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?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cool, rainy, and windy this morning – if the temperature dropped and the rain turned to snow I’d be buried knee-deep. As I sat inside giving my Praise and my Thanks to the God of the rain, I thought about how just one little change could bring forth a totally different outcome…for the weather and for my Life too. There’s absolutely nothing I can do to change the outward circumstances like the rain or the state of the world, but changing the inward…changing ME…is well within my control with the help of the Living God. “By the grace of God, I am what I am.” Isn’t that the way you see your life too?

It can be so easy for some people of Faith to get caught up in the outward things but they open themselves up to a totally different outcome when they do. Some people are more focused on the condition of the world than they are on the One Who Created it, and they fight against the Master Plan in the process. That “one little change” will rob us of Peace as we determine to fill ourselves up with worldly things we cannot understand. Some people obsess over things like not having enough money or not having a fit body and some obsess over their outward appearance as if God made a mistake when He knit them together. But God holds the world in the palm of His hands and He never makes a mistake. That “one little change” is the difference between living a Life overflowing with Gratitude – “by the grace of God, I am what I am” or living a life filled with criticism over the work of the Master’s Hands. It’s when we focus on the inward…the things we can control…that life overflows with Beauty from the inside out and everything else falls into place with Perfection. Living with the Inside out is the Key to Peace and Joy. That one little change…

“By the grace of God, I am what I am” is a way of giving Praise and Thanks to the God OF all FOR all. By the grace of God, I am His child and. by His Grace, I accepted Christ as Lord. By the grace of God, I have a sound mind and a good Heart and by His grace, I have control over what I do with both of them. By the grace of God, I’ve lived a turbulent life that came with lots of Lessons, and by His grace, I share the Wisdom I gained through the turbulence with the world. By the grace of God I had the strength to raise up a godly generation…and the Wisdom I asked for every day…and it’s by His grace I now live to see the legacy of my Faith in my grandchildren. It’s by His grace that I am healthy and strong and that I’ve been given a Voice to share Him with the world. It’s by His grace I found humility…the kind of humility that recognizes that “there is no good thing in me apart from Him.” By His grace, I will finish the race like the Champion He created me to be, and by His grace, I will spend all of Eternity with Him. That one little change…

Today I won’t lose sight of the fact that “By the grace of God, I am what I am” and I’ll be thanking Him all day long no matter what because of it. The Bible says “I am confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” so I’ll let Him keep working that “good work in me” and I’ll do my part to be found worthy on “the day of Christ Jesus.” None of that is possible unless I focus on the inside out instead of those outside things I have absolutely no control over. I’ll let the Master take care of the world and I’ll keep reminding myself that it’s ONLY by his grace that I am what I am.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I stepped out onto the front porch on this cold November morning just long enough to take a few deep breaths of fresh air and to get a good look at the sunrise. It’s cloudy today and this small area of the prettiest pastel pink was the only color in the sky and stayed for just a few minutes. When I met with the Living God to offer my praise and to sink my teeth into His Word, my thoughts kept returning to that brief moment of pastel and I was Reminded of how this is what the Spiritual world often looks like today…indescribably beautiful pastels showing up for a brief moment or two before the clouds cover the beauty all over again. Isn’t that just like God to use a pastel sunrise to Breathe a message into the Heart of His Vessels?

It can be so easy for us to adapt to our circumstances but that’s not always a good thing. Although it’s not wise to “fight” the flow of Life, some things should never be accepted as the norm. Not hearing the name of Jesus Christ day in and day out, from one corner of the earth to another, should never be accepted as “norm” and rarely hearing of a life that has been Transformed by the Power of Jesus Christ is another. But somehow these things have gone by the wayside and the Pastel has been dimmed by the clouds. Not seeing Bibles being toted around like appendages for all the world to see should never be accepted as the “norm” – but we’ve opted for technology to access His Word for the sake of convenience instead and the clouds of the world have dimmed the Pastel in the process. Witnessing a prayer in public shouldn’t be a rare thing for God’s people, but we’ve opted for silent prayers so not to offend the clouds. There is no end to how the beautiful Pastel colors of Faith have been dimmed by the clouds and it’s surprising how few people even notice.

I’m a bold Warrior for the Living God and I Determine to let the beautiful Pastels of my Faith shine for all the world to see. Hiding my Faith will never become the “norm” for me, and as long as there is breath in my body I’ll do my Part for it not to become the “norm” for anyone God puts in my Path. I proclaim the name of Jesus Christ day in and day out so His Name is heard by the clouds. I pray anywhere and everywhere without fear of the consequences…and I don’t concern myself with offending someone else. If seeing my Bible in hand makes a cloud squirm, I’ll know that what I’m seeing is the kind of Conviction that happens supernaturally when darkness is exposed to the Light. I’m honored to be called a Child of God and it shows.

What a Mighty God to use a patch of pastel colors in the morning sky to speak to my Heart this morning. Then again, when you listen for His voice and you Live FOR Him (and not just with Him) this is a common occurrence. At least it is for me. I Know that the more I Proclaim His Name for all the world to hear, there’s a good chance of seeing more Pastels that have the power to outshine the clouds. You’ll see Jesus IN me for as long as I live and I’ll Share the Glory of God until He calls me Home. Look out clouds!

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. My morning routine has been off kilter for a few days and although I didn’t meet with the Living God at sunrise from the front porch, He was ready and waiting for me when I turned to Him just like He always is. This old farm represents far more to me than just a magnificent piece of property – it’s “holy ground” in my eyes and in the eyes of so many others who have experienced it for themselves. But even more than that, it’s “level ground” for me where I see my Journey of Faith with clarity and where I’m strengthened to Speak the Truth to the masses. Like David before me, “my feet stand on level ground; in the great congregation, I will praise the Lord. Isn’t that the way the Journey of Faith looks to you too?

