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 at sunrise and I opened up my Instruction Manual with great anticipation for what He had for me today. I reflected on the Journey that led me to where I am, and I sought His Face for where He’ll lead me in the days ahead. I give it all to Him, and because I do, He continues to multiply the Blessings and my Life keeps getting Bigger. As hard as we try, we can’t outgive God. Human nature is inclined to hoard our blessings as if we might “lose” them if we don’t hold them close. But with God, it’s when we Give that we Receive and He’ll multiply all the fishes and loaves in Life when we do. Isn’t that the way you see the Journey of Faith too?

As I reflected on Life at the farm yesterday, the message of multiplication became crystal clear to me all over again. The Lord has allowed me to be the steward of a beautiful farm and I Know it doesn’t belong to me because I gave it to Him long ago. The doors have always been open to those in need, and each time they are, the farmhouse doesn’t feel closed-in or get smaller as space is shared with another…it gets bigger instead. My Heart has always been inclined to Love and I give it away freely when God puts people in my Path…the good, the bad, and the “ugly.” Even though I’ve been crushed more times than I can count, my Heart gets bigger with each blow. I’ve shared food every time God presented the opportunity even in times when it didn’t look like there would be enough to go around for my own. But God somehow multiplied the morsels into a magnificent feast and the ones I set out to bless found themselves filled with food and Overwhelmed by Love. I quit trying to hoard my Life a long time ago realizing that I am nothing without Him. It’s when we freely Give that we Receive His Favor in Supernatural ways that the mind of man can’t comprehend.

Yesterday the farmhouse was filled with Brothers and Sisters from The Well as we gathered to break bread and study His Word for the last time this year. At the same time, The Well was filled with a wedding party for a couple who had their first date here at the Revival in May. We were honored to open the barn doors to this sweet couple. What better place to make a Covenant before the Lord than in a barn that belongs to the One who Transformed it into a Chapel for His own glory? Two God-centered gatherings at one simple farm and everything got bigger, not smaller. Jesus Christ was glorified from one end of the farm to the other. Jesus Christ was Praised from one end of the farm to the other. Jesus Christ was honored from one end of the farm to the other. No, there’s no outgiving God. The more we Give of those things that human nature is inclined to hoard for itself, the more we Receive.

I am blessed beyond measure with a Life filled with Love and God’s favor upon me can be seen by the world But I’m no more special than anybody else and He loves us ALL the same. When we genuinely understand that nothing “belongs” to us and that there is “no good thing apart from Him” we no longer live like the average ones. I’m blessed because I freely Give all that He’s given to me…my home… my food…my Love…and even an old barn turned chapel. A home doesn’t get smaller when you share it nor will the refrigerator ever go empty because He’ll multiply all that you have when you freely give. You never run out of Love no matter how much you give it away or how many times you’ve been crushed. The more you Give, the more you Receive.

How about you?

FREELY, FREELY, YOU HAVE RECEIVED…

God forgave my sin in Jesus’ name.

I’ve been born again in Jesus’ name

And in Jesus’ name I come to you

To share his love as he told me to.

He said ‘Freely, freely you have received;, freely, freely give.

Go in my name, and because you believe others will know that I live.

All pow’r is giv’n in Jesus’ name

in earth and heav’n in jesus name

And in Jesus’ name I come to you

To share his pow’r as he told me to.

He said ‘Freely, freely you have received;, freely, freely give.

Go in my name, and because you believe others will know that I live.

God gives us life in Jesus’ name

he lives in us in Jesus’ name

And in Jesus’ name I come to you

To share his peace as he told me to.

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I met with the King of all kings inside a warm farmhouse and I gave thanks for all that He is and all that He does for me. I relocate this time of year for my quiet time. It’s too cold outside and the Christmas tree blocks my view of the fields from my desk. I’m not necessarily happy about either…but that’s just a selfish human reaction. Like Paul, I’ve learned to be content in all things so a little cold, icy weather and a blocked view of the outside don’t stop me from spending time with the One who died for me. He’s my King and I’m His child…how could I ever want for more?

