Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. This old porch was filled with love and laughter yesterday and although the rockers are empty this morning, my Heart is still overflowing with Joy and Gratitude. When I watched the Master light up the world I saw everything around this old farm come to life…including me. It was almost as if the birds were singing what my Heart was feeling and the entire Experience drove me into the arms of the One who died for me. I set out to ask for Wisdom surrounding my plans on this new day of a new week and to make a few Requests for my life, but I ended up in a place of Praise and Gratitude instead. It’s amazing how a place of Gratitude can override every “burden” and fill the Heart with Joy no matter what’s going on or how big the Requests are. I was too overwhelmed with Gratitude to ask Him for a single thing this morning. Isn’t that the way it is for you when you focus on Gratitude too?

It would be impossible to list all the good things God has done since the Beginning of all time – David says “were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.” His Righteousness cannot be measured and His deeds can’t be counted, that’s for sure. If I were to sit on the front porch making a list of His Good Deeds for the rest of my life I wouldn’t begin to make a dent in the list of His Goodness. Despite His neverending Good deeds, it can be so easy for most people to put Gratitude on the back burner while they race through the Journey called Life…forgetting to give thanks in the process. One little roadblock…one little “setback”…one little bit of “bad news” and Gratitude goes out the window while they beg for Him to fix those things they THINK are broken. Gratitude is the Key to Peace and Joy and Gratitude is what propels us forward for good no matter how bad things appear to be on the surface because we are Confident that the One Who died for us is up to something Good if we’ll just allow Him to Work in our lives. This is the Key to Peace through it all.

I talk a lot about my Trials and Tribulations…all those things that I’ve endured so that my Heart could be Tenderized by the King and so that I could become a Stronger (and more usable) Vessel for the Living God. Today I’m a Witness of Hope in a dark world and an Encourager to my brothers and sisters in Christ. ALL the trials have “worked together for Good” because I LOVE Him and I’ve been “called according to His Purpose”, and I am able to recall each turbulent Season with Joy. When you get to the other side of trials and tribulations, Gratitude overflows and it’s easy to shamelessly share the “bad” that it took to get there because the Victory is so sweet! I have been Victorious when things appeared to be hopeless more than most people could imagine. But if I were to be asked about my Blessings…all those things that I have to be Grateful for in this Journey called Life…” there would be too many to declare” too. If I were to sit on the front porch making a list of all the things I have to be Grateful for the list wouldn’t end until I do. There can be no Peace without Heartfelt Gratitude for the Living God…for all that He is and all that He does for each one.

I set out with my own plans in mind today but I ended up with a Heart that is feeling what the birds were singing this morning. I’m overflowing with Gratitude for yesterday, today, and forevermore, and I can’t think of anything at all except my Mighty, Merciful, Miraculous God who sent His Son to die for me. The One “who scattered the stars in the sky and knows them each by name” knows my Name too, and He has it written in the Book of Life. And because of that, I’ll have an Attitude of Gratitude all the days of my Life and my Blessings and all the Victories will always be “too many to declare!”

How about you?

It was undoubtedly a dark and gloomy day in the hearts of the family and friends of Jesus the day after His crucifixion. After all, they had just witnessed the most horrific act of torture known to mankind that led to the death of someone they deeply loved! Today, He would be resting in His tomb. Today His mother, friends, and followers would be mourning His death. But tomorrow? Oh, tomorrow is an entirely different story! Tomorrow will be glorious for them! Tomorrow, they’ll find that He’s missing from the grave. Tomorrow they’ll understand that He DID conquer death. Tomorrow Mary will see angels standing where her Lord’s body had been. Tomorrow the Messiah will show His Resurrected self to the one who weeps outside His tomb. Tomorrow they’ll celebrate the RISEN KING and so much of what He tried to teach them will finally make sense. Hallelujah to the Lamb of God…Jesus Christ, the Risen King! Our Hope. Our Redeemer. Our Deliverer. Our Lord.

Celebrate the King!

