Do you ever look at the rays of Sun shining through the clouds and see God’s glory? Look at this photo taken by Ray White. It looks like the clouds are reach out, inviting us to see the glory of the sun. In these verses from 2 Thes‬ ‭2:13-14‬ ‭NIV, God chose us to share in His glory; “But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” ‬‬

Just like God chose Mary to carry baby Jesus, He chooses us to carry Him daily. In this song, Breath of Heaven by Mat and Savanna Shaw we hear Mary’s cry for God to be forever near her;

Breath of heaven
Hold me together
Be forever near me
Breath of heaven
Breath of heaven
Lighten my darkness
Pour over me your holiness
For you are holy
Breath of heaven

As we go to our places of worship, let’s ask God to pour His holiness over us. Let’s Thank Him for choosing us to carry Him daily.

The ornament in the picture has always been one of my favorites and now my daughter Briley also loves it. This ornament is a Hallmark ornament my mama gave me years ago, and Briley and I always find a prominent place to hang it into be tree so we can be sure to enjoy it. To me, this ornament is simple, intricate and thought provoking. To me, this ornament represents pureness.

As we begin this Finish Friday, I encourage you to join me in praying Psalms 51:10:

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” ‭NIV‬‬

May you and I both have a “gentle peace” enter our heart as we approach the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ!

Today’s Thankful Thursday picture is not beautiful or showy. Today’s picture is an example of a simple way I showed my kindergarten students that I loved them.

I am a little obsessed with chapsticks and lip balms. I am constantly applying something to my lips because I truly despise my lips being chapped. During the cooler months, many of my children inevitably had chapped lips. Understanding what a nuisance chapped lips are, I began to keep petroleum jelly and cotton swabs in my desk drawer. Each day as we prepared to go to recess, a long line would appear by my desk of students who needed (or wanted) some of my “lip balm” to coat their lips.

Why do I share this on Thankful Thursday? Today I want you to recall simple acts like this that others have done for you. Remember the ways others have shown you kindness and love. As you are reminded of the love shown to you, be thankful. Then out of your thanksgiving, do the same. Find simple acts of love that you can share with others. Be intentional and thoughtful. Then do.

I love this image captured by Ray White because it leaves so much to the imagination. Is the dog jumping into water? If so, look at the blind faith this dog has to take a leap! Oh, for me to have that much faith to forge ahead with enthusiasm when God calls me out onto the water!

God is constantly calling you and I to have faith to follow and be His vessels. What is God asking you to do in faith? Have you heard God’s call. As you listen for God, remember to be still. Remember when Elijah was looking for guidance in 1 Kings 19:11-12.

“The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.”
‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭19:11-12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In the King James version of this verse, the voice of God was a “still small voice.”

On this Water Walking Wednesday, be listening for God’s voice. Where is God leading you to trust and obey? What is God calling you to do? How is God asking you to have faith and leap into the water?

For the last few Transformation Tip Tuesdays, Julie and I have been sharing our past “word of the year” in hopes you would consider doing the same in 2022.

In 2020, my word of the year was impact. The key scriptures I highlighted were Matthew 5:14-16.

““You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:14-16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

You and I are each called to make an impact on the world around us. There are many ways to make an impact. In this picture, the Christmas tree is lighting the room it is in. However, the tv is also reflecting the lights of the tree. Both are illuminating the area around it. Both are making an impact on the darkness. Are you making an impact? What kind of impact are you making?

I encourage you this Transformation Tip Tuesday to prayerfully consider choosing a word to guide and shape your 2022. How is God leading you? What word will guide your actions?

Yesterday was the third Sunday of Advent which is also referred to as “Gaudete Sunday.” The Latin meaning of Gaudete is “rejoice” and Philippians 4:4-5 is the scripture it is centered around. Let’s read a little further.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:4-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This scripture instructs that through rejoicing and praying we will have peace. Are you able to feel the peace of Christ as you go through your busy day? Amidst the chaos are you rejoicing and praying? Read the Message version of this same scripture.

“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:6-7‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Do you have a busy week ahead? Is your schedule full? As you begin this Mindset Monday, allow Christ to “displace worry at the center of your life” by turning your worries into prayers. Find ways to rejoice amidst the chaos and “a sense of God’s wholeness…will come and settle you down.”

I love the Christmas season, but this time of year is packed with many events; Christmas shows, parties, church events. All of the activities are wonderful, but sometimes we get so caught up in the busy schedule that the true meaning of Christmas gets overshadowed. I love this image captured by Ray White because it reminds me of the hope and promises of a new day.

Today is Spiritual Sunday. As the sun rises this morning, let’s refocus our attention on the birth of Christ and what His birth means for you and I as Christians.

“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭5:11-12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As you worship today, praise God for the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Thank God for eternal life and spend time today refocusing on what the Christmas season means for you and I. As you leave worship, carry with you a renewed focus on your Savior so that when the days ahead are busy, you can remind yourself of what we are truly celebrating: life everlasting!