This picture was taken by a 12-year-old at church Sunday. A tree can be a symbol of hope. Not only is this Pine tree made by God but it also designed to transform over the years to become big and strong. On this Transformation Tips Tuesday I want us to reflect on four key words from this verse in Romans.

Hope: A feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.

Joy: A feeling of great pleasure.

Peace: Freedom from disturbance; tranquility.

Trust: Firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.

I encourage us all to pick a word to focus on today. When we start to feel discouraged, sad, or worried may this verse transform our feelings to bring us joy, to place our trust in God so that we can experience peace and hope.

What do you see when you look at this photo? Could it be grass? Or a plant? whatever it may be, it was created and prepared by God. We too were each created and prepared by God.

On this Mindset Monday let’s not focus on our short comings but rather God’s Grace. He has created and prepared us for this very minute, day, week, month, and year. Just like a plant or the grass, we all have a purpose. Some days our purpose may seem clear, other days we wonder if we are following after God’s will. Like we read in Romans 8:28 NIV; “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.”

What will you choose to focus on today? I choose God’s Grace.

Last Monday Deborah talked Sunday’s laity service. One of the scriptures referenced that day was from Matt 20:27-28; “and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”” Serving is always a humbling act of worship. Depending on the type of service it might be seen or unseen. I was blessed to be one of the speakers. Each of us talked about how often we get more out of serving than the participants through our preparation and devotion.

Last Thursday I had the blessing of delivering Back Pack Buddy meals to Kensington Elementary. This is a ministry that Herbert Church and many other local churches provides to our schools for our children in need. Each child gets two meals a week to take home. There are many people who donate money, provide food, pack bags, and deliver. I had planned to be at the school before the parents arrived to drop off their children. I wanted to be first. Well my morning got away from me and I ended up in the middle of a busy drop off carpool lane. By the time I dropped off the bags, parked my car, walked the bags inside, I was last. As I was leaving the school I was blessed with this beautiful sky. Had I been first, I would have missed this. God always amazes me in the different ways he offers a blessing. Often we are too busy to stop and take notice.

On this Spiritual Sunday, I encourage us all to ask God how He wants you us to serve. Take time to listen to God. Also let’s pray about how we will respond when asked to serve. Remember that serving is a way we can worship God, humbly serve others, and receive a blessing. I also encourage us all to be intentional and open to the blessings God offers.

Today’s verse is from when David was hiding out in the cave from Saul. God had rescued David and he was ready to sing to the heavens of God’s glory. We may not need to be rescued from the mouths of lions but maybe we feel we need rescued from our week. If I could type an emoji, it would be the brunette raising her hand!

What wakes up your soul in the morning? For me it is coffee. The older I get, the stronger and darker I like it. These are some mugs my Dad collected for me during his travels. My sign “Life happens, coffee helps” was a gift from Deborah. whether it is coffee with devotion time, coffee with friends, or a late night cup of coffee with my husband, it is liquid soul therapy for me.

On this Finish Friday, I pray that our souls will be awakened to finish the week strong and sing God’s praises!! God is good!

I have been convicted recently for not carrying my paper Bible to church. I have relied on my phones Bible App to look up scripture. The chances of me having enough cell service at church to pull up a verse are slim. I say I am going to start bringing my paper Bible and then another week passes by.

I am thankful for God’s word to light my path. Every morning I love looking up the verse of the day on my Bible App but there is just something about reading through a paper Bible. On this Thankful Thursday I ask the questions, do you use God’s word to light your path? Whether it is through an App or on paper, do you show God gratitude by reading His word?

I know Deborah lights a candle during her devotion time. We joke about lighting the candle in Sunday School class to stop our weekly chatter and begin our lesson. This morning as I read the verse from Psalm 119:105, I burned a candle to honor God and show gratitude of His word; “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalms‬ ‭119:105 NIV.

Sometimes when the journey seems long or the past seems muddled we can get discouraged. Deborah and I both like to journal our devotions, prayers, and sermon messages. We like to journal dreams, gratitudes, and answered prayers. When we journal, we can look back and remember. We can connect the dots to God’s faithfulness.

On this Water Walking Wednesday I encourage us all to make a daily habit to journal. If you already journal, take a moment to look back and reflect. Part of being a Water Walker is is remembering the power that is running through our veins. Take a member to listen to the lyrics of this song; Remember by Bryan and Katie Torwalt

I am a beginner in the planting process. I have used the same little pot to start out both my succulents and my cactus. This past Sunday I transferred the plants into bigger pots because they had outgrown the little pot and flower box they lived in. This reminds me, are we making room to grow in our Christian walk?

We should never fully mature at being a Christian. God wants us to get planted in His word and flourish. When we stop growing, we should evaluate why. Maybe we need to serve in other areas at church or in our communities. Maybe we need to join a small group at church.

On this Transformation Tips Tuesday , I encourage us all to pray and ask God to plant the desire in us to keep striving, to keep growing in our Christian walk so that we can flourish.