Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. As God unveiled this new day of a new week, and I began to give thanks for it, it was as if He spoke to my Heart to say “If you think THIS is beautiful, wait until you see what I have in store for you in Heaven!” It WILL be a “better place”, and when I draw my last breath I’ll be happy to be going there. But not everybody goes to Heaven, and not everybody who professes to be a Christian really is. I know this NOT because I’m “judge and jury”, but because God Almighty says so Himself. It’s the idea of so many people being “lost” and so many people referring to a “better place” that they may never see for themselves that keeps me about my Father’s business, day after day, and year after year. The Most Important Job I have in this Journey called Life is to share Him with the world…because He says so. Isn’t that the way you see your role as a Christian too?

It’s amazing how easy it is for most people to step in to share details with a stranger when they appear to be lost and looking for direction. We don’t mind intervening when we see them in distress looking for this or looking for that, and it feels good when we can set them on the right path to find whatever it is they’re looking for. But when it comes to seeing people wandering around looking for answers to bigger questions about life and death and that “better place”, we’re content to let them wander around in the darkness, and most of the time we don’t give them a second thought at all. Sometimes we’re too busy judging their behavior to care about their Future. Sometimes we pass the buck and leave the Job of sharing the Truth up to someone paid to tell it. Sometimes we excuse ourselves in the name of “minding our own business” but they ARE our business…because He says so. Sometimes we are so consumed with what other people think of us that we never talk about that Better Place at all. There are no second chances after we draw our final breath…it’s over… it’s finished. No amount of reference to being “in a better place” will make it true, and no amount of praying for a dead person will change the course of their destiny. How sad that we’re happy to help a stranger find a set of lost keys, but we’ll refuse to speak the Truth to the lost.

When we’re filled with His Spirit it’s not possible to shut up about His Goodness. When we’re filled with His Spirit we hurt for the lost world. When we’re filled with His Spirit we have compassion for the broken and the lost. When we’re filled with His Spirit we stand out from the crowd and we inspire others to want to know more about what we have that brings us Peace. When we’re filled with His Spirit we overflow with supernatural love. When we’re filled with His Spirit we accept our role to Share, and we do it with kindness and love…NOT ranting and judgment. When we’re filled with His Spirit we are absolutely certain that we’ll be in that Better Place one day, and we understand how blessed we are to have that Promise. When we’re filled with His Spirit we want all those lost people to have the opportunity to know what’s possible for them…we don’t hoard it for ourselves or leave the Sharing up to someone paid to share. When we’re filled with His Spirit we’re unstoppable. When we’re filled with His Spirit we’re not fearful. When we’re filled with His Spirit we understand what an honor it is to Share Him with the lost world and we’re happiest when we’re doing the Work of our Father.

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander”. 1 Peter 3:15, 16

I know the truth about that “better place” and I know with Absolute Certainty that not everybody gets to go there. I understand what my Role is while I’m still here, and I know why the King of kings died. I know that my Life has a profound Purpose and I know I’m destined for that “better place” and nothing can change the course of my Destiny now. Until then, I’ll keep doing my Part in this lost world to be sure that I’m doing what He calls for me to do…that I’m living the way He tells me to Live…that I’m loving the way He Instructs me to love…that I’m sharing the way He tells me to Share. I have enough Compassion for the lost people to tell them the Truth…because I’m filled with His Spirit.

My day will be filled with lots of tasks and I’ll be doing my part to plan and prepare for the future of my family. But the most significant thing I’ll be doing on this new day is my Father’s Business. I’ll be sharing Him with the lost every chance He gives me, and I’ll be willing and able to do my part to head them in the Right Direction so that they find their way to that “better place” one day too.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The Fall is my favorite time of year and it’s hard not to shout for Joy for all that He is and all that He does for me while I take in the crisp, cool air and the vivid colors that surround me in the Fall. I marvel at the Hand of God and how He has a Purpose and a Perfect Plan for each of the seasons – from the Spring to Summer to Fall and then to Winter with each one bringing beauty and blessings of its own. No two days are alike and no two seasons are the same. To me, they just keep getting better and better while God Himself orchestrates the crescendo of Life building upon each new season along the way. Isn’t that the way it’s supposed to be in Life for all of us?

