Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The sun peeked out over the horizon while I was before the Throne of my God and the combination of the two overwhelmed me. I felt a little like this deer this morning…not afraid to stand alone “in the presence of my enemies,” and thirsting for Jesus the way this gal does on a hot summer day. There are lots of words I could use to describe my God, and plenty to define my Heart, but sometimes they just don’t seem adequate for the Author and Perfecter of my Faith! Out of the many names for God, I like to think He likes “Father” the most. When I approach the Throne of my Father and tell Him what’s on my Heart, I feel like a child standing before my Daddy looking for comfort, safety, knowledge, and guidance, and I’m confident that kind of Humility makes Him happy. Isn’t that the way you approach your Father too?

Nothing makes me crazier than to hear people refer to my God in ridiculous and disrespectful ways – things like “the big ranger in the sky”, “the universe” or as “someone looking out” for them. I believe if they understood my God at all, they’d rather have their teeth pulled than to refer to Him so casually and disrespectfully. He always has been and always will be, a God to be feared and revered. The Bible says for us to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” and that “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God”. The same people with nicknames for God would most likely punish a child for disrespectfully referring to them, but they see no harm and no disrespect in referring to their Father so casually and callously. It’s a good thing I didn’t write the Rules because washing their mouths out with a Heavenly bar of soap would be first on my list if I did. God doesn’t need me to battle for Him, that’s for sure, but I like to think it makes my Father smile when I defend His honor and demand Respect on His behalf. Isn’t that how you see the One Who “scattered the stars in the sky and knows them each by name too?

I’m in Awe of my God and I take my Lead through this Journey of Faith directly from Jesus Christ. I strive to have a Heart like His and I work hard to do my best to live a Life that looks as much like His as it possibly can. I’m not ashamed to “hang out” with the lowly because I was lowly when He found me and He loved me into Restoration and Salvation. I’m not afraid when I encounter evil because, in His name and by His blood, I have the power to rebuke it. I have been driven to Compassion by the Hand of God and my Heart has been tenderized by the King. Jesus referred to God as His “Father” 200 times during His walk here on earth, so from where I sit, if the King of kings humbly referred to the Creator of ALL as “Father,” then that’s how I’ll refer to Him too.

It’s an experience that defies words to meet with my Father as He sits on His Throne. How honored I am to have the right to “go there” and how Loved I feel when I do. Just like the earthy father who was chosen to lead me and love me in this journey called “life,” He never rejects me…He never quits forgiving me…He always has time for me…He’s sure to remind me of His Love for me and He wipes away my tears. When I don’t know what to do He gives me Direction. When I’m scared, He comforts me. When I’m headed in the wrong direction He sets my path straight. When I’m lonely He fills the void. When I’m wrong He lets me know it and sometimes He brings a little discipline my way to be sure I don’t repeat my wrongs. I have an amazing PERFECT Father and I love Him with all of my heart. It should come as no surprise that I step up to tell the world about Who He is any time I hear someone “hint” about His nature by using nicknames for the God of all…my Gracious and Merciful Heavenly Father.

I’ve been before the Throne this morning and I’ve been shown Indescribable Love by my Father all over again. You won’t catch me shaking my fist at Him when I don’t get my way, and you’ll see a BIG smile on my face and Joy beyond your wildest imagination when I refer to Him. Just like that beautiful deer, I have a healthy fear of Him and it shows.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. God opened up the storehouse in the heavens and blanketed the farm with snow overnight and its beauty leaves me lost for words. If there’s one thing that will slow things down and pause the hustle and bustle of life for a few minutes, it’s a good snowfall in Virginia. Looking out at the beauty of the snow and hearing about all the closings today made me think about the importance of pushing the pause button each day for the Living God. Along with this snow comes the bitter cold too and just stepping out onto the front porch to take in a breath of fresh air was almost too painful even for me. Though stepping onto the front porch was cold and painful, stepping into the Presence of a Mighty God never is. That’s not to say that I never weep and ask for forgiveness or that I’m never ashamed of my Heart – it means that whenever I face Him, in this life or the Next One, in His Presence there is ONLY Good. He IS Mercy, Hope, Joy, Peace, Forgiveness, Compassion, Healing, and Love – all the things you can’t grow to appreciate UNLESS you’re willing to push the pause button to be in His Presence each day. Isn’t it just like our God to use a snowfall in Virginia to speak to my Heart today?

