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?

Every Day With Jesus…

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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 this morning with aches and pains fitting for someone my age BUT with a Heart soaring for Jesus and, spiritually, I’m as eager to get going as a child on a Christmas morning. There is an old hymn titled “Every Day With Jesus Is Sweeter Than The Day Before” and when I hear it I wonder if the writer got the idea for the song by looking into my Heart. Every day with Jesus IS sweeter than the day before and it’s impossible to have enough Time with Him with a Heart that Loves Him like the way mine does. I can’t imagine how anyone could question the existence of my God or that anyone could convince themselves that each morning happens all on its own. But the Bible says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” so I marvel at the work of His Hands every single day and in every single little thing that passes through my Life. Isn’t that the way it’s supposed to be?

I guess some people give credit to “nature” or to “science” because they can’t fathom that the earth was formed by the Hand of God alone…but they don’t Know my God. They don’t believe that He placed all of the stars in the sky and that He knows them by name…but they don’t Know my God. They can’t believe that He separated the water from the land and that He gives boundaries to the waves or that He once flooded the entire earth to destroy what He had created just to start over again…but they don’t Know my God. They can’t imagine that He opens the heavens to bring forth the rain and the snow and that He withholds them all for His purpose too…but they don’t Know my God. They can’t believe that the earth rattles and shakes and that volcanoes erupt with just one word from the Living God…but they don’t Know my God. It’s hard for me to understand how and why others don’t Believe what I Believe…but that’s where I come in, AND it’s the possibility of Introducing someone to Jesus that keeps me as excited as a child on a Christmas morning. So many people trying to navigate this life without Hope breaks my Heart AND it propels me into Action in His Name. This is the Key to Living out your Purpose in this Journey called Faith.

It’s easy to Praise God from sun up to sun down when you see Him with a Heart like mine. It’s easy to look upon this imperfect farm and to see the beauty in every single thing when you See with eyes like mine. I stand in awe of the Majesty of the Living God every single day and It “shows” in my Life. I am blessed beyond measure to be able to live here on this beautiful farm, but it’s not beautiful real estate I share with the world – it’s a picture of God from the front-row seat of my Faith that captures the photos and the hearts from this front porch in Virginia. It’s easy for me to give credit where credit is due because “faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see”.

I’m marveling at the majesty of the Living God this morning and I’m giving thanks for all that He is and all that He does for me. He chose me before the foundations of the earth and I chose to follow Him when He came calling. Even my surrendered Heart was ordained by God Almighty and now He’s the Author and Perfecter of my Faith. There is no limit to the things God gets credit for when you Believe that He is who He says He is. He’s the great “I AM” – He’s the Alpha and Omega – He’s the beginning and the end – He’s the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and He’s my God and I love Him with everything within me!

How about you?

Beware of Hoarding and Squandering!

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s bitter cold and snow is on the way again and I can’t wait to see God blanket the farm with His glory. The Living Waters Farm is Holy Ground…not because of me or anything I do here…but because it was given over to the Living God a long time ago to do with what He wants to do. It belongs to Him and not to me and it’s because I don’t claim it as my own that He has poured out more blessings than most people can even imagine. Each day is a new day filled with new beginnings and I’ve handed my Time over to the Living God all over again this morning. Nothing belongs to me! I have plenty of goals and good intentions, but if I take on any day with just ME in mind, it’s bound to not work out so well. No doubt the Master of my Life wants me to dream – and He tells us to never quit- but the things I’d chase in my own will aren’t necessarily what He wants for me – so, He wakes me up to a New Day filled with New Beginnings and I give it all back to Him. That’s the ONLY way I can be a usable, flexible, unstoppable Vessel for the Love of my Life! Isn’t that how you look at your New Days filled with New Beginnings too?