I’m in the Fall season of my life and I often make jokes to family and friends about being “old”, but I’m not old. I’ve been Seasoned by the King for such a time as this and I’m just getting revved up in my journey. My Heart has been softened over time through the Trials and the Tribulations of Life, and my mind is filled with Wisdom that has been given to me abundantly every time I’ve sought it out… just the way God promises to do. I have Fire in my belly for the Living God and a Passion for my Journey and it shows in my eyes and it can be heard in my laughter. No amount of wrinkles or saggy skin can take away from the ME inside because of it.

My Priorities have been put into Perspective in the Fall season of my life and my Workload has increased as God finds me fit to do more and more work for Him. I’ve learned more about who my real enemy is in this life, and I’ve put in the time to learn how to fight the fight that leads me to Victory every single time. I’ve never struggled with being grateful for the blessings in my life, but the Fall season adds clarity to the Bigger Picture and I see well beyond my own life and far into Eternity…and for that, there are no words for my Gratitude.

The Spring of my life was filled with turmoil and uncertainty and I spent that season living on the edge, hungry for success and money. I managed to overlook good things in the Spring, and I made some mistakes that led to lifelong consequences. But the sweetest gifts came to me in the Spring of my life despite myself. God gave me 4 children and it was through those children that I came to Know, to Love, and to Trust Him. I was softened in the Spring.

The Summer season was spent holding on tight to raise a family on my own and struggling to find the balance between my family and my work. My Faith was made stronger through the Summer as I held tight to the only Hope I had to see me through. I was “forced” to seek the Hand of God to help me lead my children to a Faith of their own…a legacy of Faith that will last for generations to come and with an Eternal Blessing that I can’t begin to imagine. I was strengthened in the Summer.

I don’t know what the Winter will bring for me. I don’t think about it a whole lot because I’m too busy savoring the Fall, but I DO know that it won’t be wasted on me. I’ll keep striving to be all the best that I can be for the Living God and I won’t squander even a single day. I’m pretty sure that you’ll see the fire in my eyes and you’ll hear my laughter of Joy all the days of my life, and you can BET that I’ll be doing the Work of the King until He takes me Home. And when I get to Heaven, I’ll be doing more of what He’s Prepared me for here! My Job Description has already been written, and My Name is written in the Lambs Book of Life! The Seasons so far are just a dress rehearsal for what’s in store for me One Day.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s the first morning in a while that the fog hasn’t been lingering on the fields at sunrise and today it is crystal clear in every direction. The frost has finally covered the fields and everything around the farm is beginning to change for the winter. I know God didn’t clear the fields of fog just for me to have a better view this morning, but He DID clear the way for me to have a better view of my Heart…and I’m grateful for both. There are Seasons for everything in life…including fog and Joy, and sometimes when the seasons change, we need to work a little harder to adjust. But just the same as God can clear the fields of fog, He can help us turn those difficult corners in the Journey of Life too as long as we keep searching for a crystal clear View of Him all the days of our lives. What a beautiful reminder straight from the Throne of a Mighty God this morning and it all began with a clear field.

There’s no shame when you find yourself fighting through the fog in the Journey of Life – the “shame” is denying you do. I’m known to share my Battles with the world because I Know my Life (and yours) is a Testimony of the Power of the Creator of Life for all the world to see. Once in a while, someone will reach out to say “I can’t believe YOU struggle like that if you’re a Christian” as if “good” Christians walk around like God’s Stepford Army immune to sorrow and oblivious to life. David cried out plenty of times – in Psalm 6 David says -“I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears” – that’s enough to make anybody cry! David wasn’t licking his wounds and feeling sorry for himself no more than I am…but David was in agony over the state of the world around him and I am too. When we fight through the fog, it isn’t a sign of weakness at all – it’s a Journey to Endure, and it’s where our Strength is found…as long as we don’t deny our “weakness” and we go to the Lifter of the Fog for the Journey. That’s what Humility looks like.

