Run your Race for the Prize! Keep your Eyes on Jesus! ⚾️ 🏃‍♀️🏃

In cross country or track, I remember going through a strict training! 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (NIV) “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. ²⁵Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” We all have to run our own race and No one can run your race for you. The good news is we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses! God will bring sisters and brothers in Christ in your life! In a physical race, there will be someone who makes it across the finish line first and someone who will come in last. There will be some who hit a home run with one swing, while others walk to first base! It doesn’t matter who hits or strikes out, what matters is finishing the race and to keep swinging like you will hit the ball each time! Keep your eyes on the ball! These physical lessons teach us, we need to keep our eyes on Jesus. When we let go of our own understanding of why things happen, we trust Who knows everything! Your faith will spirituality ground you! Proverbs 3:5-6, “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.”

God says the first will be last and the last will be first! (Matthew 20:16) There is no competition in the body of Christ! What does that actually mean? One thing is for sure, sports have competition which train us physically and mentally! However, there is no competition in the body of Christ! Ephesians 2:8-10 ( NIV) “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Every person is God’s masterpiece! God made you in His image, the creator of the whole world and everything in it, knows absolutely everything about you and loves you deeply. (Psalms 139) When you are born again, the old is gone and you are being made anew in Christ Jesus. God has give each person a purpose set up long before we were born, and No one is more valuable or better then someone else! We are all valuable, loved, wanted, beautiful, special, unique, amazing, and much more! Psalms 8:5-6 (NIV) “what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet:” We are His special creation made for a purpose to live out for God. All gifts and talents are uniquely given to us for God’s glory to further His kingdom! When you know how much you are loved by God, you will guard you’re heart above all else by letting go completely of your old self and take hold of your new self in Christ Jesus!

Let all of us take hold of what God has given us for His glory and remind each other daily. Hebrews 2 explains how we need to pay close attention to what we heard so we don’t drift astray. We need to talk about the things of God daily. The time is short and the days of Noah are getting closer. Matthew 24:37-41 (NIV)”As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark;39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left” We have confidence in the unchanging loving Father who doesn’t change like shifting shadows!

So, with all the craziness going on around us, we know God is still in control! We hold on to who never changes by Keeping our sights on Jesus, never giving up even when it’s hard and continue our race! I thought about Noah and his family! They had some craziness going on all around them! They fixed their hearts on God! Then I thought about how all of us need to work out our salvation with fear and trembling as we trust God completely! Noah trusted God without seeing! Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV) “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Working out your salvation with fear and trembling doesn’t mean we live in fear because God didn’t give us a spirit of fear. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) “7For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” It is both a physical and spiritual lesson in self discipline showing us what it looks like to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. What it looks like to keep going even if we don’t understand or see the big picture. Working out your salvation would be to pick up your daily cross and deny yourself your ways while staying humble! It would be saying No to yourself! It picking up your bible daily, thinking about what you read and talking about scripture as the Holy Spirit teaches you throughout the day. It’s putting off the old self including your old ways of thinking taught by the world! It choosing not to join the customs of the world. It’s turning to God’s ways for your life through scripture instead of the advice given to you based on the world!

We need scripture to filter out the ways of the world taught in various ways like movies, social media, games, and more! God called us to renew our minds and the only way to do this is to cleanse ourselves with the living words of God daily! The influence and distraction of this world can lead you astray. Hebrews 4:12-13 (NIV) “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. “ All scripture is God breathed (2 Timothy 3:16) cleansing the old ways of thinking and replacing it with new. In John 1:1-5 (NIV) “ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Scripture reveals how the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed!When we put God first, we are setting up new patterns of thinking! We are rewiring our brain to be God centered instead of self centered! Scripture is the light shining so bright because it’s alive and active leading us to the right way to go in the darkening world.

I’m sure Noah and his family lived their life separated from the ways and customs of the world as he built the Ark. He couldn’t even imagine what was going to happen to the entire world all at once, but He trusted God completely and did everything exactly as God instructed. Noah and his family experienced a beautiful 🌈! God promised he would never flood the entire world again! (Genesis 9:8-17) We need to run the race like we will get the prize! Keep your eyes on the prize! When we put God first, we are setting up new patterns of thinking! We are rewiring our brain to be God centered instead of self centered. You will be seeking God’s will for your life as he shows you which path to take. We need to keep our eyes on the ball in a game, but in life we need to fix our eyes on Jesus, Hebrews 12:2 (NIV) “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” The cares of the world will pull us another direction if we take our eyes off of Jesus. The spiritual race we are called to run is individual, but has the same destination for those who believe in Jesus! You will never hunger or thirst as you abide in Jesus. Our home is in heaven with our Heavenly Father! Making it to the finish line will be awesome! I imagine Jesus with his arms open wide giving me a hug! Our eternal prize lasts forever and it can’t be taken from us! Galatians 3:28,“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:24-27‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/111/mat.7.24-27.niv

Hebrews 12:1-3,
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Genesis 9:8-17 (NIV) Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: ⁹“I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you ¹⁰and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth. ¹¹I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”
¹²And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come:¹³I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.¹⁴Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, ¹⁵I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.¹⁶Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”
¹⁷So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.”

Psalm 32:8,
“I will instruct you and teach you
in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.” ‭‭.
Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV) “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”

Hebrews 2:5-18 (NIV) “It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6But there is a place where someone has testified:
“What is mankind that you are mindful of them,
a son of man that you care for him?
7You made them a little lower than the angels;
you crowned them with glory and honor
8and put everything under their feet.”
In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them. 9But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
10In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. 11Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. 12He says,
“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;
in the assembly I will sing your praises.” ^h
13And again,
“I will put my trust in him.” ⁱ
And again he says,
“Here am I, and the children God has given me.” 14Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Ephesians 4:1-6
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Psalm 8:1-9 (NIV) Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
in the heavens.
²Through the praise of children and infants
you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
³When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
⁴what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?
⁵You have made them a little lower than the angels
and crowned them with glory and honor.
⁶You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
you put everything under their feet:
⁷all flocks and herds,
and the animals of the wild,
⁸the birds in the sky,
and the fish in the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.
⁹Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Garden in the window!

John 15:1-8
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory,that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Part 1

The quarantine reminded me of a time our family moved to another state, I knew absolutely no one! It was hard for us! We desperately wanted to be a part of a church family again because we left ours behind! The only way we could go to church,as a family, was to watch church online! So many awesome sermons feed our family during this delicate transition in our life! Today, online services have blessed so many people!

