Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. Fall is in the air and things are beginning to change fast – from the leaves to the wildlife. Each Season brings about changes…in nature…in the world…and in the Journey called Life. I don’t like it when changes go against the way I like things to be. I don’t like it when it’s too cold to enjoy the front porch in the mornings and I don’t like the way our Country has changed from a place of peace to a place of turmoil. There’s not much I can do to alter the changes in nature or in the world, but the Journey called Life is an entirely different story. It’s how I View the changes that will make all the difference in how I Perceive the outcome…and with a God of All Seasons, there’s never a reason to fret. Isn’t that the way you look at the Journey called Life too?

There hasn’t been a more critical time in the history of the world for us to be Focused on the Journey of Life than at this very moment in time. Sadly, many people of Faith are laser-focused on the changes instead of recognizing the Season as if they can change the course of the world or the White House on their own. There is a Master Plan that was put in place before the foundations of the earth and no amount of shaking fists and spitting insults is going to change it. Like a rudder on a ship, it’s how we Perceive the Outcome that will set the course for the Journey.

I believe Humility is the Greatest Difference Maker of all because it’s humility that can alter the Course of the Heart where Changes that make an Eternal Impact are born. If people of Faith were more focused on the Plans that were set out before the foundations of the earth, I think they’d spend more time on their knees than on the World Wide Web preparing for the Biggest Change of All. Ready or not, the King is Coming and it’s possible He’ll come back in our lifetime. With that in mind, how we walk this Journey called Life is much more important than shaking our fists in the wind.

Lots of things are changing in my Life…some changes I welcome with open arms…some changes Stretch me…and some changes I could easily do without. I lick my wounds every once in a while when things change and I’m not happy about it, but I Know the Source of All change and I Trust Him. I’m humble enough to hit my knees and I’m Wise enough to understand who’s really in Control… AND I’m Courageous. Sometimes you’ll find me downcast, but you won’t ever find me hiding under the bed. Instead, you’ll find me fighting the ONLY battle that matters with the ONLY weapons that can (and do) make a Difference. Things are changing fast. The world is getting darker. The country is divided. The hate is running rampant. BUT GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE and it’s how I walk the Journey of Life that matters most of all to Him.

The King is coming and lots of things are changing to Prepare the Way for His return just like the Bible says it will. Chances are He’ll find me talking about Him somewhere to someone when He returns and not debating the condition of the world. Chances are He’ll see me looking toward the East in anticipation of seeing Him One Day soon. Chances are I’ll be Praising His Holy Name before I even see Him coming. I can’t afford to focus on this dark world – there is far too much to do to prepare for the King! I was Born for such a Time as this and when He arrives, I’ll be Ready.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I’m moving a little slower than usual this morning but not so slow that I overlook my Time with the Love of my Life. It’s in His Presence that my soul is nourished and it’s in His presence that my life becomes laser-focused, so I can’t afford NOT to go before His Throne to see what He has for me each day. If I want the most FROM Him then I need to GIVE Him the most of me. Isn’t that the way the Journey of Faith is supposed to work?

It’s a little odd when you think about it – almost every day we encounter a challenge in life where one person is expecting more from another person than they’re willing to give themselves. Often they’ll draw an invisible line in the sand before you can say “amen” when they feel wronged or hurt. But how can we expect someone else to give more than we’re willing to give in any relationship? Sometimes we hear about things that happened a long time ago as a reminder of what they’ve done for us as if the reminder will set us straight and justify the circumstances. This is true especially when they’re fighting for their “rights” or licking their wounds in self-pity. But aren’t we supposed to do for others because it’s the right thing to do and not something we hold in our pocket to someday rub in their face should they dare to cause us pain? Some people have a mental checklist they pull out whenever they think it’s needed…a list of all the good things they’ve done for us and all of the bad things we’ve done “to” them. But isn’t forgiveness all about letting it go and not about using it as a weapon in the future?

