Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cold and beautiful on this January morning and I couldn’t get in the presence of God fast enough to let His Word nourish my soul. We’ve been praying for rain in Virginia and God gave us an abundance a few days ago. When I look at the pond that has been restored to its “normal” state by the rain, I think about my Life. When I look at the fields still overflowing with water, I think about my Life and how when my “levels” are low all I have to do is seek His face and I’m filled up all over again too. When I look at the geese and how they are drawn to the fields for their nourishment, I think about my Life and how Jesus is the source of my Nourishment before and after the “storms.” Isn’t it just like our Mighty God to use a heavy rain over a simple farm in Virginia to speak to my Heart this morning?

It isn’t always easy to carry the Torch for Jesus Christ in a dark world. Naturally, those of us who boldly Proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ expect to be rejected because most people don’t want to hear the Truth and because they’re threatened when their darkness can’t exist in the Light. It doesn’t feel good to be Rejected for attempting to share the most wonderful Gift of all, but it’s not surprising because the Bible tells us what to expect as followers of Jesus – “they will hate you because of me”. But no matter how many times we’re “rejected” by one of our own, we’re as shocked and as hurt as we were the very first time it ever happened. Christian meanness is the worst kind of meanness and it’s no wonder the Bible reminds us over and over to be kind and loving toward one another – something that should come naturally for the family of God…but it doesn’t. When Jesus stood before Peter, He knew where the source of the “meanness” was coming from and He dealt with “it” head-on when He said, “GET BEHIND ME SATAN!” When we encounter meanness from one of our brothers or sisters, the only way to endure is to remember that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood” and that Satan is on temporary assignment through them to cause dissension. This is the key to Peace no matter how we’re treated in this Life.

It’s no wonder so many people have a problem with Christians when they see how we (sometimes) treat one another and how quickly we turn on them when we see their sin. I recently read about Billy Graham’s response to a question about the sin of Brother Jimmy Swaggart who was publically exposed for his sin – “If it happened to Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart it could happen to me. This holy man of God won thousands of souls for Christ. He is already wounded; let us not finish him, let us heal and lift our soldier”. Billy Graham portrayed a Christlike love to many fallen Soldiers over the years. Jim Bakker (televangelist) was arrested in 1988 on fraud charges and was convicted in federal court in Charlotte, NC. Bakker recalled the time Rev. Graham visited him in prison unannounced. “Probably my lowest moment of that day and I was cleaning toilets,” Bakker said. “He threw his arms around me and said ‘Jim, I love you.” At a time when countless Christians were (practically) screaming “Crucify him!” Billy Graham saw them through the eyes of Christ instead. I want to be like Billy Graham – a genuine Reflection of Jesus.

I work as hard as I can to share Jesus Christ with the world and I’m Unstoppable because I care only about what He thinks of me – not what the world thinks of me. I’ll keep turning the other cheek (instead of debating the Truth) because that’s what Christ tells me to do. I’ll turn the other cheek a thousand times if that’s what it takes and I’ll love my brothers and sisters ESPECIALLY when they sin because I’m called to spur them on in the Journey of Faith and because that’s what Jesus does for me. He died for me. He has already forgiven every sin. He has prepared a place for me. He’s my Hope and my Future. So, if I have to take a few hits here and there…if I have to be shunned because I’m a woman feeding sheep when others believe Christ can’t use me…if I turn black and blue from the hits I take for my Faith…it’s all worth it to me. I’ve already died to myself and, as the Apostle Paul said, “If God be for us, who can be against us”. Amen?

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 this morning 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?

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 us “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 either don’t really know Jesus, they don’t know the Truth OR they refuse to accept it. No matter the reason, it’s a problem much bigger than they Understand…and that’s where I come in.

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 face of all the madness. I know 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.” In the name of Jesus Christ, I have the power to send the dark forces right back to Hell where they belong – why would I live in fear? 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 instead of shedding Hope, Light, and Love in the lost world? This IS the Great Commission.

