Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s a new day of a new week and I’m off to an uncharacteristically slow start…but that’s okay. The deer didn’t seem to notice that I was later than “usual” when they showed up to graze outside the kitchen window and I’m sure the Living God didn’t think “she’s late!” Psalm 139 says; You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar” So, no matter how slow I am in getting started this morning, He already knows that He was the first thought I had when I opened my eyes on this new day. No matter how slow I am to go to my quiet place this morning to declare my Love for Him, He already knows I Love Him because He’s already searched me He knows me. As long as I show up and I’m eager to “graze” just like this herd is, He’ll Feed me and Fill me with Truth. Isn’t that the way you see your Journey too?

Some people say that the “greatest sin” is religiosity and I don’t think that’s not too far from the truth. Religiosity gives birth to legalism where “law and order” override Love. Religiosity is what causes people to put God in a neat little box, and religiosity is what keeps Him there until it’s His allotted time. Religiosity is what sets hard and fast rules for what acceptable behavior looks like and religiosity has little room for Compassion. Religiosity is the founder of “tough love” and religiosity has guidelines for forgiveness. Religiosity sets schedules that are “sinful” to break and religiosity puts more value on its real estate than it does its people. Religiosity is the “ultimate authority” on all other denominations and it’s not afraid to criticize its brothers and sisters because of its “expertise.” Religiosity is sure to have its house in order where women quietly serve in the background and children are to be seen and not heard. Religiosity is a dangerous thing and I never want to fall prey to its snares. So, when I’m off to a slow start I try to look at life like this small herd of deer does… knowing that it’s not possible to be “late” for God and confident that He has already Searched me and Knows my every thought and my every need.

We could learn a lot from a herd of dear like how to take it easy and enjoy God’s blessings and how NOT to fret over provisions. We could learn a lot from how they stick together even though they don’t all look or act the same because they know they’re stronger together than they could ever be on their own. When they’re herding together they don’t much care about who the others “belong to” or what side of the field they were born on. When danger shows up, they don’t hesitate to stick their white tails up as high in the air as they can to warn the others of danger and to make sure their young can see them ahead in the tall grass. How sad it is that a simple deer is willing to warn other deer about upcoming danger and yet professed Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ refuse to warn others about Hell.

I’m off to a slow start but I’m Overflowing with Love and Gratitude for the Creator of all things after my time with Him just like I always am. I strive to live my life a lot like this herd of deer…patient and confident that “all things will be added unto me” and never fretting for my provisions. I won’t hesitate any more than a deer does to WARN others about how dangerous the road is up ahead for those who don’t Believe. I don’t care what they look like or where they’re from. I don’t care if they’re good, bad, or ugly. Religiosity will never be my friend and I pray for the ones caught up in its snares as much as I pray for the ones that haven’t been introduced to the King yet. He’s already searched me and He knows that He was my first thought when I opened my eyes this morning, and He Knows that He’ll be my last thought as I close my eyes tonight. He’s already searched me and He knows I mourn for the lost ones. He’s already searched me and He knows that I’m a Willing Vessel…one willing to run with the “Danger” Message just like He tells us to.

How about you? When He searches you, what does He see?

Psalm 139
1 You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I stepped outside to breathe a breath of fresh air and to see what kind of morning the Lord painted before my Time with Him. The cool air met with the warm air last night and the fields are so foggy you can’t see too far into the distance at all. But I know what’s beyond the fog and if I close my eyes I can see it all. I can see the fields and the pond. I can see the deer and the squirrels eating their morning meal. I can see it all because I am so familiar with it. Isn’t that the way it is in our Journey of Faith too? We can’t always see what’s up ahead, and we don’t always Know what God is doing through our Circumstances, but if we close our eyes we can see His face and we can recall His Word, and every once in while, we can even feel the Touch of the Master’s Hand. Isn’t that the way it is for your Journey of Faith too?

They say that the average “regular church attendee” reads the Word of God approximately one hour a week. If that’s true, it’s alarming! How could any student learn any topic if they only focus on it for one hour a week? How could any professed Believer get to Know Him and how (or why?) would He speak to them if they refuse to meet with Him? Not only is one hour a week not sufficient for you to become familiar with the Word of God and to embed it into your Heart, but it’s also not enough to “paint a picture” so vivid that you can recall the Words in your Heart even when you Bible is not in your hands. There is coming a time…in your lifetime or beyond…when Christians will not be permitted to gather together for church and Bibles will be against the law. You don’t think so? Hmm…perhaps you need to be putting more than one hour a week into His Word so you can see the Truth about our future too? Sadly, if there is ever a time when the Word of God will be needed for instant replay 24/7, it will be then! If that day comes in my Lifetime I’ll be sad not to have my Bible in my hands BUT I’ve spent so much time there that I am confident that I will be able to “see” it through the fog even with my eyes closed because it’s embedded in my Heart.

