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 on this new day of a new week looking out at fields that are being warmed by the sun – a sharp contrast to the temperatures we had in the teens just a few days ago. The weather can be unpredictable this time of year and sometimes the temperature will fluctuate as much as 30 degrees in a day. One minute there is warmth in the air and the next minute it’s cold as ice – and it’s not always easy to adjust either way. As I thought about our reaction to drastic changes in the weather, I realized that’s just the way it is in the Journey called Life too. As long as we know how to Prepare for the changes, and as long as we understand Life is Destined to change…even overnight sometimes…we don’t fight against the flow of the Hand of God. We aren’t promised smooth sailing all the days of our lives but we ARE Promised an easy ride if we cling to the Will of a Mighty God and Trust Him. Isn’t that the way it is with you look at your Journey too?

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

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

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

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cold but beautiful, and if I didn’t see it for myself, I might have doubts that this was the sunrise over the farm on this wintery morning. I expect to find beauty in each day, and I do. When I stepped into His Presence this morning I expected that He would supernaturally speak to me through His Word and He did. When I pray, I pray BELIEVING in Supernatural results from a Supernatural God! I Believe in miracles and I’m not afraid to ask for them because I serve the God of Miracles. I Believe that sometimes the Holy Spirit will “manifest” in His people and that we can see Miracles up close and personal. The Bible says faith is “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” and that pretty much sums up my Life. I experience so many things that many miss out on because I Believe in what I do not see and I anticipate the Miraculous! Isn’t that the way it’s supposed to be?

The older I get, and the deeper into my Faith I walk, the more I wonder why One Version of Truth isn’t enough for all of God’s people. Instead, there are different denominations that contradict all the others because they each have their version of the Truth based on what man concludes. They argue and divide over their own interpretation of His Word as if God has enlightened them more than everybody else. But the God I Serve is more than able to shed Supernatural Light onto His Word so that ALL His people can be “of one accord.” Instead, we divide over words and launch a new church down the street that “got it right” so that we can set everybody straight on what we believe God meant to say in His Word instead of what He says. I Believe that my One True God could Supernaturally Instruct us with One True Word and that the Holy Spirit could guide us ALL in the same Direction using the Same Bible IF WE ALL relied on the Supernatural Power of the Holy Spirit to show us. Unfortunately, so many people live as if they don’t believe the Holy Spirit has any power today whatsoever because that’s what they’ve been taught. Who would want to walk a PowerLESS Journey of Faith?

I keep things simple. I Believe what the Word of God says and what the Holy Spirit teaches over any man no matter how long he’s been teaching or where he became indoctrinated…and I always will. I “test the spirit” as I’m instructed to do and I don’t accept every word I hear in blind faith. I run from “false teachers” and “false prophets” because they have no place in my Journey. I don’t believe in an ala carte approach to Truth and I never will. The Bible tells me to “have nothing to do” with those who “have a form of godliness but deny its power” so I step away from them and pray that one day their veil will be lifted. It all comes down to this…I don’t know everything, but I know Who does. I’m no expert, BUT I know Who is. With a soul that longs to Know Him and a Heart that Trusts Him to teach me, I can’t go wrong.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I’m so grateful to have met with the Living God in the warmth of this old farmhouse, and although I stepped out onto the porch to take in a breath of winter air and snap this photo…that was enough for me. It’s just like the God I Serve to use those few seconds of “pain” to send a Firm Reminder to me this morning that it takes stepping into the uncomfortable to make a Difference in the Bigger Picture of Life. There is Peace in my home and warmth for the coldest of days…thank God. But unless I’m willing to step into the uncomfortable in the Name of Jesus Christ, all those things are just blessings that never make a difference at all. Isn’t that the way you look at your Journey of Life too?

It can be so easy to settle into our lives and become dependent on our creature comforts – and we seem to have every excuse imaginable for why we stay put. It’s a blessing to have a warm home and a wonderful family, but complacency is born when we focus all our attention on things inside the walls where we’re the most comfortable while refusing to step out for Him. When Christ calls us to Himself, He doesn’t call us just to be warm and safe and comfortable within the confines of our homes. He makes sure that we know that our family is the first priority as we raise up a Godly generation…but He never intended for us to sit back while He Works. In fact, His Instructions are just the opposite – we’re told to GO FORTH! Yes, He wants good things for us! After all, He’s the Provider of the home and our warmth. But warm couch potatoes don’t serve a Purpose in the Kingdom and they can’t have an Impact on the world UNLESS they’re willing to get uncomfortable for Him.

