The Deception is Working…

/ www.LivingLarger.life

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 although it’s starting out cold, it will be warming up by this afternoon and much of our beautiful snow (and ice) will be gone. All it takes is a little snow, a little drifting, and a little ice, and navigating around the farm gets pretty challenging. Although getting snowed in is one of my favorite things, getting snowed out isn’t so great. We had to cancel service at The Well yesterday to avoid anyone getting stuck on roads that have drifted over AND to ensure their safety around the barn from field parking to the sanctuary. Kids everywhere pray for snow days so that they can stay home from school, but canceling church for any reason is heartbreaking to me. I miss my friends. I miss the fellowship. I miss studying His Word together. I miss seeing the joy of the Lord on their faces. I miss praying with them and for them. Missing church is a big deal to me but it sure isn’t to a VERY large number of folks these days. They’ve traded attending church for Sofa Services and nothing could pry them away from the TV on Sunday morning. As I sat in the Presence of the Most High God this morning I cried as I prayed for the remote ones, for the state of the Church today, and for all the Beauty they’re missing by trading church for the couch. Isn’t that the way you see it too?

I know what it looks like to tune into church remotely because I did that very thing myself years ago when my home church was in turmoil and I was in limbo “church hunting”. I know what it feels like to “go to church” in a comfortable chair and to not hesitate to get up for unlimited coffee refills in the middle of the sermon. I know what it feels like to watch church “in comfortable clothes”. I know what it sounds like to have a conversation during prayer time and/or to freely critique the music as if the musicians were a part of America’s Got Talent instead of a church choir. I know what it sounds like to LIE to myself (and to others) about how “whenever two or more are gathered” is a fitting scripture to defend Sofa Services…but it’s not. We can thank the COVID debacle for making a way to draw Christians out of the church and boy, did we make it easy! We can thank the Devil himself for deceiving God’s people into thinking it’s ok to detach from the Church Body even temporarily. The liar from Hell got even more than he bargained for because “52% of “regular church attendees” who left during COVID have never returned” and unless something changes in their Hearts, they never will.

With the Church laser-focused on making the congregation comfortable at all costs, it isn’t hard to figure out how (and why) so many Christians fell into the Devil’s trap of Sofa Service. Coffee shops, professional praise bands, lights, cameras, and ACTION have grown the numbers, that’s for sure, but fellowship (relationship) has taken the back seat in the process and people have disappeared without even being noticed. Gone are the days when churches welcomed a spontaneous testimony about the power of God and time didn’t seem to matter when God was moving. The testimonies we no longer have time for STRENGTHENED the body and spurred us on…AND they were in keeping with what God tells us all to do in and out of the church. Gone are the days when we’d miss a Sunday in church and somebody would reach out to see how we were doing…they noticed and they cared. Unfortunately, the churches today believe bigger is better, and instead of doing their part to get the people BACK into the church where they belong, they’re hiring Pastors who are online experts to build the numbers just like any good business does. Having people attend church remotely while taking their offerings via an app is far too appealing for them to ignore and some studies suggest that one day in the near future the brick-and-mortar church will cease to exist altogether because of it. I hope the Lord calls me Home before that happens because that’s too sad to even think about.

We had to cancel church yesterday and I was LOST because of it. My brothers and sisters in the Lord are my family and they strengthen me for the Journey…and I do my best to strengthen them! David said it best in Psalm 16: “As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.” You won’t find me “forsaking the assembly” because I know if I do then I’m working against the Plan God has for His people and I care more about pleasing Him than I do about pleasing myself. Just so you know, if you’re reading this and you’re attending Sofa Services (by choice not necessity) I’m praying that God lights a fire within you that cannot be contained that will propel you from the recliner to the alter one day soon.

May God richly bless you on and off the sofa.

The God of Mercy…Still on the Throne!