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. There are countless things that make this time of year beautiful to me, but absolutely nothing compares to the Time we set aside to Remember what Christ did for you and for me. When I look at this image of the mountain with trees mostly blooming closer to the ground and with just a few scattered green trees at the top, it makes me think about the day of the Crucifixion of Christ and the overall Journey of Faith. I’m sure the ground was filled with spectators that day, some of them salivating and shouting out for Jesus to be Crucified and some of them watching in horror. No doubt a few of them made their way closer to the top of Calvary just like some of the green trees are closer to the top in this image. But the truth is, the closer we get to the Cross, the fewer people we see because so many professed Christians would rather be spectators than they would fight their way closer to the Cross. Isn’t that the way you see the Journey of Faith too?

Today is Good Friday and I’ve often wondered how it got its name. The “good” is the end result of Jesus dying on the Cross so that we might have Hope and a Future but there was nothing good about the way it came to be. Today is a solemn day in my Heart each year as I consider the human side of what Christ did for me. He was brutally beaten to the point of being unrecognizable. He was flogged until the skin tore away from His body. He was spit on. His hair was torn out from His head and His beard. A crown of thorns was placed on His head as they mocked the “king” and the thorns pierced His skin. And then there’s the long journey carrying His cross naked and bloody for everyone to see until He was finally hung to die a slow and miserable death on the Cross. Solemn? That doesn’t begin to describe what my Heart feels and I have a hard time referring to it as “Good” Friday even though the GOOD came ONLY because He was willing to endure what He did. I don’t want a place in the “cheap seats” in my Journey of Faith and I’ll never be a spectator. I want to keep climbing my way closer to the Cross all the days of my Life. Sadly, the closer I get to the Cross, the fewer people I see.

I pity the ones so focused on Easter egg hunts and beautiful bunnies that they fail to teach their children about what Good Friday is all about. I feel sorry for the ones that gloss over His Crucifixion as if a child can’t understand suffering. I’m appalled by the ones who focus only on the Resurrection while they whitewash all that He endured getting there for you and me. Without Friday, there wouldn’t be a Sunday and without Easter, there wouldn’t be a Christmas. Even our churches are shying away from being too descriptive about what Christ did for us to avoid “offending” anybody. I recently attended a Passion play that I took my kids to see every year as they were growing up. People traveled far and wide to see the incredible depiction of the life and death of Jesus. It was graphic. The actor portraying Jesus was “bloody” and he groaned as he walked down the aisle being beaten. It was heart-wrenching. He was hung on the Cross and it looked so real…and then He was Resurrected! Yes, it was “scary” for my kids to see, that’s for sure, but it drove Home the message of the Cross within their Hearts and none of them have ever lost sight of what Christ did for us. It was worth it to share with them. The play today is an entirely different story because they removed the “offensive” and it’s been modified “for these times.” No miracles. No beatings or blood. No sign of the Price He paid for you and me. Today it’s a whitewashed portrayal of the Greatest Event the world has ever known. Yes, the closer you get to the Cross, the fewer people you see, and sadly some churches are taking multitudes with them to the cheap seats to teach them how to be a spectator instead of climbing closer to the Cross.

This is the most important time of year for me. It’s bigger than Christmas or milestone birthdays. It’s bigger than the celebration of new life or a new job. Nothing compares to this time of year! You won’t find me whitewashing what it represents with pastels and candy. I’ve got a front-row seat before the Throne of a Mighty God that sent His son to die for me and I’m not budging! The closer I get to the Cross the fewer people I see and THAT’S what keeps me busy sharing Christ with the world.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I had my most important meeting of the day with the Chief Executive Officer of my Life and He called my Attention to my Instruction Manual to Highlight a few things I have been overlooking lately. Those Reminders are intended to keep me on Track. The Rules never change, but sometimes I’m inclined to if I don’t make sure to Refer to my Instruction Manual over everything in my life with a Heart willing to be Corrected. As His Ambassador for Jesus Christ, I can’t afford to do things that aren’t in Unison with Him, so I work each day to become ALL that He needs me to be, and when I’m off-track in even the slightest of ways, I do what I need to do to fix it…not out of fear…but out of Love and Respect for my CEO. Isn’t that the way you Live for the CEO of your life too?