We have a little garden in the window that showed us something new to think about. The plants in the window revealed what could happen if you’re stuck inside to long. My children continue to learn new things every year with me as we explore and watch each plant grow! It’s amazing how new things come to light each time we read God’s word! We grew tomatoes, basil and sometimes potatoes. This year we started with about forty tomatoes and only about ten made it! We’ve done so many learning projects as we discover new ways to grow food. In one of our observations, we noticed that something does happen to the plants when you keep them too long in their pot with lowlights in the window! They never grew to their full potential! Yes, you can get artificial lights and bigger pots, but as we dig in God’s word we learned you can’t grow and experience God fully unless you step out and establish relationships with your sisters and brothers in Christ. It’s God’s plan for us and it’s his design from the beginning!

We learn more of what Jesus taught in John 15! As we dig deeper in this story, it comes to light as we experience God’s word together in the garden! By talking about what we read and what we learned! We learn even more when we share our experience with our sisters and brothers! God is the gardener in our life and takes special care of each of us! Jesus is the vine! We need to stay connected to the vine and be rooted in God’s love through faith in Jesus! When we see and experience God’s goodness, like a plant desperately reaching for the sun! It looks like what God says, if you seek me you will find me, when you seek me with all your heart! Once we are rooted in God’s love for us, like healthy soil rich in nutrients for a plant, we are established as we grow deeper stronger roots in God’s love! It’s through faith in Jesus that we are established! So when storms come, we will not be moved! We can rest in Him as he works in us and around us!

During the process of transitioning out of quarantine, We have an opportunity to pray for each other like Paul did in Ephesians1 and 3! He prayed for All believers throughout all generations! That includes us! This is so powerful and deeply needed in the body of Christ! We need prayer and like Paul prayed for all believers to be strengthened through the power of the Holy Spirit! We need to pray for each other as we gradually step out of quarantine! Also, we need to pray for enlightenment in Ephesians 1:18-20, “8 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms” Like the plants in the window, we have been waiting as each stepping stone is presented to us! Keep praying! 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” As we pray continually through this, be patient with each other! Some people are jumping back in with both feet, while others are testing the water with their toes! Each step is a process, so we need to be sensitive to each other’s feelings and insecurities because a lot of fear swept over the news and social media! We need to remember in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” We need to make it personal to what is going on in our lives and our sisters and brothers! We need to remember the same power that raised Christ From the dead lives in you too!

Ephesians 3:16-21,”I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 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, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 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, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen!”

The most perfect gift we could give to someone is praying for them! We desperately need to be rooted and established in love, so we can experience God’s fullness that cannot be measured! As my son mesures each room of our house for new flooring, there is a stopping point with an exact measurement! With God, there is no limit, it goes on and on! His deep love for us has no limit! When we walk close with Jesus in our life, we grow closer to each other too! When I was reading this to my children! I asked them to hold out their right hand in front of them, that represents Jesus. Next, I asked them to hold out their left hand, that represents them. Finally, I asked them to clasp their hands together! I asked them, what does this look like to you? They answered, praying! As we spend time in prayer listening and reading God’s word, we grow closer in relationship with him! Colossians 3:1-4, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” They used their right hand for Jesus because he is seated at the right hand of God. We live our new life in Jesus, because he loves us and is our friend! John 15:14-15, “You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” Alway keep our hearts and mind on things above, then you will overflow with the fruit of the spirit! The Holy Spirit produces fruit and changes our heart as we are led by the spirit! Galatians 5:22-23, But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness and self control!” Through the power of the Holy Spirit that flows within us will strengthen our inner being! We will experience His deep love for us as we dig into his living word! The deeper we dig the more we discover as our lives reflect what God reveals in the Bible! Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. “ When you are alive in Christ, God’s plan unfolds inside your heart and mind as you step out in faith! When you step away from your old way of doing things by moving away from the window, and step into the light, you will see things differently! You will be rooted and established in God’s love! The power that comes from the Holy Spirit will strengthen you as you come together with your sisters and brothers!

The garden window is in need of constant care because it’s inner well being is weak! Our inner being can grow weak like the plants in the window if we’re not careful. 1 Thessalonians 5:13-14, “And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” We need to support each other by being the salt and light during this difficult process. Just like we noticed each vegetable plant needed something extra to keep them growing, because it’s roots were in smaller pots in shallow dirt, and they couldn’t grow any deeper! They were idle and not going anywhere! They were weak because they didn’t have enough sun! They adjusted to the shallow pot and growing weaker instead of stronger! No matter what, they were not able to grow deeper roots in the ground or reaching higher up to the sun! We fed them plants food, and they started to grow taller and green! Then beautiful yellow flowers grew on each branch but right when I thought fruit would grow, the flowers wither and die! They didn’t produce any fruit in the window. They didn’t have enough inner strength to keep going all by themselves. They didn’t have a relationship growing with other plants experiencing life in the sun where honey bees Swarm! Their life was drained! We need each other to pray, encourage and support each other, so no one is left stuck or idle. If we wait for perfection to start, it might not ever happen. Ecclesiastes 11:4-6, “Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. As you do not know the path of the wind or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.” Also, we don’t want to get comfortable with the convenience by depending on online! It will be like getting a bigger pot for your plant! The soil is full of everything that is temporary and the nutrients will run out! It’s tempting to turn on the phone or Tv to watch church, however we need real relationships with each other! If we just sit and do nothing, we can’t grow. If we wait for perfect timing or for the conditions to be just right, we will never do anything at all!

Slowly, we acclimate each plant outdoors where they grew deeper roots strong enough to hold themselves up! It was rough at first because the plants might look worse than before. Yesterday, We put our tomatoes outside to harden them for the garden, and we accidentally left them out all night! The weather hit them hard and they lost most of their green color and were limp! We quickly brought them indoors and hoped they would slowly come back. When we transitioned our plants carefully outside, we usually add support as they develop strong branches to support fruit. We need to do the same each other as we take each step out of quarantine, we have masks, six feet apart, take temperatures, wear gloves and follow all the protocols to ensure everyone is safe! 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” For us to experience God’s overflow that can’t be measured, we need to be rooted and established in love as we walk in relationship with Jesus! Talking out our struggle and praying for each other along the way! Ephesians 3:18, “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,” we need to take hold of all God gives us through relationships! We will experience how wide and how long and high and deep through sisters and brothers in the body of Christ! It is more than we can imagine. Just like how we Gradually take each plant outside, and with love and patience, you will begin to see the beauty from within and grow beautiful yellow flowers again that will produce a harvest!

