What Are YOU Doing to Prepare?
Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. By this time of year, I’m already longing to spend time with the Living God OUTSIDE on the front porch, but the beauty of the snow definitely helps lift my spirits while I wait for Spring. As I sat in the Presence of the Author and Perfecter of my Faith this morning and thanked Him for all things, I considered the snow and how that one simple act of nature can sometimes turn the world upside down. Just one little snowflake can inspire people to take action and prepare for the very worst, doing their part to ensure they stay safe and warm. Many people consider a good snowstorm the event of the year, and they prepare accordingly – all the while, the Biggest Event since the Creation of the world will take place One Day soon, and preparing for that Event never seems to enter their mind. Even though The End is coming beyond a shadow of a doubt…and the Projections are fierce…people put more time and energy into preparing for the snow than they ever do for the Return of Jesus Christ. Isn’t that the way you see it, too?
One scary news report about a “possible” snowstorm will empty out the shelves in the grocery stores within a matter of hours as people scurry through like termites. They panic over the idea that they might run out of food, and they buy as if it will be their last meal. They’re afraid of being stranded…they fear they’ll be without electricity…they cut wood and fill up bathtubs as if the end of civilization as we know it is near. Most of the time, even a heavy snowstorm only holds us up for a day or two, and yet plenty of people prepare as if they’ll be facing the Apocalypse instead of a dusting of snow. I wonder how it’s even possible that the threat of one little snowstorm can inspire the masses to prepare for the worst, while they seem to have no interest in Preparing for the End of all Time. “As in the days of Noah”…
The King is coming back as surely as I breathe, and absolutely nothing will stop Him. The Creator of the World set the Plan in motion a long time ago, and our Warning to Prepare has been issued for centuries. There may still be time to grab a few groceries even after the snow begins, but once the King comes back… there’ll be no turning back and no amount of begging will change the course or alter what is already Written. Being prepared for the Event of all Time is the most significant Preparation ANY of us can do…and IF we’re Prepared…we’ll go to the Place where there is no need to ever plan for any kind of catastrophe again! NO MORE PAIN OR SADNESS OR SICKNESS OR TEARS EVER AGAIN! Now THAT is something worth Preparing for!
I lean toward the practical side over things like snowstorms, and I don’t panic over the possibilities because the God who brings the snow is my Provider and Protector too! When the snow falls, I know that there will be enough food in the house for a few days, no matter how empty my cabinets appear to be. I know that I’ll be warm, and if the electricity should go out, we’ll have a fire to keep us warm. Sometimes I drive people crazy with my “carefree” approach to the disasters the world warns us about because they think I don’t take these things as seriously as I should. But when it comes to the Major Event for all mankind, I’M NOT CAREFREE AT ALL. It’s NOT ENOUGH FOR ME THAT I’M PREPARED…I want to be sure to help as many people as I possibly can be Prepared too! It’s not okay that I have all that I need to Spend Eternity in a Place so beautiful that my mind can’t begin to visualize it…I want to fill that Place up with as many people as I can WHILE I can. My Journey is Sealed, and I can’t lose my One Way Ticket, but there’s still plenty of Preparation I need to do…every day…until the End. Preparation of my own Heart to be sure that it’s Readied and Preparation to help others along is my Mission in this Journey of Faith. The outcome for the ones who don’t prepare for THAT “storm” will make every natural disaster they’ve ever worried about look like child’s play…and it will LAST FOREVER! So, I stay Busy every day making sure that I’m as Prepared as I can be, and I reach out to the world in hopes that I can help them Prepare too.
There’s just a little dusting of snow at the farm, and whether there is more coming or not, I sure won’t be panicking over something so simple when there’s a Major Event coming that needs my Time and Attention. It’s a nice thing to help someone through something like a snowstorm…it’s Life-Changing to help them Prepare for the Major Event of all Time…the Return of the King of all kings!
Amen?
