Don’t Let The Thief Rob You…

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I started out with a mind full of chaos this morning, and if I hadn’t Surrendered it all to the Living God, that mindset would have wreaked havoc on this new day from start to finish. Thankfully, I had my attitude Adjusted by the Author and Perfecter of my Faith and my mind full of chaos quickly became a Heart full of shame…shame for doubting and shame for waking up with so little Trust in a Mighty God. The scattered clouds in the morning sky were a sweet reminder to me of the battle that goes on in the mind – a battle only possible IF we allow the enemy to whisper lies of defeat…and we willingly listen. But when we DETERMINE to “take captive every thought” – to Focus on God Almighty instead of the chaos – all things come together to paint a beautiful picture just like the one God painted over the farm this morning. It’s when we determine to focus more on the Son than we do on the scattered clouds that we’ll find Victory and Peace in the chaos every single time. Isn’t that the way you look at taking control of the chaos before it takes control over you too?

It would be so easy to allow the circumstances of life to turn into mental chaos sometimes UNLESS I make up my mind to focus more on my Mighty and Merciful God than I do on the chaos. If I’m not careful…if I’m not diligent in battling my own thoughts and fears…I could easily spend LESS time in the presence of the Living God instead of MORE time when I need Him the most. I could easily begin looking for logic in the chaos and I could easily try to “fix” the chaos on my own. But that doesn’t make any more sense than it would for me to try to fix the clouds in the sky! The God of all Creation is the ONLY one that can do that and He’s the only Solution to chaos. It’s when I feel as if I’m in over my head that I force myself to slow down and I take the time to Refocus my Heart on the One who holds the world in the palm of His Hand. He’s the Heavenly diffuser of chaos! With Him I’m unstoppable. With Him I’m Victorious. With Him I am Strong. With Him, I can do ALL things. He’s the Wind beneath my Wings and the source of my Strength. He’s the Son behind the scattered clouds and He’s the Solution for the chaos. There is absolutely NOTHING I can’t overcome IF I put Him first and IF I take the time to strengthen myself for the ride by taking captive every thought. This is the key to everlasting Peace.

I may have hit the ground with a mind full of chaos this morning but I’m not the same woman now after my Time with Him. Nothing clears the chaos like a Firm Reminder of who I Belong to! I’M TAKING CAPTIVE EVERY THOUGHT just like He tells me to and I refuse to allow the liar from Hell to rob me of my Peace. After all, that liar can only get FROM me what I willingly surrender to him because he has absolutely no power over a Child of the Living God. The chaos in my mind hasn’t completely faded yet, BUT I have no doubt that if I keep doing my part to take captive every thought, it will be over soon and I WILL be Victorious. I don’t have all the answers for the chaos (yet), but I have the ONLY Solution for it all. My mind, my Heart, and my Soul have been readied for the ride and now I’m more focused on the Son than ever before!

How about you?

Are You Listening?

/ 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 in the Journey called “life” and I’m prepared for whatever He has for me today after time in His Presence at sunrise. I watched the Master wake up the world and I witnessed nature being Obedient to His call. Nature can’t reason the same way man can, but what nature has going for it that man doesn’t is the ability to listen without worrying about whether or not what it hears makes sense. God is still on the Throne and He still has a Voice and it’s the willingness to Look and Listen that sets us aside as His Chosen ones. His people KNOW that at the sound of His voice, the earth was formed. At the sound of His voice, the land was separated from the sea. At the sound of His voice, Adam was put into a deep sleep, and Eve was formed from his rib. At the sound of His voice, the stars were scattered in the sky. At the sound of His voice, the sun stood still. At the sound of His voice, the sea parted. At the sound of His voice, the rain was withheld for years. As I considered the Power of the sound of His voice and how nature so easily responds, I thought about how often man…the most Valuable Creation of all…willfully ignores the sound of His voice and we struggle with Obedience when we do. Isn’t that the way you see it too?