It’s a blessing beyond measure to be content, but unfortunately, genuine contentment doesn’t come to the average Heart. We tend to want what we want when we want it, and we aren’t happy when life circumstances cause us to “relocate.” Death, disease, divorce, and debt have the potential to knock the wind out of our sails and sometimes we question God as a result. But none of those things have the power to rob us of Peace or contentment UNLESS we let them. The God of the universe is already in tomorrow and nothing takes Him by surprise, AND all things really do “work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His Purpose”. If He knows our circumstances even before we do, and if He’s ready to turn the “bad” into “good” how can we not be content in all things? The secret to genuine contentment is understanding that He ALWAYS has a Plan for Good no matter what it looks like on the outside.

Just like Paul, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty”. Although I can’t say I was necessarily joyful when I’ve been in need, I CAN say that I Trust Him with my circumstances and I believe Him when He says “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” and that’s enough for me. I know what it is to sit in a cold farmhouse living without heat all winter long because I couldn’t afford to buy it – and I know what it is to turn up the thermostat to be sure my family and friends are warm when they visit and I know what it is to pay the expense for another. I know what it feels like to struggle through this life on my own for decades and what it looks like to be responsible for every piece – and I know what it is to lock arms with a suitable partner ready and willing to ease the burdens of the Journey of Life for me. I know what it is to be well-fed and I’ve been blessed to have dined with “kings”, and I know what it is to be hungry and worried about what I’d feed my family. I know what it is to be surrounded by amazing people who love me and aren’t afraid to show it and I know what it feels like to be betrayed by the “closest” ones. I have God’s favor because I give it all to Him and I have genuine contentment because I Trust Him through it all.

There are lots of people out there stressing over the holidays. Most of them are stressed about where to find the perfect give and how much room they have on their credit card to buy it just to please another. They don’t think much about the hungry and cold ones because they’re too focused on the sizzle. It wouldn’t occur to them to dial the spending back enough to pay a utility bill for one doing without or what it would look like to modify the food budget to provide for a hungry family. Sadly, these people will never find genuine contentment in life unless the world quits revolving around them, and all those things they think they “need” become less important than meeting the needs of another. Jesus said, “whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” so I know that every morsel I’ve shared, every spare room or bed I’ve shared, every penny I’ve shared to meet the needs of another I DID FOR HIM and I pray I hear “well done, good and faithful servant!” when He calls me Home. Until then, I’m content as long as I can do the work of my Lord and Savior and I’ll give until there’s nothing left.

How about you?

Philippians 4:11-13

11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Good morning, world, Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It was 20 degrees this morning and I’m thanking God for a warm, safe place to meet with Him. These days I’m seeking Him for me more than anything else. I’m at war with the devil who is set out to steal, kill, and destroy so if I want to fight and win, I need to be sure I’m Strong. Sometimes Life looks a lot like this morning’s photo…bright and beautiful on the outside but cold behind the scenes where the enemy does his best “work”. When this Journey of Life feels cold, it’s time to turn up the heat and fire right back at the one who sets out to steal, kill, and destroy. The Journey isn’t always easy but that’s only because there is a war going on in the heavens. Understanding where the “real” problem is makes fighting and winning the war something to celebrate. Isn’t that the way you see the Battle too?

I’m amazed at the ignorance of so many people professing to be Christians. When life gets cold, they’ll point fingers at everything but the devil EVEN THOUGH they’ve read that our struggle is not against flesh and blood…ever. When trouble shows up the enemy is at work, and the Power of God can either be magnified through us or stifled as if it has no Purpose in the Journey at all. As surely as there are angels, there are demons too, and as surely as angels do good things, demons want to steal, kill, and destroy! Imagine how successful the dark ones are these days when so many people professing to Know God don’t even believe they exist! The Bible warns about people who “have a form of godliness but deny its power” and we’re told to have nothing to do with them. If that’s the case, there should be a whole lot of lonely church-goers out there!

