Author: www.LivingLarger.life

How Much Will You be GIVING AWAY this year?

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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!

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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…

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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…

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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?

How Does YOUR Christmas Story End?

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s Christmas Eve, and my Heart is more focused on the Greatest Gift than anything else in this world. If not for the birth of my Savior, He never would have died for me…and without that sacrifice, there would be no Hope at all. There are no words to describe my love for Him and no way to express my Gratitude for the Greatest Gift of all. When it comes to my Reason for Living, sometimes I’m left speechless. This morning, as I sat before the Throne of the Living God, I thanked Him for it ALL – His birth, His death, the Reason for my Hope, the Purpose of my Life, and for Eternity that is possible ONLY because of the Greatest Gift and the Greatest Price that was paid for you and me. Isn’t that the way you see Jesus, too?

It’s hard for me to comprehend how people can still deny that Jesus Christ is Lord, especially when His Life…from birth to resurrection… was predicted hundreds of years before it ever came to be. It’s almost as if the earth knew a Savior would be born, but mankind STILL can’t fully comprehend it. It’s not easy to accept that the Son of God could be born to a virgin, but with God all things are possible, and that’s what happened as surely as I breathe. It’s hard to imagine that God could “become flesh” and that He could “dwell among us” so that He could Teach the world about Love and Redemption and everything else in between…but that’s what happened as surely as I breathe. It’s not easy to wrap your head around the fact that a total “stranger” would be willing to Pay the price for every wrong we ever even thought about doing long before we were ever born to do it…but that’s what happened as surely as I breathe. It’s almost impossible to imagine how a dead person can come to Life and be transfigured for others to see what’s possible after death for those who Believe…but that’s what happened as surely as I breathe. Leave it to Jesus to go above and beyond! He even had a fish fry with His friends to drive home the Truth about what is in store for those who Believe. Had that “little baby lying in a manger” never been born to the virgin, none of these things would have been possible. It all began with the Birth of our Savior, and without Him, we’d have no Hope at all.

It’s so sad to think that there are still lots and lots of people who don’t believe that a Redeemer was ever born and then died for them…and it’s even sadder to consider their Destiny because they don’t. Some people convince themselves that when the body dies, it’s all over for them because they don’t understand what’s Possible for those who Believe. Some people think it’s ridiculous to believe that a baby could ever be born to a virgin or that a woman could give birth to the Son of God, but that’s because their heart is closed to the Truth. Plenty of people share the story of Christ when Easter rolls around, but it’s Christmas that marks the day of a Promised Future…the birth of a Savior…a Redeemer to dwell among us to share the Truth…our ONLY Hope. I wonder how many people take the time in the middle of a “hectic” Christmas schedule (and endless celebrations) to share the Gospel with the lost world? Had He never been born, He couldn’t have died for you and for me. That’s an all-year-long, no matter what’s going on kind of Message, and sharing it is what we’re ALL commanded to do…every day…including…especially…at Christmas.

I’m excited to see most of my family tomorrow, and I’ll miss the ones who can’t be with us this year. We’ll “eat, drink, and be merry,” that’s for sure…and we’ve got some gifts to share to express our love for one another. But more than anything else we’ll be celebrating the Greatest Gift the world has ever known, and the Message of the Gift won’t get dimmed for the festivities…EVER. He’s the Reason for our existence. He’s the Head of our family. He’s the Source of our Joy. He’s our ONLY Hope…our Savior…our Redeemer…the reason we Live. And THAT’S what Christmas is all about, amen?

Merry Christmas, world!

Don’t Get Caught up in The Tinsel…

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I met with the One I Celebrate all year long from inside a warm house with an even warmer cup of coffee. I’m more tired than usual this time of year, but not because I’m caught up in the shopping and wrapping. I’m more tired than usual because I’m busy focusing on the greatest gifts of all – TIME and simple gifts made with my hands. There’s nothing better than going the extra mile for people you love. So, I’d much rather focus on TIME with my loved ones than any gift money could buy. Every piece of this holiday season is about Love at the farm. You won’t find anybody in this family squealing over a luxurious gift or a big price tag, although they’ve received plenty of those throughout the years. But you can be sure they’ll feel blessed to be spending time together as a family, and they’ll be sincerely grateful for all the gifts…especially those made with my heart and hands. What a sweet reminder to me this morning, straight from the Throne of my God, that the most precious gift is Love, and how we express it makes all the difference in the world.