Not everybody is intended to serve in the mission field in places I’ve never even heard of, but EVERYBODY claiming to be a “follower of Jesus Christ” is expected to be Serving in some way. Not “busy work”…just doing nice things that make us feel good…but doing Bold things in His Name so that we can be sure to shine the Light where it’s needed the most. Jesus spent some quality time with people along the way…from the disciples to His closest friends, and He was a guest in many homes where fine food and wine flowed freely. I’m sure He spent some time teaching when He was inside and I’m sure He had a little fun too. But that’s not where His Greatest work was done and Jesus sure didn’t stay put. He went to where the hurting people were and He ministered to them in His Name. Jesus set the example for all of us! First, He met their practical needs with Compassion SO THAT HE COULD open the door to minister to their spiritual needs…the most important part of Serving others. Jesus didn’t beat around the bush. He didn’t leave them with “God loves you.” He made sure that each one knew where to place their Trust and how to find their Hope. How much of that are we doing these days?

What good purpose does it serve to “minister” to the needy or to meet a practical need of a suffering soul if we NEVER MENTION JESUS CHRIST in the process? Handing the homeless a pair of boots in the middle of a winter storm is a very nice thing to do. But sharing the Message of Hope is a whole lot nicer and it will last a whole lot longer than the boots. Saying “God loves you” is one thing – sharing the MESSAGE of Salvation is another. How many lost opportunities do each one of us have to answer for one day? How many times have we failed to mention the Greatest Hope of all to a total stranger? How many times have we cowered down because we cared more about what someone thought of us than we did about their Eternal life? Of all the things that we can do to help someone in need, the Greatest Gift we could ever give to them is to share the Gospel…the Gift of Life. How sad that Jesus gave us one job to do while we’re here drawing breath on earth – but we’re so comfortable in our warm homes that we refuse to do it?

The cold air was painful enough for me at daybreak but the Reminder I got felt like ice water to wake me up all over again. Jesus IS coming…and He’s coming soon. There’s no time for us to sit back in a warm home and REFUSE to share Hope with the world. I don’t have to “get out” as much as I need to REACH OUT and you’ll NEVER find me ASHAMED of the Gospel of Jesus Christ or being too much of a coward to Share Him. I’ll meet every practical need that I’m able to meet, but you can be sure that when I do the Focus will ALWAYS be on how to fill the biggest Need of all forever and ever. A warm pair of boots is one thing. The Gospel is another.

Will you be sharing Him today?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cold and still outside this morning and when I stepped onto the front porch to see what kind of day God made, I could have heard a pin drop. I like to see for myself what’s in store for the day and I don’t pay much attention to man-made predictions even if they’re made using man-made technology. Some people will intently wait to see what a stinkin’ groundhog says today about the timing of Spring as if that creature has the ability to predict Spring. It’s amazing how the human heart can’t seem to bear to “wait and see” and it is forever chasing some version of the truth to satisfy its thirst to know. As I sat in the Presence of the Greatest Truth Teller and the only One able to accurately Predict upcoming events all the way into Eternity, I thought about how many people lose their way as they long to live in tomorrow before it ever gets here. Isn’t that the way you see it too?

The Bible is the best-selling Book of all time and it is packed full of 4,000 years of Truth about what has been and what will be. The Messiah is mentioned in all 66 books of the Bible and His birth was prophesied hundreds of years before He was ever born. We know when and where He was born. We know how many years He lived. When know He was crucified and rose again on the 3rd day and we know He’s coming back. The “problem” is that we don’t know when. Jesus said, “Nobody knows the day or the hour when all these things will happen. Only God the Father knows when they will happen. The angels who are in heaven do not know. Even the Son (Jesus) does not know” and that’s the part that makes people crazy. Some come up with all kinds of Biblical “theories” using numbers and stars to predict His coming but they aren’t anymore able to do that than the groundhog can predict the Spring. Some people don’t worry about the “when” part and they live as if they have forever, while others throw out the entire Bible and call it nonsense because the day and hour of the Biggest Appearance of all times have not been made known to man.

