Happiness is a Choice…In Jesus’ Name!

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I watched the Master wake up the world and I stood in awe of His glory as He painted the sky and whispered “good morning” to the world around me. There aren’t words to describe the beauty of this new day from the inside out, but my Heart has been filled with an attitude of Gratitude because of it, and the smile in my Heart will probably carry me through to the end of the day and beyond. God Almighty is the source of my Joy, but I have to do a little work to be happy too. Isn’t that the way it is with everybody?

Taking steps that lead to true Joy in my life is worth more than all the gold in the world to me. There are plenty of things I could obsess over that would make me sad, bitter, or angry – from the state of the world these days to a thorn in my flesh – but I refuse to live with a heavy Heart and I make the choice to be happy. There are plenty of reasons I could find to cry and whine about what I do have or what I don’t have, but I focus on all of the Blessings in my Life and I count my blessings one by one each day. There are plenty of times I could have complained about loneliness and abandonment when I was flying solo but I chose to fill my time with the One who loves me Unconditionally and who will never let me down instead. I chose to be happy. There are more than enough reasons that I could find to be angry with people around me when I’m wronged or when things don’t go according to MY plans, but I choose to examine my OWN heart each time and I “let go and let God” deal with the wrongs instead.

Making the choice to be happy each day is the source of my Peace and it doesn’t come from an anointed, problem-free life that so many would like to believe I have here at my farm in Virginia. There is no doubt that I’ll hear from a few people who read these words today and who will attempt to paint a picture that justifies their unhappiness or their heartbreak…but it won’t fly with me. As they try to “sell” me on their right to be miserable, and they suggest that I would be too if I were in their shoes, I’ll do my part to explain what it means to make the choice to be happy each day. As they attempt to fill me with details about what’s going on in and out of the White House, I’ll remind them that the Master of the world is in Control. As they paint a picture of heartbreak and loneliness because they put their trust in another instead of the Living God, I’ll do my part to explain the Love and fulfillment that ONLY He can satisfy and the Secret to being content in all things. Making the choice to be happy despite the circumstances is the key to it all but one so many overlook as they stay focused on themselves – putting their happiness above all else in the Journey of Life. I pray that one day soon they’ll learn what it means to die to themselves and to Live for Him…and that they’ll choose to focus on the King a zillion times more than they focus on themselves. It all comes down to making the choice to be happy.

There is a liar from Hell that comes only to rob, kill, and destroy and unless we take him seriously, he can easily rob us of Joy. He’s happy to whisper lies about how miserable our life is. He’s happy to whisper doubt into our being that can keep us awake a night. He’s happy to issue reminders of things (he thinks) we’re inclined to be afraid of. He can help us put together a pity party faster than you can say “Amen” and he is willing to work 24 hours a day for the rest of your life hosting them if you let him. He’s very good at getting us to focus MORE on ourselves and he’s is happy to list all the reasons we have for being miserable. He’s relentless, that’s for sure. BUT “Greater is He who is in me (God) than He who is in the world (the devil) and I/we have the Power (in the Mighty Name of Jesus) to send the liar from Hell right back to where He came from…but only IF I choose to be happy.

I’ve done the Work on me this morning and I’ve turned to the Author and Perfecter of my Faith for it all. He’s the One who scattered the stars in the sky and Knows them each by name. He’s the One in Control of every heartbeat and every breath breathed into my lungs from birth until now. He’s the One with the Keys to Hell and Hades, and He’s the One that will greet me in Heaven when He calls me Home. He’s the One with the Perfect Master Plan. I won’t be relying on anything or anyone but Him today. I’m happy, I’m content, I’m at Peace, I’m Grateful and I’m fulfilled this morning after a little attitude adjustment of my own as I made the choice to be happy today.

How about you?

Ride of Terror OR Journey for Jesus?

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s a glorious morning in Virginia and I can finally feel Spring in the air. You never know what to expect this time of year – sometimes it’s warm and sometimes it’s cold but it’s almost always windy – so windy, in fact, that the flags seemed to “fight” to hang on to their proper place on the front porch. I enjoy watching the flags “fight” to stay where they belong knowing that eventually, each one will succumb to the damage they’ve sustained over time by the high winds. One by one they’ll be replaced with a newer fresher flag…but that’s not true for man. Man can never get to the point of no return in the eyes of God and God will never give up on His “flags” no matter how much damage they get through the Journey. Each man is made for a unique Purpose with a Flight Plan to follow that is intended just for him. With that in mind, why do so many people face the storms as if they’re on a ride of terror instead of on the Journey for Jesus? Flags are flags and nothing is expected of them but to make a statement and bring us pleasure…BUT man has a Choice. Man can choose to Trust the One that calms the seas OR to fly haphazardly through the Journey of Life until he wears out and gets replaced by someone willing to do the Work God created him to do. Isn’t that the way you see the Journey of Life too?