In many ways, this time of year resembles a contest to me…who has the best lights in the neighborhood or the best presents under the tree? Who has the best Christmas party with the finest food and wine, and who sends out the most cards? It’s funny and sad all at the same time when you think about it – most people celebrate Christmas…even the ones that want nothing at all to do with Jesus Christ any other time of the year, and they don’t mind telling you that they’re offended by the mention of His Name. The glitz and glamour, the lights and gifts are just too good to refuse, so the ones who don’t Believe and all the ones who do ALL set out to make it a Christmas to remember, and before you know it, you can’t tell the Believers from the non-believers throughout the “holiday” season at all. Believers are happy to say “Merry Christmas” as if we just “won the right” to speak His Name…but beyond the words, does it really look and feel like the Celebration of the Birth of the Greatest Gift the world has ever known, OR do we slip in a little Jesus in the midst of the festivities?

It’s a good thing Jesus has the capacity to Love greater than any man, that’s for sure. Leave it to Him to keep Loving and Forgiving while His People blend the Message of the Birth of the Greatest Gift the world has ever known with Hollywood-style glitz and glamour. How sad to see His People teaching their children to give credit to a fictitious man who checks their character before showering them with gifts…as if the Message of the Birth of a Savior is not enough fun for the family. How pathetic to see images of that big guy in the sky mixed in with THE Big Guy in the sky as if sharing a Birthday with a fictitious character and giving him credit for the gifts would be pleasing to the Lord. Jesus wants us to be joyful! I’m confident that He had plenty of fun with His friends and family, too! After all, His first miracle was performed at a wedding feast where he turned the water into wine.

The Bible says that there is ” nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful.” Having a great celebration is NOT the problem…and neither are the gifts. It’s the mixing together of the message of Hope…our Savior…our Redeemer…in with all those things that take the focus off of Him and onto the world…NOW that’s a problem. We don’t stand out to the lost world by saying “Merry Christmas” – we stand out to the lost world by making SURE that the world knows Who we Celebrate…and nothing else.

I’m excited about celebrating Christmas with my family in just a few days, and we’ll definitely have lots of fun! The farmhouse is decorated for the Occasion but you won’t find Santa hats or any other sign of him in the middle of our celebration of the Birth of the King of Kings. There will be plenty of gifts from the heart and a feast fit for our King….after all, it IS His birthday! We’ll laugh…and laugh, that’s for sure. But my tribe will NEVER lose sight of Who we celebrate, and we’ll be giving Thanks to Him for every gift…especially the BIGGEST Gift that He was born to give…the gift of Love, and Hope, Redemption, and Forgiveness so that we can have Eternal Life with Him. Now THAT’S something to celebrate, Amen?

MERRY CHRISTMAS, WORLD.

“The greatest of these is love.”

Do You See What I See?

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s a crazy-busy, beautiful time of the year, but nothing is permitted to get in the way of my Time with the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. When you think of Him that way every day, why would you ever put Him second to anything? As I looked out over the fields this morning, I thought about how things are rarely how they appear to be on the surface. The sunrise is beautiful…but the fields look barren even though they’re not. It’s focusing on the surface of ANYTHING in life that can so easily fool us. Beneath the barren “look” of the fields is actually life that will be ready to spring forth again in just a few months with a little Help from the Living God, AND all the outer influences He provides – like the sun and rain. And so it is with life. Isn’t that the way you see your Journey of Faith, too?

If there’s anything that can get us into trouble, it’s drawing our own conclusions based on what we see on the surface of life. A smile doesn’t necessarily equate to happiness, no more than the winterized foliage equates to barrenness. Seeing someone with material things doesn’t necessarily mean everything is okay behind the wealth, any more than seeing someone without material things means they’re not happy. Seeing someone dressed for success doesn’t equate to a full bank account, no more than seeing someone not dressed for success means they aren’t. Driving a shiny luxury car doesn’t equate to plenty of expendable income, and driving an older car doesn’t necessarily mean that they lack the means to upgrade. Living in a mansion doesn’t equate to it being filled with joy, and living in a humble abode doesn’t equate to regrets. There’s no end to the assumptions we make about what we see on the surface of life. It’s looking beyond the surface where the truth is found. Without looking below the surface, we never know what the view of life really looks like from where we sit. This is the Key to finding the need within each one, so we know how to “fill it” with Hope.

