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.

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The Lord brought the rain last night and it was as if the earth whispered a “thank you” in the early hours of this new day…and so did I. When I first woke up it was painfully obvious that I needed to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” because my thoughts were overflowing with things outside of my control…things that needed to be Surrendered instead of “managed”. If the Living God is gracious enough to bless me with a new day, it’s time to get busy taking captive every thought! Being Mature in my Faith doesn’t mean that I don’t struggle with my thoughts, it means that I recognize a Heart Problem when I see it and I set out to correct it with the King as fast as I can! To allow thoughts to take ME captive instead of me taking THEM captive would be to squander a new day and to lose an opportunity to Serve. That’s not an option for me. Is it an option for you?

The Journey of Faith is not always easy, and sometimes the trials can cause people to Stumble and Fall. For some reason, people convince themselves that once they step into their Faith Life is going to be easier…but that’s not true. The Bible says that in this Life we will “have trials of many kinds” and that the purpose of the Trials is to test our Faith! Life is filled to the brim with trials and tribulations for me the same as it was for all the Saints before me – and they are my Encouragement to Finish the Race no matter what! Daniel didn’t avoid the lion’s den because he was a man of Faith; instead, he took captive every thought, and his thoughts were inclined toward the One Who would deliver him. David didn’t avoid being hunted down like an animal because he was a man of Faith; instead, he took captive every thought, and his thoughts were inclined toward the One Who would deliver him. Jonah didn’t avoid being swallowed up by a big fish just because he was a man of Faith; instead, he took captive every thought, and his thoughts were inclined toward the One Who would deliver him. Nobody avoids the trials and tribulations just because they’ve come to their Faith, they just learn to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” and they Trust the One they Serve. This is the Key to Perseverance through it all.

Self-pity, self-centeredness, fear, and pride are always what’s behind those thoughts that need to be taken captive – but there’s no place for any of these things in the Heart of a Child of the Living God. He’s more aware of my circumstances than I am and He’ll see me through as long as I “take captive every thought to make it obedient” to Him. I don’t need to worry about whether or not He’ll do His “part” – all I ever need to worry about is doing mine. My “job” is to be a Light in the world…salt of the earth…a Vessel willing to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ…and a Witness for all to see the Power and Might of my God. So, when I “take captive every thought” my fear subsides, my Heart rejoices, my Strength returns, my Hope is renewed, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that “I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength.” Then, and only then, can I be a Vessel that’s ready, willing, and able to do the work of the King.

Let it be said of me; “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day.”

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 One who gives “orders to the morning and shows the dawn its place” and I watched Him unfold this new day. It’s reason enough to celebrate a new day when we stand in the Presence of the One who made it, but there is even more cause to celebrate when the morning comes into play right before my very eyes from this old farm. The One who Breathes life into each new day is the same One who Breathes Life into me, and I don’t want to ever lose sight of that… even for a second. This morning His Majesty took my breath away and just knowing that I was standing in His Presence of the Most High God moved every part of my soul. Isn’t that the way it is with you too?

It can be so easy for most people to overlook the Majesty of the Living God in the rush of everyday life, but I don’t think it’s possible to appreciate Who He is unless we do. It’s one thing to consider that He is the Force behind your life and to Believe that you’re Destined for Heaven One Day, but it’s an entirely different story to understand the Majesty of the God who Orchestrates every single piece of this life, every second, of every day, How could we NOT be overwhelmed by a God that “orders the morning and shows the dawn its place”? How could we NOT be overwhelmed by a God that “scattered the stars in the sky and knows them each by name”? How could we NOT be overwhelmed by a God who “shut up the sea behind doors to give it boundaries” and Who said, “Here is where your proud waves halt”? How could we NOT be overwhelmed by a God that “has the wisdom to count the clouds” and “who can tip over the water jars of the heavens to bring the rain”? How could we NOT be overwhelmed by a God who “laid the earth’s foundation” and who “stretched a measuring line across it while the morning stars sang together and all the angels should for joy”? Just thinking about His Majesty overwhelms me day after day and my Heart is like those stars singing together and angels shouting for joy! When I consider all that He is, it’s impossible NOT to feel excited about my Life. God doesn’t Create anything “just because”…He Creates with Purpose…including me. Just like the heavens and the earth and everything in between He planned with Purpose, He has a Purpose for my Life too! He’s Majestic and He’s my God…and I have the honor to stand in His Presence any time I want to! Excited? There aren’t words for that kind of excitement!

His Majesty humbles me. His Majesty excites me. His Majesty brings me to my knees. His Majesty makes me shout for joy. His Majesty prompts me to surrender. His Majesty overwhelms me. The very same God that “showed the dawn its place” this morning, cares even MORE about me that He does all those stars He scattered in the sky, and He Knows my name too! He’s Majestic. He’s the God above ALL things, and He’s MY God. He loves me. He has a Purpose for me. He has a place for me in Heaven. I’ll be worshiping His Majesty all day long…from the time I watched Him give “the dawn its place” this morning until He calls “the darkness to reside” tonight…and I’ll never stop as long as there is breath in my body. My Majestic God has a Purpose for me and I’ll be making sure to Fulfill whatever it is until He calls me Home because He is Worthy.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I was thirsting for God this morning the way the earth is thirsting for water and I couldn’t wait to enter His Presence and pour my Heart out to Him. There is a lot going on in my life and there are a million moving pieces. There are a few strained relationships that need healing so I’m inclined to “own” these things and let stress overcome me if I’m not careful, so I turn to my Source of Life, to the One who has the Power to make everything alright. He’s my Rock. He’s my Fortress. He’s my Deliverer. He’s my Strength. He’s the One Constant in Life. He’s the One that will never leave me nor forsake me! He never disappoints. He never stops loving. He never stops forgiving. He always has time for me. He cares about every aspect of my life. He’s Jehovah Shammah – the One who is always there! Most of the time just thinking about Who He is in my Life sets my Heart in Praise-mode, and when I’m in Praise-mode what I want from Him pales in comparison to Who He is to me. That’s what Love looks like.