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 this Journey called Life.

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cold and rainy and we’ve been told to prepare for high winds and flooding today. After a season of serious drought and lots of prayers for rain, I’m giving thanks for every drop that falls to the ground and I choose to Trust the Living God with all the rest of the details. After all, if I ran for cover every time the weather channel told me I should, I would be living in fear most of the time. Instead, I put my Trust in the One who brings the wind and rain and I find my Peace no matter what the outward circumstances look like. I have the blessing of a warm home and a hot cup of coffee, and I have a God that warms my Soul every time I seek His face. Fear is the only thing it takes for any of us to surrender to our circumstances BUT fear and Trust can’t coexist. So, to be sure that I’m Trusting Him in all things and through all things I spend my time seeking His face while I tune out the noise of the world. Isn’t that the way you look at your Journey of Faith too?

Life is like a rubber band. We can stretch it out almost to the breaking point as we attempt to grow past our circumstances, but as surely as the rubber band is inclined to retreat back to where it was before it was stretched, so are we inclined to go back to the very place we’re trying to grow out of. That’s because we have an enemy who LOVES to see us fly and fail over and over again. It’s only when we lose our grip that the rubber band retreats and it’s only when we continue to stretch it that we eventually break through. Whether it’s fear, depression, laziness, or discouragement, it’s easy to retreat back into any of these UNLESS we’re willing to KEEP STRETCHING…even when it hurts and even IF it takes a million attempts. The Apostle Paul, said, ” I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do”. If retreating back into old ways was a problem for one of the Greatest Saints who ever lived, it’s no surprise that it would be a problem for you and me too. It doesn’t matter how many times we (re)stretch the rubber band that matters. What matters is that we keep stretching and stretching while refusing to retreat back. And if we do that over and over and over again, we eventually break through and the rubber band can no longer retreat. It would be easy to throw in the towel and proclaim “That’s just the way I am” or to give credit to genes by saying “It runs in my family”, but retreating back to old ways is an ongoing battle for ALL of us, and we each make the choice whether to surrender to our weaknesses (aka to the Devil) or to keep stretching until we eventually break through the barriers. This is the key to Victory.

When I’m inclined to retreat back to where I came from, I’m certain of a few things. I know it’s time to regroup and stretch a little harder. I know that if the Apostle Paul struggled with the same thing and eventually reached Victory, there’s Hope for me too. I know that He’s “my glory and the lifter of my head” and through Him, I have the Power to change anything and everything. I know that when I’m inclined to retreat back, I’m on the brink of Great Things and the temptation to retreat doesn’t come from a Good Place at all. The Bible says that Isaac died “old and full of years” and I can’t think of a better way to live and die. FULL of all the sweetness God has to offer. FULL of wisdom that only comes through the trials. FULL of gratitude for Who He is and what He’s done for me. FULL of compassion for the lost ones. I’ve grown past the rubber band syndrome and NOW I’m a usable Vessel for the Living God. I won’t be retreating back into my “old ways” because I’m FULL the Spirit of God and I know how to Rebuke my adversary before I lose my footing. I’m doing my part to Stretch and I’m leaning on the One who gives me Strength day after day. After all, the world makes a whole lot of noise but it can’t bite.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. God nudged me awake long before the sun came up and we had a long talk about Life. My Heart couldn’t wait for the lights to finally come on so I could see with my eyes that my world was the same today as it was yesterday. Sometimes it’s hard to accept that He is a God who “gives and takes away” but He is. Sometimes it’s hard to see that He is a God of Mercy but He is. Sometimes it’s hard to remember that He is a God of Law and Order when it looks like the world has fallen apart but He is. As I turned to Him for Peace and Direction for such a time as this, He reminded me that He is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore no matter how I perceive what’s going on around me, and He reinforced my Marching Orders all over again – to share His Goodness with a world that needs Him more than ever before – and before you know it, my heavy Heart was filled with Peace and Hope all over again. Isn’t that the way it is for you too?

