Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cold and windy and the Hand of a Mighty God dusted the mountains with snow last night while I was sleeping. I spent my time with the Living God inside with a hot cup of coffee in hand, and although I gave thanks for the beauty all around me, I am especially grateful for the warmth of this home this morning. Someone once said that we don’t see the world as it is; we see the world as WE are. I believe there’s a whole lot of truth to that. The more time we spend with the Living God the more our perception of the world changes. And the more time we spend with the Master; the more we see beyond our life and our circumstances and we see things a more from His Perspective than we do our own instead. Isn’t that the way it is for you too?

My “perception” of the world (on and off the farm) is a little different than how most people see it, and it’s all because of the quality and quantity time I spend with Him. I have “depth perception” and I’m “connected” with the Spirit of God and the world takes on an entirely different look when we walk through Life this way. I think a whole lot of people like to believe that I’m inspired by my surroundings and that it is easy to paint a pretty picture of this pretty old farm because of it. No doubt I’m lost for words when it comes to my gratitude to God for bringing this farm into my life and for trusting me to be a good steward of it. But it’s because I know who Owns the farm and the fields that my perception changes and that’s when I gladly share it with the world! It’s ONLY when people make their way to the farm that they truly understand that it’s not the outward beauty that moves them; it’s that can feel the Spirit of God here and all the Peace that comes with Him. Their perception changes.

I have “depth perception” and God gives me the Ability to share my world with the world…not for how it is; but from how I am with Him instead. As long as I am walking with His Spirit I’ll never see the world as it is; I’ll see the world for how I am instead and I’ll always see what it could be if it knew my God the way I do. If my heart is Right, I’ll see the beauty in almost everything…on and off the farm. When someone hurts me; I wonder what hurt they must have inside for it spill over onto me. When I encounter a mean, angry person; I wonder what’s going on in life that would cause them to lash-out at the world. When I see reckless behavior in a life; I wonder what they’re running from. When I see sick people; I see beyond their broken body and I long to help… and when the body is beyond help and they leave this earth, I make sure they’re ready for the Journey and I celebrate their New Life. When I see twisted morals and make-believe genders; I hurt for people trying so hard to change the rules just for their own desires and I know What they’re really searching for. When I see political nit-picking before, during and after an election; I realize that the world is clueless to Who calls the leaders into leadership in the first place. I know I must drive people crazy with my “depth perception” and sometimes I think they think that I don’t understand at all or that I make light of their circumstances; but that’s not true. With “depth perception” we see beyond the circumstances and we know where the Hope and the Peace and the Eternity is…no matter what.

We don’t see the world as it is; we see the world as we are.

How are you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s a new day of a new week and there’s a little mystery to sky this the morning…I’m not sure if the sun or the rain will win or how what the temperature might be. But I know the One who scattered the stars in the sky and knows them each by name, so whatever He decides to do with this day I know it will be magnificent. I spent a long time with Him focused on a few things that I refuse to give up on and I refuse to quit praying about. I know what His Word says, I know what Promises He’s made and I KNOW what He Plans to do in my life…at least when it comes to what I’m praying about So, instead of giving up on those things in my Future because they haven’t happened yet, I push harder and I pray harder and I won’t stop until I see the End Results. I’m not begging…I’m Believing! Isn’t that the way you pray too?