The world is dark and it’s getting darker by the minute…just the way the Bible says it will be. There’s not much we can do about how the End plays out because God has already Ordained the days – but we have a LOT we can do about what the End will look like for all the ones caught up in the fog when it arrives. It’s so sad to see so many lost in the fog! The suicide rate is up – homicides are off the chart – almost every day we hear of innocent children being abused or murdered by a parent. There is a drug “epidemic” and overdoes have become almost commonplace in this broken world. If we don’t Understand HOW we are to live out this Journey of Life in the dark world, it IS impossible to endure. What so many don’t seem to know is that we have a War Manual that tells us step-by-step what it takes to see Victory in every Battle, and we have a Battle Cry that the dark world needs to Hear. This is what Sharing Hope looks like.

Far too many people are hiding their feelings or the trials they think got them there in the first place – a sure sign of pride or shame. Some are lost in the shuffle and they never slow down – a sure sign of too many distractions and not enough Focus on Hope. And some prefer to be in the fog as they entertain the dark places by giving the circumstances all their time and attention. As for me, I’m like David… I’m not ashamed to cry out to the Source of Hope and in agony over this dark world and all the lost people in it…ESPECIALLY knowing that the Time is drawing near. The pain of the trials I endure in my own life doesn’t hold a candle to the Pain I feel for all those lost in the fog…the ones too ashamed or too prideful to speak up…the ones that don’t know the way to Hope! That’s what Christlike Love looks like.

I’ve hovered in the fog plenty of times in my Life but the Author and Perfecter of my Faith cleared the way every single time. Just like David before me, “I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song of praise on my lips” AND just like David…I was Restored with a new song of praise on my lips too! All it took was a Heart desperate for Him and the kind of Humility it takes to cry out to the Living God. He’s my Rock. He’s my Strength. He’s my Fortress. He’s my Deliverer. He’s all I ever really need. This is what Surrender looks like.

I’m a force to reckon with in a very dark world so I’ve got LOTS of work to do in His Name. Seeing things with Crystal Clear Vision is imperative to win the War. If I struggle from time to time it doesn’t mean I’m a weak Warrior…it means I am a Strong Warrior with a Heart that breaks for the ones in the fog. Through it all I Know that “He’s my glory and the lifter of my head” and I know that I am “the apple of His eye.” He’s Jehovah Shammah…He’s always there…He’s the Bright Morning Star…ready to Light the way…He’s the Prince of Peace…ready to calm any storm…He’s the Living God…the same yesterday, today, and forevermore…He’s a Wonderful Counselor…ready to listen 24/7…He’s the Author and Perfecter of Faith…He’s where Hope is found. He’s my EVERYTHING…rain or shine…fog or clear fields, and I want the WHOLE WORLD to know Him as I do. That’s what the Great Commission looks like!

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The hint of winter is in the air and it was too cold for me to sit outside for long this morning. But in just the little time I weathered the cold, my Soul was warmed beyond measure. It was almost as if the image of the sun was in unison with my heart – If it was possible to describe what my Heart felt like this morning, this would be it. When I met with the Master at the break of this new day, He gave me a firm Reminder of His Plans for me, and He Painted a picture of “success” for me to see. The more I read His Words, the more they resonated within me, and the End Result is that my Heart is on fire for Him. The Goal is to let my Life Reflect outside what my Heart feels inside, and when I do, the world will see my Faith from miles away without me ever speaking a word. Isn’t that the Goal for your Journey of Faith too?

It can be so easy to get caught up in the living that we forget to share the Life. Sometimes we refuse to slow down or take the time because we believe that what we have on our own agenda is more important. Sometimes we don’t think the world around us is worthy and, like Jonah, we run away from Sharing because of it. Sometimes we struggle with what to say even though the Word says, “The Holy Spirit will give you the words to say at the moment when you need them”. Sometimes we convince ourselves that a bumper sticker or a cross necklace ought to be enough to tell the world where we stand…but that does more to tell other Christians that you’re one too than it does to tell the dark world that you have the Answer. Sometimes we refrain from sharing Who we Belong to because we’re too prideful – after all, what would they think of us if they knew? Sometimes we prefer to hide from the consequences of Sharing and sometimes we limit our Faith-talk to Sunday where we “fit in”. Sometimes we’re afraid of losing friends. Sometimes we’re afraid of losing a job. No matter the reason, when we refuse to Shine the Light of our Life into the darkness of this world, we’re silently denying Christ. Sad but true.

