Author: www.LivingLarger.life

Warrior or Wussie? Which One Are You?

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The Fall is a spectacular time of year in Virginia, and the view from the front porch changes a little more each day. I don’t ever want to miss a thing, no matter how cold it gets! I’ve been known to wrap up in multiple blankets JUST to be able to watch the Hand of God on a cold morning from the front porch…something most people would never consider doing…but I’m not most people. I love to take it all in from outside whenever it’s humanly possible, and I love to breathe in fresh air, no matter how cold it is. Today, I spent my Time with the Lord from inside with a hot cup of coffee and a good dose of the Living Word. From the minute I opened my eyes this morning, I began to take Authority. God is the Author and Perfecter of my Faith…He’s my Protector, my Provider, my Redeemer, and everything in between, BUT He expects me to do my part too. He expects me to take Authority all on my own. Authority over my thoughts. Authority over my Life. Authority over the devil that already knows he’s lost. Authority over Spiritual Truths that I can always lean on, and Authority over those fiery darts that threaten to disarm me. Authority over everything! Just like everybody else ever born, sometimes I’m inclined to feel like a weakling, but there’s NO EXCUSE for that because I’ve already been given the Power to take Authority in the Mighty name of Jesus Christ over anything in my Life. Isn’t that the way you see your Journey of Faith, too?

It can be so easy to succumb to our circumstances when we lose sight of our Authority, but whether we succumb or NOT is the biggest difference between Warriors and wussies. It makes me sad to see more wussies than Warriors these days, and sometimes I wonder why that is. How did it come to be that God’s people could be clueless about the Authority that is given to those who belong to Jesus Christ, and WHY would they ever want to serve a Power Less God?

Maybe we can’t change people (even though we want to sometimes), and we often have no control over our circumstances, BUT we have the Power to take Authority over ANY Situation so that we aren’t destroyed in the process. Warriors know how to put it all in Spiritual Perspective because we see a Bigger Picture. “Authority” doesn’t necessarily mean we have the power to alter the outcome; it means that we have the Strength and the Power to disarm whatever or whoever is set out to harm…a Gift from a Mighty God who longs for us to “get it.”

They say that most people only use a Smartphone to 10% of its capacity, and I think the same is true for most of God’s people when it comes to understanding the Power within us. Sadly, many people are easily disarmed because they believe they’re powerless; so they live their lives like victims who are “lucky” just to survive the journey. They throw in the spiritual towel and accept things that they NEVER should accept…all because they don’t understand the Power that has already been given to them in Jesus’ Name! This is the Key to being a Warrior for the Leader of the Universe!

When something comes along that threatens to disarm me, I don’t roll over and play dead waiting for the outcome. I don’t pull the covers over my head wishing it would go away, and I don’t whine and complain to whoever will listen. Instead, when something comes my way, I Fight like the Warrior I was created to be! I take the Authority that has already been given to ME in the name of Jesus! The first step is a refresher course on God’s Promises, and I Know them well by now, so I push the Replay button whenever I need to. Jesus “fought” the devil with Scripture, so I am confident that knowing what the Bible has to say is critical to the outcome for me, too. God is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore, and I can Rely on what He says. I may not always accept an outcome that I can’t see with my eyes from start to finish the way God can, so I take Authority over every thought until I see Victory.

The Devil is a liar, and he would love to convince me that I’m powerless or that my future is bleak, BUT that’s not possible because I Know the Truth. I speak the Word of God out loud, and I Proclaim the name of Jesus Christ, and when I do, His Word tells me that every demon in Hell shudders. Knowing that I have that kind of Power over the darkness makes me Proclaim it even louder, and it brings me that kind of “peace that surpasses all understanding” throughout those times when others would be tossed here and there like collateral damage, ready to throw in the Spiritual towel. I am Strong because His Spirit Lives WITHIN me…the Spirit that gives me the Power to take Authority!

There are some things in my life that could have the potential to disarm me UNLESS I take Authority, so it’s battle time at the farm 24/7. I refuse to give one thought to an unpleasant outcome just because I can’t see my circumstances from start to finish on this side of Heaven. Most things aren’t the way they appear to be on the surface, and nothing is too big for God…the same God who loves me enough to send His Son to die to pay my debt ALWAYS has my back, and He ALWAYS wants what’s best for me. More than anything else, I know that “when I am weak, He is Strong” and that His “Power is made PERFECT in weakness.”

Nothing is over until God says it’s over and NOTHING has the power to take me captive. I know how to Fight and I know how to take Authority using the Power that is within me, AND I’ll always find my way to Victory because it’s HIS SPIRIT that dwells in me and I Trust Him.

This Spiritual Battle isn’t for wussies, it’s for Warriors, and it’s time to armor up, Church.