It seems to be so easy for most people to attempt to “slide by” through this Journey called Life as if the CEO won’t notice if they do. One little “white lie” or one “minor offense” is no big deal in their eyes, and they never spend the Time to receive the correction they deserve. A few extra miles over the speed limit as long as nobody’s watching, or too much change in the check-out line is labeled as “harmless” by far too many. One little bad joke made at someone else’s expense or one insult intended to sting, and most people take the entitlement route when they defend what they said as “truth.” One refusal to help someone in need when they have the means to help or a little hatred spit out to “get a job”, and the arrogant believe they have the right to ignore the poor. One cold shoulder and a refusal to forgive, and the Forgiven will take the high road as if the god they serve agrees with their hardened heart. There’s no end to the “bending of the rules” over zillions of “little” things” – but none of those “minor offenses” are minor in the Eyes of God. He knows we won’t be perfect – that’s the reason He sent His Son to die – BUT He expects us to Strive to be the Best for Him…to follow the Rules…and to Care when we don’t instead of convincing ourselves that the “minor offenses” don’t matter to Him at all.

The Living God is Good for His Word and He never changes even if we do. He’s not a rule-bender and He’s not okay when His people pick and choose what they’re willing to Obey. When He says He’ll do something…He’ll do it. When He says He’ll show up on time…He will. When He says “I’ll never leave you nor forsake you”…He won’t. When He says He’ll forgive no matter what…He will. When He says “I’ll lead you”…He leads. When He says He’ll provide…He provides. When He says He can mend brokenness…He does. When He says He’ll be there…He always is. When He says He’ll dish out wisdom when we ask for it…He will. When He says He’ll provide a way when there seems to be no way…He does. When He says there is NO other CEO…He means it. When He says “I’m coming back”…He will. When He says there is room in Heaven for His children…there is. When He says we’ll never cry again…we won’t. When He says we’ll live forever with Him…we will. My CEO is the ONLY one to NEVER waiver on His Word and the Promises He makes to me can be “taken to the bank”. Why would I NOT be eager to please the One who Loves me like that by trying to be the Best I can be for Him?

I got taken to the Spiritual Woodshed this morning over a few things I’ve somehow overlooked lately – “minor offenses” that I could easily have justified. But when you go Face-to-face with the Living God with a Heart that is eager to Please – you have to be Ready for Correction! He’ll show you all the “little” things you overlook…and He’ll show you with Gentleness and Compassion…and a Heart ready to Forgive. What an Amazing God I serve! OF COURSE, I want to Please Him by correcting my “minor offenses” too!

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s the first day of a new week and although it was too cold for comfort on the front porch this morning, I spent a few minutes outside embracing the Gift of this new day. I “praised His Holy Name” – I “proclaimed His righteousness” – I “made a joyful noise” – I allowed Him to “search my Heart” – I lifted up my hands “to the Holy place” and I blessed the Lord. Without another living soul around, I had church with just me and my God from a front porch in Virginia. Nothing compares to the quiet Time I spend with the King of all kings when He and I “have church” on our own. Isn’t that the way it is for you too?

It can be so easy for people of Faith to rely on the formality of a church service to do their heavy Spiritual lifting, but it’s not supposed to be that way. Preparing the Heart for all that God has for us, in and out of the church, is the Key to fulfillment and Growth and that’s something we must do on our own. Having a “personal relationship” with Jesus Christ is just that…it’s personal. It’s during those times, when it’s just you and your God, that He will do the Heaviest Work on the Heart and it’s those times that Prepare the Heart for the more we Receive in a gathering at church.