The Journey Through Grateful Eyes…
Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The air may be cold, but the sunrise this morning has the potential to add warmth to ANY Soul…IF they look for it, that is. A cup of hot coffee…a little one-on-one time with the Author and Perfecter of my Faith, and I’m good to face the Spiritual Battle all over again. I was born for such a time as this, and I’m Unstoppable! I choose to look at my Life with a pair of Grateful eyes, and I never grow tired of watching the dawn of a New Day. Isn’t that the way it should be with life?
I could watch the sun rise a million times, and each one would be uniquely different than any one before or any one after. No sunrise is ever the same. The sun may rise from the same direction over this farm every morning, but this moment in time will never come my way again, so I choose to savor each sunrise all the days of my Life. Each one is a precious gift and a miracle to marvel at, and I’ll never grow tired of watching the dawn of any new day because it’s how I Perceive the New Day that will Determine how I Live it out.
I could watch a smile cross the face of my child or grandchild a million times, and each one is uniquely beautiful to me. A smile from the same face, but for different reasons than all of the other smiles before or all of the smiles after. I could never grow tired of watching their smiles or the way their eyes join in on the joy of the moment. That moment in time, that reason to smile will never come my way again, and I’ll savor each one all of the days of my life because of it.
I could hear belly laughing echoing off the walls of this old farmhouse a million times, but I’ll never grow tired of that sweet sound. The kind of laughter that is contagious to another and the kind of laughter that can soften the sting of Life in an instant. Each laugh comes for a unique reason…a moment in time that will never pass my way again, so I choose to savor each one all of the days of my life.
I’m looking at my Life with a pair of grateful eyes this morning, and I refuse to take any Gift for granted. One Day I’ll witness my last sunrise of this Journey called Life and that could be a very sad thought IF I didn’t Know what’s in store for me after my last earthly sunrise. On that Day, I’ll step away from the earthly sunrise, and I’ll immediately step into the Presence of the Most High GOD. I’m no expert (yet), but I’ve got a feeling that when I stand in the presence of the Glory of the Lord, He will made alll sunrises look like muted sparks. Hallelujah.
How about you?
He Will Always be Credited for the Outcome!
Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I kicked off my day with a meeting with the CEO of my life, and I’ve received Wisdom and Direction from my Instruction Manual. It’s when I get myself Prepared from the inside out for what the day might bring that I feel the excitement about what lies ahead, and my Heart sings with joy regardless of my own circumstances. I am a child of the Living God, and He’ll use me today IF I let Him. I’m a child of the Living God, and I’ll be victorious today no matter what IF I let Him lead. I’m a child of the Living God, and if I can just set my own wants, desires, and needs aside and Focus on Him instead, I’ll have immeasurable Joy and the kind of Peace that surpasses all understanding at such a time as this. Isn’t that the way it is supposed to be for every Follower of Jesus Christ?
There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t do battle of some kind. That’s just the way it is for someone like me shouting from the mountaintops about my amazing God and His Grace. Sometimes the battle is an attack just because of the boldness of my Faith, and sometimes the attack hits me right between the eyes and rocks my world temporarily because I wasn’t Prepared for the “punch.” Sometimes it gets old, and sometimes it’s a challenge. Sometimes it’s a fleeting moment and just a word or two, and sometimes it’s a Season I must endure in His Name. Sometimes I feel strong enough to overcome it all, and sometimes I feel weak and stumble a little. But like a heavyweight champion in the boxing ring fighting for a win, I refuse to give up or to give in because I know that I’ll be Victorious because of Him every single time. This is the key to Strength.
Some of us are faced with “trials of many kinds,” and the world might wonder why we “suffer” at all if we put our trust in God. Sometimes, even professed Christians go into judgment mode, and as they wag their spiritual fingers in the face of our suffering, they suggest that IF we were living a righteous life, we wouldn’t have battles at all. But there’s no truth to that. It’s when we ignore our Instruction Manual, and we lose sight of the Bigger Picture, that we can ALL be inclined to wonder why bad things happen to good people. God does His best “Work” when He can turn around the circumstances in such a way that ONLY He can be Credited for the outcome. God does His best “work” when the storms of life are raging, and He shows up to calm the sea. God does His best “work” when we give Him the reigns no matter what our circumstances look like, and we do our part in the journey. And when we can stand strong and continue to Praise Him and to give Him Glory, no matter what’s going on in life, His Majesty shines for all the world to see. Hallelujah!