There’s No Mistaking Who I Stand For!

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The cold morning air is forcing me to spend most of my time with the Living God inside these days, but I never lose a chance to take in the glory of the morning, even for just a little while, from the front porch. For years, this porch was graced with hanging plants, but when I grew tired of being held hostage by birds nesting in them, I replaced them with flags. So, now, this old porch is graced with four flags, each representing something I stand for. As I sat before God this morning and looked at those flags, I considered what I stand for and wondered if what I Stand for is as easy for the world to see as those flags are. It doesn’t matter much if people look at these four flags and they don’t “get” what they represent to me…but it matters a WHOLE lot if people look at my Life and they don’t see what I stand for or Who I Represent. Isn’t that something that you consider, too?

It’s so easy for us to look at the outer edges of a person and draw our own conclusions about what they stand for just by what we see on the outside. Sometimes people attempt to put the world on notice about what they stand for by placing bumper stickers on their cars or by wearing a cross around their neck. Sometimes those things are intended to be gentle (and silent) reminders, and sometimes those things are intended to provoke. Just like the flags hanging on this front porch, if people don’t “get” what they represent, they merely serve as decoration. Sometimes people attempt to make their mark on the world by tattooing their bodies or piercing their skin in unimaginable ways. But just like the flags hanging on the front porch, if people don’t “get” what they represent, they merely serve as body art. There is no end to what can be done in our attempt to put the world on notice about what we represent, but what we stand for takes a whole lot more than flying a flag over our lives. What we stand for takes Action words and Relationships to be seen by the world.

I have a crazy sense of humor (thanks to my Dad) and I’ve had a roller coaster life for sure, so IF I never spoke up about what I Stand for, the world may see me as just someone fun to be around and someone with lots of good stories to tell. But nobody has to be in my presence for long before they see AND hear about what I Stand for and Who I Represent. Some may perceive me as being ONLY interested in fun things and funny things because of my personality, but they’d be wrong about that! With just one opportunity to change my Tune to comfort a suffering soul, or to speak Words of Wisdom from God, and what I Stand for and Who I Represent is front and center. Some could believe that I can find humor in anything…and there’s a lot of truth to that…and they might hesitate to share their pain with me for fear of my laughing at them. BUT with just a few words about my Life Journey and all of the pain I’ve endured in His Name, they open up like a blooming flower with no fear of judgment from me. I don’t rely on bumper stickers on my car or a cross around my neck to make a Statement to the world about what I Stand for; I live it, I breathe it, and I speak it. What I Stand for is a part of me, and taking Action with Words and Relationships is as natural to me as breathing.

Waving my Faith around for all the world to see has come at a high price, but that’s okay. The One I Stand for warned me that they “will hate you because of Me”. Make no mistake, they don’t hate the silence; they hate hearing the Name of Jesus Christ boldly Proclaimed as I wave my Faith around for all the world to see. He died for me, the least I can do is Live for Him, amen?

I like to think of myself as being a little like those flags on the front porch. Bright and colorful, resilient, able to withstand the winds, flexible, bold, and forever making a Statement for the world to see. You’ll NEVER find me being a SILENT Representation of what I Stand for or Who I Represent, and you won’t find me relying on some outward “sign” to make a Statement on my behalf. I’m a child of the Living God…I’m Royalty…I’m Unstoppable…I’m Victorious…I’m Redeemed…and there is never a doubt about what I Stand for or Who I Represent.

I Love Him…I Live for Him…I Serve Him…and it shows.

How about you?

Settle for Less? N E V E R!

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It wasn’t warm enough to spend more than a minute or two outside on this first day of November, so I settled for the inside instead. For me, that’s a major sacrifice. Although I don’t necessarily need to be outside to enjoy the spectacular view (for me), it takes being outside to fill up my senses because it’s not just about satisfying my eyes. Spectacular view or not, I wasn’t feeling spectacular myself this morning, so I prayed. I read His Word. I contemplated my Journey, BUT I just wasn’t feeling anything move in my Soul at all…UNTIL God reminded me of the “man after God’s own Heart”. So, I turned to my Bible and read the Psalms, and before you know it, I was weeping with Joy and Overwhelmed by my God all over again. HE SHOWED UP! I could easily have “done my time” this morning and chalked it up to “not feeling anything” OR to it just being “one of those days,” BUT that wasn’t good enough for me. It never has been, and it never will be. Instead, I sought Him out the way He sought me out, and I wasn’t giving up until my Spirit was filled with Him on this new day. Isn’t that the way you determine to spend your time with Him, too?

