Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cold and clear and absolutely beautiful on this November morning. The view is something I never take for granted because I know how fast things can change. One minute it could be clear and sunny and the next minute torrential rains…the same as it is with the Journey of Life. One minute I could be strong and able and the next minute I could be as weak as a kitten…the same as it is with the Journey of Faith. There’s a pretty good chance of me getting caught outside in the rain with no umbrella, but there is absolutely NO chance that I’ll get caught off guard when God does some Spiritual “shifting” that will impact us all. I do my best to prepare for the rain but I give it my EVERYTHING to Prepare for the Last Days and I’m “working out my own salvation with fear and trembling” just the way I’m taught to do. Isn’t that the way you see your Journey of Faith too?

I’m not sure how much warning about the Last Days is enough warning for the people who proclaim to know Jesus. They seem to believe that as long as you proclaim to Know Him then you’ll be good to go when the King comes calling as if you earned a one-way ticket just by saying “yes” to the King of all kings and absolutely nothing more is expected of you in the Journey. But it involves a little more than that. For example, the Parable of the 10 virgins is a warning straight from the Throne of God about what happens if we aren’t prepared for the Bridegroom when He comes for His bride. In this case, all ten of them knew the Bridegroom was coming, but only 5 of them were Prepared for the day. The other five, even though they Knew who the Bridegroom was, even though they were excited about His coming in the beginning, had fallen away in the process and they perished because they weren’t ready when He arrived. There are countless other examples of how narrow the Gate to Heaven is and what God expects of His people BUT these days the church would rather not talk about the “scary stuff” and withholding the Whole Truth about Salvation has become the “norm”.

Not hearing the name of Jesus Christ day in and day out, from one corner of the earth to another should never be accepted as “norm” but that’s what it has become. Rarely hearing of a life that has been Transformed by the Power of Jesus Christ is another. Not seeing Bibles toted around like appendages for all the world to see should never be accepted as the “norm” – but we’ve opted for technology to access His Word for the sake of convenience instead. Witnessing a prayer in public shouldn’t be a rare thing for God’s people, but we’ve opted to pray in silence instead so that we don’t take the chance of offending someone. Here’s a news flash for you – If they’re offended by prayer whispered in public, just imagine how offended they’ll be One Day when they’re escorted to the Eternal place that nobody wants to talk about these days.

Jesus was soft and gentle when He walked the earth (in part) to show us what Love looks like, BUT watch out because He’s coming back like a LION! Sadly, all the ones who believe that just saying “yes” to the King is enough to see them Through Eternity will be regretfully (and eternally) surprised…and that’s where I come in. Hiding my Faith will never become the “norm” for me, and as long as there is breath in my body I’ll do my Part for it not to become the “norm” for anyone God puts in my Path. I proclaim the name of Jesus Christ day in and day out so His Name is heard by all and, as the Bible tells me, even the demons shudder at the sound of His name. I pray anywhere and everywhere without fear of the consequences…and I don’t concern myself with offending someone else. If seeing my Bible in hand makes someone squirm, I’ll know that what I’m seeing is the kind of Conviction that happens supernaturally when darkness is exposed to the Light. I’m honored to be called a Child of God and it shows. You’ll see Jesus IN me for as long as I live and I’ll Share the Glory of God until He calls me Home and there “ain’t nothing normal” about that!

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 Master inside the warm farmhouse today and I when looked out to see what kind of morning He painted this morning, all of me Surrendered to all of Him and my Time with Him was all about Praise. I usually have many things to take before the Throne of my God, and I have lots of needs to pray for, but today, all my Heart could do was Praise Him for all that He is and all that He does for me. Eventually, I opened a hymnal and I sang a few old-time hymns to the Lord of my Life without making a sound. God doesn’t care whether I can carry a tune or not, but He does care about my Heart and He can see my Heart singing with Love for Him without me even making a sound. It makes my heart swell with love to hear a child singing a song just for me…why would it be any different for my Father? I think it must make God smile when we meet with Him with Praise in our Hearts without an agenda or a list of things we want from Him. Don’t you think about things like this too?