Sometimes people love unconditionally while expecting absolutely nothing in return. Somehow they feel validated by their commitment to the relationship, and they’ve somehow been convinced that they are supposed to live the life of a martyr when it comes to love. They’ll continue to take the “abuses” and they’ll settle for never receiving the love they express to the other year after year after year…but it’s not supposed to be that way either. Even Christ, the ultimate Authority on Forgiveness expects something in return and He is THE example of the balance of Love…though there is NOTHING WE CAN DO TO EARN His love or His forgiveness, He does expect us to give Him our whole Heart while He “keeps no record of wrong”. It’s when we give Him our Heart that we genuinely desire to build a Relationship with Him. When we don’t desire to build our Relationship with Him there is something dramatically wrong with the Heart….and so it is in other relationships too.

It doesn’t matter if it is a parent-child relationship, a friendship, a business partnership, or a marriage God puts people together for a Purpose and the Purpose is never that it be a docile one-way street..the Purpose is to Glorify Himself in ways we can’t begin to imagine….but we have to do our part too. When it comes to love, change is needed, sacrifice is needed, a balance is needed, correction is needed and growth is non-negotiable. Each relationship we have should be an example of unconditional Love and Forgiveness…with balance and growth. When it’s not that way, either something needs to “give” in order to glorify the God of all Creation OR we need to walk away. Merely existing through this Journey called Life is NOT part of His Master Plan…He leaves that part to the simple animal with no ability to love or to reason.

I know what it is to nurture a relationship and unfortunately, I know what it is to destroy one. I’ve learned what God expects of me in every relationship and I’m willing to do my part with His help BUT I also understand that there is sometimes a Divine time to walk away from the one-way streets that lead to dead-ends day after day. Those relationships where no amount of giving makes a true difference in the heart of the other and no amount of godly leadership or Inspired Words inspire change. Though I might be inclined to keep trying out of guilt, guilt should never be the basis of any relationship and guilt alone doesn’t have enough fuel to fire the heart. Guilt-driven relationships will most often lead to resentment in time…there is nothing Christ-like in that! When I walk away I do it with kindness and compassion…AND without drama. When I walk away I do it out of Love and not vengeance. When I walk away it hurts me too, but if I am to become all that He has for me to be, then I need to put what He has for me above all else.

Life is a balancing act and I’m getting better at it every day…with His help, that is. We have a Relationship of “give and take” and one that will NEVER lead to a dead-end street. He taught me what Love really looks like and He has Shown me how to Sacrifice whenever it’s needed. After all, He Loved me enough to die for me and there is no end to His Forgiveness. So, each day is a New Day to Express the Love of Jesus Christ and to Strive to be the best Reflection of Him I can be.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It was in the 50s at daybreak on this Sunday morning but temperatures like that would never prevent me from watching God wake up the world from the front porch. A hot cup of coffee and a warm throw is all that it took to prepare me for the “uncomfortable” this morning. I focused on the tattered Christian flag…still beautiful and still flying after all the beating it has taken to fly day after day on the front porch day and it reminded me of the Journey of Life. When we’re willing to fly Boldly and Beautifully in the name of Jesus Christ, we’ll take a pretty good beating too. I could have retired this flag before it became tattered, and I could have shielded it from the “uncomfortable” to keep it safe…but, just like me, it was designed to fly as long as possible. One day we’ll both be “retired” from flying for our Faith and we’ll both be replaced with another beautiful one to pick up where we left off. Until that time, we keep flying with everything we’ve got all in the name of Jesus. Isn’t that the way you see the Journey of Life too?

Sometimes I think about all the things the disciples endured in the name of Jesus Christ, and I wonder where people get the idea that this Journey is supposed to be cushy. When we’re willing to boldly fly in His Name, we’ll take a beating as surely as the flag on the front porch does. When we speak up in His Name, we become a threat to the dark one and we’ll take a beating as he does his best to silence us. When we stand up for Jesus, and we proclaim the Truth of His Word, we’ll take a beating as the enemy does his best to distract us. When we pour Jesus Christ into a conversation we’ll take a beating as some mock us, some shun us, some attempt to debate us, some threaten us, and some walk out of our lives. When we sound off on our Rights as followers of Jesus Christ, we take a beating as the dark world laughs and calls us maniacal. Just like the tattered flag on the front porch of this farm, you can see the results of flying day after day, even when it’s “uncomfortable.” We don’t “retire” until God retires us and ONLY then do we get Replaced by a New One. This is the Key to being an Ambassador for the King of all kings…a Representative of the Truth…a Warrior in the name of Jesus Christ.

