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 the first thing this morning and I waited with anticipation for Him to speak to my Heart. I’m grateful for another day of Life and I can’t wait to get on with it to see what the Lord has for me today. It’s a beautiful thing to live with Great Anticipation for what God has in store, and it’s that anticipation that creates a sense of excitement for each day. No matter what’s on the horizon for this new day, it all begins with a Heart that’s been Prepared for the Journey and a Belief that I exist solely for His Purpose. When you have a Life you KNOW has been touched by the Master’s Hand, anticipation is a natural part of the Journey. Isn’t that the way you see each new day too?

It can be so easy to get excited while we anticipate events that take place in everyday life…that’s just one of the pleasures of living. We get excited about love. We get excited about a new baby. We get excited about the holidays. We get excited about a new job or an upcoming vacation. We get excited to spend time with our loved ones. There’s no end to the things that excite us in the Journey called Life and no way of measuring our anticipation for each one as the time draws near. Anticipation for those good things on the horizon can swing the mood of a new day from ordinary to extraordinary faster than you can say “amen” and that’s a beautiful feeling. It’s one thing to be excited and filled with anticipation for things you’re SURE will take place soon…it’s an entirely different story to be filled with Excitement and Anticipation for a new day filled with the Unknown. It’s only when we wrap our Hearts around the Truth and we accept our Unique Purpose in this Life that we are filled with anticipation about what the new day will bring according to His Plans…and we’re excited about how we’ll be called upon to Serve. This is the Key to Joy in the Journey.

I’m filled with anticipation about the new day and how my Amazing God might call upon me to Serve, that’s for sure. But what excites me more than anything…the one thing I anticipate more than everything else is the Day the King comes Calling for me. He’s already told me in Black & White what I can expect my Future to be like and I know it’s only a matter of time before I’ll be there with Him forever. He’s already told me in Black & White how I am to spend my Time…and how I’m supposed to Live and Love…and how I’m supposed to Share the Truth with everybody I can so that they can anticipate their Future too. It troubles my soul, but I can see why so few people of Faith share the Details with the dark world. After all, if THEY aren’t excited…if they aren’t filled with Great Anticipation why would they bother to share with anybody else? This new day excites me, but the New Day overwhelms me with Joy, and I anticipate the Time when I will be with the One who died for me more than anything else on the planet. This is the Key to the Excitement it takes to accept the Great Commission.

I have no idea what this new day will bring but I know I’ve been Readied for the Journey. I won’t overlook a broken soul or someone walking around in the dark. I won’t miss an opportunity to do “for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine” because I know what I do for them I’m doing for Him. I’ll be sure to Reconcile any wrongs in my life so that I can be forgiven AND so that I can be a better Testimony of His Grace. Just another day? Not on your life! When you’re a child of the Living God…an Heir to Jesus Christ…Royalty….a Life breathed into existence at the precise moment in time for His Purpose…a Vessel to be used to Complete His Plans…how can I NOT be filled with anticipation for every new day?

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s a new day or a new week and I’m Armed and Ready to do my part for the Journey no matter what I might face along the way today. It isn’t always easy to go “against the flow” and it isn’t always “drama-free” to March to the Tune of my God. But I wasn’t Created to “fit in”, I was Created to stand out! I was born for a Big Purpose and I’m on a Big Mission for an even Bigger God, and I do my best to never lose sight of that fact ESPECIALLY when the going gets tough. When the wind came through the farm over the last few days it blew some things off kilter…from the flags to the rockers…and that simple image served as a sweet Reminder to me of the way I am to live my Life…not fitting in, but standing out! Isn’t that the way you want to Live your Life too?

When you look at my Life, you won’t see a whole lot of “normal” and you won’t find me just rolling with the flow of what everybody else is doing. My Life didn’t start out to be “normal”, the events haven’t been “normal” and it won’t end on a “normal” Note either. I don’t handle it well when I’m told that “this is what everybody is doing” or “this is what normal families do” because there is nothing “normal” about me and I like it that way. I’m not prone to latch on to fads and I don’t buy things just because everybody else does. I March to the Tune of a Big God and it shows in almost every area of my life! My Faith isn’t “normal” and my Prayers aren’t either. I have a Personal Relationship with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and we don’t make “small talk”, we have Meaningful Conversations! My Convictions aren’t “normal” and the way I defend the Truth isn’t either. The Rules that I follow go against the flow of what the world likes to believe, and when I speak up with Truth the reaction I get isn’t “normal” either. My parenting wasn’t “normal” as I set out to raise a Godly generation… not just well-rounded, well-educated, well-dressed, and well-mannered kids. When it was time for a Life lesson as they grew older, I dealt with my kids as their Sister in Christ, and not just as their Mom…there’s surely nothing “normal” about that! My heart isn’t “normal” and the Love I feel isn’t either, because my Heart has been Tenderized by the King and He used pain to mold me into a Willing Servant. Just like that those things blown off kilter from all the rest, I’m a little off kilter from what the world considers to be “normal” and I don’t roll with the flow. The fact that I refuse to be “normal” is not a sign of rebellion…it’s an outward Sign of a Life that has Purpose! That’s what it Looks like when we understand Who Created us and Why. We were created for Greatness and we’re intended to Stand Out…a little off-kilter from the rest of the world.

