Every Day is special.

Every day is an opportunity.

Every day is new.

Every day is unique.

Every day is a gift.

This is not just any day.  This is a day that will never happen again.  The moments you are about to experience will happen only once.

This is a day that needs you.  You don’t know where, you don’t know how, and you don’t know when, but you need to be ready for this once in a lifetime day.

This isn’t just any day.  This could be THE day.  Be ready and enjoy it.

I’m cheering for you.

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1.  How can we cultivate a mindset that appreciates the uniqueness and potential of each day?

2.  What practical steps can we take to approach each day with readiness and openness to embrace the opportunities it presents?

Rejoicing in Today: Finding Joy in God’s Daily Gifts

‭Psalm 118:24 ESV‬
[24] This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

As a Christ follower, let the words of Psalm 118:24 resonate deeply in your heart.  Each day is a precious gift from the Lord, filled with countless opportunities to experience His love, grace, and presence.

In the hustle and bustle of life, it’s easy to overlook the significance of the present moment.  Yet, this verse reminds you to pause, to reflect, and to rejoice in the day that the Lord has made.

Today is not just another day on the calendar; it is a divine appointment with the Creator of the universe.

It is a day filled with possibilities, blessings, and moments to glorify God in all that you do.

Embrace each day with gratitude, with faith, and with a heart full of joy.  Seize the opportunities before you to spread love, kindness, and hope to those around you.

In doing so, you honor the One who has made this day possible.  So, rejoice and be glad in it, for this is the day that the Lord has made!

Be Blessed!

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1.  How can you cultivate a mindset of gratitude and joy in recognizing each day as a gift from the Lord?

2. What practical steps can you take to live each day intentionally, embracing the opportunities it presents to glorify God and spread His love to others?

Eleanor Roosevelt achieved a lot in her life and was asked once how she was able to accomplish so much in her lifetime.  

She responded by saying “I never waste time with regrets.”

How much time do we waste thinking about and living with things that have happened, either to us or because of our own actions?

Too much time?

A regret is a feeling of sadness, repentance, or disappointment over something that has happened or been done, especially a loss or missed opportunity. 

Being able to overcome those things takes strength, courage and intentional repeated actions because, as much as we would like them not to, tough things are going to happen and we will mess up plenty on our own. 

But that doesn’t have to be the end of the story.  Living in the moment requires learning from the past, but not living in it or with regrets of what we experienced or what we did, or did not do. 

We will be at our best, continue to become more, and contribute more positively to those around us when we, like Eleanor Roosevelt, do not waste time with regrets. 

Do your best to move on and be engaged in the moments in front of you today.  Those are the moments that matter most. 

I’m cheering for you. 

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1.  How does dwelling on past regrets hinder our ability to live fully in the present and contribute positively to our lives and the lives of others?

2.  What strategies can individuals employ to cultivate a mindset like Eleanor Roosevelt’s, where they do not waste time with regrets but instead focus on learning from the past and being fully engaged in the present moment?

Philippians 3:13 ESV‬

“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.”

In Philippians 3:13, the Apostle Paul reflects on his own journey of faith, acknowledging that he has not yet reached the pinnacle of spiritual maturity. 

Despite this, he emphasizes a singular focus: forgetting what lies behind and pressing forward toward what lies ahead. 

This verse highlights a timeless truth applicable to all aspects of life.  By letting go of past regrets, mistakes, and failures, individuals can free themselves from the burden of what cannot be changed. 

Instead, you are encouraged to channel your energy and efforts towards the present moment and the opportunities that await in the future. 

It’s a call to action, urging you to embrace each day with renewed determination and hope, knowing that God’s grace sustains you and His plans for you are filled with promise. 

In essence, Philippians 3:13 inspires a mindset of resilience, perseverance, and forward motion, essential for navigating life’s challenges and fulfilling your purpose.

Be Blessed!

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1.  How does the Christian faith inform your understanding of the importance of leaving behind past regrets and focusing on moving forward in your journey with God?

     a.  Is their anything in your life that you need to leave behind?

2.  In what ways do prayer, scripture study, and fellowship with other believers empower Christians to embody the principle of pressing forward in faith, despite past mistakes or hardships?

Birthdays prompt reflection on life’s journey, marking milestones and lessons learned.  They inspire gratitude for growth, resilience, and cherished moments.

They provide opportunities to assess, reflect, and be thankful.  But, shouldn’t every day be a good day to that? 

As I reflect a bit on my journey and the path I have been on here are a few things that I have learned and attempt to apply daily.

1.  Family and friends make the day better.  Treasure them all.  They are gifts.
2. Moments matter.
3. Laugh.  Love.  Live.
4. Lead yourself.
5. Offer grace more than judgement.
6. Keep trying to be better every day.
7.  You don’t fail, you learn.
8.  Practice patience.
9.  Be humble.
10. Live each day with gratitude.

The path I have taken in my 61+ years of life isn’t for everybody and that’s alright.  We all have our own path and we need to embrace it and use it to help others.

Our experiences allow us to help others who may experience some of the same things we have experienced so the path you have been on has been for a reason and not by accident. 

Follow your path.  Use your path.

I’m cheering for you.

