Psalm 143:8 is the wallpaper for my computer screen. 

A great reminder to refocus on Him anytime I open my computer!

Picture taken from my screen----I have no idea where I found it. Words below might be easier to read for those of us with "aging" eyes.

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life,"   

MINDSET MATTERS---FILL IT UP!

Needing a refresher on the "mindset" citation for Colossians 3:2, I chose the New International Version. Think "Pithy with a Punch" for my choice with "Set" as the first word. (A transitive verb in the imperative mood acting as an action word commanding one to direct his attention toward something specific.....i.e. mind.)*

 

Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. (NIV)

I included other versions for readers to consider version that speaks to both their mind and heart!

Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]. (AMP)

And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. (AMPC)

Focus your minds on the things above, not on things here on earth. (CJB)

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (KJ21)

So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective. (MSG)

Let heaven fill your thoughts; don’t spend your time worrying about things down here. (TLB)

* For my wordsmith readers.

ROCKY PATHS!

ROCKY PATHS.....

........some are worth the struggle. Some seem to lead nowhere.

Possibly learning patience in our struggles strengthens hope along the rocky paths.Hope is a much needed attribute of life. 

Think--- Mindset of hope often strengthened in our struggles comes as we lean into Him for Strength. Remember, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

Set your mind on it!

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)

Mindset #4 Allow struggles of life to remind us to rejoice even in our sufferings along life's rockiest paths.

God's word provides the best mindset on this Thankful Thursday!

MINDSET MATTERS #3!

"Mindset matters" for the 3rd day.....and beyond!

Awakening with a "muddled mind" this morning, I opened God's Word!

I praised! Think rejoiced in the Lord (Philippians 4:4)

I prayed & asked. Think supplication for my Wednesday Women. (in red ink) (Philippians 4:6)

I went back to God's Word. Eventually, I took a walk with my book of Philippians in hand. Picking up where I left off. At verse 7, words were "mindset" specific. "Peace to guard your heart and mind" in Christ!

Philippians 4:8 came immediately to mind---a familiar "mindset" (since March 1965, KJV) to think on these things.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Perfect Mindset Words became BOLD in my mind!

"Wrap-up words" from Philippians 4:9 inspired action---

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.

Positive thoughts to fill my mind 

on this Wednesday Wisdom Walk! 

MINDSET MATTERS! #2

"Set my Mind, Lord."

Repetition is important in teaching! So is prayer.

Renewal of one's mind can transform one's mindset! (Romans 12:12)

Did the Preacher learn, if a mindset of wisdom doesn't give God glory it is vanity? 

Wisdom without faith is also vanity of vanities---a striving after the wind. What lies within your mind and heart counts and is visible to others in your actions.

Mindset does matter. But it's not a one-time end all. 

When all has been heard, the end of the matter is, "Fear God and keep His commandments for this is the whole duty of man". (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

MINDSET MATTERS!!

Does one's mindset matter?

Be present where you are----not worrying about achieving the next thing on your to-do check list. Such things are fleeting! Transitory.  Unsatisfying. Meaningless.

Hebel (הֶבֶל) is a Hebrew word used 38x in Ecclesiastes translated as vanity, ie. "chasing after the wind" in life. (Ecclesiastes 1:14)

Think striving after a vapor or mist. 

Live in the pleasant tense.

A wise man (Solomon) asks God for wisdom. (1 Kings 3:12)

Mindset does matter. 

Set your minds on things that are eternal!

LOL!

LOL---and it's not laugh out loud! 

It's my version of Language of Lament! (Think Lots of Lament)

My thrust of trust!  Too often, it's difficult to live without complaint. 

I beat myself up when I fail. If this idiom were true physically, I'd be black and blue daily. No one can criticize me or punish me more excessively than my own "self-critical" intense feeling of guilt. 

But God reminded me, through a Mark Vroegop article that part of the book of Psalms deals with the Language Of Lament. That's my LOL!

Vroegop states, A Psalm of lament "is pain that leads to trust." 

Self-criticism is never mentioned.

(No Bibliography info available on my torn out sheets)

Today for me, prayers prompted from Psalm 71 

also  focused on Vroegop's four elements of lament from Psalm 77, Psalm 22, and Psalm 13.

• Turn:---Talk to God while in Pain (Psalm 77:1-2) (I Think filled with fatigue as Psalm 71 subtitle, ESV p. 586) states, "Forsake me not when my strength is spent.")
• Complain:--Something I try not to do but Vroegop recommends as a part of Biblical lament---as one lays out the nature and depth of his.her sorrows.(Psalm 22:9-11)
• Embrace: biblical promises. (Psalm 22:9-11)
• Trust: Believe in God's trust worthiness (Psalm 13:5-6)

Mark Vroegop sees these elements as a legitimate framework for lament, a track of grief which allows a believer's prayers to move his/her journey from heartbreak to hope. 

BOOK DAY!

National Book Day is today! 4/23/2026! 

A great day for readers to explore their library.

Today book marks were given out!

Some libraries had tables set up for children to create their own bookmarks.

However, Scripture warns, "Of making many books there is no end"! 

In other words, be selective in your choices. These days I choose short story collections while hubby chooses many with 1,000 pages. A first grader I know chooses easy books to mostly chapter books.

Some prefer reading alone.

Others enjoy being read to whether by a sister or a friend!

Many folks join Book Clubs. One year, my friend Jerrie H. belonged to 4 different books clubs and none were on-line ones.

National Book Day gives all readers a day to celebrate---enjoy it!

EARTH DAY!

"Earth Day" the American way began April 22, 1970! No way I knew that because I was expecting 1st child and that was only thing on my mind.

Truly, even now, Earth Day belongs to Him! 

In the beginning God created .......and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

The earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD. (Psalm 33:5) 

Let all the earth revere the LORD, For He spoke and it came to be. (Psalm 33:8-9)

Every Earth Day belongs to Him. It's His!

Enough said!

BE STILL UNTIL YOUR EYES ARE OPENED!

Across the sanctuary screen, words of scripture and song lyrics are written for all to view. Recently these letters were shown......

.....clearly showing a list of letters. Any wordsmith would immediately decipher, based on what his life at the moment brought to mind. What's the first thing you see? 

My pondering---saw the untruth written first.  

If only spaces between the letters were added, those spaces could reinforce albeit, a misconception of words. Pastor Hawes did just that.

The true lesson here is remembering God's truth. GOD IS NO WHERE, even with spaces added, is untrue. God not being seen doesn't mean he is No Where.He is seen in the lives of believers. He is vivid through them. But God...... allows spaces in one's own life to see God.

He allowed Jesus to be seen even when Jesus wasn't visible On the Road to Emmaus, Jesus went with two disciples, who did not"see" Him until He took the bread, blessed and broke it...."and their eyes were opened,"......Jesus had been with them but until His actions opened their eyes, both were unaware. 

Appropriately the service closed with all singing Hymn 502.* From their hearts, "Open My Eyes that I May See" came out loud and clear as we opened our mouths, ears, and our hearts! (Refrain)

We all knew..............

When circumstances have us seeing God as absent, space with Him (in time alone) needs to be added. Spacing is key in our time with the Triune God. 

Seeking Him, He can open our eyes, so with Him we can "live and move and have our being"....(Acts 17:28a)

*