Everybody is given the same 24 hours a day despite how many people claim to “not have time” outside of their daily routine. They seem to have an allotted time to eat, sleep, work (and play), but there is no “allotted time” for the Living God, and “sacrifice” isn’t even in their vocabulary. When God attempts to shake things up for them by putting a need in their path that would require them to step outside of themselves to serve someone else…they refuse. “I’m too tired” – “I’m too busy” – “I don’t know how” – “I’m too old” – and “Let someone else” but the Most High God already Knows these things and when He comes Calling and He expects us to Serve Him (sacrificially) anyway. I don’t see any room for excuses when Jesus said, “For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not visit Me”. Not only did Jesus not care who was tired, or busy, or missing their favorite TV show, He said, “Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” to those too busy serving themselves to serve the needs of others. I’m no expert but I don’t think the Master of all Creation has tolerance for the selfish excuses we make for squandering life away while refusing to Serve the One who died for us. When (if) we have a Heart for the King, we’re not just “willing” to serve…we’re Honored to serve and THAT’S what giving it back to the King looks like.

It is so troubling to consider how much of our time is squandered despite knowing that the Bible says, “What is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away”. When you think about it, we really don’t have much time here on earth to Complete the Plan God has for each one of us…yet most people willingly and knowingly squander it away. How much of what we have – from time and attention to material things – can (and should) be given to someone else and yet we hoard it for our own pleasures? How much time spent parked in front of a television could be selflessly given to someone else in need? How much time scrolling through social media searching for the latest lies could be shared with someone needing a hug or a shoulder to cry on? How much of the leftover meal was tossed into the trash instead of being shared with someone in need? How much of what you have in the bank will be directed toward “investing” in your future or satisfying your own desires? The list is long and the excuses are lame, that’s for sure. But One Day “every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” and we’ll all go face-to-face with the Living God. When an account of Life is given, do you really believe that the Alpha and Omega will listen to all the lame excuses for why we chose to serve ourselves and our own pleasures instead of Serving the King? Giving it all back to Him is the Key to a Fulfilled life with more Joy than any amount of money could ever buy.

I don’t have any more time than anybody else – in fact, I have less than most people and not because “I’m busy” but because I give it all away to the King. When you’re Willing to turn the New Day filled with New Beginnings over to Him and His Will (and not your own), you’ll be blown away by all the Work that He’s had for you to do in His Name all along. Serving the King of all kings is the greatest Honor of all and the more you Give away, the more Fulfilled you are. When it comes to Kingdom work, no squandering is allowed. I have Time and a Heart conditioned for the King and I’m excited about ALL that He has for me on this New day of New Beginnings.

How about you?

The Wind Chill Factor…

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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 morning time with the Living God inside looking out with a hot cup of coffee and the best-selling Book of all times. The winds have been fierce around the farm lately and the wind has a way of making cold feel even colder than it is – what’s called the “wind chill factor”. The front porch takes a beating when the fierce winds come through and the flags become tattered and torn over time because of it. Sometimes rugs and furniture on the porch become displaced by the wind and most of the time the yard is filled with twigs and limbs from the trees that God pruned. Life can be like the wind…unpredictable and fierce with pieces that seem to fly all over the place. But it can also be as gentle as a summer breeze. It all comes down to how we see with the Heart…our very own “wind chill factor” gauge. The Key to Peace, when the winds pass through, is to NOT focus on the “wind chill” and all the tiny pieces getting blown here and there – instead, Focus on the One who brings the winds and who holds each Life in the Palm of His Hands…messes and all. It is fruitless (and damaging) to fret about the “messes” in Life on any given day because God is always behind the wind and He’s always in control of the “messes”. As for me, I choose to keep my eyes on Jesus at all times…”messes” and all…because I know that WITH Him, I can do all things and that WITHOUT Him I am powerless. Isn’t that the way you prioritize the winds in your life too?