It doesn’t really matter what lie we use to hide behind our Faith WE WILL answer for that One Day. What matters more than anything else is the Reflection of Him that we leave with the world. Do others see indescribable Beauty coming from your Life like the sunrise I saw this morning? Do you “stand out” from the crowd and its worldly ways or are you determined to fit in? Are you gentle and kind…compassionate and caring…and do you keep your mouth shut about the wages of sin? Sometimes what the world sees is the only chance we have to Share, and far too often it is the polar opposite of what we CLAIM to feel in the Heart. The damage we cause by hiding behind our Faith won’t be fully understood until we have our face-to-face meeting with the Living God One Day. He won’t be “judging” us for our sins because He already sent His Son to pay the price for them, so if we ask for forgiveness we are, matter how big the offense. But we will get taken to the Heavenly Woodshed for all those missed Opportunities…the end result of being so caught up in the living that we “forgot” to share the Life.

My Heart is on fire this morning and it feels on the inside like the sunrise looked outside this morning. The world will see me coming from miles away and the Beacon of Light that comes from my Heart will show them the way to Truth through me. When I rub elbows with people today, they’ll SEE Him in me, and although I’ll strike up a conversation about the Love of my Life, they’ll know that I’m Different just by the way I love them.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. This is the time of year I fight for every minute I can get on the front porch before it becomes too cold to endure. I’m acutely aware of the fact that the season is changing quickly, so I savor every minute I can get outside as if it’s the last time I’ll ever experience it. It’s that threat of losing an opportunity impacted by the seasons that keeps me chasing after the sunrise, and it’s the “threat” of losing an Opportunity Impacted by this Season of my Life that keeps me Chasing after His Will day after day. As I considered these deer…just a few of the many around the farm…they Reminded me of what Kingdom work looks like -“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few”. What’s missing in this dark world isn’t the amount of “workers” – what’s missing is the Heart that Chases after His Will before it’s too late for the lost ones. Isn’t that the way you see Kingdom work too?

It’s one thing to be comforted by (and confident in) our Salvation when we Know that we know we’ve been Redeemed and that our Destiny is irreversible…BUT it’s another thing entirely to Chase after the Will of God and to Hunger for the Harvest. It’s one thing to go to a prayer closet and pray for the lost ones BUT it’s another thing entirely to Chase after the one destined for an eternity in Hell before it’s too late for them. It’s one thing to sacrifice a few dollars to feed the hungry BUT it’s another thing entirely to Chase after their eternal “needs” more than the physical needs in this life. It’s one thing to serve in a local church to keep the schedule flowing BUT it’s another thing entirely to Chase after the ones that may need to join you inside. It’s one thing to set yourself apart from the “toxic” ones so they don’t “drag you down” BUT it’s another thing entirely to Chase after the “toxic” ones to show them the way to Peace and Joy. Jesus died for all and He’s the Answer for all.

If you want to see what the “lukewarm church” looks, like just look at the fields so ready for Harvest and how few “workers” there are Chasing after Kingdom Work. It’s when we Hunger for Truth that we Chase after it at all costs, and it’s when we Thirst to Please the Living God that we roll up our sleeves and get busy sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ….the way He instructs us ALL to do. The building we meet in is irrelevant. The music played to begin our time of worship is of little importance at all. After all, I don’t recall reading about the necessity of playing music before Jesus or anybody else preached the Truth so I’m pretty sure it’s Possible to preach the word of God without it. The coffee shop in the church lobby is just a means of making people more comfortable physically and the “events” on the calendar are about keeping the flock entertained. Churches today are well-oiled machines and some of them have thousands of attendees each week and it takes LOTS of manpower just to keep the services rolling! But if you look inside at how few people are passionately Driven to Share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world it is mind-boggling. And THAT is what a lukewarm church looks like to Jesus Christ.