I understand the need for there to be order in the churches to some extent – especially with so many demanding it – but we put God in a box when we put order and schedules ahead of Him. It’s sad to know that if you dare to quit worrying about pleasing the people, the people quit coming. I wonder if people realize that when the focus shifts from pleasing God to pleasing the people, God might just quit coming too…and sometimes He does just that. Church is just part of the Sunday schedule for lots of people and they want to know they can plan on what time they’ll set free to go about their day. If the service takes a little longer than “usual”, the church staff will definitely hear about the delays on Monday morning. Everything is timed to perfection…time for 3 or 4 songs…time for a few announcements… time for an offering or communion… and finally, time for the Pastor to speak. If the Pastor is speaking for God, I wonder what it would look like if God spoke to the Pastor’s Heart for longer than his allotted time? What if the second or third service ran overtime because God had something special to Say to His People? As long as we keep God on OUR schedule we’ll never know the answer to that because today, pleasing the people is taking precedence over Pleasing the God of all Creation. Heartbreaking…

Yes, church services today are fine-tuned and well-oiled and most of them run like clockwork just like any other well-managed business. But I wonder what would happen in the orderly church if our disorderly God showed Himself there one Sunday? What would happen if the Holy Spirit decided to move in a Mighty Way and disrupted order in the process? Would He be told that He needs to be on the schedule if He wants to Speak just like everybody does? How many people would be tapping their feet or looking at their watches impatiently as the service went into overtime? How many people would complain as the Praise songs seemed to have no end? How many people would be more focused on the pot roast in the oven or the long lines at the buffet than the Blessing of some Extra time in the presence of the Living God? When God shows up schedules have no significance whatsoever, and when God shows up there is no longer “order.” How many people professing to be HIS people are a whole lot more concerned about “order” than they are about seeking His face? How many people actually long for Him to show up and Disrupt the order at all? My guess is that most people would prefer a scheduled visit to an impromptu Showing by the King. Sad but true.

I’ve seen what happens when we stop trying to please the people and focus on Pleasing God instead…HE SHOWS UP like never before! I’ve seen what happens when someone is so moved by the Spirit that they break out in song because they can no longer contain their Love and excitement. I’ve seen what happens when a Pastor preaches in the Spirit with no regard for the schedule because He’s too Lost in God instead. I’ve seen what happens when Truth is preached with more concern over feeding sheep than filling pews. I’ve seen what happens when the Pastor’s watch beeps to notify him that his time is up. I’ve seen “sermons” closed out unfinished in order to not upset the “flock.” I’ve seen churches split over the type of music – the quality of the musicians – or the length of time we sing to God. I’ve seen notes of correction handed to a Pastor at the end of a sermon more times than I can count. Sadly, these people will SAY they want to see revival but they need to be careful what they wish for! Revival is gloriously “disorderly” and schedules don’t come into play when people are “lost” in Jesus. But as long as we’re intent on people-pleasing to keep the pews and the bank accounts full…as long as we’re running church services like a well-managed corporate meeting…as long as we keep the God of all Creation in a box, we won’t grow – we won’t see people come to their Faith – we won’t hear a Testimony of the power of God – and we’ll rarely see a baptism – and we WON’T see Revival. Is law and order really worth that to you?

The “order” of my time with the Living God was altered this morning, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. It didn’t matter what I “usually” do or how I “normally” spend my time with Him. What mattered the most was that I had a Heart full of love for my God this morning, and I wasn’t looking to Him to do anything for me. I Praised Him. I sang in my Heart to Him. I told Him how much I love Him. I gave Him thanks upon thanks for all that He is and for good He is to me….and He showed up this morning in a Mighty Way.

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So, is God on your schedule, or are you on His?

“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me” – Psalm 13:5-6

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cold and windy, and the fields are filled with deer on this new day of a new week in the Journey called Life. I met with the Living God with great anticipation this morning and I opened my Instruction Manual with excitement. He’s the One and Only Constant in this Life…the One I can count on to be there any time I draw near to Him and He’s the only One who will always and forever have Time for me. He’s the One who never disappoints…never gives up…never fails to Forgive…never stops Loving. He’s the One who gives me Strength. He’s the One to Sustain me. He’s the One who planned my Purpose before I was ever born! Of course, I began this new day with Great Anticipation! Isn’t that the way you see the Journey of Faith too?