The Bible tells us “do not forsake the assembling” – but our “assembly” time is intended to Strengthen us, Encourage us, and Grow us for the Journey we should be striving to walk on our own. The people we assemble with are intended to love us, encourage us, and yes, hold us accountable…never just a social circle of nice people in a country club environment. The songs we sing and the music we hear is intended to get our Hearts in a place of Praise for the King so we’re ready to Hear His Word…not to entertain us in concert style…and it shouldn’t be subject to critique. The Word we receive from an Anointed one is intended to reinforce the Journey for us…not spoon-feed us with the ONLY Truth we ever hear. It’s our reliance on the King of all kings and our Personal Relationship with Him that matters more than anything else and that isn’t “found” in a church, it’s Found in the Heart.

I had an amazing Spiritual Time at daybreak with the One who died for me and our Time together was too Rich for words and my Heart has been Prepared for whatever I face today. I had church with the King this morning and my Personal Relationship with Him is Stronger than ever before. I’ve done my part…now it’s time for me to Live on the outside what I Know on the inside!

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. When I snapped this photo of the sun this morning, little did I know I’d “see” my Savior and His crown of thorns in the image. But then again, when you’re on High Alert for Jesus, you see Him everywhere! The King of all kings traded a crown of thorns when He took His place at the right hand of the Throne of God and the Price He paid made Victory possible for me too. He conquered death and, as a child of the King, I will too! I’m Royalty and I’m a Kingdom Builder and I can approach Him 24 hours a day! Wow! The Bible says, “No one comes to the Father except by Me (Jesus)”- He stands “at the right hand of the throne of God” and He intercedes on my behalf! No man, pastor, priest, or scholar can stand between me and my God, and although they sometimes pray FOR me, I’m sure their prayers will be heard the same as mine are – they can’t “intercede” on my behalf…only the King of ALL Kings can do that! So, this woman of Royalty met with the King of ALL Kings this morning because it’s my Birthright. I Praised Him. I asked for Forgiveness and I tossed my requests at the foot of the Cross. He died for me, He intercedes for me…He’s the One I Live for. Is it any wonder I “see” Him in everything?

It seems to be pretty easy for people to turn to man for all the Answers instead of approaching the King of ALL Kings like the Children of Royalty they are. Sometimes they live as if there’s an added step between them and the King…but there isn’t. Sometimes people feel relieved when a pastor or priest is willing to pray for them as if their prayers are heard a little louder than ours are…but they aren’t. The King died for ME and YOU and we have direct access of our own to be heard by Him 24/7 – NOBODY can replace our Direct Access! How can we expect to EVER have a genuine Relationship with Him if we leave it up to the “experts” do to the talking without ever “owning” our Birthright as Royalty?

Sometimes people have a tendency to idolize a “man of God” and they believe that everything he says must be true. From televised messages to churches of every shape and size, people search for the “feel good” messages, and sometimes those “feel good” messages aren’t filled with Truth at all! It’s not difficult to spot the Truth when we weigh what we hear against the Word of God. He says “do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” When we know the King of ALL Kings well…when we Know what His Word says…when we walk with the Holy Spirit, THEN we can detect a counterfeit when we see one! We’re not the judge or the jury, and “men of God” deserve to be honored, that’s for sure – but there are plenty of people leading thousands of people astray ONLY because the people forget to do their part in the Journey of Faith too!

I met with the King of ALL kings this morning and I “saw” His crown of thorns in the sun. I considered the Price He paid so that I can approach His Throne like the Royalty I am. I’m on High Alert so I’ll see Him in everything and everyone today. I’ll be filled with Truth by a few “chosen ones”, and I’ll recognize the Absolute Truth because I know His Word so well and I rely on His Holy Spirit to guide me. I have a genuine Relationship with the One the world tried to shame with a crown of thorns and I long for others to have it too…and THAT’S why I talk about the Cross and the crown of thorns all year long “so that I might win a few”. Everything I do, I do in the Name of the King of ALL Kings…Jesus Christ….my Redeemer…my King…my Intercessor…my Guide…and my Friend.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s looking more and more like Spring around the farm but it’s not feeling much like it this morning so my “visit” to the porch was short and sweet. When I met with the Creator of all things to give my Praise and my Thanks for Who He is and what He’s done for me, I found myself distracted with thoughts of time. The older I get the more often I hear about the death of someone I know…some I knew well, and some just casually…but over the last couple of years a dozen or so have left this life before me. It’s impossible not to think about time when you hear that someone’s time is up, and it’s impossible not to compare notes when we do…at least for me. Did I do enough? Did THEY do enough? And for so many, I wonder if I’ll ever see them again. That’s a question no one likes to think about and one that keeps me Serving and Sharing as fast and as hard as I can before it’s too late for me and for them. Isn’t that the way you’re walking out your Journey of Life too?