It can be so easy for some people to whine and complain as they distort the Image of God and His Infinite Wisdom, but they miss out on the meaning of Grace and Mercy when they do. Only God knows when He’ll open the storehouse in heaven to bring the snow, and only God knows when it will end. Only God Knows when we’ll “dig” ourselves out and God already Knows if the Journey will be easy or not. Only God gives and takes away. I wonder how many people will complain about how long it’s taking the snow plows to show up as if they are the ONLY ones in need or how many will begin to get antsy as if their food supply will run out before they get out. God says that “the righteous will never go hungry” which means that He already Knows our needs and if we Trust Him, He will fulfill them. In the same way some will begin to complain about the snow the minute the last snowflake falls to the ground, some people look at the Journey of Life with eyes looking for the worst and fine-tuned with fear. Some people live their entire lives complaining about how God has let them down and they’re robbed of the Joy of Faith because of it. They don’t see the beauty in the “snow” and gratitude isn’t a part of their DNA. Knowing that God “hasn’t given us a spirit of fear” means that when we’re feeling fearful it’s time to run back to the One who brings the snow for our Warmth and Peace. It’s time to pause.

Everybody succumbs to fear every once in a while Don’t get me wrong, I fear Him too, but I know that if a little pain comes my way He isn’t trying to crush me, He’s trying to GROW me and I know it’s time to pause for the Lesson. When you look at it that way, there’s no reason to fear pain at all! If He finds that I need a little “discipline” here and there that’s okay, because I know that the Lord “Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” If I go through a Season of suffering, I’ll endure it with the right Heart, because His Word says “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” As long as He keeps making me “strong, firm, and steadfast” then I know He’ll continue to use me, so I don’t fear the pain of the snowy Season. I’ve learned to Hold onto Him and Grow through it instead. He is the “Beginning and the End”…the One who “knit me” together in my mother’s womb…the One who “knows every hair” on my head…the One who died for me…the One who has Plans for me…the One who knew me before the foundations of the earth…the One who says “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, YOU ARE MINE.” Why would I live in fear of pain from the One who knows my name and CHOSE me to be one of His own?

I began this day with a cold breath of air but I warmed up my Life just by spending Time in the Presence of my God. The world might be a scary place, but I’m not afraid. I might feel a little “pain” here and there, but I’m growing Stronger every day because I Cling to the King, and with Him, there is nothing but Good and never a reason to fear BUT it all begins with a willing pause – being in that place where the one Who opens the storehouse of Heaven in His own time.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cold and beautiful on this January morning and I couldn’t get in the presence of God fast enough to let His Word nourish my soul. We’ve been praying for rain in Virginia and God gave us an abundance a few days ago. When I look at the pond that has been restored to its “normal” state by the rain, I think about my Life. When I look at the fields still overflowing with water, I think about my Life and how when my “levels” are low all I have to do is seek His face and I’m filled up all over again too. When I look at the geese and how they are drawn to the fields for their nourishment, I think about my Life and how Jesus is the source of my Nourishment before and after the “storms.” Isn’t it just like our Mighty God to use a heavy rain over a simple farm in Virginia to speak to my Heart this morning?

