup of coffee and small routine brings me Joy. I pray we can all find joy in a cheerful heart today. Let’s start our week with a full cup.

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭17:22‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Spiritual Sunday is a time we can get centered in Christ Jesus. Some of us go to church, some of us worship from home. Either way, it is how we get refocused for our week ahead. I love going to the beach. My favorite spot is south Pawleys Island where the Creek and the Ocean meet. On the Creek you have a quiet stillness you don’t get from the Ocean. Either way, you have the sand on your toes. We live in a world where heaven and earth meet. We are all subject to the sin of this world. Thankfully we have the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide us. Imagine if we could feel the sand on our toes every time we were in step with the Spirit. As we go to our places of worship, may we all feel the sand on our toes. Let’s get refocused so that we can keep in step with the Spirit throughout our week.

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians‬ ‭5:25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We have been working on creating a backyard bird sanctuary. First, we hung several blue bird houses along our fence. Next, we put out a bird feeder. Last we hung a bird bath. We quickly gained a family of blue birds. After a busy day we can sit back there and find peace. A place we can get back to a simpler life.

From the Merriam-Webster dictionary sanctuary can mean the following: 

· Holy or sacred place

· Building or room for religious worship

· A place that provides safety or protection

· A wildlife sanctuary

· Protection from a difficult situation that is provided by a safe place

From Psalm 32:7 NIV sanctuary can mean the following:

“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance”

In this song, Sanctuary by Abby Robertson sanctuary can mean the following:

A place to find rest and strength from God’s love. Some of the lyrics sing; “When waters rise around me, you are my sanctuary”. 

From this picture of our mommy and daddy blue birds we can be reminded of how God protects us and takes care of us. This simpler life is an example to slow down. To find joy and gratitude in the tiny details. 

Where is your sanctuary? Where do you run to first when you need to rest in God’s presence? If you cannot answer this question, I encourage you to create a space. I would love to read about your sanctuary in comments.

Jesus was given a written title for His charge against him before he hung on the cross for our sins. In Matthew 27:37 NIV it was “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews”. In Mark 15:26 NIV it was “The King of the Jews”. In Luke 23:38 NIV it was “This is the King of the Jews”. In John 19:19 NIV it was “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews”. His title was on trial that day.

Jesus could have easily come down from the cross to prove it all. He was mocked to do so in Matthew 27:42 NIV; “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.” In order for us to testify and truly believe His title, the scripture had to be fulfilled. In John 19:35 NIV, the soldier that pierced his side after death testified to His title; “The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe.”

Our sins were nailed to the cross that day. Once we have asked Jesus to live in our hearts and forgive us of our sins, it is our job to declare and share our new titles. In Romans 10:9 NIV; “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” What titles do we share? We are children of God, chosen, loved, blessed, adopted, forgiven, redeemed, strong, and accepted. How often do we sacrifice our titles because of indiscipline, pride, and hate. We let our sins come down from the cross instead of keeping them nailed below our title. We must daily nail our sins to the cross. In doing so we can find our Easter hallelujah.

I encourage you to not only listen to but watch the video to this song, “An Easter Hallelujah” https://youtu.be/k6PKpywdaLM