There are more “normal” people of Faith than the world could possibly count. People who care more about fitting in than Standing up and people who would do anything to avoid being noticed. “Comfort” is the only zone they’re interested in. They’ve convinced themselves that to be a “good Christian” means that we live out our lives peacefully…that we mind our own business…we don’t get involved…and we stay home and pray…as if that’s ever been (or will ever be) okay with the Living God. Nobody was Created to be a stay-at-home Silent Partner…but it takes a determination to NOT fit in with the crowd to get out and do something Bold in His Name. My Life has been set aside by my God and I was Created for His Purpose – I know it AND I Live like it! I am happy not being “normal” and I’m overjoyed to stand out from the crowd. As a child of the Living God my Life ISN’T “normal. After all, I’m an Ambassador for Jesus Christ and there is absolutely NOTHING “normal about Him. He died for me – the least I can do for the most “abnormal” of all Creation is to Live for Him.

I’m Royalty. I’m here for His Purpose and I’m on a very Big Mission. I won’t be “normal” for as long as I live and if you’re looking for me on any given day, you’ll find me a little off-kilter from all the rest.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The snow stopped falling last night and now gusts of wind are blowing it in every direction over the farm. As I sat in silence before the Throne of my Mighty God, the wind was howling and I was overwhelmed with gratitude to be warm and safe inside on this cold January morning. God used this bitter cold morning to Remind me of all those people not so fortunate and I wept as I considered their pain. Then He walked me down Memory Lane as a Reminder to me of the ones I’ve taken in from the cold over the years. Some needed a warm place to rest, but most of them just needed a Warm Heart, a warm hug… and maybe a warm meal and a warm cup of coffee. I thank God for Tenderizing my Heart and for Teaching me how to mirror His Compassion so that I can Love like He does…or at least about as good as any human can. It took a tremendous amount of pain to get me where I am, but it was all worth it because I learned how to open my Heart, my Life, and my Home to Share with those who just needed a little Warmth for a season… and I won’t be stopping on this side of Heaven. Isn’t that the way you share with the world too?

One of my friends used to tease me about people getting “stuck” with me while she jokes about me “doing something” to them to make them open up to me within minutes of our meeting. It’s all in good humor of course, but she admits that she’s in awe of how “people will tell you anything”. I’m not sure about people telling me “anything” but I am sure about a few things. Paul said “To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some” – so when I meet people where they are instead of trying to pull them into where I am, they melt. I am sure that when I look at them with all their flaws the way Christ looks at me and mine, they melt, and before I know it, total strangers begin to unravel their imperfect lives for me to see within minutes of our meeting….and more often than not they’ll end with “I can’t believe I shared that” of “I’ve never told anybody that before.” There’s nothing special about me that causes that to happen, BUT it is something that most people never experience. Some won’t because they wouldn’t want to be bothered with people coming to them for Warmth and others won’t because they haven’t found the Compassion part of their Faith yet…they still have some breaking to do. When people are eye-to-eye with a Compassionate soul, they feel it. When they are in the presence of Genuine Love they know it. When they are in a Safe Zone that doesn’t judge or gossip they sense it, and they can feel the Warmth as surely as I can feel the warmth of a fire on this bitter January morning. I don’t know what the conversations were like for Jesus, but I can’t help but believe they were a lot like mine. When people are inclined to open their hearts and show us their pain, THAT’S when we begin to Write the Right Prescription for a pain-free Eternity! Once we find their need…we KNOW we can fill it with Jesus Christ!

