It’s Always About Priorities…

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I woke up long before sunrise and spent my time with the Author and Perfecter of my Faith inside a warm home with my Bible and (eventually) a good cup of coffee. It’s supposed to be cold and sunny today but I don’t care much about following the weather channels to see what man has to say because the God in control of every raindrop is Unpredictable, and because of that each new day is like a surprise from Him to me. I like watching God unfold His plans for the day and then I “plan accordingly”. Sometimes I need an umbrella and sometimes I need a warm coat – but no matter what steps I take to prepare for the outward, the Inward Plans are the most important of all. If everything is “well with my soul” I’ll be Strong and Ready for whatever comes my way… BUT if I fail to do my Part on the Inward, I’ll be like a ship lost at sea with no Direction whatsoever. Isn’t that the way you approach the Journey of Life too?

If not for the fact that it’s sad, watching the world watch the world would be entertaining. These days there is passion like we’ve never seen before, and I wonder sometimes what the world would look like if that passion was directed toward the King of all kings and the Spiritual realm instead of the President of the United States and the political realm. We’ve seen stadiums filled to overflowing with those who support the candidate most in line with their political beliefs, and I wonder sometimes what the world would like if that passion was directed toward supporting our Belief in the Word of God instead of the words of man. I see attempts to share (some version of) “the truth” from one end of the world to another, and sometimes I wonder what the world would be like if THE Truth of Jesus Christ was spread at record speed like that instead of just the opinion of man splattered from end to end. The passion is impressive, but it’s definitely misguided…like ships lost at sea the world has lost its Direction…and its peace. All it takes to “win” is a focus on the Inward instead of the outward…that will make the Biggest Difference of all. That’s how Revival begins!

Every four years there is an uproar in this country as we rally for a new candidate to occupy the White House and news channels of every shape, size, and belief system beat the story to death 24/7 for months on end. It’s exhausting to hear them spit out their 2 cents about how their favorite person will lead as if they’re experts on what the Living God has in mind. Truthfully, the outcome doesn’t matter much more to me than the outcome of the weather because I have a Personal Relationship with the One Who sits on the Throne to Rule the entire world. He’s been there since the Beginning of Time and He’ll be there through all Eternity whether He gets your Support or not. He doesn’t get “elected” into office…HE IS the “office” and no matter how the world votes, He will NEVER be replaced. I am confident that He is the One to “ordain the leaders” so no matter how passionate we are about this one or that one, God always has His Way. He has ordained our next leader who will ONLY be able to do what God gives him the power and authority to do…period. Although I’m a citizen of the United States of America and NOTHING could pry me away from this country, I’m actually just passing through and my Citizenship is in Heaven where the King is. With that in mind, I can’t afford to get caught up in the confusion of this dark world – instead, I focus on the Inward to be sure that I AM ready to take MY place in my Forever Home. Ready or not, the King is coming.

You’ll see a passionate crowd like you’ve never seen before One Day and it won’t just fill up a stadium to overflowing…it will fill up the entire earth. One day “every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD.” Until then, this is all child’s play with a “hidden agenda” to get our eyes and ears a whole lot more focused on the things of this dark world than we are on the One who Rules the Earth. It’s time to spread the Only Truth that ever really matters and it’s time for contagious Passion for the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords. HE’S my favorite and the One you’ll find me talking about from sun up to sun down all the days of my Life. The King IS coming, and I’ll be Ready.

How about you?

“Do not fear, I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; YOU ARE MINE” – Isaiah 43:1

Train up a Child…

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CLAYTON!

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. From the looks of things from the front porch this morning, this day could easily turn out to be a “dreary” one, but there won’t be anything dreary about the day itself for me. I spent my time with the Living God giving Thanks more than anything else, and my Heart is bright enough to light up this entire old farm if that was possible. The Blessings overwhelm me. Answers to my prayers Humble me. His Perfect Plans for my Life inspire every minute of my Time. He’s a Mighty God so worthy to be Praised. This morning I’m especially thankful that He chose me to be His Child and because of that, there is an entire generation following in His Footsteps too. The Seed of Faith He planted within me so long ago will last for generations and generations to come. Hallelujah! Isn’t that the way you see your Journey of Faith too?