It can be so easy to get so stuck in reverence-mode that we forget to be bold with the Living God. No doubt, He wants to be praised and honored and He always wants to be Front and Center in our Lives But it’s not possible to read the Word of God and still Believe that we’re supposed to be wussies when it comes to prayer AND to Faith. There’s no place for “orderly” when we go before the Throne with passion and conviction, and I believe God loves to Witness our determination, and that sometimes He wants to see if we’ll throw in the towel because He didn’t do what we wanted Him to do when we wanted Him to do it OR if we’ll just push harder and pray harder because we actually BELIEVE that He’ll hear us. There are plenty of examples of people in the Bible who were “unconventional” or “disorderly” and God honored their persistence and their Belief. One time a prostitute took a break from street-duty and crashed an “orderly” gathering just to anoint the feet of Jesus with her finest perfume, and Jesus honored her heart despite the disruption and her “place” in life. One time a few guys desperately wanted Jesus to heal their friend, and when they saw a long line leading up to the place where He was, they cut a hole in the roof of that house and they lowered their friend into the room where Jesus sat. Despite their unconventional approach and the disorderly ways, they Believed that Jesus would heal their friend and they stopped at nothing because of it. I’m sure the homeowner wanted to rip them up for cutting a hole in his roof; but Jesus honored their heart, their conviction and their Belief. So, why would He hold it against me if I’m Bold, and Persistent and I pray like a Warrior, if I Believe that He’ll do what He said He’ll do too?

There’s nothing “orderly” or “conventional” about the way I pray; at least not from where most of the world sits. But when it comes to the Living God, I think He likes it when I pray with Belief and with Conviction and I’m pretty sure He knows that I won’t stop unless He stops me. Just like the woman we read about in the book of Luke that demanded time with the judge on behalf of her family…I might be driving God crazy too, but I won’t stop either. I know from His Word that He loves my heart and He loves it when His People pray AND Believe. Sometimes when I pray I pace the floors and I shout out my heart,and sometimes I fall before Him and I weep because I’m weary from the waiting. But I pray with Belief and He knows it, and I’m celebrating my Victory even before I see it! No, there’s nothing “conventional” or “orderly” about me when it comes to my God; that’s for sure.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I woke up with excitement about this new day and I ran to meet with my God like a child on a Christmas morning. I couldn’t wait to sit in His presence and I couldn’t wait to pour out my heart to Him. I couldn’t wait to commit this new day to Him and I couldn’t wait to thank Him for all that He is and all that He does for me. What an amazing God I serve. Though He sets the earth on it’s axle and He knows every star in the sky by name…though He has plenty of Rules in place and He expects me to follow them…though He planted me here for a Big Purpose and I have a Long List of things to do in His Name; what He REALLY wants, is me and my heart. With the right heart everything else just falls into place. Isn’t that the way you look at your heart too?

It’s often said that “actions speak louder than words” and there is a whole lot of truth to that; especially when it comes to love. Saying “I love you” comes easy to most of us, but our actions often don’t measure up with the words. We’re selfish creatures by nature, and love easily goes to the back-burner when we focus more on ourselves and our own needs above the needs of another. When two people meet and fall in love, they can’t say “I love you enough” and they work so hard to express their love in every way imaginable…because the love is new and the heart overflows. But for most of those lovebirds, even though the words can continue to flow over time; all those expressions that helped drive the love-message home in the beginning are set aside for routine. They neglect to do those “special things” to express love, as if showing the other no longer matters at all. And for this one reason alone, there are far too many lovebirds that don’t sustain the journey. There may be only one word in the English language to describe the heart, but there are millions of things the heart leads us to do when the condition is right, and the heart is nurtured the way it’s intended to be….and the same is true when it comes to our love for the Living God. We can SAY we love Him all day long, but do our actions measure up with the words? “Actions ALWAYS speak louder than words”.

I love my God even more today than I did when I first Met Him; but that doesn’t happen just by accident with Him no more than it does with the lovebirds. I don’t set Him aside for routine things or for things I’d rather be doing than spending time with Him, and I’m always eager to please Him. I don’t take Him for granted as if He will always be there no matter what I do or say, and I strive to be the best that I can be for Him every single day. Our Relationship is a priority for me and it shows. I never want to risk it getting “old”, and I surely don’t want the love that I had for Him from the very beginning to ever fade. So, more than just telling Him I love Him, I show Him too. He knows He’s my priority and I work hard so that my actions measure up with the words I speak to Him. The same steps that it takes to sustain a couple of lovebirds for the long-run, applies even MORE to my God. I don’t just tell Him I love Him…I show Him I love Him because my actions will always speak louder to Him than my words.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s a new day or a new week and I’m Armed and Ready to do my part for the Journey no matter what I might face along the way today. It isn’t always easy to go “against the flow” and it isn’t always “drama free” to March to the Tune of my God. But I wasn’t Created to “fit in”, I was Created to stand out! I was born for a Big Purpose and I’m on a Big Mission for an even Bigger God, and I do my best to never lose sight of that fact ESPECIALLY when the going gets tough. When the wind came through the farm last night it blew one rocker off kilter from all the other rockers, and that simple image served as a sweet Reminder to me for the way I am to live my Life…not fitting in, but standing out! Isn’t that the way you want to Live your Life too?