I’m a force to reckon with in the heavens BUT that doesn’t mean I battle LESS, it means I do battle more than the average ones. Nothing could make the liar from Hell happier than to rob me, to steal from me, or to destroy me…BUT that’s never going to happen because I don’t deny the Power I have and I’m Unstoppable with Him. There is a Battle Plan that guarantees my Victory so I don’t need to worry about losing…I’ll be Victorious every single time…guaranteed. I’m a Warrior with the right Weapons and I’m well-trained on how to use them. I’m in perpetual Bible Boot Camp so I’m always fit for the Journey. I know the Words to use to disarm my enemy and I use them often….and when I do, he “departs from me” as quickly as he showed up.

My enemy has been nipping at my heels because he understands what’s at stake but he’s not dealing with an ignorant one…he’s dealing with a child of the Living God that knows the Truth and isn’t afraid to share it with the world. He and I BOTH know that the Bible says “greater He who is in me than he who is in the world” so he hears me say those words often. He goes after the ones who proclaim the name of Jesus Christ countless times in a day. With the law of man, you have the “right to remain silent”..but that’s not True when it comes to God’s law. We’re ALL supposed to speak up with Truth, day in and day out proclaiming the name of Jesus Christ. Being bold for Jesus Christ isn’t for wussies but it sure is Rewarding knowing that Victory is, and will always be, mine.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I met with the Master of the Universe as He woke up the world and nothing could be sweeter than to Witness His Might first thing in the morning. God “expresses” Himself through nature and nature Responds to His Commands because God is the Master of it all. His Light Shines in my Heart, throughout my Life, and over this old farm day in and day out. It’s His Light that brings Life to my Instruction Manual and His Light that burns the Words into my soul. When I see Him shed Light over this old farm, it represents a whole lot more than just the sun shining over a property to me, because I know that without Him I wouldn’t be here at all, and its His Hand that protects me and this old farm day after day for His own Purpose. Nothing on this earth and no person in my life “belongs” to me and I can take no credit of my own. Isn’t that the way you look at your life too?

It can be so easy to take credit for lots of things in life…from the great place we live to the people in our lives, but we lose sight of the Might of His Hand in our lives when we do. It’s not easy to wrap the head around a God that ordains every piece of our lives and connects the lives of people together as surely as a child connects the dots to outline a shape in a coloring book. But the same God that “knows every hair” on our heads, and that “knew us before” the earth was formed…the one that stores up out “tears in a jar” knows every other thing about our lives too! He will send someone into your Life to help you along the way as surely as He will make the sunrise or bring the rain tomorrow. He will Draw you to the Right Words to Strengthen you or to Lead you as surely as He scattered the stars in the sky and knows them each by name. He will Command the angels to protect you from harm and He sets the Circumstances for when you’ll go Home to be with Him. It’s ONLY possible to find True Peace and Joy throughout the Journey called “life” when we Embrace the fact that He’s got every single piece of the Puzzle in the Palm of His Hand, and as surely as the sun will rise tomorrow He’ll take care of you and me.

Getting to that place where we realize that we’re powerless sounds like a sacrifice to most of the world, but that’s only because most people still believe that they have control over the Journey and the outcome. Surrendering the Control of Life over to Him is a place of Strength and not weakness, and it’s the way to the “Peace that surpasses all understanding” no matter what. God gives us free will to Love Him or not, and He gives each of us Gifts and talents for our Assignment here…whether we use them or not is a choice for each of us to make. He gives us “the ability to create wealth” and He’s the God that can “give and take away”. God gives us a “spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind”….fear doesn’t come from Him; we accept fear and fester it all on our own. God makes the sun shine and He made it stand still once too. He plans the day of birth and He knows the day of death. He’s our Provider and the very roof over our heads is only possible because of His Will. Surrendering our control for His Power is THE MOST empowering thing we can EVER do, and He won’t ever let us down. When we KNOW that He’s in Control of it all, we get busy doing all those things He Commands us to do while we’re here…instead of trying to micromanage things we have absolutely no control over at all. It’s almost like God saying “I’ve got this…now get to work and do what I Created you to do”. I have power because He gives it to me, and He gives it to me because I KNOW that without Him I’m powerless. He gets credit for everything and everyone in my Life because it all belongs to Him.