We are a part of a disposable society and, unfortunately, we have been conditioned to believe that everything can be replaced. We don’t attempt to fix cars, computers, or cell phones because they lose value in our eyes, and besides, it’s too much fun to replace them instead. We toss food that could feed a hungry family and we pitch clothes in the trash just for missing a button that could have easily been mended to make good for someone else. Yep, we’re in a disposable society BUT there’s a problem with that mindset…it’s not in alignment with the Nature of our God. He has a Plan in mind for each of us and He’ll sometimes allow us to flap around in the wind to build the strength it takes to get the Job done, AND to see if we’ll choose to GO or GROW. When we choose to GROW, He’ll calm the winds faster than you can say “Amen” and it won’t take long for us to see what God was Teaching us all along. But for those who choose to GO because they’re too selfish or lazy to endure a little “flapping around” in His Name, they’ll eventually be replaced by a Servant Willing to do the Job that you were created to do. How sad it is that your Kingdom Work could be Assigned to someone else because you would rather flap around in the wind uncontrollably instead of calling upon the Name of Jesus to calm the storm and lead the way.

It’s sad to see so many people professing to know my God but so unwilling to do His Work. If boldly flapping in the breeze like the flags on my front porch means they might endure a little pain in the process…they want nothing to do with it. If their season of flapping around in the breeze lasts longer than they think is “fair” they’ll dispose of God and move on to the next “solution” without blinking an eye. Some people will do as little as they think they can to get by instead of striving to hear “Well done, good and faithful servant” one day the way I do. I’m a born-again Believer and I am confident that I can’t lose my Salvation BUT I Know (based on His Word) that some people will make it into Heaven just by the skin of their teeth and they’ll sit on the sideless of Glory for eternity because of it. The choice is mine. I want a front-row seat in Glory. I can live like a flag on the front porch with absolutely no control over my destiny OR I can make the Choice to Fight Back…to Sustain…to Endure…to Persevere…to No matter how much flapping around I have to do in the Process. He’s worth it. I’m worth it. The Journey is worth it. Glory is worth it.

How about you?

All The Answers At Your Fingertips!

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I watched the Master wake up the world and we had a long talk about Purpose and Plans for this new day and beyond. There is no Answer that can’t be Found in my Instruction Manual regardless of what’s going on in Life…and it’s Sufficient for every Season. When I set out to raise four children solo, I went to the Source of it all. God gave me the Wisdom I needed because I asked for it. My Instruction Manual says “If any man lacks wisdom let him ask and I will give it abundantly without judgment”…and He did. More than anything else, my Desire was to raise up a GODLY generation so I sought My Instruction Manual for step-by-step Instructions…and I followed them. I learned to “Impress them” (His Words) upon my children and to talk about Him non-stop as I “walked along the way”…and now they’re doing the same for the next generation. Training up a child isn’t as simple as taking them to Sunday school and praying before a meal – that takes very little effort at all! To “train up a child” we need to LIVE what we BELIEVE. Training up a child is walking the walk we talk about and it’s embracing every Supernatural Word we read. My morning begins at sunrise but my Journey of Faith begins with my Instruction Manual and I Know that if I Follow what I’m told, I’ll be Victorious in every area of Life…every single time. Isn’t that the way you Embrace the Word of God too?

It amazes me to see how so many people leave their Instruction Manual to gather dust as if it’s just one of those little (unnecessary) details of their Faith. Maybe they may open it up when they’re being taught by an “expert”, but without someone to point them in the right Direction, they leave it closed until the next time. Some people don’t bother reading it because they claim they don’t understand what it says, but there is a good reason for that. Some people turn to self-help-spiritual books instead of the Greatest Book and Top Seller of all Time – Perhaps because what they read in a book written by someone other than the Living God is more their style? With only 18 inches between Heaven (the heart) and Hell (the head), I’d ditch the intellectual approach to Faith before it’s too late if I were them. Some people read the Bible the way read a good novel…they skip to the back part to find out what happens and depending on whether or not they like the way the Book ends, they may or may not read it from the front to the back. Some people don’t like the first half of my Instruction Manual because they think that it’s harsh and they don’t like to read about the wrath of my God – but they fail to see that the first half is Perfectly threaded to the last half and they miss out on getting a good look at the FULL nature of our God and the Purpose of our Faith because of it.

