Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cool and beautiful again this morning and if I didn’t know better I’d think we were in a different season altogether. Last week it was scorching hot and today it feels like Fall. As I sat there taking in the Magnificence of this new day, I thought about how we often get the Seasons of Life mixed up and our focus gets off-kilter when we do. The temperature this morning FELT like Fall but nothing looks like it. If I react to what I feel and not by what I see, I can easily be fooled into believing I’m in an entirely different Season. Sometimes we can’t go by what we feel or see, we go by what we Know instead. In terms of the season of the year, I know it’s summer – in terms of the Season of my Journey, I Know the time is near. My adversary would love for me to be fooled in every way and that’s why I do my best to remain Laser Focused on Truth. Isn’t that the way you see your Journey of Faith too?

It’s only when I look in the mirror that I see that I’m in the fall season of my life. The years show on my face and this old mare ain’t what she used to be. But I don’t dwell on what I see, I live as if I’m in a season that is far behind me as I look ahead to what is to Come. My heart is young. My spirit is young. I still have the mind of a younger person even though my body can’t always do what I used to do I’m usually surprised when I can’t. But all in all, no matter what I see and feel, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

It’s sad to see so many people fooled by what they see in the mirror. They allow the adversary to convince them that now is the time to quit and they believe they no longer have something to offer the Kingdom because of it. Moses was called into Service at 80 years old – had he looked in the mirror and embraced his years, he never would have obeyed the Living God. What we see in the mirror has no relevance at all, it’s what God sees in US that matters the most. No matter how old or how young we are, NOW is the Season to Serve like never before. This is the Key to being found worthy to be used by the King of all kings all the days of our lives.

Some people consider the calendar years and they disregard what is possible for them because of it. The adversary will convince them that they’re too young to be so serious about the Journey of Faith and they put off Serving the Living God because of it as if they have all the time in the world to get Serious. Some are in the season of raising a family and the adversary will convince them that now is the season to focus on things like sports and GPAs instead of the only Season that matters in the Bigger Picture of Life. We have no way of knowing how many seasons the Lord will give us and we don’t know when we’ll draw our last breath. But what we DO Know is that IF we are Born Again, the Season to Share Jesus Christ with the world is now. When we remain Laser Focused on that Truth we cannot be fooled by what we feel or see with our eyes. It’s only when we Embrace what the Journey is all about do we set aside all the other seasonal distractions for the Season of the King. He’s coming back and neither young nor old will escape the Outcome when He does, and He won’t entertain excuses for why He died for us but we refused to Live for Him all because of the seasons.

I’m an imperfect woman living out the Final Season of life on earth. I’ve lived long enough to know what it’s like to be fooled by my adversary and I squandered my younger years because of it. Today, I don’t care about what the mirror reflects and I don’t care what the calendar says. I am determined to be Laser Focused on Truth until I draw my last breath AND I’m committed to sharing the Truth with as many people as I can before He calls me Home. My Heart is Strong. My mind is sound. My body is healthy. I’m working harder than ever before and I’m not stopping until He stops me no matter what season I’m in. I might need a staff like Moses carried just to hold me up before it’s all said and done, but I won’t quit. The Season to Serve the King of all kings is NOW and I won’t let the Blessing pass me by no matter what.

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 calm on this new day and after a little time in the presence of a Big God, my Heart began to feel on the inside what the day brought to the outside…cool and calm. This buck made his way across the field this morning with a small herd in tow, and it’s always a joy to have a front-row seat to watch them. His job is to lead, protect, to fend off enemies, and to increase the size of the herd each season. A few times I watched him turn to one of his herd to make a correction, just the way all good leaders do. There is no question who is in control in a herd of deer, that’s for sure. His very being sends a message to the animal world. Watching this buck with his herd reminded me of how my very Being should send a message to the dark world and there should be no mistake about who I am and what Herd I belong to. When someone stands in my presence they should see, feel, and hear about the One who died for me and my Presence should cause an unbelieving soul to experience “culture shock” because I don’t resemble things of this world. Isn’t it just like God to use a buck and his herd to speak to the Heart of His Servants?