It’s amazing how easily people are inclined to “settle” in this life, but they lose out on genuine Joy when they do. They’ll “settle” for allowing their relationships to go stale while never looking for more (as if not being alone is the only thing that matters), and when they do… there’s a train wreck around the corner just waiting to happen. They’ll “settle” for 3 square meals and an iPad for their children as if that defines a family, and before you know it, there’s a train wreck around the corner just waiting to happen there, too. They’ll settle for a bland time with the Living God, as if God is alright with a little time without Heart. Those people check it off their list as if it’s a duty they fulfilled instead of a missed Opportunity to feel the Presence of a Mighty and Merciful God. Living a fulfilled life in all these areas takes Determination and a Commitment to Excellence every single day. It takes Persistence and Perseverance, and it takes a whole lot of Love for the One who died for me. Sometimes I wonder if people realize what they’re missing or if it’s even possible for them to Comprehend what a genuine Relationship with the Living God is like? As long as they’re willing to settle for less in every other area of life, why would they Expect more with God?When we’re satisfied with the status quo in every area of our lives, we not only miss out on an Extraordinary Journey with Him, but WE’RE ALREADY DEAD, we just haven’t been buried yet.

I’ve learned to be content in this Journey of Life but Contentment should NEVER be confused with a willingness to “settle.” The Apostle Paul said, ” I have learned to be content in whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Paul learned to be content no matter his circumstances…but he NEVER gave up. He never quit Striving for More. He never quit Trusting. He never stopped Seeking the face of God. He never got in a rut, and he never threw in the towel. He never lost His excitement for the Living God, and He never “settled.” Instead, He determined to be Persistent, to Persevere, and to make the most out of His Journey while He still had time to Serve the One who Sought Him and Bought Him too. There is Joy beyond measure when we determine to Live that way too. Never “settling”…not with our Relationship with the King of kings or anybody else in our lives. We are peole of Excellence!

I began this new day with a spectacular view and a numb Heart, but I’m Energized and Ready for this New Day now, and I’m overwhelmed with Love…ALL BECAUSE I REFUSE TO SETTLE for a mediocre Relationship with the Most High God. I refused to quit, and I refuse to stop Growing. He’s the Love of my Life! He’s worth it…I’m worth it…every relationship I have is worth it…every one of His Creations is worth it…the Journey is worth it…Life is worth it, and Love is worth it. Why in the world would I ever settle for less?

How about you?

“Come out, come out, wherever you are”

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. Every day is one step closer to wintertime, and every day the “backdrop” from the front porch is gloriously different. Before God turned the lights on this morning, a herd of deer was gathered around the oak tree in the front yard in the dark. They were getting their acorn “fix”—a pre-winter treat that will help them fatten up for the colder weather when edible foliage is hard to find. This morning, everything looked muted outside, and mostly everything blended together EXCEPT for this lone deer in the hay field. Despite having grown a thick winter coat of a color that helps it blend in with the winter foliage, it still stands out like a sore thumb. It isn’t nearly as hidden as it thinks it is. The longer I watched that deer “hiding” from danger, the more it reminded me of man. The Spiritual war is raging, and life on this earth is getting more troubling every day, that’s for sure. But here’s the problem. Instead of facing the enemy head-on…instead of squaring our shoulders, lifting our chins, and confronting the one(s) who LOOK scary (but have no power over us), MANY are making plans to go “off the grid” to hide away from it all. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. There is no hiding place away from the Spiritual things, and there’s no fighting a spiritual war with weapons of the flesh. It’s not the time for cowards, and it’s never the time for man to take on the nature of animals. It’s time to face adversity head-on. It’s time to Declare the Name of Jesus Christ like never before. It’s time to Love the lost ones and to pray for souls. It’s time to stop hiding. Isn’t that the way you see your Journey of Faith, too?

The perilous times the Bible warns us about have begun, and the birth pains are not as far apart as they used to be. There is a sense of URGENCY in the air, and it’s pretty clear (at least to me) that God is Preparing His people. I’m pretty sure He’s doing a little “sifting” from His Throne as He Prepares to separate the sheep from the goats, and some who will hear “I NEVER KNEW YOU!” unless something changes in their lives before they take their last breath. I don’t have all the answers, but I do know this: God doesn’t need intellectuals…He needs Warriors who are willing to Fight this Spiritual war with Spiritual weapons. He wants His people CONFIDENT in His Word and Fearless because they KNOW it so well. He wants the ones He died for to be Willing to live for Him. How in the world can we be a Witness for Him if we’re hidden away off the grid somewhere as far away from mankind as humanly possible?

