Our travels last week also brought us near this old covered bridge. It is no longer open to vehicles but we were able to walk through it. As you can see, even as we approached the bridge and began to walk through it, we were still unable to see what was on the other side. The inside of the tunnel was dark and the light on the other side was our guide. Are you walking through a dark tunnel today? Are you uncertain about what lies ahead? On this Mindset Monday, focus your mind on the promises of scripture.

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3:14-21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

No matter what is ahead of us, Our God will light the way and can do “immeasurably more than we ask or imagine.”

Last Sunday evening we were at a ball field. Look closely at the top picture of the smokestacks in the background. While watching the game we were also able to witness the smokestacks disappear due to rain and clouds. A little later the rain cleared and we were left with a rainbow.

Often in our lives we witness much of the same. We walk through our days and suddenly find ourselves engulfed with clouds and rain. During those times we must rely on the faith we have been building along and along to carry us through. On this Spiritual Sunday, spend some time examining the weather around you. Are you currently walking through sun, clouds or rain? If so, are you focusing on the storm or on Christ? Are you spending time in devotion and prayer to strengthen your faith? Refocus your attention today so you can see God’s everlasting light and the rainbow in the distance.

This past Tuesday my daughter Kendal and I shared her Scoliosis journey at church. Kendal was first diagnosed with Scoliosis at age 4 and has been treated at the Greenville Shriners hospital by wearing a brace. After 12 years her journey is finished. At the age if 16 she is done growing and the risk for surgery is gone.

Looking back over the years we can see how God worked out here Scoliosis for our good and His glory; “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”. Rom 8:28 NIV

We have learned to turn a burden into a blessing by sharing our testimony and finding joy in the journey along the way. Maybe you have recently finished a journey or maybe one is just beginning. How has God turned your burdens into blessings?

Kendal may not have been healed from Scoliosis, but she was healed through God and medicine since she was prevented from surgery. Between God’s favor, Kendal being the most compliant patient, and Dr. Pete taking such good care of her, our journey had a happy ending.

You can here about Kendal’s Scoliosis Journey by following this link; Turning Burdens into Blessings

Last night I listened to a Steven Furtick Podcast titled, “The Other Hand”. As I listened I reflected on my word of the year for 2021, refine. The other hand is the sin in our lives. The bad habits or faults that are revealed behind closed doors. To refine is to remove impurities or unwanted elements. This fire pit pictured here is full of sticks waiting to be burned. We all have sticks called sin that needs to be refined in the fire.

In this verse from Psalm 73:26 NIV we can be thankful for the parts of us that fail; “My flesh and heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever”. On this Thankful Thursday, I am thankful that God continues to refine me. I am thankful that He is my strength and my portion forever.

You can listen to The Other Hand by clicking this link!

We tend to compartmentalize our faith. We give God our plans for His final approval. We make things more difficult than what they need to be. Just like this picture divided up into 4 sections, we have everything where we think it needs to be.

Picture this 3 mile trail that winds around East Bay. Although it is not straight, it is a continuous path with a start and a finish. Part of being a Water Walker is to trust, submit, and start.

1. Trust God even when we don’t understand or see what comes after the first step.

2. Submit our plans, not for final approval but for full surrender.

3. Start moving forward by asking God to lead us in the path we should go.

The start might be messy. The middle might be nerve-racking, and the finish might look different than we had planned. Will you trust, submit, and start in what God has for you today?

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Prov‬ ‭3:5-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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