It can be so easy for people of Faith to fall into the snares of this life if we aren’t careful but we can’t be a good Reflection of Heavenly things if we do. We can stomp and whine about the state of the world with the best of them, but we are supposed to be “in this world, not of this world” and there’s nothing “shocking” about the way we live when we join the crowd of complainers. We can hold a grudge against the ones who wrong us like the best of them, but holding a grudge is a refusal to Forgive and there’s nothing “shocking” about the way we live when we hate along with all the others. We can spit out insults and justify our beliefs like the best of them, but there’s nothing “shocking” about the way we live when “out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing.” It’s when we love especially when it doesn’t make sense…when we Forgive no matter the offense…when we refuse to speak hate to any one of God’s creations…that we stand out like a sore thumb in this dark world and the “culture shock” that lost people experience will often lead them to want to know what’s “different” about us. This is the key to living out “thy kingdom come, they will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.”

I’m an imperfect woman living an imperfect life but I love the Perfect One with all of my Heart and I strive to Live the way He commands me to. My desire to please Him is far greater than my desire to tango with the darkness of the world. From politics to pedophiles I leave it up to God to exercise judgment and “vengeance.” With Him in control of it all, I know that when I speak out against what I see with my eyes, I’ve lost sight of the Master Plan altogether and I become a poor Reflection of the One I Serve. I want lost people to experience “culture shock” when they see my Supernatural responses to unnatural events. I want them to see Love when they “don’t deserve it.” I want them to see the “peace that surpasses all understanding” when outward circumstances paint a picture of turmoil and hate. I won’t rely on what I think with my head or feel in my Heart to be a Witness to the darkness…I’ll give it everything I’ve got to live a Life, to SPEAK the name of Jesus Christ, to Love unconditionally, to reflect the “fruit of the spirit” which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. I want the darkness to experience CULTURE SHOCK in the Light of my Faith all the days of my Life…and THAT’S what God will use to add to His Kingdom if I remain faithful to the Faithful One.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. This morning was crystal clear and beautiful…exactly how I want my Heart to be. I have no control over the weather, but I DO have control over the Condition of my Heart, so I entered His Presence…I opened my Instruction Manual…I sat in Silence and I listened for His Voice… and I asked Him to Forgive me of my wrongs. It didn’t take long for my Heart to become crystal clear and beautiful just like the morning sky because it’s been cleansed of anything that has the potential to get in the way of my Relationship with my God. All it takes is a little Humility mixed with Love, and I find my way to that place where I can be of Good Service to the King of all kings! Isn’t that your Goal in the Journey of Faith too?

I think it’s interesting how some people react when I talk about Repentance as if they’re shocked that I have anything to repent of at all. Of course, I do…and so do you! Even the “tiniest” wrong needs to be dealt with before the Throne of a Righteous God. That’s where Spiritual Maturity comes in. A Humble heart SEARCHES for things that go against the Nature of God and a Heart filled with Love for Him will easily Repent because of it. But a Heart that hasn’t Matured yet will overlook all kinds of things that go against God without a care in the world. That kind of Heart justifies behavior and is no stranger to inflicting pain upon other people without blinking an eye. That kind of Heart feels no compassion for the suffering as if they’re not suffering themselves because they’re somehow a little more entitled than all the others. That kind of Heart is the source of lots of heartbreak in the Journey of Faith and that kind of Heart is oblivious. By the way, that’s the kind of Heart our Adversary LOVES to have access to because when he does, he can create all kinds of turmoil in the church, in the family, and everywhere in between. Spiritual Maturity is the only way to please God and the only Route to being used as a Vessel for Kingdom Work. It’s time to grow up.

It takes Work to reach Spiritual Maturity – the kind of Work most people aren’t willing to do. It takes LOTS of Quality Time in His Presence, but most people can’t find the time. It takes reaching that place of Humility it takes to repent, but most people are too proud to do that. It takes Compassion, the kind of compassion that is developed ONLY through heartbreak of our own in our Journey toward Refinement, but most people never find it. It takes becoming Selfless so that the needs of others become far more important than our own, but most people are too focused on themselves to get that part Right. Last, but not least, it takes Love…the greatest AND the toughest of all. It’s not possible to Love the way we’re Called to Love with Immature Hearts and THAT’S why Time in His Presence is the Key to Spiritual Maturity. The Bible says; “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”…and, so it is throughout the Journey of Faith. It’s time to grow up.

