“A fish always begins to stink at the head” is corporate jargon for saying leadership is the cause of an unsuccessful business or its organizational failures. Typically, that is a true statement not only in business, but in our country, communities, churches, and homes. If the head is not aligned with the Father, the rest of the body is out of sync. Let’s go deeper here and consider how this applies to us individually. Have you ever heard the phrase “stink’n think’n”? That begins at the head, right? If our thoughts are not aligned with the Father’s, our whole being is out of sync which translates to a life of chaos and disorder. Why It Matters What We Think King David wrote in Psalm 139 ESV : “O Lord, You have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.” This verse illustrates just how closely God hovers over us. Another verse in Isaiah says God will answer while we are speaking – before we finish our thoughts, because He already knows them. This brings an awareness to my spirit. Just what am I thinking about? Is it pleasing to the Lord, or is it vain and worthless? Go read: Psalm 139:1-2, Psalm 94:11 Benefits and Consequences Thoughts, whether rooted in wisdom from God or shaped by worldly influences, define the course of our lives. Examining the impact of right versus wrong thinking reveals a profound truth: the condition of our minds influences transformation, peace, and spiritual insight—or leads to instability, corruption, and spiritual decay. Benefits of Right Thinking 1.      We are transformed . Scripture tells us that when we do not think as the world thinks, but we renew our minds in Him, we are transformed! 2.      We are kept in perfect peace . When we keep our thoughts on Jesus, trusting in Him, He keeps us in His perfect peace. This is peace that surpasses comprehension, and it guards our hearts and minds. 3.      We receive revelation . When our minds are on things above, we can see and hear and partake of the Spirit. I love this passage in Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to me and I will answer you and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” 4.      We have all that we need . When we receive the knowledge of Him, we have everything we need to live godly lives and to walk in the calling He has given to each of us. Go read: Jeremiah 33:3, Romans 12:2-3, Isaiah 26:3, Philippians 4:4-9, 1 Corinthians 2:11-16, 2 Peter 1:3 Consequences of Wrong Thinking 1.      We are unstable. Have you ever found yourself between both worlds? One minute, you see God in everything and trust Him to be King of your life. In the next minute, however, you do not acknowledge Him in your thoughts, situations, or decisions. This is being double-minded, which is nothing short of instability. There is no consistency and certainly no order. 2.      We are defiled . The first chapter of Titus tells us that if we are not pure, but unbelieving and corrupt, our minds and consciousness are defiled and polluted. The ESV translation states, “Nothing is pure.” 3.      We are depraved. Paul tells us in Romans 1 that men became self-confident fools and stopped relying on God’s wisdom and began to serve other gods. So, He left them to their depravity. Let us strive to keep God first and discern His thoughts about everything so that we are not given up to our own vices. 4.      Death will come to us. Most often, sin begins with a thought. If we entertain that thought long enough, we act on it —we sin. Sin not dealt with “gives birth to death.” This may not be a mortal death at that moment, but it can bring death to your motivation, death to your faith, death in your mind, and ultimately death to your calling, or even death to your relationship with Jesus, who is our very lifeline! Go read: James 1:8, Titus 1:15, Romans 1:28, James 1:14-15 How to Stop the Rot So, now that we know what we know, how do we stop the rot and get back in alignment with our Father? 1.      Renew your mind so you may be transformed. Take off the old and put on the new! 2.      Take every thought captive so that you are obedient to Christ. 3.      Walk in wisdom so you may be delivered. 4.      Walk in maturity so that you are only innocent of evil things, but not childish in your thinking. 5.      Lean not on your own understanding so that things are pleasant and wisdom will flow from your lips and your paths will be straight. 5.      Set your mind on things above because you have died and are now hidden in Christ! You should now share His mindset. Matthew instructs us to love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind ! 6.      Be sober-minded and prepare your mind for action  so that you may hope in the grace that comes through the revelation of our Lord, Jesus Christ! Go read: Romans 12:2-3, Ephesians 4:22-24, 2 Corinthians 10:5, 1 Corinthians 14:20, Proverbs 28:26, Proverbs 22:17, Proverbs 3:5-7, Colossians 3:2, Philippians 2:5, Matthew 22:37, 1 Peter 1:13, Romans 7:22-25 Conclusion Two psalms written by David bring it all together for us. In the first passage, he writes that he is not so arrogant as to worry about the things he cannot control but relies confidently in his God. Psalm 131:1-3 ESV "O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore. " In the second, the psalmist stays accountable to God, asking Him to reveal any place in his heart or in his mind that may not be pleasing to his Savior. This is true alignment with the Father. Kingdom order. Psalm 139:23-24 KJV : “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me and lead me in the way everlasting!"