Some people pick and choose the parts they like in my Instruction Manual and leave all the other parts behind as if they serve no Purpose. Some will whip out Words of judgment and they’re happy to point out what the Instruction Manual has to say about whatever it is that they’re judging, but without all of the other Words laced together in Love, the message is lost on the lost. Some people tip-toe-through-the-tulips of their faith and all they ever really care about is the Good stuff. Although the Good stuff is the focus of our Faith, there’s a whole lot more to walking the Walk than merely tip-toeing on the surface or focusing on just the parts that make us feel good. Every Word on every page was breathed by the Living God, and every single Word can be brought to Life if we just search for the Truth…and when we do, His Spirit will always open our eyes and lead the way! Without God, none of the Words make sense and without His Spirit, we only get an Intellectual view from the grandstands and we fail to see those hidden Spiritual things. Without Him, my Instruction Manual can easily become a book that only gathers dust instead of Words that can change your life and mine, day after day and year after year. The Bible is my Power Tool and it’s the Key to Maturity in Faith.

I’ve gone before the Throne of my God this morning and I’ve been Directed to Words in my Instruction Manual that have now been “burned” into my heart. I actually DO have “all the answers” because of have the One Who Created the stars in the sky and knows them each by name, I have the One Who died for to pay a debt I could NEVER pay on my own, I have the Holy Spirit to guide me and teach me, and I have my Instruction Manual with all the answers to every question ever asked since the beginning of time until NOW.

How about you?

If you want Truth – read it.

If you want Victory – read it.

If you want Restoration – read it.

If you want Forgiveness – read it.

If you want Wisdom – read it.

If you want to raise up a godly generation – read it.

If you want Hope – read it.

If you want Love like you’ve never known before – read it.

The Work We Do For Free(dom)…

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s that time of year in Virginia when one day it’s warm and sunny and the next day it’s bitter cold again. It’s almost as if God “teases” us with the beauty we know is just around the corner as if to say “Savor it all”. It’s been unusually busy this week and I was dragging at sunrise because of it, but I’m refreshed and revived for my Journey after time in the presence of the Most High God. Time spent with Him is absolutely the most Important thing I’ll do all day (and everyday) – not just because I’m showing Him Honor by giving Him the first fruit of my time – but because He’s my Commander in Chief and each step I take with Him is a Step in the Right Direction. So, I wake up, I pray up, I listen up, and I armor up each day with His Plans for me front-and-center, and as long as His Plans are my Main Focus, I’ll succeed in every single thing I do…for Him and with Him. Isn’t that the way you see your Life too?

It’s easy to measure “success” by material things that lots of people assume come by way of “easy money”. Big cars, big houses, big vacations, and big toys catch the admiring eye and can go from “looking” to lusting faster than you can say “Amen!”. Occasionally these things are an outward sign of “success” but more often than not they are nothing more than an attempt for some poor soul to fool the world into believing they’re something they’re not. Some people try hard to impress the world, and the cost and consequences don’t seem to matter much to them while they become more and more desperate to be admired. Sometimes there is no outward sign of money at all, and the “keeper” of the wealth could easily be presumed to be penniless…and they like it that way. There’s nothing wrong with having lots of money as some people of Faith would lead the world to believe. In fact, it’s a very good thing for those who Understand God’s Economy! But the truest “sign of success” isn’t measured by how much money we have. It isn’t measured by how many toys we have. It isn’t measured by how extravagant our vacations are. It’s what we do here on earth that has an Eternal “measure of success” that will bring the Greatest Rewards AND Joy. Our Rewards in Heaven will far exceed the value of all the gold in the entire world a zillion times over and our Joy will never run out! This is what Kingdom Success looks like.

We’re born for a Big Purpose and each of us has already been equipped for the Job assigned. These days the threat of being fired for staying at home to work has thousands upon thousands of people fired up as if going into the office is some sort of punishment or curse. Somehow the concept of trading time for money has been blurred and the idea of being obedient to the rules has been exchanged for entitlement. I’m not sure how that’s going to fly in the marketplace, but I KNOW how it (doesn’t) fly with the Living God. When it comes to the Alpha and Omega, He has Expectations for His Followers too, and refusing to do what He Commands us to do will cost us a whole lot more than a mere paycheck here on earth. Despite the “threat” of consequences for not leaving the house to “Go forth”…for refusing to be the Light and Salt of the earth…and for withholding the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a dark world as we’re Commanded to do…most people refuse to do that too. How sad that even the Highest Office in Heaven fails to get their attention. If people refuse to follow the instructions of a “boss” here on earth, I’m thinking Jesus won’t even hit their Radar Screen because Serving Him comes at a much higher cost than a paycheck. Serving Him will cost us everything…a Price most aren’t willing to pay in Exchange for Eternity.