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. God nudged me awake long before the sun came up and we had a long talk about Life. My Heart couldn’t wait for the lights to come on so I could see with my eyes that my world is the same today as it was yesterday. Thousands of people are standing by this morning as their homes (or businesses) burn to the ground and my heart is broken for them. Sometimes it’s hard to accept that He is a God who “gives and takes away”, but He is. Sometimes it’s hard to see that He is a God of Mercy, but He is. Sometimes it’s hard to remember that He is a God of Law and Order when it looks like the world has fallen apart, but He is. As I turned to Him for Peace and Direction for such a time as this, He reminded me that He is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore no matter (how I perceive) what’s going on around me, and He reinforced my Marching Orders all over again – to share His Goodness of God with a world that needs Him now more than ever. And just like that – my heavy Heart was filled with Peace, Hope, AND Excitment all over again. Following Jesus is a choice. Reading (and Believing) His Word is a choice. Trusting Him when it looks like the world has gone crazy is a choice. Isn’t that the way you see the Journey of Faith too?

Some of my favorite passages in the Bible come from Job 38-41 where God paints a picture of His Majesty and Might to a man who had everything taken from Him, from his kids to his wealth and his health. The God of All Creation considered Job to be “the most righteous man” on the planet and yet, He allowed calamity to come into every corner of his life. The kind of calamity that you and I would never EVER want to know. I want to be like Job because, through the calamity, he never stopped praising God. Job made the choice to cling to the Creator no matter what. That’s the good news. The bad news is that “the most righteous man” still managed to get himself into trouble when he presumed to know the Mind and Plans of God and he wasn’t afraid to say so. So the Living God set Job straight with the most beautiful “Where were you?” speech the world has ever heard. By the time God finished His “Where were you speech” Job was so ashamed of his arrogant heart…a heart that presumed to know what God was up to…that he cursed the day he was ever born. With humility like that, it’s no wonder God saw Job as the most Righteous man on the planet! I wonder how many of us are willing to admit that we DO presume to know the Plans of the God who “gives and takes away?” Hmm…

When I consider the “Where Were You” speech this morning, I couldn’t help but wonder what that speech would look like for America today? Would God say “Where were you” when laws were passed that allow us to rip an unborn child from the womb of its mother…70 million times? Would God say “Where were you” when laws were passed to disgrace what He intended to be between a man and a woman?” Would God say “Where were you” when we created new genders of our own and we chose to accept perversion as the “norm?” Would God say “Where were you” when we allowed prayer to be removed from our schools to avoid offending non-believers? Would God say “Where were you” when His commandments were ripped from the walls of our public places for all the world to (not) see?” I don’t want to presume to know the mind of God either…but could it be that God has had enough with our “one nation under God” or that all our efforts to “stand up” are just too little too late in His eyes?

This world needs Jesus Christ now more than ever before and I’ll be sure they hear the Truth when God puts them in my path. The Truth doesn’t come from “secret sources” or a favorite news channel. The ONLY Trustworthy Source of Truth comes from the Living Word of God…period. It’s there where we’ll find the Truth about the God of ALL Creation – the TRUTH about the Future that is possible for those who Believe – the TRUTH about what to expect as the Day draws near – the TRUTH about forgiveness and how to pray for our enemies – the TRUTH about how we have the choice to be “born twice but die once” – the Truth about everlasting Life and immeasurable Joy – the TRUTH about the God who gives and takes away – the TRUTH about the One who died for all. There is pain from coast to coast – from hurricane victims to the raging fires of LA but the God of Mercy is still on the Throne. Lots of things are changing in our world, almost faster than we can comprehend, but the God of Mercy is still on the Throne. Just thinking about my Future with Him fills me with Excitement and my Job Description is clearer than ever before no matter what God decides to take away for such a time as this. I choose to Believe. I choose to forgive. I chose to love. I choose Hope. I choose Jesus.

How about you?