The Journey of Life is filled with beatings IF we’re Active Ambassadors for Jesus Christ – how can we show the world what Victory looks like if we never show them what it looks like to walk through the beatings with Faith and Joy? All it takes for the Active ones to Prepare for the “uncomfortable” is to keep Flying…to keep Trusting…to keep drawing Strength from the One who died for me…the One I live for. After all, If I “retired” myself out of Service to Him to protect myself from the “uncomfortable” I wouldn’t be of Good Service to Him at all! So, I keep flying despite those beatings and I fly with Joy in my Heart to be on a Heavenly Assignment for the King of all kings.

I may or may not die a martyr’s death as the disciples did, but it won’t be because I refused to Fly…it won’t be because I avoided taking the chance that I’d be Tattered…it won’t be because I’m a coward…it won’t be because I value my life more than Him…it won’t be because I might lose a few friends…It won’t be because I sat back silently to avoid the “uncomfortable.” Until then, I’ll keep Flying and I’ll keep taking a beating because I do…but that’s okay. Because the One I Love is worth it, and when I’m weak HE IS STRONG. His Power is made Perfect in my weakness. Look out world!

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I began this day just like all the others – I came down the steps from my time of rest and I headed straight out the front door to see what kind of morning the Lord had painted today. Sometimes it’s still dark. Sometimes there is a glimmer of sun. Sometimes it’s raining. Sometimes it’s cold and sometimes it hot, but it always feels fresh and new to me no matter what. As I stood there breathing in the morning air and thanking the Living God for another day to Serve Him, I thought about how my Journey with Him is a lot like my journey to the front porch. I step into His Presence the very first thing, and each new day is a New Beginning with the potential for Greatness. It doesn’t matter if it’s hot or cold – rainy or snowy – or all-around “miserable” weather – there is Greatness lingering behind what I see on this side of Heaven and all I have to do is to be willing to step into it. Isn’t that the way you see the Journey of Life too?

Lots of people dodge “miserable” weather and they wouldn’t dream of stepping out onto the front porch unless they absolutely had to. They look for those ideal days – anything outside of that becomes a roadblock to their gratitude or a topic of conversation with someone else as they complain about the new day. When you think about it, those same people live their entire lives that way – avoiding what they don’t want to deal with and whining about the “miserable” weather to others as if the new day has no potential for Greatness at all. These people are lovers of themselves – anything less than ideal in their book isn’t worth the time and trouble. They’re busy looking for their own satisfaction in life and they whine about life not measuring up to their liking as if they’ve been left out of greatness. I’d like to introduce those guys to Greatness – to the Great “I AM” – to the Creator of all – to the Author and Perfecter of Faith. With a Big dose of Greatness, they’d quickly see how insignificant they really are without Him, and their selfish whining would transform into Praise before you could say “Amen.” Until then…until they accept the Greatness of God…until they embrace Jesus Christ as “the way, the truth, and the life” they are lost people with a not-so-bright future. After all, if they’re unhappy with this life and all the “miserable” things that come with it, they’ll be blown away by the misery of Hell!

Lots of people have stepped out for a front-row seat of the “miserable” weather all across America these days, and they’re occupying their time complaining about who’s to blame and who’s going to fix it OR they are busy as beavers spreading “misery” as fast as they possibly can. The first thing they look for in the new day is a news update about these perilous times so they know what to whine about and so that they have a dose of new poison to share with their friends. Each new day is a lather, rinse, repeat pattern of doom and gloom that they can’t wait to spread from one end of the country to the other. They are so focused on the circumstances surrounding each perilous day in America that they fail to see the potential for Greatness and they can’t be bothered to look for it. I’d like to introduce these guys to Greatness too…the Greatness who parted the sea…the Greatness who made the sun stand still…the Greatness who ordered war and bloodshed when it was time…the Greatness who has ordained every leader since the beginning of time…the Greatness who sent our only Hope of Redemption to die on our behalf so that we might live…the Greatness who never leaves His Throne…the Greatness who could pull the plug on all the challenges IF that’s His Will…the same Greatness who has prepared a place for the ones who Believe and Trust in Him. Until then, these guys are being used by something other than God to spread defeat and lies intended to instill fear, and they’ll answer to Greatness one day for the part they’re trying to play in a Picture MUCH bigger than they are.