It isn’t always easy to carry the Torch for Jesus Christ in a dark world. Naturally, those of us who boldly Proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ expect to be rejected because most people don’t want to hear the Truth and because they’re threatened when their darkness can’t exist in the Light. It doesn’t feel good to be Rejected for attempting to share the most wonderful Gift of all, but it’s not surprising because the Bible tells us what to expect as followers of Jesus – “they will hate you because of me”. But no matter how many times we’re “rejected” by one of our own, we’re as shocked and as hurt as we were the very first time it ever happened. Christian meanness is the worst kind of meanness and it’s no wonder the Bible reminds us over and over to be kind and loving toward one another – something that should come naturally for the family of God…but it doesn’t. When Jesus stood before Peter, He knew where the source of the “meanness” was coming from and He dealt with “it” head-on when He said, “GET BEHIND ME SATAN!” When we encounter meanness from one of our brothers or sisters, the only way to endure is to remember that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood” and that Satan is on temporary assignment through them to cause dissension. This is the key to Peace no matter how we’re treated in this Life.

It’s no wonder so many people have a problem with Christians when they see how we (sometimes) treat one another and how quickly we turn on them when we see their sin. I recently read about Billy Graham’s response to a question about the sin of Brother Jimmy Swaggart who was publically exposed for his sin – “If it happened to Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart it could happen to me. This holy man of God won thousands of souls for Christ. He is already wounded; let us not finish him, let us heal and lift our soldier”. Billy Graham portrayed a Christlike love to many fallen Soldiers over the years. Jim Bakker (televangelist) was arrested in 1988 on fraud charges and was convicted in federal court in Charlotte, NC. Bakker recalled the time Rev. Graham visited him in prison unannounced. “Probably my lowest moment of that day and I was cleaning toilets,” Bakker said. “He threw his arms around me and said ‘Jim, I love you.” At a time when countless Christians were (practically) screaming “Crucify him!” Billy Graham saw them through the eyes of Christ instead. I want to be like Billy Graham – a genuine Reflection of Jesus.

I work as hard as I can to share Jesus Christ with the world and I’m Unstoppable because I care only about what He thinks of me – not what the world thinks of me. I’ll keep turning the other cheek (instead of debating the Truth) because that’s what Christ tells me to do. I’ll turn the other cheek a thousand times if that’s what it takes and I’ll love my brothers and sisters ESPECIALLY when they sin because I’m called to spur them on in the Journey of Faith and because that’s what Jesus does for me. He died for me. He has already forgiven every sin. He has prepared a place for me. He’s my Hope and my Future. So, if I have to take a few hits here and there…if I have to be shunned because I’m a woman feeding sheep when others believe Christ can’t use me…if I turn black and blue from the hits I take for my Faith…it’s all worth it to me. I’ve already died to myself and, as the Apostle Paul said, “If God be for us, who can be against us”. Amen?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I met with the One who holds “the keys to death and the grave” and we had a little fireside chat this morning about the condition of the world. Sometimes it’s painful to look at this dark world and all that’s going on around me, but I have nothing to fear no matter how bad it is. I know I serve the Solution to it all and my Future is in His Hands. Instead of dwelling on things He’s already said would come to pass, I Focus on shedding Light in a world that seems to get darker by the minute. I’m on Temporary Assignment in this Journey called Life – but I’m determined to leave an Eternal mark for the One who died for me while I’m still here. I’m a beacon of Light in a dark world and THAT’S how I can find Joy no matter what’s going on around me. Isn’t that the way you see your life in a dark world too?

It’s interesting to see so many people of Faith fretting over this dark world and all the madness unfolding right before their very eyes as if they’re surprised to see what they see. They debate the possibility of war even though He tells us “there WILL BE wars and rumors of wars” before He returns for His people. They’re appalled when they hear about turmoil in families that sometimes manifests in abuse or death even though He tells us “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.” Sometimes people of Faith whine about people of this world even though they’ve already been warned that “people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” Everything we need to know has already been foretold, and yet people of Faith are often caught off guard just like the rest of the world all because they either don’t really know Jesus, they don’t know the Truth OR they refuse to accept it. No matter the reason, it’s a problem much bigger than they Understand…and that’s where I come in.