One of my favorite parts of the Bible comes from Job 38 where God paints a picture of His Majesty and Might to a man who had everything taken from Him, from his kids to his wealth and health. The God of All Creation considered Job to be “the most righteous man” on the planet and yet He allowed calamity to come to him…calamity like you and I would never want to know. Through the calamity Job never stopped praising God but He sure got himself into trouble when “the most righteous man” presumed to know the Mind and Plans of God…and he wasn’t afraid to say so. When God set him straight with the most beautiful “Where were you?” speech, Job was so ashamed of his arrogant heart (a heart that presumed to know what God was up to) that he cursed the day he was born. With humility like that, it’s no wonder God saw Job as the most righteous man on the planet! I wonder how many of us can say that we don’t presume to know the plans of the God who “gives and takes away?”

When I consider the “Where Were You” speech this morning, I couldn’t help but wonder what that speech would look like for America today. Would God say “Where were you” when laws were passed that allow us to rip an unborn child…a Life He Created for Purpose…from the womb of its mother…70 million times? Would God say “Where were you” when laws were passed to disgrace what He intended to be between a man and a woman?” Would God say “Where were you” when we created new genders of our own and we chose to accept perversion as the “norm?” Would God say “Where were you” when we allowed prayer to be removed from our schools to avoid offending non-believers – the beginning of robbing our children of truth?” Would God say “Where were you” when His commandments were removed from the walls of our most public places for all the world to see?” I don’t want to presume to know the mind of God either…but could it be that God has had enough with our “one nation under God” or that all our efforts to “stand up” are too little too late in His eyes?

This world needs Jesus now more than ever before and I’ll be one to be sure they hear the Truth. Not the “truth” that comes from some secret source or the “truth” that comes from an “uncensored” news channel…but the TRUTH that comes from the Word of God – the TRUTH about the God of ALL Creation – the TRUTH about the future that’s possible for all who Believe – the TRUTH about the God who gives and takes away – the TRUTH about the One who died for all. Lots of things are changing in our world, almost faster than we can comprehend…but God NEVER changes and He’s the way to Hope and Peace forevermore. Just thinking about my Future with Him fills me with Excitement and my Job Description is clearer than ever before no matter what God decides to take away for such a time as this.

How about you?

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 Life 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 make Earth look like a playground. 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 to be Willing to Serve the King of Kings is 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 in the world.

Will you be SERVING Him this year?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cold outside this morning and venturing out to snap a photo was as much pain as I’m willing to endure until I bundle up. I was outside long enough to capture this image though, and it took my breath away. The sun was rising in the east, and reflecting in the west before I could even see the sun itself. Just the color FROM the sun added beauty to the dark world and it didn’t even take much light to add Warmth. As I met with the Living God in the warmth of my home, I began to weep for those so much less fortunate than I am… those left out in the cold in more ways than one. It’s one thing to be cold and hungry – it’s an entirely different story to be Lost. Sometimes when I close my eyes, I can see cold people, lost people, sick people, and poor people all around, and the image overwhelms me. Except for the honor of praying for them and doing my small part to attempt to change their lives…I’m powerless. But I know Who brings the warmth. I Know the Miracle Maker and I know the Provider very well, and I know that He has a Plan through it all…even when I don’t understand it and even when it hurts. Isn’t that the way you see it too?

It could be so easy to ignore the pain in the world or to consider it somebody else’s problem if not for having a Christ-like heart. It would be so easy to convince ourselves that we’re Reflecting Light from the Son just by our mere existence and that there is no need to take action at all. But the Bible says, “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us” so apparently it’s a big deal to a Big God who Commands us to “not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”. When we strive to have a Heart like Christ, we begin to Experience genuine Compassion, and we no longer have just fleeting moments of feeling sorry for people, we hurt for them instead and before you know it, the beautiful Warmth of our Faith shines over their lives like the sun on the trees this morning.