Tenderized and Transformed in the Desert…

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. God added a beautiful layer of snow to the fields while I was in Pittsburgh to celebrate the 13th birthday of my first grandson. Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall there is no place like home to me. It’s bitter cold this morning, and there won’t be any melting today, but with a hot cup of coffee and a warm Heart, all is well with the world to me. I sat in His Presence for the longest time this morning Preparing for this new day and all that the Alpha and Omega has Planned for me in the days ahead. I’m Excited about His Plans for me and how He will be using me all the days of my life here on earth BECAUSE I’m Armed and Ready… I’m Tenderized and Transformed! I spent years in the desert being Prepared for this precise moment in Time and I was born for such a time as this! Some people will be in a tailspin today over something as simple as a snowfall and some people will hide under the bed over what’s going on in this dark world, but not me because I’ve been to the desert and I’m Prepared for it all. In the desert, I found my Strength and I learned to Lean on Him and I learned that there is no good thing in me apart from Him. I’m a Willing Servant of the Lord Jesus Christ and I’m certain that if I keep my focus OFF myself and ON Him, I’ll be Serving Him with honor until He calls me Home…AND I’ll always be Victorious. Isn’t that the way you see your Journey of Faith too?

Most people do everything in their power to avoid time in the desert but it’s in the desert where God does His greatest Work on the human Heart. Paul spent three years in Arabia – Moses spent 40 years wandering – Joseph was in Egypt for 13 years – and David spent many years hiding away from King Saul. When we see people soaring in Service to the King of all kings, you’ll always hear that they were sent to the desert first to Prepare their Hearts. This is true from the saints of the Old Testament to people we rub elbows with today. It takes a desert experience to Prepare. Understanding this part is the Key to Peace and having the Heart it takes to see (and Believe) that all things really do work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His Purpose. I received plenty of War wounds while in the desert and “proudly” wear them in the Name of Jesus Christ today as a Witness to how a Mighty God can Transform even the hardest of Hearts with just a little Time in the desert.

Be careful what you wish for in your Journey of Faith – if you sincerely want God to enlarge your territory it’s probably going to involve some time in the desert where “no pain, no gain” takes on New Meaning. After all, if anybody knows how stubborn and selfish the human heart is, God does, and He Knows how to Tenderize the Willing Ones! He Knows that in order to accomplish His Greatest Work through us, He first needs to throw us into the desert…like a spiritual sink-or-swim Experience designed to Strengthen His people. It’s definitely an Honor to be used for Kingdom Work no doubt about that, but it always comes with a price for the Privilege. In the desert, God changes us and removes things that hold us back and make us “useless”. In the desert, He forces us to draw upon His Grace alone. Thank God, the desert is only a short (but Powerful) Season in our Journey of Faith. When He has accomplished what He wants in our lives in the desert, He will bring us out and when He does, we see Kingdom Work in an entirely different Light. God has given each one of us a Mission to fulfill that can only be Fulfilled after we have spent adequate Time being Prepared in the desert. Have no fear of the desert and don’t avoid it like the plague if you desire to be used by the King, because it’s in the desert where you’ll hear His Voice like never before, and it’s there where you’ll receive your Marching Orders for this Journey called Life.

The ground is covered in snow but I’ve been more focused on the desert of my past than what I see with my eyes this morning. I’ve been in the desert and I came out Victorious AND I always will because He promises me that. I have a Testimony that could make the toughest man cry but I wouldn’t change a thing about my Journey. It took the desert to Refine me into the Vessel I am today and my territory just keeps getting bigger and bigger because of it. Be careful what you “wish” for if you want to be a Vessel used by the King of all kings, it always comes with a “price” to Prepare. There are no words for my Gratitude for a God who loves me enough to take me to the desert so that I can have the privilege of doing Kingdom work on this side of Heaven until I draw my last breath.

How about you?

Lack of Gratitude Leads to Whining…Ouch!

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It was a blistery 22 degrees at sunrise and snow is on the way. Although I’m not too keen on the idea that the snowfall may get in the way of my plans, I’ve prayed for snow to nourish the land, so I’ll do my best to trade my disappointment for gratitude. This isn’t the first time recently that God has changed the plans and I’m sure it won’t be the last. As I sat there in the presence of the Most High God I thought about how easy it is for some people to come to the conclusion that doesn’t Know what He’s doing when it comes to changing the Plans…but the God of Tomorrow always knows what He’s doing and all plans, large and small, belong to Him. Although the Word says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” there is no promise to avoid pain and disappointment throughout the Journey. It all comes down to whether or not we choose to whine about our circumstances or if we’re willing to Trust Him no matter what. Isn’t that the way you see the Journey of Faith too?

