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?

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?