The Bible says that life is like a “vapor” – we’re not here long at all before we cease to exist on this earth, and when you look at it that way, you realize that there’s not much Time to make an Eternal Difference at all. One day the time will be up for each of us and it’s what we did with the time allotted to us that will Determine our Eternity…AND possibly the Eternity of someone else. Obviously, only God Knows the Heart and only He Determines the Path, but on the surface of Life and from the outside looking in, the Destiny of some doesn’t look so promising. Some talked about God a lot and they could quote scripture far better than I can BUT they lived a life in horrific bondage to sin…never overcoming through Jesus Christ…a life more focused on sin than on Fruit and one that never really understood (or proclaimed) the Power of God…a God so much bigger than their bondage. Will I see them again? I have absolutely no idea BUT when we chew on the Word of God long enough, we realize that Salvation is more complicated than just professing to believe that Jesus died for our Sins AND THAT’S what keeps me busy Spurring others along.

A few of my friends lived a quiet life and only God Knows what was really inside when they died. They may nod in agreement in a conversation about Christ and once in a while they might even say “amen” BUT they lived a life with absolutely no evidence of their Faith for the world to see and they never seemed to hunger for more. They weren’t the Salt and they weren’t the Light and they didn’t seem to care one way or another if anyone else ever came to a Saving Faith in Jesus. When I’ve been bold enough to ask a professed Believer about why they don’t talk about Jesus, they’ll usually let me know that they’re just “quiet about such things”. I can’t say for sure, but I think if they ever bit into the finest steak the world has ever known, you wouldn’t be able to shut them up from sharing the good news of good food. Did they love the Jesus they kept on the shelf? Did they EVER Hunger and Thirst for more? Will I ever see them again? I have absolutely no idea BUT Salvation is more complicated than just professing to believe that Jesus died for our Sins…HE WANTS US TO LIVE FOR HIM…AND THAT’S what keeps me busy Spurring others along with Love.

I’m not the judge or the jury, thank God. I’m just a Humble Vessel with a Heart for Jesus and enough Love and Compassion to Speak the Truth. I don’t want to face my Maker one day and be held accountable for all those people who SAID they knew but didn’t. I want to do my Part. I want to leave no stone left unturned. I want to be Bold enough to ask, and Compassionate enough to share so that when their time is up – or when mine is – I won’t have to wonder. God says, “When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ and YOU DO NOT WARN THEM OR SPEAK OUT to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood”. That pretty much sums it up for those who follow Jesus Christ.

Most people will say “may they rest in peace” or “they’re in a better place now” – and those are kind and comforting things to say even if it’s not true for all. So, as long as I have breath in my body, I want to do what God expects me (and you) to do – to have enough Compassion and Love to speak the Truth – to warn them – to Introduce them to Everlasting Peace, to Describe the Better Place and what it takes to see it for all of eternity. My Life is only a vapor just like everybody else’s is but I’m determined to Live For Christ and to do what He tells me to. I’ll do my Part because I love Him and He’ll do His part because He loves us all enough to die for us and He doesn’t want anyone to perish.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It doesn’t feel much like Spring this morning but Spring is definitely in the air and the farm is slowly coming to life for the season. When I met with the One Who “summons me by name” I thought about all the “treasures of darkness” and all the “riches stored in secret places” that He’s sprinkled into my life to drive home the fact that He is the Lord of my Life and the One with all the Answers. It’s not possible to look at the Journey of my Life and NOT see that HE sustains me, and it’s not possible for me to refrain from Praising Him because of it. The trials have Good Purpose in His Eyes and if it took an abundance of Trials for me to be Shaped into a Vessel to be used by Him, it’s all been worth it. Isn’t that the way you look at your trials too?