Things are buzzing this time of year as people frantically prepare for the holidays. They’ve just wrapped up shopping for the Thanksgiving feast and now they’re searching for just the right gifts. Many have already begun to celebrate Christmas before Thanksgiving even arrives and in their rush to get to the holiday they really want to celebrate, they blur what’s right in front of their eyes. Some will set out to buy “the world” for their loved ones – checking off from a wish list that was provided to them while others are praying to have the money to buy even one. Kids are filled with great anticipation as they wait for Santa to show up for Christmas and lots of them are warned that the “naughty” ones receive nothing from him at all. How ironic that the Reason for the Season is to celebrate the One and Only that Loves and Forgives even the “naughtiest” of naughty. There’s no end to His Giving and Forgiving and yet, He takes the back seat to Santa in the homes of LOTS of people professing to be Children of God. With Him, being “nice” doesn’t cut it at all…He already paid the ultimate Price for all the “naughty” ones like me. He wants to be Acknowledged as the One and Only Reason for ALL Seasons…period.

Parents will flock to the malls and stand in long lines just to have a chance to get a photo of their little ones on the lap of a guy who gets credit for bringing their gifts. I guess that seems like an innocent fantasy to most people…but I’m not sure it is to God. I’m pretty sure it would make God smile if parents were willing to stand in long lines just to have the chance to Introduce their little ones to the Giver of all Gifts. I think He’d like it a lot if the little ones were encouraged to climb onto His lap to pour their hearts out about their wants and needs too. There’s no question He’d like it if they confessed the “naughty” things to Him – but when they do He’ll be quick to Forgive instead of threatening to withhold Gifts or Love. It’s nice to have decorations around the house that are a reminder of the birth of the King, but it’s even nicer when we look forward to the Season with Great Anticipation because of Him and not despite Him.

I met with my One and Only with Great Anticipation this morning and I’m facing the day with excitement. Not even a child on a Christmas morning can compare to the excitement I feel in my Heart because of Him day after day. The Reason for the Season won’t get blurred with fantasy around here and nobody else will get even the slightest bit of credit for the Gift of Love or the abundance. He’s my One and Only. My Reason. My Life. My Love. My Strength. My Redeemer. My Provider. Only my God will get credit for the blessings of the season…from my wonderfully imperfect family to the feast we don’t deserve, to all the gifts placed under the tree that represent the gifts that were delivered to the King on the night He was born. I’m looking forward to this Season to honor the One who died for me with Great Anticipation and it’s going to be AMAZING because of Him! Plenty of people will hear about the day He was born throughout this holiday season…but I’m going to be sure they hear about the Day He died to pay the Price for all the naughty even more.

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 from inside this morning with a hot cup of coffee and a warm Heart ready to learn. This time of year most of the leaves have fallen to the ground and if not for the beauty of the sunrise and a few flags, there would be no color at all. As I sat in silence in the Presence of a Mighty God, I thought about how finding the “color” in Life is a choice and how so many people “opt out” in search of other things that make them happy in a different kind of way. As surely as I search for color in the winter sky, I search for Color in my Journey of Life too…those Beautiful opportunities to be used by the King of all kings that get missed by so many. “Color” is the Source of my Strength and the Joy in my Journey and it’s a choice whether I look for it or not. If I choose to focus more on the world around me than I do on the Color, I’d be in hibernation for the winter and my Life would have no Impact on the dark world at all. Isn’t that the way you look at the Color of your Life too?

We’ve just finished celebrating Thanksgiving and we’re fast approaching Christmas so there are LOTS of people looking for an opportunity to serve the “less fortunate”. It’s a good thing to extend a kind hand for holidays, but I can’t help but wonder where all that compassion is the other 363 days of the year. I recently read about a woman who is “sad” because she knows of someone from her church who has become homeless and “it’s getting cold outside.” She’s made phone calls to other churches and shelters in her area…and even the government for help – I’ll give her credit for that. Every place she called had plenty of ideas for the cold homeless woman…everybody pointing to someone else to fix the “problem” – but so far she had found no solution and she commented on how “sad it is that nobody is willing to help.” There are countless people who would do what she’s doing…willing to make a few phone calls as a cry for help on behalf of someone else…but very few are willing to accept the Opportunity to add Color all on their own. I think God ordains LOTS of opportunities like this one, but most people look for someone else to step up instead of adding Color to the situation all on their own the way God may intend for it to be. When Opportunity knocks…it’s time for Color!