If there is anything that can tap my last nerve it’s whining – especially when it comes forth from a professed Follower of Jesus Christ. The whiners will shake their fists at the first sign of disappointment and they don’t hesitate to ask “Why me Lord?” as if they’re being picked on by the Author and Perfector of their Faith. The whiners want His Plans to conform to their plans and when they don’t…off they go. They spend a lot of time focusing on all those things they don’t have as if God has forgotten them and when they’re reminded of what they DO have they shrug it off as if it is meaningless compared to what they really want. They are like a real-time example of the Israelites who grew tired of the miraculous food provisions God rained down day after day because they wanted meat instead of manna. Whiners don’t see themselves as a defiant child but that’s the way God sees them, and as long as they shake their firsts in defiance with an ungrateful heart, they can’t receive all the Good that God has for them. It puts the saying “your own worst enemy” into a spiritual perspective. The Key to Peace and Contentment is so easy when you think about it…Be Grateful for all things and Trust Him with the Plans. This is the Key to Maturity in the Journey of Faith.

The whiners seem to have a perpetual half-empty glass and they LOVE LOVE LOVE to gossip because talking about someone else makes them feel better about their own circumstances. But it’s when we refuse to whine and we trade gossip for heartfelt prayers on behalf of the one we talked against that we see the most amazing fruit come forth in the one we’re praying for AND in ourselves. Whiners have a difficult time with forgiveness and they only extend it to people they deem to be worthy to be forgiven as if Jesus had exemptions for forgiveness that we don’t know about. If you wrong a whiner, they can hold onto what they perceive to be a personal offense forever. The best part is that they’ll attempt to justify their hard heart and they’re rarely willing to take the first step in the forgiveness process. It’s only when we can see ourselves the way God sees us – when we comprehend how hopeless we are without Him – it’s only when we can genuinely embrace the Grace that we can learn to easily forgive. This is the Key to Surrender in the Journey of Faith.

I’m disappointed about the changed Plans of late BUT I have complete Trust in the One who is in Control of my Life. When something happens to change my plans I pause to consider what God is doing to Steer my Life in a better (or safer) direction and I NEVER wonder if He knows what He’s doing. He’s my Father and I’m His child. I don’t want to be a defiant child in His eyes. I don’t want to be ungrateful in His eyes. I don’t want to be one unwilling to Trust because of my own insecurities. I want to worship the King of all kings with every breath I take and when He Redirects me I’ll say “Yes, Lord” without question.

How about you?

Reflect The Warmth of the Son….

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cold and windy outside this morning and I was outside just long enough to capture this image. What I saw with my eyes (and my heart) took my breath away. The sun was rising in the East, and the light was reflecting in the West before I could even see much of the sun itself. The West became a reflection of the light shining on the East – exactly what Children of the Living God are supposed to be! Just the color FROM the sun added beauty to the dark world and it didn’t even take much light to add Warmth. As I met with the Living God in the warmth of my home, I began to pray and weep for those so much less fortunate than I am… those left out in the cold in MORE WAYS than one. It’s one thing to be cold and hungry – it’s an entirely different story to be Lost. Sometimes when I close my eyes, I can see cold people, lost people, sick people, and poor people all around, and the image overwhelms me. Except for the honor of praying for them and doing my small part to attempt to change their lives…I’m powerless. But I know Who brings the warmth. I Know the Miracle Maker. I know my Provider very well, and I know He has a Plan through it all…even when I don’t understand it…even when it hurts. Isn’t that the way you see it too?

It would be so easy to convince ourselves that we’re Reflecting Light from the Son just by our mere existence and that there is no need to take action at all. But the Bible says, “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to KEEP AWAY FROM EVERY BELIEVER WHO IS IDLE and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us” so apparently it’s a big deal to a Big God who Commands us to “not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”. When we strive to be a Reflection of the Most High God, we begin to Experience genuine Compassion and we no longer have fleeting moments of just feeling sorry for people, we FEEL THEIR PAIN just the way Jesus did – and before you know it, the beautiful Reflection of our Faith begins to shine on their lives like the sun on the trees this morning. The Bible says, “Be holy as I am holy” and that’s a tall order for sure – but just thinking about how Holy my God is makes me want to try even harder to be the best Reflection of Him that I can be!