I’m Hungry for the Harvest and it shows as I Chase after the hurting ones…the hungry ones…the struggling ones…the sleeping ones…the lost ones…every day of my Life. Like a “watchman on a hill” I spend my time warning others about what’s to come. Some I’ll reach through Words…some I’ll reach through prayer…some I’ll reach when I help fill a practical need and I sprinkle it with Jesus Christ…some I’ll reach when they see how Hungry I am and how Peace and Joy overflow in my life even though I am living in the same chaotic world they are…BUT ALL that I reach, I’ll reach with Love. Sadly, for some, no amount of Chasing results in a Changed Heart, and no amount of Love softens them. It makes me very sad to walk away Knowing that unless something changes after I’m gone, they’ll spend eternity in the torments of Hell. Jesus Christ doesn’t want anyone to perish in Hell and THAT’S why I Chase the lost the way I do.

The workers may be few but with a plentiful Harvest I won’t be sitting back waiting to see what God will do with it all…I’ll keep Chasing His Will and doing Kingdom Work the way I’m called to do. I’ll be as bold as a lion but as gentle as a lamb as I warn them about the time drawing near. I’m acutely aware of the fact that the Season is changing quickly, so I savor every minute of doing Kingdom work as if this is my last opportunity to Share. May it never be said of me that I lived a lukewarm Life and that I didn’t even make a lame attempt at being a “worker” for Him with a “plentiful harvest” all around me. The signs are here and the Time is near. Jesus will surprise us all when He returns but some of us are anxiously awaiting. For the others, their time will be up when He comes back, and their Destiny will be made known. Until then, I’ll be busy Harvesting!

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 of a new week and I was excited to meet with the Living God to see what He has for me for such a time as this. It’s one thing to Believe that God loves you, it’s an entirely different story to Know that He has a Specific Purpose for your Life that ONLY YOU can fulfill! I didn’t choose Him…He chose me, and He’s been Readying me for such a time as this my entire life. As I watched the wind shake the Fall leaves from the trees and carry them off to a place where I’ll never see them again, I was reminded of how that’s the way it is with this life. No matter how much time we’re allotted on this earth, it’s not much time at all in the Bigger Picture…and when our time is up we’re carried off like the leaves are…never to be seen here on earth again. That’s not something to be sad about, it’s something to get busy about!

We can go through this life believing that we can be replaced BUT we stand the risk of overlooking our Importance when we do. We can be replaced at work. We can be replaced at school. We can be replaced on a ball field. We can be replaced on a stage or in a film or in a pulpit. We can even be replaced at home as one parent introduces their children to a “new” mom or dad as if parents are interchangeable. We’re pretty good at replacing anything in this life, but no matter how many times we get replaced in however many areas of our lives, there is no replacing each unique Creation of the Living God. Nobody else who has ever been born (or ever will be) was Designed to do what each one of His Children is Uniquely Designed to do while they’re here! We’re Perfectly timed, Uniquely equipped, and irreplaceable in the eyes of God! Accepting this Truth puts Life in a whole New Perspective, and it should be enough to make everybody spring out of bed eager to meet with the Living God! As for me, I am confident that He had a Job Description in mind for me before I was ever born into this world and I KNOW that I’m Irreplaceable. Embracing this Truth is the Key to living your life FOR Him, instead of just with Him.

Every single day mothers pay hard-earned money to have the life of their child snuffed out before they have a chance to enter this world. It’s sad enough when one person values their own life more than another, but it’s incomprehensible when life is snuffed out of the defenseless. On this side of the womb, the world will defend a defenseless child and yet it callously snuffs out the same life before it enters the world without blinking an eye. God plants the seed of life into every living being, and He doesn’t make mistakes or have “bad timing.” Each seed of life that He Plants has a unique Purpose at a unique Time in the History of the world. When we snuff the life out of a baby before it has a chance to enter this world, we rob that person of the opportunity to fulfill what God Planned for them to do…and we rob God too. The very second life is snuffed out of a baby he or she is in the arms of Jesus before their dismembered body even makes it to the trash can…and He will be loving them forever even though nobody else did. Snuffing out the life of someone else is a horrible thing, no matter if life is snuffed out in or out of the womb. But there are FAR worse things than death. Being robbed of the Purpose you were Created to Fulfill is far worse. Denying the Hand of God is far worse. Embracing this Truth is the Key to valuing Life as HE SEES it…and not as we do.