Our Wakulla Springs Adventure: A Mix of Excitement and a Touch of Chaos! Last weekend, Steven and I set out on a little road trip to Wakulla Springs, and let me tell you, it was quite the adventure—though not exactly the one I had in mind! I had pictured a sprawling sandy "beach" area, perfect for lounging and soaking up the sun. Instead, we found ourselves navigating a narrow, grassy riverbank (note to self: holiday weekends can be tricky!). We had plans to hop on a boat tour, but alas! Only one of the many boats was in operation, and it was fully booked before we even set foot in the park. Spontaneity isn’t always perfection, I suppose. Just when we thought things couldn’t get any more "exciting," Steven had a little reaction to something in the water or the grass—or perhaps a sneaky critter lurking about! So, we decided to call it a day in less than an hour. We traveled further south in hopes of getting our feet in the sand for a little while before heading home. Along the way, we stumbled across a food truck with delicious seafood and covered outdoor tables, which was perfect since we still had on our swimsuits. But Wait, There’s More! Despite our little hiccups, the water at the springs was 69 degrees and crystal-clear —absolutely refreshing on a hot, summer day! Kids were having the time of their lives, splashing around and swimming out to the deck in the middle of the springs. Daredevils were leaping off the towering 22-foot observation platform! In this, we did not participate! A Touch of Nostalgia And let’s not forget about the stunning 1930s Spanish-style lodge! It’s like stepping back in time, complete with a charming gift shop and an old-fashioned soda fountain that makes you want to order a cherry soda just for the nostalgia. The walls are adorned with amazing photos from the 40s, telling stories of the past. Oh, and Tarzan's Secret Treasure (1941)  and Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)  were filmed here! How cool is that? Gimme Some Grub 🍦 We traveled about 20 miles south and ate at this cute little food truck in Crawfordville. You have to try Hutton's Seafood & More FAVORITE $10-$20 per person Seafood Outdoor seating Adventurers, go explore the options at Wakulla Springs State Park : ( We did not eat here.) ✨Soda Fountain: The Fun Zone where ice cream dreams come true! Milkshakes, Root Beer floats, hot dogs, pretzels, and other fun food served on the 70-foot counter! ✨Welcome to The Lodge: Where Your Wallet Gets a Workout - $8-$20 per person ✨ Outdoor grills and picnic tables for the brave souls who enjoy nature (and bugs)! 🐜 Snooze Spots 🛏️💤 This was a day trip for us; we did not spend the night. The Lodge at Wakulla Springs runs around $158/night. It was built in 1937 and sits right in the middle of the state park. Things To Do 👙🤿🏇 Entrance fee: $4 per vehicle (for a single person) $6 per vehicle (2-8 people); add $2 per person over 8 people Boat tours: Free for children under age 3 $5 for children (ages 3-12) $8 for adults ✨There are trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Snorkeling and scuba diving are also available. For more information, check out the Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/edward-ball-wakulla-springs-state-park/experiences-amenities

Twice in the night I heard these words. “Hide My word in your heart so that when these things come up that is what comes out of your mouth.” The words were soft, but the seriousness was the piercing sound of a trumpet in my ears. I could not wait to get out of bed that morning and dig into the scriptures because I knew I was embarking on a treasure hunt.  “I seek You with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You. Praise be to You, Lord; teach me Your decrees. With my lips, I recount all the laws that come from Your mouth.” ~Psalm 119:10-13 NIV The author says, “I seek, I have hidden, I recount.” For further clarification, I consulted a Greek and Hebrew resource to verify the definitions of some familiar, key words from this passage. Seek  – to inquire for, to yearn for, to ponder, and to study Seek is an irregular verb which means the conjugation (past, present, future tense) is sought, seek, or will seek. Here, seek is in the present tense. I seek now, continually. Not I sought yesterday, or I will seek tomorrow, but TODAY. In the present, in the now, I seek You with ALL MY HEART. I think we Christ followers often dwell in complacency. We rely on others to do the work, gather the food, and hopefully bring deliverance to us on a silver platter. Did you know that we serve an all-access God? That means we, you and I, can go straight to The Source for ourselves. Dig in. Search it out. What does God say about this matter? Seek Me and you will find Me.   All – ·        Everything, totality, whole, entire Hidden  – ·        Stored up, keep safe; treasures, to be treasured, cherished Decrees – ·        Clear communication of what someone should do With my lips I recount  – ·        I proclaim Laws  – ·        What is right When you put it all together in context, you find God instructs us through the psalmist: Seek Me with totality of heart. Store up those treasures and keep them safe (do not let anyone or anything steal them) so that you will clearly proclaim what is right! The phrase “that I might not sin against You” appears in the same passage as a vow to proclaim  what is right. In other words, hide My Word in your heart so you do not sin against Me with your mouth!   The author continues in the verses that follow, “You are my hiding place” and “my lips shall pour forth praise.”  Verse 66 says, “Teach me good judgment, wise and right discernment, and knowledge, for I have believed.” Psalm 119 is the longest of all the Psalms and the longest chapter of the Bible with 176 verses. The psalm is not as much about fitting the bible into our daily lives but more the reaction of one who has the Word hidden within them roaring with an outcry of faith! This kind of depth does not come from a just-skimming-the-surface, shallow-water, I-read-my-bible-check-that-off-the-list task. This is the consumption of the Word. This is holding on to it with all your might as to a tangible object, protecting that treasure, and keeping it pure and incorruptible within you as a resource that springs forth from your belly. I love the descriptive, call-to-action words written throughout the entire passage! Verse 2 in the amplified translation tells us we are blessed when we CRAVE  Him ( AMP ). May the following words and phrases from throughout the psalm seep into your soul and spring up a deep hunger within to delve into His word so that you may be filled to overflowing! Proclaim these words today! ·       I rejoice, delight, meditate ·        Open my eyes, make me understand, teach me, give me understanding ·        I cleave, long for, my soul languishes, my heart is breaking with longing ·        Revive and stimulate me, incline (or turn) my heart, make me go in the path Scripture tells us that we are truly blessed when we seek God with a whole heart. In this way, we come to know His character. God’s attributes are clearly reflected throughout His word so when we have that invaluable treasure stored up in our hearts, our reflection will be His! Oh, that I may know  Him!   Today, I seek You, Father. Today, I hide Your word in my heart. Today, I PROCLAIM your faithfulness to me!