I was a successful businesswoman for most of my life and I worked hard to earn my dollars – but the Greatest Work I’ve ever done OR will ever do in my Life is the Work I do for Him for Free(dom). The Signs of my Success in my Journey won’t be found in an investment portfolio, my “success” can be seen in my Children and Grandchildren instead and the Rewards for my Hard Work will go from generation to generation. He’s my Commander in Chief and I do my best to Follow His commands every day. He’s front and center in my family, in my friendships, in my work, and in everything else in between. He comes First and He doesn’t pay me a dime – He Offers me Eternity instead and THAT IS PRICELESS. As long as I have my Life in Perspective, I’ll always be successful and the fruit of my labor will have Eternal Significance. I love Him.

How about you?

My Heart Shouts “GLORY!”…Does Yours?

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. When I stepped outside this morning it was a mere 28° but with a Heart already overflowing with warmth from the Love of my Savior, my Heart shouted “GLORY!” as if this was the first morning I’d ever seen. It’s a lot like that for me with the Word of God too. I can read the same Words a hundred times over and, although they feed my soul each time, once in a while they Light up like the sunrise and I can’t help but shout “GLORY!” when I read them too. Although some things about my Life are “routine”, nothing about my Time with God is! I refuse for my Spiritual Life to be routine just for the sake of sticking to some self-induced schedule, and I long for the next time my Heart shouts “GLORY!” to the King of all kings. I am FREE in every imaginable way…especially when it comes to the Author and Perfector of my Faith. What a mighty God I serve who can make all things New just like He did this morning! I know with certainty that when the Heart overflows with Anticipation for all that He is and all that He does, it will naturally hunger for Him as if today is the first and the last. Isn’t that the way it is for you in the Journey of Life too?

I wonder how many people never notice the sunrise on any given day or how many refuse to trade slumber to experience it for themselves? I wonder how many people will walk through this day dreading what lies ahead, or how many headed off to work complaining? I wonder how many people will fear the future today and how many will look under rocks for truth? I wonder how many people will set out to end a relationship today and how many will trade time with a child for time with a smartphone? I wonder how many people will take inventory of their lives and how many will whine for more? I wonder how many people will blame someone or something else for why they can’t be happy? Of all the things I wonder, mostly I wonder how many people of Faith met this new day with Anticipation for all that He is and all that He does and if they’ve ever been so Moved by His Majesty that they couldn’t help but shout “GLORY!” over something they’ve already seen hundreds of times before. We don’t Serve a God of mundane things, we Serve a God of New Things…not losing Sight of this Truth is the Key to Peace and Joy through it all.

Faith is much more than just believing that Jesus died on the cross for our sins – genuine Faith includes genuine Trust and it’s backed up with genuine Belief. When I see how many people of Faith live like the Israelites did when they wandered around in the desert complaining for forty years, I hurt for them. When I see so many people of Faith walking the Journey with no Joy, I hurt for them. When I see people of Faith with a doomsday mentality looking under rocks for a version of truth, I hurt for them. When I see people of faith wringing their hands over the uncertainty that surrounds us, I hurt for them. When I see people of faith spitting out insults and cursing the bad guys as if God has left the Throne and left them in charge, I hurt for them. Sadly, all of these people believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, but they’ve been convinced that’s all there is to the Journey of Life. Unfortunately, they “have a form of godliness but deny its power” and they don’t genuinely Believe that He can…and HE WILL… make ALL things new in His time. No wonder they never shout “GLORY” over something they’ve seen or heard a million times before!

I am an imperfect woman living an imperfect life that’s filled with uncertainty just like everybody else’s…BUT I am filled with Anticipation for what God is doing even when I can’t see it and I choose to turn to God for my Joy…in the sunrise, in His Word, and in the New Day. I Hunger for Him, I Trust in His Word, and the Holy Spirit is my Guide. How could everything NOT be New when I have the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit on my side! I KNOW what my Future holds and I KNOW what I’m supposed to be doing until that New Day comes….and if that’s not enough to make you shout “GLORY!” I don’t know what is.

How about you?