Ephesians 3:16-21,
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 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, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 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, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen!”

1 Thessalonians 5:13-14,
“And we urge you,
brothers and sisters,
warn those who are idle and disruptive,
encourage the disheartened,
help the weak,
be patient with everyone.”

Ephesians 3:18,
“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,

Ecclesiastes 11:4-6,
“Whoever watches the wind
will not plant;
whoever looks at the clouds
will not reap.
As you do not know the path of the wind
or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb,
so you cannot understand the work of God,
the Maker of all things.
Sow your seed in the morning,
and at evening let your hands not be idle,
for you do not know which will succeed,
whether this or that,
or whether both will do equally well.”

Colossians 3:1-4,
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

John 15:9-17
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.

Ephesians 2:10,
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Galatians 5:22-23,
But the fruit of the spirit is
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness and self control!”

Soggy Potato Chip

My family sat around the coffee table while watching a movie! My husband brought out a huge bag of chips for all of us to share. As we ate our chips I grabbed one, and guess what? The chip was licked clean, and I ate it! Everyone else had their own bowl except for me! I wasn’t paying attention because I was busy watching the movie. Every chip my daughter took out of the bag, she licked the salt and put it back in the bag! This reminded me of something that I read in Matthew 5:13 “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.” We bring God glory when we fellowship with one another! When we come together, our conversations should be Christ-like seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6)! If there is just enough salt, then our conversations will be fruitful and rich bringing light in every circumstance! When we bring the best out of each other, God’s goodness overflows and blesses everyone who is near! We are the salt preserving relationship through Jesus!” We glorify God when we Unit together in Him.

My daughter craved the salt on the chip and knew exactly where to find the chips! But, instead of throwing the chip away, she put it back in the bag! Not only did the chip lose its saltiness, it was soggy! There is nothing I can do to make this taste better! The soggy chip experience, Not only tasted horrible, it made me lose my appetite for another chips! As believers who love God and each other, we don’t want to become like a saltless soggy chip who lose their saltiness! In 1 Corinthians 3:9, “For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building”. We are not only the light but the salt too! When you add just enough salt, it brings out the natural flavors in our food! If you add water, your food is bland and flavorless! Salt is a physical example of what we do for each other by bringing out the best in our relationships with each other!

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV) “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” Salt is a preservative too! We are to preserve the truth! We can’t add water to God’s word by living your life the opposite of the way Jesus told us to do. He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6) the opposite of that is death! We need to live the example of how Jesus lived and abide in Him! You are living out being an example when you choose truth! We can’t serve two masters, you will love one and hate the other! When we live your life for Jesus, you will begin to see life differently! Wherever you are in your day, you can be the salt that preserves truth! Instead of saying Yes to something you meant to say No to, you will stand firm in what you know to be true! You will practice daily, not to join in the patterns of this world and allow your mind to filled with the living words of God! Ephesians 4:15, “instead speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ” Jesus will transform your thinking! However, if you use to much salt by not sharing the good news in love or water down God’s word by leaving out truth, then we are not loving others the way Jesus loves us. 1 Peter 4:7-10, 7 (NIV) The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

We need to stay contacted to the body of Christ in all seasons of life because a lot can happen in a short amount of time! We need to meditate (think about daily) on God’s word, talk about what you’re learning and your experiences and listen too! We are designed by God to be in relationship because we are made in God’s image! We need to pray together, share life experiences and share what we have learned and experienced along the way, so we can grow! Revelation 12:11 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

Struggles come in life for both believers and unbelievers! The difference in how believers handle each struggle is how we can be the salt and light God called us to be for Him. In my struggles, I reach out to my church family and ask for prayer. We’re not meant to do life alone! I’m so thankful to be able to reach out asking for prayer, when storms in life unexpectedly come. I don’t want my way of handling circumstance! I don’t want to get off track because my feelings get the best of me when decisions have to be made! So, I choose to reach out to my sisters and brothers in Christ! When you reach out, you are choosing to be under the mighty hand of God, trusting He will lift me up! When I lean on Him, thing will work out for good! When we walk with Jesus through our struggles, we are living out being the salt and the light of the world! We are living out what it means to let go all that hinders your relationship with God, and handing our hurts to him knowing he cares for us deeply! All our tears are out in a bottle and not one hits the ground. Choosing not to look to the left or the right takes God’s strength in us through the Holy Spirit!

We grow in relationships with God and others in the process by experiencing life together and sharing our testimonies. We will be stronger when storms come! 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” Stand firm, Let nothing move you by not focusing on the storm around you, instead focus on the Jesus who holds everything together! Storms bring rain, fresh air and a rainbow reminding us God keeps All of his promises! Through Jesus you will overflow with living water and you will never thirst! When you give yourself fully to the Work of the Lord, you will be like a flood reaching and helping many more people and it starts from the inside!

The enemy looks for those alone and burdened! I know what could happen when you are all alone! The enemy wants to devour those who are isolated from relationships! Even when it’s hard, I will continue to reach up and out, even if it “seems like” no hands are there to take mine! Because what “seems” is a lie from the enemy! When emotions get the best of us, we are blinded! I don’t trust what I see or my own understanding but trust Jesus. He is the only one who sees everything from a perspective we can’t not comprehend in our own human understanding! I know what “seems like” is a lie, but we need to have accountability in deep abiding real relationships with Jesus and others! Proverbs 3:5-6, trust in the Lord with all of our heart don’t depend on our own understanding, in all of our ways acknowledge him and he will make your path straight. Love, Faith, Hope and Trust are your solid foundation in Jesus for everything you will ever do in your life! When you trust God with All of your heart, then you trust the relationships He put in your life to help direct your path straight! The gate is narrow! In Romans 8:24, “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

In all the changes happening all around us, God is still moving! What is unseen is miraculous and wonderful! We are all in His plan for one purpose! He leads us to understanding as He pours into us! When we listen, we are being the salt and the light! Some Testimonies are hard to hear but they need to be heard because God works through our life stories to reach others for Him! He wants no one to be lost! God uses them to reach down deep in the hearts and minds of people who might not know the hurt and struggles they buried deep down inside! Love each other deeply, the way Jesus loves You by choosing to listen! It is so hard to find time, but when you do, you’re living out loving each other deeply! This is what it looks like to wash the dust or mud off your sister or brothers feet so the enemy cannot devour them! This is hard stuff and life is hard! You may think no one sees you but God does and you are blessing someone by listening to them or just spending time, your doing beautiful things! Spending time takes sacrifice and putting someone above yourself is living out deep love! I love the time God sets aside for me, a playdate with a sister in Christ! It blessed me and my kids! We watched our children play, and I know Jesus was playing with them in the backyard! I had a million words to say, but we just watched our kids and spent time with each other! It was like an endless flood of joy and peace! God poured himself out through relationship that day, a priceless gift! We don’t want to lose the saltiness that preserves relationships through Jesus! We need to stay connected to each other so we can be the salt and light and love each other deeply!