I love Jesus Christ more than I love life…more than I love anybody or anything IN this life…and because I do, I’m Willing to do anything I have to do to be Spiritually Mature. I’m just passing through and my life is “like a vapor”. I’m on a Temporary Assignment and I don’t have forever to get it Right….and neither do you. My Focus is on the One who died for me and the Home that awaits me when it’s Time for my address to change. Until then, I press on. The Goal is Humility and Love and I work hard for both in hopes that He will find me to be a Worthy Vessel to do the work of the King of all kings all the days of my Life. I grew up.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s one of those perfect kind of mornings with clear skies and cool air before things heat up for the day. Part of me wishes it could be like this all the time, but if it was like this all the time I’d eventually take it for granted. Only God is “the same yesterday, today, and forevermore” while everything else in between changes. It’s the changing that keeps us on our toes, and it’s the changing that causes some of us to seek His Will a little harder than all the others. Some changes are good ones…some are bad ones…some seemingly without much relevance at all…at least from where I sit. Because I know that change comes to all of us, I determine to face each new day with a renewed Heart and an attitude of Gratitude while I Ready myself for whatever change I might face on this new day. Isn’t that how you look at change too?

It can be so easy to take things for granted in life if we’re not careful, but we miss out on the Purpose of Life when we do. We skip through life without a care in the world as long as things are running smoothly, and before we know it, we begin to take things for granted in the process. We live as if love will always be there – it’s when we take love for granted that it has the potential to fade. We live as if nothing in life needs to be nurtured, but nothing grows strong roots without nurturing. We live as if life never ends for anybody – it’s when we take life for granted that we forget to savor more moments. We live as if money will always be there – it’s when we take money for granted that we spend it recklessly OR we take for granted all those beautiful opportunities that can lift us out of poverty. We live as if good health is just a way of life – it’s when we take good health for granted that we forget to protect it. We live as if we have forever to do all those things we’ve always dreamed of doing…but it’s when we take our dreams for granted that we begin to perish. There’s no end to what we take for granted and no limit to our excuses when we do. It’s ONLY when we have a sincere Attitude of Gratitude for every sliver of life that we realize how precious (and how frail) life is and we make SURE to savor it all while we’re still here.

The Bible says that in the end times “men will be lovers of themselves” – no doubt taking things for granted is a very clear picture of what that looks like today. It’s the selfish heart of man that leads to taking things for granted – living for ourselves and tending to our own needs above all else. The hard Reality is that it’s not possible to be filled with an Attitude of Gratitude for all that He is and all that He does when we take so much for granted…we’re “lovers of” ourselves instead. It’s when we see the Blessing of it all…the Blessing of each one…the Blessing of every Ordained moment…the Blessing found in every up and every down…even the Blessing behind the changes…that we learn to savor it ALL and taking things for granted is Spiritually impossible. The Lord “gives and takes away” and I can’t help but wonder if He changes things up in Life to be sure that we don’t take it for granted.

I’m savoring this cool summer morning before it changes back to the norm and I’m overflowing with an Attitude of Gratitude even though my life isn’t “perfect” here on earth. Change comes to all of us and I’ve had my fair share just like the rest of the world. Sometimes I embrace it and sometimes I fight it, but I always Trust Him with the change. I don’t want to take one moment…one person…one change for granted and I want to overflow with an Attitude of Gratitude that can be seen far and wide…no matter what’s going on in the Journey called Life. May it NEVER be said of me that I was a “lover of” self.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. Though it’s Saturday, every day is a busy day around here so I make sure to kick each one off with the most Important thing on my List of things to do – I meet with the Living God. He’s not just the CEO of my Life, He’s a Wonderful Counselor and the Source of Wisdom too. He knows my steps before I take them, and He knows what the end Result will be before it is revealed to me. He “keeps my path straight” if I should stray from His Plans for me. Everything I need to know about my Life and Ministry was written long ago. I refer to my Instruction Manual every single day for Divine Direction because these Words were Breathed into existence by the Living God to help me along. If I want to be successful in every area of Life it all begins with my Relationship with my CEO. As long as I have that part right, everything else will just fall into Place. Isn’t that the way you look at your relationship with your CEO too?