Welcome to our little corner of the internet, where faith meets the soothing sound of sea waves and warms your spirit like a sunny day at the beach! Here, against the backdrop of the beautiful sea, we explore uplifting and personal reflections, and hopefully spark some enlightening discussions. With sandy toes and waves washing over us, let’s embark on a journey that blends the serenity of the beach with the richness of our faith. Faith by the Sea 🏄‍♀️ There’s something undeniably awe-inspiring about the ocean. Its vastness reminds us of the grandeur of creation and our place within it and yet how small in comparison with its Creator. Psalm 95 tell us the "depths of the earth are in His hands" and "the sea is His, for He made it." Just as the tides are ever-changing, our spiritual journeys can also take unexpected turns but we can find safety and stability in our Father through His word. We are excited to share God's word with you through this blog and our Sermon-by-the-Minute™ videos and we know that you will teach us as much as we teach you along the way! We are ALL called to be salty like the sea! Beach Retreats for the Soul 🌴 Though our main purpose is ministry, we will also share our favorite beaches, eats, and overnight stays. Let's share information! Tell us your favorite places and make suggestions!! What more can we ask for than spiritual growth and a community that we can partner with in our faith journeys? A Joyful Journey Ahead 🦩 As we embark on this new adventure, we are excited to journey alongside you, exploring the depths of the scriptures and the ocean’s wonders. Keep your sandy toes ready because the waves of inspiration are just beginning to roll in! Thank you for joining us here! We hope this blog becomes a cherished space for reflection, growth, and community. Here’s to many sunny days filled with faith and friendship ahead!

Do you know what it is to yearn for something? I bet you do. It is a powerful longing from the bottomless chasm of your innermost being for something so great that feels unattainable. A desire for a palpable presence to fill the tangible emptiness of the intricate, cavernous parts of the soul. A soul crying out for the Savior from a body curling inward like an unborn baby in the womb. Deep calling to deep. The depths of my soul yearn for the depths of my God. Genesis 1:2 describes the Spirt of God moving and lingering close over the waters. Envision Him in the darkness near the surface of the water hovering over the emptiness with a plan of substance to fill the entire earth. Once God spoke, things began to move, and form, and shape, and cultivate, and produce. There was light! Throughout the Bible there are multiple verses describing the purity and cleansing power of the water of the Word. As I imagine the Spirit of God moving over the face of the deep in the beginning, I picture that same hovering over His Word as described in Jeremiah 1:12. He watches over His Word to perform it. He protects it and He keeps it. That same Word that the Father honors above His own name washes us, protects us, shapes us, cultivates us, and produces fruit in us. Would it surprise you to know that over half of Earth’s habitable space is water? Do you see the symbolism here? We should dwell in the Scriptures. For some people, reading the Bible can be challenging and difficult to comprehend. Like the ocean, you must break the surface to find the mysteries beneath. Anyone can read anything at a surface level but when you take a deep dive into the scriptures, you will discover the very heart of God. And like anything salty, you will crave more. Yearning for the Truth. Deep calling to deep. Just below the ocean’s surface, known as the sunlight zone, there is a highly productive area where sunlight provides oxygen and energy that marine life depends on for survival. The water absorbs the light. The noise of earthly things transitions to the sounds of the deep, and buoyancy happens. The temperature is lower, but the sun's warmth remains. Perfect balance. As I read and study my bible each day, I want to splash in the waves and absorb the light of revelation. I want to feel the warmth of the Son on my face and taste the saltiness of His Word in my mouth. As I emerge from the scriptures, I want them to remain draped upon my shoulders as a cloak. Then, I want to walk on the water. I want to walk on the water with the depths of God holding me upright in the storms and in the waves, my faith unshakeable because it is rooted in the revelation knowledge of Who God is and who I am in Him. Come, walk on the water with me.