All those who believe in Jesus and believe Everything he did for you, will never thirst! We will be the church! Church is not a building, 1 Corinthians 3:9, “For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building”. I am more than thankful for my family and church family!

Matthew 5:13
“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.”

John 7:37-38,
“On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.
Whoever believes in me,
as Scripture has said,
rivers of living water
will flow
from within them.”

Jesus washes his disciples!
John 13:14-17
Now that I, your Lord and Teacher,
have washed your feet,
you also should wash one another’s feet.
I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

1 Corinthians 15:58,
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters,
stand firm.
Let nothing move you.
Always give yourselves
fully to the work of the Lord,
because you know
that your labor in the Lord
is not in vain.

John 7:37-38,

“On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice,
“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.
Whoever believes in me,
as Scripture has said,
rivers of living water
will flow
from within them.”

1 Peter 4:7-10,
7The end of all things is near.
Therefore be alert and of sober mind
so that you may pray. 8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

Spring is here!

1 Corinthians 3:5
What, after all,
is Apollos? (Is it you?)
And what is Paul? (Is that me?)
Only servants,
through whom you came to believe
as the Lord has assigned to each his task. (Us!)

**There no competition in the body of Christ.**

Spring is here and the garden is a special quiet place for me and my children! I find rest even with all the physical labor! Something about tilling up the soil, reminds me how we need God to rotor till our hearts to receive his word (seed) and remove the deep rooted weeds (rocks). It always surprises me how rocks appear out of nowhere in the garden. Like physical rocks appear through working through life with God, spiritually removing strongholds we never knew were there! God continues to reach and teach us more! Every time we work life in relationship with Jesus, sometimes new springs up out of the Living word of God. Today, 1 Corinthians 3:5-9, stopped me in my tracks as I watered my garden in the window! I was wondering if this verse was talking about Christians competing with Christians. With all the media options out there, we all need to remember we are sisters and brothers in Christ! 1 Corinthians 1:10, “ I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. God has no favorites! (Romans 2:11).

1 Corinthians 3:6
I planted the seed,
Apollos watered it,
but God has been making it grow.
(*God is the gardener!* John 15)

**1 Corinthians 3:7**
So neither the one who plants
nor the one who waters is anything,
but only God,
who makes things grow.

(God is the one who does the work in us!)
(Philippians 1:6)

1 Corinthians 3:8
The one who plants
and the one who waters
have one purpose,

(Love God and Love others)
Matthew 22:36-40,
Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

*Matthew 28:18-20*

Love is!!
(1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

1 Corinthians 3:5-9
and they will each be rewarded
according to their own labor.
For we are co-workers in God’s service;
you are God’s field,
God’s building.
(Ephesians 4)

Revelation 22:12
“Look, I am coming soon!
My reward is with me,
and I will give to each person
according to what they have done.
I am the Alpha and the Omega,
the First and the Last,
the Beginning and the End.
(John 1)

Troubled Waters

Storms in life can hit you like a sudden leak in your boat! It could happen in the middle of the ocean with no land in sight! In this world there will be a lot of care! Sometimes the cares of the world can be camo or hidden! In the picture above, it appears we are driving around on the lake without a care in the world! However, we are being towed by another boat because we are sinking! We suddenly started taking in a lot of water and knew it was a matter of time before it would be dark! We waved and tried to get anyones attention, but nothing! It seemed as though we were being watched from a distance! Things in life may not be as it seems from a distance! Trouble can happen, No one is exempt!

What does it look like during the night while you are consumed in circumstance, to cast your cares to the one who cares the most? 1 Peter 5:7, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” There is freedom in surrendering your nets in the deep blue sea! Surrendering your net is like giving God every fear or anxiety that might weigh you down. When you chose to hand over all your cares, you are trusting his ways over your own. Luke 9:24, “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.

In troubled water, life can seem hopeless because you might feel sick and overwhelmed while the world seems to be spinning all around you. As the salty water crashes all around you stinging your eyes! The salt water mixed with tears make it hard to see clearly! 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NIV “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. Sometimes our circumstances can blind because like a flood, our emotions come in all at once. The thoughts of what could happen as the boat violently rocks back and forth. Would it sink? Who Can you trust in a camo world? It seems like everyone is just watching from a distance, hoping it all goes well. The different view shifts as your thoughts consume you stirring up feelings and wonder if’s. Like a sudden breeze, gently touching your check you think silently, who’s voice do I listen to? God or the World around me? I focus on God’s love and how I need to put into practice everything I have learned! That means the flood of thoughts must be filtered through God’s word. Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV) “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” I chose to cast my cares to Jesus who hears me as I fill myself up with praise worthy thoughts for His glory. He calms my heart filling me with peace that can’t be taken. His love is everlasting! Only God can calm the loud storm so His truth will sing like the sound of a perfect sailing day on the ocean!

In the trouble waters, where do I place my confidence? Is it in the boat that keeps me afloat or the one who is in it with me? If the wind and the waves suddenly cause me to lose my grip and it tips me over! He will not let me sink! If I’m blinded by the wind, I will swim as he keeps me safe in his mighty hands. Is all hope Gone if the boat sinks and I go overboard? No! Hope lives in me and He will not let any of his children be snatched out of his hands. Hope will never leave me or forsake me! The boat is not my hope! What I see and feel is not my hope! I trust in you Only God, my Father!! Who love is everlasting. Romans 8:24-25 NIV “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” God will not let his children be snatched from his hands (John 10:28-30)! God wants no one to perish because he loves everyone (2 Peter 3:9). My life completely is His!

Suddenly, I feel warm! There is freedom in surrender! The one who speaks to the wind and calms the waves, (Mark 4:39-41)! Jesus your right there with me and my family. My hope and confidence is in You! Isaiah 43:2, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” No matter if I’m in the boat or in the water, I’m confident Jesus will be right there with me! God will make a way when there seems no way! It is His testimony in us that leads other to know His perfect love for everyone!