I’m heading into this cold new year with more blessings than any human deserves. I understand where I’ve been and how far I’ve come. I understand that God used my own pain and poverty to tenderize my heart, and I understand that “there is no good thing in me apart from Him.” I am a child of the King and I’m humbled to be found worthy to do a little Work in His Name.

I have a place Reserved for me in Heaven when I leave this temporary home and I’ll have an Everlasting Life with my loved ones who were born-again Believers too. Because I Know what’s possible with Christ, I want to Recruit as many people as I can while I’m still here on this earth so that they can have Eternal Life too! That doesn’t make me “special” – it means that I’m obedient to the same Call we ALL have – to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world. I sure don’t want to be found sleeping on the Job when He comes Calling for me!

I have a family that is so close and so filled with love that it defies logic, AND they’re all healthy and strong. I have a Purpose that was Divinely Designed just for me and I understand what I need to do to Fulfill it. I have a warm home and a warmer Heart and every day I strive to have a Heart more like Christ. I want people to look at my Life and see the Warmth of the Son Reflecting over me as surely as I saw it on the trees this morning. I want the kind of Heart that hurts over the pain of another, and the kind that wants to do something about it if I can. The kind that NEVER overlooks the honor it is to be able to stand before the Throne of a Mighty God in prayer on behalf of someone else…the kind of Heart that knows that the only reason I’m NOT getting what I deserve is because Jesus Christ already paid the price for me.

How about you?

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 1 John 3:17

“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead”…

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The first day of the New Year is an exciting time for me for more reasons than I can count. The Bible says, “Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare” but you can’t blame a girl trying to give thanks for each one or for giving Glory to the One to bless me with another year to Serve. As I watched the Master wake up the world on this first day of this New Year, I Dedicated it all to Him all over again. I prayed Blessings over this New Year and I thanked Him for things I haven’t even seen with my own eyes YET. Sadly, some people are saying “good riddance” to the year they left behind as if God screwed up and dealt them a bad one. Some people are gauging the quality of the year left behind based on the outcome of an election as if man has the power to make or break the day. Some people slept through the last year and they’ll sleep through the new one as if there’s nothing worth Living for beyond their own needs. As for me? I don’t care much about anything besides how God wants to use me in this New Year, so my Biggest Goal is to be sure that I’m found Worthy and ready for Him at all times. Isn’t that the way you look at your Journey of Faith too?

I’m sure there were plenty of resolutions made for the new year and sadly most of them will never be fulfilled. Things like losing weight or finding love aren’t bad things to strive for BUT they don’t mean much in the Bigger Picture of Life. Striving to change our lifestyle is one thing, but striving to change our Character and Who we are in Christ…now that’s an entirely different story AND the only meaningful Goal there is. As for me, this year I’m going to love more and I’ll begin with the Love of my Life. I’m not going to miss a single day in this New Year giving thanks to the Living God for all that He is and all that He does for me. I will dig deep within my soul and remove anything that stands in the way of the richness of my Relationship with Him – I’ll also purge whatever hinders me from becoming everything He created me to be. Though my mind can’t comprehend how it could be possible to Love Him even more than I do today, I’ll make it my Mission in this New Year to Experience more than I’ve ever known in His Name. By Loving my God more, I’ll have abounding love to Share with my family, my friends, and anybody else I come in contact with who needs Love and Compassion from me. It all begins with the Love of my Life.

I’ve been Blessed to have been loved BIG by countless people throughout my lifetime, but nobody has ever loved me as much as He does. I’ve loved so big myself that I thought my heart would burst wide open, but I’ve never loved anybody as much as I Love Him. The world can keep changing and it doesn’t much matter to me because I’ll just keep clinging to the Only One with the Answers while I share Hope with the world around me as He Opens the doors. You’ll never hear me say “good riddance” to a year full of days to Serve the Creator of All, that’s for sure! I’ll keep Serving every day, year after year…in good years and in not-so-good years and with every breath I have because THAT’S what Love looks like.

Happy New Year, world.