Thirty-seven years ago today my oldest son was born. It wasn’t an easy season, and I wasn’t overjoyed to be expecting my third child. I didn’t know how I’d handle another baby with two already at home and a busy job working to feed them all. I was worn out, unhappy, and self-centered. While I was preparing to be discharged from the hospital after his birth, I was told there were serious complications and my baby boy was immediately placed in the NICU. I began to pray like never before, beginning by confessing my selfish Heart and how I could worry more about myself and how “I” was going to handle my burdens than I was about the Blessing of this child…and I cried out to God for mercy. After a long week of praying and waiting for news from the barrage of testing they did on my sweet baby boy, his symptoms abruptly lifted and he left the doctors perplexed. “We can’t explain it”, they said…but I sure could! We were discharged from the hospital on my 30th birthday…the very best birthday present I could ever dream of! There were miracles wrapped all around the birth of my son, but the Miracle of healing was brought on by the Power of a praying mother and a very Merciful God. He heard my prayers then and He’s heard every single prayer I’ve ever prayed for this precious son of mine over the years. There are no words to express my love for my son. What a wonderful man He’s become…one that would make any mother proud. He’s healthy and strong, loving, kind, and compassionate. He loves me, he loves his siblings, and he loves the Lord and ALL the credit belongs to my Kind, Compassionate Merciful God.

Look out when a godly mother sets out to pray! She knows how to do Battle in the heavens on behalf of her family and she knows Who to Trust with the Results. I’ve spent entire nights pacing the floors of this old farmhouse while I battled through challenges at home and God was Faithful and Merciful every single time. I didn’t spend my time begging – I didn’t spend my time doubting – I spent my time standing on the Promises of my Mighty and loving God. I prayed for Mercy and Wisdom and I TRUSTED Him with my family. I claimed Victory over it all! I poured Living Water into my children every single day of their lives and I did my best to be a Reflection of Jesus Christ through it all. They saw Him in me. Prayers over my children were for things much bigger than good grades or sports, I prayed for the Eternal things instead. I prayed for their souls – the ONLY thing that really matters in the end. I prayed for future mates. I prayed for a godly generation. I prayed for my grandchildren before they were ever even imagined. One by one each one of my children accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and today their lives Reflect His Heart by the way they love. This is the Key to “train up a child in the way he should go.”

Today I’m celebrating the birth of my gentle giant 37 years ago and I’m STILL giving thanks to God for hand-picking me to be his Mom. Seeing answers to prayers come to life years after I prayed them makes me even MORE thankful to my Mighty and Merciful God. I’ll never stop praying for my family…for the big things and some little things too. God’s Word “does NOT return void” and I speak it over their lives daily. I’ve got countless generations already covered as I pray for my children’s children and beyond. I know God hears the prayers of this praying mother and I know that my prayers will NEVER “expire” over time.

Happy birthday, Clayton. I love you more than life itself.

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty!

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I spent my time in the Presence of the Alpha and Omega in a warm home this morning and I approached His Throne with the Reverence He deserves. It’s the most amazing thing to have a personal Relationship with the King of all kings, the God of all gods, the Creator of the Universe, the Great “I am”! So, when I meet with Him it always begins with Praise and Thanks and soon after that, it becomes like a heart-to-Heart chat with the Best Friend anybody could ever ask for. Isn’t that the way it is with you too?

The Bible tells us that the Throne of God is surrounded by praise – “day and night they never stop” and I get goosebumps just thinking about what it must sound like to hear “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come” 24/7 in Heaven. Sometimes when I praise Him I say those very words over and over again – I mean them with all of my heart… and I try to imagine His Throne and how amazing it is. When I give Him the heartfelt Reverence He deserves it doesn’t take long to feel His Presence and I get goosebumps when I do. But of all the experiences I have with my God, and all the Words I savor that were breathed into existence by Him, the most amazing thing to me is being able to approach the One that is surrounded by Praise “day and night” and He welcomes me as His child. If that doesn’t give you goosebumps, nothing will.

Like anything else, a Relationship with the Living God takes balance. Some people spend their entire lives in “reverence mode” and live in fear because that’s all they know of Him. They tiptoe through life for fear of consequences if they don’t partake in rituals or recite manmade prayers, and they rarely Serve Him because they don’t understand their Purpose. They’re in perpetual Reverence mode without the friendship part. Somehow they miss the point that HE IS approachable and they don’t see themselves as Royalty…His child, His “heir.” If they did, I think they’d get goosebumps too.

