I am sure we have all heard about a glass half full outlook verses a glass half empty outlook. What if we talked about pie instead. As Christians we are full of God because the Holy Spirit lives in us. Let’s think about our day as a piece of pie. Every time something happens that is difficult or makes us sad or mad, it is easy to let someone take a slice of our pie. What if we chose to react with praise verses grumbling. God-seekers are full of God. Let’s bless God on this Thankful Thursday with a heart of praise. Will you allow someone or something to take a slice of your pie today? Or will you choose to be full of God?

I encourage you to read ‭‭all of Psalm‬ ‭34:1-10‬ ‭MSG; “I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise. I live and breathe God; if things aren’t going well, hear this and be happy: Join me in spreading the news; together let’s get the word out. God met me more than halfway, he freed me from my anxious fears. Look at him; give him your warmest smile. Never hide your feelings from him. When I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot. God’s angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray. Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him. Worship God if you want the best; worship opens doors to all his goodness. Young lions on the prowl get hungry, but God-seekers are full of God.”‬‬

There is a lot of anxiety, fear, emotions, and excitement built up on the first day of school. Parents, students, teachers, and administrators are all feeling different things. Yesterday I had a headache at work so I resorted to a pack of M & M’s, my favorite vending machine snack. In this picture we have a ruler, pen, and an empty pack of candy. Maybe this image will help you remember on Water Walking Wednesday to stay planted in God’s word.

Much Love, no matter what fears we are facing today we can stay planted in God’s love; “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John‬ ‭4:18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Much Grace, no matter if we feel we don’t measure up we can stay planted in God’s Grace; “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.” Psalms‬ ‭90:17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God’s Promises, no matter what happens or doesn’t happen today we can rest assured that God holds the pen. We can stay planted in knowing that He is writing our stories; “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I pray everyone has a great first day, first week, first month, and a great year! Go walk on water!!

If you followed Track in the 2020 Olympics, you heard several times about how USA medalists Sydney McLaughlin and Dalila Muhammad are a perfect example of iron sharpening iron. In Proverbs 27:17 NIV we read; “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

On this Transformation Tips Tuesday are you surrounding yourself with others that lift you up and sharpen you? My husband Hollie and I have started riding bikes a few evenings a week. Neither of us plan on striving for the Olympics but we do strive to stay active and healthy all while enjoying each others company.

Will you get active today? Will you lift someone up by asking them to join you in a walk or run or bike ride? We also read in Ecc 4:9 NIV; “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:”

On this Mindset Monday, let’s pause and think about the power of our words. My mantra for the year is to be a fruit bearer. When I read Proverbs 18:21 in the message it tells me our words can either be poison or fruit; “Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.”

Words can be spoken over ourselves and to others. Will you be a fruit bearer today and give life or will you cut yourself and others down. Like these vibrant green trees, let’s choose to be full of energy and enthusiasm with life giving words.

Take a moment to listen to this song; I Speak Jesus by Here be Lions & Darlene Zschech

This road of life we are traveling changes with the different seasons. In Mark 6:31 NIV, the disciples were so busy they didn’t have time to eat; “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”” You may be in the trenches with little ones. You may be working endless hours. You may be caring for the elderly. You may be running after grandchildren. You may be in sorrow. No matter where we all are in our journey, we must remember to have moments where we go away with God through stillness, prayer, and devotion so that we can find soul rest.

On this Spiritual Sunday, I pray we can go to our places of worship and get renewed for the week ahead. Will you take time each day to find a quiet place? In this song, “I’m Desperate For You” by Red Rock Worship some of the lyrics sing, “In the presence of the Prince of Peace”. I am reminded of the peace that only God can provide. I pray we all experience His peace today and throughout our week.

One day this week a relative and friend reached out to me asking what scripture comforts me during grief. Within seconds this verse from Rev 21:4 came to mind;
“”He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.””‬‬ In this world we all experience suffering. Sometimes we see it through disease and sickness. But we don’t always know when someone is suffering on the inside. This scripture gives me peace and comfort knowing that Jesus has not only loved us so much that He bottled up every tear but also that the person is no longer suffering.

This same relative and friend felt guilty for questioning God. Within seconds this song; Why God by Austin French came to mind. We are all God’s children and just like a child who asks a lot of questions, it is not for us to understand everything. It is ok to ask why!

I know this is an unusual post for Finish Friday but I know there are others grieving. I love this saying; “God is greater than the Highs and Lows”. No matter what your grief is, God is greater. It is ok to rely on God for His strength on this Friday and everyday.

Heavenly Father, Thank you for being greater than any high and any low than we have experienced. I lay all those that are grieving and surfing at your feet. I ask for your love, peace, and comfort to overwhelm them as they ask why. And when they don’t get a response or maybe the response hurts, hold them in your presence as you bottle up their tears. Give them the strength they need to process their grief today and always. In the name of Jesus Amen.

Often you read and hear Deborah and I talk about journaling our gratitudes. How about counting our miracles? In this song; Million Little Miracles by Elevation Worship & Maverick City, the miracles are so abundant they can’t count them all.

Miracles can be little things we take for granted; breath in our lungs, clothes on our backs, or food on the table. Miracles can be big events; salvation, healing, or opening doors. We tend to forget over the days, months, and years.

Some of the lyrics this song sings; “I hope I never get over what you’ve done”. In this verse from Deuteronomy, we must never forget to praise God for all the million little miracles performed everyday.

I encourage us all to journal our many miracles. Like this flower went from a seed to a bud, in a journal we can make a timeline of events that we can count and never forget.