Sometimes the world gets the wrong impression of people of Faith because we “consider it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds” because they miss the underlying Purpose. Only a deranged mind would jump up and down and celebrate the trials and tribulations we face! But there’s a BIG difference between being happy that we’re in pain and being Joyful because we know that we’re being Refined through fire to be used by the King. God can’t use “wussies” in His Army, so He’ll make sure that the ones He “summons by name” get Strengthened through the Boot Camp of Life…IF they’re willing. He tests their endurance and their loyalty over and over again. He makes sure they’ll be obedient Soldiers so that when He Speaks they listen without question. Sometimes He uses every Exercise imaginable to strengthen them in ways they never dreamed of, and He’s inclined to repeat the process if there is any doubt they’ll succumb to “torture” by the enemy. The Lord’s Army DOES “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” People of Faith don’t celebrate the trials…we celebrate the VICTORIES in “heavenly places” instead.

Once in a while, it feels like we get sabotaged when the trials and tribulations catch us off guard and they seemingly come out of nowhere! Poor Job lost everything from his children to his wealth in a matter of minutes. If anybody would be inclined to believe they’d been forgotten by God and unfairly attacked by the enemy it would be Job…”the most righteous” man on earth. But God always has a Plan for the pain – “I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.” Job was thrown into that fire in ways you and I don’t even want to think about, but he knew that God was the source of everything in his life, and although he wasn’t happy with the journey He considered it “pure joy.” In the end, Job was restored with a double measure and God was glorified through the mess – all because Job NEVER gave up…he was strengthened and readied and he persevered – “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, lacking NOTHING.” If there’s a measure of how we finish the race in this Journey called Life, it will be found in the Trials. It’s easy to give God the glory for the daffodils in the Spring – it’s an entirely different story to give Him Glory through the pain, but it’s through the pain that we learn to Persevere and it’s IN the pain that we are reminded that “I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.”

I can’t begin to count the Treasures in my life – the sweet ones that bring me joy in my time on this side of Heaven – and all those treasures that came “in the darkness”…those “riches that were stored in secret places” …the Journey that made me Strong…the Journey that pushed me into Persevere-mode…the Journey that Refined me by fire so that I could be a Vessel worthy of being used by the King. I consider it Pure Joy.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It was warm enough for me to spend a little time outside this morning although it probably wouldn’t be considered to be warm enough for the average person. Then again, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be considered an “average” person though…at least not in the eyes of the Author and Perfecter of my Faith. I’ve been Refined by the King of all kings through Seasons of intense “heat” and it’s through my Trials that I have become a Determined woman of God….desperate to watch Him wake up the world and to give Him the “first fruit” of my day…thirsting to spend time in His Presence. I’m not just willing, I’m EAGER, to be counseled by the King and led by the Master of all Creation today. There’s nothing average about my God, why would there be anything average about me or my Faith?

I’m not the only one who thinks there’s nothing “average” about me and my Faith…I hear it all the time. People see a heart “like no other” and wisdom beyond what they can even wrap their heads around…and they turn to me often because of it. They’ll comment on my ability to extend Compassion to a suffering soul and my willingness to love one that isn’t easy to love. They know I have a low sin tolerance BUT that I can love the sinner to Restoration no matter how long it takes to get them there. They’ve been eye-witnesses as I’ve faced indescribable Trials and Tribulations with an Unshakable Faith. They’ve heard me wage war with the devil and they’ve watched me “put him in his place” when I’m struggle with distractions meant to get my eyes off of the King. They’ve heard me share the testimony of my Life without shame over who I was or what I did because I Know that Jesus DIED to take away my shame. Instead, they hear me brag about the God who Supernaturally turned things around and brought me to where I am today…a usable Vessel for the King of all kings. Nope…there’s nothing average about me and my Faith.