Things look good from the front porch of this old farm every single day, and I am blessed beyond measure that “the boundary lines have fallen on me in pleasant places.” Peace can be felt here, but that peace has nothing to do with me and nothing to do with geography. The Peace comes from Him. All that I am, all that I do, every word that I speak, every action that I take, every battle I fight, every Victory I celebrate is ONLY because He is my God, and I am His child, and I live each day FOR Him. I am now, and will forever be Victorious – HE IS WHERE I find my Strength to fight whatever battles come my way.
I’ll keep shouting from the mountaintops about my amazing God, and I’ll be armed and ready for the battle EVERY day. I won’t worry about the outcome because I already Know that He Holds it EVERYTHING in the palm of His Hand. I may have to do a little more Battling than most people, but that’s okay. God knows that I will Glorify Him no matter what, and that I’ll BOLDLY Share my Journey with the world without pride or shame so that they can see how amazing my God is too!
How about you?
When The Going Gets Tough – Disciple OR Deserter?
Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s a new day of a new week, and I couldn’t be more excited about what God is about to do than I was on the first day I Believed. With a Heart Inclined toward the King of all kings and with eyes and ears focused on my Instruction Manual for Life, I can’t go wrong…AND I can’t contain my excitement. My Heart overflows with Gratitude after a good talkin’ to by the Commander-in-Chief of my life. If I want to be all that I can be in Jesus’ Name, then I need to be willing to be Corrected by the King whenever He sees that it’s necessary for me. Isn’t that what all good Warriors do? I don’t have all the answers when it comes to God, that’s for sure, but it’s not for the lack of Searching for them. I’m with Him for the Long Run…I’m ALL in…and nothing will stop me from ALL that He has for me while I’m still here…as long as I don’t let it, that is. So, I seek His Will each day, and I dig a little deeper into His Word for more Truth and Wisdom, and I’m more excited than ever for how He’ll use me for His Will in the days ahead…IF I’m READY AND WILLING, that is.
A long time ago, many people followed Jesus, and they were eyewitnesses to some amazing miracles. They saw Him feed thousands of people by multiplying a little bread and a few fish, they saw Him walking on water, and they saw Him heal the sick and raise the dead. They saw Him do so many things NO MAN could ever do in the flesh! But as Jesus was teaching in the synagogue one day, explaining that He IS the “bread of life,” many of those disciples said, “This is a hard teaching – who can accept it?” and they walked away from the Miracle Maker. In other words, when it was time to add Knowledge to the “sizzle” of their belief, even the eyewitnesses of some of the most amazing Miracles decided that the Teaching was too “hard” and they went from disciples to deserters, apparently without blinking an eye.
The circumstances are different, and it’s thousands of years since those disciples deserted the Miracle Maker, but people are STILL going from “disciple to deserter” today without blinking an eye when they think the teachings are “too hard.” Maybe they don’t realize that when it comes to the Living God, you’re either ALL IN or you’re ALL OUT. They don’t understand you’re either FOR Him or you’re AGAINST Him. There’s no room for wishy-washy commitments and no excuse for ignoring His Word…even IF it’s a tough pill to swallow sometimes. It’s very sad to think about how many Believers will be surprised One Day when God sees them as DESERTERS instead of disciples, all because they thought the teachings were “too hard” for their liking and they refused to share with the lost world because of it.
I don’t understand every single thing about His Teachings, and some of them DO look “too hard” when you view them from the surface, as those disciples did. But we can’t Learn (or accept) if we rely on our opinion of what’s “too hard” – it takes an Unshakeable Faith and a faithful Heart to pull that off! From where I sit, the disciples had more intellect than Faith, and they couldn’t fathom embracing the Whole Truth of His Teachings because of it…and the SAME IS TRUE TODAY. Countless people refuse to be ALL IN because they’re too busy trying to rationalize the Living God, and so “They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.” Things won’t turn out well for those folks One Day.