“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” so I don’t need a groundhog, a scientist, or some sort of (evil) psychic to tell me when the King is coming back…I’m sure of what I hope for and certain of what I do not see. Since I don’t know if He’ll come back in the next hour OR a thousand years from now, I LIVE and LOVE (and repent) as if it’s today. I don’t wish I knew any more than He wants me to know and what He wants me to know is so beautiful that it blows my mind. I know He’s already “prepared” a place for me even though I’m not sure when I’ll move there. I know that I’ll never shed another tear and I’ll suffer no more pain. I know my loved ones will be there with me too – at least the ones who Know Him as I do will be. I know I’ll get a new body that will never be sick and die. And the best part is that I KNOW Jesus will be there waiting for me and He’s going to welcome me Home himself. When I know this much with absolute certainty, why in the world would I concern myself with knowing the day or the hour? Besides, because I DON’T know, it keeps me on my toes Preparing for the King every day!

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. God dusted the fields with snow overnight just as predicted by the weather “experts.” It’s not even enough snow to fully cover the grass and yet schools prepare for a blizzard…just in case. One little news clip about one little inconvenience and the world sets out to prepare for catastrophe and yet there’s a Bible filled with promises of things to come…guaranteed…”catastrophic” things and most of the world is coasting along with no thought of preparing at all. As surely as the snow covers most of the grass, there is a veil that hasn’t been lifted for them to see, and people like that keep people like me busy as I encourage them to Prepare. Isn’t it just like the God of the Universe to use a little dusting of snow to drive home a message for His Vessel to share today?

Human nature boggles my mind. A dusting of snow can cause panic in grocery stores and school cancellations as if the end of the world has come. People get busy preparing so they won’t be caught off guard over a simple snowstorm but they fail to prepare for the Biggest “Storm” of all as if the “consequences” aren’t as important as the inconveniences of a dusting of snow. How can it be that (IF) so many people know what’s in store for those who Believe (and they know about the eternal torment for those who don’t) they refuse to utter a word of warning to their family and friends about the biggest Storm ever known to mankind so they can Prepare for that too? There is a Word Written that warns us about what lies ahead for all mankind and no meteorologist can hold a candle to the accuracy in terms of predictions. There’s always a possibility that a snowstorm will catch me off guard if I fail to prepare as warned, but there’s not a snowball’s chance in you-know-where that I won’t be Prepared to meet the King of all kings when He returns and I’ll keep “warning” others every day of my Life in hopes that they’ll be prepared too. That’s what Love looks like.

It’s sad to consider how many people take up pew space in a local church and yet they fail to Focus and Share. It’s sad to hear people dismiss me about Heaven as they shrug and tell me that they’re a “good person” as if they have nothing to fear because of it- but Hell will be filled with “good people” that never Knew the king. There are many moving parts to my life and I struggle sometimes to accomplish all that I set out to accomplish as a result. But of all the things I do in this Journey called Life, THE most important thing is Sharing Hope with the lost world, and helping people Prepare for what’s coming. This little dusting of snow is just a minor blip on the radar…but the second coming of the King of all kings…now that’s an entirely different story and the most important thing to Prepare for. When the King comes back, He’ll find me Ready and longing to hear “well done, good and faithful servant”…something those who fail to Share (and warn) will never hear.

Will He find you ready?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cold and the skies are gray and I’m ready for a little sunshine, but I’ve had my meeting with the Leader of my Life from inside looking out and my heart and soul are prepared for this new day. No matter what it looks like on the outside, it’s warm and Compassionate on the inside of me, and that’s all that really matters in the Bigger Picture. Each day I read a Proverb that correlates with my calendar so this morning it was Proverbs 31. If there is any scripture that paints the picture of what a Christian woman should look like it’s this one. Although it describes a “wife of noble character” it hit home for me long before I became a wife. It is my heartfelt desire to be a woman of noble character in the eyes of the Living God and the eyes of my family…and now in the eyes of my husband. Shouldn’t we all turn to Words that inspire us to be the Best that we can be for HIM instead of disregarding the Truth that we don’t think applies to us?

It would have been easy to disregard the words of Proverbs 31 completely as I walked through the Journey of Life without a husband…but being a woman of noble character is a beautiful thing in AND OUT of marriage. There is no such thing as a good excuse to choose to be less than what God calls for us to be no matter our marital state. We can’t pick and choose the Rules throughout the Journey of Faith nor can we discount all of the Instructions we find on how to be the best that we can be for God…it doesn’t hinge on marital status.