It’s painful for me to see so many “regular church attendees” walking around IN the fog when I know that all they need is a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ and more time in His Word. They scoff at the Truth just the way the Bible says they will and they settle into teaching that tickles their ears because they hunger to be entertained. They might have a Bible app on their phone but it’s rarely opened or read outside of the church. Sometimes they might reach for a copy of the Bible in the pew ahead, but they can rarely find the verse in time to read along because they aren’t familiar yet. Jesus really does “love the little children” but He expects them to grow up! He expects His Children to learn and grow every day. He expects His Children to hunger to be in His Presence every day. He expects His Children to be so familiar with Him that they recognize the voice of their Shepherd without hesitation or doubt. He expects His Children to know His Word like the back of their hands and He expects His Children to obey the “rules”. That’s what growing up (or maturing in Faith) looks like and it’s the ONLY way to be Confident and Capable when the fog shows up.

If it’s foggy today, that’s okay – I can see see the beauty with my eyes closed. If my Bible was taken from me today I’d be very sad because I love it so much and I love to spend Time in it with Him every day…but I wouldn’t be lost. I’ll always have the Holy Spirit to guide me and the Holy Spirit will illuminate the Words when I’m struggling if I ask Him to. I can still close my eyes and see His Words. My Heart knows what His Word says because I Know Him. I’m a grown-up Christian still in the works so I Work on getting stronger and better every day. I appreciate the fog but I’ll never be walking in it…church or no church…Bible or no bible…I’ll always have His Spirit and I’ll always have His Word embedded in my Heart. I’ve put in the Time and effort to Mature.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I crawled out of bed determined to face the flu head-on and I found my way to the foot of the Cross as fast as I could. Naturally, I prayed for healing, but more than that I gave Thanks to the God who has control over every cell in my body. He knit me together in my mother’s womb at His precise moment in time and He knows precisely when He’ll take me Home. He knows every hair on my head and He collects every tear I shed in a jar because each one is precious to Him. I know what it is to feel vibrant and healthy every other day of the year and I know what it is to crawl out of bed with the crud. The One who knit me together will restore me soon and the flu will be a thing of the past BUT my Gratitude for the One who shows me what vitality and health feel like on an average day will never fade. Isn’t that the way you look at your Journey too?

The Bible says that “all things work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose” but I believe most people miss the Truth in this scripture. God doesn’t just twist and turn every situation and every bad attitude into good…He works it together for good for THOSE WHO LOVE HIM AND ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE. If you don’t love Him you can’t expect everything to be spun into something pretty at the end of the day. It’s when you LOVE HIM that you can spin a horrific case of the flu into a Heart full of Gratitude over the fact that it isn’t always this way instead of focusing on the flu and all the yuck that comes with it. When you’re CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE then you live with confidence that each trial, each setback, and all the tribulations are opportunities to glorify the King of all kings with the utmost Confidence that He’s doing a Mighty Work behind the scenes. Loving Him is the Key to all things working together for Good and the key to having the kind of “peace that surpasses all understanding” no matter what’s going on…flu and all.

I’ll let the One who has Control over every cell in my body worry about the healing part and I’ll give this day everything I’ve got in His Name. As long as I have breath I can sing His praises. As long as I have breath I can minister to a suffering soul. As long as I have breath I can speak a word of encouragement. As long as I have breath I can give thanks to the God of all Creation. As long as I have breath I can proclaim the name of Jesus Christ to the world. As long as I have breath I’ll do my Part to serve the Keeper of my cells with a Heart filled with Gratitude for all that He is and all that He does for me.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. As I prepared myself to meet with the Master of the Universe, I stopped to take a photo of the sunrise just like I always do. At first, I avoided the cold so I snapped the picture from my kitchen window and this is what I saw. So, I moved to the dining room to try again, and this is what I saw. Finally, I stepped out onto the front porch in my bare feet determined to get a “normal” photo of the sunrise and this is what I saw. No matter where I stood this morning, I didn’t capture a clear sunrise picture, but a beam of light from the heavens to earth instead. I’m a little hard-headed when I set out to accomplish something but I eventually got the message and I found my way to the Book of Malachi. When you’re hungry for more from God, He’ll use whatever He needs to use to head us in the Right Direction. This morning it was a sunbeam.