Getting people to open up comes at a cost that most people aren’t willing to pay. To get people to “be real” with you, you have to step down from your royal throne and “be real” with them. You have to be willing to be open about your Life, your sins, your trials, and your pain. If you can’t share what Christ has done for you and how far you’ve come in His Name, why would they believe they need Christ? Pride stops most people from sharing their own testimony…if you aren’t “real” then why would they want to be? Next, you have to exercise self-discipline and patience as they reveal what’s going on in life in their own way. No rushing, no interrupting, and NO judging! Lastly, you have to MAKE the time. In fact, you have to give them the impression that you have all of the time in the world and that there is absolutely nothing more important to you at that very moment than they are. If you ever get “stuck” with me, this is what you’ll feel…and THAT’S the secret to having the most amazing “real” relationships.

It may be bitter cold today at the farm, but it will never be cold in my Heart so people will always be inclined to “open up” to me. The way I see it is if the King of kings can Love me with all my flaws, wrongs, and all the shame of my past, then certainly I can Love other people the same way! I want to be like Paul – willing to do whatever I need to do, to “become” whatever I need to become to win some for Christ! If you ever get “stuck” with me you’ll know that I Care..you’ll feel the Love…you’ll recognize the Warmth of my Tenderized Heart…and before you know it, you’ll be having the most amazing Conversation you’ve ever had! You won’t have to ask me if I’m a Christian…you’ll know it by my Heart.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s snowing again and the world is quiet around me as the snow absorbs the sound and the wildlife takes its cover. Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall – all is well with my family, this farm, and the world around me because El-Shaddai (God Almighty) protects it 24 hours a day. The Bible says, “No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength” so I rarely attempt to fight battles on my own anymore. Instead, I put my Trust in the One Who “scattered the stars in the sky and knows them each by name” and I “work out my Salvation with fear and trembling”. It’s no small thing to call out to El-Shaddai for help and it’s no small thing when He answers. As I sat in His Presence this morning I was overwhelmed by His Might. The One Who opened up the heavens for the snow to fall on the farm LOVES me and He has my Life in the palm of His Hand. I feel His Love and Protection every day and I’m forever grateful for Him. But when I pause to consider His Might – and I understand the outcome of any situation isn’t in my hands at all – it’s an indescribable feeling. When I pause to consider the Power of the Living God it doesn’t make me feel small in comparison to Him…instead, it reminds me of how much Power is at my fingertips ALL because of El-Shaddai. Isn’t that the way you look at the Journey too?

It can be so easy for people of Faith to lose sight of what it means to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” and they overlook the Power of a Mighty God when they take matters into their own hands more than they place the matters in His. But our Power doesn’t come by our own actions, and no matter how resourceful we think we are we’re never the one to “fix” whatever it is that’s wrong. It’s always the amazing El-Shaddai at work even for the most “trivial” things. There are plenty of horrific things going on all around the world these days, and it would be easy to get caught up in them, but El-Shaddai sees it all…cares about it all…is with us through it all…and He’s got it all in the palm of His Hand. There’s a tremendous sense of Peace and Power that comes just by knowing that El-Shaddai is ALWAYS there and ALWAYS listening. The best part is that He doesn’t need social media to speak to His people and nobody can twist His arm or thwart His Plans. There is Power in His Name.

The Bible says, “You believe that there is one God? Good! Even the demons believe that and shudder.” Even the most evil shudder at the mention of His Name and yet we hear His name mentioned more in vain than we do in Praise. So many people have bought into the “God is love” concept but they refuse to Believe that God is to be feared too even though the Bible says “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Believing He exists is one thing – Living as you Believe is an entirely different story. When you Believe, you Surrender, and you understand the Power that is within you because of Him. You find Peace in Knowing that “No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.” When you get out of your own way and Surrender to El-Shaddai instead, you call upon His Name for everything. When you Surrender, you fearlessly mention His name and you’re excited to share Who He is. When you Surrender it’s easy NOT to become overwhelmed because you see His Hand in everything and it’s overwhelming to know that El-Shaddai…the God of all…the Prince of Peace…the Great “I am”… is there with you through it all. When you Surrender, the tears of Joy flow freely at the mere thought that El-Shaddai will never leave you nor forsake you. When you Surrender, you KNOW there is Power within you – all you ever need to do is tap into it. There is Power in His Name.

I spent Quality Time with a Mighty God this morning as the snow was falling to the ground and I gave thanks for His Power and Might. The more I considered how “big” He is, the Stronger I felt. ALL things are possible through Him and I know He doesn’t grow tired of me asking for the “impossible” and Believing those things will come to pass…all because of El-Shaddai – my Mighty God…the omnipresent and omnipotent God of my Life that sees it all…cares about it all…is with me through it all…and the great I AM has it ALL in the palm of His Hand. “No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength”

How about you?

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?