ThinMint

Happy Birthday to all the May babies!

Friends - I must step away from Telegram to focus on where I am needed most at this moment: with my family. If you are a prayer warrior, I need prayer partners as I deal with a family emergency. I must also get through the super emotional high school graduation of the twins before I can return. * On the 15th and 30th of the month, please consider setting aside time to just praise the LORD, your God. He is so worthy. Are you struggling with finding something to praise Him about? Then praise Him for the beautiful miracle that will unfold before you. Praise is not just for what was. Praise is also for what will be. Bless each and every one of you!

🕊 And we ought to praise Him that we fully live and wholly receive when we gratefully abide in Him.

Following verses are from the ESV translation. “He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.” Psalm 107:20 “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” Proverbs 3:7-8 “My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:20-23 “This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.” Psalm 119:50 “The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health.” Psalm 41:3 “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12 “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:4-5 “Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:23-24 “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.” 1 John 5:14 “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

Kingdom culture is not a humble brag. It is living on mission, abiding and listening to the Holy Spirit, available for His divine interruptions into whatever we planned but have learned to hold lightly. In these days we are more aware than ever that a phone call or text can change everything. (Which begs the question: Are we living ready for things to change?) Today for our family, a sampling of it looks like this: Typing notes from over the weekend and working on the next post. Reading to the kids. Kids doing chores and assignments. One of those kids paying for something he broke in anger a few days ago. One of us taking the time to find a replacement. Driving across town to visit Grandma. Picking up groceries and helping a friend move on the way back. Yesterday it looked like serving at church, doing laundry, and taking a nap. Saturday it looked like reading and drinking coffee. Friday it looked like school and studying, for all of us...homeschool for the kids, and Bible, Greek, counseling, and history for us. All of our days are different. Your days are different, too. Kingdom culture is not about making every day perfect, predictable, or productive in our own eyes. It is about surrendering our days and the moments they're made of to Jesus, and letting Him set the agenda.

I pray you God's peace, God's joy, and God's goodness upon you.

Another early post? Yep. I'm worn down, feeling a bit under the weather and have to get up early again (!) tomorrow for an all-day homeschool event. Please share all the good things you see happening around you. Or share some sweet graphics to inspire and encourage us. Have a beautiful & blessed Friday, friends!

Good Morning Family! Sharing the following comment from Matthew Perkins in our C-VINE Chat. He responded to yesterday's "Good,Morning" post... "“Name them one by one” . . . This struck a cord as I read it, immediately bringing my mind to the song that says: “When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, NAME THEM ONE BY ONE, And it will surprise you what the Lord has done. Refrain: Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your blessings, see what God has done! Count your blessings, NAME THEM ONE BY ONE *Count your many blessings, see what God has done. [*And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.] Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly, And you will keep singing as the days go by. Refrain: Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your blessings, see what God has done! Count your blessings, NAME THEM ONE BY ONE *Count your many blessings, see what God has done. [*And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.] So, amid the conflict whether great or small, Do not be discouraged, God is over all; Count your many blessings, angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end. Refrain: Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your blessings, see what God has done! Count your blessings, NAME THEM ONE BY ONE *Count your many blessings, see what God has done. [*And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.] So yes, demand the demons leave by name, ONE BY ONE, and count your many blessings; see what God has done!"

This early? Yes. I worked almost seven hours outdoors today. We're talking using a rotary, Fiskars looper, hoe, pick ax... And carrying, planting, and re-planting trees... Planting annuals and perennials... Carrying then pouring soil... Pruning, watering, cleaning... I'm done. My body feels broken, however my mind feels at peace. And I have to get up early to take the twins to one of their jobs. As a Night Owl, getting up early is usually, "Blah" —unless it's for a great reason, of course. Thank you for posting hilarity we can all enjoy!

... Like this? If you follow God, He leads in love.

Are you monitoring the situation like this? Or...

Song of Joy

But none says, ‘Where is God my Maker, Who gives songs in the night... Job 35:10

He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Matthew 28:6