It can be so easy for us to tune out the Voice of God, especially when He Instructs us to do something that makes no sense to the human mind, but we miss out on the Opportunity to Serve and to Please the God of all Creation when we do. When the mind of man begins looking to reason, we can easily convince ourselves that God would never Instruct us to do something that doesn’t make sense to us. But if it makes sense to God Almighty that’s all that ever matters. God’s ways are not our ways, and His ways don’t need to make sense to us for us to be willing to be Obedient. I’m pretty sure things didn’t make sense to Moses, Elijah, Daniel, Joshua, or a host of other saints we read about. But the biggest Miracles the world has ever seen were born out of Obedience over things that didn’t make sense to the human mind- and the same is STILL true today. Being willing to be Obedient to His Instructions ESPECIALLY when they don’t make sense to the human mind is the KEY to a Rich Relationship with the God of Miracles. The surest Sign of Trust is Obedience through it all.

The Bible says “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me” – this isn’t referring to age, but to Maturity instead. Most of the rules we teach a child make no sense to the young human mind, but when they’re taught to listen to the voice of their father and mother (and they see the rewards of obedience) they mature into rule-following people able to accept authority, and they don’t hesitate to do what they’re told to do. If only people Walking through the Journey of Faith would do the same when they Hear the Voice of the Master of all Creation! IF only they would “let go and let God” the way they claim to! If only they could understand the importance of “working out salvation with fear and trembling” that leads to Obedience without question! If only they would step out in Faith when God Instructs them to do something that makes absolutely no sense to the human mind. If only they could Trust Him. This is the Key to being a Willing Vessel – a Participant in the Master Plan that might not make a whole lot of sense to the human mind on this side of Heaven, but one that makes Perfect sense to the Perfect God.

When I was a child in Faith, I reasoned my way out of plenty of things because they didn’t make sense to my human mind. Today is a different story – today I’m Mature. At the sound of His voice, I’m Obedient and I Trust what He wants to do through me. My world sees the God of all Creation work through my Life in miraculous ways that sometimes leave them speechless – but what they see in my Life over and over again has nothing to do with me. What they see is the Hand of God working Miracles…Miracles born out of Obedience. Every single day I work on “dying to myself” – to set aside my own will so that I can do His instead – and when I’m inclined to turn to myself, I repent. I listen to His Voice with an open Heart and I set out to Serve the One Who died for me ESPECIALLY when it doesn’t make sense to me at all. That’s what Trust looks like!

How about you?

It’s Just Noise To Me!

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I met with the One who scattered the stars in the sky and knows them each by name with a Heart eager to Learn and overflowing with Love. I Prayed and read from my Instruction Manual, but I had the hardest time trying to concentrate this morning! At first, I couldn’t figure out what my problem was, but then I realized the problem wasn’t with me or my ability to focus – the “problem” was due to a couple of crows in a nearby tree making a lot of noise to disrupt an otherwise quiet and beautiful morning. The more I thought about how a couple of noisy crows could disrupt my time with the Living God, the more it reminded me of the Journey of Faith at such a time as this. All those noisy “crows” in the world today SO determined to be heard have managed to take the focus off the Living God and onto the “theory of the month”. Sadly, while most of the noise is intellectually (and emotionally) stimulating, it has absolutely no eternal relevance whatsoever. With each “crow” – with each tweet – with each post – and with each conversation, the noisy ones are doing their part to divide the Church but they can’t see the Forest for the trees. Isn’t that the way you see the world too?

I’ve been told to “pay attention” to what’s going on in the world by some of my closest friends and because I refuse to pay attention to the world (and the White House), I’ve lost a few along the way. Some think I’m ignorant of what’s going on. Some think I’m being deceived because I’m not jumping on board. Some have even called me a “trader” for not doing my part to win the world over to what’s coming out of Washington. I’ve been insulted and shunned more times than I can count. What they don’t realize is that I believe there is absolutely no end to the corruption in this dark world and that anything is possible. They don’t need to sell me on that! The difference between us ISN’T that I believe one way and they believe another…although that’s the picture Hell paints. The real difference between us is that I’m too focused on the One who already died for me to sacrifice even one minute of my life to theories. God is still on the Throne, He sees it all, HE ALLOWS it all, and vengeance belongs to Him. The Living God doesn’t need me to spread darkness into the world – He “needs” me to share the Light with a world that is much closer to Hell than it realizes…and to encourage people of Faith to stop making noise that has no Eternal significance and to get back to God’s business before it’s too late.