I’m heading into this cold new year with more blessings than any human deserves. I understand where I’ve been and how far I’ve come. I understand that God used my own pain and poverty to tenderize my heart, and I understand that “there is no good thing in me apart from Him.” I am a child of the King and I’m humbled to be found worthy to do a little Work in His Name.

I have a place Reserved for me in Heaven when I leave this temporary home and I’ll have an Everlasting Life with my loved ones who were born-again Believers too. I have a family that is so close and so filled with love that it defies logic, AND they’re all healthy and strong. I have a Purpose that was Divinely Designed just for me and I understand what I need to do to Fulfill it.

I have a warm home and a warmer Heart and every day I strive to have a Heart like Christ. I want people to look at my Life and see the Warmth of the Son Reflecting over me as surely as I see it on the trees this morning. I want the kind of Heart that hurts over the pain of another, and the kind that wants to do something about it if I can. The kind that NEVER overlooks the honor it is to be able to stand before the Throne of a Mighty God on behalf of someone else…the kind of Heart that knows I’m NOT getting what I deserve because Jesus already paid the price for me.

How about you?

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 1 John 3:17

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I stepped outside on this cold January morning to welcome in a new day of this New Year, and to dedicate it all to Him all over again. He is my Hope, my Strength, my Redeemer, and my Friend, and “there is no good thing in me apart from Him.” He deserves the first fruit of my Life …beginning with my Time. I know if I give it all TO Him and if I live my Life FOR Him, the Journey will be beautiful no matter what’s going on in the dark world around me. So, when I stepped onto the porch for the first time this year I thanked Him for the year behind me now, and I thanked Him for what He’ll be doing with me and through me in this New One. Isn’t that the way you step into “a new thing” too?

Plenty of people around the world are saying “good riddance” to the year we left behind…but not me. Oh, it brought some disappointments here and there just like all the years do, and there were all kinds of bizarre changes in a dark world that are not easy to comprehend these days. But last year had a Purpose in the Master Plan just as much as all those “when times were different years” did, and Beauty can be found everywhere if you look with the Right set of eyes and a Grateful Heart. I’ve spent just as much time as the next guy scratching my head in disbelief over what’s going on in the world and how quickly life has changed, but more than any other emotion or reaction to what I see and hear, I’ve watched with Great Anticipation for what God is doing at such a time as this. I don’t have all the answers, but I Serve the God who does, and I’m watching Him connect the dots to what He already had in motion since the very beginning of time. The only thing I need to concern myself with is how I fit into His Plan – and the only thing I can do that has any significance at all is to Live out my Faith “with fear and trembling,” to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with as many people as I can, and to feed the sheep He Orchestrates into my Life.

The world around me has changed, but God sure hasn’t. He never changes His mind and He never leaves His Throne. He’s never taken by surprise like we are and He already knows the rest of the story because the world is in the palm of His hands and He “wrote the book” on how and when the Story ends. He’s “the same yesterday, today, and forevermore.” He never grows tired of hearing our prayers…they’re like “incense in Heaven” to Him… and He stores up every tear we ever shed “in a jar” because He loves us. He sent His “only begotten son” to die for us so that we can live out Eternity with Him in the place He’s already “prepared for us” – at least that’s what the future looks like for those who Believe. God cares about each one and He died for all. But there are still plenty of people out there who don’t know my God – there are plenty of people who THINK they know my God but they don’t- and there are plenty more who have never been told about Jesus at all. And THAT’S where you and I come in…ESPECIALLY at such a time as this.

I’ve been blessed to have been loved BIG by countless people throughout my lifetime, but nobody has ever loved me as much as He does. I’ve loved so big that I thought my heart would burst, but I’ve never loved anybody as much as I love Him. So, the world can keep changing and I’ll keep clinging to the Only One with the Answers while I share Hope with the world around me. You’ll never hear me say “good riddance” to a year full of days to Serve the Creator of All, that’s for sure! I’ll keep Serving every day, year after year…in good years and in not-so-good years….because THAT’S what Love looks like.