Jesus said, “Whatever you do for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you do for me.” I wonder…would we just make a few phone calls for Jesus too or would we actually take Him into our home to get Him out of the cold? Would we scurry around looking for someone else to help Jesus so that we wouldn’t suffer the inconvenience ourselves, or would we roll up our sleeves and get busy blessing Him? Would we stay away because He didn’t smell good or look good or would we see Him in Living Color the way He sees us? Would we tell Jesus to “get a job” or tell Him that he’s getting what He deserves based on poor choices…and would we leave Him outside to teach him a lesson? Would we look for a few pieces of used clothing we can live without, or would we buy Him a new coat of his own? Would we point Him to a soup kitchen or look to the government to feed Him, or would we prepare a feast fit for a King in our own home? Would we protect the holiday table prepared exclusively for our own people or would we make room for Him at the Head of the table instead? One “sad” woman looking for somebody else to help…one cold, homeless “friend” looking for a miracle…is one HUGE opportunity to Serve the King of all kings in Living Color. “Whatever you do for the least of these of mine, you do for me.” Color makes all the difference.

I’m looking for the Color in this Journey of Life today and my Heart is ready to Share. I’m an Ambassador for the King of all kings ALL YEAR LONG and if He ordains an opportunity for me to bless “the least of these brothers and sisters of mine” I know it’s a chance to Serve HIM!

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 from inside this morning with a hot cup of coffee and a warm Heart ready to learn. This time of year most of the leaves have fallen to the ground and if not for the beauty of the sunrise and a few flags, there would be no color at all. As I sat in silence in the Presence of a Mighty God, I thought about how finding the “color” in Life is a choice and how so many people “opt out” in search of other things that make them happy in a different kind of way. As surely as I search for color in the winter sky, I search for Color in my Journey of Life too…those Beautiful opportunities to be used by the King of all kings that get missed by so many. “Color” is the Source of my Strength and the Joy in my Journey and it’s a choice whether I look for it or not. If I choose to focus more on the world around me than I do on the Color, I’d be in hibernation for the winter and my Life would have no Impact on the dark world at all. Isn’t that the way you look at the Color of your Life too?

We’ve just finished celebrating Thanksgiving and we’re fast approaching Christmas so there are LOTS of people looking for an opportunity to serve the “less fortunate”. It’s a good thing to extend a kind hand for holidays, but I can’t help but wonder where all that compassion is the other 363 days of the year. I recently read about a woman who is “sad” because she knows of someone from her church who has become homeless and “it’s getting cold outside.” She’s made phone calls to other churches and shelters in her area…and even the government for help – I’ll give her credit for that. Every place she called had plenty of ideas for the cold homeless woman…everybody pointing to someone else to fix the “problem” – but so far she had found no solution and she commented on how “sad it is that nobody is willing to help.” There are countless people who would do what she’s doing…willing to make a few phone calls as a cry for help on behalf of someone else…but very few are willing to accept the Opportunity to add Color all on their own. I think God ordains LOTS of opportunities like this one, but most people look for someone else to step up instead of adding Color to the situation all on their own the way God may intend for it to be. When Opportunity knocks…it’s time for Color!

Jesus said, “Whatever you do for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you do for me.” I wonder…would we just make a few phone calls for Jesus too or would we actually take Him into our home to get Him out of the cold? Would we scurry around looking for someone else to help Jesus so that we wouldn’t suffer the inconvenience ourselves, or would we roll up our sleeves and get busy blessing Him? Would we stay away because He didn’t smell good or look good or would we see Him in Living Color the way He sees us? Would we tell Jesus to “get a job” or tell Him that he’s getting what He deserves based on poor choices…and would we leave Him outside to teach him a lesson? Would we look for a few pieces of used clothing we can live without, or would we buy Him a new coat of his own? Would we point Him to a soup kitchen or look to the government to feed Him, or would we prepare a feast fit for a King in our own home? Would we protect the holiday table prepared exclusively for our own people or would we make room for Him at the Head of the table instead? One “sad” woman looking for somebody else to help…one cold, homeless “friend” looking for a miracle…is one HUGE opportunity to Serve the King of all kings in Living Color. “Whatever you do for the least of these of mine, you do for me.” Color makes all the difference.

I’m looking for the Color in this Journey of Life today and my Heart is ready to Share. I’m an Ambassador for the King of all kings ALL YEAR LONG and if He ordains an opportunity for me to bless “the least of these brothers and sisters of mine” I know it’s a chance to Serve HIM!

