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When The Going Gets Tough – Disciple OR Deserter?

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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 new day of a new week, and I couldn’t be more excited about what God is about to do than I was on the first day I Believed. With a Heart Inclined toward the King of all kings and with eyes and ears focused on my Instruction Manual for Life, I can’t go wrong…AND I can’t contain my excitement. My Heart overflows with Gratitude after a good talkin’ to by the Commander-in-Chief of my life. If I want to be all that I can be in Jesus’ Name, then I need to be willing to be Corrected by the King whenever He sees that it’s necessary for me. Isn’t that what all good Warriors do? I don’t have all the answers when it comes to God, that’s for sure, but it’s not for the lack of Searching for them. I’m with Him for the Long Run…I’m ALL in…and nothing will stop me from ALL that He has for me while I’m still here…as long as I don’t let it, that is. So, I seek His Will each day, and I dig a little deeper into His Word for more Truth and Wisdom, and I’m more excited than ever for how He’ll use me for His Will in the days ahead…IF I’m READY AND WILLING, that is.

A long time ago, many people followed Jesus, and they were eyewitnesses to some amazing miracles. They saw Him feed thousands of people by multiplying a little bread and a few fish, they saw Him walking on water, and they saw Him heal the sick and raise the dead. They saw Him do so many things NO MAN could ever do in the flesh! But as Jesus was teaching in the synagogue one day, explaining that He IS the “bread of life,” many of those disciples said, “This is a hard teaching – who can accept it?” and they walked away from the Miracle Maker. In other words, when it was time to add Knowledge to the “sizzle” of their belief, even the eyewitnesses of some of the most amazing Miracles decided that the Teaching was too “hard” and they went from disciples to deserters, apparently without blinking an eye.

The circumstances are different, and it’s thousands of years since those disciples deserted the Miracle Maker, but people are STILL going from “disciple to deserter” today without blinking an eye when they think the teachings are “too hard.” Maybe they don’t realize that when it comes to the Living God, you’re either ALL IN or you’re ALL OUT. They don’t understand you’re either FOR Him or you’re AGAINST Him. There’s no room for wishy-washy commitments and no excuse for ignoring His Word…even IF it’s a tough pill to swallow sometimes. It’s very sad to think about how many Believers will be surprised One Day when God sees them as DESERTERS instead of disciples, all because they thought the teachings were “too hard” for their liking and they refused to share with the lost world because of it.

I don’t understand every single thing about His Teachings, and some of them DO look “too hard” when you view them from the surface, as those disciples did. But we can’t Learn (or accept) if we rely on our opinion of what’s “too hard” – it takes an Unshakeable Faith and a faithful Heart to pull that off! From where I sit, the disciples had more intellect than Faith, and they couldn’t fathom embracing the Whole Truth of His Teachings because of it…and the SAME IS TRUE TODAY. Countless people refuse to be ALL IN because they’re too busy trying to rationalize the Living God, and so “They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.” Things won’t turn out well for those folks One Day.

I won’t reach “perfection” until He takes me Home, and (unfortunately) I stumble often. But when I stumble, I know where to go to get my feet back on Solid Ground, and I quickly ask for Forgiveness for not obeying His teachings…even IF they’re hard. With Him all things are possible, and when I’m weak, HE IS STRONG. So, instead of copping out with “it’s too hard,” I dig deep to find out the hows and whys for my stumble, and I work hard to keep it from ever happening again – and each time those “hard teachings” become clearer and easier to accept. Though I stumble from time to time, I will NEVER be seen as a “deserter,” and I won’t be found trying to rewrite Teachings because they’re “too hard,” like the world does.

How about you?

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see”

We Already Know How The Story Ends! Endure!

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I met with the One who holds “the keys to death and the grave,” and we had a little fireside chat about the condition of the world. Sometimes it’s painful to look at this dark world and all that’s going on around me, but I have nothing to fear, no matter how bad it is. I know I Serve the Solution to it all, and my Future is in His Hands. Instead of dwelling on things He’s already said would come to pass, I Focus on shedding Light in a world that seems to get darker by the minute. I’m on Temporary Assignment in this Journey called Life, but I’m determined to leave an Eternal mark for the One who died for me while I’m still here. I’m a beacon of Light in a dark world, and THAT’S how I can find Joy no matter what’s going on around me. Isn’t that the way you see your life in a dark world, too?
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It’s interesting to see so many people of Faith fretting over this dark world and all the madness unfolding right before their very eyes as if they’re surprised to see what they see. They debate the possibility of war even though He tells us “there WILL BE wars and rumors of wars” before He returns for His people. They’re appalled when they hear about turmoil in families that sometimes manifests in abuse or death even though He tells u,s “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.” Sometimes people of Faith whine about people of this world even though they’ve already been warned that “people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” Everything we need to know has already been foretold, and yet people of Faith are often caught off guard, just like the rest of the world, all because they don’t Know the Truth… or they REFUSE to accept it.