I am Irreplaceable and I’m loved by the King of all kings. I was born at just the right time, to just the right parents, to do just what He Created ME to do. I don’t want to be blown away like those fall leaves, never to be seen again on this earth, without Fulfilling His Plans for me! He Chose me. He Refined me. I’m Ready!

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cool and beautiful this time of year in Virginia and the scenery is spectacular. This day started out feeling like just an average day, but as I sat in the Presence of the Great “I Am” at sunrise, I was reminded that I was Created at the Perfect Time in history and that THIS very day is one that has been allotted to me to Live out my Journey of Faith for all the world to see. Though I’ll go through the motions of countless “routine” things today, I’ll be savoring this time in History and I’ll be excited about how the Living God will use me to touch the lives of others at such a time as this. The Bible says, “All things work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His Purpose” so I am confident that all things I encounter today, no matter how challenging, no matter how dark, and no matter how “hopeless”…WILL work together for good through me because I’ve been called according to His Purpose. Isn’t that the way you look at the Journey of Life too?

It could be so easy to look at this crazy world and to long for times in the past, but we miss out on the Bigger Picture when we do. God isn’t surprised by anything going on…good or bad…and He’s aligning all things to bring Glory to Himself through His people. If there could be a perfect time to Live out the Journey of Faith, it is now. Israel is at war. The world is in upheaval. People are lost and scared because the uncertainty they face is overwhelming. From lost freedom to lost jobs, the world is scrambling for solutions. There are earthquakes and famines. Law and order have left us. The church in America is beginning to experience persecution. Many see our circumstances as a perfect storm for demise – BUT GOD sees our Circumstances as the Perfect time to turn to Him! If there is any such thing as a “perfect” time to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ it is now. If there is any such thing as a “perfect” time to feed His sheep it is now. If there is any such thing as a perfect time to speak the Truth and offer the Promise of Hope, it is now. When you look at it that way, every person professing to Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ should be EXCITED!

In 1 John we read, “Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person” – so I never want it to be said of me that the Truth is not in me. We’ve all been given the same Mission Statement. Some of us are running like never before to share the Truth with the lost world, while others are busy wishing for yesterday and squandering the best days they’ll ever have to go about their Father’s Business. Since I’m not sure how it’s possible to “know Him” and love Him while remaining silent about the Great “I Am”, I spend almost as much time praying for hearts that THINK they know Him as I do with the lost ones. Sometimes I pour Truth into the lives of His Sheep that pierces the Heart…and that’s where change comes in. Sometimes I pour Truth into the lives of His Sheep and they reject it because they don’t want to change at all. I don’t have all the answers, but I do know this – not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” will enter the gates of Heaven. How is that possible? Because they know WHO He is, but they don’t KNOW Him…otherwise, they’d do what He commands and they’d shout out Praises to be alive and able to Experience such a time as this! I mourn for the ones who don’t have “the Truth in them” and that keeps me busy Sharing more than ever before – Truth with the ones who say “I know him” but don’t, and Truth with the ones who otherwise have no hope at all.