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I was awake just in time to watch the sun lift over the horizon and I couldn’t wait to see the morning unfold to see what God had in store for this new day of this new week. I dug into His Word like a hungry child looking for a morsel to satisfy my soul – what I ended up with was Golden Nuggets beyond my imagination. So, by the time I was ready to face this new day of a new week, I was in awe of my God all over again. He took me to the Spiritual Woodshed a few times and He reminded me that He “scattered the stars in the sky and knows them each by name.” God Himself patched together this weary Vessel this morning – He put “my feet on a firm foundation” and He “put a new song of praise in my mouth”. All it ever takes is a Good Dose of a Mighty God to put Life back in Perspective. Isn’t that the way it is for you too?

It’s not easy to walk this Journey called Life sometimes, but Help is just around the corner if we turn to Him instead of trying to weather it on our own. Each time we Turn, we Grow. Each time we “draw near to God, He draws near to us” too. Each time He takes us to the Spiritual Woodshed to show us our wicked ways, He’s Refining us to be more like Him. When we’re lacking love for the “difficult” ones, He’ll stir us into Compassion. When we’ve wronged someone, He’ll remind us of what unconditional love looks like and He’ll provide the conviction it takes to want to make things right again. If we’re afraid of what tomorrow might bring, He’ll Provide the “peace that surpasses all understanding” and everything scary dims in His Light. When we attempt to take control of our lives, He’ll remind us that He is the One who has “given orders to the morning” and “shown the dawn its place” and our own plans look so lame in comparison to His. Strength is found in Surrender, and His Power is ALWAYS made Perfect in our Weakness.

Plenty of people throughout my lifetime have commented on my “strength,” but that’s just an observation of how I’ve handled the storms and how I never quit. Inside I’m a wussie and I never forget how weak I really am without Him. My gratitude for the Price that was paid for me on the Cross at Calvary is stronger today than it was when I first met Jesus – and it’s my Gratitude that keeps me “strong” in my Service to the King. When I hurt someone I cry like a baby and I won’t rest until I make it right. If they refuse to allow me to make it right, I’m in agony until I give it back to God. When I get a good dose of judgment about my Faith – sometimes from the ones who don’t know my God, and sometimes from ones who do – I’m overwhelmed with Compassion over how my enemy is using them to try to get to me, and I pray for them with Love. None of these things are possible for human beings…it takes God to Accomplish the Goals. Rest assured, there is “no good in me apart from Him” – so if you see Strength in me, you’re not looking at a strong, capable woman, you’re looking at Jesus!!!

I’m beginning this new day in awe of the Creator of Heaven and earth and it all began with me looking for a morsel at sunrise. He fed me Gold Nuggets and patched together this weary Vessel and I have a new song of praise on my Heart to begin this new week. I’m leaning on the Author and Perfecter of my Faith and I’m Trusting Him to keep my path straight…AND to point out my wrongs every single time so that I can make them right. My Heart is inclined toward the Living God in all that I do and all that I am…and THAT’S the Power behind this Journey called Life.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The wind raged over the farm last night and this morning I see lots of limbs and twigs scattered on the ground. My Dad used to say that was God’s way of pruning the trees – “He shakes them up and causes the weaker ones to fall away so the tree can be stronger overall”. As I enjoyed the memory of my Dad this morning, I thought about how God prunes more than just the trees…He prunes His people too. Sometimes He’ll huff and puff and cause the winds to rush through the life of One who belongs to Him just so that He can prune away the pieces that need to be done away with so that He can make them Stronger. What a blessing it is for the God of all Creation to use the twigs and the limbs to drive home a Message this morning.

Life is filled with Strong Winds and nobody gets to escape them, but the winds don’t pass through for punishment and they NEVER pass through without Purpose. When the Strong Winds pass through it’s always a time for Pruning. Sometimes the Purpose is to cause some of the weaker things to fall away so that we can be made Stronger. Sometimes God is refining our Character and He’s forcing us to do away with things that shouldn’t exist in the Life of a Child of God at all. Sometimes He shakes things up to force us to hold on Tighter as we call out to Him for help. Sometimes He shakes things up just so that we can see that when we’re weak He is strong and His “power is made perfect in weakness.”