“I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭22:22‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/111/psa.22.22.niv

Isaiah 43:2,
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” No matter if I’m in the boat or in the water, I’m confident Jesus will be in the water with me!

Philippians 3:13-14,
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, since we have been
justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Philippians 3:13-14, “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18,
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

1 Peter 5:6-11
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith,because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
And the God of all grace,
who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong,firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever.
Amen.

1 Thessalonians 5:8-16

www.bible.com/116/mrk.16.6.nlt

He is Risen!

www.bible.com/111/php.4.7.niv

I Thirst for You!

[wordads]
He is Risen!

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 14:6
Jesus answered,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

In the middle of the night, sometimes I will wake up with extreme thirst! At this moment I pray, “I thirst for you!” I take my physical condition of being thirsty and I turned it into a prayer, I thirst for you Jesus!

Psalm 63:1-4, “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you;my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.”

In his last moments before Jesus death, Matthew 27:45-46, “From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” God turned away from his own son because Jesus carried all the past, present and future sins of the world! With every last breath he breathed, he thought of everyone! Jesus fulfilled everything with his last breath! He knew his time was near and Jesus said “I Am thirsty” (John 19:28). The Roman soldiers had sour wine vinegar in a jar and then soaked a hyssop plant (sponge) and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. This Hyssop was used in the first Passover’s where they covered the door frames with lamb blood (Exodus 12:22) Hyssop plant was apart of the purification and sacrifices in the tabernacle (Leviticus 14:4 and Leviticus 14:6), (Numbers 19:6 and Numbers 19:18). In Jesus’ last breath the Psalm David wrote in psalm 69:21,”They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst. As Jesus received the drink from the soaked sponge, Jesus said “It is finished”

When Jesus said, “I am thirsty“ (John 19:30) He drank from the sponge lifted up to him! His mouth and throat must have felt like he had inhaled all the dust (sin) of the whole world as he carried the cross! His mouth would have been so dry, it must have felt like fire! It must have taken all he had to say, I am thirsty! After he received the drink, Jesus said, “It is Finished.” he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:30). There is nothing in this world that will satisfy a spiritual thirst in your soul! Without Jesus, it will be like the physical suffering Jesus went through without any relief. The only relief that anyone can ever get, is the water Jesus gives us! Nothing can take that away from you! John 4:13-14, Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Jesus was using water as a physical example for a spiritual condition! So, every time you feel thirsty, remember water satisfies the body, a relationship with Jesus satisfies the soul.

Romans 8:14-18, “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.And by him we cry, “Abba,Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

**[wordads]**
John 19:28-30
Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled,Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegarwas there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished
John 4:13-14
Jesus answered, “
“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Everlasting love!

Psalm 25:5-6,
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, O LORD, Your compassion and loving devotion, for they are from age to age.

With God’s great power, and his outstretched arms God made the heavens and the earth (Jeremiah 27:5)! I’m comforted in knowing without doubt that nothing can or will separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39). He knows you completely! My heart rejoices every morning with my children running and jumping making music in their play. I delight in observing my children learn new things knowing that each moment is a precious gift! Experiencing God unfold the day brings me joy and peace! The sun breaking through the dark clouds reminded me in the midst of everything going on around me, God pours out his endless compassion, and his everlasting love for everyone (Psalm 25:6). He draws us through his creation so there is no excuse (Romans 1:20). His eternal power and divine nature are evident! He makes Himself Known His beaming light draws out every little hidden creature as each flower springs to life! His mercy is renewed every morning! God doesn’t want anyone to perish!

Psalm 36:5-10
Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.
6Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
your justice like the great deep.
You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.
7How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8They feast on the abundance of your house;
you give them drink from your river of delights.
9For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.
10Continue your love to those who know you,

Romans 1:20
For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

Jeremiah 27:5
With my great power and outstretched arm I made the earth and its people and the animals that are on it, and I give it to anyone I please.

Healthy and Unhealthy choices!

During this unexpected time, we need to chose healthy choices for entertainment, so we don’t get spiritually sick! Our decisions can affect the condition of the heart and mind! Is our choice good and pleasing to God? God loves his children having fun together because it brings him glory! However, we need the abiding relationship with Jesus to discern what is good entertainment and what is not! As Christians who love God and each other, we want to fix our eyes on Jesus! In our choices, we do not join in the patterns of the world (Hebrews 12:2-3). We need to throw off anything that hinds or gets in the way of our relationship with Jesus (Hebrews 12:1). Because what we watch or listen to affects our minds and hearts. They’re so many multimedia choices to choose from and there just one click away! It could easily consume your whole day! This will cause us not to be sober minded in our decisions (1 Peter 5:8). We need God to help us to discern what is healthy and unhealthy. When we seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and ask him to order our steps, it will help narrow our choices down leading us to healthier decisions! The more we allow God to transform our minds by soaking his living word each day, we will be stronger! When we stay in relationship with other people especially during trials, we will support each other to keep going on the right path and spur each other on (Hebrews 10:24). It’s in the uncomfortable times in our life that can either bring us closer together or separate us! We need to be the salt and light in All parts of our lives even in our choices in entertainment (Matthew 5:13-16).

We need to be on guard with all the free resources offered to us, be careful what we allow in our homes. Our children have the world and all its influences right at their fingertips! My goal is to challenge every choice offered for entertainment by aligning it to God’s word! To help my children develop good habits by learning how to ask questions, keep watch and to be on guard (1 Peter 5:8). To have hands-on lessons about what guarding your heart with everything means and how our choices affect our decisions in our future (Proverbs 4:23)! When you put too much junk food into your minds, junk will come out of your actions with what you say and do! Good habits when you are young grow you into a stronger adult! It’s like riding a bike, you won’t forget!

I’m challenging my children to pay attention to what’s going on in the movies or games. Just because everyone is laughing in the movie, doesn’t mean it’s funny! How can we stay spiritually healthy in a world full of entertainment? It starts like this, ask questions with your children while watching or playing a movie or game! By creating this habit, it will grow with them in the future for everything! Philippians 4:8-9 is my spiritual filter! “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9)

The easy things in your day might be a red flag! I’m saying this because of the challenges I face each day! It’s easy to just put on a show or let your kids play computer games! The quiet isn’t always a good thing! We need trials to challenge us and children, so we can teach discernment! These life experiences prepare them for when they grow up! “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6). This is a way for us to grow with our children in a way only God knows (Romans 5:1-5).

