Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cold and breezy outside this morning, and when I stepped onto the front porch to see what kind of day God made, I could have heard a pin drop. I like to see for myself what’s in store for the new day and I don’t pay much attention to man-made predictions even if they’re made using man-made technology and I’m not one to panic over what is predicted by man because I place my Faith in the one who Created the moon and the stars. Some people will be anxiously awaiting a “word” from a groundhog today about the timing of Spring as if that creature can predict the weather. It’s amazing how the human heart can’t seem to bear to “wait and see” and it is forever chasing some version of the truth to satisfy its thirst to know. As I sat in the Presence of the Greatest Truth Teller and the only One able to accurately Predict events all the way to Eternity, I thought about how many people lose their way as they long to live in tomorrow before it ever even gets here. Isn’t that the way you see it too?

There’s a lot to be said about modern technology and man’s ability to predict everything from a winter storm to cancer BUT God always has, and always will, have the Final Say over it all. The same God who calmed the storm with the sound of His voice can do the same thing today no matter what the radars say. The same God who parted the sea to make a way for millions of people to escape can STILL make a way today. The same God who caused the blind to see, the lame to walk, and the dead to rise again, is STILL in the Healing business today no matter what the test results say. No doubt I make people crazy when I hear, but don’t rely on, what modern science has to say. I’m sure I make them shake their heads when I say “Let’s see what God has to say” to whatever they’re relying on as truth. But I’m also pretty sure I make them crazy (in a good way) when they realize I don’t really care what their physician has to say about this ailment or that ailment – I ONLY care about what MY Physician has to say about Faith and His ability to heal anyone at any time. So, you’ll have to excuse me as I put my Faith in Him without hesitation and despite what man has to say. This is the Key to BELIEF!

The Bible is the best-selling Book of all time and it is packed full of 4,000 years of Truth about what has been and what will be. The Messiah is mentioned in all 66 books of the Bible and His birth was prophesied hundreds of years before He was ever born. We know when and where He was born. We know how many years He lived. We know He was crucified and rose again on the 3rd day and we know He’s coming back. The “problem” is that we don’t know when. Jesus said, “Nobody knows the day or the hour when all these things will happen. Only God the Father knows when they will happen. The angels who are in heaven do not know. Even the Son (Jesus) does not know and that’s the part that makes people crazy. Some come up with all kinds of Biblical “theories” using numbers and stars to predict His coming but they aren’t any more able to do that than the groundhog can predict the Spring. Some people don’t worry about the “when” part and they live as if they have forever, while others throw out the entire Bible and call it nonsense because the day and hour of the Biggest Appearance of all times have not been made known to man. from where I’m sitting, it doesn’t really matter WHEN He comes…He’s coming in God’s Time no matter what predictions man makes. The only thing we should concern ourselves with is whether (or not) WE ARE READY for His Return…whenever that is.

I don’t care much about what man says about the future, I only care what God says about it. “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” so I don’t need a groundhog, a scientist, or some sort of psychic to tell me when the King is coming back…I’m sure of what I hope for and certain of what I do not see. Since I don’t know if He’ll return in the next hour OR a thousand years from now, I LIVE and LOVE (and repent) as if it’s today. I don’t “wish I knew” any more than He wants me to Know, and what He wants me to Know is so beautiful that it defies words. I know He’s already “prepared” a place for me even though I’m not sure when I’ll move there. I know that I’ll never shed another tear and I’ll suffer no more pain when I get there. I know my loved ones will be there with me too – at least the ones who Know Him as I do will be and that’s why I work hard to share the Truth. I know I’ll get a new body that will never be sick and die. And the best part is that I KNOW Jesus will be there waiting for me and He’s going to welcome me Home Personally! When I know this much with absolute certainty, why in the world would I concern myself with knowing the day or the hour or anything in between that man predicts? Besides, because I DON’T know for sure when He’s coming for me, it keeps me on my toes Preparing for the King every day!