I am Confident in the Greatness Behind this new day and I’ll stay busy trying to Introduce Greatness to the lost ones whenever God brings them to me. There are plenty of them who think they already Know Greatness…and maybe they do – maybe they’re just desperately in need of a Refresher Course…BUT their actions tell a different story and they’re trusting in the wrong things. Until they Accept Greatness and Trust His Plans instead of the manmade ones they talk about, they’re playing a very active part in the perilous days and they don’t even see it coming. As for me, it’s a New Day with the Potential for Greatness and I’ll be giving it all that I’ve got. The Greatness I Serve and Share can snuff out the “miserable” with ease…IF that’s His Will. Until then, I’ll be about my Father’s business – I’ll be feeding sheep – I’ll speak the Truth even though the world hates me for it – I’ll share the Gospel of Jesus Christ as far and as fast as I can.

Greatness is coming soon. Will you be ready?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I met with the Living God briefly on the front porch – just until the wind and the misty rain became too much for me. The clouds may be shielding the light of the sun, but it was just as our brief meeting was coming to an end that the Lights came ON for me. I spent time confessing my weaknesses and asking for forgiveness for “owning” the challenges in Life, and He spent time reminding me that He’s God and He is in Control of it all. When I looked at this flag of my Faith being tossed here and there by the wind, it reminded me of how the Journey of Life is. It’s only when there is absolutely nothing going on – nothing really good and nothing really bad – that the “flag” of my Life is still – otherwise, there are never-ending twists and turns. Sometimes the flag of my Life blows gently, and sometimes it’s whipped around, but I am confident that if I hold onto the Living God the way the flag “holds on” to the pole…I won’t just endure…I’ll Thrive. Isn’t that the way it is in your Life too?

It can be so easy to “overthink” our circumstances when we face “trials of many kinds” and we easily lose our peace AND our direction when we do. Life is filled with activities, and it’s laced with turmoil, and when we live a Life for Jesus Christ we can expect to be blown around in the process. It’s only when there’s absolutely nothing going on…nothing really good…and nothing really bad, that most people ever find their Peace. Some people like being locked away in their own world, and they refuse to step out into His because they’re so comfortable where they are. They don’t “sign up” for anything that has the potential to threaten their closed-off world. They watch the news filled with conflict and wonder what’s wrong with the world, while they never consider what part they could play in shining the Light of their Faith in the darkness they’re so easily entertained by. They see turmoil happening in the lives of the Busy Ones, and they pass judgment and criticize the ones willing to Persevere for Him. These guys LIKE “nothing” going on, and they see each piece of “involvement” outside of their closed little life as a threat to their peace and comfort. When tragedy strikes them, they’re shocked to see it coming. After all, they live a “peaceful life” and they “mind their own business”, and they wonder what they did to “deserve” it. “Minding your own business” sounds pretty good when it’s used as an excuse with a Spiritual spin, but God doesn’t expect us to mind our own business, He expects us to be Minding His.

The Bible tells us to “consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds”, not because He likes for us to suffer, but because He wants to Build our Strength. It’s through the “testing” of our faith that we learn to persevere. Perseverance is more than just surviving the wind, it has a Built-in Bonus that inspires all of us to keep going! The Word says “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything”. The need for perseverance is foreign to the ones who fight to have nothing going on in life at all because they’d rather have nothing going on than be forced to persevere…or not. But perseverance is a way of Life for the other ones willing to fly the Flag of Faith to the world, and willing to take the consequences for it. When we learn to see the good and the bad as part of the overall Journey with Built-in Benefits we no longer overthink our circumstances and we no longer whine about the Process.

