Last night walking home from our neighbors house we were blessed with the light of this beautiful full moon. Seeing a moon like this always reminds me of a book my parents gave for our twins after they had moved four hours away called; “I See the Moon and the Moon Sees Me” by Jonathan London. No matter how far we are from our loved ones or even our God, we are all looking at the same moon. Just like the the Magi followed the star to Bethany in Matt 2:9, God is always guiding us. On this Thankful Thursday I am blessed with the reminder that God is guiding us always. We won’t hear an audible voice but we know He is saying, “This is the way; walk in it”. Although He may seem distant at times, we are looking at the same moon. In my childlike mind I giggle with a thought. What if our loved ones that have gone on before us are looking at the same moon from their heavenly home? It’s a thought that brings me Joy. I hope you all can find something as big or small as the moon to be thankful for today and always!

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”” Isaiah‬ ‭30:21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Watering our plants has become a part time job with little to no rain lately. Last night as I was watering, I was thinking about how I needed to buy a sprinkler to cut down on my labor. I reminded myself that I do enjoy watering, especially when the sun is setting. I thought about how my faithfulness was starting to show in the flowers that are blooming and the plants that are growing. Just like the plants, God is not going to leave us sun-scorched. We may want to find the easy way out, but our obedience to keep walking the walk and talking the talk will be rewarded. On this Water Walking Wednesday we must remember how God’s faithfulness never fails us. I pray we can all be strengthened by God’s word today!

“The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭58:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today is Transformation Tips Tuesday. Just like birds, we tend to use body language to communicate. My family likes to laugh with me at my facial expressions when I am relaxed or in deep thought. One good thing about COVID, when wearing masks we don’t have to worry about fixing our facial expressions.

Let’s try to be intentional today with how we act and react, with and without words. Is our body language Christ like? We can’t control how others interpret but we can control ourselves. I would love to know what this bird is trying to communicate.

“A shifty eye betrays an evil intention; a clenched jaw signals trouble ahead.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16:30‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Today is Mindset Monday. We can choose to see the light of the moon or the darkness of night. We can be open to seeing God’s word light our path or we can be closed minded to worldly views which may cause us to stumble. In Psalm 119:105 NIV we read; “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

Is there a scripture that God has laid on your heart to help guide you?

A scripture that has been close to Deborah and I over the last several years is from Isaiah 43:19; “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

Don’t miss out on seeing God today! Will you perceive it?

Today is Spiritual Sunday. As I sit outside for my morning devotion I notice the clouds. They seem to be bursting from the sky. Anytime I see clouds that look like a staircase it makes me think of someone going to heaven. Today is when the Methodist church honors Ascension Day. The day when Jesus went up to heaven to be with God. Luke says they were bursting with joy and they spent all their time in the temple praising God. I pray as we go to our places of worship today and throughout our week that we too can burst for joy.

“He then led them out of the city over to Bethany. Raising his hands he blessed them, and while blessing them, took his leave, being carried up to heaven. And they were on their knees, worshiping him. They returned to Jerusalem bursting with joy. They spent all their time in the Temple praising God. Yes.” Luke‬ ‭24:50-53‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Today is Finish Friday! We’ve had a full, busy week. Now it’s time to finish strong. Often in the busy times of life we allow ourselves to lose focus and become entangled with the world. We get wrapped up in sin just as the vine is wrapped around this tree. Today let’s reset our focus. Let’s have perseverance for the “race marked out for us.” Let’s fix our eyes on Jesus! Let this song be a catalyst for us as we finish this Friday strong!

Today is Thankful Thursday and I am exhausted. Baseball season is always a busy time at our house. I fall behind on housework, most meals are eaten on the go, and I feel like a circus juggler. However, I am thankful. I am thankful for the opportunity to watch my son play the game he loves. I am thankful for the friendships and bonds we are all making. And I am thankful for the life lessons we all are learning. So this afternoon when the morning caffeine and adrenaline from last night’s win wear off, I am going to remind myself how thankful I am for the opportunity to be tired today.

How about you? Is there an area of your life that appears to be a mixed blessing? Today I encourage you to look at your burdens through a lens of thankfulness. Look at the load of laundry and be thankful for the clothes to wear. Look at the to do list at work and be thankful for the job. Look at the busy schedule and be thankful for the opportunity. Use today to look through a lens of thankfulness.

“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭9:1-2‬ ‭NIV‬‬