I met with the Master of the universe this morning and I’m ready to do His Work. I won’t let a spirit of fear creep in because He’s given me a Spirit of power, and of love, and a sound mind”. I’ll be working hard today but I don’t have to worry about the Outcome. He’s got that…and I’m going about my Father’s business, Trusting Him, Thanking Him, and giving Him Credit for it all!

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I watched the Master wake up the world and I spent a lot of time in His Presence to give Praise and Thanks for this new day of a new year of my life. A new year is something to Celebrate from the inside out. After a really good dose of Wisdom from my Instruction Manual and a cup of coffee, I’m ready to Celebrate this beautiful new day in my Journey of Life in a manner that will Pleasing to the One Who “knit me together” in my mother’s womb…the One who died for me! Without Him, I might be celebrating a day – with Him, I Celebrate my Life. Isn’t that the way you look at your birthday too?

My heart overflows with Gratitude this morning for countless things. Psalm 40:5 says “Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.” It’s impossible to count my Blessings…there are too many to declare, but on this day I’ll declare a few.

I’m thankful for a saving Faith and that I know, with all that I am, that One Day I will spend the rest of my days in the Presence of the One who died for me and with all those Faithful ones who have gone before me. I’m thankful that all my children have a Saving Knowledge of Jesus Christ too, and that parting from this earth won’t mean parting forever for us! We’ll have a Family Reunion in Heaven one day that will so beautiful it will defy words. I won’t just see the people that I’ve loved here on earth in Heaven – I’ll see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Daniel, Paul, and countless others that I read about in His Word! I’m grateful for the promise of Eternity for those of us who Believe – “too many to declare.”

I’m thankful for the world’s most amazing family. The Love that runs through my children for me and for each other is only possible through God and it’s an answer to a daily prayer since I became a Mom. God blessed me with children I don’t deserve and He has answered my prayers for Wisdom to raise them, a Heart to love them unconditionally…to forgive them just as Jesus forgives us all…to speak Kindness, and to reflect gentleness no matter what…I’m thankful for the health of each one of them..and for joy and laughter year after year. It hasn’t been a perfect journey and there have been plenty of storms, but we’ve Celebrated Victory together after the storms and we’ve always clung to our Faith to see us through. My thanks for my children and grandchildren -for the answered prayers, for all the provisions and blessings are “too many to declare.”

I’m thankful for my friends. Some that I’ve known for decades and some that have entered my life in this winter season…some I’ve never met in person but I love them all the same. Each one has Blessed me in ways “too many to declare.” I’ve felt their prayers in the trying seasons of my life and we’ve celebrated Victories at the end as I climbed back up to the mountaintop while they cheered me on – and we always give thanks to God for the new Testimony they know I’ll Share with the world. The goal of Christian friendships is to “spur” one another on to be all that we can be for Jesus, so, I spur every chance I get and I’m grateful for when they spur me on too. I love to belly laugh with them at every opportunity and my Heart and prayers can be counted on when they need me…and I know that theirs can be counted on when I need them too. “Too many to declare.”

My morning is already filling up with calls from my family and friends – each one with a priceless message of love for me as I celebrate a new year. Today I’ll gather with my precious friends at The Well, and I’ll feed them Truth with love. There will be some prayers, some songs, and even a few laughs as we break bread together and build our relationships stronger and stronger each time we meet. What greater way to spend a Birthday than to be feeding sheep in a barn in Virginia.” Too many to declare.”

Thank you, God, for another day, another year…and more time to make a Difference in this Journey called Life. thank you for each life my Life will touch throughout this new year – may I be a Reflection of you as I share the Truth with them with Christ-like Love. May I not squander even one day of this new year so that I can Live it out for you! Thank you for the Peace and Love. Thank you to my precious family and all of my friends for each sweet birthday message for me. My thanks are “Too many to declare”. My heart overflows.

Happy birthday to me!