God has no tolerance for cowards. Revelation 21:8 says, But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” God wants His army to be Confident in the fact that “greater is He who is in me, than he who is in the world”. But the cowardly…the ones so determined to hide away from “the government” – the ones who believe it’s possible to live anywhere on earth “off the grid” – have been deceived by the one much more dangerous than any government man has ever known. We can run, but we can’t hide from this Spiritual War no more than that lone deer can hide from the hunters. We either Armor up (with the ARMOR OF GOD) and face it head on like the Victors we were born to be, OR we die like cowards. The choice is yours.

Throughout my lifetime, plenty of people have commented on my “bravery,” but I’m not Brave at all! I Know that I’m surrounded by Protection 24/7, and I don’t allow the liar from Hell to tell me otherwise. I’m Redeemed. I’m Santified. I’m a child of the Greatest Commander-in-Chief of the entire world! Why would I hide like a wussie from a Spiritual War that spans from one end of the universe to the other? Why would I choose to live in the woods and stockpile food just for me and my loved ones when I could be Front and Center in this world that is starving for Hope, Freedom, and Peace that ONLY comes by way of Faith in Jesus Christ?

I was born for such a time as this, so you won’t find me trying to hide in the field like this cowardly deer – you’ll find me on the Frontline instead. You won’t find me relying on guns to get them through – you’ll find me using my Spiritual Sword that makes any weapon of “mass destruction” look like a water pistol on a playground. You won’t find me trying to hide my food from all the hungry ones around me because I Know that the Bible says that “The righteous will never go hungry” and I believe it. Besides, I serve the God of Multiplication – and if my food runs low because I gave so much away, I Know He’ll multiply it all over again. The devil is a liar, and that liar knows that he has absolutely no power or control over me or my family. We can’t be deceived by him when we Know the Truth so well!

If you’re inclined to be a coward living in the woods somewhere, I pray it works out for you, but I wouldn’t count on it. You can’t hide from this kind of enemy, and God sees your every cowardly move. If you ever get tired of hiding from something you CAN’T hide from, reach out to me. I’ll show you the way to Spiritual Bootcamp, and before you know it, you’ll be on the frontlines with me!

It’s a “no pain, no gain” Journey of Faith

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cold this morning, but nothing that a hot cup of coffee and a warm blanket can’t handle, that’s for sure. I ventured outside just for a minute to say “good morning” to my God and to fill my lungs with fresh country air. One day soon, it will be too cold for comfort, and we’ll be doing ALL of our Meetings inside. Until then, I’m willing to go to extremes to Meet with Him outside, even if for just a minute or two. When it comes to my Relationship with the Most High God, I live a “no pain, no gain” Truth. Being a bold Believer in the Lord Jesus Christ doesn’t just “cost” me a little; it costs me everything. This morning I gave Him my Praise, I gave Him my Thanks, I gave Him my Requests, and then I ventured into His Word to see what He has for me…and He was Full of Surprises. He NEVER EVER ceases to amaze me. The same Words that I’ve read so many times before took on New Life today so that His Spirit could speak to my Soul! A willingness to Meet, coupled with a Heart to Please, equates to Messages that nobody else on this planet could ever get across to my Heart. Isn’t that the way it is when you Seek what He has for you, too?

It’s a Blessing to have a Life full of family and friends who have your best interests at heart, but nobody offers Advice and Direction the way God does. He sometimes uses His people to Confirm what He has in mind, but He Speaks for Himself if we just ask Him to (and IF we Believe He will). He can Heal a hurt, Remove fear, Reveal the Truth, Mend a Broken Heart, and force us to make U-turns in the blink of an eye, and He’s Ready to do all these things when we are Willing to Meet with Him with a Heart to Please.

There is no place for doubt in the Life of a Follower of Jesus Christ, but sometimes when we turn to people for the advice we SHOULD be getting from God, we can become consumed with doubt based on their man-made input. If we feel the need to ask family and friends for approval for what we “think” God wants us to do, then it’s time to go back to the Drawing Board and build a Stronger Relationship with Him to be SURE about what He wants. When we have the Heart to Please Him, He gets First Priority, and we’ll push against the flow of our family and friends regardless of how hard they push back, to Protect our Relationship with Him.

When we have the Order of Business right, and we have the Heart to Please, we can count on Him to send a Messenger to Help us in the Journey, and when that Messenger Speaks, we KNOW it came from God speaking through one of His Vessels, and not from the opinion of man. It’s pretty amazing how God Works the relationships out and how He uses everybody for His Purpose WHEN we’re willing to Meet with Him for Direction and we Have the Heart to Please.

It’s impossible to make everybody happy, and sometimes we find ourselves working hard to please the world around us instead of having the Heart to Please Him above all. We look for approval from everybody else, and we can easily forget what Pleases Him when we do. We strive to “keep the peace,” but until He comes back, THERE IS NO REAL PEACE. We pick and choose what part of His Character we’re willing to take on, and we kick all the difficult pieces aside for comfort. We rub elbows with lost people every day, and yet we keep our mouths shut about Hope, all because we fear what they might think of us when we do…and sometimes they die before they’re Introduced to Hope because of it.