The Stinky Sheep…

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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 the minute I opened my eyes I gave thanks for another day to Glorify my God before He calls me Home. It’s beginning to warm up a little in Virginia and Spring will be here in no time at all. Everything that looks so barren today will spring forth with life soon and the barren will be replaced with beauty. As I sat in the presence of a Mighty God, I thought about how it’s the same way with God’s people. We were once barren and lifeless, but with the touch of the Master’s Hand, we can spring forth and bear fruit all the days of our lives…IF we love Him, that is. Love is where the courage to Share comes into play and Love is where we die to ourselves and begin Living for Him. Love is where we love the lost and the broken ones, and Love is where we lose our judgment. Isn’t it just like my God to use a few barren trees to spark a reminder to me of what Walking in Faith really looks like WHEN I walk with Love.

Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him. I’m not sure why He asked Peter three times – maybe because it was three times Peter denied knowing Jesus. The same Jesus he followed…the Jesus he saw perform miracles…the Jesus he walked on water with…the Jesus he jumped out of the boat to rush to after Jesus was transfigured…THAT Jesus he didn’t hesitate to deny when he faced potential consequences for doing so. Peter loved Jesus! Still, in the face of turmoil and threat, Peter denied Him. I’m sure when Jesus asked Peter “Do you love me?” He already knew the answer to the question the same as He knew Peter would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed. When Peter heard that rooster crow “he wept bitterly” because he realized that despite his argument that he would never deny Jesus…He did! So, Jesus pressed Peter a little harder and He asked the same question three times. Although Jesus didn’t say “prove it” the way we might be inclined to do today – He made it perfectly clear to Peter (and to the world through His Word) “IF you love me – feed my sheep.” Love is where it ALL begins and Love is what springs us forward to “feed” His sheep…with Joy and Honor.

Sheep look good from afar but they can be nasty things. They’re dirty and stinky, and they’re not the smartest of the animals in the kingdom. They’re clueless, rebellious, and not easy to contain. Every once in a while one will run off from the flock, and that same sheep might do the same thing over and over again. For these reasons, most people would never want to shepherd a flock of sheep. But Jesus wasn’t referring to a flock of stinky sheep – Jesus was referring to a world full of stinky people, and He’s saying IF you love me you’ll pour Good Things into them. Anybody can throw food and water at an animal…4 legged ones and 2 legged ones -but it takes LOVE to nurture in His Name. IF you love Him, you’re not just willing to – you’re honored to – Love, nurture, tend to the needs of His sheep even if it means chasing them down over and over again. In the flesh, we’re inclined to pick and choose who we believe is worthy to be loved. In the Spirit, we Love (and feed) them ALL…especially the rebellious, stinky ones. “IF YOU LOVE ME feed my sheep” doesn’t leave room for our own discretion or judgment. Love is where it all begins and LOVE is what springs us forward to “feed” His sheep with Joy and Honor…especially the “stinky” ones that need Him the most.

It’s a piece of cake to love people “like us” – the real “test” of the Spirit of God is when we can love the stinky, clueless, and rebellious ones enough to Feed them in His Name. Only when we LOVE HIM, can we genuinely LOVE them. So, Love is where it all begins and Love is what causes us to spring forth. Love is where we die to ourselves and we begin to Live for Him. Love is where we feel honored to be found Worthy to Serve whoever He puts in our path. Sometimes we offer them food and water – but more importantly, we Offer them Everlasting Truth and Unconditional Love…the kind of Nourishment that lasts forever. So, I’ll be feeding His sheep today whenever He puts them in my path, and I’ll do it with Love. “Lynn, do you love me?” YES, LORD! “Feed my sheep.”

How about you?

The Lamb’s Book of Life is the ONLY List That Matters…

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s partly cloudy and slightly sunny and at first glance, it appears to be a warm day. But don’t let the photo fool you. I ventured outside to see what God was up to this morning but I didn’t last long at all. Despite the bright sun, the cool temperature and the steady breeze made it too cold for comfort…at least for now. About this time every year, my Heart begins to yearn for the Spring – a time when my mornings will once again be spent outside on the porch instead of inside looking out. Until then, I’ll be grateful for whatever today brings because I’ve “learned to be content” in this Journey of Life. Every day I pray for the Church and every day I mourn over how distracted and divided God’s people are. We aren’t (necessarily) divided over doctrine…although there will always be some of that going on. Instead, we’re distracted and divided by things of this world that shouldn’t even hit the radar screen for Believers in this Journey of Faith. It’s not easy to avoid the “headlines” that’s for sure, so it takes more Determination than ever to “take captive every thought” to keep things in Spiritual Perspective. As for me, I will ALWAYS be more focused on who’s name is written in the “Lamb Book of Life” than who’s name is written on the Epstein list. Because I clearly understand my Priorities as a Follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, I Focus much more on the Condition of my own Heart than I do the condition of the world or the White House, and because I do, my Compassion for the lost ones never fades. Isn’t that the way the Journey of Faith is supposed to be for genuine Believers?