I’ve never liked the wind much. I don’t like the hassle of having to secure my world from harm and I don’t like having to hang on to things around me to keep them from blowing away. I don’t like my hair blown over my eyes making it impossible to see and I don’t like sand blown into my eyes. I don’t like snow drifts that can make a little snow a big hassle or a little rain that can be impossible to contain. But regardless of how I feel about the wind myself, I’ve learned to have respect for it, and I know that it has many purposes when it comes to the Living God. It takes wind to blow the seeds across the fields and beyond so that God can plant them anywhere He wants to. It takes the wind to blow the clouds around so that He can make it rain where it wants it to rain. It takes the wind to dry the land after a heavy rain and it takes the wind to prune the trees. It takes the wind under the wings of the most amazing birds to keep them in the air and it takes wind to blow new weather my way. My flesh doesn’t like the wind so much but my soul embraces the will of my God in it all.

I can see and feel the wind around this old farm but the winds of life are an entirely different story. Just the same as God can kick up the wind around this old farm, He can kick up the wind in my Life too and I rarely see it coming at all. One minute everything is calm and the next minute something blows through that has the potential to rock my world and rob me of my peace IF I let it. Those winds could so easily do a lot of damage to my life if I didn’t know how to Secure my world from harm. Those winds surprise me, and they can temporarily knock the wind out of the sails of my Heart if I don’t understand where they’ve come from and if I don’t take cover. But just the same as I set aside the “damage” the wind can cause around the farm UNTIL after I meet with the Keeper of the Winds, I take my refuge in the presence of my God, and when I do those winds settle down and they change direction every single time.

It’s a little windy outside this morning and it’s a little windy in my world too, but I’ve got everything I need to take cover and to be Sustained through it all. I Serve the Creator of the wind. I Serve the One who scattered all stars in the sky and knows them each by name. I serve the One who Knows every hair on my head and Who treasures every tear I’ve ever shed. I Serve the One who Commands the clouds to open up to bring the rain and snow…the same One who can take Command over every cell in my body and call it into Submission to His Will. I Serve the One who can calm the storm with just the sound of His voice. I Serve the One who made the sun stand still. I Serve the One who caused the earth to shake and the Tabernacle curtain split when Jesus took His last breath. I Serve the One who is in control of the Care and Feeding of every little bird in the sky…how much more so for me? I Serve the One who chose me even before the foundations of the earth. I Serve the One who has a Job laid out just for me that will Prepare me for my Job in Heaven one day. I Serve the One who died for me and who has my Future all Planned out. I Serve the One who planted me in my mother’s womb at a precise moment in time to Fulfill His Purpose for me…and the One who already Knows when He’ll take me Home. With all that said, why in the world would I fret over the millions of “messes” brought on by the winds in this Journey called Life?

How about you?

Are You Whining To The King?

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It snowed yesterday and throughout the night and what I saw this morning as the Master woke up the world was nothing short of heavenly in my eyes. I usually roll with the flow when it comes to the weather because I Trust God’s hand in it all. I don’t mind the rain or the snow because I know God is nourishing the earth. I don’t whine about the winds that sometimes rage through the farm because I Know that God is either drying things up, pruning trees, scattering seeds or all the above. Why would I “bite the hand” of the One who feeds me by whining about His Work? However, every once in a while I do have a weather Request from the God who “scattered the stars in the sky and knows them each by name” and yesterday was one of those days. I prayed for Him to hold back the snow for a specific period of time and for a specific Purpose…and He did. He held back the snow. He held back the winds. He gave me everything I asked for – NOT because He wanted to please me but so that He would be Glorified through it all. My God is an awesome God.