For some people, the wind seems to never stop blowing and if they aren’t careful they’ll question God in the process. I don’t presume to know the mind of God, but I think sometimes He keeps Pruning and Pruning hoping the tree will stop trying to stand on its own…and sometimes I think He’s got BIG Plans for the tree so a Big Work needs to be done to ready them. When the wind comes through it’s not time to whine…it’s time to Seek His Will and to Surrender to His Plans. God Loves a Heart that is humble and inclined to please Him. If we ask the Purpose of the winds with a Heart that is willing to be Pruned, He’ll always reveal His Pruning Plan. This is the Key to Maturing for the Journey.

The winds have passed through my Life more times than I can count and God has Pruned me into a Tree that is Strong and Willing in the process….a Tree that looks the same on the outside but one that will never be the same again on the Inside. God huffed and puffed and pruned LOTS of things from my Life that needed to go so that I could be made Stronger for the Journey…and so that I could be a usable Vessel… and I’m sure He’s not finished with me yet. When those winds pass through I never say “Why me?” – instead, I hit my knees at the sign of the first breeze because I KNOW He’s got a Purpose in the Pruning process…to make me Stronger for the Work He has for me. It always begins with a Willing Heart and a desire to be taught by the God of all Creation.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. As I sit here taking in the beauty around me this morning it’s hard to imagine that there’s anything wrong with the world beyond the front porch…but there is. I began to appeal to the King of all kings for dozens of things that came to my mind but my Heart kept turning back to the Good instead. I went from feeling anxious about the world to being filled with a “peace that surpasses all understanding” as I focused more on the Good than the bad. By the time I opened my Instruction Manual to find Wisdom and Direction, all I could find were Messages of Hope and reminders of how He’s got the whole world in the palm of His Hands and only He knows the outcome of it all. No matter what happens in the dark world beyond the front porch, as long as I focus on the Good I can easily trust Him with the bad. Isn’t that the way you see Life too?

It’s interesting to watch the world from a Place of Peace as it sets out to chase its own version of truth. Some people believe all the things they read and they spread it like wildfire on the web. Some believe they’ve identified secret sources and they savor every word as if it’s the gospel truth. Some are obsessed with the state of the world and it’s nearly impossible to get them in the direction of Good. Far too many people are beating their chests to be heard and hate runs through their veins for anyone bold enough not to believe what they believe. Some people have already given up on the world, and they’re hiding under the bed because they’re afraid of what tomorrow brings. Some are filling their children with fear and rage and they’re robbing them of Good in the process. No matter how hard these people try to make sense of the dark world, and no matter how much they’ve convinced themselves that they know the truth, the only Truth to rely upon doesn’t come from a secret source or a post on the world wide web. The ONLY Truth comes straight from the Throne of the Living God and only He knows what is in store for us all. Remembering this is the Source of Peace in the world beyond the front porch that surpasses understanding.

It sounds ridiculously simple…even to people of Faith…that Peace can be found in the Presence of God and His Word is the source of Truth…but it’s as true today as it was from the very beginning of time. He IS our Hope and He Holds our future in the palm of His Hands and HE will have the final say. When I look out there to see people of Faith sharing secret information from secret sources with passion and conviction, I wonder how they got to the place where they traded sharing the Word of God for the opinion of man. When I look out there and see people of Faith captivated by any man much more than they’re captivated by the Son of Man I see why the world is so dark. I’m not sure how much crazier the world has to become before people professing to share my Faith…people claiming to Know my God…will come to their senses and turn to the Good instead of obsessing over the bad, BUT I do know He’ll balance those scales One Day. My God can be Trusted with the bad…and He’s not surprised by anything. He’ll make sure it all works out in His Favor…every single time…since the beginning of time. He is the only source of Good, He’s the Authority over it all, and He is the Key to Hope and a Future well beyond this dark world.