Some people get the “best friend” part but their Relationship has become so casual that they forget to Revere Him and Praise Him in the Process. Oh, maybe they utter an occasional “hallelujah” but not in the way He wants to be Acknowledged as the Alpha and Omega…the Beginning and the End. He IS the best Friend anybody could ever ask for, but He deserves a whole lot more than a pat on the heavenly back like a big buddy in the sky – “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name!” What makes that Friendship too incredible for words is that it comes from the Throne of a God who has been praised in Heaven twenty-four hours a day since the beginning of time and will be forevermore and Jesus is standing at the right hand of the Throne of God interceding on our behalf. The mere thought of Jesus interceding on our behalf 24/7 should give anybody goosebumps IF they understand the Balance.

The Author and Perfector of my Faith Hears every prayer and they’re like incense in Heaven to Him. He sees every tear and stores them away in a jar and One Day He will wipe them all away. HE LOVES US enough to die for us and He loves us enough to intercede on our behalf. Goosebumps? That doesn’t begin to describe what my Heart feels.

My day began in the Presence of a Mighty God and I was so caught up in Praise for Him that I never got around to a “list” of requests. He knows what’s on my Heart. He knows my needs and He knows my burdens. He already KNOWS everything! The Alpha and Omega is my amazing, approachable God – but it all begins with ” Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.”

How about you?

Holy Ground is Level Ground!

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. My morning routine has been off kilter for a few days and although I didn’t meet with the Living God at sunrise from the front porch, He was ready and waiting for me when I turned to Him just like He always is. This old farm represents so much more to me than just a magnificent piece of property – it’s “holy ground” in my eyes AND in the eyes of many others who have experienced it for themselves. But even more than that, it’s “level ground” for me where I see my Journey of Faith with clarity and where I’m strengthened to Speak the Truth to the masses. Like David before me, “My feet stand on level ground; in the great congregation, I will praise the Lord.” Isn’t that what the Journey of Faith looks like to you too?

I love the mountains and the rolling hills BUT it’s on level ground where we find the most benefit. It’s on level ground that we can see what lies ahead, and it’s on level ground where we can recognize danger. It’s on level ground where we can see someone coming from far away, and it’s on level ground where we build the strongest foundations. When it comes to the Journey of Faith, it’s on “level ground” where we brace ourselves for whatever comes our way and it’s on that “level ground” where we find our Stability so that we are Prepared for whatever it is. On the level ground, we can see what our enemy is up to from far away and we can face the enemy and WIN because there is no hiding there. When David faced Goliath it was on level ground, and although the stature of the giant would have overwhelmed an average man, David could see clearly that Victory was his and he braced himself for the win. Standing on level ground is the only way people of Faith can battle giants and it’s the only place to find Peace in the turmoil of war.

God Reminded me that the Journey of Faith is NOT an obstacle course – it’s a collision course, and that we are all called to face the “giants” head-on. We can’t win the War if we’re hiding under the bed! Anybody can dodge danger, and sometimes they can avoid it completely (at least for a while), but it takes a Warrior like David to face the giants head-on. It takes a Brave one like David to choose the level ground where he can SEE his enemy and where his enemy can see him back. It takes a Confident Warrior to plant our feet firmly on the ground refusing to run and hide from an enemy we KNOW can’t win if we’re willing to face it head-on. This is the Key to Victory.

I’m standing on level ground and I’m proclaiming the Righteousness of my Amazing God as I fight the Ultimate Battle on behalf of myself and others. I won’t run and hide. I won’t just “hope” things turn around. I won’t speculate tragedy. I won’t listen to words of defeat. I won’t listen to words of destruction. I won’t listen to words of doubt over the situation, because I KNOW who wins and I’m just the right Warrior to fight the battle…a battle that can only be won on a level ground collision course. This is the Key to fighting a Spiritual war.