The Book of Malachi is often overlooked in Church teachings and that’s too bad. There’s no such thing as a “bad” book or a “boring” book or an “insignificant” Word from God. Some people wouldn’t have a clue as to where to find it in the Bible because they’ve seldom (if ever) turned there – it’s the last Book of the Old Testament and it’s filled with rich Treasures. When the Living God ushered me into the Book of Malachi with a simple sunbeam I knew immediately that He had a Word for me today. Some people doubt that the Lord gets that Specific as to Guide us this way or that way, but that’s because they don’t know that He says that if we will just acknowledge Him in ALL our ways, He will direct our path. Or maybe they don’t believe Him when He says, “For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you”. Maybe that’s why we see so many “lukewarm” Believers…they have no idea about the power of our God and they’re ready to throw ice water on His Words any time because they doubt that He speaks to us this way. If that’s the case for you, the fourth chapter of Malach has a Word you need to read: “Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the Lord Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them”. I’d watch the arrogance that causes you to deny the power of God if I were you!

Malach is short but sometimes not so sweet but there is Good News for those who Believe and that’s where the sunbeam and I come in. His Word says, “But for you who REVERE MY NAME, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.” I don’t know about you, but I revere His Name and I like the idea of frolicking around like a well-fed calf! The King is coming back One Day and I’ll be ready and waiting for the One Who loves me enough to die for me and who takes the Time to lead me to Truth through a sunbeam. I don’t have all the Answers but I do know that when you’re hungry for more from God, He’ll use whatever He needs to use to head us in the Right Direction. This morning it was that sunbeam.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. When I made my way into His Presence this morning I was filled with anticipation and Excitement just to be with Him. The pace of the holidays has taken its toll on my Time with my Savior and although I’ve spent time with Him and I’ve spent lots of time in prayer, absolutely nothing compares to Meeting with the Author and Perfecter of my Faith before I do anything else. He’s my Father and I’m His Child. He’s my Master and I’m His Servant. He’s my Rock and I’m His Warrior. He’s my Heart, and if all of me is in alignment with His Will, sometimes I’m His voice too. He sent His son to die for me so that I might have Life everlasting, and I’m a Messenger of the greatest birth announcement and “death certificate” story ever told. He’s not my afterthought – He’s my Future, so for all that to be possible, I need to be in His Presence even more than I need to breathe. Isn’t that the way it is for you too?

Some people think I’m an uptight Christian because I’m so serious about my “routine” from the front porch first thing in the morning, but that’s not true. It’s because I know how to Recharge and Refuel for this Journey called Life and I’m serious about finishing well. I’m not trying to “prove” anything to God (or to the world) but I am trying to Serve Him with all that I am and I’m willing to go wherever He tells me to go. I can’t afford to allow Him to become an “afterthought” and neither can you! He wants to be first before anyone or anything else. He wants to be my First Love forever. He wants to be the One who occupies my thoughts and He wants to be the One I desire to Please. He wants to be the One I talk about and the One to fill my Heart with Joy. He’s the giver of the Greatest Gift the world has ever known and I’m Heaven bound because of it. When you look at it that way, how can anybody be okay NOT making Him their priority in this Journey called Life?

When I look back at Christmas and all the gifts I made with my hands and gave with my Heart, I know that the greatest Gift I’ll ever give away is the Legacy of my Faith. The Gospel of Jesus Christ has been threaded into every ribbon on every present my tribe has ever received and now it continues to the next generation. My radar is always up to hear who is sprinkling Jesus into everything and who sees the Jesus message as an afterthought…and when I see the latter, I step up to tell “the rest of the story” to the next generation who needs the Legacy of my Faith too. The Truth is sprinkled into every conversation every time and the Love they see in me is only possible because of Him. They see that He’s my Biggest Priority and that I lean on Him. They see me Serving, and they see me Loving unconditionally. If any of the gift recipients were ever disappointed in the gifts I made with my hands and gave with my Heart, I won’t think much about that at all because I’ve already given them the GREATEST Gift of all Time and THAT gift will last for Eternity.

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 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!