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I hit the ground this morning with a heavy Heart for no good reason at all, so my time with the Living God this morning was Therapeutic more than anything else. He’s the best Heart Specialist of all and He can lift a heavy Heart in a heartbeat when I surrender it to Him. With just a little time spent at the foot of the Cross and a long talk with the One Who died for me, and my Heart overflows with Love and Compassion all over again and I’m excited about this new day. Throw in a good cup of coffee and a view to die for as the sun rises for the first time on this first day of a new month, and I am MORE than good to go. He is my Rest, my Shield, my Comforter, my Rock, my Hope, and the Love of my life. He is the ONLY way to turn when I have a “Heart problem”! Isn’t that the way you see it too?

Sometimes it makes no sense at all to the mind why the Heart gets heavy but you can be sure the Enemy is behind it all. He comes to rob, kill, and destroy and he works 24/7 to devour whoever and whatever he can. Sometimes we wake up with a heavy Heart that was been “worked on” while we slept, and sometimes a heavy Heart creeps in as we go about our day when we allow our Focus to shift from God Almighty to ourselves…and it takes over before you even realize it. A “Heart problem” can rock the boat in every area of Life, so it’s not something to ignore when it shows up. It’s as if we’re suddenly blinded to all the Beauty around us and we forget to count our Blessings, and before we know it…we’re feeling blue. But the Beauty and the Blessings never disappear AND it always comes down to a “Heart problem” when we fail to look for them. Sometimes it’s so easy to turn to other people and blame them for why we’ve lost our Joy, or we blame our circumstances for our downcast Hearts. BUT NO ONE AND NOTHING HAS THE POWER TO ROB US OF OUR JOY. That’s something we willingly surrender instead…when we focus MORE on ourselves than we do on God Almighty. Sometimes we even wish life away and hope for a “new day” as if time is the culprit and as if in time our feelings will change. But the new day WILL BE just like the old day if we don’t address the “Heart problem” with the only Heart Healer ever known to mankind.

I’ve addressed the “Heart problem” that showed up at my door this morning like an unwelcome thief looking to rob, kill, and destroy, and my Heart Specialist set me on my road to recovery all over again. Just like any other heart specialist, I had to take the time and make the effort to GO TO Him for Therapy. My Heart Specialist is always with me and He always looks out for me, but He doesn’t do “house calls”. Instead, He looks for ME TO TURN to Him and He looks for me to DESIRE to be in unison with His will for my Life, and when I do, I get a good dose of Spiritual Medicine, and Healing kicks in. And before I can say “Amen” my heart is 100% all over again.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. When I met with the Living God on this last day of January, I confessed to Him that I was already weary of the Winter and that I was already longing for Spring. I confessed to Him that sometimes my Soul is downcast over something as trivial as the weather. I whined a little about needing to see the beauty of His Creation in living color…the brown replaced with green, and the cold replaced with warmth. And right in the middle of my whine session before a Mighty God – when He had every right to take me to the Spiritual Woodshed of the ungrateful – He spun the most beautiful Reminder to me instead and He taught me a Lesson like only a Father can. At this very second there are countless miracles and endless details taking place in the “background” to prepare for all those things I’m longing for…every single detail of my Life (and the world around me) is already in place by His Hand and my Future is already Written even though I can’t see or feel it yet. Now THAT’S something to celebrate on a gloomy-looking winter day!

It can be so easy to want to rush things along sometimes and it’s even easier to whine about things that we have absolutely no control over if we’re not careful. But the same God who plants the seed of life in a frozen ground to prepare it to sprout in the Spring is the God who already has all of the Details of my life Planned out too! The same God who plants the seed of Life in the womb of a woman is the same God who already knows all of the Details of that new life AND He knows the final Destiny even before we know to take a pregnancy test. Life doesn’t exist by accident and it doesn’t thrive by fate. Whether that life is a tree, a bug, or a precious child…the Living God Created it ALL and He makes no mistakes. Every single intricate Detail of everything in our world was Designed, and will be forever Managed, by the Hand of a Mighty God. What does the God of Wonder think of His children when we find something OR someone to whine about while surrounded by the Majesty of the One who scattered the stars in the sky and Knows them each by name? “What is man that You are mindful of him?” It’s only when we dig below the surface of our selfishness that we learn to die to ourselves and exchange whining for Celebrating a Future we can’t even see yet. This is the Key to Faith.