We are surrounded by the “prince of darkness” and the liar from Hell is raging. This war can’t be won by way of an obstacle course…it’s collision course time! Avoiding danger here and there doesn’t make it go away and hiding behind the hills isn’t a place for God’s people. To win the war we “brace ourselves like a man” the way Job did and we listen to the counsel of the Victorious One. We plant our feet firmly on level ground the way David did and we slay giants that appear to be undefeatable when looked upon with human eyes. We don’t hide behind the hills, we go for the level ground and we face it head-on like the Warriors God has equipped us to be.

I’m enjoying the view of the hills and mountains today but spiritually I’m standing on level ground and I’m unshakable. I’m fighting a battle I KNOW will be won because I know how to fight and completely disarm the enemy. I’m celebrating Victory long before I see it because it has been PROMISED to me if I just don’t give in. That’s what a Warrior does.

How about you?

Add Color Of Your Own…

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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 I met with the Living God from inside this morning with a hot cup of coffee and a warm Heart ready to learn. This time of year most of the leaves have fallen to the ground and if not for the beauty of the sunrise and a few flags, there would be no color at all. As I sat in silence in the Presence of a Mighty God, I thought about how finding the “color” in Life is a choice and how so many people “opt-out” as they search for other things that make them happy in a different kind of way. As surely as I search for color in the winter sky, I search for Color in my Journey of Life too…those Beautiful opportunities to be used by the King of all kings – opportunities that get dismissed by so many….INCLUDING the churches. “Color” is the Source of my Strength and the Joy in my Journey and it’s a choice whether I look for it or not. If I focus more on the world around me than I do on the Color, I’d be in hibernation for the winter and my Life would have no Impact on the dark world whatsoever. Isn’t that how you look at the Color of your Life too?

I recently read about a woman who is “sad” because she knows of someone from her church who has become homeless and “it’s getting cold outside.” Apparently, she’s made plenty of calls to other churches and shelters (and to the government at the suggestion of the church), I’ll give her credit for that. After all, it’s not easy to dodge a Blessing by reassigning it to someone else! The woman said that almost everyone she spoke with had ideas for the cold homeless woman, but so far she hadn’t found a solution. “Sad” but not at all unusual. There are plenty of people who would do what she’s doing…willing to make a few phone calls on behalf of someone else…BUT very few are willing to accept the Opportunity to add Color all on their own. I think God ordains plenty of opportunities like this one, but most people look for someone else to step up instead of adding Color to the situation all on their own the way God may intend for it to be. When Opportunity knocks it’s time for Color!

The Bible says “Whatever you do for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you do for me.” I wonder, would we make a few phone calls on behalf of Jesus too or would we take Him into our home (no questions asked) to get Him out of the cold? Would we scurry around looking for someone else to help Jesus so that we wouldn’t suffer the inconvenience ourselves, or would we roll up our sleeves and get busy blessing? Would we stay away because He doesn’t smell good or look good or would we see Him in Living Color the way He sees us? Would we tell Jesus to “get a job” or tell Him that he’s getting what He deserves based on poor choices – or would we leave Him outside to teach him a lesson? Would we look for a few pieces of used clothing we can live without, or would we buy Him a new coat of his own? Would we point Him to a soup kitchen or turn to the government to feed Him, OR would we prepare a feast fit for a King? Would we protect the holiday table prepared exclusively for our “own people”, or would we make room for Him at the Head of the table instead? One “sad” woman looking for somebody else to help + one cold, homeless “friend” looking for a miracle = one HUGE opportunity to Serve the King of all kings in Living Color. “Whatever you do for the least of these of mine, you do for me.” Color makes the biggest difference and it’s the surest way to bring Glory to our God.

I’m looking for the Color in this Journey of Life today and my Heart is ready to Share. I Know that NOTHING belongs to me – not my home, family, finances, OR my time – and because I Know this, I don’t hoard it up for myself like so many others. I’m not special…I’m just humble enough to understand that all that I am and all that I have is ALL because of Him. So, I’m an Ambassador for the King of all kings and if He ordains an opportunity for me to bless “the least of these brothers and sisters of mine” today, I’ll Follow His lead and add a little Color to this dark world!

How about you?