The world could be flat after all, who knows? There might be a cabal with a deep-rooted agenda. The reset could be just around the corner. Children are being sold and sacrificed every day. We might have a President propped up on a pillow and another corrupt election just around the corner. All these things are horrific, but they don’t deserve my Focus. My Focus is on the One True God. The One Who sees it all. The One who allows what He allows and rejects whatever He rejects. The God who gives and takes away. The God who ordains ALL our leaders. The One who gives Life and who hates evil. The One who is coming for me One Day soon. My Focus is on Sharing the Good News – the ONLY News that matters in the Bigger Picture. I’m Focused on Eternity and God is my King.

So, if you’re busy making noise like the crows about things that have no Eternal Significance whatsoever, I’ll be praying for you but I’ll tune you out as surely as I tuned out the crows that were robbing me of Quality Time with my God this morning. I’m only interested in One Leader and One Future and everything else is just noise. In case you don’t know by now, I’m not recruitable. I’m SOLD OUT for the King and His Story is the ONLY one I share.

How about you?

How About A Walk Down Broken Lane?

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. When I met with the Living God this morning to give my Praise, my Thanks, and to make my Requests known, I was feeling a little inadequate to accomplish all that He has for me in this Journey called Life. So, the Author and Perfecter of my Faith walked me down Broken Lane to remind me of how Strong I really am and just how it came to be. There are lots of things in the past I’d much rather forget…at least in the human sense…but the Hand of God brought calamity my way many times in my life…not to break me…but to Build me into a Usable Vessel and to make me strong for Him. I went from feeling inadequate to BELIEVING I have everything it takes to Serve the King of kings…ALL because of my brokenness. Isn’t that the way you look at your life too?

It can be so easy for most people to throw in the towel when they experience brokenness, but they miss out on all the Strength that can be found in Victory when they do. Some people shake their fists at God and demand answers when calamity strikes, and some people hide under the bed. Some people spend what seems like forever “asking” for answers for why the trials showed up in the first place, while others are consumed with self-pity because God is being so “mean.” Some people gloss over the “break” experience as if it’s just a minor setback and they’ll brush it off without a second thought. Some people experience brokenness but they stay so busy trying to hide it from the world that they miss out on the Beauty that is just around the corner if they’ll just let go and let God do what God does best. It makes me sad to see all those wounded people so clueless about the process and it makes me even sadder to know that they can’t be Used by the King as long as they remain on Broken Lane. God takes Brokenness and Spins it into Strength IF we just accept the Purpose behind the storms.

I wish I could have avoided the pain and suffering of Broken Lane, but I wouldn’t be a Strong Vessel for Him today had He not taken me there to Shape me into what He needs me to be. I find comfort when I read about all those Saints of the Bible who were Broken for His Purpose too – like Paul on the road to Damascus and David after his sin with Bathsheba…and the list could go on and on…people He walked down Broken Lane JUST so they could become Strong in His Name. Brokenness doesn’t end well UNLESS we accept His Purpose for our lives in the good times AND in the bad ones too. It takes understanding that brokenness comes with a Purpose much bigger than we can see on this side of Heaven…but we never fulfill the Purpose if we aren’t willing to look at Brokenness for what it really is…a chance to be Readied for Service….an Opportunity to become Stronger than ever. I’m not sure if I’d refer to what God does as a “test” but He definitely forces us to flex our Spiritual Muscles to make us Stronger. The Author and Perfecter of my Faith has a Perfect Master Plan and He longs for each one of His children to be willing to walk down Broken Lane with Purpose! Will we become weaker or stronger in the end? Will we see Broken Lane as a sign of a “mean” God or a testimony we’re willing to share with someone traveling down Broken Lane too?

I started off this new day feeling inadequate for the Job, but He set me Straight by walking me down Broken Lane all over again. He reminded me of where He’s taken me and how Strong I really am in His Name. He Encouraged me with Heavenly Reminders that I have EVERYTHING I need to do what He’s Called me to do and that Victory is mine. I Serve Him well…I Love Him and Trust Him completely…and I’m grateful for Broken Lane….the place where I found my Strength through Him. I’m a Vessel for the Living God…an Ambassador for Jesus Christ. I’m a force to reckon with in His Name…and it all began with brokenness.