Philippians 3:13-14 But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

A Legacy That Will Last Forever…

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. When I made my way into the Presence of the Most High God this morning I was filled with anticipation and Excitement just to be with Him. What a blessing that it was warm enough for me to spend a few minutes outside taking in the beauty of the new December day. I snapped this photo of the sun making its way over the horizon and I noticed that it looks like (to me) the image of a cross in the sunbeam. A cross on the flag…a cross in the sunrise…it can’t possibly get any better than that. The pace of the holiday season can take a toll on my Time with the Lord of my Life. Although I’ve spent time with Him and I’ve spent lots of time in prayer, absolutely nothing compares to Meeting with the Author and Perfecter of my Faith before I do anything else. He’s my Father and I’m His Child. He’s my Master and I’m His Servant. He’s my Rock and I’m His Warrior. He’s my Heart, and all of me is in Alignment with His Will. He sent His son to die for me so that I might have Life everlasting, and I’m a Messenger of the greatest birth announcement and “death certificate” story ever told. He’s not my afterthought – He’s my Future, so for all that to be possible, I need to be in His Presence even more than I need to breathe. Isn’t that the way it is for you too?

Some people think I’m an uptight Christian because I’m so serious about my “routine” from the front porch first thing in the morning, but that’s not true. It’s because I know how to Recharge and Refuel for this Journey called Life and I’m serious about finishing my Race well. I’m not trying to “prove” anything to God (or to the world) but I am trying to Serve Him with all that I am and I’m willing to go wherever He tells me to go. I can’t afford to allow Him to become an “afterthought” and neither can you! He wants to be first before anyone or anything else. He wants to be my First Love forever. He wants to be the One who occupies my thoughts and He wants to be the One I desire to Please. He wants to be the One I talk about and the One to fill my Heart with Joy. He’s the giver of the Greatest Gift the world has ever known and I’m Heaven-bound because of it. When you look at it that way, how can anybody be okay NOT making Him their Priority in this Journey called Life?

When I look back at Christmas and the gifts I made with my hands and gave with my Heart, I know that the greatest Gift I’ll ever give is the Legacy of my Faith. The Gospel of Jesus Christ has been threaded into every ribbon on every present my tribe has ever received, and now it continues on to the next generation. My radar is always up to hear who is sprinkling Jesus Christ into every part of Life and who sees the Jesus message as an afterthought or just a Sunday morning conversation. When I see the latter, I don’t hesitate to tell “the rest of the story” to the next generation who needs the Legacy of my Faith too. The Truth is sprinkled into every conversation every time and the Love they see in me is only possible because of Him. They can see that He’s my Biggest Priority and that I lean on Him more than anyone else. They see me Serving, and they see me Loving unconditionally. If any of the gift recipients were ever disappointed in the gifts I made with my hands and gave with my Heart, I won’t think much about that at all because I’ve already given them the GREATEST Gift of all and THAT gift will last for Eternity.

How about you?

Reflect Who You Celebrate!

/ www.LivingLarger.life / 2 Comments

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I met with the One I Celebrate all year long from inside a warm house with an even warmer cup of coffee and I’m very thankful for both. I’m a little more tired than usual this time of year but not because I’m caught up in the madness of the holiday. I’m more tired than usual this time of year because I’m busy making things with my heart and my hands to express my love instead. It’s easy to head to a mall and shop til you drop; it’s an entirely different story to make something out of nothing. Every piece of this holiday season is (and will always be) about Love at the farm. You won’t find anybody in my tribe squealing over a luxurious gift with a big price tag, although we’ve all received plenty of those over the years. But you can be sure they’ll be moved to tears when they open a gift that was made with heart and hands. What a sweet reminder to me this morning straight from the Throne of my God that the most precious Gift is Love and how we express it makes all the difference in the world.