As surely as I know that Spring will come again soon, I know the Plans He has for me too, even though I can’t see all the Details unfolded yet. I am confident that the daffodils will sprout from the ground one day soon, and I’m confident that I’ll be sitting in the sun in no time at all. I know the trees will bud when the leaves are ready to fill the branches, and I know I’ll see the offspring of nature all around the farm in just a matter of weeks. I am Confident that He knew Precisely when I would be born into this world, and He knows precisely when I’ll leave it. He already knew that I would Love Him and that I’d be a Willing Servant through this Journey of Faith…AND He knew how to Mold me into His Vessel to be used for Eternal things. He already Knows each time I’ll falter and every time I’ve failed, and He already Knows I’ll shout out my Victory Story for all the world to hear after He sees me through the Trial. Every single Detail of my Life is already in the Works. So, how can I NOT Celebrate what God has in store for me even though I can’t see or feel it yet?

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I’ve been feeling a little like I’m wandering around in the desert lately for some reason, so I approached the Throne of a Mighty God and searched for the reasons why. Sometimes when we’re “in the desert” it comes from our own doing, but sometimes God “steps back” a little and He leaves us there for Reasons of His own too. Either way, I don’t like it in the desert and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get out. The first thing on the list is to search my own Heart to be sure it’s in Good Condition, and if I find anything there that needs to be confessed…I’ll confess it! If I don’t find anything in my Heart on my own, I’ll ask Him to reveal it to me. After I’ve done my part, I wait for God to do His…He won’t stop at just seeing me through the desert…He’ll reveal the reason for it too…IF I examine my Heart, confess my wrongs, and then Trust that He has a Plan. Isn’t that the way you cope with the desert too?

It can be so easy to run to God with every question (and demand answers when we do) – but God doesn’t need to explain Himself, and no matter how hard we try we’ll NEVER understand His ways completely. The Lord declares “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways” so it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to try to figure out what He’s up to! We never need to worry about His Part…His Part will always be Perfect. What we really need to worry about is OUR part…and for most people that’s the hardest part of all. Time in the desert isn’t always self-inflicted, but most of the time it is. Usually, there is something hidden away in the Heart that needs to be Refined, and nothing works (for me) like being in the desert to get my attention. So, when I find myself in the desert, I don’t panic. I don’t demand answers and I don’t point fingers. Instead, I take care of my part to be sure I’m not the reason for being in the desert….and then I patiently wait for my Marching Orders to find my way out. It’s lonely in the desert…I don’t like it there. But there’s one thing that helps me endure – I know for sure that what’s on the other side of the desert is something so beautiful that I could NEVER have come up with on my own. This is the Key to Growing the way God wants to Grow us sometimes.

I can see why so many people are inclined to demand that God explain Himself when things are quiet because that’s the way most people live. When someone goes quiet in our world, we begin demanding answers. We want to know what’s wrong with them. We want to know what their problem is for being in the desert and we let them know we don’t like it and that it’s time to come out. But how many people pause to examine their OWN heart and their OWN behavior that just might be the cause for the desert BEFORE they attack the quiet one for being there. The first step in any relationship is to examine your own heart before you start in on somebody else’s. Once you are at peace that your own heart, intentions, and attitude are in order and you are CERTAIN you have nothing to ask forgiveness for yourself, THEN it’s time to turn to them. But since most people don’t like being in the desert any more than I do, they demand answers from God and everybody else INSTEAD of turning within. It doesn’t take a “doormat” to look within first….it takes a Warrior to do that… and it’s not a job for wussies. But when we’re willing to look within to be SURE that the Heart is in order BEFORE we turn to God or anybody else, there is something so beautiful on the other side that we never could have come up with on our own. This is the Key to Maturity…in and out of our Faith.

I’ve done my Part to work my way out of the desert and I found a few things that I needed to reconcile with God….that’s what Humility looks like – the kind of Humility that grows our Faith and Refines our Character. I don’t like it in the desert but I am absolutely certain that what I see on the other side will be so Beautiful that my time in the desert will have been well worth it. He has a Plan…He’s Refining me with a little Fire…and I’m Trusting Him with me.

How about you?