“The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength.” – 1 Samuel 2:4

For Heaven’s Sake…GROW UP!

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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 the morning air is cool but the sun is scorching, so my time outside is sometimes shorter than my Heart wants it to be. Before I headed inside out of the blazing sun, I was entertained by this little guy as it ventured away from its mother to play. Although she was grazing away for her sustenance, she didn’t miss a move, and I’m sure she would be ready to jump in should anything threaten her little one. Every once in a while the fawn would run back to check in with its mother and get a little sustenance from her. Right now it is totally dependent on its mom for food, but one day soon it will be ready to graze just like all the others. As the baby learns more and more about life and how to maneuver safely, it will soon become strong enough to make it on its own. Watching the deer dynamics, reminded me of how that’s the way it is in the Journey of Faith. As we learn more and more about our Father we become strong enough to make it through the Journey of Faith and we eventually trade milk for Real Sustenance. Isn’t that the way you see it too?

This world is made up of all kinds of people in all kinds of shapes and sizes…with each one walking a unique journey of their own. It seems as if more and more of them are so afraid of the world that their growth has become thwarted, and they’re depending on their parents for sustenance long past where they should be. Even a common deer intuitively knows better than that! But those people don’t care if they ever grow up. They have no natural desire for independence…or at least not if it comes with any sacrifice on their part. They don’t mature and they don’t realize what they’re missing – all those amazing things that come to us with maturity. These people are robbing themselves of the Joy of Life because they refuse to move forward. It’s one thing to rob yourself, it’s an entirely different story to rob the Living God. It’s one thing to allow yourself to be a perpetual teenager with a future you couldn’t give away or sell to the highest bidder…it’s an entirely different thing to allow yourself to become a perpetual Spiritual Slug missing out on all the Rewards that will come to those who Choose to Mature in the Lord.

There are (almost) as many Spiritual Slugs as there are stars in the sky. These are the ones living as if they believe that Christianity is a spectator sport and that God is the kind of Father willing to tolerate a child who refuses to grow up. Even a common deer knows when it’s time for more, and it works hard to reach the point where it can eat the Food of an adult even in the “presence of mine enemies”. As for me, I don’t want to roll back the clock and I don’t want to be a child. I’ve been Sharpened for the Journey which was only possible because of my Desire to Mature. There’ll be plenty of time to “spectate” when He calls me Home. As for now, it’s my goal to learn as much – to walk as Far – to Love like never before, and to Live out the Journey of Faith in such a way that is pleasing to my Father. Prayerfully One Day He will say “Well done”!

How about you?

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me”.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied”

Settle For Less? Not On Your Life!

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I met with the Master of the Universe on the front porch and I lingered there with Him until the scorching sun sent me to cooler places inside. Our Time didn’t end because we were interrupted. I just relocated and we picked up right where we left off because He wasn’t finished with me yet and I’ll never be “finished” with my God. Spending the first part of my day in the Presence of the Author and Perfecter of my Faith is THE BIGGEST priority in my Life. He says “Abide in me,” and if I don’t Work hard on our Relationship, abiding in Him will not even be within the realm of possibilities. If I let life get in the way, and if I refuse to get the Nourishment that it takes to “abide” in Him, I’d be chasing a crisis and losing control of my thoughts, and before long, I’ll be lost in this journey called life and NO LONGER LOST IN HIM! Isn’t that the way you see your Relationship with the King of all kings too?

When you think about how most relationships fall short of what people dreamed they would be, it’s not a surprise that their Relationship with the Living God would fall short too. Some people will endure a relationship no matter what, and they’ll “stick it out” even though there is no abiding love whatsoever as if doing a life sentence without loving is the honorable thing to do. But nobody wants a love like that – ESPECIALLY not the Living God. He wants us to be consumed by Him. He wants us to consider Him above all else and He wants to be a part of every part of our lives. He wants us to consult Him on all of our major decisions and He wants to know that He’s front and center at all times. He wants to “smother us” with His Love. Oh, and He’s a jealous God too…He’s not willing to share. In fact, He demands to be our One and only. The Living God wants ALL of us and He will never be Okay with us just “sticking it out” with Him like some sort of life sentence or out of some sense of obligation because that’s what you’re supposed to do…He wants us to be with Him because that is what we DESIRE to do…HE WANTS OUR ABIDING LOVE!