In many ways, this time of year resembles a contest to me…who has the best lights in the neighborhood or the most presents under the tree? Who has the best Christmas party with the finest food and wine, and who sends out the most cards? It’s funny and sad all at the same time when you think about it – most people celebrate Christmas…even the ones who want nothing at all to do with Jesus Christ any other time of the year. Some don’t mind telling you that they’re offended by the mention of His Name and yet they don’t miss an opportunity to celebrate His birthday. The glitz and glamour, the lights and gifts are just too good to refuse, so the ones who don’t Believe (and the ones who do) ALL set out to make it a Christmas to remember, and before you know it you can’t tell the Believers from the non-believers and Jesus is out shadowed by the “fun”. Believers are happy to say “Merry Christmas” as if we just “won the right” to speak His Name. But beyond the words, does it really look and feel like the Celebration of the Birth of the Greatest Gift the world has ever known, OR do we slip a little Jesus into the festivities to pacify the conscience?

It’s a good thing Jesus can Love greater than any man, that’s for sure. Leave it to Him to keep Loving and Forgiving while His People blend the Message of the Birth of the Greatest Gift the world has ever known with Hollywood-style glitz and glamour. How sad to see His People teaching their children to give credit to a fictitious man as the one to determine their worth based on “naughty and nice”. How tragic that the Message of the Birth of a Savior is not enough fun for the family and that Salvation is not the Gift that keeps on giving. How pathetic to see images of that big guy in the sky mixed in with THE Big Guy in the sky as if sharing a Birthday with a fictitious character and giving him credit for the gifts would be pleasing to the Lord. Yes, Jesus wants us to be joyful! He had fun with His friends and family too! After all, His first miracle was performed at a wedding feast where he turned the water into wine and the Bible says that there is ” nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be merry.” Having a great celebration is NOT the problem…and neither are the gifts. It’s the mixing together of the message of Hope, our Savior, and our Redeemer with all those things that take the focus off of Him and onto a lie the world tells just for fun. NOW that’s a problem.

Christians don’t stand out to the lost world just by saying “Merry Christmas” – we stand out to the lost world by making SURE that the world knows Who we Celebrate…and NOTHING else.

I’m excited about celebrating Christmas with my family tomorrow and we’ll have lots of fun! The farmhouse is decorated for the Occasion but you won’t find Santa hats or any other sign of him here because we ONLY celebrate the Birth of the King of all kings. There will be plenty of gifts from the heart and a feast fit for our King….after all, it IS His birthday! We’ll do lots of laughing and we’ll walk down Memory Lane, for sure. We might even play a few games by the time the day is over, but my tribe will NEVER lose sight of Who we are, Who we belong to, and Who we celebrate, so we’ll be giving Thanks to Him for every gift – especially the BIGGEST Gift He was born to give…the gift of Love, Hope, Redemption, and Forgiveness so that we can have Eternal Life with Him. Now THAT’S something to celebrate, Amen?

“The greatest of these is love”

Merry Christmas, world.

Look Beyond the Surface…

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s a crazy-busy, beautiful time of the year but nothing is permitted to get in the way of my Time with the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. When you think of Him that way every day, why would you ever put Him second to anything? As I looked out over the fields this morning I thought about how things are rarely how they appear to be on the surface. The fields look barren, but they’re not – it’s focusing on the surface that can so easily fool us. Beneath the barren “look” is life that will be waiting to spring forth again in just a few months with a little Help from God – and the outer influences He provides like the sun and rain…and so it is with life.

If there’s anything that can get us into trouble it’s drawing our own conclusions by what we see on the surface of life. A smile doesn’t necessarily equate to happiness no more than the winterized foliage equates to barrenness. Seeing someone with material things doesn’t equate to everything being okay behind the wealth no more than seeing someone without material things means they’re not happy. Seeing someone dressed for success doesn’t equate to a full bank account no more than seeing someone not dressed for success means they aren’t. Driving a shiny luxury car doesn’t equate to plenty of expendable income, and driving an older car doesn’t equate to not having the means to upgrade. Living in a mansion doesn’t equate to it being filled with joy and living in a humble abode doesn’t equate to regrets. There’s no end to the assumptions we make by what we see on the surface of life. It’s looking beyond the surface where the truth is found. Without looking below the surface we never know what the view of life really looks like from where we sit. This is the Key to finding the need within each one so we know how to “fill it” with Hope.