I sometimes have to battle my own mind as I attempt to rationalize my circumstances and I look for solutions of my own. It’s ONLY when I take the good and the bad to Him so that He can do the Heavy Lifting for me and I let Him help me sort out my Life, that I find my Peace and Persevere no matter what good or bad is causing the Flag of my Faith to be whipped around. Through the Process, I become more mature and complete, and I lack for absolutely nothing in my Life. I understand the Journey, and I want to be the best that I can be for Him. Perseverance is my middle name because I’ve faced the Trials of “many kinds” and I see the Hand of God in them all. I’m Strong. I’m Unstoppable. I’m Unshakable… and I lack for nothing in the Process. You’ll always find me outside of my Comfort Zone “taking one” for the Team… and with Him holding the Flag of my Faith…I’ll Persevere to the End.

How about you?

This elk somehow managed to get a tire stuck around his neck a long time ago. Apparently, he carried it around for years and eventually accepted it as a way of life. After countless failed attempts to capture him, he was finally tranquilized so that the tire could be removed. First, they tried to cut the tire off…but that didn’t work. So they were forced to trim his antlers to make room for the tire to break free. Can you imagine how much lighter this poor guy felt after the burden of the tire had been lifted?

This reminds me of how it is with us. Sometimes we carry a heavy burden around all by ourselves for much longer than we need to and we avoid every attempt to help us just like this elk did. For the elk, fear kept him from finding freedom – for us it’s pride. But eventually, God will break us down with His own Spiritual tranquilizer, and if the burdens don’t slide right off in the presence of a Mighty God, He’ll do some trimming on us to make a way too.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

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 the front porch on this beautiful (almost fall) morning, and as soon as He Knew He had my full Atttention, He took me to the Spiritual Woodshed for a little Talkin’ to. One minute I’m Praising Him and placing my Requests before His Throne, and the next minute I’m hanging my head in shame over some things in my Heart that need to be made right. We are more precious than gold to Author and Perfecter of our Faith, and the only way for those Heart issues to ever be made right is if we are willing to spend time with the Refiner and we’re willing to endure His fire. When He reveals these things to us He’s ready to take us “by the right hand and Lead” us and He’s ready, willing, and able to Forgive whatever it is. So, off to the Spiritual Woodshed I went, and I’m more Pleasing in His eyes now because of it. Isn’t that the way it works for you too?

I think it’s pretty sad that most people of Faith either don’t believe Refining is necessary for them OR they refuse to talk about the Woodshed for fear of anybody else knowing they aren’t quite as perfect as their world thinks they are. As long as the Heart is content with things “just the way they are”, and as long as we refuse to strive to be ALL that we can be for Him, we can’t expect to grow into all that He Created us to be. He shapes and molds AND Refines those He loves, so the Woodshed is a necessary step to transform our Lives into something that He will use to Glorify Himself. “No pain…no gain” is more true for our Spiritual fitness than it is for our physical fitness but it’s hard for some to Believe that God allows a little pain for His own gain…but He does. The closer we draw to Him the hotter the fire to Refine us because He wants His “Gold” to be pure and as close to Perfect as it can be. I don’t like going to the Spiritual Woodshed and it would make me a whole lot happier if I never needed to, but I sure do like to Know that He loves me enough to Refine me and that I’m more Pleasing to Him after my Visit. This is the key to Spiritual growth.

It’s a dangerous thing when Christians say “Nobody’s perfect” or “Everybody sins” or “God loves me anyway”. All these things are TRUE but they’re more of a Spiritual cop-out than anything else. It somehow makes these guys feel better about their Flaws if they remind the world that God is still there and He’s always ready to forgive. Although forgiveness is the Biggest part of the Spiritual Equation, it’s not the ONLY part of the equation. If He took on the role of Redeemer and He’s already paid the price for every wrong we’ve ever committed (or will in the future), and if our Hearts are sincerely Grateful for the Price He paid for us, then the desire to please Him comes automatically and all those excuses for our wrongs are just lame attempts to mock His Gift to us. I know there is absolutely NOTHING I can do that could push the limit on His Forgiveness…He paid the Price for it ALL on the Cross. But when I think about what He’s done for me even though I didn’t deserve it, I want to please Him and serve Him and be all that He created me to be. This is the key to Spiritual Maturity.

I’m a grown-up woman and a grown-up Christian but I’ll be busy working on my Maturity every single day that I draw breath into this old body because I want to please Him. When He needs to take me to the Spiritual Woodshed I won’t run and I won’t hide, because I know that whatever it is that He’s calling Attention to…it needs to be made Right in my Heart. That’s what grown-ups do.