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts”

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I met with the Author and Perfecter of my Faith the first thing this morning and I waited with anticipation for Him to speak to my Heart. I’m grateful for another day of Life and I can’t wait to get on with it to see what the Lord has for me today. It’s a beautiful thing to live with Great Anticipation for what God has in store, and it’s that anticipation that creates a sense of excitement for each day. No matter what’s on the horizon for this new day, it all begins with a Heart that’s been Prepared for the Journey and a Belief that I exist solely for His Purpose. When you have a Life you KNOW has been touched by the Master’s Hand, anticipation is a natural part of the Journey. Isn’t that the way you see each new day too?

It can be so easy to get excited while we anticipate events that take place in everyday life…that’s just one of the pleasures of living. We get excited about love. We get excited about a new baby. We get excited about the holidays. We get excited about a new job or an upcoming vacation. We get excited to spend time with our loved ones. There’s no end to the things that excite us in the Journey called Life and no way of measuring our anticipation for each one as the time draws near. Anticipation for those good things on the horizon can swing the mood of a new day from ordinary to extraordinary faster than you can say “amen” and that’s a beautiful feeling. It’s one thing to be excited and filled with anticipation for things you’re SURE will take place soon…it’s an entirely different story to be filled with Excitement and Anticipation for a new day filled with the Unknown. It’s only when we wrap our Hearts around the Truth and we accept our Unique Purpose in this Life that we are filled with anticipation about what the new day will bring according to His Plans…and we’re excited about how we’ll be called upon to Serve. This is the Key to Joy in the Journey.

I’m filled with anticipation about the new day and how my Amazing God might call upon me to Serve, that’s for sure. But what excites me more than anything…the one thing I anticipate more than everything else is the Day the King comes Calling for me. He’s already told me in Black & White what I can expect my Future to be like and I know it’s only a matter of time before I’ll be there with Him forever. He’s already told me in Black & White how I am to spend my Time…and how I’m supposed to Live and Love…and how I’m supposed to Share the Truth with everybody I can so that they can anticipate their Future too. It troubles my soul, but I can see why so few people of Faith share the Details with the dark world. After all, if THEY aren’t excited…if they aren’t filled with Great Anticipation why would they bother to share with anybody else? This new day excites me, but the New Day overwhelms me with Joy, and I anticipate the Time when I will be with the One who died for me more than anything else on the planet. This is the Key to the Excitement it takes to accept the Great Commission.

I have no idea what this new day will bring but I know I’ve been Readied for the Journey. I won’t overlook a broken soul or someone walking around in the dark. I won’t miss an opportunity to do “for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine” because I know what I do for them I’m doing for Him. I’ll be sure to Reconcile any wrongs in my life so that I can be forgiven AND so that I can be a better Testimony of His Grace. Just another day? Not on your life! When you’re a child of the Living God…an Heir to Jesus Christ…Royalty….a Life breathed into existence at the precise moment in time for His Purpose…a Vessel to be used to Complete His Plans…how can I NOT be filled with anticipation for every new day?

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s a new day or a new week and I’m Armed and Ready to do my part for the Journey no matter what I might face along the way today. It isn’t always easy to go “against the flow” and it isn’t always “drama-free” to March to the Tune of my God. But I wasn’t Created to “fit in”, I was Created to stand out! I was born for a Big Purpose and I’m on a Big Mission for an even Bigger God, and I do my best to never lose sight of that fact ESPECIALLY when the going gets tough. When the wind came through the farm over the last few days it blew some things off kilter…from the flags to the rockers…and that simple image served as a sweet Reminder to me of the way I am to live my Life…not fitting in, but standing out! Isn’t that the way you want to Live your Life too?