Of all the assumptions we make about life the most dangerous assumption comes down to Faith. Going to church doesn’t equate to being a Christian no more than going to a bar equates to being an alcoholic. Being able to quote Scripture doesn’t equate to being a Christian no more than quoting science equates to being a genius. Feeding a few hungry people for the holidays doesn’t equate to being a Christian no more than breaking bread with relatives once in a while equates to a family. Being a Christian comes down to a personal relationship with the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace – and when we have that part “right” we spring forth with Living Water, and the Love and Compassion cannot be contained. We dig below the surface of life with everyone in our path – never judging – because we understand the brokenness of man and we celebrate Forgiveness. We never stop Searching for the Condition of the Heart and sharing our Faith becomes as natural to us as breathing. We love our brothers and sisters in Christ enough to be sure that they’ve not grown barren in the Journey and we never make assumptions based on what we see on the surface. It’s the Holy Spirit that should be dwelling below the surface of every person of Faith and it’s His Spirit that prompts us to Search beyond what we see with our eyes. When He dwells within us we never look at barren without seeing Hope…in and out of the community of Christians.

God used the barren-looking fields this morning to remind me not to make assumptions based on what I see on the outside. Many people can easily be left behind all year long based on assumptions we make by what we see on the surface of life. So, as I celebrate the birth of the King of all Kings, I’ll keep digging below the surface to check the Condition of the Heart of all He puts in my path and I won’t assume anything by what I see. I’ll be Armed and Ready to share the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace throughout the season and every single day of the new year. And THAT’s what the “great commission” looks like below the surface.

How about you?

Will you be Celebrating the King?

/ www.LivingLarger.life

My mind can’t fathom what it was like so long ago when my Savior entered the world. A virgin girl was chosen to be the one to carry Him in her womb, and there was no need for a doctor’s exam to confirm her pregnancy or to prove her virginity. Her fiance’ kept his promise to marry her and he accepted what the angel of God told him…there was no need for DNA to confirm whose child she carried. Without a text message conversation, this girl’s relatives immediately knew she was pregnant because John leaped in his mother’s (Elizabeth) womb at the sound of Mary’s voice and the Holy Spirit came upon her that very moment just as it was foretold. Without cell phones or the Internet, news traveled fast about this Child…the Savior…the King…because the details of His arrival, His life, and His Purpose were foretold long before He was ever born. Without the benefit of GPS, the 3 wise men found their way to Him and without the benefit of online shopping, they brought Him the most precious gifts under the sun.

Most of the world will celebrate Christmas next week, but most of the world won’t be celebrating the birth of my Savior at all. Some take advantage of this time of year and although they light up a Christmas tree and wrap up gifts, they don’t Celebrate my Savior… they use His birthday as an excuse to have fun. Some will proclaim to Believe but they don’t “buy in” to all of the details of His birth that were foretold LONG before He was ever born as if the Word of God comes a-la-carte and we can pick and choose the parts we like the best. Some profess to be people of Faith, and yet, they don’t pause to celebrate in Savior-style, and when (or IF) they “tell” the story of His birth on Christmas morning, it will be with as much excitement as a trip to the mailbox. Some will sing Happy Birthday to Jesus on Christmas morning and seconds after they sing they’ll dive into gifts and shovel down a feast, and He won’t be mentioned again – as if they’ve done their duty to acknowledge Him. Some claim to Believe and they’ll celebrate next week but the focus and thanks for all of those gifts their children receive isn’t on the Savior at all…but on a fantasy fat guy in the sky who determines if they’re worthy or not. All in the name of “fun” parents across America will use the (threat of) naughty or nice to bribe a child while the ONLY one Who judges “naughty or nice” is the King the day is intended to celebrate. Hmm…

I’ll soon be celebrating the birth of my Savior at the farm with my family, and you can be sure that it’s Him we’ll be celebrating. We know that “there is no good thing apart from Him” so He’ll get thanks for it all. We know that He is our Provider and that every morsel of food and every gift we exchange is only made possible because of Him. We’ll be celebrating Savior-style and we Believe every single Word of the story of His Birth…a baby born to a virgin…our King…our Savior…our Wonderful Counselor…our Mighty God…our Everlasting Father and our Prince of Peace!

How about you?