No doubt there are plenty of people out there who will read these words and judge me for being prideful and arrogant because I refer to myself as not being an average person with an above average Faith, but that’s because they don’t understand the “rest of the story”. Maybe they’re missing the fact that I Know that God knit me together in my mother’s womb and chose me before the foundations of the earth to be a woman on the “Jesus Team.” I KNOW that He’s worked hard to Refine me into a woman He can use for His Purpose for such a time as this. They might not understand that “He sought me and he bought me through His Redeeming blood” and although I could do nothing to deserve the Gift He gave to me, He gave it to me anyway. Nope…I’m a child of the Living God, the King of Kings, the One who died for me and there’s absolutely nothing “average” about that.

Some people might wish for a Heart like mine from time to time but I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t sign-up to get one of their own. They probably wouldn’t be willing to endure what I’ve endured to get it as God Almighty has turned up the heat over and over and over again to Refine me. It takes high-temperature heat to refine precious metal and it took Fire from Heaven to bring me to my knees and to Refine me for His Purpose. But without extreme heat metal isn’t refined and it never reaches the full potential of its Beauty without it. The process is rough and painful but the Rewards have no words to adequately describe the Beauty of the Vessels He creates through Fire.

I’ve been refined by the Living God and there’s absolutely nothing “average” about that. I don’t necessarily celebrate the pain I’ve endured, but I’m always ready to “take one for the Jesus team” when God is ready to take me to the next step of my Faith and there’s nothing “average” about that. Then again, there’s nothing “average” about the God I serve either so I’ll do whatever it takes to Become all that He Created me to be.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. When God turned on the lights this morning I could see that much has bloomed since this time yesterday and the fields are looking more alive every day. Even the young deer were playing in the fields as if they were as excited as I am about the Spring day. One, in particular, was running back and forth to and from the herd and she was working so hard to get the attention of the others – away from the grazing and off to the fun. Eventually one or two did follow her but it took several minutes and some serious persuading. But there were a few others that found fresh growth on some brush and absolutely nothing could tear them apart from their feast. They were unstoppable. God used the beautiful scenery to drive home a message to my Heart this morning that there will always be some who just want to “play” their way through Life – much more focused on entertainment than growth. But there are some…too few and far between…that will remain focused on New Life and Nourishment above everything else.

It takes work to stay focused especially in the world we live in today. Sometimes the “fun” things come along and there always seems to be someone working hard to persuade us to “lighten up” and “have a little fun”. Although the Bible says that there is “nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be merry” there’s a lot to be said about being “alert” and “on guard” too. Even my furry friends understand that if they take their eye off of the nourishment they’ve discovered, another will rob them of the feast. There will always be someone that will try hard to distract us from our Focus on Nourishment but it’s only through our Nourishment that we’ll have what it takes to endure until The End and to “finish the race” well. There will always be someone there to (attempt to) rob us of our Peace and they seem to work hard to make sure that they do. But nobody can rob us of our Peace…we surrender it (or not) instead. Even my furry friends understand that when they’re feeling threatened by someone or something that wants to rob them of their peace they run away as fast as they can. When God is orchestrating the Heart, we sure can learn a lot by watching a few furry friends from a front porch.

I’m a very focused woman and I’m not inclined to “lighten up” on this side of Heaven. I know how to “eat, drink, and be merry” and I can belly laugh with the best of them. Nobody knows more bad jokes than I do and most people only dream about seeing things I’ve seen or going places I’ve been. BUT when it comes to my Focus…the kind of Focus that keeps me chasing after Jesus…the kind of Focus that keeps me passionate to share what I have with the world…the kind of Focus that will help me “finish the race” and finish it well…I’m Unstoppable AND I’m having the Time of my Life.

How about you?