As people of Faith, we WILL find ourselves working against the flow of the world IF we’re doing the Work of the Lord, and some people settle into “comfortable” because of it. Some people are far too concerned about being accepted by the world than they are rejected by the Living God. When we’re diligent about Meeting with Him and we have the Heart to Please, sitting back is never an option, and the opinion of the world dims in comparison to what He Calls each one of His Children to do. When He gives us Marching Orders He will open doors and pave the way – He’ll give us the Help that we need to do His Work – He’ll surround us with Protection – He’ll give us the Right Words and the Strength to do whatever it is He’s called us to do…if we have the Heart to Please Him, that is.

I wish I could make everybody in my world happy, but that isn’t possible. I live out my Faith with Love and Compassion, and I’ll extend Kindness to everybody He sends my way…with no regard for their status in life and no matter what they might think of me when I do. It pleases Him when I “love thy neighbor as thyself,” and it Pleases Him when I go about my Father’s Business, trying my hardest to be an outward Reflection of His Character within me.

The Willingness to Meet and the Heart to Please can produce the Miraculous in the Mighty and Merciful Name of Jesus. Imagine that.

Is there any other way for a child of the Living God to live?

Off to the Spiritual Woodshed…AGAIN

/ www.LivingLarger.life

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 was chomping at the bit at daybreak to see what God has for me today. A hot cup of coffee and a blanket served to warm my body on this cold day, and time spent reading my Instruction Manual warmed my Soul. Every thought and every Word I read this morning pointed in the same Direction…the Message of Love. Before I knew it, I was overwhelmed with Love for the One who died for me, and I found myself asking for Forgiveness for a Heart that sometimes finds it hard to love the ones who go against me and my God. I was taken to the Spiritual Woodshed over and over again as my Heart was examined, and I felt so ashamed until I confessed my wrongs that I couldn’t confess them fast enough! It’s not easy to face our own sin, and it’s certainly not easy to be shown what the Heart looks like from where the Most High God sits, BUT it’s all part of the Growth Process, AND it’s the Only Way to find His Favor. Isn’t that the way you feel, too?

There’s no excuse for a Child of the Living God to withhold Love…EVER…even (especially) from our enemies. The flesh wants to give the world a piece of its mind as if spitting out insults somehow makes a difference – but those insults don’t hurt the one we hurl them at – they are wrongs against the One who died for us instead.

Some people are on a Spiritual pedestal in their own minds and they “justify” every insult they spit out because of it. One “bad” experience in a retail store and they go off with their hair on fire…” in Jesus’ name” – as if they’ve given the approval to hate and hurt. They spit out threats and insults, and they spread gossip like wildfire to as many people who will listen as if they’ve been given the green light to singlehandedly reconcile the wrongs. But no matter how hard they try, or how bad they look to a lost world, vengeance will never be theirs. Lots of people are caught up in politics these days, and they’ve convinced themselves that their insults are somehow helping God make things right. But the only thing that EVER makes things right is Love. It’s “the greatest of all” and it’s the ultimate disarmer of evil. Just a few Words about Love and the mention of the name of Jesus Christ makes every demon in Hell shudder. It’s the ONLY thing that matters in the Bigger Picture, and although it’s not easy to love the “unlovable,” – it IS possible IF we see them the way He sees us.

I got taken to the Spiritual Woodshed this morning with a Message that I didn’t see coming, and NOW all is well with my Soul. I know that there is “no good in me apart from Him,” and it’s only by His Grace that the Price has been paid for my wrongs. As David said, “His Mercy endures forever,” so the way I see it is that if the “Great I am” can have mercy on me and love me just as I am, then certainly I can do the same for others.

The Author and Perfector of my Faith gave me a chance to make things right that I didn’t even realize were wrong until He got a hold of my Heart one more time this morning. I’m grateful that things have been reconciled (again) while I still have time to make things right before I draw my last breath. Today I choose Love, no matter what, and no matter how I’m treated or how I’m wronged because LOVE is the only thing that matters in the Bigger Picture. After all, it’s the Greatest Gift of all.

How about you?