When you look at my Life, you won’t see a whole lot of “normal” and you won’t find me just rolling with the flow of what everybody else is doing. My Life didn’t start out to be “normal”, the events haven’t been “normal” and it won’t end on a “normal” Note either. I don’t handle it well when I’m told that “this is what everybody is doing” or “this is what normal families do” because there is nothing “normal” about me and I like it that way. I’m not prone to latch on to fads and I don’t buy things just because everybody else does. I March to the Tune of a Big God and it shows in almost every area of my life! My Faith isn’t “normal” and my Prayers aren’t either. I have a Personal Relationship with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and we don’t make “small talk”, we have Meaningful Conversations! My Convictions aren’t “normal” and the way I defend the Truth isn’t either. The Rules that I follow go against the flow of what the world likes to believe, and when I speak up with Truth the reaction I get isn’t “normal” either. My parenting wasn’t “normal” as I set out to raise a Godly generation… not just well-rounded, well-educated, well-dressed, and well-mannered kids. When it was time for a Life lesson as they grew older, I dealt with my kids as their Sister in Christ, and not just as their Mom…there’s surely nothing “normal” about that! My heart isn’t “normal” and the Love I feel isn’t either, because my Heart has been Tenderized by the King and He used pain to mold me into a Willing Servant. Just like that those things blown off kilter from all the rest, I’m a little off kilter from what the world considers to be “normal” and I don’t roll with the flow. The fact that I refuse to be “normal” is not a sign of rebellion…it’s an outward Sign of a Life that has Purpose! That’s what it Looks like when we understand Who Created us and Why. We were created for Greatness and we’re intended to Stand Out…a little off-kilter from the rest of the world.

There are more “normal” people of Faith than the world could possibly count. People who care more about fitting in than Standing up and people who would do anything to avoid being noticed. “Comfort” is the only zone they’re interested in. They’ve convinced themselves that to be a “good Christian” means that we live out our lives peacefully…that we mind our own business…we don’t get involved…and we stay home and pray…as if that’s ever been (or will ever be) okay with the Living God. Nobody was Created to be a stay-at-home Silent Partner…but it takes a determination to NOT fit in with the crowd to get out and do something Bold in His Name. My Life has been set aside by my God and I was Created for His Purpose – I know it AND I Live like it! I am happy not being “normal” and I’m overjoyed to stand out from the crowd. As a child of the Living God my Life ISN’T “normal. After all, I’m an Ambassador for Jesus Christ and there is absolutely NOTHING “normal about Him. He died for me – the least I can do for the most “abnormal” of all Creation is to Live for Him.

I’m Royalty. I’m here for His Purpose and I’m on a very Big Mission. I won’t be “normal” for as long as I live and if you’re looking for me on any given day, you’ll find me a little off-kilter from all the rest.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The snow stopped falling last night and now gusts of wind are blowing it in every direction over the farm. As I sat in silence before the Throne of my Mighty God, the wind was howling and I was overwhelmed with gratitude to be warm and safe inside on this cold January morning. God used this bitter cold morning to Remind me of all those people not so fortunate and I wept as I considered their pain. Then He walked me down Memory Lane as a Reminder to me of the ones I’ve taken in from the cold over the years. Some needed a warm place to rest, but most of them just needed a Warm Heart, a warm hug… and maybe a warm meal and a warm cup of coffee. I thank God for Tenderizing my Heart and for Teaching me how to mirror His Compassion so that I can Love like He does…or at least about as good as any human can. It took a tremendous amount of pain to get me where I am, but it was all worth it because I learned how to open my Heart, my Life, and my Home to Share with those who just needed a little Warmth for a season… and I won’t be stopping on this side of Heaven. Isn’t that the way you share with the world too?

One of my friends used to tease me about people getting “stuck” with me while she jokes about me “doing something” to them to make them open up to me within minutes of our meeting. It’s all in good humor of course, but she admits that she’s in awe of how “people will tell you anything”. I’m not sure about people telling me “anything” but I am sure about a few things. Paul said “To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some” – so when I meet people where they are instead of trying to pull them into where I am, they melt. I am sure that when I look at them with all their flaws the way Christ looks at me and mine, they melt, and before I know it, total strangers begin to unravel their imperfect lives for me to see within minutes of our meeting….and more often than not they’ll end with “I can’t believe I shared that” of “I’ve never told anybody that before.” There’s nothing special about me that causes that to happen, BUT it is something that most people never experience. Some won’t because they wouldn’t want to be bothered with people coming to them for Warmth and others won’t because they haven’t found the Compassion part of their Faith yet…they still have some breaking to do. When people are eye-to-eye with a Compassionate soul, they feel it. When they are in the presence of Genuine Love they know it. When they are in a Safe Zone that doesn’t judge or gossip they sense it, and they can feel the Warmth as surely as I can feel the warmth of a fire on this bitter January morning. I don’t know what the conversations were like for Jesus, but I can’t help but believe they were a lot like mine. When people are inclined to open their hearts and show us their pain, THAT’S when we begin to Write the Right Prescription for a pain-free Eternity! Once we find their need…we KNOW we can fill it with Jesus Christ!