Although many people take to the streets to “fight for equality of women”, there’s nothing “equal” between the genders by God’s design, and that’s a beautiful thing! What a “woman of noble character” brings to the table is priceless and “worth far more than rubies.” What we bring to the table a man can’t bring (and vice versa) and although we sometimes do the work of a man, we’re still wired to be the soft one, the compassionate one, and the one who gives without limitations day after day after day.

The Christian community sometimes gets things twisted up by way of doctrine and the division between what God expects of a man and what He expects of a woman can so easily get modified to suit a belief system. A man is a man and He is supposed to provide for his family along with a host of other things God calls for him to do. But some are quick to judge women who work outside the home even when they have no husband at all. The woman of noble character described in Proverbs 31 clearly did her part financially too and she did it without checking into a 9-to-5 job. She didn’t just feed the family and clean the home and then attempt to equally distribute the household duties while leaving all of the finances up to him. She did her part in more ways than one. She did it to make her home a better place. She did it to be sure that her children (AND HUSBAND) had what they needed. She did it to “cut the budget.” She did it to bless her husband and to lessen his load. That softer one, the compassionate one, the one who gives without boundaries is also a very strong force to be reckoned with and one who blesses her family far more than she takes. As a result, in the end, “her children arise and call her blessed” and (if she has one) her “husband praises her” too. Now THAT’S what I call a payday!

I celebrate being a woman and I worked hard to be a woman of noble character even in my unmarried state. I painted the picture of marriage for my children and taught them what being a godly wife or husband should look like in the eyes of our God even in my unmarried state. I’ve never been paid less than a man in the workplace just because I’m a woman, and I’m not an underdog in life because of my gender. Paul said “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” so I celebrate who I am in Christ and I embrace my value as a woman. I’m a teacher of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and I share the Gospel often – even though some Christian circles don’t believe a woman has the “right” to ever share with a “mixed” audience…but I answer to God and not man. If we’re all ONE in Christ, sharing the Gospel isn’t a right extended only to man, but a responsibility for ALL who claim to Know Him as Lord and Savior. Just sayin’.

There are so many things a woman of noble character can bring to the table and countless things a man can bring to the table that a woman can’t…and so it is by God’s design. I don’t turn to gender to define who I am in Christ because WE ARE ALL ONE in Christ Jesus. Ladies, it’s time to celebrate who you are and strive to be a woman of noble character no matter what. It’s not a competition, it’s a beautiful “God-thing”..it’s by Design.

A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax

and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still night;

she provides food for her family

and portions for her female servants.

She considers a field and buys it;

out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously;

her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable,

and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff

and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

She opens her arms to the poor

and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed;

she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate,

where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,

and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

“Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all.”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Honor her for all that her hands have done,

and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I met with the Living God surrounded by beauty and all I seemed to be able to do was give thanks. No search for answers. No plea for mercy. Not even a whole lot of time in His Word. Just Gratitude for it all. The flags on the front porch fly most days and through all kinds of weather. Every once in a while I see that they’ve gotten tangled up on a rough edge and beaten up on the journey. I often find them clinging to the rough edges that frayed them in the first place and it’s not always easy to release them…and so it is with the Journey of Faith. I can’t fly freely or do what I was Designed to do if I allow myself to cling to any rough edges that have the potential to cause me harm…nor should I hold onto those things that caused “damage” in my life. I can easily release a flag from the rough edges as surely as God can Release me from mine…IF I let Him….and when I do, there’s nothing more Bold and Beautiful than my Life flying for all the world to see. Isn’t that the way you look at your Journey too?

Life happens to all of us. There are ups and downs, heartache and heartbreak, tragedy and death, sickness and health, and everything in between. We all get beat up along the way just like this old flag did…nobody flies forever without hitting a few rough edges. It’s the good AND the “bad” that defines a Life and it’s how we look at the rough edges that define character and Faith. Some people seem to cling to those rough edges as if they want to be sure they never forget…and even though they don’t see it that way…the rough edges define them. Though the wind blows to bring in the new season, and though it wouldn’t take much to let go of the rough edges to fly freely again, plenty of people would rather hold on than let go.