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. After a few gloomy days of rain, the Lord woke up the world this morning with a sunrise so beautiful it defies words. I met with the One who died for me just as the sun was beginning to rise, and I opened His Word with an open Heart ready to learn and grow. Sometimes it’s not easy to be shown the error of my ways directly from the Living God, but if I’m open to being all that He Created me to be then I’m open to Heavenly Correction. It’s uncomfortable to be Stretched beyond what I think I can bear but if I’m open to being all that He Created me to be then I’m open to being Spiritually Stretched for Kingdom Work. The Journey of Faith is a lot like the weather. Gloomy days will come and go because they serve a good purpose in the growth process…and the same is true for me. Sometimes the rain falls and the skies are gray because it Serves a Good Purpose in my Growth Process. Just when you think you can’t stand another gloomy day, God lights up the sky with His Glory. Isn’t that the way it is in the Journey of Faith for you too?

Life doesn’t have to be off-kilter for people of Faith to experience gloom. Sometimes there is no rhyme or reason for what the Heart feels at all and it doesn’t serve much purpose to look at life with a microscope to figure out what’s “wrong.” Instead, when the clouds roll in and the gloom shows up, the only way to turn things around is to Fight what’s behind the gloom. There is an enemy with firey darts armed and ready to discourage God’s people and I have to believe he does a “happy dance” when he succeeds. The Bible says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” so when he shows up with doom and gloom the only way to find Peace is to Fight him like the thief he is instead of turning to outward circumstances to blame. Jesus also said, I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness” – gloom has no place in a full Life. The Perfect One doesn’t want His people downcast. The Savior of the world doesn’t want His people to feel oppressed or depressed. The Great Physician doesn’t want His people sick. The Lamb doesn’t want His people to feel weary. The Great I am doesn’t want His people to feel lonely. When we remember that, we turn our eyes toward Jesus “and the things of this world will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”

I am an Ambassador for Jesus Christ and nothing could make the thief happier than to defeat me…but I’m unstoppable because I turn my eyes toward Jesus. I am a Warrior in the Lord’s Army and I experience firey darts often…but my Faith is unshakable and I know the “strategies” of the thief. So, day after day, fight or no fight, I find my Perfect Joy as a Servant of the Perfect One and I send the darts back to Hell like spiritual boomerangs…”return to sender.” The more “gloom” I face, the Stronger my Armor becomes and each day brings me closer to Perfect Peace ONLY possible with the Perfect One. Morning by morning new mercies I see and God lights up my world with His Glory day after day…rain or shine.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cool and raining again this morning and if not for the deer grazing right in front of my very eyes, the world would look “dead” to me. As I sought what the Lord would have for me on this rainy new day, the image of lifelessness kept running through my mind, and I wondered if that’s what the world looks like to the Living God at such a time as this. A glimmer of Light and a sign of Life here and there, but surrounded by an appearance of “dead” everywhere you look. Isn’t it just like the God of our Faith to use a simple rainy day to Speak to the Heart of a Vessel?

“I see dead people” is a line from a movie that ran several years ago but that line is one that most Believers should be able to relate to. I see dead people everywhere and it’s not an easy sight to behold. No, I don’t see dead people in the physical (or ghost-like) sense…but in the Spiritual sense. Some people have never been introduced to Jesus Christ so they’re walking in death for sure. Some people proclaim to have accepted Jesus as their Savior but there are no “good works” so their faith is dead because it has no outward sign for the world to see. Some people have forgotten to wear their Armor and they’re being tormented by darkness without even recognizing it. Usually, the tormented ones are hot and cold, up and down, struggling to walk the walk and talk the talk but it’s not possible to shine their Light consistently because “death” is at their door working hard to destroy. “Seeing” dead people everywhere keeps me busy doing Kingdom Work.