Getting people to open up comes at a cost that most people aren’t willing to pay. To get people to “be real” with you, you have to step down from your royal throne and “be real” with them. You have to be willing to be open about your Life, your sins, your trials, and your pain. If you can’t share what Christ has done for you and how far you’ve come in His Name, why would they believe they need Christ? Pride stops most people from sharing their own testimony…if you aren’t “real” then why would they want to be? Next, you have to exercise self-discipline and patience as they reveal what’s going on in life in their own way. No rushing, no interrupting, and NO judging! Lastly, you have to MAKE the time. In fact, you have to give them the impression that you have all of the time in the world and that there is absolutely nothing more important to you at that very moment than they are. If you ever get “stuck” with me, this is what you’ll feel…and THAT’S the secret to having the most amazing “real” relationships.

It may be bitter cold today at the farm, but it will never be cold in my Heart so people will always be inclined to “open up” to me. The way I see it is if the King of kings can Love me with all my flaws, wrongs, and all the shame of my past, then certainly I can Love other people the same way! I want to be like Paul – willing to do whatever I need to do, to “become” whatever I need to become to win some for Christ! If you ever get “stuck” with me you’ll know that I Care..you’ll feel the Love…you’ll recognize the Warmth of my Tenderized Heart…and before you know it, you’ll be having the most amazing Conversation you’ve ever had! You won’t have to ask me if I’m a Christian…you’ll know it by my Heart.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s snowing again and the world is quiet around me as the snow absorbs the sound and the wildlife takes its cover. Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall – all is well with my family, this farm, and the world around me because El-Shaddai (God Almighty) protects it 24 hours a day. The Bible says, “No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength” so I rarely attempt to fight battles on my own anymore. Instead, I put my Trust in the One Who “scattered the stars in the sky and knows them each by name” and I “work out my Salvation with fear and trembling”. It’s no small thing to call out to El-Shaddai for help and it’s no small thing when He answers. As I sat in His Presence this morning I was overwhelmed by His Might. The One Who opened up the heavens for the snow to fall on the farm LOVES me and He has my Life in the palm of His Hand. I feel His Love and Protection every day and I’m forever grateful for Him. But when I pause to consider His Might – and I understand the outcome of any situation isn’t in my hands at all – it’s an indescribable feeling. When I pause to consider the Power of the Living God it doesn’t make me feel small in comparison to Him…instead, it reminds me of how much Power is at my fingertips ALL because of El-Shaddai. Isn’t that the way you look at the Journey too?

It can be so easy for people of Faith to lose sight of what it means to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” and they overlook the Power of a Mighty God when they take matters into their own hands more than they place the matters in His. But our Power doesn’t come by our own actions, and no matter how resourceful we think we are we’re never the one to “fix” whatever it is that’s wrong. It’s always the amazing El-Shaddai at work even for the most “trivial” things. There are plenty of horrific things going on all around the world these days, and it would be easy to get caught up in them, but El-Shaddai sees it all…cares about it all…is with us through it all…and He’s got it all in the palm of His Hand. There’s a tremendous sense of Peace and Power that comes just by knowing that El-Shaddai is ALWAYS there and ALWAYS listening. The best part is that He doesn’t need social media to speak to His people and nobody can twist His arm or thwart His Plans. There is Power in His Name.

The Bible says, “You believe that there is one God? Good! Even the demons believe that and shudder.” Even the most evil shudder at the mention of His Name and yet we hear His name mentioned more in vain than we do in Praise. So many people have bought into the “God is love” concept but they refuse to Believe that God is to be feared too even though the Bible says “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Believing He exists is one thing – Living as you Believe is an entirely different story. When you Believe, you Surrender, and you understand the Power that is within you because of Him. You find Peace in Knowing that “No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.” When you get out of your own way and Surrender to El-Shaddai instead, you call upon His Name for everything. When you Surrender, you fearlessly mention His name and you’re excited to share Who He is. When you Surrender it’s easy NOT to become overwhelmed because you see His Hand in everything and it’s overwhelming to know that El-Shaddai…the God of all…the Prince of Peace…the Great “I am”… is there with you through it all. When you Surrender, the tears of Joy flow freely at the mere thought that El-Shaddai will never leave you nor forsake you. When you Surrender, you KNOW there is Power within you – all you ever need to do is tap into it. There is Power in His Name.