When you look at my Life, you won’t see a whole lot of “normal” and you won’t find me just rolling-with-the-flow of what everybody else is doing. My Life didn’t start out to be “normal”, the events haven’t been “normal” and it won’t end on a “normal” Note. I’m not prone to latch on to fads and I don’t buy things just because everybody else does. I March to the Tune of a Big God and it shows in almost every area of my life! My Faith isn’t “normal” and my Prayers aren’t either. I have a Personal Relationship with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and we don’t make “small talk”, we have Meaningful Conversations! My Convictions aren’t “normal” and the way I defend the Truth isn’t either. The Rules that I follow go against the flow of what the world likes to believe, and when I speak up with Truth; the reaction I get isn’t “normal” either. My parenting wasn’t “normal” as I set out to raise a Godly generation; not just well-rounded, well educated, well dressed kids. When it was time for a Life lesson, I dealt with my kids as their Sister in Christ, and not just as their Mom…there’s sure nothing “normal” about that! My heart isn’t “normal” and the Love I feel isn’t either, because my heart has been Tenderized by the King and He used pain to mold me into a Willing Servant. Just like that rocker on the porch that is a little off kilter from all the rest; I’m a little off kilter from what the world considers to be “normal” and I don’t roll-with-the-flow. The fact that I refuse to be “normal” is not a sign of rebellion…it’s an outward Sign of a Life that has Purpose…that’s just what it Looks like when we understand Who Created us and Why. We were created for Greatness and we’re intended to Stand Out…a little off kilter from the rest of the world.

There are more “normal” people of Faith than the world could possibly count. People that care more about fitting in than Standing up and people that would do anything to avoid being noticed. They’ve convinced themselves that to be a “good Christian” means that we live out our lives peacefully…we mind our own business…we don’t get involved…and we stay home and pray…as if that’s ever been (or will ever be) okay with the Living God. Nobody was Created to be a stay-at-home Silent Partner…but it takes a willingness to not be “normal” to get out and do something Bold in His Name. My Life has been set aside by my God and I was Created for His Purpose and I know it….I Live like it! I am happy not being “normal” and I’m overjoyed that my Life isn’t “normal” either. I’m a child of God, I’m Royalty, I’m here for His Purpose and I’m on a very Big Mission. I won’t be “normal” for as long as I live and if you’re looking for me; you’ll find me a little off kilter from all the rest.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s sunny, and it’s going to be a lot warmer today, and although I met with my Wonderful Counselor inside a warm kitchen; the outside helped prepare my heart for this new day. He’s a Big God and He can do ALL things but sometimes the “Little” things, like bringing forth a warmer day in the middle of winter, is like a Gift to see me through and encourage me….at least it feels that way when I thank Him for it. I think it’s the appreciation for the Little things right along with the Big things that is a good indicator of whether we truly walk with Him or not. When we’re consumed by the Living God it’s nearly impossible to miss the millions of Little things that He does for us every single day. Isn’t that the way you see your Life too?