People often wondered how and why I spent most of my life flying solo as if there was something wrong with me because of it. A few of them were bold enough to suggest that I might not like men at all (because I’d rather be alone than miserable)…I say, shame on them. I remained single all those years because I knew what Abiding Love looked like and I never would have settled for less. Nothing could have tempted me into a miserable life sentence just for the sake of not being alone because I Know (with God) I AM NEVER ALONE. God Almighty sets the threshold for how Love is supposed to be, and nothing short of that would ever be good enough for me…OR HIM. And I Knew that if God decided that it was time for me to give my heart and my life to another person, He’d send me Abiding love, and I’d be loved in the way that I deserve to be loved as a Child of the Living God…AND HE DID! Now the Living God is front and center in OUR lives and together we Abide in Him.

How about you?

Do you Abide in Him, or are you hoping He’ll settle for less?

All To Him I Owe…

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I met with the Living God at sunrise with a Heart overflowing with Gratitude and I poured it all out to Him. The view from the Front Porch is always magnificent (to me) but the view from the Front Seat of Life sometimes isn’t nearly as pleasant, so off I go to the Throne of a Mighty God to tap into my Power Source and to Prepare for whatever I face. Serving a Good God and being Willing to be a Vessel of Truth and an Ambassador for Jesus Christ always come with a price….a price I’m willing to pay for the Price He paid for me. There is nothing my adversary would like more than to distract and silence me because I am a Threat to his plans. If I didn’t know how to fight and win…if I didn’t put on my Armor each day…if I didn’t understand what was behind the War…if I hesitated to take it all to the Throne each day…he would succeed…BUT Victory is mine. Isn’t that the way you walk out your Faith too?

Being a person of Faith and Walking it out in Living Color for all the world to see are two very different things. The silent ones don’t have much to worry about because they’re of no threat to the adversary at all. They live quietly, they pray silently, and they rarely mention the name of Jesus Christ outside of their church circle. Oh…but the Bold ones are an entirely different story. They LIVE out their Faith for all the world to see, they pray out loud no matter where they are or who is watching, and they Proclaim the name of Jesus Christ countless times a day. They’re Unstoppable and Unshakable even though they know they’ll likely face the consequences on the earth for their Faith AND they’ll experience all kinds of adversity that comes from the “heavenly realms” as the enemy stomps, shouts, and fires darts their way in an attempt to silence them. The Bold ones mourn over the lost ones because they know that’s where they were once, and they’re willing to pay the price for trying to “save” them…In Jesus’ name. The Bold ones never forget who they were before Jesus came along and they give all Credit to Him for who they are today. Remembering the Cross and celebrating the Free Gift of Salvation is what fuels the fire of the Bold Ones and the turmoil and adversity they pay for being Bold is a minor “sacrifice” to pay for what they have already Received.

I’ve been bruised but not broken. I’ve been tormented but not overcome. I’ve been to the valley countless times and I’ve mastered Singing the Victory song in a dark world that needs to Hear about Jesus and what He can do for them. My Work won’t be over until my life here on earth is because my Life has Purpose beyond myself. I was born for such a time as this! I’m a Bold Warrior and a Willing Vessel for Jesus Christ my Lord and I do whatever needs to be done in my own Heart and in my life to be sure that the Light of my Faith never dims. I’ll take my “hits” for being bold and I’ll walk through adversity with Confidence. My boldness may eventually cost me everything but what awaits me the very second I draw my last breath on earth will be far more beautiful than anything this earth has to offer. “Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe”

How about you?

No Squandering!