I can’t imagine what it’s like to hit the ground running on a new day without a Staff Meeting with the Living God to ensure my success, but plenty of people do just that. When things get in the way of my Staff Meeting…an unexpected interruption or a late start to a new day…I’m out of sorts all day and I don’t feel nearly as Prepared as I need to be for the Journey. I’m not sure why people refuse to spend time with the Living God, but I think most people don’t think it’s necessary…sad but true. If that’s the case, they’ve been deceived by the master deceiver! If you want the Day to end well, it all begins at the Beginning. If you long to be Promoted One Day, the kind of Promotion that will take you all the way to the Top, you’ll Invest Time to spend with your CEO each day too. If you want to Receive a Good Review…the kind that says “WELL DONE!” that depends on how much Quality Time you spend with your CEO. Your “success” all comes down to you and how much you Value your Position in Life and how much Time and Attention you spend with the Author of it all aka your CEO.

Some people were baptized as infants and they’re under the impression that the sprinkling was a Reservation for a place in Heaven…but that’s not true. Some people say a prayer every night before bedtime in the privacy of their own homes, and they think that satisfies the Living God…but ritualistic prayers don’t mean a whole lot to the Living God – He wants the Heart instead. Some people are pretty good about confessing their wrongs and they feel good about receiving “forgiveness” from man…but unless they genuinely confess the wrongs to the One who died for it all, it doesn’t mean a whole lot to the Living God. I feel bad for all the people who know who God is…but they don’t KNOW God because there is no Relationship between them. Every relationship of any kind takes TIME to build. Why would a Relationship with the CEO, the Living God, the Author, and the Perfecter of Faith be any different?

When I talk about these things I’m often reminded that I can’t judge the heart…and that is absolutely true! I’m not the Judge and I’m not the jury and there is no desire within me to be either one. But what I am is a Messenger on Temporary Assignment and I take my Instructions from the CEO of my Life seriously because there is so much at stake! I didn’t Write the Rules and I’m not the One to enforce them. My Role is to be sure that others understand that there ARE Rules and then it’s up to them whether or not they want a Relationship with the Rule Maker or not. When it comes to Truth and Recruiting, God expects us all to CARE ENOUGH TO SHARE! After all, a Messenger without a Message isn’t worth a whole lot no matter how you look at it. The CEO of Life has already given each one of us a Message that is Intended to be Shared with the world. Not Sharing the Message is non-negotiable for Followers of Jesus Christ…the CEO of Life. You’re either ON the Jesus Team or you’re NOT – if you are ARE then you care about your Job Description too!

With so much at stake in this Journey of Faith, I am sure to meet with Him each morning so that I’m Equipped with Love and Compassion, Boldness and Strength. He Expects me to Share His Message with Compassion so that I can be a Light of Hope in a Dark World. For me, there is no other way to Live and no Greater Purpose. I absolutely DO see a lot of beauty from where I sit on the porch each day, but THE MOST beautiful thing on the planet has nothing to do with geography or wildlife – it’s that Staff Meeting with the CEO of my Life that brings me Joy and Peace and it’s the Marching Orders He gives to me that gives me Direction. Why would I EVER not want to meet with the CEO before I begin a new 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 Living God with High Expectations for all that He has for me to do in His Name and I watched Him wake up the world around the farm just like I always do. It’s fascinating to watch nature put its trust in the Hand of God for its provisions and every day is pretty much the same to them as they hunt for it. This morning this bird took a seat slightly above the ground to watch for its prey and it was ready to dive for whatever appealed to him in the moment. It could have landed on a limb much higher off the ground but then it wouldn’t have the same view of the options that will satisfy its hunger for more. When you think about it, that’s not much different than how many people live their lives. They fly a little closer to Heaven but set their sights on the pleasures of this earth. They have no Higher Expectations whatsoever. Isn’t it just like God to use a tiny bird on a tiny limb to drive a Message into my Heart this morning?

Once upon a time I was a wretch and I sinned in total peace; “I was blind but now I see”. I had high expectations about success in every area of life and it was my strive to be “the best” that propelled me to the top of all things…from motherhood to business. Average was never good enough for me. Having high expectations should never be confused with being a perfectionist. It should never be confused with being ego-driven. It should never be confused with being greedy. Having high expectations is the threshold of excellence…it is a non-negotiable place of integrity. It’s a quest to be all that you can be! High Expectations has been a part of my Journey of Faith all along. I Expect miracles. I Expect to feel the Presence of the Lord. I Expect to see the Glory of God. I Expect healing. I Expect salvation. I Expect Him to do Big Things in a barn in Virginia. I have High Expectations and the Living God never disappoints. As long as I keep my eyes on Him, I know all things are possible just like His Word says they are.