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1. How can you cultivate a mindset of gratitude and reflection beyond just birthdays, incorporating it into your daily life?

2. How does your individual life path and your experiences uniquely equip you to support and empathize with others on their journeys?

Psalm 90:12 is a reminder to treasure each moment, for time is fleeting.  In seeking God’s wisdom, you will gain a deeper understanding of life’s purpose and meaning.

Embrace each day with gratitude, recognizing the divine opportunities it presents.  Just as wisdom may cause you to carefully prepare for your retirement by planning and saving, you should not forget to cherish and count your days, recognizing each as a precious gift from above.

By living with intentionality, seeking God’s guidance in every step, you will cultivate a heart of wisdom that enriches your journey.

Be mindful of the godly moments happening in front of you each day, savoring them as reflections of His grace.

As you continue your journey forward, may you seek not only success but also significance, knowing that true wisdom lies in aligning your life with God’s purposes.

With each passing day, may you grow in wisdom and stature, living a life that honors Him.

Be Blessed!

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1.  How can you cultivate a mindset of gratitude and mindfulness to recognize the divine opportunities presented in each day, as suggested in Psalm 90:12?

2. In what ways can seeking God’s wisdom and guidance lead to a deeper understanding of life’s purpose and meaning?

Fall is harvest time in Iowa.  The fields are being cleared and the deer are out having a buffet running from field to field.  It’s a wonderful time of year, but potentially dangerous.

It is very important to stay focused on the road immediately ahead of you and not be distracted by looking ahead to the bright lights of where you are going because a deer could be right in front of you at any time.

The same can be true of you as you go about your day.  You can be so anxious to get something accomplished or reach the end point of a project that you could miss something right in front of me.

A conversation with someone in need of
encouragement, a chance to help a friend, an opportunity that only you can see. 

Don’t be so focused on what is in the distance that you miss what may be right in front of you.  It is what is the most important.

I’m cheering for you.

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1.  How do you balance your ambition to achieve future goals with the necessity of staying present and attentive to the needs and opportunities around you?

2.  In what ways can you cultivate a mindset of mindfulness and awareness to ensure that you don’t overlook the valuable moments and connections happening right in front of you each day?

Let the words of Matthew 6:34 guide and sustain you today.  Remember to keep your focus firmly rooted in the present moment. 

It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the uncertainties of tomorrow, but Jesus reminds us that each day carries its own burdens. Instead of fretting about what lies ahead, trust in God’s provision and guidance for today.

Embrace each moment as an opportunity to grow closer to Him and to serve others with love and compassion.  

By keeping your eyes fixed on the present, you’ll discover the beauty and blessings that surround you each day.

So, let go of worry and anxiety about the future, and entrust your tomorrows into God’s hands.  

As you walk in faith, remember that He is with you every step of the way, guiding and sustaining you through whatever challenges may come your way.

Stay focused on the Christian walk before you, knowing that God’s grace is always sufficient for today.

Be Blessed!

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1. How am I actively trusting God’s provision and guidance for today, rather than worrying about what tomorrow may bring?

2. What steps can I take right now to embrace each moment as an opportunity to grow closer to God and serve others with love and compassion?

“We stay in the moment, because our future is shaped by the present.”  

Like him or dislike him, but Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders is engaging and has some wisdom.  I was recently watching a documentary and he dropped this truth as if he was reading from my playbook.  

Whether you are speaking as a coach, an athlete, a father, mother, or any line of work, the present moment is the most important one that you have.  

Living in the past is dangerous, and looking too much into the future without a plan is not wise.  One of the surest ways to make a foundation for your future is to take care of the here and now.  The moment where your feet are. 

It seems so simple, yet is one of the most difficult things to do.  Don’t fall into the trap of wanting to get to your future without understanding that you need to put the daily work in.  

Spend your days knowing that as you control and stack your present moments on top of each other you are actually creating your future, and done correctly and consistently it will be a bright future.  

I’m cheering for you.

Questions to Ponder and Pursue 

1.  How can focusing on the present moment contribute to shaping a successful future, according to the wisdom shared by “Coach Prime”?

2.  What are the potential pitfalls of dwelling too much on the past or fixating solely on the future without attending to the present, as emphasized in the writing?

Press On

Philippians 3:14 ESV‬

Thinking on this passage from Phillipians is a natural continuation from verse 13, “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it on my own.  But one thing I do:  forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,”…

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.“

You can find inspiration to focus on the present moment, recognizing that each step taken today shapes the path toward your future, a future shaped by a loving God.

Dwelling too much on past mistakes or constantly fixating on distant goals can hinder your progress. 

Instead, embracing the present moment with diligence and purpose, anchored in faith, will allow you to build a strong foundation for the future. 

By pressing on with determination, trusting in God’s guidance, and being a  faithful steward of each moment, you can find assurance that your efforts will lead to a fulfilling and purposeful journey toward the ultimate prize of a heavenly calling and eternal life with Jesus.

Press On!

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1.  How does “forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead” help you approach and navigate life’s challenges and pursue spiritual growth?

2.  What strategies can you employ to maintain a forward-focused mindset and press on toward the goal of your heavenly calling, despite setbacks and distractions?