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I gave thanks for this new day the minute I opened my eyes and I couldn’t get in the Presence of God fast enough. I’m excited to have one more day to do the work of my King…one more day to be a Witness in a dark world, and one more day to Share the Love of Jesus. I know each day I am one day closer to the end of my Journey on earth, so I don’t want to waste even one. It may have taken much longer than the Living God wanted it to take for me to have the heart to say “Here I am, Lord…send me!” but it’s never too late for a changed Heart and never too late to spring into Action in His Name. Today I’m eager to Serve Him, I’m eager to Share Him, and I’m eager to please Him. With a Heart like that, how could even one day be squandered away? Isn’t that the way you look at your Life too?

It’s interesting to see how easy it is to let life slip by for most people. One day blends into another day and before you know it the time has run out and it’s too late. We find time for those busy things, the running here and there, and all of those little details that make up a well-managed life. But when it comes to those things that take a little more effort or and matter the most…”there’s always tomorrow”. Tomorrow I’ll make a change or tomorrow I’ll make my peace. Tomorrow I’ll make that phone call or tomorrow I’ll reach out. Tomorrow I’ll say “I’m sorry” or tomorrow I’ll confront my pain. Tomorrow I’ll chase my dream or tomorrow I’ll write that book. Tomorrow I’ll take the kids to the park or tomorrow we’ll catch lightning bugs. Tomorrow I’ll volunteer for a role at church or tomorrow I’ll coach a team. There are countless (beautiful) things we put off until it’s too late and our life WILL reflect our lack of action when it’s all said and done. But the most significant thing any of us can put off until tomorrow is a Heart (and a Life) that is focused on the Living God, and until we get that part right, this life can be considered “squandered” in the ways that matter the most.

Understanding the frailty of my life and that I was created to fulfill a specific Purpose keeps me driven and excited and ready to roll up my sleeves to serve the King every single day. God forbid my life would be considered “wasted” by the One I love the most. “Life is but a vapor” and time is passing me by as fast as it is for everybody else BUT I’m making each day matter. I’m savoring it all and ready to share my God with the world with kindness and compassion. When I keep my perspective right, there’s always room for all the busy things AND all those beautiful things too.

I’ve only have one short Life to live and it’s getting shorter by the day. I DETERMINE to make an Eternal difference and I REFUSE to squander my time. It is “but a vapor” but my “vapor” will linger long after I’m gone and through eternity. When I’m gone the world will know that I was here and I pray I’ll hear Him say “Well done, good and faithful servant” on that Day because of the way I’ve walked out this Journey called “Life” – FOR Him…WITH Him…day after day.

How about you?

Claim Your Victory…

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THIS POST WAS WRITTEN SEVERAL YEARS AGO BUT IT WAS A TREMENDOUS ENCOURAGEMENT TO ME THIS MORNING. I PRAY IT BLESSES YOU TOO!

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I met with the Author and Perfecter of my Faith before the sun came up but this morning was a little different than my average morning, this morning instead of seeking His Will, I Claimed my Victory instead. I marched around this farmhouse and I marched across the front porch, and the longer I marched the louder and bolder I became. Sometimes I struggle with life but I never struggle with Faith – so when I’m feeling “shaky” I begin to shout out all the Promises of my God and I claim my Victory as if it has already shown itself in my Life. He’s my God and I’m His child, and He’s already Told me how the Story ends. So, for all the in-betweens I face in this Journey Called Life I just keep claiming my Victory and I’ll persevere until the end. Isn’t that how you handle your struggles too?

“Taking captive every thought” is easier said than done when we’re facing “trials of many kinds.” If the trial is big enough, all the “what ifs” could drive us insane if we dwell on them, and before you know it we give the enemy an edge to push us over the edge because of it. But there isn’t a trial that God isn’t already aware of and there isn’t a problem He can’t solve. The real problem is that we can’t see the Victory as long as the mind is a muddled mess! Our ability to stay focused in His Word or in prayer is nearly impossible because our mind keeps going back to the mess instead. So when that happens to me, I eventually begin to SHOUT out the Victory He’s already told me would come. I know when I shout out the Victory He hears me for sure…but I know my enemy does as well…and the more I SHOUT the Bolder I become as all those fiery darts set out to destroy me are diminished…at least for now. When I SHOUT out I’m overriding all those things that have been consuming me and I Stand Taller than ever before! This is the Key to battling the spiritual war and it’s the Key to Victory over it all.