Be Like The Oak Tree…

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I woke up the way I always do…filled with Gratitude for another day to Serve the Author and Perfector of my Faith. Living is one thing…living with Purpose is an entirely different story altogether, so I have Purpose in mind this morning. The Fall season has officially set in, and every day looks different from the one before, as nature heads toward winter. As I sat there looking at the sun illuminating the color of this old oak tree, the tree reminded me of my Life. The old oak may be a few hundred years older than I am, but we have a lot in common. We’re both standing tall and strong after many years of being upright, and we both have very deep roots. We’re both changing as the season comes to an end, and neither one of us knows precisely when we’ll succumb. We’ve both been through the storms and lived to “tell about it,” and neither of us gave in under pressure. We’re both pretty colorful when the Time is right, and we both have grown where we were planted by the hand of God. We’ve both endured, no matter how hard the wind blew year after year. We’ve both shed some branches when it was time to let them go, and we’ve both gotten stronger because of it. We both show some wear and tear from the journey, but we just keep getting more beautiful over time. I’m pretty sure the old oak won’t cry when I lose my journey on this earth, but I’m sure I’ll cry for the old oak if it surrenders its life before I do. This beautiful old tree made me think about Life and how each one of our days is different than the last as we head toward the “winter” too. Yesterday becomes a memory, and tomorrow becomes a dream. Today is all we really have to work with and our greatest opportunity to Live, to Serve, to Share, and to Love. Isn’t that the way you look at the new day, too?

We could all learn from the old oak tree that focuses on nothing more than digging deeper roots and reaching for the Son day after day. Unfortunately, it seems to be so easy for people to live in the past or in the future while they squander away TODAY. Some are “stuck” in the past, while others are so focused on the future that they forget about the blessings of NOW. When you think about it, today really IS like “the first day of the rest of your life,” and today is all we have any control over whatsoever. We can’t change what we did or didn’t do yesterday, and since tomorrow is promised to no one, all the things we dream of for tomorrow should be focused on today. If there is any Unfinished Business, like asking for forgiveness or making our peace, leftover from yesterday, today is the day to make it right. If there is an unspoken “I love you” or a word of encouragement that could change the course of another, today is the day to speak it. If there is anyone in our world who has never heard the Good News of Jesus Christ, today is the day to Share it. If there is anything within us that holds us back from all the things the Living God has for us, today is the day to move forward in His Name. There’s no end to the things that should be reconciled on a new day, and there is seemingly no end to the putting off. Yesterday is only a memory now, and tomorrow is only a dream. Living TODAY is the Key to an Abundant Life in all the ways that matter.

Some people have a “near-death” experience that puts things in perspective for them…at least for a little while. But every day is a near-death day for all of us because tomorrow is promised to no one, AND YET, we have so little regard for the frailty of life that we’ll put off the important things as if we have all the time in the world. When you look at it that way, how can any of us dare to squander even one day? There is a past that needs to stay in the past and a future to dream about. The Bible says “Without a vision the people perish” and that “hope deferred makes the heart sick”, so, looking forward with longing is a good thing for the Heart and Soul. It’s when we linger in thoughts of tomorrow while squandering away today that we stand the chance of NOT living long enough to see what the Heart has been longing for all along. Yesterday is a memory, and tomorrow is only a dream. Living TODAY is the Key to living Life to the fullest in all the ways that matter.

I’ve been on top of the mountain and deep in the valley and every place in between…but my past is now in the past where it belongs. The only piece of the past that has any Value for today is the Wisdom I gained in the Process. The “bad” has been Forgiven, and the Trials have become my Testimony, which is Shared with the world today with Purpose. I have Dreams for my future, and I take steps to fulfill them every day, BUT my future isn’t here yet, so I Focus on Today just like the old oak tree does. Today will be the most spectacular day in the history of me, and I’ll continue to be like the old oak tree – standing tall and with roots that grow deeper every day.

This day will be filled with Gratitude and countless surprises straight from the Throne of a Mighty God. The past has become but a memory, and the future is only a dream, but I have TODAY to do Good in His Name, and I can’t imagine a better way to spend any day Allotted to me.

How about you?

Keep Walking on the Sonbeam!

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s a glorious day in Virginia. The nights are cool and the days are warm, and I’m enjoying every minute of my favorite Season. I could feel the sun on my face as I was praying in this new day from the front porch, and when I opened my eyes, what I saw took my breath away. The sunbeam in this photo reminded me of my Journey of Faith – bright, beautiful, and “hovering” between my Final Destination and my Temporary Assignment. What an amazing God to speak to my Heart through a sunbeam. When I turned in last night, I was longing for a good night’s sleep, but what I ended up with was naps sandwiched in between prayers throughout the night. I’d fall asleep, and the Lord would wake me up to bring someone to mind, and then I’d stay awake long enough to Intercede on their behalf. What may sound like misery to you was an honor to me that my God would see fit to take me from my slumber to the Sonbeam to pray. My heart was a little heavy, but not for myself…it was heavy for a few others desperately in need of the Touch of the Master’s Hand – even though they don’t know it – and I can feel their pain as surely as if it’s my own. As I woke countless times throughout the night to enter into the Presence of the Source of Hope, I appealed on their behalf, AND I thanked God for what He’s already doing to Restore. I Praised Him for Victory without even seeing it yet, I thanked Him for answering my Prayers before I even heard of them being answered, and I thanked Him for waking me up. Isn’t that the way you Intercede on behalf of others, too?