God loves all of us so much that he has set in place everything we need to stay spiritually healthy during difficult times! I’m thankful for all the challenges because in the challenge we grow too! He made a way for us to stay connected, but we still have a choice to make each day! Fixing our eyes on Jesus and trusting all of God’s promises. To seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and everything will be added onto you (Matthew 6:33), “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalms 37:4). We have an online campus, life groups, and all age online ministries and more to stay spiritually healthy and connected to each other. We need accountability in relationships to stay connected because iron sharpens iron,and we need to spur each other on (Proverbs 27:17), (Hebrews 10:24). So, with all the different varieties of entertainment to choose from, God says to be careful how you live (Ephesians 5:15). God’s word also says in Ephesians 5:16-20, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have to remember to guard our hearts because everything flows from it (Proverbs 4:23). We need to root ourselves in Him! (Colossians 2:6-7).

2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

**Spiritual filter!**

Philippians 4:8-9
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Hebrews 12:1 -3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Do not conform to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

Colossians 2:6-7
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Jesus said, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” Luke 19:40

Today is Palm Sunday, and even though the church buildings are empty, and we are at home, we are far from being quiet! We will always remember this Palm Sunday for years to come! We are in waiting while actively connecting to one another, singing songs and hymns (Ephesians 5:16-20)! Let us Rejoice in the Lord singing praises louder than ever before (Philippians 4:4-7)! Although we are physically separated from our church family, we are still connected! Ephesians 2:17-18, “He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. So we can be confident that Nothing is impossible with God, and with his mighty hand prepared in advance a way for All of our sisters and brothers to gather together through various media ways! Where two or more are gathered in my name I am there (Matthew 18:20). It may seem like we are so far away but it’s only a click away, and we are unified through Jesus! Like radio telescopes when you connect more together you reach greater distance and have better vision, so we are to all linked together in a giant array pointing towards God with our focus on Jesus. Each of us a radiant light reaching everyone in sight!

John 12:12-15
Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King
The next day the great crowd
that had come for the festival
heard that Jesus was on his way
to Jerusalem.
They took palm branches
and went out to meet him, shouting,

“Hosanna!
“Blessed is he who comes
in the name of the Lord!”

“Blessed is the king of Israel!”
Jesus found a young donkey
and sat on it, as it is written:
“Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;
see, your king is coming,
seated on a donkey’s colt.”

*Zechariah 9:9*
Old Testament
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Psalm 111
Praise the Lord.
I will extol the Lord with all my heart
in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
Great are the works of the Lord;
they are pondered by all who delight in them.
Glorious and majestic are his deeds,
and his righteousness endures forever.
He has caused his wonders to be remembered;
the Lord is gracious and compassionate.
He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.
He has shown his people the power of his works,
giving them the lands of other nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy.
They are established for ever and ever,
enacted in faithfulness and uprightness.
He provided redemption for his people;
he ordained his covenant forever—
holy and awesome is his name.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise.

Mini resurrection garden!
Shallow potting dish. (The Garden)
We used clay targets!
This is picture after we closed tomb!

▪ Small red dixie cup. (The Tomb)
▪ One small rock you will need to find for the tomb opening
▪ Potting Soil

▪ Small pebbles (you collect from around your house)
▪ 3 crosses
▪ Grass seed or any seeds

▪ Optional: Moss, small rocks, and anything else you’d like to decorate your garden.
▪ Spray Bottle little mist

How to make your mini resurrection garden

Start Garden on Palm Sunday and Gather all supplies for garden. It ok to start tomorrow!

Place tomb(red dixie cup) on the plate or tray
and add dirt around tomb for your garden.

John 19:41 (At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new
tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.)
Add pebbles in front of the tomb to hold dirt.
Add the large rock next to the tomb opening, off to one side to show your empty tomb.
Spray the dirt with water bottle mist and Sprinkle grass seed all over the dirt area. Then
spray little again.
3 crosses.
Add the 3 crosses to your garden behind the tomb opening.
Add moss, decorative rocks, and anything else you like to your garden.
Spray soil lightly every day with water bottle
Water by misting soil keeping seeds moist, and watch and wait for the grass to grow!
Jesus was buried in the garden. It’s a beautiful reminder that He is Risen!
April 5 Cover tomb with the Stone to represent Jesus died on the cross. April 10
(John 19:41-43)
April 12He is risen! (John 20:1-18)

Little Pebbles in Life

Matthew 7:13-16
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But, small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work

Hebrew 4:12-13
For the word of God is alive and active.
Sharper than any double-edged sword,
it penetrates
even to dividing soul and spirit,
joints and marrow;
it judges
the thoughts and attitudes
of the heart.
Nothing
in all creation
is hidden from God’s sight.
Everything is uncovered
and laid bare before the eyes
of him to whom we
must give account.

John 10:28-30
I give them eternal life,
and they shall never perish;
no one will snatch them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me,
is greater than all ;
no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
I and the Father are one.”

Ephesians 5:13-14,
But everything exposed by the light becomes visible And everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”