It’s one thing to Know the Truth about all the madness and how the Story ends – it’s another thing to Know the Truth that brings Peace and Joy in the midst of all the madness. I know that no matter how things are or how bad they get, the Great “I am” is still in control. I don’t spend one second in fear of the darkness around me because I know that “greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world.” I don’t worry about being forgotten when things appear to be so dark because I know He says ” So do not fear, for I am with you do not be dismayed, for I am your God.” I don’t worry about being persecuted for my faith or attacked for my beliefs because I know He “holds me in the shadow of His wings.” The One who holds the keys to death and the grave is the One I Serve, and “if God is for us, who can be against us?”

There’s no excuse for a person of Faith to get caught up in this dark world or to be living in fear – and there’s no excuse to withhold the Gospel of Jesus Christ from a dark world that needs the Truth more than anything else. How will they explain themselves One Day when they’re found hiding under the bed in fear or hiding from the darkness when they’re supposed to be shedding Light and Hope to a lost world?

My Faith is unshakable, and I refuse to live in fear, no matter how “bad” things get. I’m not surprised by what I see because He’s already told me what to expect. I know the Truth, and I have the ONLY Hope the world has ever known. I’m on a Temporary Assignment in this Journey called Life and you won’t find me squandering my time. Instead, you’ll find me Dedicated to the One who has the keys to death and the grave…the One who died for me…and you’ll find me full of Joy no matter what. It’s time to shed Light on this dark world like never before so THAT’S my biggest Priority while I’m passing through.

How about you?

The Necessity of Time in the Desert…

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. We made a quick trip to Pittsburgh to celebrate the birthdays of two of our grandkids, and although it was only an overnight stay, I’m glad to be home. Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall, there is no place like home to me. I sat in His Presence to Prepare for this new day and all that the Alpha and Omega has Planned for me in my days ahead. Even though I’m not a spring chicken, I’m very Excited about His Plans for me and how He will be using me ALL the days of my life here on earth BECAUSE I’m Armed and Ready, I’m Tenderized, and Transformed! I spent YEARS in the desert being Prepared for this precise moment in Time and I was born for such a time as this! Some people will be in a tailspin today over something as simple as a flat tire, and some people will hide under the bed over what’s going on in this dark world, but not me. I’ve been to the desert, and I’ve been Prepared for it all. In the desert, I found my Strength, and I learned to Lean on Him, AND I learned that there is no good thing in me apart from Him. I’m a Willing Servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, and I’m certain that if I keep my focus OFF myself and ON Him, I’ll be Serving Him with honor until He calls me Home…AND I’ll always be Victorious. Isn’t that the way you see your Journey of Faith, too?

Most people do everything in their power to avoid time in the desert, but it’s in the desert where God does His greatest Work on the human Heart. Paul spent three years in Arabia – Moses spent 40 years wandering – Joseph was in Egypt for 13 years – and David spent many years hiding away from King Saul. When we see people soaring in Service to the King of all kings, you’ll always hear that they were sent to the desert first to Prepare their Hearts. This is true from the saints of the Old Testament to people we rub elbows with today. It takes a desert experience to Prepare! Understanding this part is the Key to Peace and having the Heart it takes to see (and Believe) that all things really do work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His Purpose. I received plenty of War wounds while in the desert and “proudly” wear them in the Name of Jesus Christ today as a Witness to how a Mighty God can Transform even the hardest of Hearts with just a little Time in the desert.

Be careful what you wish for in your Journey of Faith – if you sincerely want God to enlarge your territory, it’s probably going to involve some time in the desert where “no pain, no gain” takes on New Meaning. After all, if anybody knows how stubborn and selfish the human heart is, God does, and He Knows how to Tenderize the Willing Ones! He Knows that in order to accomplish His Greatest Work through us, He first needs to send us into the desert…like a spiritual sink-or-swim Experience designed to Strengthen His people. It’s definitely an Honor to be used for Kingdom Work, no doubt about that, but it always comes with a price for the Privilege.

In the desert, God changes us and removes things that hold us back and make us “useless.” In the desert, He forces us to draw upon HIS GRACE ALONE. Thank God, the desert is only a short (but Powerful) Season in our Journey of Faith. When He has accomplished what He wants in our lives in the desert, He will bring us out, and when He does, we see Kingdom Work in an entirely different Light. God has given each one of us a Mission to fulfill that can only be Fulfilled after we have spent adequate Time being Prepared in the desert. Have no fear of the desert and don’t avoid it like the plague if you desire to be used by the King, because it’s in the desert where you’ll hear His Voice like never before, and it’s there where you’ll receive your Marching Orders for this Journey called Life.

I’ve been in the desert, and I came out Victorious AND I always will because He promises me that. I have a Testimony that could make the toughest man cry, but I wouldn’t change a thing about my Journey. It took the desert to Refine me into the Vessel I am today, and my territory just keeps getting bigger and bigger because of it. Be careful what you “wish” for. If you want to be a Vessel used by the King of all kings, it always comes with a “price” to Prepare. There are no words for my Gratitude for a God who loves me enough to take me to the desert so that I can have the privilege of doing Kingdom work on this side of Heaven until I draw my last breath.

How about you?

How Much Will You be GIVING AWAY this year?

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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…

/ www.LivingLarger.life

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?

/ www.LivingLarger.life

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?