It’s one thing to Know the Truth about all the madness and how the Story ends – it’s another thing to Know the Truth that brings Peace and Joy in the face of all the madness. I know no matter how things are or how bad they get, the Great “I am” is still in control. I don’t spend one second in fear of the darkness around me because I know that “greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world.” In the name of Jesus Christ, I have the power to send the dark forces right back to Hell where they belong – why would I live in fear? I don’t worry about being forgotten when things appear to be so dark because I know He says ” So do not fear, for I am with you do not be dismayed, for I am your God.” I don’t worry about being persecuted for my Faith or attacked for my beliefs because I know He “holds me in the shadow of His wings.” The One who holds the keys to death and the grave is the One I Serve and “if God is for us, who can be against us?” There’s no excuse for a person of Faith to get caught up in this dark world or to be living in fear – and there’s no excuse to withhold the Gospel of Jesus Christ from a dark world that needs the Truth more than anything else. How will they explain themselves One Day when they’re found hiding under the bed in fear instead of shedding Hope, Light, and Love in the lost world? This IS the Great Commission.

My Faith is unshakable, and I refuse to live in fear no matter how “bad” things get. I’m not surprised by what I see because He’s already told me what to expect. I know the Truth and I have the ONLY Hope the world has ever known. I’m on a Temporary Assignment in this Journey called Life and you won’t find me squandering my time. Instead, you’ll find me Dedicated to the One who has the keys to death and the grave…the One who died for me…and you’ll find me full of Joy no matter what. It’s time to shed Light on this dark world like never before, so THAT’S my biggest Priority while I’m passing through this Journey called Life.

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cold and rainy and we’ve been told to prepare for high winds and flooding today. After a season of serious drought and lots of prayers for rain, I’m giving thanks for every drop that falls to the ground and I choose to Trust the Living God with all the rest of the details. After all, if I ran for cover every time the weather channel told me I should, I would be living in fear most of the time. Instead, I put my Trust in the One who brings the wind and rain and I find my Peace no matter what the outward circumstances look like. I have the blessing of a warm home and a hot cup of coffee, and I have a God that warms my Soul every time I seek His face. Fear is the only thing it takes for any of us to surrender to our circumstances BUT fear and Trust can’t coexist. So, to be sure that I’m Trusting Him in all things and through all things I spend my time seeking His face while I tune out the noise of the world. Isn’t that the way you look at your Journey of Faith too?

Life is like a rubber band. We can stretch it out almost to the breaking point as we attempt to grow past our circumstances, but as surely as the rubber band is inclined to retreat back to where it was before it was stretched, so are we inclined to go back to the very place we’re trying to grow out of. That’s because we have an enemy who LOVES to see us fly and fail over and over again. It’s only when we lose our grip that the rubber band retreats and it’s only when we continue to stretch it that we eventually break through. Whether it’s fear, depression, laziness, or discouragement, it’s easy to retreat back into any of these UNLESS we’re willing to KEEP STRETCHING…even when it hurts and even IF it takes a million attempts. The Apostle Paul, said, ” I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do”. If retreating back into old ways was a problem for one of the Greatest Saints who ever lived, it’s no surprise that it would be a problem for you and me too. It doesn’t matter how many times we (re)stretch the rubber band that matters. What matters is that we keep stretching and stretching while refusing to retreat back. And if we do that over and over and over again, we eventually break through and the rubber band can no longer retreat. It would be easy to throw in the towel and proclaim “That’s just the way I am” or to give credit to genes by saying “It runs in my family”, but retreating back to old ways is an ongoing battle for ALL of us, and we each make the choice whether to surrender to our weaknesses (aka to the Devil) or to keep stretching until we eventually break through the barriers. This is the key to Victory.