Unlike the bird on the low limb this morning, I fly to the highest limb and look UPWARD for my sustenance. I don’t hunger for anything on this earth whatsoever. He’s all I need. I have High Expectations of the Most High God…a God without Limitations. I Expect Good things. I think about Good things. I speak Good things. I Reflect Good things. I will be Good things in the name of Jesus.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. When I settled in to spend Time with the Living God this morning, it was all I could do to focus on His Word. The sun was blazing hot already even though the temperature was cool. The sun was already blinding even though the sun had just made itself visible in the morning sky. All indicators point to a brutally hot day in Virginia. I don’t need meteorologists to confirm what I can already feel on my own. I know the outside very well because I spend most mornings here and nothing much catches me off guard because of it. That’s just the way it is in the Journey of Faith for the Faithful too – when we spend enough Time in His Presence and we Study His Word Intently, we can’t be caught off guard like the rest of the world and we aren’t taken by Surprise by what the God who “gives and takes away” does on any given day of the week. Plenty of people have some sort of “faith” but very few are Faithful enough to Feel what is on the Horizon before all the rest, and THAT Remnant will remain Faithful until the End. Isn’t that the way you see the Journey of Faith too?

I’m not sure how anybody survives this thing called “life” without a firm Foundation of Faith but it’s obvious most people do somehow. I’m not sure how people professing to be Followers of Jesus Christ can justify (or be content) spending a little time with Him on Sunday mornings while they live for themselves the other 6.5 days a week. I’m not sure how people of Faith can possibly get so caught up in fear that they pace the floor and hide under the bed because they don’t Know how the Story ends. I’m not sure how people who claim to have a Relationship with Jesus Christ can arrogantly attempt to mock God by saying one thing and living another as if there are no consequences at all. I’m not sure how people who claim to be Grateful for their Forgiveness that came by way of the blood of Jesus Christ AND YET they somehow justify their refusal to extend forgiveness to someone else. I’m not sure how people claiming to Love Jesus can possibly go through the day without even mentioning His name in the presence of the lost world. I’m not sure how so many people claim that they would die for Jesus when they refuse to Live for Him now. These people are so far away from the Living God that they don’t even Feel the scorching sun on their faces and they are far too numb to “Feel” what’s coming soon. These lukewarm wanna-be believers are what keep people like me very busy sharing Truth with Love…and at all costs. Remnants never stop – we’ll Remain Faithful until the end.

Last night hail “the size of golfballs” fell in places all around the farm…but not here. Trees fell in fields and roadways everywhere…but not here. People lost electricity for hours on a stifling hot day…but not us. Am I surprised to have been Supernaturally Protected from the storm? Of course not! He says “The righteous never go hungry” and I Trust Him. His Word says,

“But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, Because they trust in Him….and I Believe it. He says that He is coming back soon and I FEEL it. I am unstoppable. I am unwavering. I am a bold Warrior and a Compassionate Vessel for Jesus Christ my Savior. You’ll hear His Name cross my lips dozens of times today as I Celebrate Who He is in my Life. I am a part of the Remnant He’s coming for!

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I stepped out onto the front porch with a cup of coffee in hand just as the sun was beginning to rise and I smiled when I felt the cool temperature on this July morning. The heat has been taking a toll on the earth and the land is thirsting for water. As I looked out at the foggy fields filled with deer eating their breakfast in the wee hours of this new day, I thanked God for the Beauty of the Simple things that bring such Joy to me. We’re all surrounded by Simple things that have the Potential to Fill the Heart with Joy and Gratitude, but not everybody is interested in looking for them because their Hearts are more inclined toward themselves and “feel good” moments. As for me, I’ll take the sound of a bird at sunrise over any concert on the planet, and I’ll take watching deer in the fields over any movie. God Entertains me more than man-made things ever could because I love the Simple things. This morning I spent a little extra time thanking the Living God for all that He is and for that He does for me and for this amazing clear and cool morning in Virginia. The Simple Pleasures make my Heart sing. Isn’t that the way it is in y our Journey of Faith too?