God Refined me through fire a long time ago, and He Tenderized my Heart for the Journey. He taught me about my Journey on the Sonbeam and the urgency that surrounds my Journey between my Final Destination and my Temporary Assignment. He’s given me the kind of Heart it takes to look beyond the circumstances, flaws, or the “past” of someone else so that I can SEE the God Potential with 20/20 Vision. I can see them on the Mountain when they’re still in the valley. I can see them walking the straight line of Faith even when they’re zigzagging right now. I can see them turning from their “wicked ways” even when they’re still wallowing in them. I don’t care what they’ve done in the past because I know what’s in store for their Future with just one Touch of the Master’s Hand. It’s not easy Loving this way sometimes, but it’s the way we’re called to Love, and the parable of the lost sheep is proof that we should never give up on the “lost” ones, no matter how far they wander off. If I don’t want God giving up on me, then who am I that I would give up on a brother or sister of mine?

I’m the kind of Friend you’d want on your side…the kind that will lose sleep to pray for you instead…But I need to warn you, while I’m at it, if there’s anything that troubles my Heart, it’s watching a life with Divine Purpose being squandered away as if there’s all the time in the world to waste. So, I’ll use the rod and staff of my Shepherd to help spur them on, and I’ll tap into Divine Wisdom to show them the way. I’ll love them as if it depends on me, and I’ll pray like it depends on God. I KNOW there’s potential for so much more in His Name, and I’ll pray like it…lead like it…and Love like it in hopes that One Day soon they’ll join me on the Sunbeam so that they can see themselves the way Christ does. Sometimes having a Heart that’s been Refined to feel Compassion for others is not an easy thing to bear…but when I think about what Jesus had to bear to take on all my sins, all in the Name of Love, it makes the Journey worthwhile.

I’ll “carry burdens” for my friends throughout this busy day, and I’ll be praying as I go because that’s what it looks like when you focus on the Sonbeam. I refuse to watch someone squander a life with Divine Purpose if there is anything I can do to turn them back to the Throne, so I’ll do my part to help them hunger for the Touch of the Master’s Hand, where the Victory is found.

After all, isn’t that really what Friends are for?

The Wind is Blowing and the Time is Near…

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I headed outside on this new day of a new week, long before daybreak, to meet with the One who died for me. Just sitting there on the front porch in the silence and in the darkness waiting for the sun to rise nourished my Soul and refreshed my Heart. It’s cool and windy this morning, and I could hear the wind long before I could feel it. The wind roared through the trees as if it was warning the earth to brace itself. As I sat there thinking about the sound of the wind and the time it took to reach me, I reminded me of how God often issues Advance Warning to us too, but if we don’t Know His Word we’ll be caught off-guard when we feel the winds of Life. As God shed light on this old farm, I smiled as I looked out at the deer gathered around the oak tree to feast on acorns. They receive nourishment from this old farm on their own day after day as surely as I receive mine. When the sun finally broke through the sky, it took my breath away, and I thought to myself that man truly is without excuse when it comes to believing in the Living God. He can be seen every day, everywhere where and when we Love Him, we never grow tired of Praising Him for His Goodness. If I’m hungry and needing to be fed Spiritually, emotionally or physically I know precisely where my provisions come from and I know that if my God leads the deer to food and water day after day, He’ll surely lead me to what I need too. Isn’t that the way it’s supposed to be?

Life doesn’t come with a list of guarantees. We know that we’ll live for the days allotted to us and not one day longer or shorter. Despite some of the heroic attempts we make to extend life, one day we’ll die. We know that our life has a Purpose much bigger than ourselves whether we choose to sit it out or to Run with it. We Know that if we’re Willing, we will be “developed” in every way to do whatever He has for us to do for His Glory and not our own. We know that if our Heart is in the Right Place, and if we Surrender to our Savior, we’ll have an eternal Life after this life where tears and sickness can no longer exist. We know that He will fulfill our every physical need if we rely on Him to provide, but everything in between is unknown Territory and one that requires a whole lot of Faith and a whole lot of Trust IF we want to get through this life in one piece with joy and peace through it all. When we hear the wind howling through the trees, we Know it’s Time to brace for what’s ahead and we’re Strenghtened for the Journey. The road we travel on this earth may be a whole lot more complex than the life of a herd of deer, but the requirement to Trust without question is all the same. He is my Strength and He is my Provider. I know the beginning and the end of my Journey. I chose to Trust Him with everything else in between just like my furry friends.