Never Gauge By Quiet and Still…

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cool and breezy this morning and apart from the deer grazing in the field, everything is fairly quiet and still at the farm today. As I entered His Presence to give my Praise and my thanks, I became distracted by the idea of quiet and still. It was as if my soul was being issued a Warning – – a warning about what sometimes lurks behind the quiet and still! As peaceful as the setting is from the front porch at the farm, it’s not that way with the world. No doubt Heavenly Happenings are beyond our ability to Understand on this side of Life, but I know a few things for sure – I Know that God is at Work…I Know that this world is in a place it’s never been before, AND I Know that I were born for such a time as this! So, the Lord of Hosts issued a Reminder to me this morning – a Firm Reminder for me not to become obsessed over trying to make the world quiet and still, but to Live with Heavenly things in mind instead. Isn’t that the way you see it too?

If only we would spend more time savoring the Word of God instead of obsessing over words coming through the news feeds, we’d see the world from a Heavenly Perspective and we’d stop being anxious about anything. We wouldn’t be surprised by what we see with our eyes. We wouldn’t be surprised by pestilence. We wouldn’t be surprised by sexual immorality. We wouldn’t be surprised that children are being used and abused. We wouldn’t be surprised by war. We wouldn’t be surprised by the election results and we wouldn’t whine about who God has allowed to rule. We wouldn’t be surprised to know the world hates us because of Him. We wouldn’t be fearful of the unknown. We wouldn’t gauge the spiritual condition of the world based on “quiet and still”. We would know better than to hold court with the dark world, and we wouldn’t try to speak FOR God things too mysterious for us to understand on this side of Heaven. If only we would Focus more on His Will instead of our own desires, we’d not only have the kind of “Peace that surpasses all understanding” but we’d have souls on Fire because of it. When we Focus on His Will more than anything else, we Accept the fact that He’s up to something big, and we feel Blessed just to be able to be a part of it. If only we would Focus on Him…the God who “gives and takes away” we would spend more time on our knees pleading for Forgiveness and Mercy than we do on our soapbox screaming for justice.

I don’t know what God is up to these days, but I’m excited about whatever it is. We’ve never been here before, but He has. We rely on the quiet and still, but He doesn’t. Despite the turmoil and the evil I see, I wholeheartedly Believe in my God on the Throne who is Orchestrating every move…and I Trust Him. I’m ready for whatever He does and I Celebrate that I was born for such a time as this! I have absolute confidence in the Lord of Hosts and I know that His Work for me here on this earth is temporary…but His Plans for me are Eternal. I’ll stumble every once in a while, and if I focus on the details of the evil around me I might even be fearful too…temporarily. But I’ll take His Hand and let Him lead me through it all and I WILL be Victorious because of it. And maybe, if I Serve Him selflessly all the days of my Life, I might hear “well done, good and faithful servant.” That’s the goal.

How about you?

I Know Where Victory Is Found…Do You?

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The wind howled through Virginia last night and I was pleasantly surprised to see no damage done when I stepped outside this morning. While the wind howled outside, I “howled” to the heavens, spending half the night in prayer – another night before the Throne of God appealing on behalf of others. By the time the sun showed itself, it was more like a signal to the end of a restless night than a celebration of a new day. It’s always time for Battle in the Life of a Christian…especially the vocal ones like me – but every once in a while the battle becomes BIGGER, so I turn up the heat through prayer and sharpen my Weapons for Victory. I didn’t fret and wring my hands throughout the night…I FOUGHT like the Warrior I am and I shouted the name of Jesus Christ to put my Enemy on notice and to Proclaim my Victory long before I see it. Isn’t that what you do when you’re fighting a BIG battle too?

It can be so easy for us to fold under the pressure of Battle but it NEVER has to be that way. Since we’ve already been told that “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” so WHY in the world would we rely on flesh and blood tactics to Fight a Spiritual Battle? No matter what we face in this Journey called Life, we have the Weapons for battle, and we have the One who Intercedes on our behalf. Keeping this in mind is the Key to using the right Weapons for the war and it’s the only way to find Peace (and Victory) in the Battle. I don’t fold under the pressure and I don’t succumb to what I see with my eyes, because “logic” has no place in the Kingdom of God. There’s no way to rationalize God’s Master Plan and, although I don’t always get my way, I always Trust His Ways no matter what. Isn’t that the way a Father wants His Children to Live?