Some people let go of those rough edges as fast as they can but before you know it they get tangled up again in the very same way! They let go but they rushed the whole process and did nothing to repair the damage brought on by the rough edges. So, they’ll continue to be vulnerable in exactly the same place until they face the fray. The rough edges will always be a part of life – unless you mend the damage that was done the last time you got snagged by them, you’ll get caught up every time you fly by the rough edge. When we hit the rough edges and endure a little “damage” in the process we have a choice; we can remain torn and vulnerable OR we can take action to be sure that we don’t get hurt in the same spot over and over again. Unless we repair the Heart Damage, we will ALWAYS be subject to the same rough edges and we’ll repeat the same painful pattern until we do.

The flags on the porch take a beating and they eventually succumb to the rough edges. They begin to fray and before you know it they’ll hit that rough edge and get caught up all over again until they are released. The damage gets worse each time they pass the rough edges and eventually they’ll get replaced. Had I taken the time to mend flags, they could keep flying freely to share their beauty for all the world to see for a very long time. What’s true for the flag, is true for my Life too. I know I’ll hit rough edges for as long as I have breath in my body, but unlike the flag that could have used a little mending from me, I’ll turn to my Heavenly Mender. I’ll be Focused on the Flawless One…the One Ready to mend my Heart and give me Wisdom so that I never hit the same rough edge again. I’M FREE!

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I made my way outside to see what the Lord is doing today and I filled my lungs with cold, fresh air to get me going. These scattered clouds were illuminated by the sun and they seemed to hover right over the farm like they were waiting for God to finish coloring them before they moved on. As I was reading my Instruction Manual to be Filled with Wisdom and Truth, it occurred to me that I’m just like the scattered clouds this morning. I pause long enough for Him to “color” me in ways that only He can before I move on to any new Day. It’s only when I pause to receive my “color” that I can be readied for the Journey of Life and it’s that “color” that will make me stand out like a sore thumb in the dark world. Isn’t that the way you prioritize your Journey too?

It can be so easy to get caught up worrying about what the world sees when it looks at us if we aren’t careful, BUT that’s the biggest waste of time and the surest sign of displaced priorities. When I was young, I made sure to focus more on my tan than I did on the sites while on vacation so that my world could see my fun without me saying a word. Today, we can buy a tan in a bottle and fool the world into believing we’ve actually been outside. Some people talk about their color palette as if they’ve found the secret to beauty and they refuse to wear anything but what someone told them they’d look best in. It’s mind-boggling how much attention the average person gives to what they look like to the world. I like to look my best just like so many women do, BUT what I care about the most is what the world sees as a result of HIM coloring me instead of focusing more on coloring myself.

It’s impossible to be a Reflection of the “color” God has for each one of us unless we pause just like those clouds appeared to do this morning. It takes time to nourish the Soul and it takes Quality Time to build the Relationship. It’s when we move too fast or rush things along that we lose the perfect Timing to add the color of our Faith and when we fail to pause, we’ll often dissipate just like your average cloud. The Bible says that “the skin of his face shone” after Moses had been in the presence of God and I like to think that the world can SEE I’ve been with Jesus after my time with Him too. There is no color on the palette as beautiful as the Color of Faith and no sweeter Words ever spoken than His Word.

I’ve been accused so many times of having a “colorful personality” and I take that as a compliment, BUT the greatest compliment I can ever receive is to hear “there is something different about you” because I know they’re seeing my Jesus when they look at me all because I pause to be filled with color by the Touch of the Master’s Hand each day. The old gray mare ain’t what she used to be BUT she’s more colorful than ever these days. I’m a child of the Living God and a usable Vessel for the Kingdom and it all comes down to the pause.

How about you?

Charm is deceitful and beauty fades, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised. Reward her for her work—let her actions result in public praise. Proverbs 31:30-31

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cold and gloomy and they’re calling for a “wintery mix” today but that doesn’t matter much to me. Morning news of an impending storm will always take the back seat to time with the Living God and the only real Warnings I concern myself with are those I read in His Word. The latest updates on the stock market or the debt ceiling are things people allow themselves to worry about… stuff they have absolutely no power to control any more than I can control the “wintery” mix. Jesus asked, “who of you by worrying can add a single hour to this life?” When you look at it that way you realize how useless it is to fret over things we have no power to control. Isn’t that the way you see the Journey of Life too?