Of all the assumptions we make about life, the most dangerous assumption comes down to Faith. Going to church doesn’t equate to being a Christian, no more than going to a bar equates to being an alcoholic. Being able to quote Scripture doesn’t equate to being a Christian, no more than quoting science equates to being a genius. Feeding a few hungry people for the holidays doesn’t equate to being a Christian, no more than breaking bread with relatives once in a while equates to being a family. Being a Christian comes down to a personal relationship with the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace – and when we have that part “right,” we spring forth with Living Water, and the Love and Compassion cannot be contained. When we get that part “right”, we dig below the surface of life with everyone in our path – never judging – because we understand the brokenness of man and we celebrate Forgiveness. We never stop Searching for the Condition of the Heart, and sharing our Faith becomes as natural to us as breathing. We love our brothers and sisters in Christ enough to be sure that they’ve not grown barren in the Journey and we never make assumptions based on what we see on the surface. It’s the Holy Spirit that should be dwelling below the surface of every person of Faith and it’s His Spirit that prompts us to Search beyond what we see with our eyes. When He dwells within us, we never look at barrenness without seeing Hope…in and out of the community of Christians.

God used the barren-looking fields this morning to remind me not to make assumptions based on what I see on the outside. Many people can easily be left behind all year long based on assumptions we make about what we see on the surface of life. So, as I celebrate the birth of the King of all Kings, I’ll keep digging below the surface to check the Condition of the Heart of all He puts in my path…beginning with myself, and I won’t assume anything based on what I see. I’ll be Armed and Ready to share the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace throughout the season and every single day of the new year. And THAT’s what the “great commission” looks like below the surface.

How about you?

Today I’ll Focus on Love…

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The sun burst forth in the morning sky as if it were proclaiming that the day would be warm(er) and more beautiful than the day before. It’s been cold lately, and we’ve already had a bit of snow, but they say these next few days will be in the 50s. Since I like nothing more than fields covered with snow for Christmas, I’m hoping for the temperature to drop soon, along with the snow. When I met with the Living God this morning, I had the hardest time trying to take captive every thought to bring His Word into my spirit. A long list of things to do kept popping into my head, and my Praising turned into planning over and over again. All of the holiday preparations filled my mind, and instead of focusing on the Greatest Gift of all, I was focused on all the gifts I’m making for others. I finally confessed my weakness to Him, and it didn’t take long for Him to take me to the Spiritual Woodshed with a Firm Reminder about the Heart. No matter what I do – no matter what need I’m trying to fill – no matter who or how I serve – no matter what I say – no matter how elaborate the gift I make – if I don’t have the right Heart, all of it is MEANINGLESS. I began to weep as I thought about how my labor of love could so easily transition into lame projects. I never want to “go through the motions” when it comes to the Living God, and I never want to work myself into a frenzy just for the sake of doing good. Isn’t that the way you see the Journey of Faith, too?

I know that without the right Heart and without a Prepared soul, I stand the risk of being “a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal” because without Love there is no meaning to my words at all. No matter if the words warm the heart and no matter how profound the words sound sometimes, without Love, there is no meaning to my words at all. The “greatest of these is love,” and no matter what act of kindness I do today, if the kindness is done to make me look and feel better and not out of Love for the other – it is worthless to the One who matters the most.

No amount of nice things I do for my family and friends and no matter how many handmade gifts they’ll all receive this year, if they aren’t given and driven by Love they’ll be meaningless to the receiver. Love is the greatest of all things, and it takes a whole lot of Love to do the Will of my God, no matter what’s going on in my life. Nothing I do for Him can earn His favor in my life or justify the Sacrifice He made for me, but when I do His Will with Love…no, no matter how large or how small…my Works are priceless in the Kingdom of God and I know that they’ll have an eternal impact.