I spent Quality Time with a Mighty God this morning as the snow was falling to the ground and I gave thanks for His Power and Might. The more I considered how “big” He is, the Stronger I felt. ALL things are possible through Him and I know He doesn’t grow tired of me asking for the “impossible” and Believing those things will come to pass…all because of El-Shaddai – my Mighty God…the omnipresent and omnipotent God of my Life that sees it all…cares about it all…is with me through it all…and the great I AM has it ALL in the palm of His Hand. “No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength”

How about you?

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

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

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

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

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

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. God opened up the storehouse in the heavens and blanketed the farm with snow overnight and its beauty leaves me lost for words. If there’s one thing that will slow things down and pause the hustle and bustle of life for a few minutes, it’s a good snowfall in Virginia. Looking out at the beauty of the snow and hearing about all the closings today made me think about the importance of pushing the pause button each day for the Living God. Along with this snow comes the bitter cold too and just stepping out onto the front porch to take in a breath of fresh air was almost too painful even for me. Though stepping onto the front porch was cold and painful, stepping into the Presence of a Mighty God never is. That’s not to say that I never weep and ask for forgiveness or that I’m never ashamed of my Heart – it means that whenever I face Him, in this life or the Next One, in His Presence there is ONLY Good. He IS Mercy, Hope, Joy, Peace, Forgiveness, Compassion, Healing, and Love – all the things you can’t grow to appreciate UNLESS you’re willing to push the pause button to be in His Presence each day. Isn’t it just like our God to use a snowfall in Virginia to speak to my Heart today?

It can be so easy for some people to whine and complain as they distort the Image of God and His Infinite Wisdom, but they miss out on the meaning of Grace and Mercy when they do. Only God knows when He’ll open the storehouse in heaven to bring the snow, and only God knows when it will end. Only God Knows when we’ll “dig” ourselves out and God already Knows if the Journey will be easy or not. Only God gives and takes away. I wonder how many people will complain about how long it’s taking the snow plows to show up as if they are the ONLY ones in need or how many will begin to get antsy as if their food supply will run out before they get out. God says that “the righteous will never go hungry” which means that He already Knows our needs and if we Trust Him, He will fulfill them. In the same way some will begin to complain about the snow the minute the last snowflake falls to the ground, some people look at the Journey of Life with eyes looking for the worst and fine-tuned with fear. Some people live their entire lives complaining about how God has let them down and they’re robbed of the Joy of Faith because of it. They don’t see the beauty in the “snow” and gratitude isn’t a part of their DNA. Knowing that God “hasn’t given us a spirit of fear” means that when we’re feeling fearful it’s time to run back to the One who brings the snow for our Warmth and Peace. It’s time to pause.

Everybody succumbs to fear every once in a while Don’t get me wrong, I fear Him too, but I know that if a little pain comes my way He isn’t trying to crush me, He’s trying to GROW me and I know it’s time to pause for the Lesson. When you look at it that way, there’s no reason to fear pain at all! If He finds that I need a little “discipline” here and there that’s okay, because I know that the Lord “Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” If I go through a Season of suffering, I’ll endure it with the right Heart, because His Word says “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” As long as He keeps making me “strong, firm, and steadfast” then I know He’ll continue to use me, so I don’t fear the pain of the snowy Season. I’ve learned to Hold onto Him and Grow through it instead. He is the “Beginning and the End”…the One who “knit me” together in my mother’s womb…the One who “knows every hair” on my head…the One who died for me…the One who has Plans for me…the One who knew me before the foundations of the earth…the One who says “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, YOU ARE MINE.” Why would I live in fear of pain from the One who knows my name and CHOSE me to be one of His own?

I began this day with a cold breath of air but I warmed up my Life just by spending Time in the Presence of my God. The world might be a scary place, but I’m not afraid. I might feel a little “pain” here and there, but I’m growing Stronger every day because I Cling to the King, and with Him, there is nothing but Good and never a reason to fear BUT it all begins with a willing pause – being in that place where the one Who opens the storehouse of Heaven in His own time.

How about you?