I am blessed to have a beautiful backdrop to wake up to each day, but MORE than the view from the front porch that I focus on with my eyes…I make sure that my Heart is inclined toward Him and I make it my goal to ONLY focus on the Good. There’s not much I can do for the dark world beyond the front porch but I CAN shed some Light on behalf of the One I Serve. I can speak up loud and clear about the One True Authority over this world, and I can speak the name of Jesus Christ and make every demon in hell tremble in fear. I can continue to put my Faith and Trust in Him…and not in man…secret or otherwise. Good is Always there and I’m determined to keep my eyes on the One with the Master Plan no matter how bad the world appears to be on the outside. I know that “ALL things world together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His Purpose” – I love Him with everything within me and I’ve been called according to His Purpose…how could I NOT have peace at 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 a little cloudy and cold but that didn’t stop me from at least stepping outside to take in the glory of this new day before I settled in to meet with the Master of it all inside. As I sat there offering my Praise and my Thanks, my mind kept wandering off to troubling things that could have easily robbed me of the Joy of Time spent with the Living God. I could have surrendered to those thoughts, and I could have cut our Time short because of them, but I chose to Persevere and I chose to take “captive every thought”… and before you know it all those things were put back where they belong and I found my Joy and Peace all over again. What a Sweet Reminder straight from the Throne of a Mighty God that everything comes down to choice.

Man is the only one of God’s Creation who has the intellect to make good or bad choices. God does the Calling, but we choose to accept Him as Savior or not. God does the Leading, but we choose to follow Him or not. God plants the seed of Purpose deep within the human Heart, but we choose to fulfill it or not. God breathed Life into His Word to show us the Way, but we choose to read it or not. God surrounds us with Beauty every day, but we choose to see it or not. God brings people into our lives to Grow us through the Journey, but we choose to accept them or not. God ordains Opportunities to share the Gospel with others, but we choose to Speak it or not. God issues “red flags” and the Holy Spirit does the warning, but we choose to Listen to Him or not. God ordains circumstances intended to draw us closer to Himself, but we choose to accept it as Divine or not. The Lord “gives and takes away” but we choose to accept His Will or not. God withholds the details of His Plans sometimes, but we choose to Trust Him or not. There’s no end to the choices we make when it comes to the Living God and His Will for our lives – but He’s either Lord of our lives or He’s not – and that comes down to choice too.

Perhaps it takes a Valley to force us into Surrender instead of us getting there on our own. Sometimes where there seems to be no way we make the choice to Give it all to the “way maker” instead. Sometimes when we’ve lost our hope, we’ll turn to the only Hope any of us really have. Sometimes when we’re scared, we turn to the Great “I am” to “hide in the shadow of His wings.” Sometimes when we’re without, we’ll turn to the Provider of all. Sometimes when we’re lonely, we’ll turn to the One that will “never leave us nor forsake us.” There is always a Purpose for the Valley and we often Turn to Him for Help when we’re there – but when He Delivers us out of the Valley and places us on top of the Mountain again, we choose to tell the world about His goodness or not. He’s either Lord of our lives or He’s not – and it always comes down to choice.

I began this beautiful new day subject to things that could have robbed me of Good this morning, but I made the choice to fight back instead. All those “thoughts” come from an enemy that would LOVE to distract me from doing the Will of my Father – but I choose to thwart his plans by taking “captive every thought” instead. Today I choose to Serve the King of all Kings and I’m ready for whatever He has for me…and all because I make the choice for Him to be Lord of my Life day after day.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s a new day of a new week and it began at sunrise for me in the presence of the Most High God. I’m anxious to meet with Him for lots of reasons on any given day, but THIS morning I met with Him after a night of troubling dreams, and since I know that those dreams came through a blind spot in my subconscious mind, this morning we were doing some House Cleaning within me. The Bible says: “Do not give the devil a foothold” so when I see a red flag – a sneaky way the enemy is attempting to “torment” me, I get busy cleaning house! I cast all my cares on the One Who “scattered the stars in the sky and knows them each by name”! I don’t have absolute control over everything in my Life, but I do have control over what I allow to take up space in my mind whether I realize those thoughts exist or not. So, this morning I gave it to the Most High God and I filled myself up with Him and His Word. Today I’ll fight the Good Fight the way my Savior did…I’ll be quoting Truth in the face of my enemy, and when I do, I’ll override the schemes the evil one is using to discourage or defeat me. I know how to Fight and I Know how to win. Isn’t that what you do to Overcome too?