I won’t reach “perfection” until He takes me Home, and (unfortunately) I stumble often. But when I stumble, I know where to go to get my feet back on Solid Ground, and I quickly ask for Forgiveness for not obeying His teachings…even IF they’re hard. With Him all things are possible, and when I’m weak, HE IS STRONG. So, instead of copping out with “it’s too hard,” I dig deep to find out the hows and whys for my stumble, and I work hard to keep it from ever happening again – and each time those “hard teachings” become clearer and easier to accept. Though I stumble from time to time, I will NEVER be seen as a “deserter,” and I won’t be found trying to rewrite Teachings because they’re “too hard,” like the world does.
How about you?
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see”
We Already Know How The Story Ends! Endure!
Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I met with the One who holds “the keys to death and the grave,” and we had a little fireside chat about the condition of the world. Sometimes it’s painful to look at this dark world and all that’s going on around me, but I have nothing to fear, no matter how bad it is. I know I Serve the Solution to it all, and my Future is in His Hands. Instead of dwelling on things He’s already said would come to pass, I Focus on shedding Light in a world that seems to get darker by the minute. I’m on Temporary Assignment in this Journey called Life, but I’m determined to leave an Eternal mark for the One who died for me while I’m still here. I’m a beacon of Light in a dark world, and THAT’S how I can find Joy no matter what’s going on around me. Isn’t that the way you see your life in a dark world, too?
,
It’s interesting to see so many people of Faith fretting over this dark world and all the madness unfolding right before their very eyes as if they’re surprised to see what they see. They debate the possibility of war even though He tells us “there WILL BE wars and rumors of wars” before He returns for His people. They’re appalled when they hear about turmoil in families that sometimes manifests in abuse or death even though He tells u,s “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.” Sometimes people of Faith whine about people of this world even though they’ve already been warned that “people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” Everything we need to know has already been foretold, and yet people of Faith are often caught off guard, just like the rest of the world, all because they don’t Know the Truth… or they REFUSE to accept it.
It’s one thing to Know the Truth about all the madness and how the Story ends – it’s another thing to Know the Truth that brings Peace and Joy in the midst of all the madness. I know that no matter how things are or how bad they get, the Great “I am” is still in control. I don’t spend one second in fear of the darkness around me because I know that “greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world.” I don’t worry about being forgotten when things appear to be so dark because I know He says ” So do not fear, for I am with you do not be dismayed, for I am your God.” I don’t worry about being persecuted for my faith or attacked for my beliefs because I know He “holds me in the shadow of His wings.” The One who holds the keys to death and the grave is the One I Serve, and “if God is for us, who can be against us?”
There’s no excuse for a person of Faith to get caught up in this dark world or to be living in fear – and there’s no excuse to withhold the Gospel of Jesus Christ from a dark world that needs the Truth more than anything else. How will they explain themselves One Day when they’re found hiding under the bed in fear or hiding from the darkness when they’re supposed to be shedding Light and Hope to a lost world?
My Faith is unshakable, and I refuse to live in fear, no matter how “bad” things get. I’m not surprised by what I see because He’s already told me what to expect. I know the Truth, and I have the ONLY Hope the world has ever known. I’m on a Temporary Assignment in this Journey called Life and you won’t find me squandering my time. Instead, you’ll find me Dedicated to the One who has the keys to death and the grave…the One who died for me…and you’ll find me full of Joy no matter what. It’s time to shed Light on this dark world like never before so THAT’S my biggest Priority while I’m passing through.
How about you?
