Yesterday as we were walking my daughter pointed out the blue ceilings on porches. She informed me that it helps keep birds and wasps from making nests. This makes me think about how we need to be proactive and not leave room for the Devil to make nests in our lives.

On this Transformation Tips Tuesday I encourage us all to stay guarded in God’s word. Take inventory of the sin that easily entangles us. Let’s not give the Devil a any footholds today.

“and do not give the devil a foothold.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Why are Mondays always so hard? Just like my dog Oreo, it would be nice to sometimes cover our faces rather than face the day ahead. Yet, God has commanded us to be strong and courageous no matter if it is Monday or another day of the week.

How will you approach today? With a covered face? Or a courageous spirit? On this Mindset Monday, let’s lean into God and ask him to equip us to tackle this Monday.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”” Josh‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As I was standing at Dunkin Donuts waiting on my order, I read this paper bag here and laughed. Seriously think about our days, especially Monday though Saturday. It is easy for us to get off track, to get away from God. Just like these sprinkles get shifted in transport, we get shifted in life. Thankfully we read in Psalm 139:7; “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?”

The best part, God already knows when and where we will shift and yet he loves us anyways; “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Ps‬ ‭139:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This week, will you get shifted for God or shifted for the world? As we go to our places of worship today, let’s ask God to sprinkle us with his Holy Spirit so that we may shift towards Him.

One of my favorite things to do is watch my son Preston pitch. While it is very stressful for me, I also enjoy watching him. There is much about the mechanics of pitching that I don’t know or understand. However, when he is off on a pitch I hear others telling him to be sure to follow through and don’t let up. Often in life we fail to follow through. We may start a project and never finish. The above scripture from Ecclesiastes basically tells us that following through and finishing takes patience. Just as a pitcher must throw one pitch at a time, earn one strike at a time, and one out at a time, we too must chip away at our work at hand and be patient in the process.

On this Finish Friday, let’s focus on the moment, be patient in the process, and follow through to the end of the ballgame.

Thankful Thursday is a reminder to look for God. This week at Vacation Bible School we have been talking with the children about God sightings. We have encouraged them to be on the lookout and to share some of their God sightings with us. I have enjoyed listening to their pure and simple thoughts. Children remind me that as adults we tend to complicate everything. Today I am sharing each of the pictures that I shared previously this week because each was a God sighting for me. Every single day that I am writing, God inspires my words and shows me evidence of His Presence and Power. How about you? Where do you consistently sight God? Those constant God sightings are often ones we take for granted. Today, give thanks. Thank God for continuing to show you His presence and power and give praise. Now go about your day intentionally looking for God sightings. We would love to read about your God sightings in the comments below.

The last two mornings we have awakened to rain, thunder and lightning. Both mornings, soon after opening the front door, the glass storm door has become fogged up and covered with condensation. I imagine that as people drive by they can not really see inside. Likewise, my view to the outside is blurry and distorted.

Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the facade I present to the world is also blurry and distorted. I want to be liked, please others, and keep the peace. Therefore I may remain silent and not speak up. Or I may pretend everything is perfect when actually everything is a mess. How about you? Do others see a true picture of you or is it blurry? Are you hiding weakness behind a foggy door? Scripture tells us that our strength in Jesus is found in weakness.

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9-10‬ ‭NIV‬‬
This Water walking Wednesday I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone by wiping away the haze on the front door of your life. Let others see your vulnerabilities and weaknesses. Allow Jesus’ strength to shine through. Today, let’s all allow others to see that, “when I am weak, then I am strong.” Weakness may be our strongest testimony.

Again today I will encourage you to examine your focus. Yesterday, as I left my house to go to an appointment, I was feeling a little down about the end of my summer break drawing near. However, as I crossed this bridge I was overwhelmed by the beauty around me…a God wink. God reminded me to see the beauty around, enjoy it, and be thankful. This week in Vacation Bible School we are teaching the children to look for God Sighings, aka God Winks. My prayer for each of us is that we transform our thinking and our focus. May each of us keep our eyes open today for all the ways we see God winking at us. Let’s keep our focus on “things above” instead of the worries and cares of this earthly world.