It could be so easy to focus on the bigger battles in life and miss the Simple Pleasures if we aren’t careful, but it’s those simple pleasures that often have the Biggest Impact on the Heart. How can pleasure be measured when we look into the eyes of a child or when we hear them giggle? How can pleasure be measured when we stop the world to focus on conversation with our loved ones or when we break out in a belly laugh as we walk down Memory Lane? How can pleasure be measured when we spend time sharing our Heart with a friend or when we go before the Throne of our God together in prayer? How can pleasure be measured as we consider the birds of the air or the fruit of the fields and we Know that it all comes from Him? How can pleasure be measured when we look at the sky full of stars and we know that God placed them there and that He knows them all by name? How can pleasure be measured when He speaks to us at just the right time for just the right Purpose and He takes us by the right hand to lead us where we’re Called to go? There is no end to Simple Pleasures and no way to measure the joy they bring to the Heart…IF we refuse to overlook them in our search for the “bigger” things.

Some people think the simple things are nonsense and they miss out on the Quality of Life because of it. They need those “wow” moments for them to feel Fulfilled and they’re only impressed by God when He does “Big” things to entertain them. They miss out on the Simple Pleasures. These same people are inclined to search only for those “big” moments found in the Bible and they’ll flip past the pages of those Simple things as if they are unnecessary “fluff” in the Bigger Picture. But there isn’t even one word in His Word that is unnecessary “fluff” and just one Whisper from His Spirit to my Heart is THE BEST (not so) Simple Pleasures in this Journey of Life. My God can part the seas at the sound of His voice. He can make the sun stand still and He can calm the storm. He can declare war and He can bring Peace whenever He wants to. He can heal the sick and raise the dead. He gives AND He takes away. He can do all things and I am in awe of Him. But when He Whispers to my Heart…When His Words come flowing into me and I feel His Spirit Speaking to me…it’s THAT Simple Pleasure that brings me the most pleasure in this Journey called Life. Knowing that He Loves me…that He hears my cries…that He is with me always…that He has a Word for everything I am and for all that I do and that He cares enough to Whisper those Words within my Soul is so beautiful it defies words! I wish everybody could have what I have all because I savor those Simple Things.

I feel sorry for the ones missing out on the Simple things as they let their Time here on earth slip by. Far too many parents refuse to participate in simple things with a child as long as there are smartphones and TVs to entertain them. Far too many people of Faith are sitting out the Game on the bench (aka pew) and they’re missing the pleasure of Selfless Service in His Name cause of it. Some people stay away from churches that serve up Simple music as if a rock band defines the worth of the Church and they’ll miss the Truth in the process of looking to be entertained. Some people refuse to slow down for anyone or anything because chasing success is much more important to them than “chasing” Relationships with God or man. Eventually, the Time runs out for all of us and the opportunity to enjoy the Simple things will come to an End. I wonder if there will be Regrets for the ones who thought of themselves and their entertainment far more important than those “boring” Simple things where the Truest Blessings are Found? Will they hear God say “I gave the gift of a child but you found other things more important than spending time with her?” Will God Remind them that they existed just to glorify Him and not to entertain themselves? I don’t know if they’ll be asked about squandering their lives but the thought of standing before God with excuses is enough to keep me chasing the Simple things of my Faith.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. To kick off this new day of a new week, I sat waiting to feel the Presence of the Lord but I can’t say that I actually did. I know my Omnipresent Lord is always with me but I wanted to “feel” Him this morning. I praised Him. I exalted Him. I thanked Him and I made a few requests – but I didn’t “feel” anything in return. When I didn’t “feel” anything I set out to examine my Heart to see if there was any reason within me for the silence. The last thing I want is for something within me to hinder my Relationship with Him, so that’s ALWAYS the first stop. I found a few things that I needed to Adjust and I asked for His Forgiveness and I felt uplifted even though He was “silent.” Some might wonder why I try so hard sometimes, but that’s because He’s my everything and I’m desperate for Him. The words of the Psalmist define my heart far better than I can “As a deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for Thee, O God.” Isn’t that the way it is in your Journey of Faith too?