The Necessity of Time in the Desert…
Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. We made a quick trip to Pittsburgh to celebrate the birthdays of two of our grandkids, and although it was only an overnight stay, I’m glad to be home. Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall, there is no place like home to me. I sat in His Presence to Prepare for this new day and all that the Alpha and Omega has Planned for me in my days ahead. Even though I’m not a spring chicken, I’m very Excited about His Plans for me and how He will be using me ALL the days of my life here on earth BECAUSE I’m Armed and Ready, I’m Tenderized, and Transformed! I spent YEARS in the desert being Prepared for this precise moment in Time and I was born for such a time as this! Some people will be in a tailspin today over something as simple as a flat tire, and some people will hide under the bed over what’s going on in this dark world, but not me. I’ve been to the desert, and I’ve been Prepared for it all. In the desert, I found my Strength, and I learned to Lean on Him, AND I learned that there is no good thing in me apart from Him. I’m a Willing Servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, and I’m certain that if I keep my focus OFF myself and ON Him, I’ll be Serving Him with honor until He calls me Home…AND I’ll always be Victorious. Isn’t that the way you see your Journey of Faith, too?
Most people do everything in their power to avoid time in the desert, but it’s in the desert where God does His greatest Work on the human Heart. Paul spent three years in Arabia – Moses spent 40 years wandering – Joseph was in Egypt for 13 years – and David spent many years hiding away from King Saul. When we see people soaring in Service to the King of all kings, you’ll always hear that they were sent to the desert first to Prepare their Hearts. This is true from the saints of the Old Testament to people we rub elbows with today. It takes a desert experience to Prepare! Understanding this part is the Key to Peace and having the Heart it takes to see (and Believe) that all things really do work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His Purpose. I received plenty of War wounds while in the desert and “proudly” wear them in the Name of Jesus Christ today as a Witness to how a Mighty God can Transform even the hardest of Hearts with just a little Time in the desert.
Be careful what you wish for in your Journey of Faith – if you sincerely want God to enlarge your territory, it’s probably going to involve some time in the desert where “no pain, no gain” takes on New Meaning. After all, if anybody knows how stubborn and selfish the human heart is, God does, and He Knows how to Tenderize the Willing Ones! He Knows that in order to accomplish His Greatest Work through us, He first needs to send us into the desert…like a spiritual sink-or-swim Experience designed to Strengthen His people. It’s definitely an Honor to be used for Kingdom Work, no doubt about that, but it always comes with a price for the Privilege.
In the desert, God changes us and removes things that hold us back and make us “useless.” In the desert, He forces us to draw upon HIS GRACE ALONE. Thank God, the desert is only a short (but Powerful) Season in our Journey of Faith. When He has accomplished what He wants in our lives in the desert, He will bring us out, and when He does, we see Kingdom Work in an entirely different Light. God has given each one of us a Mission to fulfill that can only be Fulfilled after we have spent adequate Time being Prepared in the desert. Have no fear of the desert and don’t avoid it like the plague if you desire to be used by the King, because it’s in the desert where you’ll hear His Voice like never before, and it’s there where you’ll receive your Marching Orders for this Journey called Life.
I’ve been in the desert, and I came out Victorious AND I always will because He promises me that. I have a Testimony that could make the toughest man cry, but I wouldn’t change a thing about my Journey. It took the desert to Refine me into the Vessel I am today, and my territory just keeps getting bigger and bigger because of it. Be careful what you “wish” for. If you want to be a Vessel used by the King of all kings, it always comes with a “price” to Prepare. There are no words for my Gratitude for a God who loves me enough to take me to the desert so that I can have the privilege of doing Kingdom work on this side of Heaven until I draw my last breath.
How about you?
How Much Will You be GIVING AWAY this year?
Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cold and overcast this morning; a sharp contrast to the condition of my Heart today. The Living God has been doing a little Construction Work on my Heart to Prepare me for the Work He has for me this New Year and beyond. Sometimes the Hand of God reaches down to Refine me – there’s nothing “bad” about me – I’m just a Work in Progress. Sometimes God uses me in Special Ways – but there’s nothing special about me…I’m just a Willing Vessel. Sometimes God expects me to do the “impossible” – things that make no sense to the human mind – but nothing is impossible with God and whatever He has for me will be Completed…not because I’m determined…because I’m Willing. Isn’t that the way you see your Journey of Faith, too?