It’s mind-boggling how easily God’s people can whine and complain about things they have absolutely no control over AND miss out on countless Blessings when they do. The Bible says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” so we have an open invitation to make our Requests known to the same God who caused the sun to “stand still”…but I don’t think He has much tolerance for whining because whining equates to saying that He’s not doing a good enough job in your eyes. Who do you think you are to criticize the Work of His Hands without even an ounce of Gratitude for all the other Blessings in the Journey of Life? Be careful what you wish for or whine about you might just get an abundance of what you’ve prayed for as a consequence of your selfishness. The Israelites learned a hard lesson about just that and they paid the price for their whining (while ignoring countless blessings). “If only we had meat to eat! We were better off in Egypt!” Now the Lord will give you meat, and you will eat it. You will not eat it for just one day, or two days, or five, ten or twenty days, but for a whole month—UNTIL IT COMES OUT OF YOUR NOSTRILS and you loathe it”. Oops. God can be pushed too far and He won’t always tolerate whining from His people. Trusting His Will – Believing that He always Knows best – that He never makes mistakes – is the Key to a Surrendered Life.

I’m an imperfect woman living an imperfect life and I’m pretty sure I whine every once in a while without even realizing it…at least not at first. But the Closer I’ve drawn to Him the more I Trust His Will in all things and I enjoy just going along for the Ride. He’s my Protector. He’s my Provider. He’s my Deliverer. He’s my God, and as His Child, I know He only wants what’s best for me…not to be confused with something my flesh wants for me. Sometimes I make a “selfish” request so that I can do a Selfless thing in His Name and my God not only hears my prayers but honors them too. But if He hadn’t held back the snow yesterday as I Requested I still wouldn’t have whined. Instead, I would known with absolute certainty that the God of all Creation had Good Reason not to hold it back and I would have been Satisfied with His Will. “For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil”.

I’m of “full age” – how about you?

The Frozen Flags of Faith…

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It was warm and windy for a few days last week and the Lord removed all signs of our recent snow..but things can change overnight. This morning the flags on the front porch were frozen and each little breeze caused them to crack. One day they’re blowing in the breeze and the next day they’re inhibited by ice. The drastic temperature differences in Virginia aren’t always easy to adjust to but I wouldn’t have it any other way. As I met with the Author and Perfecter of my Faith this morning, the drastic changes from warm temperatures to frozen flags on the porch kept running through my mind and I realized that this is the way it is with Life. One minute it’s warm and cozy and the next minute it’s cold as ice and that’s not so easy to adjust to either. But as long as we know how to prepare for the changes, and as long as we know Life is Destined to change overnight sometimes, we don’t fight against the flow of the Hand of God. We aren’t promised smooth sailing all the days of our lives but we ARE Promised an easy ride if we cling to the Will of a Mighty God frozen flags and all. Isn’t that the way it is with you sometimes too?

It’s mind-boggling how much people have to say about the weather. Second to politics (these days) they seem to talk about the weather more than anything else…including God. When you think about it, there are similarities in how people handle something as simple as the weather and how they handle Life. Virginia has four beautiful seasons and I wouldn’t trade them for a one-season, constant-temperature place for anything in the world. I like the drastic differences of the seasons, and the beauty that each one brings makes me appreciate the others even more. It’s as if God designed the timing of each season so that just when we think we’ve had enough, we switch to a new one with its own unique beauty…AND its own unique challenges. When it comes to this Journey called Life, the ONLY constant we have is the Living God. He’s the same “yesterday, today, and forever more” but everything else is subject to drastic change in the blink of an eye. Life can go from warm and cozy to cold as ice faster than we can say “Amen”- and it’s only when we accept that God Almighty has a Master Plan that we can find our Peace no matter the Temperature.

Some people cringe at the mere thought of freezing temperatures as if they’d be forced to sleep outside. Some people begin to sweat at the mere mention of higher temperatures as if they’d be forced to scorch in the sun. Some people run from the rain and others run from the snow and most of the rest are thrown for a loop when they experience a drastic change in either direction. I believe if we’d pause to consider how we handle something as unpredictable as the weather, we’d see some similarities in how we handle our Unpredictable Life too. Some dread the changes before they ever happen. Some lie awake at night imagining the worst. Some run and try to hide, while others are thrown for a loop when things drastically change overnight as if they thought things would always be the same. But nothing is the same except God Almighty, and He’s forever changing things around for His Purpose. He brings the storms to raise our Core Temperature and He’ll make it rain in our lives for as long as He thinks we need it. But just like the four seasons in Virginia…just when we think we’ve had enough, God brings the New Season along with its own Beauty and its own set of Challenges. It’s a wonderful Life when we understand that it comes with Drastic Changes and when we’re willing to surrender to the Will of an Amazing God no matter what.