The Bible says “greater is he who is in me than he who is in the world” and although we say it, far too many people don’t ponder the words. There IS darkness in the world that leads to death if we aren’t careful BUT darkness has no power over us IF we know how to Live and how to find Victory over “he who is in the world”. Unless/until that happens, we’ll continue “seeing” dead people and the world will continue to be dark. It’s too bad people chose to live as if they’re powerless and defeated when they don’t have to be. There is no need to suffer over things “he who is in the world” torments us with because GREATER IS HE and He gave the power for us to be delivered from such things. How sad it is to see so many people of Faith accept defeat over things like depression, oppression, addiction, and a host of other things as if they have NO power to win! I’m no expert, BUT from where I sit if Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father” then He left us with the power to overcome all.

Seeing “dead people” keeps my Faith alive and as long as I have breath I’ll do my part to introduce them to Life…Life everlasting. If they’ve never been introduced to the Redeemer, I’ll introduce them. If they Know Him but don’t live FOR Him I’ll prod them along by introducing them to the Truth about the Journey. If they’re being tormented by “he who is in the world” I’ll teach them how to find deliverance. “Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world” and I’m living and loving like it.

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 rainy this morning and there was no color to cling to at sunrise. I spent my time inside looking out. As I sat in silence and considered what the Master has for me on this new day, my attention went to this simple plant. While the birds and the squirrels are outside fighting to find their food, this plant will be nourished inside by me. Fighting for good things…righteous things…is always a GOOD thing. But when it comes to those things of God, so many people are unwilling to “fight” and they’re content to hide the “color” of their Faith inside and away from the world just like this poinsettia plant. Is that the way you see your life too?

It’s so easy to sit back in life and wait for somebody else to do something especially when it comes to those things of the Faith. Just like this poinsettia plant, our Faith can be bold and beautiful when we’re inside in the warmth of our home, but it’s an entirely different story when we’re out in the world. There’s a battle going on in the world and it’s a battle that threatens all people of Faith. It’s not a time for wussies and it’s not a time to refuse to do Battle. Some people have been convinced that people of Faith are to be seen and not heard, but that’s surely not according to God. Some believe that we’re to live in peace no matter what and they refuse to take a stand even when comes down to defending those things of our Faith. But that’s not according to God either. Some people believe that we are prize-worthy if we just turn the other cheek and ignore the offense against us. But that advice was given by Christ in reference to how we are to forgive and NOT how we are to Live.

It’s bizarre how willing people are to stand up and be heard when it comes to defending one of their own. When a child is bullied in school, moms and dads fight like Pitbulls to defend their child. When innocent animals are needlessly harmed, plenty of people will stand up and be heard about the injustices. Many people fight for those animals much more than they would fight for a human being. Some people are willing to do jail time as they fight for environmental things that threaten our planet, while there are other groups that keep the fight going as they demand to be seen and heard and accepted for who and what they are no matter what. When people are passionate about what they’re “fighting” for they’ll defend it to anybody, anyplace and any time…no matter what. It’s the passion that drives the human heart and the passion that gives us strength and stay-power. But when it comes to things of Faith, most people remain silent and they cower down under the threat of persecution or political backlash. They hide the “color” of their Faith away from the world and they have been convinced that this is what God wants. The REAL problem is that they lack passion for the Living God and because they lack passion, they refuse to speak up or to proudly stand up for all that He is…our only Hope…our Savior…our Redeemer. These people live out their Faith just like the poinsettia plant…bold and beautiful but hidden away from anything and everything outside of the home. How can God be honored in silence?

I’m always ready to do battle because I know who my enemy REALLY is, and I’m confident that I have what it takes to be Victorious every single time. I know that I infuriate my enemy… but that’s okay because He doesn’t scare me at all. I don’t need to insult people or do them harm as I do battle, I just need to lean on the One who Protects me and I need to be willing to walk the walk AND talk the talk for my God. I don’t need to preach and I’m not called to judge, BUT I am Commanded to be courageous and passionate, and willing to Serve. ALL people of Faith have been Commanded to tell the world about our Amazing God of Hope and Redemption no matter what kind of adversity we face because of it. How is that possible if we remain silent and hidden away from the world? Nobody ever won a battle by doing nothing! I’m doing battle for my Faith today and every day, and I “take one for the Team” more often than most people can imagine.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It was below freezing this morning but after the sun showed itself, there is hope that this day will be warmer at the end than it was at the beginning, a truth that applies to many areas of life. As I sat alone in Presence of the One who died for me, that message of things becoming warmer at the end than they were in the beginning, was driven Home to my Heart and I began to weep for the ones who become colder in the “the end” than they were in the beginning. Isn’t that something you think about too?