When I pray I don’t spend a lot of time asking for His Will to be done because I know that it always will be; I spend a lot of Time speaking Victory instead. I shout out His Promises that are written in Black and White, and I Celebrate the outcome that I’m Trusting Him to work out according to His Master Plan. When I’m doing battle over BIG things I’m like a Spiritual maniac. I pray and pace and I’m oblivious to time. I don’t worry about the sleep I’m “losing” because I know that when I spend the night in the Presence of God, He’ll give me supernatural Strength for the new day. I Proclaim Victory with my voice and in my Heart and I don’t doubt for one second that Victory will come…Victory according to His Master Plan. Sometimes I even laugh at my enemy and I remind him that he DOES NOT WIN – and I laugh because I KNOW that every demon in hell is shuddering because of this maniacal Pray Warrior. How can I NOT win when I know how to do Battle?

I surrendered a little sleep last night to step into a Battle that (sadly) most people don’t even Know how to Fight and today I’m overwhelmed with Peace because of it. My “howls” were Heard by the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and I am sure that my prayers were like “incense” to Him because the Bible says so. There’s no need for me to “dwell” on the things I prayed about, and I sure don’t need to worry about the people I’m praying for because the Creator of All holds everything and everyone in the palm of His Hands. God hears my every prayer BUT that doesn’t mean I’ll stop praying. Until I see Victory over these things, I will not cease to pray…but more than that…I WILL NOT surrender and I WILL NOT doubt the outcome. I’m a Warrior. I’m Victorious. I’m a Spiritual maniac. I’m A WINNER because of Him – He taught me how to Fight and Win by using the Weapons He’s already given to me..and I Know how to use them well because He Instructed me.

How about you? Do Know how to do Battle in the heavens and find your Victory? If not, reach out to me and I’ll show you the way to Peace.

Jeremiah 17:7-8

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

Blend in with the world? NEVER!

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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 when almost everything I see from the front porch is the same color. The foliage is turning brown and falling to the ground and the deer get a new gray coat color for the winter…God’s way of helping them avoid danger by blending in. Sometimes the flags are the only bright colors I see and they’re kept hanging all year because of it. As I sat there this morning considering all the things I can see throughout the winter (and all the things I can’t) I was reminded of how that’s the way it can be in the Journey of Faith too. The Goal of a Person of Faith isn’t to “blend in” but to STAND OUT through every Season of Life, and if we aren’t careful, we could eventually blend in with all the rest while we ride out the Winter Season. How can the dark world see the Bright Morning Star in us if we’re blending in with it? Don’t you want the world to see the Color of your Faith all year round too?

The winter season often comes on with a vengeance – one day it’s warm and the next day it’s cold but it seems to strike and stay once it’s here. One day you’re outside celebrating the warmth and the next day you’re hiding away from the cold. One day the trees are covered with leaves, and the next day the leaves are gone and there’s absolutely nothing we can do to stop it. But the Winter of the Heart is a different story. That season is so subtle that most people don’t even realize the Heart has gone from Celebrating the Warmth of the Son to a Heart that’s as cold as the winter in Virginia. Many of them continue to do the same things they did in the Summer of their Faith – like going to church and praying even though the Heart is in Spiritual hibernation. That doesn’t make any more sense than wearing shorts and a T-shirt outside in the winter as if wearing those things will make it so. The Heart that was once so eager to Celebrate the Son can’t be seen in those hibernating despite the steps they take as part of their “routine” like tuning into church or a bumper sticker on their car. From cold to warm and back again. It must break God’s Heart when He sees His people much more determined to blend in with all the rest than to Stand up in the Mighty Name of Jesus.

When we’re in Celebration mode, we want EVERYBODY around us to feel the Warmth of the Son too and we could never be satisfied with blending in! We encourage others to FOLLOW us to the Warmest spot there is, and we give them Directions on how to get there. When we’re in Celebration mode, EVERYTHING around us is in Living Color, and we don’t want anybody else to miss out on what God has for those Willing to stand out in His Name. When we’re in Celebration mode we STAND OUT in any crowd and they SEE Him in us even if we opt-out of uttering His Name. Unfortunately, many have been deceived into believing that as long as they’re “nice” there’s no need to speak up at all. When we’re in Celebration mode, we dance and we weep with Joy and we don’t care who’s watching. When we’re in Celebration mode we can’t get enough of the Son and we almost don’t want to go to sleep as long as there’s more to learn. That’s what Love looks like.