When I’m inclined to retreat back to where I came from, I’m certain of a few things. I know it’s time to regroup and stretch a little harder. I know that if the Apostle Paul struggled with the same thing and eventually reached Victory, there’s Hope for me too. I know that He’s “my glory and the lifter of my head” and through Him, I have the Power to change anything and everything. I know that when I’m inclined to retreat back, I’m on the brink of Great Things and the temptation to retreat doesn’t come from a Good Place at all. The Bible says that Isaac died “old and full of years” and I can’t think of a better way to live and die. FULL of all the sweetness God has to offer. FULL of wisdom that only comes through the trials. FULL of gratitude for Who He is and what He’s done for me. FULL of compassion for the lost ones. I’ve grown past the rubber band syndrome and NOW I’m a usable Vessel for the Living God. I won’t be retreating back into my “old ways” because I’m FULL the Spirit of God and I know how to Rebuke my adversary before I lose my footing. I’m doing my part to Stretch and I’m leaning on the One who gives me Strength day after day. After all, the world makes a whole lot of noise but it can’t bite.

How about you?

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 finally come on so I could see with my eyes that my world was the same today as it was yesterday. 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 with a world that needs Him more than ever before – and before you know it, my heavy Heart was filled with Peace and Hope all over again. Isn’t that the way it is for you too?

One of my favorite parts of the Bible comes from Job 38 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 health. The God of All Creation considered Job to be “the most righteous man” on the planet and yet He allowed calamity to come to him…calamity like you and I would never want to know. Through the calamity Job never stopped praising God but He sure got himself into trouble when “the most righteous man” presumed to know the Mind and Plans of God…and he wasn’t afraid to say so. When God set him straight with the most beautiful “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 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 can say that we don’t presume to know the plans of the God who “gives and takes away?”

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…a Life He Created for Purpose…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 – the beginning of robbing our children of truth?” Would God say “Where were you” when His commandments were removed from the walls of our most public places for all the world to 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 too little too late in His eyes?

This world needs Jesus now more than ever before and I’ll be one to be sure they hear the Truth. Not the “truth” that comes from some secret source or the “truth” that comes from an “uncensored” news channel…but the TRUTH that comes from the Word of God – the TRUTH about the God of ALL Creation – the TRUTH about the future that’s possible for all who Believe – the TRUTH about the God who gives and takes away – the TRUTH about the One who died for all. Lots of things are changing in our world, almost faster than we can comprehend…but God NEVER changes and He’s the way to Hope and Peace forevermore. 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.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cold, and overcast this morning; a sharp contrast to the condition of my Heart today. The Living God has been doing a little Construction Work on my Heart to Prepare me for the Work He has for me this New Year and beyond. Sometimes the Hand of God reaches down to Refine me – there’s nothing “bad” about me – I’m just a Work in Progress. Sometimes God uses me in Special Ways – but there’s nothing special about me…I’m just a Willing Vessel. Sometimes God expects me to do the “impossible” – things that make no sense to the human mind – but nothing is impossible with God and whatever He has for me will be Completed…not because I’m determined…because I’m willing. Isn’t that the way you see your Journey of Life too?

The world is filled with people excited about this New Year and all the possibilities that come with it. Some are hopeful they’ll find love while others are hopeful they’ll find wealth. Some want to welcome a baby into the world while others want to buy a home. Some want to take an exotic vacation and others want to eliminate debt. There’s no end to all the things people are hoping for in this New Year. I hope their dreams DO come true…most of them will if they determine to make it so. But more than anything else I wish more people could see the Possibilities the way I see them. I wish THEIR wish lists were more about what they could GIVE AWAY than what they might receive. Just imagine if more people were more interested in Speaking the Language of Love than pitching a product or service. Just imagine if more people were more interested in the condition of the Soul than the condition of the body or bank account. Just imagine if more people got their Priorities in the Right Order and actually shared their Faith with a lost world instead of merely praying for it. The Possibilities are endless for this New Year and beyond…a world that could easily be turned Right-side-up! It all comes down to Willing Vessels who are more interested in what they can Give away than what they can receive.