The world is filled with people excited about this New Year and all the possibilities that come with it. Some are hopeful they’ll find love, while others are hopeful they’ll find wealth. Some want to welcome a baby into the world, while others want to buy a home. Some want to take an exotic vacation, and others want to eliminate debt. There’s no end to all the things people are hoping for in this New Year. I hope their dreams DO come true…most of them will if they determine to make it so. But more than anything else, I wish more people could see the Possibilities the way I see them. I wish THEIR wish lists were more about what they could GIVE AWAY than what they might receive.
Just imagine if more people were more interested in Speaking the Language of Love than pitching a product or service. Just imagine if more people were more interested in the condition of the Soul than the condition of the body or bank account. Just imagine if more people got their Priorities in the Right Order and actually shared their Faith with a lost world instead of merely praying for it. The Possibilities are endless for this New Year and beyond…a world that could easily be turned Right-side-up! It all comes down to Willing Vessels who are more interested in what they can Give away than what they can receive.
I’ve got my Marching Orders for this New Year and beyond, and the excitement sometimes keeps me awake at night. I’m still under Construction and I will be until He takes me Home – but I’m Prepared for the Journey because I’m Willing and I’m Teachable. Pleasing Him is my First Priority, and I Understand what Success looks like from where He sits. There is NO greater success in the world than having an Eternal Impact on the life of another human being, and the Rewards we’ll receive in Heaven will make all the riches of the Earth look like pocket change.
There is no greater Purpose in Life than to Give away the Truth, over and over and over again. There is no greater Fulfillment than to discover our God-given gifts and then put them to Work in His Name. There’s no need to fret over money when going about the “Father’s business” – He’s got that part covered. All we ever really need to do is be Willing to Serve the King of all kings, to SHOW UP, ARM UP, and SPEAK UP, all the days of our lives. When we love Him with our WHOLE Heart, we make sure He IS our First Priority, and Serving Him every day is the greatest Honor of all.
Happy New Year. Will you be SERVING Him this year?
365 Tiny Little Pieces…Happy New Day!
Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cold in Virginia this morning. We had a dusting of snow overnight, and we have a wind chill factor of 11° this morning. You can hear the flags blowing from inside the farmhouse, and although it’s probably wise to take them down when the wind is blowing like this, I love to them fly all year long. After all, sometimes beauty must override practicality. It’s a new day of a New Year, and there’s no place I’d rather be than in the presence of a Mighty God as I Surrender my Life and everything in it to Him all over again. I don’t put a whole lot of emphasis on the “New Year” because I’m busy beginning something “new” in each and every new day. Though this will be a quiet semi “day off” for me, there’s no such thing as taking a “day off” when it comes to spending time with the One who gives us Life, Hope, and a Future…and He’s worthy of Celebrating EVERY DAY of every New Year. I sure never want Him to take a “day off” from me and my Life, so why would I set Him aside to take a “day off” from Him either? I’m so grateful that I don’t serve a fair-weather God, and I don’t want to be an on-again off-again Servant. Isn’t that the way you look at the Journey of Faith, too?
I’m sure it’s easy for people to think that I’m an uptight Christian because of my diligence and my never-ending talk about Jesus Christ (even on a good “day off”), but there’s nothing uptight about me at all. I’m consumed with Love for the Living God, and when you’re consumed with love, it’s not easy to think about or to talk about anything else. He makes me smile. He makes my Heart overflow with Love and Compassion. He’s Strong when I’m weak, and I know that He will never leave me or forsake me. I love Him so much that sometimes I want to sing and dance! He takes care of ALL my needs, and I know that I don’t have to worry about anything at all. He makes me feel safe and protected and loved. He is the purest definition of Peace, and Peace is what you see when you look at me and my Life. I’m focused on pleasing Him because I LOVE Him and not because I live in fear of Him or because I’m uptight about what I’m supposed to be doing…even on a good “day off”. When it comes to a love that is SO beautiful that it consumes me, does it make sense at all that I’d want to take a “day off”? I’m not uptight…I’m Happy, and I’m at Peace, and I’m filled with Joy, and IT SHOWS…365 days a year…even on those good “days off”. That’s what it looks like to have a Relationship with the King!