How about you?

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me” 1 Corinthians 13:11

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I met with the Creator of All things in the middle of the night and we had a long chat about Life. I don’t want to squander even one single day, and I want to be found Strong and standing tall until I draw my last breath. This season has been unusually dry as God withheld the rain, and most of the trees have paid the price for the drought. Some have leaves that have already changed color, some are shedding fast, and some have dead leaves determined to hold on. In the middle of the living trees in this photo, there is one that died long ago. God used this tree to remind me of how easy it would be for my Life to become bare and lifeless if I don’t keep my eyes on my Creator and my Heart Inclined toward Good ALL the days of my life. How blessed I am that the God who Created me would use the image of a simple barren tree to drive home a message today.

There is a season for all life and allotted time for all things and there’s not much we can do to change the Time that was Ordained by the Hand of God before the earth was formed. We celebrate new life and we mourn the life that ends before we’re ready for it to end. The Bible refers to our life here on earth like a “vapor” – it passes by so quickly…in the Big Scheme of Things, it IS a fleeting moment. Even though the beginning and the end are not necessarily easy to understand OR accept, the bottom line is that we’re either coming into this world or we’re leaving it behind and it’s all the in-betweens that matter the most. It’s how we END this life that determines how we finish the Race and it’s how we impact other people along the way that makes an Eternal difference for them and for us. We don’t have a whole lot of say-so on when we’re born or when we die, but how we live the in-between comes down to a matter of choice. We can live until we die, or we can be like this barren tree…still standing but lifeless.

I’m not sure how it came to be that so many people would refuse to bear fruit or why they seem so content to be lifeless like this old tree. Plenty of people are standing tall but they’re no longer producing fruit and at first glance, you’d think like is over for them. Somehow they continue to stand year after year without offering the world anything at all. They can’t muster up enough Joy to sprout anything Meaningful into this Life…at least not outside of the comfort of their own homes. Little by little they lose a piece of themselves when the wind comes rushing by because they’re too brittle to withstand the pressure. Just like this tree…still standing but Lifeless. There isn’t anything that could force this tree into living again- it’s too late for that. But it’s NEVER too late for us to go from a barren lifeless existence to a Life that’s so beautiful that everybody wants to sit in our Shade. All it takes for us to go from standing and lifeless to Soaring and Priceless is a Good Dose of the Creator of all and a Firm Reminder of who Jesus Christ is, and in no time at all this vapor of a Life becomes the most amazing Dress Rehearsal for what’s just around the corner for the ones that refuse to be lifeless.

I hope every time I pass by a dead tree I’ll be reminded of how easily I could be found standing tall and lifeless too IF I didn’t work every day to draw Closer to the Creator of all…IF I didn’t love Him so much that pleasing Him is my First Priority. My life might be “like a vapor” but I’m not going to Live like it or Love like it and I don’t want to squander a minute of my Dress Rehearsal.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. My mood matched the weather this morning as I stepped out onto the front porch with my coffee in hand…a little cool…a little cloudy…a little quiet…but with the potential to be incredible no matter what. After my time with the Living God this morning, I know that He will be keeping “my path straight” and I know that He provides “my daily bread.” I know that the “boundary lines will fall on me in pleasant places” and I know that He will “keep my lot secure.” Cool, cloudy, or even quiet doesn’t change my Purpose at all, and the Sunshine in my Heart will override the clouds in the sky all day long as I do my work for Him. Isn’t that the way your life is too?

I wish I was as brave as some people think I am, but it’s not bravery they see. I wish I was as confident as some people believe me to be, but it’s not confidence they see. I wish I was as bold as some people think I am, but it’s not boldness they see. I wish I was as creative as some people give me credit for, but it’s not creativity they see. I wish I was as knowledgeable as some people believe that I am, but it’s not knowledge they see. I wish I was as carefree as some people think I am, but it’s not carefree they see. I wish I was as resilient as some people think I am, but it’s not resilience they see. When people look at me and “see” these Characteristics, it’s not “me” that they see at all. What they see is a Life that has been Surrendered to the King and one that is driven by His Spirit. They see a Willing Vessel and they see a Joyful Servant. They see what a weak woman looks like when God is running the show. They see the results of answered prayers and they see Characteristics beyond my flesh. THEY SEE HIM.