Happy New Year, world.

Philippians 3:13-14 But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s rainy and foggy at the farm this morning, and somehow this is the perfect “setting” for time with the Living God after a season of Christmas chaos. It’s time to get back to “business”, so I approached the Throne of the Leader of the Universe this morning and I placed my plans in His Hands as I asked for Strength and Wisdom to complete them. Just like the foggy fields this morning…I can’t always see to the other side but that doesn’t dim my Belief. He has a Plan for me and I exist to Fulfill it – each day is one step closer to what He has for me. The Bible says; “In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path” – it doesn’t say to sit back and wait for the “green light” to Proceed. His Word also says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” – it doesn’t say to do nothing UNTIL you have all the answers. I have hopes – I have dreams – and I have PLANS…and I’ll keep moving toward the Goal all the days of my Life while I acknowledge Him through it all and I Trust Him to direct my path. Isn’t that the way you Prioritize your Life too?

It takes no Faith at all to sit back and do nothing until you some sort of “sign” or the “green light” from God. It should come as no surprise that most of the people waiting on the “green light” never see it in their lifetime at all because they lack the Faith to keep moving when they don’t have all the answers and they can’t see what lies ahead. It’s not surprising that people succumb to fear when they aren’t sure what to do or where to go – but all it takes to overcome fear of the unknown is a Request for Wisdom from a God who promises to give it abundantly…and a Belief that He’s true to His Word. Moses kept moving – David kept moving – Elijah kept moving – along with a host of others – and although God was very specific once in a while as He (re)directed their paths, they kept moving in faith no matter what. They Trusted the Creator of all to give them Supernatural Wisdom and Direction while they kept putting one foot in front of the other toward the Ultimate Goal. This is the most significant difference between the Journey of Faith with Courage and Purpose and the average person who professes to know Jesus Christ.

I’ve got plenty of hopes, dreams, and plans for my life, but nothing compares to the Hopes, Dreams, and Plans set in motion by the Hand of God. He’s front and center in everything I do; nothing is as important to me as He is. I already know the General Direction He wants me to head in, and I’m Confident of the Ultimate Goal. Once you throw in Supernatural Wisdom and a path that will always be Straight, there’s no chance of “failure” for me. God is a welcome member of my marriage, my family, and the ministry and He’s the only Leader we will ever need. I care more about His Plans than any I conjure up on my own, but I am Confident that if I set my plans before His Throne, I know they’ll all be blended together in Perfect Harmony with what He has Planned for me. In the Mighty Name of Jesus, I Trust Him.

I’m excited about the New Year and all that He has for me. My hopes and dreams will never die, and His Plans can never be thwarted! I’ll be working hard this coming year to raise the barometer of faith in a complacent world and I’m already giving Thanks to Him for using me to rattle Believers on His behalf so that they learn how to Live a Life with Purpose too. Too many people of Faith either work hard at working hard OR they’re still waiting on a green light before they are willing to step out in Faith. It’s time for them ALL to wake up…before it’s too late for them. Whatever Plan God has for their lives won’t NOT happen if they don’t complete it, they’ll just be replaced by a willing Vessel instead and One Day they’ll answer for refusing to Trust Him. I KNOW what’s in store for the ones who decide to raise the barometer of Faith and I’m CONFIDENT that once they decide to Trust Him to Provide Supernatural Wisdom and Direction, they’ll never need to fret over life again.

What will the New Year look like to you? Will you still be waiting for a “sign” or a “green light” OR will you move forward with Boldness and Faith in the Mighty Name of Jesus even when you can’t see what lies ahead?

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 speechless. This morning as I stood 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 feel at Christmas too?