Today I’ll focus on love. The love I have for the Living God and the love I have for His people. The love I have for my family and friends, and the love I have for strangers I’ve yet to meet. Whatever I do today, I’ll do out of love despite the distractions that come my way. As I busy myself making gifts for my family, I’ll focus on Love a lot more than “perfection,” and those simple little gifts will be Priceless when I do. The distractions will just motivate me to try a little harder to battle against the one who brings confusion to life. Absolutely nothing will change my heart OR my direction as long as I’m doing the Will of a Mighty God, and I’ll continue to persevere through the obstacles until I succeed.

How about you?

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing”

There Really IS a Secret to Being Content!

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. A few days ago, we had a dusting of snow, high winds with a wind chill factor in the teens, and today isn’t much different. Welcome to the Four Seasons of Virginia! I met with the King of all kings inside a warm farmhouse, and I gave thanks for all that He is and all that He does for me. I “relocate” this time of year for my quiet time. It’s too cold outside, my office has been repurposed, and the Christmas tree blocks my view of the fields from my living room desk. I’m not necessarily happy about the changes…BUT that’s just a selfish human reaction. Like Paul, I’ve learned to be content in all things, so a little cold, icy weather and a blocked view of the porch, all because of a beautiful Christmas tree, won’t stop me from spending time with the One who died for me. He’s my King, and I’m His child…how could I ever want for more?

It’s a blessing beyond measure to be content, but unfortunately, Genuine Contentment doesn’t come to the average Heart. The average Heart wants what it wants when it wants it, and we aren’t happy when life circumstances cause us to “relocate.” Death, debt, disease, and divorce have the potential to knock the wind out of our sails, and sometimes we question God as a result. But NONE of those things have the power to rob us of our Peace or contentment UNLESS we allow them to. The God of the Universe is already in tomorrow…nothing takes Him by surprise…AND all things really do “work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His Purpose”. If He knows our circumstances even before we do, and if He’s ready to turn the “bad” into “good” (anytime we’re ready to surrender it), then how can we not be content in all things? The secret to Genuine Contentment is understanding that He ALWAYS has a Plan for Good, no matter what it looks like to us on the outside. When you think about it, the outcome of our circumstances isn’t about whether or not He’s willing to change them…it’s about whether or not we’re willing to Trust Him instead.

Just like Paul, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty”. Although I can’t say I was necessarily joyful when I’ve been in need, I CAN say that I Trust Him with my circumstances and I believe Him when He says “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” and that’s enough for me. I know what it is to sit in a cold farmhouse living without heat all winter long because I couldn’t afford to buy it – and I know what it is to turn up the thermostat to be sure my family and friends are warm when they visit. Even better yet, I know what it is to have the means to pay to keep someone else warm and cozy for the winter. I know what it feels like to struggle through this life on my own for decades and what it feels like to be responsible for every piece – AND NOW I know what it is to lock arms with my God-given Covenant partner, ready and willing to ease the burdens of the Journey of Life for me. I know what it is to be well-fed, and I’ve been blessed to have dined with “kings”, and I know what it is to be hungry and worried about what I’d feed my family. I know what it is to be surrounded by amazing people who love me and aren’t afraid to show it, and I know what it feels like to be betrayed by the “closest” ones. Despite my circumstances, I have had the favor of God ONLY because I give it ALL to Him, day after day and year after year. I have genuine Contentment because I Trust Him through it all.

There are lots of people in the world who are stressed out over the holidays. Most of them are stressed about where to find the perfect gift and how much room they have on their credit card to buy it just to please someone else. They don’t think much about the hungry (and cold) ones because they’re too focused on the sizzle. It wouldn’t occur to them to dial back their spending enough to pay a utility bill for a suffering soul, or what it would look like to modify their own food budget to provide a meal or two for a hungry family. Sadly, these people will NEVER find Genuine Contentment in life UNLESS or UNTIL the world quits revolving around them, and all those things they think they “need” become less important than meeting the needs of someone else. Jesus said, “Whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” so I know that EVERY morsel I’ve shared, EVERY spare room or bed I’ve shared, EVERY penny I’ve shared to meet the needs of another I DID FOR HIM and I pray I hear “well done, good and faithful servant!” when He calls me Home. Until then, I’m content as long as I can do the work of my Lord and Savior, and I’ll give and give until there’s nothing left.

How about you?

Philippians 4:11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 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. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Blessings…Too Many to Declare!