It’s wise to prepare for things when we know about them in advance, that’s for sure…BUT only God ever really knows the outcome. Whether it’s a “wintery mix” or a record-breaking blizzard, only God knows for sure, and worrying about it won’t change the course of the storm. The fact is, when we prepare for what we KNOW is coming, there’s a whole lot less to “worry” about! Joseph put a masterful plan in motion when God let him know there was a devasting famine on the horizon, and because Joseph put a plan in motion, his country had enough food for the masses to sustain the famine. It will probably be a while before I have a conversation with Joseph in Heaven, but I’m absolutely confident he didn’t worry and he didn’t concern himself with what people thought of him because of it. It’s only when we surrender each day to Him and we Trust that He knows best that we can find Peace in through any storm…no matter the size.

People often tease me about my failure to prepare for emergencies all because I don’t stock up on groceries over a “wintery mix” and I don’t turn on the TV to see what’s going on. The way I see it, the same God that “scattered the stars in the sky and knows them each by name” is MORE than capable of taking care of me so there’s no need to worry. There’s only one thing I have Advance Notice of that I need to Prepare for…the only thing I ever really “concern myself” with and that is that THE KING IS COMING! Now, for that, I want to be sure I’m found Ready and Worthy for Him. Beyond that, I’m not giving any day a chance to rob me of “the Peace that surpasses all understanding”. I won’t allow the liar from Hell to whisper fear into my soul no matter what going on in my life or in this great Country of ours. Instead, I’ll focus on the Living God. I’ll cling to His every Word. I Praise Him through the storm. I’ll refuse to worry.

How about you?

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” Matthew 6:34

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I woke up this morning grateful for another day and eager to Meet with my CEO for Wisdom and Direction. There was nothing spectacular about the sunrise this morning because it was muted with clouds – but everything else about the day itself will be spectacular if my Vision is Laser Focused and my Heart is ready to Receive. I Rely on the Living God for everything – but what I “make” of any given day is entirely up to me. It’s through my Time with Him that I’m reminded that my Life has no boundaries, and the Possibilities are endless. Who would overlook Time with the CEO when you look at Life that way?

It’s interesting how some people struggle with the Trinity – the fact that God is Three in One. He’s one God with 3 parts – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and the wonder of it all is hard for some to grasp. Some want to believe that there’s more than one God because the Bible says ” Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness” – but there’s just One God with three unique Parts – and it takes all of it – the Father – the Son – and the Holy Spirit to Define the “Great I am.” Some things we won’t fully understand until we’re Face to face with Truth in Heaven and some things we accept as Truth because we Believe…” Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Without God, nothing would exist at all – from the earth to all the inhabitants. Without the Son, none of us would have any Hope whatsoever and Heaven wouldn’t be Prepared for us. Without the Holy Spirit – the One who dwells within us – we’d be like a ship lost at sea with no rudder to guide us Safely Home. He’s everything – He’s the “Whole Package” – it’s understanding the Trinity that completes our Faith and it opens our eyes to all things ONLY made possible through Him.

What’s even more interesting to me is that while people have a hard time Understanding and Accepting that God is Three in One – they have no trouble at all compartmentalizing their own lives as ONE INDIVIDUAL with three unique characteristics. In their eyes they are one-part family/friends, one part business/work, and one part Believer… and they separate them all very well…each one getting a small glimpse of the other but never blending them all into one. To some, children are an asset and although they’re carted off to Sunday School each week, they aren’t sprinkled with Truth every day. To others, their work has become their source of self-worth and they don’t believe being a “Light unto the world” is an option in the place where their money is “found.” Understanding that each one of us is ONE unique soul on a Unique Journey is the KEY to living out our Purpose and making an Eternal Difference in a dark world. As surely as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are ONE GOD with 3 unique “characteristics” we are ONE soul with different characteristics of our own. It’s the BLENDING them all together that equates to a fulfilled life. Sprinkling the Truth into every corner of our lives is how we let our Light Shine for all the world to see, and when we insist on separating a ONE SOUL Life into neat little compartments, we cannot fulfill our Purpose.

I am ONE soul made up of a million tiny pieces and they’re all blended together for the Journey. The Three in One is my biggest priority, and every compartment of my world knows it. I sprinkle my faith over my family and friends, and I sprinkle my Faith throughout the workplace. I AM a Light in a dark world but not because I’m special…because I Understand why I exist in the first place and I’m Honored to tell the world about my Three in One God…the Great “I am”…the Alpha and Omega…the Beginning and the End…and THAT is what a Purpose Driven Life looks like.

How about you?