The church can be a great social club filled with the friends we love more than any others and we aren’t afraid to show and tell them most of the time. But when the Heart is Celebrating the Son, it cares a WHOLE LOT MORE about all the ones OUTSIDE the walls of the church who have never Met the Bright Morning Star than do about socializing on Sundays – those guys NEVER lose their hunger to Share Him with the world. God speaks Boldly about what it looks like when the Heart of His People is no longer more committed to blending in than Standing out. He doesn’t beat around the bush or make excuses like so many of His people do, that’s for sure! This is what He says, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked”. Leave it to God to get Straight to the Point and leave it to the lost ones to overlook the Truth.

I weep over the ones so determined to take the same steps over and over again doing all those things they believe are a sign of their Love for the Living God but their Growth is thwarted and they likely won’t make their way into Heaven unless they have a Heart overhaul. They’ve allowed the cold to set in and they’re no longer Celebrating the Son with PASSION AND RECKLESS LOVE the way they did in the beginning. I pray for REVIVAL for the ones who are no longer Celebrating the Son along with all those who have yet to HEAR, because their Destiny will likely be the same. As long as there is breath in my body I’ll be Celebrating the Son and nothing about me will BLEND IN with the rest because of it. I want EVERYBODY to have what I have before it’s too late for them – so I’ll be BOLDLY Celebrating in and OUT of the church all the days of my Life. God forbid that He would ever look at me and see me as “neither hot nor cold” – a place so vile that He would be inclined to “spit” me out of His mouth.

How about you?

Are You Absolutely Sure?

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s too cold to spend my mornings on the front porch these days, but not too cold to step outside to see how God has Painted this new day. As I sat in the Presence of the Most High God I thanked Him for all things new…a new sunrise…a new day…a new opportunity to Serve and a New Word for such a time as this – it was a long list of New Things. But along with those New Things I thanked Him for in my own life, I thanked Him for the New that several of my friends are a part of today – friends that have drawn their last breath here on earth but are now in the New of Eternity. The sting of death isn’t easy for family and friends to endure, that’s for sure. But behind the tears of mourning, there is a Heavenly Celebration of the New Life for those who Know and Love Jesus Christ. Without the Promise of a New Beginning, life would be meaningless for us all and the sting of death would be unbearable. But with Jesus Christ, the Future is New, Bright, and Beautiful forever and ever, for those who Believe! Isn’t that the way you look at death too?

Mourning is a natural process and it can’t be rushed along. Parting from a loved one is excruciatingly painful and the emptiness they leave behind is felt forever. There is no right or wrong way to mourn. In the days of Moses, the Israelites had a 30-day mourning period. In the Jewish culture, loved ones are buried the same day they die – in Bible times there was a 7-day mourning ritual that sometimes included “mourning musicians” to help in the process and a tearing of their clothes to express their agony. Back in the day, widows were required to wear black for two years as a sign of respect for their dead husband and to let the world know she was off-limits until the time of mourning had ended. Some funeral homes employ a nurse to be present during a funeral service to assist the emotional loved ones with medical attention for their hysterical reaction to death. But no matter what the mourning process looks like or what kind of “rituals” people practice, it doesn’t matter how long it takes the human Heart to heal, there is a Celebration in Heaven for those who Know and Love Jesus Christ that NO AMOUNT OF EARTHLY MOURNING CAN DIM. Thank God for the Promise of Heaven for those who Believe!

We often hear “May they rest in peace” and see R.I.P. on almost every headstone in the graveyard, but not everybody will rest in peace One Day. Eternity is waiting for each of us, and it won’t be a dormant, “peaceful,” lifeless, forever resting place the way some people like to believe. For those who Trust in Jesus, the Bible says “No eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived the things God has prepared for those who love him”. I celebrate for my friends and loved ones who now see and hear what they longed for in this life. For all the others who don’t Trust in Jesus, the future isn’t bright, and they’ll be gnashing their teeth in torment for eternity. Now that’s something to mourn! For those who don’t (or won’t) place their Trust in Jesus, then this life is as good as it gets for them. But for all the rest of us, death of the body is just the Beginning – you see, our Victory only comes through death where we’ll finally be ushered into the arms of our Savior. Even Jesus (temporarily) struggled with death – just the idea of being beaten and crucified caused Him to sweat blood. But it was His Father’s Will for Jesus to die, and it’s His will for all the rest of us to die one day too! His death (and Resurrection) was the only way to achieve God’s Redemption Plan! Death is not a curse…at least not for those who Believe…it’s where we’ll step into Eternity with no more sadness, sickness, pain or tears Thank God for the Promise of Heaven for those who Believe!