There is no doubt that I can be a bold Voice for my God when I speak up in this dark world, but it takes much more than a bold voice to be Useful to Him with words. It takes a Heart in Good condition…a tender Heart and a compassionate Heart that gives me the ability to recognize pain in another…and it’s THAT part of the Journey of Faith that I ( we all) struggle with the most. It doesn’t take much for me to cry over somebody’s pain and it doesn’t take much for me to roar like a lion when I see harshness or unfairness toward someone else all in the name of Christianity. It doesn’t take much for me to trade sleep for prayer as I appeal to my God for mercy on behalf of someone else. It doesn’t take much for me to speak up with Words of Wisdom that come from deep within my soul without any effort at all because He Promises to ALWAYS give us Wisdom and Words when we need them. It doesn’t take much for me to call someone out for their judgment of someone else, and it doesn’t take much for me to redirect a pointing finger back to the source of the problem. It doesn’t take much for me to lose my strength when so much of me is consumed by the pain of another. My Heart has been tenderized by the King, and it’s a combination of the Heart that He “refined” within me, and the bold voice that He’s equipped me that is of the most benefit to His Kingdom and the only part of me that will be “everlasting”. Keeping a Spiritual balance makes the difference between being a bold voice that can be used by the Living God for His glory, and one that just sounds off in judgment and anxiously awaits the revelation of a list of lost people most likely headed for Hell. God forbid that I should ever be the latter.

Anybody can thump people over the head with a Bible and anybody can spit out Scripture to set someone straight, but it takes Compassion to deliver the most Powerful message of the Cross…even to people on “a list”. Anybody can be a 21st century Pharisee and anybody can pass judgment on somebody else’s sins while they ignore their own. But it takes Compassion to turn away from judgment and to pray for healing instead. Anybody can ridicule and threaten to get somebody else to do whatever they want them to do – but real leadership (and a genuine representation of Jesus Christ) begins with Compassion and a Desire to lead the way by example instead of by way of judgment. Anybody can attend church whenever the doors are open and anybody can memorize Scripture – but those two things fall short of walking out our Faith the way Christ calls us to walk it out…with Compassion that runs deep and with the kind of Compassion that drives us into Action. It’s that balance that defines our Faith AND our Works and it’s one that’s much easier said than done…unless we work on the Condition of our own Heart every single day and we’re willing to be taken to the Spiritual Woodshed whenever He thinks it’s necessary. After all, that’s what humility looks like.

I don’t like to be taken to the “Spiritual Woodshed” but because I’m willing to go there to be set straight by the Living God, I am able to Focus much more on who has their name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life than I ever would on a list of names of people in bondage to perversion. I’ll do whatever I need to do to be pleasing and useful to my God and it all begins with the right Heart and the kind of Compassion that is only possible with Jesus Christ. Until then, I’ll be praying for opportunities to Show people how to get their name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life and I’ll be praying for all the others – ESPECIALLY the ones who many professed Believers are salivating to expose and destroy. How could I, you ask? Because that’s what Jesus would do! After all, He saved an (unlovable) wretch like me and Transformed me into a Usable Vessel for the King of all kings…if He can do that for me…He can do that for anybody!

How about you? Are you anxiously waiting to see a list of lost people just so that you have the pleasure of watching them be destroyed AND is that more important to you people having their name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life”? Hmm…

Freely, Freely You Have Received…Freely, Freely Give!

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The files are filled with deer, and my Heart is filled with Peace and Hope after my time with the Living God this morning. It’s not quite Spring yet, but it’s getting closer each day, and I’m longing for my Time on the front porch again. It’s there where I meet with the Living God to draw my Strength and get my Direction, and it’s there where I Share my Heart, my time, my coffee, my stories, my laughter, the fields, and whatever words I gain from the Living God along the way. Our Journey of Faith is not about how much we “keep” for ourselves – it’s about how much we’re willing to Share instead. Isn’t that the way it’s supposed to be for a child of the Living God?

It’s easy for most people to share some of the good things in life as long as it doesn’t “cost them” too much – a good experience, a good story, a good joke, a good recipe, or a good report card are good examples of the easy things we easily give away. Although sharing these good things is intended to bring pleasure to the receiver, the one who benefits the most is the one doing the sharing. It feels good to share good things. But when it comes down to sharing those things below the surface of Life…the kind that has an Eternal Impact…most people draw a line in the sand and refuse to Speak up. These people make a choice NOT to freely share their Heart, their space, their time, or their resources with another human being even though it’s these very things we Share that have the most impact on the Life of someone else. It always comes down to sharing…how much we’re willing to give away. “Freely, freely you have received, freely, freely give. Go in my name and because you believe, others will know that I live”.