It’s human nature to take people and things for granted; even the Living God if we’re not careful. We can become so complacent that we’re more like robots scooting through this life, than living breathing Creations placed here by the Hand of God for a Big Purpose. It’s when we overlook the blessing of all those Little things that we have trouble believing that He cares about the little things in our lives too. And it’s when we become numb to the Little things; even His Hand in the Big Things begins to dim. It’s nearly impossible to comprehend with the human mind that God is everywhere, in everything, every second, of every day and that He gets pleasure out of showing His Love to His People…with Big things and Little things too. It takes a Relationship with Him to “get it”, and anything short of a Relationship is failure to walk with Him. I can’t presume to know the Mind of my God but I have to believe that when we pause to thank Him, for even the tiniest little things, that it pleases Him. After all, we want to be shown appreciation for even for those tiny little things that we do for others…why would God be okay with settling for less?

My God cares about my heart, my Life, my family and every tiny little thing in between. Without Him I have nothing and with Him I have everything. I see His Hand in everything around this old farm, and I see Him in everyone I meet. I see His Hand when He closes a door in my Life, and I see His Hand when He opens another. I see His Hand when He brightens up the world with a sunny day, and I see His Hand in the wind and the rain. I see His Hand in the “chance meeting” of people everywhere I go, and I see His Hand when He sets boundaries around me so that I don’t get hurt by another. I see His Hand every time the furnace kicks on in the winter, and I see His Hand in the warmth. I see His Hand in the Gifts that He gives to me so that I can Fulfill my Purpose, and I see His Hand in the correction I need sometimes. I see His Hand of Protection every time I get behind the wheel of my car, and I see His Hand of Provision with every bite I eat. There is no end to the blessings and no end to the thanks for the Big Things and for the millions of Little Things that He does for me. I walk with Him and I talk with Him, and I make sure that He knows just how much I love Him…through the good…through the not-so-good, and through everything in between.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I crawled into the presence of a Mighty God this morning like a weary traveler looking for rest, and I found it in no time at all. How strange that I can sometimes go from slumber to stress almost as soon as I open my eyes, with no rhyme or reason at all. But I know where those thoughts of doubt come from, and I know what resides in the “darkness”, so when I’m feeling weary; I run to the source of my Strength. And as quickly as those feelings consumed my first few minutes on this new day; they went running for cover after I Armed myself with the the source of my Strength and my Hope and my Peace and my Joy. Hallelujah! Isn’t that the way you get control of your Life too?

It would be so easy to succumb to dark thoughts, and it would be easy to surrender to “hopelessness”…UNLESS we know where to go for Help, that is. Some people wonder how (and why) a person of Faith would struggle with these things in the first place; as if people of Faith skirt through this Life trial-free. But I know the Bible is filled with people just like me and they had to fight before, during and after Christ just like I do. I know that I’m a force to be reckoned with in the Spiritual world, and I understand who my enemy is. I know that the bolder I am as I proclaim the Power of a Mighty God for all the world to see and hear; the bigger the battle becomes. My enemy would love to see me sit down and shut up. My enemy would love to see me fall. My enemy would love to see me consumed with dark thoughts, and my enemy would love to see me succumb to them. My enemy would love to see me paralyzed with fear, and my enemy would love to see me throw in the towel. But none of those things will ever happen to me as long as I remember where to go for my Help. Each time I tighten up my Armor and battle my way to Victory; my enemy runs off like the wussie he really is and he sets out to devour another not as equipped to do Battle as I am. I don’t struggle because I’m weak…I struggle because I’m strong!

