My Morning Thought

If you had to choose one word to lean into over the next 7 days, what would that word be? Why? How do you see it playing out in your life? My word would be surrender. That was the word I choose at my last staff meeting, a couple of days ago. Then this morning, it was my first thought as I was having a few physical difficulties this morning. See how God knew I would need to surrender this morning....

We make choices all day long, but many of them are just passive choices. No real thought put into it, or you do it because everyone else is doing it. That's a choice, but it's not one that gives you the strength and the courage to make that choice over and over again. Or it doesn't give you what you need when living that choice is hard. Sometimes we hold off on making a choice because we believe i...

What do you value? What do you say you value, with your words? What do you say you value with your actions? Are they saying the same thing? I think people who know you should know what you value by your actions; by the way you live. I'm hoping if you don't know what I value, it's because you don't know me. If you know me, let me know if my actions match my words when it comes to what I value. Leav...

Is it you? Or is it someone you know. Having to say "I'm sorry" over and over again, for the same thing? That would mean you keep doing the same thing over and over again. If that's the case, are you really sorry? Perhaps you are or know some of those people that feel like they should just be given grace. What if an apology is not enough? Instead of an apology, what if we repent. You know, the ack...

I want to hear your story. visit my website, www.mymorningthought.com , and go the contact page. Share your story with me. Or perhaps you have prayer request. I want to pray with and for you. Sharing your story can be hard, as a Christ follower. You see, before Christ, things were messy. Often we don't want people to see our mess. We just want them to see who we are becoming. Well, I want to say t...

When we live well today, it makes our tomorrow easier to face. You know what I mean. When we've made poor choices that have caused us to dig ourselves into a hole and it takes days and even months to get out. Or when we've done or said something that causes us to have to apologize. And apologies are not always the easiest to give. Let's choose to live well today. To live in a way that gives God gl...

Do you drive forward looking in your rear view mirror? No, you may glace in it, but you look ahead. What about life? Do you try to move forward, constantly looking back? Well, just as that would not be a good decision if you were driving, it's not a good decision as you are living. It is important to glace back. You need to know, but you can't live looking back; reaching back for what was. In doin...

What are those things you know and yet do something different? I mean you know the right thing to do and yet you don't do it? Thinking about that, it reminds me of knowing I shouldn't worry and yet it can sometimes be my first response.  Let's do better!

Have you ever thought that your thinking could actually be holding you back? That what you think you want may not give you all you were created to have? Sometimes we believe that living for Christ means you can't have fun. What about, "I can't be myself and live for Christ." But, I want you to know that living for Christ doesn't keep you from being who you are, but rather propels you to be who you...

Sacrifice - destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else. Is it really a sacrifice if you give up something you don't really miss? Jesus sacrificed His life. Today is Ash Wednesday. Do you celebrate Lent? Do you give up anything during the Lenten season? Is it just a ritual for you? What if this season was experiential and catalytic? What if you really spent time experienci...

Forgiveness or the lack there of is not good for you. Things we hold onto and don't forgive hold onto us and prevents us from fully moving forward.  But it's hard. You remember what they did. How it made you feel. How can you ever forget that? Forgiveness is not really forgetting, but it is letting go. It allows our past to be our guide and not our dictator. Forgiveness is about and for you,...

What happens when you don't like what you see in the mirror? There are many reasons for not liking what you see, but here are three things I want to suggest you do, if you happen to not like what you see. Don't rely on what you think or feel Trust what God sees Surrender to the Holy Spirit to bring about change And remember, the only change may be that you see yourself differently.

What happens when you rely (depend on with full trust or confidence) on your own strength? You might do big things, but what happens when you rely (depend on with full trust or confidence) on the Holy Spirit that lives within you? You can definitely do BIG things.  Then why is it we don't always allow the Holy Spirit to take the lead? Why do we settle for less when God has so much more for us...

Defining moments are when external experiences cause an internal response that forever changes us. Now, we've all had defining moments. Some of them are big, traumatic experiences, but some appear to be small in nature, but nevertheless it causes us to be forever different.  Now, it's important to note, I'm not talking about those moments that cause a change, but it only lasts for a while; sh...

God created our bodies to rest. We  need rest! God even gave us an example in the very beginning. He modeled rest, not because He needed it, but because we need it. How are you doing with following that example?  It's important to note that because this is an issue for me, I have to remember, it will not be everyone's story. So, if this is not your story, share with me what you are doing...

How will you know God's voice? Have you ever asked that question? What was the response? Was it, "You'll just know." Was that helpful? Maybe, but there also the possibility that it was not helpful at all. I want to say, that 'you'll just know' is a true statement, but you also have to put some time in to get to know it. Spend some time in His word. Spend some time in silence, expectantly listening...

We all have them. Sometimes we are not even aware of what they are, but we have them. We have insecurities. You know those places in our lives where we want to shine. Those places that when we see others with that ability we automatically feel like we are not enough. What if, instead of overcompensating; going way out to prove yourself, you allowed God to be strong instead of you. Then you can cea...

Today is a day for lovers. Regardless of your relationship status, you are loved. With a love that surpasses knowledge. Do you know that love? Want to know that love?  Ask me how to know that love.

Sin keeps us in bondage. Who wants to live in bondage? Live afraid? Live ashamed? Live limited.  Don't do it! Live in freedom. Repent of your sins and the Son is just and will set you free. Live in that freedom. Your story may actually set someone else free.

I don't know about you, but there have been times in my life when I've been very busy for Jesus. So busy that I don't have any time to spend with Him. In some of those moments, it really felt sinful.  Jesus does not need us to do for Him, He wants us to do for Him because of our love for Him, which is a direct result of His love for us. So yes, we do because we love, but we love so that we ar...

What if you say a need and filled it? No questions asked. No expectations upon completion. You just saw a need and filled it. Do you think the person on the receiving end would be blessed? What about you? It's a blessing to serve. And what about those who see and are inspired by your deed? Why not try it. Take a look around and ask the Holy Spirit to show you a need that you can fill and then fill...

Surrender? How does that word speak to you? Is it a word of weakness or strength. Think of places in your life where you had to surrender. What did it look like? I want to challenge you to think of surrender as a word of strength and not weakness. Don't see it as giving up, but rather as letting go. When you surrender to God, you let go and allow Him to lead the way.

Death has a way of reminding you that life is short, but that thought usually only lasts for a couple of days and then we find ourselves right back into the thick of things. You know, we are just thinking about the next thing on our plate. After my hospital visit back in October 2021, finishing well is always at the forefront of my thoughts. So it's not that I have an unhealthy obsession of death,...

Did you know that the way you see yourself plays a role in what you are willing to accept from others? It also affects what you believe others see in you.

Remember those you love. Remember how you talk to people. We don't often think about this, but each time we leave the presence of someone, that could be the last time you see them alive. Be intentional and be okay with your last words.