I’m not looking at this day in the history of the world through the eyes of an American…or a parent…or a grandparent…or a taxpayer…I’m looking at this day in the History of the world through the eyes of a Follower of Jesus Christ instead. I’m not staying busy trying to change our circumstances or fretting about tomorrow while wishing for yesterday. I’m staying busy trying to change Hearts to show them the way to Eternity instead. I was BORN for such a time as this and while it’s not easy to face what we’re facing, I know that ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM AND ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE. I love Him…I was called according to His Purpose…I’m going about my Father’s business and I’m EXCITED.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. This time of year the front porch would be too cold for most people, but not for me. I gladly wrap myself in a blanket for a chance to watch God wake up the world in living color. We are blessed to have an abundance of whitetail deer around here and it’s not uncommon to see the males fighting over the females when it’s mating time. Most of the time the fight ends with one giving up the fight and walking away, other times (like this one) one of the males will get injured in the battle. I’ve read that they sometimes get their antlers locked together and that eventually, they’ll die of starvation. Fascinating. As I sat there watching the sunrise and talking to the Author and Perfecter of my Faith, my eyes kept going back to this antler and my thoughts kept going back to how painful it must have been to lose. As for the buck, a doe is worth fighting for, and the pain and suffering are just a small price to pay to win. Thinking about my furry friends and all they’re willing to endure for what matters the most to them, led me to think about my non-furry friends – some of them are willing to Fight for the sake of Jesus Christ, and some aren’t willing to endure any pain and suffering on His behalf at all. Isn’t it just like my God to use a deer war trophy to drive a message home to me today?

The perilous times we read about in the Bible have begun and Israel is at war. As we tune in on this side of the world, the fighting looks so savage, and we can’t imagine what it would be like to pay the price for war on our homeland. But that’s mainly because we don’t really believe there is anything worth fighting for…especially our Faith. Somewhere along the way, we gave up in our hearts and Complacency became our middle name. We laid down the right to talk about Jesus in the workplace for fear that we’d lose a paycheck. We laid down the sanctity of life years ago as we sat back and watched the slaughtering of our babies become legalized in America. We laid down the fight when prayer was removed from our schools. We laid down the fight when the 10 Commandments were removed from the walls. We laid down the fight for marriage and the divorce rate in the church is higher than that of the world as a result. We laid down the fight to stand for our children as perverse sexuality is being thrown in their innocent faces day after day. So, if none of these things was worth the fight to us, why would Jesus Christ be worth it either? Even a common deer will fight for what is important – that doesn’t say much for the non-furry, does it?

Don’t let the Enemy fool you and don’t allow political commentators to dilute the Truth. Remember, “For our struggle is not (EVER) against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” The REAL reason behind this war is that the liar from Hell has incited hate and to “those people” the fight for Hell is worth the price…period. If you want to show your support of Israel during these perilous times, pray for them and AGAINST the real enemy. I don’t enjoy watching bloodshed across the globe BUT one day, we’ll be witnessing Miraculous Moves of God as He Supernaturally intervenes to protect His people. Now that, I look forward to watching.

As for me, I Know who the REAL enemy is and I Know how to Fight Him…and WIN. I walk boldly in the Name of Jesus Christ and I won’t be silenced even if it ends up costing me an antler. My middle name never has been, nor will it ever be, Complacency and if you get within shouting distance of me, I’ll do everything in my power to be sure that’s not your middle name either. I Serve a God who doesn’t need me to “defend Him” but One who commands me to Proclaim Him to the world at all costs…including a little pain and suffering. I serve a God who sent His Son to die for me, the least I can do is Live (and fight) for Him. I stand behind the GOD OF ISRAEL and I’m already thanking Him for Victory I can’t see with my eyes yet. I Trust Him and it shows. I Believe His Word and it shows. Now all I have to do is stand tall – square my shoulders – hold my head up high and NEVER forget that I am a Child of the Living God…I’m Royalty…and I’ll ALWAYS be Victorious because of it! The fight is a piece of cake as long as I never forget that part.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The morning is cool and rainy but the warmth of the Living God is everywhere…rain or shine. What a Blessing it is to spend time in the Presence of the Most High any time I want to! No matter the condition of my Heart, no matter what kind of mood I’m in (or not), no matter my trials, no matter how many times I fall, my God is always Ready and waiting for me any time I take the time to meet with Him. What a friend I have in Jesus!

God doesn’t scrutinize the words I use when I Speak to Him…they wouldn’t matter anyway because He sees what’s within my Heart without speaking a word and He loves me anyway.

God doesn’t whine about how much time I give Him, or remind me of when I disappoint Him if I’m busy and I don’t take the time for Him that I should. He’s the Bright Morning Star and He’s always there 24/7 ready to open His arms to this child of His. He Loves me anyway.