I wish I’d never stumble and lose my way, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never do something wrong that I’d later regret, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never lack compassion, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never feel like giving up, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never want to pull the covers over my head, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never want to shut out the world, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never feel fear, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never felt hurt over the way I’ve been treated, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never feel alone in life, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never need a good cry, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never question God, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never want for things that I don’t have, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never disappoint another, but sometimes I do. When I’m feeling any of the things that I wish I didn’t feel, I know that this weak woman has gotten a little too far away from the Living God, and those Characteristics that can usually be seen in me have dimmed…so it’s back to the source of my Strength all over again. Although I am “only human” it’s not okay to live that way…and if I draw everything I need from Him, it shows.

I may have begun this new day feeling cloudy and cool and quiet and I may have been inclined to let my mood follow that path all day long…but it’s an entirely different story after my time with Him. Today I’ll be Strong and I’ll be Unstoppable and I won’t be walking through this day like any “weak” woman you’ve ever seen in your life. If I stumble today, I’ll make it right as fast as I can by asking Him for forgiveness and strength. And if my stumble is a bad reflection of my Faith in someone else, I’ll be making it right with them too so that others may see what humility looks like. There is no good thing in me apart from Him…all that I am…all that I do…it’s all for Him. When you live like that, it shows – and if others can see Him in me, I pray they want to know Him and love Him as I do. That’s the goal.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I’m Armed and Ready to face whatever comes my way today after a long time in the Presence of a Big God. These days I need more reminding than ever that HE IS THE CEO of the Universe and that He’s STILL in control of this dark world and everything in it. He always feeds me Comfort, Wisdom, and Love if I’ll just lean on Him. He is my Master GPS through this Journey called Life and He knows each turn I am to take, and when I am to take it. Despite the circumstances and what goes on in the world around me today, I am Strong, Courageous, and Fearless because I know that His Power is made PERFECT in my weakness! As surely as this flag flies boldly on my front porch as a symbol of respect and love for our country…even in its broken state…I’ll wave my Faith around for all the world to see and I will never give up until I draw my last breath. If I get knocked down I’ll always get back up. I wonder if the same is true for America today?

Today marks the anniversary of 9/11…a point in time when America was rattled to the core and Americans temporarily wondered if we’d ever survive the storm. But as surely as the flag flies on my front porch, we stood strong. Thousands of lives were lost on 9/11 and Americans temporarily wondered how many more lives were still in jeopardy. But as surely as the flag flies on my front porch, we stood strong. Our troops were readied for war and Americans temporarily wondered if this was the beginning of “the end.” But as surely as the flag flies on my front porch, we stood strong. America has gotten knocked down a few times just like I have, but as surely as the flag flies on my front porch America was bold and courageous because America stood UNITED…until now. Twenty-two years after the tragic events of 9/11 that united Americans so determined to see victory, we are divided like never before. The “one nation under God” seems to have forgotten Him and even some of His people have folded under the pressure of the evil one. There’s a much bigger enemy than a terrorist, and he’s not just prowling and looking to devour…he IS devouring and he’s dividing faster than we can say “amen.” I don’t know the future of this divided nation of ours, but I know Who does and I Trust Him – and no matter what, just like the flag that flies on my front porch, I will stand Strong in His Name. God bless America.

No doubt we all face trauma in life…things that can rattle us to the core if we aren’t careful. There is peace in knowing “the rest of the story” and there is Strength in understanding that the ways of the world, the destiny of our lives, AND the future of our country are ALL in the hands of God Almighty Himself. I know the source of Peace and Strength and although I’m heartbroken to be an eyewitness to the division and brokenness in this land that I love, I don’t live in fear. I’m flying the flag of my Faith like never before and I’m Sharing Hope in this dark work with everything I’ve got. There is no division with Jesus Christ. There is no hopelessness with Jesus Christ. There are plenty of things that have the potential to completely destroy this land that I love, BUT absolutely nothing has the power to destroy Heaven and that’s my “forever home”.

God bless America.