Have you noticed that Large rocks never really get in my way because they are so obvious! They are the most popular subjects to talk about. However, it’s the little pebbles that you can’t see that get stuck in the rubber part of your shoe! They are hidden deep inside that know one can see and most definitely not the most exciting topics to talk about. But, as you hear the clicking sound, you might want to keep walking, choose to stay busy or change the subject. If you stop, it might cause you might lose too much time, but every step you take, you hear click, click! You try to ignore it or even take care of it yourself by scraping your shoe on the sidewalk with each stride but nothing! You decide to ignore the sound and keep going because nothing is going to stop you! You want what you want and nothing is going to get in your way! So, you try to keep moving! Because you have a schedule to keep! But, the click, click sound turned into knock, knock! So, do you stop to listen to God’s small still voice? The only way to remove the pebble, is to slow down and stop so you can take it out! We need the abiding relationship with Jesus (John 15:5) to keep us from spiritual blindness, so we can hear His voice! The pebble is just a physical example of what happens spiritually! Now that we are home because of Covid the world is trying to sneak through our tv and electronic devices opening us up to a world full of things to do. However, we need to be awake, alert and sober minded (1 Peter 5:8-9), because this multimedia world can become a stumbling block! If we’re not careful, we might do social distancing inside our home with our own family. If we’re not standing firm in our relationship with Jesus who is the cornerstone, rooted and established in God’s love, we will be stuck and won’t notice, it’s could become like sinking sand in the form of kinetic sand moldable but with no real consistency to it! We need to pray as the Holy Spirit guides us as we read the Bible. It only through the Holy Spirit that we can know God’s living words. Also share and have discussions about what we learn and experience in our everyday life to our sisters and brothers in Christ! Matthew 7:4, “How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? What will happen if I take my eyes off the road and slow down to examine the pebble in my shoe, or condition of my heart! It is through talking to God and asking Him to search me and know me and to actively listen to the truth! Not only do I listen to what Jesus says by slowing down, but actually humbling myself to a stop and listen, this is when I am doing what I say I believe! It might be stopping to hear my child share his heart or listen to my brother! It might be setting aside what You want to do for your spouse, we are to be the light in all circumstance! It is through these conversations I have with God that I’m reminded by the Holy Spirit like a flood that completely consumes me of what God says in the Bible! To continually trust God who knows my heart, and I ask him to search me (Psalm 139). To have confidence He will show me in his word what I need to do for his glory. Also, to trust God in relationships with others! Living in confidence that God won’t allow his children to be snatched out of his hands (John 10:28-29). So, the click, knock is an opportunity to trust Him with all of my life and not just a part of it! I will take the time to sit at His feet to listen and trust him with All my circumstances, in every relationship, and if I’m listening and abiding he will show me more! If I start to go my own way, God will slow me to show me a way out of temptation, of doing my way, to keep me on the straight and narrow, God’s way!

God knows each step already and works everything for our good for those who love him who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). We need to keep on the right course and keep watch (Matthew 24:36-42). It is through talking to God and asking Him if I should stop or keep going.The little things that slow down the progress of your day are like “pebbles” stuck in your shoe! They are not always bad! They can be losing your keys or phone! God can use that to get your attention! It could be a sudden snow storm in summer! It can be annoying but meant for our own good! It might even cause you to get off course because you were heading in the wrong direction! The only way to know why something like “pebbles” comes into your day, is to pray and talk to sisters and brothers about what going on in your day! This brings everything into the light!

Proverbs 4:26-27,
Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”

When you seek God in everything you do, you will find him! (Matthew 6:6-7)! When we trust every little thing that happens for our good, you will have unshakable peace and joy! Even social distancing has a purpose! It’s trusting God has everything worked out in advance! So the question is, Should You ignore the clicking sound of the pebble stuck on the bottom of your shoes, or should You humble yourself and get down on your knees and pray! We need to take the time while we have it and get to know Jesus! Isaiah 55:6-7, “seek the Lord while He can be found; call on him while he is still near” He loves us so very much! Even if we have an earthquake and a sudden power outage, we can trust God! We will stand on the Rock, His firm foundation and we will not be shaken! We are in need of a spiritual grounding, so we can hear his small still voice! All he wants is you because he loves you and knows you completely (Psalm 139). Revelation 3:20, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

Matthew 24:42
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

Revelation 3:20,
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

2 Corinthians 2:9-11
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions,in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Ephesians 6:10-18

Finally, be strong in the Lord
and in his mighty power.
Put on the full armor of God,
so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers,
against the authorities,
against the powers of this dark world
and against the spiritual forces of evil
in the heavenly realms.
Therefore put on the full armor of God,
so that when the day of evil comes,
you may be able to stand your ground,
and after you have done everything,
to stand.
Stand firm then,
with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,
with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
and with your feet fitted with the readiness
that comes from the gospel of peace.
In addition to all this,
take up the shield of faith,
with which you can extinguish
all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Take the helmet of salvation
and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions
with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With this in mind,
be alert
and always keep on praying
for all the Lord’s people.

Darkest before Dawn

Revelation 21:5
He who was seated on the throne
said, “I am making everything new!”
Then he said, “Write this down,
for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Lamentations 3:22-23
Because of the Lord’s great love
we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

I woke up this morning with a fresh blanket of snow! The fresh snow reminds me how all of us are given a fresh start, a blank slate with no mistakes in it! His mercy is renewed every morning! God loves us all equally and the thoughts he has for outnumber the sand (Psalm139:17-18) God has no favoritism (Romans 2:8-11). If your day didn’t go the way you hoped, continue to place your Hope in God because his hope is eternal never ending (Psalm 119:114). We are set free when we stand in confidence on All God’s promises (Ephesians 3:12). As we live and breathe, we see the unfolding day reveal his everlasting love through each giggle and smile! Let the tablet of my heart meditate on you day and night (proverbs 3:3).

Deuteronomy 11:18
You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.

Proverbs 3:3
Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;bind them around neck
write them on the tablet of your heart.

Psalm 103:2-5
Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

**Jeremiah 32:1**7
Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.

Romans2:8-11
But for those who are self-seeking
and who reject the truth
and follow evil,
there will be wrath and anger.
There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.

Unexpected things do happen!

Isaiah 26:20
Go, my people, enter your rooms
and shut the doors behind you;
hide yourselves for a little while
until his wrath has passed by.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Isaiah 55:6
seek the Lord while he may be found;call on him while he is near

Yesterday, our state issued a stay at home order! No one expected something like this to happen in our lifetime! It’s scary! About four years ago, there was a time when our family had to stay at home! We really wanted to get out and do things together and one of them was to go to church! We depended on someone to get us everywhere we needed to go! So, with no transportation, we were stuck at home! During that time, we found so many ways to have fun close to home! It was a blessing that we could watch services online! We watched all three services! I looked for a way to have a children’s church with my kids at home too! The most wonderful opportunity happened, our church opened another campus close to us! We jumped in with both feet with our kids! It was close enough for us to take two trips to get everyone to church! They were just as excited as we were to finally go! We always said, we are not going to miss a day because no one knows the future or when we might not be able to go again! We thought it might be transportation but not a virus! We can make our plans and think of all that we want to do. But time doesn’t stand still for us! (James 4:13-14). Time is short and we didn’t want to lose any more time!