It’s not easy for most people to share uncomfortable things in life but that always comes down to pride. Sometimes those “uncomfortable” things have the potential to sting the ones we Share them with, and sometimes we might cause them to suffer consequences when we’re Messengers of the Truth. Although there are plenty of people out there who get pleasure from being the one to make others uncomfortable, most people prefer to avoid sharing the uncomfortable altogether. It’s the dodging of the uncomfortable conversations that allow rebellious behavior in children, deterioration of relationships, failure in business, and a refusal to share our Faith with the world. It always comes down to sharing…how much we’re willing to give away. “Freely, freely you have received, freely, freely give. Go in my name and because you believe, others will know that I live”.

It’s not easy for most people to share the “bad” things in life, when it comes down to sharing their biggest mistakes and failures, their darkest hours, the pain of their past, or their worst circumstances altogether. They guard the details of Life for the sake of their own pride and selfishness and they’ll attempt to bury the past as if putting it there serves any Purpose at all. These people guard the “bad” details of their life like Fort Knox and they’re far too busy tiptoeing through tulips in an attempt to paint a picture of a perfect life that they miss the opportunity to turn their trials into a blessing for someone else. “All things (really do) work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His Purpose” but in order for the “bad” to turn into “good” it must be Shared with the world. That’s what a Testimony looks like! It always comes down to sharing…how much we’re willing to give away. “Freely, freely you have received, freely, freely give. Go in my name and because you believe, others will know that I live”.

If you sit with me on the front porch of this farm in Virginia one day, you’d better be prepared to hear about the “bad” things in my imperfect life. I cherish tulips, but I don’t tip-toe through them when it comes to my Journey because I am Confident that my Journey has the potential to lead someone else to Jesus Christ when I share it. My Trials and Tribulations might just curl your toes BUT you’ll be dancing in the end when you hear about the Power of the Living God and when you see how He has led me to Victory over and over and over again. It always comes down to sharing…how much we’re willing to give away. “Freely, freely you have received, freely, freely give. Go in my name and because you believe, others will know that I live”.

I’m an Imperfect woman living a beautifully imperfect life and I’m Armed with Love and Truth BUT the best part is that I’m Willing to Share. I don’t like making people “uncomfortable” but I Love them enough to speak Truth into their souls that could ultimately make an Eternal difference. It’s funny how it works…the more I share with them, the more they share with me, and before you know it I see a rich Testimony growing out of a simple conversation…all because I was willing to Give away exactly what they needed when they needed it. It always comes to sharing…how much we’re willing to give away. “Freely, freely you have received, freely, freely give. Go in my name and because you believe, others will know that I live”.

I’ll be freely giving all the days of my Life…those simple things that make a Difference and the Bigger Truth that has the potential to change their entire Journey…now and forever more!

How about you?

1 Corinthians 9:19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

The Bible Marked With Tears…

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I stepped outside before I settled into my Time with the Author and Perfecter of my Faith just as the sun was showing itself on the horizon and I thought about how most people would rather sleep than see the Hand of God in Living Color. When I eventually settled in with Him to see what He has for me today, His Word breathed Life into my Soul as surely as He breathed into my lungs. With it, I thrive – without it, I die. Every Word I read this morning had a special Meaning as if it was written just for me and I began to cry. My Bible is marked with notes and it is highlighted here and there so that I can refer back to a Message that resonated with me in the past. But the best “mark” on the pages of my Bible are the marks made by my tears – tears that flowed while the Master spoke to me – tears that flowed because I was overwhelmed in His Presence – tears of shame as He showed me my wrongs – tears of Joy when He reminded me of Forgiveness…and tears of Love. Isn’t that the way you “mark” the Word of your God too?

The Bible is one way God speaks to His Children, but it has to be read with the Heart and not just the mind. When it’s read with the Heart even the most unsuspecting Words can change the course of the Journey of Faith, but when it’s read with just the mind the messages get stuck there just like any other nugget of knowledge does. His Words only become Valuable if they are recalled with a Heart for Jesus Christ instead of an intellectual quest for more. Some people read the Word of God like a project – a methodical and structured Journey through His Word. There’s nothing wrong with using a manmade plan for reading through the Bible (in a year) but there’s nothing quite like opening His Word and letting His Spirit do whatever it wants to do to Speak to the Soul in that very moment. When too much structure is applied to the reading of His Word, the Spirit of God is hampered in unimaginable ways and it’s not likely the pages will ever be marked with tears because of it.