I have lots of dreams about the future in my waking hours, but I don’t usually remember a dream that passes through my mind in my slumber. For me to remember a dream, it has to instill enough emotion within me to wake me up. Once in a while, it’s something so odd or so funny that my own laughter will jar me awake. But every once in a LONG while I’ll wake up in tears over whatever I was dreaming about, and that’s what happened to me in the wee hours of this new day. Years ago I had a dream that war was raging over my soul…the war between Good and evil and it was terrifying. I could sense Peace and Protection on one side and I was reaching up to my Savior and calling His name, but there was also darkness and evil on the other side that was so frightening it’s impossible to describe. I didn’t stop reaching for my Life Line for one second, but the evil one was threatening to consume me, and it was fear and trembling that woke me up that night. I’ll never know if I was given a glimpse of the non-stop Spiritual war that takes place in the heavenly realms that night, OR if it was my own subconscious mind playing out the Choice that we all need to make that will determine our Future. Either way, to the Throne of God I went and I got busy equipping myself to do warfare of my own. I have been Hard-Wired to Fight back and win! So, I made sure to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ”. The condition of my mind has a direct impact on the condition of my Heart, so when I see that a little work is needed I get busy doing my Part.

Psalm 16:7 says “I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me” so I’m confident there is Heavenly business going on when I sleep. I know that the King of kings is on Watch 24/7 and that God NEVER leaves His Throne. I know that we Win the battle against Good and evil and that one day “EVERY knee will bow and EVERY tongue confess that He is Lord”. But I also know that my journey isn’t supposed to be just a walk in the park. It takes HARD work to run this Race if we want to Win. It takes work on the Heart, work on the mind, and an understanding of how the two are tied together. My body finds its rest, but my mind never sleeps. So if I want to be sure to stay away from those subconscious thoughts within me that can ruin a perfectly good night’s sleep then I have to do my part to fill me up with Good in every way…every day..

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s Veterans Day and I spent a little more time than usual this morning praying for those special people who have sacrificed so much to serve me and my Country. It’s the kind of sacrifice that I can’t begin to fathom and it’s the kind of sacrifice that often goes unnoticed…except for once or twice a year, that is. Sometimes I think about the Biggest Sacrifice EVER made for you and for me and when I do, I realize that if most of the world doesn’t accept or appreciate THAT Sacrifice, how will they appreciate the sacrifice of time and life that our servicemen and women (and their families) give each and every day?

I gladly gave up my own life to raise my family and I’d be willing to die for any one of them today. I’d give up my life for my God too should I ever be asked to deny Him. But the thought of people being willing to give up their own lives for people they don’t even know? That thought overwhelms me every time I think about it. These days it must be difficult to make so many sacrifices for a country that doesn’t show them the respect they deserve. It must be difficult to be threatened with being removed from service because of choices they make for their health as they watch freedom quickly become a thing of the past. God bless them for still being willing to serve the greatest nation in the world even though they see it transform right before their very eyes to an unrecognizable world. If there’s ever been a time we need them, it’s now.

Not everyone who serves in our military is faced with the sacrifice of life (thank God) but they’re willing to if they have to…and they ALL make huge sacrifices for you and for me every single day. In their fight for our freedom, they surrender their own. They’re told when to show up, when to suit up, and when to shut up. They’re told what to wear and when to wear it and they know that what they wear better be perfect at all times. They are people of discipline and people of excellence and it shows. They’re told where to live and how long to live there. They’re told what to say and when to say it and to never question authority. They’re told what job they’ll be doing and they’re taught how to do it, and if they don’t particularly like what they do, they do it anyway without complaining instead of looking for a new job like you and me.
Most of our young enlisted men and women could easily make more money working at a retail store full-time than they do to serve our country 24/7. They’re told when they’ll have a day off and IF they’ll have a holiday off, and many of our servicemen and women spend the holidays alone more often than we care to think about. In spite of all of the sacrifices they make for you and for me, they PROUDLY serve America even when we don’t tell them or show them how much we appreciate the sacrifices they make for us.

My husband proudly served in the Marine Corps, and as they say, once a Marine, always a Marine. My father served in the United States Navy during WWII, my youngest son served in the United States Air Force to do his part in this War on Terror, and my son-in-law still proudly serves in the United States Air Force today. I’m not just thankful for their service…I’m humbled by all of the sacrifices made by them (and by their families) day after day for you and for me. I’m thankful for EVERY Veteran…those I know and love and those I’ll never meet! I don’t just thank them on Veterans Day and I don’t just pray for them on special days either. Every single one of them has my heart, my support, my gratitude, and my prayers every single day that I breathe.

How about you?

Thank you, Veterans!!!! May God bless you and your families and may God richly bless the United States of America.