Matthew 24:36-37

*But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.*

James 4:13-14
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes

All through history God has shown us how He has everything under control, and as I search in the bible, Isaiah 26 says a lot concerning us today! We have nothing to fear! It’s going to be rough for awhile, but Isaiah 26 all we need to do is stay inside for awhile! We are in His hands of protection and He won’t let his children be snatched away (John 10:28). When you love God, you also love your neighbor as yourself and that means, All people! In Romans 13:10 NIV, “love does no harm to your neighbor! The virus has a cloaking device spreading around from people who appear healthy! So, even though we miss doing life together in person and long to do what we did before the virus snuck in, God wants us to love others by staying home! This is a way we can prepare and strengthen our relationships with our family! We need to Keep our lamps full by fixing our eyes on Jesus. To continue on even when it’s hard with an unwavering foundation standing firm on Jesus, and we will not be moved during this storm! Our love for God and other will draw people into knowing Jesus!

Revelation 3:20,
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

1 John 4:7-12
Dear, friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

The Buck with a Backpack!

James 1:1-3
Click video to see Blackbeard wearing backpack!

Last year about this time, my younger son eagerly woke up and said, “I want to have a relaxing breakfast at school!” He had everything ready! He had his snacks and shoes in his new backpack that he got for Christmas! He quickly ran outside and waited patiently in the van for all of us! In the meantime, my other children had their own agenda! My daughter took her time choosing her clothes! As she went outside to load up in the van, she decided ,last minute, that she wanted matching bracelets! As I’m heading out the door, my daughter ran back into the house! I looked to see what she was doing and saw my older son sitting at the kitchen table! He decided not to eat at school and poured himself a bowl of cereal! In frustration, my younger son left the van door open, came running back into the house checking to see why everyone was taking so long! During that time, Blackbeard snuck in the van and tried to get his snack from inside the backpack! When we finally loaded up, he noticed his backpack wasn’t on the seat where he left it! God pushed the reset button! We went on a rescue mission and after a few minutes of searching, we couldn’t find it! So off to school we went! On the way home there was Blackbeard limping, and falling on his face! He was in obvious trouble! My older son’s helped me chase him down to rescue him from his burden! Somehow he managed to put the backpack over his head and around his body! Once he was free, he started leaping and kicking with joy! My son’s brand new backpack smelled so bad! There was nothing I could do to get the goat smell out of his backpack!

Everyday is a gift full of interesting adventures! God shows himself to us in amazing ways! When our day is uniquely filled with colorful webs of things to do! When I seek Him first, God untangles my day! He says my yoke is easy. I literally experience peace while my day unfolds, even in all the noise! God who orders each step has Divine appointments set up in advance! He helps me up when I’m tangled like a Billy Goat Blackbeard”, and brings sisters and brothers in Christ to help me along my journey! However, there was a time where I couldn’t reach sisters and brothers in Christ! In the fallen moments crawling in the Valleys, where it seemed like everyone was just watching from a distance! I was never alone, those thoughts during that time were only mirages “lies” to keep me stuck just like Blackbeard! His friend was nearby but he didn’t notice because he was lost in his circumstance! 1 Peter 5:8-9 says, we need to be sober minded choosing to seek God in everything! When we continually pray about everything and are thankful no matter what, even when our situation doesn’t change, you will have a peace that can not be taken from you (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ). It’s not that you’re unaware or ignoring what’s going on around you, it’s that you see who is bigger than what is going on around you! God will never leave you or ever forsake you (Hebrew 13:5). We are surrounded by a cloud of witness, and I’m so thankful for everyone God brought into my life (Hebrews 12).

The blessings unfold in the adventure! If I didn’t slow down long enough to listen and be still! I would never have seen the beautiful valley! In the valley we can meet amazing people! I saw so many busy people wanting to connect but not enough time! It’s not because they don’t care, it’s just that they are unable to see (Mark 4:1-9). Just like how my kids were busy getting ready for school, they were unaware of how their choices affected each other’s morning. Most people don’t get up one morning and decide they want to hurt someone! Through the cares of the world and struggles in life, circumstances and misunderstandings cause stumbling blocks in our day! God doesn’t want anyone to be lost and is patient with us! I’m thankful for God’s great love, grace and mercy for me and everyone! There was nothing I did to earn this love because He loved me before I was born (Psalm 139). We are His workmanship made in Christ Jesus. I’m thankful for Everything and will wait for his perfect timing! I trust His ways and will hold on tight to His guidance through the Holy Spirit! I will cling to His truth and will not conform to the patterns of this world but continually be transformed for the work he planned for me in advance! I will not give up and I will not add water to the word of God (Matthew 5:13-16). I’m Consumed by His radiant light of Love ready to make every step count with the Kingdom mindset goal of loving others as much as He called us to do. When you focus on that speck of light, it will grow!

Click video watch Blackbeard follow my goat voice!
Blackbeard following

John 10:11-18

I am the good shepherd.
The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
“I am the good shepherd;
I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

John 10:27-30
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me, I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all;no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

James 1:1-3
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Revelations 22:13
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

Give our All to the one Who Loves us first!

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

One morning on our way to church, we found this at the end of the driveway! Through all the distractions and business, we could have just ran over this Awesome surprise! God has interesting ways to slow us down!

The pressure was on, this morning, because I slept in! I had 15 minutes to wake everyone up from a deep sleep without coffee! This was a big stumbling block for me because I woke up tired because I didn’t sleep well! My kids shoes went missing! Then suddenly the hair brush went missing too! Quickly fifteen minutes turned into five minutes for all of us to get out the door. The little things piled up and became a mountain with just a snap with my fingers! I realized at this point I needed to choose which direction to go! Peace or war? Peace always works the best, so we turned on the music for inspiration trying to make peace with sleepy kids. All These things are unique opportunities to live out how life happens quickly and so does frustration! Even if we make mistakes, we still have an opportunity to teach how to listen to each other and how to be humble! If we chose to be as hard as a spaghetti noodle when the pressure is on, we could snap. We need God’s help! His living water will help us be flexible in life! God already knows these challenges you face each day and will set up opportunities to teach us and our children. Keep your sights on things above because even when the day gets messy and the beginning and end come together in one big pile, remember there is something beautiful! We just can’t see it yet (Hebrew 12:1-2)!

Category: Uncategorized

Run your Race for the Prize! Keep your Eyes on Jesus! ⚾️ 🏃‍♀️🏃

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Garden in the window!

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Soggy Potato Chip

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Spring is here!

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Troubled Waters

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1 Thessalonians 5:8-16

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He is Risen!

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I Thirst for You!

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Everlasting love!

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Healthy and Unhealthy choices!

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Jesus said, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” Luke 19:40

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Little Pebbles in Life

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Darkest before Dawn

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Unexpected things do happen!

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The Buck with a Backpack!

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Give our All to the one Who Loves us first!

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