It can be so easy to gauge anything in life by what we feel or don’t feel, but a Quality Life isn’t measured by warm and fuzzy feelings. We don’t exist to be entertained and we won’t always have warm fuzzy feelings. Everything in life has a season of silence – from work to relationships to time with Living God. When we don’t “feel” excited, or successful, or loved, or appreciated, or anything else we often point to someone or something else for the reason why. Silence isn’t always a bad thing, but when things are silent the FIRST STEP should be to examine ourselves to see if there is anything within us that is hindering the “feelings.” That’s not taking the blame for every season of silence – it’s doing our part to find the Truth. As long as we insist on placing blame for how we feel or don’t feel we never mature and we lose much more than we gain. I don’t know why I didn’t “feel” anything from my God this morning, but I DO KNOW that the most important thing for me is to be sure that I’m NOT the reason why. After that, I continue to do my part and I NEVER read into what I feel while I wait patiently for Him.

I’ll be doing lots of things in His Name today but the most important thing isn’t necessarily what to do with my hands – it’s the Condition of my Heart while I Serve Him. If I don’t “feel” from someone else, the first stop will be for me to examine myself before I ever turn to them for the cause. I’m desperate for my God and Pleasing Him is my Biggest Priority. If I have that part right, everything else just falls into place “feelings” and all.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It rained last night and everything went from patchy and parched to green and beautiful after just a little nourishment from Heaven. As I sat in His Presence and contemplated this new day, He kept taking me back to what Nourishment from Heaven can do to a parched people too. We can do absolutely nothing to bring the rain when we need it, but we can approach the Living God for Nourishment from Heaven any time we feel parched. His Word says “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God” and this morning I thought about what a deer is like when it feels parched. It doesn’t just think about it, talk about it, or whine about it, as people do. Instead, it sets out to find water to quench its thirst and doesn’t rest until it finds it. Oh, that our soul would pant for the Living God and not give up until we find our way into His presence for Nourishment each day too!

What is it about the heart of man that makes the Journey of Faith so hard? It’s not an easy thing to comprehend that people (even God’s people) would rather wander around in the desert dying of thirst than they would to seek His face in their time of need. They will compare their lives to the lives of others and wonder why God is “better” to someone else than He is to them. They’ll come up with excuse after excuse for why they’re parched in the first place, and none of them have anything to do with God. Despite their circumstances, they refuse to turn to Hope. They refuse to admit that they need Jesus. They refuse to accept that there is no good thing apart from Him. They thirst, but not for Him. There is a never-ending flow of Living Water for anyone who wants it BUT many would rather remain parched than admit they need Nourishment from God at all. When the SOUL thirsts for God it’s relentless and, just like our furry friends, it doesn’t stop until it finds the Source of Nourishment when feeling parched.

It’s not easy to comprehend why people don’t turn to God when they’re feeling parched BUT it’s a piece of cake to understand what’s behind it. The same liar from the Garden of Eden who successfully convinced Adam and Eve that they would have everything they need WITHOUT God is the same liar working on Hearts today! He whispers, and as long as you listen you’ll remain parched in the desert. He convinces you to worry about what people think. He convinces you that you can handle things on your own. He’ll even convince you that God doesn’t love you! He can pull the trigger on fear and have you hiding under the bed. He convinces you that surrendering to God is weakness in order to keep you from finding your Strength. He’ll keep you wandering around parched all the days of your life UNLESS your soul begins to pant for Living Water. Seek His Face and watch the miracles flow through your life! God looks for humility; the kind of humility that easily confesses a thirst for Himself. That’s the Key to Spiritual Growth!

We have mastered an intellectualized Faith and we’ve whitewashed the Truth long enough so allow me to simplify it the Big Picture. There is Good and there is evil and nothing in between. You’re either FOR God or you’re against Him. You’re either a friend of God or you’re an enemy. You either thirst for Him OR you’ll fall subject to your adversary. There is a real Heaven and a real Hell and no middle ground whatsoever. Christ died for all but not all find their way to Heaven. There is a Day coming when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. If I were you, I’d start seeking His Face so your Soul begins to thirst for Him before it’s too late. The only thing standing between you being eternally parched and having Eternal Noursishment is Humility.

Be like the deer.