My Life has been filled with battles and I know there is no end to them until I take my last breath. It only takes sharing a story or two of my big battles and my bigger Victories for most people to shake their heads in disbelief and they stand in awe of the Journey. Some people like to believe that I struggle because I’m weak…but I know that I struggle because I’m STRONG. My God knows that after I fight and I win the battles; I ALWAYS give GLORY to Him…for my Strength…for my Victory AND for the battle itself. Because when I recount the battle and the Victory with another; I’m a living testimony for Him. I’m pretty sure that my God is pleased with me every time I share the stories of where I was…and where I am…and where I’m going, and I’m pretty sure He never wants me to stop. Doing battle is just part of the Journey for every Bold Believer. The battles have not just made me strong; they have equipped me to be a force to be reckoned within the Spiritual world, and I give thanks each and every time my enemy runs off like the wussie he really is.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s still cold outside, but it promises to be warmer today, and just the mere though of warmer temperatures makes me smile. I’ve spent some time with the Living God this morning “drawing circles” around a few things in my life that need change, and I refuse to budge from this circle of prayer until I see them through. I’m not daring God and I’m not testing Him. Instead, I’m making sure that He sees my Commitment to seeing this Change through,and I know for sure that He hears me… because He always does. I don’t know how long I’ll be in this “circle” but I’m willing to wait for as long as it takes and I’m Trusting in the outcome before I ever see it. I believe! Isn’t that the way you look at your Prayers too?

I’m not one to pray simple prayers and I don’t just offer up the sweet ones. I don’t approach His Throne like a wussie and I don’t approach Him with doubt. I’ve been taught how to pray by the Master Himself, and I’m a Warrior when it comes to prayer. I know that my prayers need to begin with Praise to a Mighty God, so when it comes to that part; that’s where I spend most of my time. “Our Father, which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy Name” means that His Name is HOLY and we need to be sure to declare it and to Believe it. I know from His Word that the Heavens praise Him 24 hours a day with “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty Who was, Who is and Who is to come”. When I think of how beautiful that must sound as the Heavens declare the Majesty of my God; I weep. One Day I’ll hear those Praises myself when I enter into Heaven with Him. After I praise Him; I thank Him for all that He is and all that He does for me and my family. I could spend 24 hours a day on that part alone because His wonders are “too many to declare”. After I’ve spent my time Praising Him and then Thanking Him; it’s time to ask for Forgiveness.  No matter how hard I try or how well I live, there’s always something that I need to be Forgiven of…He already knows whatever it is and He’s always ready to Forgive me; but He wants to hear it from me and He wants to see my Humility as I stand before Him. Then, AFTER ALL THAT, it’s time to make my Requests known to the Living God. It takes entering His Presence with the Right Heart for either of us to be prepared to talk about Requests. It’s ONLY after I Praise Him for Who He is and I thank Him for all that He is. and I address my Wrongs, that I can approach His Throne with Confidence and with a Faith that can move a mountain.

I know His Word pretty well and I’m not afraid to say so when we Meet. I know Who He is and I know What He says. I know that He will never leave me nor forsake me, and I make sure that He knows that I Believe it. I know that He says that I don’t have to worry about anything at all because if He cares about “the birds in the air”, surely He will provide for me and I have a single that He will. I know that He’s the One that gives me the “ability to produce wealth” and I’m not afraid to ask Him to open doors for me in my business….I EXPECT Him to open doors in my business instead. I know that He says that He will “take you by the right hand and lead you” so as long as I’m willing to surrender to His Leadership; everything is going to be alright. But I also know that if I stand before my God like a wussie, and I pray without Believing, that I should have no expectation at all that my prayers will be heard. I pray with boldness and I Believe in the results long before I see them. I Declare Victory over the challenges; I don’t just ask Him if He’ll help see me through. I make sure that He Knows that I’m Armed and ready to do Battle; I don’t just ask Him to fight the Bully for me. I don’t spend time begging God for things to be “His Will”, and I don’t address Him with meekness. I refer to His Promises and I Declare His Majesty and when I pray; I BELIEVE. I don’t always get what I ask for because what I ask for isn’t always within His Plans for me…at least for now. But I could spend the rest of my Life making a list of ALL of my Requests that have been Honored by the Living God and all of the Miraculous things He’s done in my Life. I stand on His Promises and I Believe.

I’ve drawn a “circle” around a few things and I know that Jehovah Shammah (“God is there”) is hearing every Word I speak and He knows what’s within my Heart. And I know that He knows that I won’t budge from the “circle” until I hear from Him. I’m a Child of the Living God and I’m a Warrior. I Believe.

How about you?