God used the drastic change in the weather to Remind me that He’s the ONLY constant in my Life. He’s the same yesterday, today, AND FOREVERMORE and He’ll be there for me through it all. When my Life goes from warm and cozy to cold as ice I won’t whine or run, because I’ve lived through His Changes countless Times and I Trust His Plans for me. Just when I think I’ve “had enough” He’ll change the Season in His Time…a Season with beauty of its own and a whole new set of Challenges.

How about you?

No Weapon Formed Against Me Will Prosper!

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I began to do Battle the minute I woke up and I couldn’t get into the Presence of the Living God fast enough this morning. No battle exists that I can’t Win as long as I remember who I’m battling with and I turn to my Weapons that ALWAYS get the job done. The Bible says, “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” but he’s barking up the wrong tree with me because I’m armed and Ready, Proclaim the power of might of Jesus Christ he has no choice but to depart from me. I’m not surprised that I have to do serious Battles every once in a while, but since I have Everything I need to Win I’m never afraid. I will Forever be amazed at how fast temporary torment can turn to Praise when I do what I’m supposed to do, and when I trust God to do what He Promises to do. Life isn’t easy sometimes, but it’s ALL Good when you know you can’t lose. Isn’t that the way you see your battles too?

It can be so easy to surrender a perfectly good day to thoughts of defeat, fear, heartbreak, or anything else on the planet, but it never has to be that way if we know how to Fight. Thoughts are just thoughts and the ones set out to destroy are the most likely to cripple us and they are the easiest kind to kill. They’re the ones that go against every Promise that comes from Heaven and they’re the ones that contradict the Truth. Knowing the Word of God is our greatest Weapon because the liar from Hell can’t fight against it. The Word of God is like kryptonite to the devil and it brings him to his knees every time. I doubt anything brings the enemy more pleasure than to fire darts at my thoughts to distort the truth, and nothing would make him celebrate more than to watch me fall because of it. But I know the Truth and I recognize a lie so all I need is the Word of God and to take the thought captive and “send it” back to hell where it belongs.

I’ve heard people pray asking God to help them control their thoughts especially when they’re struggling with fear. But it’s not up to God to do that part. He tells us to take every thought captive ourselves and He tells us to control our own thoughts by thinking of Good things. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. This is the Key to Peace in the storm.

God has already given us every Weapon we need to Win, but if we don’t take the time with Him to learn how to use them, it’s our fault (not His) when we succumb to the battles. How many times do you need to hear “I’ve got this” straight from the Throne of God to finally believe it? How many ways does God need to say “I’ll take you by the right hand and lead you” before you accept that He will? How many times do you need to hear the story of the Crucifixion of Christ who died for every sin you ever committed before you were ever born to believe that Freedom is yours for the asking? How many ways can He show you how Precious you are to Him before you accept that it’s true? Knowing the Truth INSIDE is the Key to battling those thoughts of torment and when we do our part – we have CONFIDENCE that we will ALWAYS win. This is the Key to Victory.

I had a mild case of temporary torment that could have destroyed a perfectly good day if I let it – but I recognize a Battle and I’ve got everything it takes to Win. A little time with my Commanding Officer and a little time reading my book of Strategy for War and I’m flying higher than you would ever dream could be possible. I’ve taken captive my thoughts and my enemy ran off like a wussie (“Resist the devil and he will flee”) when I tapped into the Power ALREADY given to me. I KNOW the Truth, and I’ll always Win because of it…If I do my part today and every day of my Life to prepare for war. I’m a child of the Living God. I’m Royalty! I win.

How about you?