“And then God answered: “Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what’s coming. It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait! And it doesn’t lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It’s on its way. It will come right on time. * * *” Habakkuk‬ ‭2:2-3‬ ‭MSG‬‬

The surfer in today’s photo once had a dream to learn to surf. I am sure it took much practice and many tries to learn the proper form to ride the waves with ease. I imagine he had many falls and many failed attempts to stand up to surf successfully. Yet, apparently, he kept practicing and trying until he got it.

In his book Win the Day, Mark Batterson writes, “A dream without a deadline is called a wish.” Resolve is defined as firm determination to do something. Do you have something you have resolved to do? Do you have a goal you are currently working toward? Have you set a deadline?

Today is Mindset Monday. Today I encourage you to resolve to refocus on your dream. Write down your goal and set a deadline. If you feel defeated because you have failed, ask God to give you strength and courage to keep moving forward. Then turn to the end of Habakkuk and follow his lead in praising God despite the circumstances.

“Though the cherry trees don’t blossom and the strawberries don’t ripen, Though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted, Though the sheep pens are sheepless and the cattle barns empty, I’m singing joyful praise to God. I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God. Counting on God’s Rule to prevail, I take heart and gain strength. I run like a deer. I feel like I’m king of the mountain! (For congregational use, with a full orchestra.)” Habakkuk‬ ‭3:17-19‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Finish your time by Clicking here and listening to “Do It Again” by Elevation Worship.

“Let me go over with you again exactly what goes on in the Lord’s Supper and why it is so centrally important. I received my instructions from the Master himself and passed them on to you. The Master, Jesus, on the night of his betrayal, took bread. Having given thanks, he broke it and said, This is my body, broken for you. Do this to remember me. After supper, he did the same thing with the cup: This cup is my blood, my new covenant with you. Each time you drink this cup, remember me. What you must solemnly realize is that every time you eat this bread and every time you drink this cup, you reenact in your words and actions the death of the Master. You will be drawn back to this meal again and again until the Master returns. You must never let familiarity breed contempt.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭11:23-26‬ ‭MSG‬‬

The beautiful tapestry in today’s photo was painted by God. The sky on Wednesday night caused me to slow down and remember. In a split second God reminded me to slow down, reflect and give thanks. What a beautiful way to remind me.

Today is Spiritual Sunday and in the worship service at my church, we will partake in the sacrament of Holy Communion. I think often we recite the responses and go through the motions of communion without really taking to heart what it all symbolizes or means to you and me. If you are partaking in communion today I encourage you to be mindful of what the bread and juice represent. You are re-enacting the death of Our Savior. Don’t let “familiarity” cause you to miss the blessing and responsibility that comes with the blessing. Don’t let the moment pass without remembering the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for each of us. Reenact the sacrifice and remember.

“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭19:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Click here and join me as I talk about how we respond.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalms‬ ‭46:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The vast Ocean never ceases to amaze me. It is the home to some amazing creatures. The tide knows when to rise and fall. It can be so calm, yet also cause so much destruction. If you live in the Southeast, you know that Hurricane Ian has devastated parts of Florida. This verse in Psalms is comforting, knowing that God is ever-present in our times of trouble.

I encourage you to read the entire 46th chapter. In verse 10 He says; “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” No matter what is going on in the world around us, we can be still and know that He is God.

On this Finish Friday, Ian is strengthening again and still causing destruction as it moves towards South Carolina. As we sit and wait during a storm, we can sit in our safe places and find comfort and peace in God. Isn’t that true too for our storms of life? Whatever you are going through today, I pray that you can find strength in God. I pray that you can sit in His presence to receive comfort and peace.

Will you join me in prayer for all those in the path of Hurricaine Ian? May we all stay safe!

“Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”
‭‭John‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Have you ever seen or heard of an American Bautyberry plant? This is another picture from our trip to the Botanical Gardens in Clemson, SC. I was so intrigued by it’s beauty. God never ceases to amaze me with all His creation. Through him, all things were made!!!

On this Thankful Thursday, I encourage us to see God’s beauty and be thankful for all things. Just like this plant’s beauty caught my eye, we should truly see God’s beauty anew every day. Take a quick inventory of your surroundings. What catches your eye? What amazes you? Let’s flood the heavens with our praises!!

“‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’” Acts‬ ‭17:28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Coasting is to move easily without using power. In this photo, there is what appears to be a big ship on the horizon. Not sure if it is coasting or using its engine for power. A ship is also known as a sailing vessel. As God’s offspring, we are His vessel. In Him live and move and have our being. I challenge us all to self-evaluate with this question on Water Walking Wednesday; are you coasting through your days? Or are you seeking God and allowing His power to move you?

Yesterday I encouraged us to seek God through prayerful thought for both the big and ordinary things. If you read verses 26-27 in Acts 17, we were made to seek; “From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.”

I speak from experience that it is easy to coast through our days. I especially find this true in busy seasons when we are in survival mode. Friends, this is ok! Remember it’s fine, your fine, everything is fine. There are also seasons where God wants to refresh us. He desires us to seek Him so that He can put a fresh wind behind our sails. I encourage us all today to seek and not coast.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew‬ ‭6:33‬ ‭NIV

Do you seek God first or rush into something without giving it prayerful thought? For me I would say it’s easier to to seek God first over the big things. The little or ordinary sometimes get rushed through without prayerful thought.

Look at this image by Ray White. The bird appears to be flying faster than the shutter on the camera. Yesturday I wrote about being mindful in our Christian walk. Today I want us to be mindful of seeking God first in prayerful thought. Our prayerful thoughts can be simple breath prayers. They can be on our knees surrender prayers. Join me today in seeking God first through The Lord’s prayer, found in Matthew‬ ‭6:9-13‬ ‭NIV‬‬.

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. “ Amen
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