The stakes are high and the Results everlasting which is what keeps Christians like me busy sharing the Truth that has the Potential to save the world. I don’t want even one person to die without knowing the Truth, so as long as there is breath in my body I’ll do whatever it takes to share it with the world! The ones to die without Trusting Jesus…now THAT’S something to mourn about – the others we Celebrate! There are no words for how blessed I am to Know that everyone in my family and my closest friends who have already gone before me Trusted in Jesus Christ, and I KNOW that they instantly entered into a Heavenly Celebration that will last forever! What joy and peace I have! Will I cry? Of course. Will I miss them? Absolutely! But you won’t find me wishing they were still here no matter how much it hurts on this side of Life. The day that they lived for is finally here and THAT’S something to celebrate through the pain!

Do you Know and Trust Jesus?

Are you absolutely sure of what Eternity will look like for you OR are you hoping just to “rest in peace forever”?

If you have doubts, I’m here to help. Don’t let even another minute pass until you find the Peace that leads to Victory.

Will You Continue To Waste Time?

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It was far too cold for me to linger on the front porch this morning but I have a great view from inside too so I savored the view in a warm house with a hot cup of coffee. This morning the moon was still visible as the sun was coming up and all I had to do was turn my head from one direction to the other to take in the beauty of both. One a sign of a new day, and the other a sign of the end of the night….neither of them ever sleeps. It isn’t possible to see them both at the same time – at least not with the human eye. It takes effort to look at what’s ahead and it takes effort to look at what’s behind…and it always comes down to choice. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is promised to no one so it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to spend too much time focused on either one of them. It always comes down to choice. Today I choose NOT to obsess over the future or to dwell on the past…today I’ll be Living for today. Isn’t that the way you see it too?

Human beings are, by far, the biggest “wasters” of all God’s Creation. We waste money. We waste food. We waste water. We waste energy. We waste love. The list could go on and on forever of all the things we waste. But the most significant things we waste come down to time and opportunity. We waste time because we’ve convinced ourselves that there is no end to the time we have. We waste opportunities because we’ve convinced ourselves that there will always be another chance. Instead of valuing this new day as if it is the ONLY one we have, we waste time and opportunity because we’re too busy dreaming about the future or dwelling on the past. IMAGINE what would the world look like if everybody lived for today! There would be a roar that could be heard all around the globe as people simultaneously said things like “I love you” – “Forgive me” or “Do you know Jesus?”. It would be the most amazing sound on this side of Heaven! Instead, we waste our days and nights because we’re so convinced there will be plenty of time and opportunity later. But, what if there isn’t?

If today is our last one and we fail to say “I love you” or “Forgive me” it won’t be the end of the world. The ones we needed to say those things to probably already know we loved them and once we pass away most of the time they forgive us. But what happens when we waste Time and Opportunity to share the Good News…the one thing that matters more than all the rest and the one thing that lasts long after the world ends. What if YOU were the one God was calling upon to Share the Good News with a lost person BUT you ignored that Golden Opportunity because you were too busy lying to yourself that there is always another time or a 2nd chance? We don’t have to pay the price for our wrongs – Jesus died to pay the price instead. We won’t be “judged” for all the bad things we did because His blood covers them all. But how will it feel when we face our Maker only to have Him show us ALL the time and opportunities we wasted – ALL those times we could have (and should have) shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with a lost person…but we put it off instead… because we were too busy dreaming about tomorrow or dwelling on the past.

I saw the sun and the moon in the sky this morning for just a few minutes before yesterday was completely gone and today showed up. I’ve chosen to LIVE today and won’t be wasting time or opportunity, that’s for sure. God forgive me if I ever overlook a suffering soul…if I ever make excuses for why I don’t love them enough to share the Gospel before it’s too late…if I lose my footing and get stuck dreaming about tomorrow or obsessing over the past when He has a Master Plan for my Life and today is all I have.

How about you?