Yesterday I had to get through something that I had been anxious about. The weeks leading up I spent a lot of time in prayer. I also had a community of family and friends praying with me. When the moment finally arrived, I played some Christian songs to help my anxiousness. The song that spoke to me was “Prince of Peace” by Hillsong. Seven simple words were the calm in the storm I had built up in my mind; “And in your light I found rest”.

His word is truly the light that guides us. Even when life seems chaotic and uncertain; “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalms‬ ‭119:105‬ ‭NIV‬‬

When anxiousness steels our rest, we can take a walk with God; “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm‬ ‭23:1-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

On this Water Walking Wednesday is there something you are anxious about? Friends, God is always walking with us. When he calls us out beyond our comfort zones. When He calls us to be brave in anxious circumstances. When we walk with God we allow Him to be the protector of our hearts and minds; “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians‬ ‭4:7‬NIV

I encourage us all to worship in song and may we all take a walk with the Prince of Peace today; Prince of Peace by Hillsong United

We have 53 days till the new year. Every year Deborah and I pick a word of the year. I have been practicing this since 2017. I usually select a mantra to continually reflect on throughout the year as well. Over the next couple months we will reflect on those words. It is so important to journal and write down key verses, blessings, disappointments, and especially your word of the year. Looking back and reflecting on previous years as I am making visions for the new year is one of my favorite things to do.

In 2017 my word was flexibility because I struggled with joy. If my to do list didn’t get done or if plans changed I would get so upset. I made a mantra that would help me remember to be flexible. It was to “Dance through life, seek joy in His presence”. The Scripture this came from was from Psalm 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

I chose to reflect on this in my Transformation Tips Tuesday devotion because I think Deborah and I can both say our words transform us. As we start to reflect and make visions, I encourage you to listen to this song; “Make Room” by Community Music In the lyrics they sing, “Make room for you to do whatever you want to do”. Will we choose to make room for God today and tomorrow as we surrender our plans over to God?

Do you see flowers or do you see weeds in this picture? Our Mindset, our perception, often determines what we think or believe. Jesus said If we can, everything is possible for those who believe.

On this Mindset Monday, look for the flowers instead of the weeds. Focus on what good things God has done. Believe that He can do it again and again.

Will you choose to believe? I pray we all have a good Monday Mindset today!

Look at this photo closely and notice the different kinds of birds. They are flying in from different places to gather in the same place. I can imagine the different sounds they are making and I am sure it is beautiful to hear. Thank you Ray White for capturing such a beautiful image for us!

Imagine the way God sees us on Sunday mornings as all different kinds of people gather in the same place or together online to worship Him. I can assure you that my tune does not belong in the choir. As we all make different sounds, God hears something beautiful when we sing for His glory.

I encourage us all to shout for joy this morning. Make His praise glorious as we sing for His glory! “Shout for joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious.” Psalm‬ ‭66:1-2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Long obedience in the same direction. Joshua is a perfect example, marching around Jericho for seven days; “March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets.” Josh‬ ‭6:3-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

On this Finish Friday let’s keep going. As Walt Disney said “We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths”. We may not always feel like God is near or that the path we are on has purpose. God will bless our obedience. In Gods perfect timing the walls will come down or he will open another door.

In this song; Do it Again by Elevation Worship some of the lyrics sing; “I’m still in your hands, this is my confidence. You’ve never failed me yet”. Will you stay the course of long obedience in the same direction? You are in God’s hands. Keep going!

At all times, on all occasions give thanks. Easier said than done, right? In Eph 5:20 NIV we read; “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” We may not always express our thankfulness but we can still live with the posture of a grateful heart.

This picture reminds me of Thanksgiving. How many of you sit gathered around the table expressing what your thankful for on Thanksgiving? It was a family tradition in my house growing up. We have exactly 4 weeks till we celebrate Thanksgiving. Over these next few weeks, I encourage us all to start thinking and writing down what we are thankful for. It may be an abundant list collected over the last year or it may be a dwindled list gleaning from the previous years.

For today I encourage us all to go about our day with the posture of a grateful heart! To be intentional about finding Joy and gratitude in the everyday grand and mundane tasks.

I have had the joy of looking through my Dads photo CD’s in hunt for the perfect Senior yearbook Ad photos. Although Dad held the camera at most family gatherings and events, I wanted to be sure to use one that he snapped from his viewpoint.

Oh boy did I find some good ones! The picture below is a Key West Sunset. In the verse from Psalms 65:8 we see God’s fingerprints all over His creation; “The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.”

A Water Walker is someone that should have their viewpoint seeing God in the everyday moments. Often we snap pictures of the good moments. Those are the moments we sing songs of joy over. A Water Walker learns and relearns just like a child snap pictures and see God in the bad too. It doesn’t mean we will always sing songs of joy. Eventually we overcome and look back on the little God Winks that brought us joy.

On this Water Walking Wednesday what will be your viewpoint? Will you sing songs of joy today?