I’ve got my Marching Orders for this New Year and beyond and the excitement sometimes keeps me awake at night. I’m still under Construction and I will be until He takes me Home – but I’m Prepared for the Journey because I’m Willing and I’m Teachable. Pleasing Him is my First Priority and I Understand what Success looks like from where He sits. There is NO greater success in the world than having an Eternal impact on the life of another human being and the Rewards we’ll receive in Heaven make Earth look like a playground. There is no greater Purpose in Life than to Give away the Truth….over and over and over again. There is no greater Fulfillment than to discover our God-given gifts and then put them to Work in His Name. There’s no need to fret over money when going about the “Father’s business” – He’s got that part covered. All we ever really need to do is to be Willing to Serve the King of Kings is to show up, arm up, and Speak up all the days of our lives. When we love Him with our WHOLE Heart we make sure He IS our First Priority and Serving Him every day is the greatest Honor in the world.

Will you be SERVING Him this year?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cold outside this morning and venturing out to snap a photo was as much pain as I’m willing to endure until I bundle up. I was outside long enough to capture this image though, and it took my breath away. The sun was rising in the east, and reflecting in the west before I could even see the sun itself. 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 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 and I know the Provider very well, and I know that He has a Plan through it all…even when I don’t understand it and even when it hurts. Isn’t that the way you see it too?

It could be so easy to ignore the pain in the world or to consider it somebody else’s problem if not for having a Christ-like heart. 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 have a Heart like Christ, we begin to Experience genuine Compassion, and we no longer have just fleeting moments of feeling sorry for people, we hurt for them instead and before you know it, the beautiful Warmth of our Faith shines over their lives like the sun on the trees this morning.

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. 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 like Christ. I want people to look at my Life and see the Warmth of the Son Reflecting over me as surely as I see 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 on behalf of someone else…the kind of Heart that knows I’m NOT getting what I deserve because Jesus 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

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I stepped outside on this cold January morning to welcome in a new day of this New Year, and to dedicate it all to Him all over again. He is my Hope, my Strength, my Redeemer, and my Friend, and “there is no good thing in me apart from Him.” He deserves the first fruit of my Life …beginning with my Time. I know if I give it all TO Him and if I live my Life FOR Him, the Journey will be beautiful no matter what’s going on in the dark world around me. So, when I stepped onto the porch for the first time this year I thanked Him for the year behind me now, and I thanked Him for what He’ll be doing with me and through me in this New One. Isn’t that the way you step into “a new thing” too?

Plenty of people around the world are saying “good riddance” to the year we left behind…but not me. Oh, it brought some disappointments here and there just like all the years do, and there were all kinds of bizarre changes in a dark world that are not easy to comprehend these days. But last year had a Purpose in the Master Plan just as much as all those “when times were different years” did, and Beauty can be found everywhere if you look with the Right set of eyes and a Grateful Heart. I’ve spent just as much time as the next guy scratching my head in disbelief over what’s going on in the world and how quickly life has changed, but more than any other emotion or reaction to what I see and hear, I’ve watched with Great Anticipation for what God is doing at such a time as this. I don’t have all the answers, but I Serve the God who does, and I’m watching Him connect the dots to what He already had in motion since the very beginning of time. The only thing I need to concern myself with is how I fit into His Plan – and the only thing I can do that has any significance at all is to Live out my Faith “with fear and trembling,” to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with as many people as I can, and to feed the sheep He Orchestrates into my Life.

The world around me has changed, but God sure hasn’t. He never changes His mind and He never leaves His Throne. He’s never taken by surprise like we are and He already knows the rest of the story because the world is in the palm of His hands and He “wrote the book” on how and when the Story ends. He’s “the same yesterday, today, and forevermore.” He never grows tired of hearing our prayers…they’re like “incense in Heaven” to Him… and He stores up every tear we ever shed “in a jar” because He loves us. He sent His “only begotten son” to die for us so that we can live out Eternity with Him in the place He’s already “prepared for us” – at least that’s what the future looks like for those who Believe. God cares about each one and He died for all. But there are still plenty of people out there who don’t know my God – there are plenty of people who THINK they know my God but they don’t- and there are plenty more who have never been told about Jesus at all. And THAT’S where you and I come in…ESPECIALLY at such a time as this.

