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!

We are on the countdown to Christmas. Just 3 Fridays and we will be celebrating Jesus’s birth. On this Finish Friday, I want us to focus on the reason for the season. Some may be stressed by all the gatherings, menu items, shopping, and travel plans. Remember to slow down and enjoy every moment of this beautiful season. Jesus is the best gift we can give. Let’s not forget to shine his light in everything we do. He is Immanuel, always with us.

Will you give the gift of Jesus? In John 13:34 NIV we are given the greatest commandment; ““A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” I encourage us all to be intentional with sharing the love of Jesus today and always.

“This one thing I know, You’re still on Your throne, so whatever I’m feeling, I still got a reason to praise”. You can find these lyrics in Reason to Praise by Cory Asbury and Naomi Raine. On this Thankful Thursday I want us to acknowledge that our Lord is on the throne. No matter what has or will happen we can praise the Lord, for He reigns and is ruler over all.

Repeat after me; “I Praise you Lord, that no matter what I am facing you are on the throne. I praise you Lord, for you are the ruler over my life. I praise you Lord, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made”.

Like this steeple pictured below, may our faith be seen by our posture of praise.

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm‬ ‭139:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