One Sunday after church I took this photo of these lilies. It is such a beautiful image to watch the flowers transform through the different seasons. At this particular point these lilies were at their peak in full bloom. Like most flowers they eventually wither, only to return more beautiful and plentiful the following year.

My life verse is Philippians 1:16 NIV; “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.” We too change throughout the seasons of life. Sometimes we grow more beautifully and sometimes we allow ourselves to wither. Either way Christ Jesus is continually working on each of us.

On this Transformation Tips Tuesday let’s reflect what season we are in. Are we allowing a good work to be done or are we stagnant? Are we feeling confident or defeated? As faithful stewards let’s go in prayer with open hearts, minds, and hands for what God wants to do in us.

In church yesterday Pastor Charles said when we rest and reset, we reclaim a proper perspective on our lives. Hopefully we all found time this past weekend to rest so that we can reset for the week ahead.

When I see this basketball hoop, I see a challenge. We can choose to let our challenges get the best of us. Or we can choose to reclaim that perspective and take on our challenges with God’s help.

I love this verse from Psalms. It encourages me to open my eyes to the blessings God has for me instead of focusing on my challenges. On this Mindset Monday let’s position ourselves for the blessing. Dribble the ball and shoot for the best! To dribble is to take the ball forward. Will you move forward in what God has in store for you today?

“Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him.” Psalm‬ ‭34:8‬ ‭MSG‬‬

“At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split” Matt‬ ‭27:51‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The veil being torn symbolizes you and I having a direct connection with Jesus. In this song, “I Say Yes” by Kim Walker-Smith she sings about having an encounter with God. Some of the lyrics sing; “I want an encounter, a real encounter. I say yes to your love. I say yes to your freedom. I say yes to your heart and all of your healing. Your ways are higher. Lord, I surrender. I come to you just as I am”.

I encourage you to listen and worship to the song; https://youtu.be/nPVTbKo-LTI

This is a picture of a cross mounted above our church doors. It is one of many crosses throughout the church. A cross like this one symbolizes that Jesus is alive. All barriers, including the veil have been broken.

As we go to our places of worship, let’s go seeking an encounter. Surrender anything that would compromise that encounter as you enter into His presence.

Yesterday I took advantage of the plentiful rain Tropical Storm Elsa provided and transferred grass to some needed areas so that I could make a new flower bed. I now have a blank canvas to plant. It’s a reminder of how God’s mercies are new every morning, making room each day for new landscaping.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lam‬ ‭3:22-23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today I plan to finish strong with some raking, planting, and pine straw. In this song; Look What You’ve Done by Tasha Layton some of the lyrics sing, “Standing in your presence Lord, I can feel you digging all my roots up. I feel you healing all my wounds up”. On this Finish Friday, let’s ask for God’s help in digging up our old ugly roots and ask God to heal us with His compassion that never fails.

This beautiful image of three roses, one perfectly centered and in full bloom between two closed rose buds reminded me of Jesus alive between two sinners on the cross. Although that day on the cross was so horrific, something very beautiful came from it, Jesus’s unconditional love for us.

We read in Hebrews 12:2 that the Joy was set before Him. On this Thankful Thursday I am thankful for the sacrificial love also known as Agape love that Christ Jesus showed us by dying on the cross for you and I.

How can we in turn love Jesus with Agape love? One way is sacrificing our time to sit with Him in prayer and devotion. The dishes can wait, the yard can wait, whatever it is on your to do list can wait. I encourage each of us to not give our leftovers but rather, Agape love each and every day.

“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Monday I had plans for my daughter, Kendal and I to make the 4 hour trip to visit my Mom. We were packed and ready to get on the road Monday morning when plans changed. After deciding to stay home, we made plans to spend a few hours at south Pawleys beach, creekside. I prefer the creek because it is a lot calmer and quieter.

It’s not always easy to change plans. If we are listening, often God is speaking to us. It was a beautiful day and we now had no plans. Why not let God lead me to quiet waters? Life is busy but business can get in the way of hearing God and heeding to His will. Sometimes being a Water Walker means we need to slow down and listen.

The verb definition of heed is to pay attention, to take notice. Is your calendar busy? Are you making time to be still in God’s presence so that you can hear Him and heed to His will? Next time there is a change in plans, ask God to lead you.

We have a Crape Myrtle tree in our front yard. Recently I realized this is a popular tree in my neighborhood. Some are short shrubs, while some are tall trees with lots of blooms, or very little blooms. Our tree has very little blooms. If you walk around the back of the tree and look up, you will find beautiful flowers.

Like these Crape Myrtle’s, we tend to compare ourselves to others. God made us each unique. On this Transformation Tips Tuesday, we need to accept how God made us. The way we are shaped, if we are tall or short, and the gifts God gave us. Each of us are fearfully and wonderfully made. If you tend to struggle with acceptance, remember to look up. Through God’s help you will find beauty.