Many of our churches today run a tight ship and they adhere to rigid schedules focused on the revolving door of multiple services and coffee breaks in the church cafe. They are like well-oiled machines and you can set your watch to the time allotted for songs and sermons before you’re respectfully dismissed to make room for the next batch. Some of the focus on production has to do with the arrogance that comes with wanting things to look and sound “just right” and some of it is “necessary” to accommodate multiple services. But I don’t think the Living God cares much about having things “just right” or being on time for the next audience. I believe the God of all Creation would rather hear a heartfelt “joyful noise” than any song played by a “praise band”. I’m no expert, but I think the God of all Creation would be thrilled if we worshipped Him until the tears began to flow with no regard for time. I think the Most High God would love to see the pages of His Word become marked with Love. Sometimes I wonder what would happen if we just let the Spirit move the way the Spirit wants to move – I wonder if the church staff would accommodate the interruption of their well-oiled machine? When being in His presence takes place by way of manmade plans and NOT led by the Spirit of the Most High God, He CAN’T speak to His people and it’s not likely you’ll find any pages (or apps) marked with tears.

My Bible is marked with lots of things but nothing as precious as those tears. When He speaks to my Heart, schedules are put aside and I’m eager to Hear what He has to Share with me. One day I’ll draw my last breath and others will look through my Bible because they know how much it was Treasured – and when they do, I pray they see the pages marked with tears – those places where Jesus spoke to me and my Heart overflowed with Love.

How about you?

Even If It Costs You Everything!

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cold and windy this morning and although it won’t be warming up by much today, it’s destined to be a beauty. The deer are plentiful around the farm all year long and I never grow tired of watching them. Sometimes they seem to be oblivious to everything around them because they’re too fat and happy to worry about danger. Sometimes they’re on high alert and any little sound sends them running. Sometimes they take a nap in the fields and sometimes the little ones play. I can’t tell most of them apart from the other, but sometimes the behavior of one stands out from the others and I wonder what makes them “different”. I watched this lone deer walk away from her comfort zone and leave the herd behind like I’ve observed her so many times before but THIS time, God used this little deer to drive home a Message about the Journey of Faith. It’s only when we are willing to walk away from our comfort zone – when we’re willing to leave the rest of the herd behind if necessary – it’s only when we stop weighing the dangers and we move forward in His Name that we can be a Usable Vessel for the King of all kings. Isn’t that the way you look at your Journey of Faith too?

It can be so easy for most people to follow the herd in Life but we miss out on the Unique Opportunity to Serve the King when we do. Jesus said, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple”. Jesus didn’t mean “hate” the way we think of “hate” because much gets lost in the translation. What Jesus was saying is that if your herd is more important to you than He is, then you can’t be His disciple. I get it. The closer I’ve drawn to Jesus and the more Committed I am to doing HIS work (instead of my own), the fewer people there are in my life. I get it. The more I proclaim “the Mighty Name of Jesus” the more uncomfortable countless people have become and over time, fewer and fewer are still in the field with me. I walk away just like the lone deer in this photo so focused on Jesus Christ that I don’t even notice that I’m headed in One Direction while all the others remain in the field. Sadly, when it comes down to it, most professed Christians aren’t willing to put Jesus Christ first – above their siblings, or children, or grandchildren, or spouse or even themselves and their selfish ambition. Unfortunately for them, Jesus doesn’t accept the leftovers in the Journey of Faith…He insists on being the Main Attraction.

Sometimes it bothers me to watch my world get smaller and smaller but Jesus already warned me that would happen. He said, “And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved” and I’m committed to enduring to the end even IF I am hated by the world. He said “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword” so I’m not surprised to see division in friendships and family as some draw nearer to Him while the others are content to graze in the field too fat and happy to worry about the danger of not Following Jesus. After I do my Part to encourage the other “deer” to Follow along with me when they refuse, I walk away with Jesus and I don’t look back. Of course, it makes me sad and YES there is an empty place in my Heart for them when I do but mostly I’m sad about their Future without Jesus. He’s my Best Friend. He’s my King. He’s my Redeemer. He brings me more Joy than anyone here on earth ever could and my Joy will last Forever. He is all things – He is above all things. He died for me and I’m willing to Live for Him because of it. If you see me alone in the field like my furry friend don’t feel sorry for me. My desire for popularity died a long time ago and now, there isn’t a person, place, or thing I wouldn’t walk away from for the sake of my Relationship with Jesus Christ.

How about you?