I could write a prayer list that would wrap around the entire state of Virginia of all those things…those requests…those people in need of His Hand. I could go to the War Room and pray for days upon days for all those things in my own life and in the lives of others. I could pray from sun up to sundown and I’d never cover it all. Sometimes I wonder what they did years ago when prayer requests were made known. Did they take the time to chisel the requests into stone to be sure they wouldn’t forget or did the Request get chiseled into their Hearts instead? I pray throughout the entire day for lots and lots of things chiseled into my Heart. When someone asks me to pray I take it seriously and those Requests become chiseled into my Heart so there’s no need to write them down. The Heart is where Love and Compassion are found and God hears every thought. But it all begins with Praise for the One Who hears the prayers of His people. When we draw near to Him – He draws near to us! Without that, a prayer list becomes more like a wish list handed over to the Author of Life.

I know God counsels me “even when I sleep” and it comforts me to Know that He doesn’t just “watch over me” but that He’s inclined toward me day and night because I love Him and He loves me. When someone “pops into my head” I begin to pray because I don’t believe the “pop into my head” was coincidental at all. When someone “just happens” to show up – I begin to pray because I don’t believe in chance meetings. When some random thought about something going on in life “pops into my head” I don’t dismiss it – I pray. My children and grandchildren “pop into my head” all day long each time they do, I pray. I have a Time with the Living God set aside each morning…a Time to Praise…to give Thanks..and to make my Requests known to Him…but my Time with Him doesn’t end there. I commune with Him all day long no matter what’s going on around me. I pray throughout my day for people who are chiseled into my Heart – and because He’s chiseled into mine – He knows every thought, every prayer, every need without referring to a list at all.

I woke up parched and thirsting for Him this morning and He filled my Heart to overflowing as I gave Thanks for Who He is. My Heart is inclined toward Him and His is Inclined toward me. I’ll be praying throughout this entire day and into the night… and even when I sleep He’ll counsel me. What a Mighty God I serve!

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The skies are clear and the sun is bright and beautiful, but it’s contrasted against the scorched brown fields so I’m working hard to focus on the beauty I see in the sky above all else today. Summer hasn’t been what it usually is around here – lush and green and hard to maintain, and unless God chooses to open up the heavens to bring the rain, we’ll slide right into the Fall season without much color at all. In the book of Job, we read: “He loads the clouds with moisture; He scatters His lightning through them. At His direction, they swirl around over the face of the whole earth to do whatever He commands them. He brings the clouds to punish people or to water HIS EARTH and show His love.” Now THAT’S a God to revere AND to fear! The Living God has the Power to change the course of Life with just a whisper, The Great “I am” has the Power to open up the heavens…or not. When you look at it that way, only a fool with refuse to “work out Salvation with fear and trembling”. Isn’t that the way you see your Journey of Faith too?

There aren’t enough words in the English dictionary to adequately describe the Beauty of my God and there aren’t enough words known to man that can define my Gratitude for who He is and what He does for me. BUT mixed in with all the overwhelming beauty of my God is a Reverence for Him and an Acknowledgement that the God who “gives and takes away” could so easily flip my life upside down if He wanted to for Reasons of His own. So, when a “strike” seems to come out of nowhere…I pause to examine my Heart. When someone goes against me and speaks things against my character….I pause to examine my Heart. When someone believes I’ve intentionally wronged them even though they should know better…I pause to examine my Heart. When I’m accused of things that go against the very Core of who I am…I examine my Heart. When someone lashes out with insults…I pause to examine my own Heart…not theirs. I pause to examine my Heart even when I don’t fully understand the circumstances at all – not because I’m afraid of man or that I squander time worrying about what man thinks of me, but because I am working out my Faith with fear and trembling and it matters more to me how God sees me than how man perceives me. God is ALWAYS the One to balance the scales of justice so I can’t go wrong no matter what the world thinks of me IF I Focus more on what God thinks of me than anything else. This is the Key to Spiritual Maturity.

If there was a club called the “Yeah, But Club” I think most of the world would be members. These are the ones to justify bad behavior and cruel words toward someone else with a “yeah, but” as if God overlooks the offense as long as they have a good excuse. But when God changes the course with His Whisper, He doesn’t care about our excuses and the “yeah, buts” can AND WILL be held against us One Day. “Working out our Salvation with fear and trembling” means that we FIRST examine our own Hearts and we let vengeance be His if that’s what He wants, because we KNOW it’s never ours to administer. Working out our “Salvation with fear and trembling” means that we are quick to hit our knees to make sure that there is no wrong resting in our own Hearts and that we’re in Alignment with His Will. We understand that Forgiveness is a two-way street and that if we want it from God, we extend it to man. We have no control over how we’re treated or how we’re “wronged” and we’re not supposed to take it upon ourselves to inflict some sort of pain when we are. What we DO have control over is our mind which has the ability to conjure up the worst of the worst – our mouth, which has the potential to spit out venom – and our Heart which has the potential to go against our God if we aren’t careful. This is the Recipe for Peace for those who understand what it looks like to “work out our Salvation with fear and trembling.”

The sky is blue and the earth is brown but my Heart is filled with the Color of Gratitude after being tended to by the God who can flood the earth or withhold it for a Purpose. As for me, I won’t question Him and I sure won’t critique His Work. Instead, I’ll be working out my Salvation with fear and trembling all the days of my Life. I gave up my membership to the “Yeah, But Club” decades ago and I’m not going back.

How about you?