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I woke up just as the Master woke up the world, and I kicked off this new day in His Presence to give Praise and Thanks for this new day of a new year of my life. A new year is something to Celebrate from the inside out, that’s for sure, and even though I don’t like what I see in the mirror these days, I like what I see on the inside much MORE than I ever have. After a really good dose of Wisdom from my Instruction Manual and a hot cup of coffee, I’m ready to Celebrate this beautiful new day in my Journey of Life in a manner that will Please the One Who “knit me together” in my mother’s womb…the One who died for me! Without Him, I might be celebrating a day, but with Him, I Celebrate my Life. Isn’t that the way you look at your birthday, too?

My heart overflows with Gratitude this morning for countless things. Psalm 40:5 says, “Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.” It’s impossible to count my Blessings – there are too many to declare. But on this day, in honor of my birthday, I’ll declare a few…

I’m thankful for a saving Faith and that I know, with all that I am, that One Day I will spend the rest of my days in the Presence of the One who died for me and with all those Faithful ones who have gone before me. I’m thankful that all my children have a Saving Knowledge of Jesus Christ too, and that parting from this earth won’t mean parting forever for us! We’ll have a Family Reunion in Heaven one day that will be so beautiful it will defy words. I won’t just see the people I’ve loved here on earth in Heaven, I’ll also see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Daniel, Peter, Paul, Barnabas, Job, and countless others that I read about in His Word! I’m grateful for the promise of Eternity for those of us who Believe – “too many to declare.”

I’m thankful for the world’s most amazing family. The Love that runs through my children for me and for each other is only possible through God, and it’s an answer to a daily prayer since I became a Mom. God blessed me with children I don’t deserve, and He has answered my prayers for Wisdom to raise them, a Heart to love them unconditionally…to forgive them just as Jesus forgives us…a Heart to speak Kindness and to reflect gentleness no matter what. I’m thankful for the strength and health of each one of them and for joy and laughter year after year. It hasn’t been a perfect journey, and there have been plenty of storms, but we’ve Celebrated Victory together after the storms, and we’ve always clung to our Faith to see us through. The things I’m grateful for are “too many to declare.”

I’m thankful for my Covenant partner…my husband, my brother, and my friend…a gift to me from God in the final chapter of my life. After decades of being content to fly solo, God brought me the perfect man for me, and he has filled my life with Love. My covenant partner loves Jesus MORE than he could ever love me, and THAT’S how and why he’s so good to me…Christ is the center. Together we serve the King!

I’m thankful for my friends. Some I’ve known for decades, and some who have entered my life in this winter season of my Life. Some I’ve never met in person, but I love them all the same. Each one has Blessed me in ways “too many to declare.” I’ve felt their prayers in the trying seasons of my life, and we’ve celebrated Victories at the end as I climbed back up to the mountaintop while they cheered me on – and we ALWAYS give thanks to God for the new Testimony they know I’ll BOLDLY Share with the world. The goal of Christian friendships is to “spur” one another on to be all that we can be for Jesus, so I spur every chance I get, and I’m grateful for when they spur me on, too. I love to belly laugh with them at every given opportunity, and my Heart and prayers can be counted on when they need me…and I know that theirs can be counted on when I need them too. “Too many to declare.”

My morning is already filling up with calls from my family and friends – each one with a priceless message of love for me as I celebrate a new year. Today I’ll celebrate over lunch with a few friends, and tonight I’ll be serving the King by way of a Bible study. What better way to honor the One who died for me? Our family will gather soon to decorate our Christmas tree, and we’ll be celebrating each December birthday (there are 4) – decorating the tree for my birthday has been a tradition for as many years as I can count. Our home will overflow with love and laughter, and I know that all the things I’ll be grateful for on this day as I celebrate my birthday will be “too many to declare”.

Thank you, God, for another day – ANOTHER YEAR to make a Difference in this Journey called Life. Thank you for each life MY Life touches throughout this coming new year. May I be a Reflection of you as I share the Truth with them with Christ-like Love. May I not squander even one day of this new year so that I can Live it out for Jesus Christ! Thank you, God, for the Peace and Love that overflows in my life.

Thank you to my precious tribe and to all of my friends for each sweet birthday message for me.

My thanks are “Too many to declare”. My heart overflows.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!