Faith doesn’t come with a blueprint of Heaven although I already know all that I need to know to want to be there forever and ever. I know that in Heaven there is no more sorrow, no more tears and no more pain. In Heaven we will be in the very presence of the Everlasting God, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. I know my Savior has gone before me to prepare a place for all those who Believe and that there are mansions and streets of gold and beauty that will be can’t begin to imagine. I know that I’m being groomed for the Role I’ll play in Heaven, so all of my efforts here on earth are significant in the Bigger Picture. I know that I’ll get a new body that will never get sick and die again and that I’ll recognize my family and my friends who Believed and who are already there…I also know that it will be a glorious reunion for all. I know that there is no delay or some spooky place that I’ll float around in after I die waiting for someone to pray me forward, but that “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” – Hallelujah! I know that I won’t have to suffer the consequences of the wrong I’ve done here on earth because I’ve already been forgiven of all that, BUT I will have to answer for all of those times I failed in my Faith..whether I overlooked a hurting soul or ignored the needs of another that I could have met – or worse yet, if I failed to share my God with my world as God opened the doors and put them in my path. I can’t think of anything worse than facing my God with shame, so I work hard every day to Strengthen my Heart and my Soul and to share the Gift of my Faith with the world.

All of those in between things that we may wonder about Heaven don’t really matter at all – like whether or not there will be animals in Heaven or whether or not the Saints will hear my laugh echoing through Heavens for eternity? Maybe you won’t hear me in Heaven, but you’ll surely see me there if you find your way to Eternal Life too, and, just think, you’ll be stuck with me forever 🙂 I know with absolute certainty what my future holds.

How about you? I’m sure you can hear the Wind blowing and it won’t be long before it reaches you. Do you have doubts about what comes after this Life and do you wonder what your life is really all about? If so, reach out to me. I’ll get you so fired up about what COULD be in store for you if you Believe and Surrender just like I do, and when I’m done with you, you’ll be looking for your own One Way ticket to Heaven too!

Shouting From the Moutaintops in Jesus’ Name!

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I looked out my bedroom window as soon as my feet hit the ground, just like I always do, to see what God is doing with this one-of-a-kind day. There isn’t an art gallery in the world that houses anything even close to the “art” God paints in the sky. Beginning the day watching the Master wake up the world is not a schedule preference for me; it’s a way of life. I’m in awe of Him after all these years, and I’ll be found in awe of Him when I draw my last breath. That’s what Love looks like, but to have a Rich Relationship with the Living God, it takes EFFORT on our part to make sure that our love for Him never fades. His love for us never will, that’s for sure! One of my favorite hymns says best what my Heart feels, “The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell”. My time with the Living God “restoreth my soul” and Strengthens me for the Journey, and it is through this time with the Priority of my Life that He equips me to shout about my Faith and my God from the mountaintops of Life. Isn’t that the way it’s supposed to be?

It seems so easy for most people to “shout from the mountaintops” about some things in life. We shout from the mountaintops when we see a great movie. We shout from the mountaintops when we find a good restaurant. We shout from the mountaintops when we discover a great vacation spot. We shout from the mountaintops when we discover new technology. We shout from the mountaintops over a “good deal” in a store. We shout from the mountaintops over a new birth. We shout from the mountaintops when we secure a new job. When we’re filled with excitement, we don’t seem to have any trouble at all shouting from the mountaintops over almost anything in life. But when it comes to things of God that are Designed to Compel us to shout from the mountaintops, ARE WE WILLING? IS HE WORTHY? Is our Relationship with the Author and Perfector of our Faith strong (and rich) enough to want to Tell the world about all that He is and all that He’s done for us? Apparently not, because it is a rare thing to hear a publicly proclaimed Powerful Testimony anymore. Sad but true.

My Faith is intended to be a Light in this dark world. My Faith has little to do with me and everything to do with Him. It’s my “job” and my Joy to share it with the world, and I’ll shout from the mountaintops with boldness, with compassion, and with Love, every day until my last.,

Is the Light of your Faith shining for all the world to see, AND are you shouting from the mountaintops, OR are you still hiding behind the excuse that you’re “quiet” about your Faith? No offense, but you weren’t led into your Faith to be quiet about it…it’s not about “you”. If you ever wonder how there can be so much darkness in this world of ours, just remember how few Lights are out there shining for the world to see. Darkness ceases to exist with Light.

Let your Light shine in this dark world today. Shout from the mountaintops with excitement and joy like a child on a Christmas morning. Spread the Good News. Pour out Love and Compassion. Be kind and gentle. Share your Heart. Share this post!

Together, we can light up the world just one “little light” at a time. “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!”

How about you?