Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The sun peeked out over the horizon while I was before the Throne of my God and the combination of the two overwhelmed me. I felt a little like this deer this morning…not afraid to stand alone “in the presence of my enemies,” and thirsting for Jesus the way this gal does on a hot summer day. There are lots of words I could use to describe my God, and plenty to define my Heart, but sometimes they just don’t seem adequate for the Author and Perfecter of my Faith! Out of the many names for God, I like to think He likes “Father” the most. When I approach the Throne of my Father and tell Him what’s on my Heart, I feel like a child standing before my Daddy looking for comfort, safety, knowledge, and guidance, and I’m confident that kind of Humility makes Him happy. Isn’t that the way you approach your Father too?

Nothing makes me crazier than to hear people refer to my God in ridiculous and disrespectful ways – things like “the big ranger in the sky”, “the universe” or as “someone looking out” for them. I believe if they understood my God at all, they’d rather have their teeth pulled than to refer to Him so casually and disrespectfully. He always has been and always will be, a God to be feared and revered. The Bible says for us to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” and that “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God”. The same people with nicknames for God would most likely punish a child for disrespectfully referring to them, but they see no harm and no disrespect in referring to their Father so casually and callously. It’s a good thing I didn’t write the Rules because washing their mouths out with a Heavenly bar of soap would be first on my list if I did. God doesn’t need me to battle for Him, that’s for sure, but I like to think it makes my Father smile when I defend His honor and demand Respect on His behalf. Isn’t that how you see the One Who “scattered the stars in the sky and knows them each by name too?

I’m in Awe of my God and I take my Lead through this Journey of Faith directly from Jesus Christ. I strive to have a Heart like His and I work hard to do my best to live a Life that looks as much like His as it possibly can. I’m not ashamed to “hang out” with the lowly because I was lowly when He found me and He loved me into Restoration and Salvation. I’m not afraid when I encounter evil because, in His name and by His blood, I have the power to rebuke it. I have been driven to Compassion by the Hand of God and my Heart has been tenderized by the King. Jesus referred to God as His “Father” 200 times during His walk here on earth, so from where I sit, if the King of kings humbly referred to the Creator of ALL as “Father,” then that’s how I’ll refer to Him too.

It’s an experience that defies words to meet with my Father as He sits on His Throne. How honored I am to have the right to “go there” and how Loved I feel when I do. Just like the earthy father who was chosen to lead me and love me in this journey called “life,” He never rejects me…He never quits forgiving me…He always has time for me…He’s sure to remind me of His Love for me and He wipes away my tears. When I don’t know what to do He gives me Direction. When I’m scared, He comforts me. When I’m headed in the wrong direction He sets my path straight. When I’m lonely He fills the void. When I’m wrong He lets me know it and sometimes He brings a little discipline my way to be sure I don’t repeat my wrongs. I have an amazing PERFECT Father and I love Him with all of my heart. It should come as no surprise that I step up to tell the world about Who He is any time I hear someone “hint” about His nature by using nicknames for the God of all…my Gracious and Merciful Heavenly Father.

I’ve been before the Throne this morning and I’ve been shown Indescribable Love by my Father all over again. You won’t catch me shaking my fist at Him when I don’t get my way, and you’ll see a BIG smile on my face and Joy beyond your wildest imagination when I refer to Him. Just like that beautiful deer, I have a healthy fear of Him and it shows.

How about you?