If anybody saw me shouting out they’d probably call for help. I’m loud, and bold, and determined. You might hear me SHOUT things like; “MY GOD parted the sea, healed the sick, and raised the dead THIS IS A PIECE OF CAKE for Him!” – MY GOD placed the stars in the sky and knows them each by name – and He calls me by name when He says “you are mine!” – MY GOD knit me together in my mother’s womb for SUCH A TIME AS THIS” – “MY GOD Prepared me for this battle before the foundations of the earth!” – MY GOD will use everything to “work together for Good” because I love Him and I’m called according to His Purpose” – MY GOD says “no weapon formed against me will prosper!” – “WATCH my God bring Resolution!” – WATCH my God bring healing!” – WATCH my God stomp out conflict!” – WATCH my God Strengthen” – “WATCH my God bring Peace that surpasses all understanding!” – “WATCH my God make all things Perfect” – “WATCH my God bring Miracle after Miracle over my life!” – “He’s the same yesterday, today, and forevermore and HE’S GOT THIS!”- and so the SHOUTING goes, with countless proclamations of VICTORY and the Goodness of my Perfect God.

There is no end to the things I can proclaim as I shout out my Victory to my Amazing God…the God of Miracles… and sometimes I wonder if He gets a little more pleasure out of my SHOUTING Victory throughout the Heavens…shouting out like the Warrior I’m Designed to be…than He does when I have a muddled mess going on in my head as I search for answers like a child. I don’t know for sure, and I don’t know His mind…but I do know that the SHOUTING Victory Strengthens me no matter how weak I felt before it began…and I KNOW MY GOD hears me.

How about you?

In The Shadows Of Darkness…

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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 to see how God was knitting this morning together and it didn’t take long to feel the burn of the morning sun on my face. The haze over the fields is a sure sign that it’s destined to be a hot and humid day and even the wildlife will be looking for refuge in the shade. This lone deer wasn’t quite sure where it wanted to go – should she choose the comfort of the shady spots or should she head toward the sunny field for nourishment even though the heat will make it uncomfortable? She danced back and forth between the shady spots and the sun as if she couldn’t decide until she finally headed toward the shade. The dark shadows, the sunny fields, and a deer that could decide which side it wanted to be on reminded me of the Journey of Life. Today darkness is occupying more and more of our “fields” and yet so many people are lost and can’t decide which way to go – hiding in the shadows of darkness OR boldly walking in the sun for all the world to see. Isn’t that the way you see it too?

It’s impossible for me to comprehend how so many people professing to be people of Faith could possibly dance back and forth between the dark shadows and the Son just like this lone deer did this morning. I’m not sure if they’ve been fooled by false teaching or if they’ve never moved past the first page of the first chapter of the Bible…or maybe they aren’t people of Faith at all. There is no excuse for a child of the Living God to dance with the devil no matter how often the enemy whispers “It’s ok” and God won’t tolerate being mocked by people believing there is no end to His tolerance just because they profess to be one of His. I don’t know where they stand but I DO know they keep me busy these days praying and appealing to them to make an eternal Choice once and for all. Although the dark shadows of this dark world appear to be occupying more and more space these days as more and more people sell out to the shade, the darkness doesn’t win…and the darkness is nothing to be feared with God on our side. His word says, “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore”. With a Protective God like that on our side, who in their right mind would choose to linger in the dark shadows in this Journey called Life?

As for me, I’ll fight every day of my life to draw closer to the Son and I’ll not hesitate to warn others about the dangers of the dark shadows. There is nothing for me to fear because the Lord surrounds me. There is no excuse for me to accept the dark shadows as the “norm” or to get on board with evil agendas in the name of “acceptance” or “compassion”. These are serious times and I’m doing Serious Business in His Name because “I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day”.

What’s it going to be for you? Will you dance with the devil in the dark shadows because you believe you can pitch it to God OR will you square your shoulders and lift your chin high because you find peace, comfort, joy, love, protection, provision, and Eternity in the Son as a Child of the Living God?

If you have doubts about where you stand or you’re going back and forth like this lone deer, we need to talk.