Today’s photo, taken by Ray White, is a picture perfect example of a fun-filled summer day. Have you filled your summer days with fun? More specifically, have you accomplished the goals you set to complete? Are you making the most of every opportunity?

As an educator, I do have several weeks that are a respite from the usual work world. I realize, everyone does not have that same schedule. Some of you have no change in your day-to-day routine in the summer. However today I would like for you to think about summer as the block of time that it is, a span of 3 months: June 21-September 21.

This Mindset Monday I encourage you to take some time to reflect and assess. During summer 2022, have you set goals? Your goals may be personal, professional, or spiritual. Are you making progress? If not, why haven’t you? Do you need to adjust your priorities? What do you need to do better? Are you making the most of every opportunity?

Ephesians 5:16 tells us not only to “make the most of every opportunity” but that “the days are evil.” Our days are filled with many worldly distractions and traps. As you reflect and assess today, be aware of what areas of your environment may cause you to fail at your goals. Make a plan of ways to mindfully and intentionally avert those traps. “Be careful how you live.”

As you begin your week this Mindset Monday, use your devotion time as a time to re-set. Ask God to guide and direct your thoughts as you reflect and assess. Together with God’s help, make a plan to accomplish your goals. Then as you step into your day you will be aware, equipped, and ready to “make the most of every opportunity.”

Last Thursday was an impromptu beach day. When we first arrived I snapped this picture to share with a friend. I am always overwhelmed with the peace and serenity the ocean brings me. After returning home and looking more closely at the picture I notice the tire tread marks in the sand. I began to wonder. What kind of vehicle made the tracks? Where was the vehicle going? Where had it been?

This morning as I look at the photo I am reminded of direction and how to know what direction to head. Often you and I roll out of bed with a direction for the day in mind. We hit the ground running toward that direction and don’t stop till we get back home and fall into bed after a jam packed day.

Today is Spiritual Sunday. Instead of rushing into our new week. let’s slow down. Let’s go to our place of worship today. Let’s allow God to decide our direction.

Today’s scripture comes from Psalm 25. Take a moment to read the entire chapter. Notice how David, the author, began the chapter praising God and then moved into asking for God’s direction and favor. Today as we worship, let’s do the same. Let’s spend time worshiping and praising God. Then listen to the scripture and sermon shared as God gives us direction for our week. Finally, let’s allow God to guide us in the direction our Creator has set before us instead of the direction we think we should go. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide our steps and direct our path. When we do, we will be overwhelmed by peace and serenity, just like the sight of the ocean.

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God us like our gentle giant. It is His joy that gives us strength. He is also our rock and fortress in time of need. He can fight for us and hold us within His loving arms in the same breath. Where do you look for joy in time of need? In Nehemiah 8:10 NIV we don’t have to look because it lives within us; “Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.””

I look at this photo by Ray and see strong tree branches with no clearing in sight. I can imagine our fortress with God to have a barricade like this one. One so strong and deep that nothing can cross. Where do you run to in time of need? In Psalms 18:1-2 NIV we don’t have to run, we can simply look up and speak His name; “I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

On this Finish Friday who or what battle are you fighting? What tactics is the Satan scheming to take your attention off your joy, strength, rock, and refuge? Ask God to deliver you. While you wait, find Joy in a strength only a loving, Heavenly Father and gentle giant can offer.

These three crosses sit creek side at Pawleys Island South. When I saw them last Friday it was a God wink for me that God was listening. In Jeremiah 29:12 NIV; “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” If you watched my See you Saturday video from a few weeks ago, I shared that I have been going through something. During my walking on the beach I was hoping to feel peace by putting my toes in the sand and breathing in the salty air. I was overwhelmed by God’s peace at the site of these crosses.

On this Thankful Thursday, I am so thankful to have a God that listens. We may not have answers or a plan in place, but we can rest knowing our Heavenly Father listens and cares for us. Before going to the doctor on Tuesday, I was blessed with hearing a song for the very first time. It is called Sound Mind by Bryan and Katie Torwalt. Some of the lyrics sing; “A sound mind for the spirit of fear. A sound mind so that I can see clearly. A sound mind, your spirit is here.”

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Who among us are called to missions? asked Pastor Charles in last Sunday’s sermon message. The answer would be you and I. We are all called to be like Jesus, both the salt and light of the earth. In Lauren Daigle’s song, Salt & Light some of the lyrics sing, “Let my life be a song, revealing who you are”. In these verses from Matthew 5:13-16 NIV, you might think, what does this have to do with my mission work?

““You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “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.”

If you look at the message version, we can understand a little clearer how it relates to the mission work for you and I. I have highlight some key words.

““Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”

Simply put, we are all made for missions. Our mission field is our day to day activities. We think people don’t notice godliness but they do. We are not hidden. We are a light for the world to see. On this Water Walking Wednesday, I encourage us to open up to others. Share God-flavors and God-colors within our homes, within our neighborhoods, within our work places, and anywhere else we travel. I pray this photo from Ray is a lasting image on our minds of today’s message on salt and light.

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On this Transformation Tips Tuesday I encourage us all, both men and women to choose self-care. I have been feeling the stress of life. As a result, I have been trying to be more intentional with finding moments for me time. What does self-care look like for me? I have included some pictures below. Time in the hot tub, laying in the hammock, planting, coffee, and running are just to name a few. We don’t need to wait until we are weary for self-care. Scheduling self-care regularly, we can go to God and serve Him feeling refreshed. God deserves our whole being to love and serve.

Whole means in an unbroken or undamaged state. If we are temples for the Holy Spirit, why do we feel guilty when we take time for self-care? In 1 Cor 6:19-20 NIV; “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

We need not forget that God created us for good works. For me personally, if I want to do good works for God, I must first take care of me. In Eph 2:10 NIV, God has prepared us, so we must be physically and mentally ready to love and serve; “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Let’s encourage one another to take time for self-care. And let’s do it guilt free. Wives, this includes encouraging your husbands. And husbands, this includes encouraging your wives.