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 that I thought my heart would burst, but I’ve never loved anybody as much as I love Him. So, the world can keep changing and I’ll keep clinging to the Only One with the Answers while I share Hope with the world around me. 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….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.

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s rainy and foggy at the farm this morning, and somehow this is the perfect “setting” for time with the Living God after a season of Christmas chaos. It’s time to get back to “business”, so I approached the Throne of the Leader of the Universe this morning and I placed my plans in His Hands as I asked for Strength and Wisdom to complete them. Just like the foggy fields this morning…I can’t always see to the other side but that doesn’t dim my Belief. He has a Plan for me and I exist to Fulfill it – each day is one step closer to what He has for me. The Bible says; “In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path” – it doesn’t say to sit back and wait for the “green light” to Proceed. His Word also says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” – it doesn’t say to do nothing UNTIL you have all the answers. I have hopes – I have dreams – and I have PLANS…and I’ll keep moving toward the Goal all the days of my Life while I acknowledge Him through it all and I Trust Him to direct my path. Isn’t that the way you Prioritize your Life too?

It takes no Faith at all to sit back and do nothing until you some sort of “sign” or the “green light” from God. It should come as no surprise that most of the people waiting on the “green light” never see it in their lifetime at all because they lack the Faith to keep moving when they don’t have all the answers and they can’t see what lies ahead. It’s not surprising that people succumb to fear when they aren’t sure what to do or where to go – but all it takes to overcome fear of the unknown is a Request for Wisdom from a God who promises to give it abundantly…and a Belief that He’s true to His Word. Moses kept moving – David kept moving – Elijah kept moving – along with a host of others – and although God was very specific once in a while as He (re)directed their paths, they kept moving in faith no matter what. They Trusted the Creator of all to give them Supernatural Wisdom and Direction while they kept putting one foot in front of the other toward the Ultimate Goal. This is the most significant difference between the Journey of Faith with Courage and Purpose and the average person who professes to know Jesus Christ.

I’ve got plenty of hopes, dreams, and plans for my life, but nothing compares to the Hopes, Dreams, and Plans set in motion by the Hand of God. He’s front and center in everything I do; nothing is as important to me as He is. I already know the General Direction He wants me to head in, and I’m Confident of the Ultimate Goal. Once you throw in Supernatural Wisdom and a path that will always be Straight, there’s no chance of “failure” for me. God is a welcome member of my marriage, my family, and the ministry and He’s the only Leader we will ever need. I care more about His Plans than any I conjure up on my own, but I am Confident that if I set my plans before His Throne, I know they’ll all be blended together in Perfect Harmony with what He has Planned for me. In the Mighty Name of Jesus, I Trust Him.

I’m excited about the New Year and all that He has for me. My hopes and dreams will never die, and His Plans can never be thwarted! I’ll be working hard this coming year to raise the barometer of faith in a complacent world and I’m already giving Thanks to Him for using me to rattle Believers on His behalf so that they learn how to Live a Life with Purpose too. Too many people of Faith either work hard at working hard OR they’re still waiting on a green light before they are willing to step out in Faith. It’s time for them ALL to wake up…before it’s too late for them. Whatever Plan God has for their lives won’t NOT happen if they don’t complete it, they’ll just be replaced by a willing Vessel instead and One Day they’ll answer for refusing to Trust Him. I KNOW what’s in store for the ones who decide to raise the barometer of Faith and I’m CONFIDENT that once they decide to Trust Him to Provide Supernatural Wisdom and Direction, they’ll never need to fret over life again.

What will the New Year look like to you? Will you still be waiting for a “sign” or a “green light” OR will you move forward with Boldness and Faith in the Mighty Name of Jesus even when you can’t see what lies ahead?