The old saying, “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today,” is a good reminder (and motivator) for us all. Obviously, it’s a reminder NOT to procrastinate, which we’re probably all guilty of doing at one point or another. BUT there’s no procrastination of any personal goal on the planet that comes at a higher cost than procrastinating over things God wants to do in your life. Putting God off – or putting off a commitment to Surrender to Him – can come with eternal consequences that make procrastinating over silly things like losing weight or saving more money “next year” look like Romper Room. If I had one “resolution” to recommend to the world, it would be that each one would Resolve to Love Him more…to Serve Him with Passion…and to NEVER shut up about Jesus Christ and what He’s done for you, even for one hour of any new day of this New Year.
No doubt I’m excited about a new year just like everybody else, but every single day is a New Beginning for me. Every day is a Fresh Start. Every day has Endless possibilities. Every day is filled with Hope and Plans and Purpose. Every day has Unlimited Potential. Every day has Success just waiting for me. Every day I have unlimited Strength. The sky is the limit when it comes to the Blessings that I have today AND that I’ll have Tomorrow. Every single day is filled with Love, Joy, Peace, and Contentment. With that in mind, why would I clump everything together into one big celebration when I can break this year down into 365 pieces and Celebrate every single day, like the Blessing it really is? “This is a day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it”…365 times this year. You wonder how I can remain so EXCITED about my God and my Journey? That’s how!
Uptight? Nah…just I’m just Consumed with Love and I’ll never want a “day off” from that!
How about you?
Farewell To a Beautifully Imperfect Year…
Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I met with the Living God before the sun lit up the sky this morning, and it’s the last day that I’ll be meeting with Him this year. I sat there in silence for the longest time, and I thought back on the year and all that I have to be thankful for, and I see how much living has been packed into this one single year. Another year passed by quickly for me, but it sure isn’t closing out as “just another year.” It’s been rough, and it’s been rich, and it’s been everything in between, and through it all God has led me “by the right hand” just as He promises to do. When I look at it that way, how could I NOT celebrate everything about the chapter I close each and every day? Isn’t that the way you look at the New Year, too?
We’ve had the blessing of welcoming a new baby into our family this year, and I’ve wept over the loss of a few friends. I’ve celebrated the marriage of one of my friends, and I’ve mourned the end of another. I’ve met a few new friends along the way, and I’ve walked away from a few who desired to pull me down to the pit with along with them. I’ve used Words to encourage my world every single chance I’ve been given, and I’ve used Words to speak painful Truths as God leads. I’ve shared my Faith in every corner of my life, every chance I’ve been given, and I’ve felt the pain of judgment a few times because of it. I worked hard to fulfill a few Plans that God had for me, and I’ve endured the ridicule that comes with it sometimes – not over my Heart for Jesus Christ but all because I’m a woman.
I worked hard to maintain Peace in my life, and I’ve had a few moments of painful controversy. I asked for forgiveness as I became aware of my wrongs against another, and I forgave others for wronging me…even when it wasn’t easy. I’ve had the honor of being asked to pray for another, and I’ve prayed for plenty of others that probably wish I wouldn’t. I’ve had days filled with overwhelming joy and a few consumed by overwhelming sadness, and through it ALL, He took me “by the right hand,” and He led me through it all. I’ll ALWAYS be Victorious because of Him and His Divine Leadership over my Life…and THAT’S the reason I celebrate every single second of this year that will soon be behind me. He’s the “Author and Perfecter” of my Faith, and He’ll always use the good, the bad, and the ugly to Strengthen me for the Journey…IF I let Him take me “by the right hand” and lead me, that is.
I’m filled with excitement about what the Lord has for me EVERY DAY in this coming year, and I’ll be doing my part to be sure that I’m ready, willing AND found worthy to do the work of the King. There’s no doubt that I’ll experience pain and loss and a little heartbreak this year, but I’m not worried about any of that stuff because He will take me “by the right hand” and He’ll see me through no matter what. I’m celebrating Victory before I even witness it, and I’m ONLY thinking Good about my future. I’m facing an exciting New Year, and although it won’t be any more perfect than any of the others before it, I’ll be ready for whatever comes my way…because of Him. I won’t be worried about my future because He says, ” Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Instead, I’ll be waking up each new day with anticipation for what He has for me on THAT day…AND I’ll be willing to do His work with gladness through it all.