What is it about old age that leads some to believe they’re entitled to speak cruelty into the world as if God told them they’ve lived long enough to stop being nice? What is it about old age that convinces some that they’ve earned the right to do as little as possible to contribute to the world as if God told them they’ve already done enough? What is it about old age that makes a way for so many people to become gossipers and world critics for what they see happening around them as if God told them they’re old enough to take over as judge and jury of the dark world? A sweet life doesn’t become colder in the end, and a child of the Living God matures into the most magnificent fruit-bearing Vessel as it warms up with age. What does that mean for all the others who have gotten colder as their life gets closer to the end? Well…let’s just say that people like them keep people like me busy adding warmth to the end of my own Life and I won’t allow my adversary to make an enemy out of me by coercing me to become cold in the end. So, I share the warmth of the Son with the cold ones and I show them The Way to find Warmth on their own that will sustain them for the rest of their Journey.

From where I sit, this is THE warmest season of my Life and I’m just getting started in my Service to Him. I get tired of people asking me when I’m going to slow down or when I’m going to “take it easy” but those of us who Serve the Living God…the ones who Live FOR Him and not just with Him…we don’t slow down and we don’t need to take it easy. The fields are ripe and ready for Harvest and it’s the ones that have grown warmer over the years that will be usable Vessels for the King of all kings! I’m in the final season of my Life and I’m warmer than I’ve ever been.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. This time of year I meet with the Author and Perfector of my Faith from inside a warm house instead of outside on the front porch, but I don’t miss out on the view of the morning no matter what. It was cold and windy last night, but God provided a shield of protection for all…even our furry friends. We have lots of deer around the farm that find everything they need for a quality life just like I do. There is peace. There is shelter. There is food and there is water. So, they bed down in the wooded area across from the porch, they get their nourishment from the fields, and they wander to the pond for water. Although they “depend” on God to provide all their needs just like all of nature does, they don’t need God the way I do. They don’t long for God the way I do. They don’t run after God the way I do. The Bible says, “As a deer panteth for the water, so my soul pants for you, Oh God”. Does your soul panteth for the Living Water too?

There are plenty of things we all think we need especially this time of year, but nothing that can be purchased in this life is something we need at all. If you’ve ever spent time with me, you’ll hear me say things like “I need coffee” or “I need sunshine” or I need peace” but all I ever really need is God. Because I panteth for the Living God He brings favor into my Life and because His Word says “the righteous will never go hungry” I am confident that He’ll provide for all of my genuine needs. Because His Word says “joy cometh in the morning” I am confident that if I find myself downcast for any reason at all if I just continue to panteth after Him, my joy will return in the morning. Because I know HE KNOWS the Plans He has for me, all I need to do is take His Hand and let Him lead and I don’t need to concern myself with all the in-betweens. Because I know that He has gone to “prepare a place” for me, I don’t have to concern myself with where I’ll live in the future. Because I know that Victory is mine, no battle I face will overwhelm me, and because He says that “no weapon formed against me shall prosper” I don’t need to run and hide. Because He says that whatever I “bind on earth, will be bound in Heaven” I don’t concern myself with the darkness that surrounds me…I bind it all instead. Knowing His Word and standing on His Promises is the only way to genuine Peace through this Journey called Life.

I enjoy my furry friends around the farm, but I don’t admire them. They live like so many people do – wandering around aimlessly with a short-sighted perspective on wants and needs, while they forever focus on their survival. I am blessed beyond measure for all that He is and all that He’s done for me and I stand on His Promises…I panteth after the Living God day in and day out…I live FOR Him, and not just with Him. He’s everything I need and because my Heart remains inclined toward Him, He takes care of all the rest.

How about you?