It’s hard for me to comprehend how people can still deny that Jesus Christ is Lord of all especially when His Life…from birth to resurrection… was predicted hundreds of years before it ever happened. It’s almost as if the earth knew a Savior would be born but mankind 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 cooked His friends a breakfast of fish just to drive home the Truth. 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 are ALL commanded to do…every day…including…especially…at Christmas.

I’m excited to see most of my family tomorrow and I’ll be missing the ones that 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!

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I met with the Living God from my desk overlooking the front porch as the sun was coming up with a hot cup of coffee, and a Bible, and I set the tone for a beautiful Time with my God. There wasn’t a whole lot of color at sunrise and at first, I was disappointed. But when I looked at this photo of the grey sky taken from my desk, I smiled at the precious reminders of my life…a welcoming porch…a few rockers…beautiful fields…flags to make a statement…and a Christmas tree filled with precious memories. Without saying a word, this one photo symbolizes who I am and how I live. Isn’t it just like God to use all those simple things to Remind us of the Beauty of Life?

They say that “home is where the heart is”, but the Heart can be seen in different ways in a home, and we can easily “lose” a part of us in the process if we aren’t careful. It can be so easy to focus on what the house looks like, especially this time of year. Some houses transform from the ordinary to a house worthy of the front cover of a magazine while they make a holiday statement to the world. Some people have a knack for decorating and the house is perfectly coordinated and decorated from room to room. Some people live in modest homes and they don’t have much to show in furnishings at all, but their heart can be seen when you settle in for a good conversation and a hot cup of coffee served up in a chipped mug. Some people have pictures of family members wall to wall, and some have fine art. Some have Christmas trees laced with ornaments that are museum-worthy and some have trees that are perfectly color-coordinated from top to bottom. It takes a lot to make a house a home, that’s for sure, but making a home that welcomes the world is an entirely different story. It’s one thing to show a stranger what your house looks like…it’s another thing to show them what a home should feel like instead. Getting the balance right is the difference between looking good to the world and feeling safe and warm.

When I look around this old farmhouse there are plenty of projects that need to be taken care of and plenty of things things that I’d like to alter one day. But there’s not much about this flawed farmhouse that I would change even if I could. This place reflects my heart from corner to corner and when strangers show up, they feel like they’re finally home. They kick their shoes off when they come in…not to protect my flooring…but to get comfortable instead- and before you know it they’ve got their feet up on the furniture and their hearts begin to overflow over a warm cup of coffee and a heartfelt conversation. I love them and they know it. They’re in a safe zone and it shows. There are no pretenses and no effort to impress and yet most of them ARE impressed by the way they feel when they’re here. They’re welcome here no matter how they’re dressed or where they come from and they feel it. This time of year they spend a little time looking at the Christmas tree filled with homemade ornaments that tell a story, and each one can lead the way to me sharing my Savior with them just in case they don’t know Him. Even the most affluent visitors living in homes that are magazine and museum-worthy comment on the warmth that they feel here… and sadly some wonder why they don’t have the same “feeling” at their house. Most visitors stay a little longer than they planned on staying and they can’t wait to come back again one day soon. Every visitor at this old farmhouse leaves with the same gift…they leave with a full heart because each one got a piece of mine in the process.

Plenty of people would love the chance to remodel this old farmhouse, but that would be over my dead body. This home is where my heart is and it has drawn a whole lot of hearts to it over the years with its charm. The flaws show its character the same way my flaws show mine, and we’re on this Journey together. My house is a home and my heart is ready and waiting to share with every single person that settles in for a visit. When you think about it that way, it’s like Christmas all year long…a focus on my Savior…the warmth of the season…a welcoming heart, a ready rocker, and lots of love. There is no greater Gift to offer friends, family, and total strangers as well, and it all begins with a flawed old farmhouse…my home…where my Heart is. It IS like Christmas all year long when you celebrate the Savior every single day and you open your heart AND your home wide enough to share Hope every day too. THAT’S the real charm that can’t be missed from this old farmhouse in Virginia all year long.

How about you?