So long to this imperfect year for this imperfect woman. It was more beautiful than I could ever have imagined. It was rich, and it was rough, but I walked with the Living God every step of the way, and He led me “by the right hand” through it all…AND THAT’S how I can find Joy and Peace and Contentment no matter what’s going on in the world.
How about you?
When God Makes HIS Plans Known…
Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. This is the first day I’ll be settling back into my “routine” since before the holidays, and I’m savoring every moment of the morning in the presence of the Most High God. It’s a typical winter morning in Virginia today – it’s cold, it’s windy, and it’s overcast, and lots of people are inclined to hide inside like a hibernating bear because of it…but not me. I thank God for all things, and I’m grateful to be alive to glorify my God, so I keep walking the Journey day in and day out WITH JOY. When my feet hit the ground each morning, I whisper a prayer of gratitude – I tell God, “Good morning!” – and I look outside to see what the new day will bring. Most of the time, if the sun is on the horizon, I focus on the sky, but this morning, all I could see was the barn. When I first moved my family to this farm decades ago, I never even looked inside the barn. It wasn’t important to me. I was raising kids, not horses, and my plate was too full to take on more expense and responsibility. My neighbors kept their horses here for a few years before they built their own barn, and then slowly, people began to store things in the barn “temporarily,” and in no time at all, it was overflowing with junk. And there it sat. And I didn’t care…UNTIL I needed it for my own purpose. Friends told me to “FORGET IT” because the barn was in such a state of disrepair and overflowing with junk. Though it was a disaster to get it cleaned up to use for my purpose, I’m too stubborn to let their opinions or hard work stop me. Today, I realize that God had a Plan for the use of this barn all along. Today I see how God set aside the barn UNTIL He was ready. Today, I see a beautiful chapel inside a barn that was once loaded with junk, and my heart sings. I’m no expert but I DO KNOW that when you’re hungry for more from God, He’ll use whatever He needs to use to head us in the Right Direction. This morning, it was a simple barn in Virginia that turned my plans and “purposes” around.
When I was searching for a Word this morning, God led me to the Book of Malachi, which is often overlooked in Church teachings…and that’s too bad. There’s no such thing as a “bad” book or a “boring” book or an “insignificant” Word from God. Some people wouldn’t have a clue as to where to find it in the Bible because they’ve seldom (if ever) turned there – it’s the last Book of the Old Testament, and it’s filled with rich Treasures. When the Living God ushered me into the Book of Malachi over a simple barn, I knew immediately that He had a Word for me today.
Some people doubt that the Lord gets that Specific as to guide us this way or that way, but that’s because they don’t know that He says that IF WE WILL just acknowledge Him in ALL our ways, He will direct our path. Or maybe they don’t believe Him when He says, “For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Maybe that’s why we see so many “lukewarm” Believers…they have no idea about the power of our God. Just maybe “They have a form of godliness, but deny its power,” and they’re ready to throw ice water on His Words any time because they doubt that He speaks to us this way in the first place. If that’s the case for you, the fourth chapter of Malachi has a Word you need to read: “Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the Lord Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them.” So, I’d watch the arrogance that causes you to deny the power of God if I were you!
Malachi is short and sometimes not so sweet, but there is Good News for those who Believe and that’s where you and I come in. His Word says, “But for you who REVERE MY NAME, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.” I don’t know about you, but I revere His Name, and I like the idea of frolicking around like a well-fed calf!
The King is coming back One Day soon, and I’ll be ready and waiting for the One Who loves me enough to die for me and who takes the Time to lead me to Truth through a simple barn. I don’t have all the Answers, but I do know that when you’re hungry for more from God, He’ll use whatever He needs to use to guide us in the Right Direction. This morning it was that barn.
How about you?
My Front Porch 
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