God is always ready to Guide me in the Right Direction when I get off track just like a Shepherd does his sheep. He has limitless patience with me and He doesn’t keep reminding me that I’ve gone down the wrong path in life over and over again. He loves me anyway.

God is all I ever need, the One who has my Heart, the One who “loves me anyway”, the One who will never leave me nor forsake me…but there IS a catch. I’m supposed to strive to be a Reflection of Him and I’m supposed to extend the same things to other people that He has extended to me! I’m supposed to be ready to listen, to Love, to Forgive, and to guide others unconditionally too! I’m supposed to love them anyway. If not for the example that God sets before me, and my desire to please Him because of it, none of this would be possible.

I’m filled with an attitude of Gratitude this morning for all that He is and all that He does for me. I’m Working hard day in and day out to be the very best Reflection of Him that I can be, in all that I do and all that I am, until He calls me Home…rain or shine.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I met with the Living God outside where the air was cool and the fog was thick and I watched the Hand of God at work over this old farm. This time of year we can expect to see fog as the cool air meets with the warm ground but I never get tired of watching the fog lift off the farm. Sometimes it remains low to the ground until it dissipates, and sometimes the fog covers the entire farm from low to the ground to high up in the sky…which was the case this morning. As I sat there not only could I see the fog, but I could feel it all around me too and it reminded me of the Glory of God and what it will be like to see one day…and I will. Some people have closed their minds to the thought that God can still manifest today the way He did in the Bible but not me. I Believe in the Supernatural work of my Supernatural God. Isn’t that what your Journey of Faith looks like too?

Sometimes I wonder how it came to be that people decided to put God in a box. To some, the Bible is just a history book and all the things they read about are just entertaining things of the past…and not for today. If the Glory of God showed up they’d excuse Him away the same as they do for so many other miraculous things right before their very eyes. Is it that His Supernatural Works scare them because they can’t explain Him or is there a conflict between the Supernatural and the intellectual faith that so many hang their hat on today? Either way, some have wiped away all the Supernatural works of God as if He’s a past-tense God even though the Word says that He’s the “same today, yesterday, and forever more.” It’s interesting (and sad) that some people have been taught NOT to believe in the Power of God at all, and if that’s the case, they might as well “worship” a statue. My God IS the same today, yesterday, and forever more, and I long to see His Glory…and I will. Who in the world would want to believe in a powerless God, and why would they want Him in a box?

It’s painful for me to see so many “regular church attendees” walking around IN the fog when I know that all they need is a genuine Relationship with Jesus Christ and more time in His Word. They scoff at the Supernatural just the way the Bible says they will and they settle into teaching that tickles their ears because they hunger to be entertained. Maybe they have a Bible app on their phone but it’s rarely opened or read outside of the church. Sometimes they might reach for a copy of the Bible in the pew ahead, but they can rarely find the verse in time to read along because they aren’t familiar yet. Jesus really does “love the little children” but He expects them to grow up! He expects His Children to learn and grow every day. He expects His Children to hunger to be in His Presence every day. He expects His Children to be so familiar with Him that they recognize the voice of their Shepherd without hesitation or doubt. He expects His Children to know His Word like the back of their hands and He expects His Children to obey the “rules”. That’s what growing up (or maturing in Faith) looks like and it’s the ONLY way to be Confident and Capable when the fog shows up.

If it’s foggy today, that’s okay – I can see the beauty even with my eyes closed. If my Bible was taken from me today I’d be very sad because I love it so much and I love to spend Time in it with Him every day…but I wouldn’t be lost and I wouldn’t stumble around in a fog. I’ll always have the Holy Spirit to guide me and the Holy Spirit will illuminate the Words when I’m struggling if I ask Him to. My Heart knows what His Word says because I Know Him. I’m a grown-up Christian still in the works so I Work on getting stronger and better every day. I appreciate the fog but I’ll never be walking in it…church or no church…Bible or no bible…I’ll always have His Spirit and I’ll always have His Word embedded in my Heart. I’ve put in the Time and effort to Mature.

How about you?