I love the mountains and the rolling hills BUT it’s on level ground where we find the most benefit. It’s on level ground that we can see what lies ahead and it’s on level ground where we can recognize danger. It’s on level ground where we can see someone coming from far away, and it’s on level ground where we build the strongest foundations. When it comes to the Journey of Faith, it’s on “level ground” where we brace ourselves for whatever comes our way and it’s on that “level ground” where we find our Stability so that we are Prepared for whatever it is. On the level ground, we can see what our enemy is up to from far away and we can face the enemy and WIN because there is no hiding there. When David faced Goliath it was on level ground, and although the stature of the giant would have overwhelmed an average man, David could see clearly that Victory was his and he braced himself for the win. Standing on level ground is the only way people of Faith can battle giants and it’s the only place to find Peace in the turmoil of war.

I recently taught about how the Journey of Faith is a collision course (verses and obstacle course) and that we are called to face the “giants” head-on. Anybody can dodge danger, and sometimes they can avoid it, but it takes a warrior like David to face the giants head-on. It takes a Brave One like David to choose the level ground where we can see the enemy and we know he can see us. It takes a Confident Warrior to plant our feet firmly on the ground refusing to run and hide from an enemy we KNOW can’t win if we’re willing to face it head-on.

I’m standing on level ground and I’m proclaiming the righteousness of my Amazing God as I fight the Ultimate Battle on behalf of someone else. I won’t run and hide. I won’t just “hope” that things turn around. I won’t speculate tragedy. I won’t listen to words of defeat. I won’t listen to words of destruction. I won’t listen to words of doubt over the situation, because I KNOW who wins and I’m just the right Warrior to fight the battle…a battle that can only be won on a level ground collision course. This is the Key to fighting a Spiritual war.

We are surrounded by the “prince of darkness” and the liar from Hell is raging. This war can’t be won by way of an obstacle course…it’s collision course time! Avoiding danger here and there doesn’t make it go away and hiding behind the hills isn’t a place for God’s people. To win the war we “brace ourselves like a man” the way Job did and we listen to the counsel of the Victorious One. We plant our feet firmly on level ground the way David did and we slay giants that appear to be undefeatable when looked upon with human eyes. We don’t hide behind the hills, we go for the level ground and we face it head-on like the Warriors God has equipped us to be.

I’m enjoying the view of the hills and mountains today but spiritually I’m standing on level ground and I’m unshakable. I’m fighting a battle I KNOW will be won because I know how to fight the enemy and I know how to disarm Him. I’m celebrating Victory long before I see it because it has been promised to me. That’s what a Warrior does.

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 Living God a little later than usual and I read from my Instruction Manual from the warm farmhouse. It’s an Honor to approach the Throne of a Mighty God, and although my Heart and my words are different each day, the process is always the same. It begins by Praising Him because He is worthy! “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come”. Next, it’s time to give Thanks to Him…without Him I am nothing. AND THEN I make my Requests known to Him. It’s a funny thing though…by the time I Praise Him and I give Thanks to Him, the Request list is shorter and the load is lighter ALL because it all began with the focus on Him instead of me. Isn’t that the way it works for you too?

I don’t think most people understand what it’s like to approach the Throne of the Living God and they overlook the Power given to them in the process. When we approach His Throne and we begin by Praising and Thanking Him, some pretty amazing things happen to the Heart. When we seek His face His Spirit shows up, and we can feel Him through every cell. When our focus moves from our “shopping list” of requests to our Amazing God, we see that His “Grace is Sufficient” for us no matter the circumstances. This is the Key to Fulfillment.

Some people don’t bother with all of the Praise and the Thanks as if they think “He already knows I love Him.” But God examines the Heart of the child who is making the Requests. Why would any father honor the request of an ungrateful child? He is God…He is Worthy…and He wants to be sure that our heart Knows it. Some people “send up” prayers to the “big guy in the sky” like helium balloons, and they live like they hope He’ll somehow catch them. But His Word says that our prayers are “like incense in heaven” to Him…not random shots that we hope will be heard. The more time we spend with Him…the more we Live FOR Him…the stronger the Relationship, and we begin to experience the indescribable comfort that comes by KNOWING we’re being heard.

Some people rely on somebody else to intercede on their behalf like a priest or a pastor…as if they have more influence with the Living God than we do. But that’s not true. There is only One intercessor and He’s a one-size-fits-all. Jesus Christ died for all of us, and each one of us has the Honor and the Privilege to meet with Him to ask that He intercede on our behalf any time we want to. Missing out on what it means to approach the Throne will always be accompanied by a lukewarm faith. The Alpha and Omega longs for a Relationship with His Children, and to build a Relationship that will last forever, it takes Time with Him.

My Heart has been Tenderized and my burdens have been made lighter this morning all because it ALL began with Him. First I Praised Him because He is worthy! And then I Thanked Him for all that He is and all that He does for me. And THEN I tossed my Requests at the foot of the cross where Jesus will intercede on my behalf…and I’m Trusting Him. I KNOW He hears me when I pray because I Know Him. I nurture my Relationship with Him every day. He’s my Father and I’m His Child…and it always begins with Him.

How about you?

11

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s that time of year when almost everything I see from the front porch is the same color. The foliage is turning brown and falling to the ground. The deer get a new gray coat color for the winter…God’s way of helping them blend in. Sometimes the flags are the only bright colors I see and I keep them hanging all year because of it. As I sat there considering all the things I can see in the winter and all the things I can’t, I was reminded of how that’s the way it can be in the Journey of Faith too. The Goal of a Person of Faith isn’t to “blend in” but to STAND OUT through every season of Life – if we aren’t careful we’re blending in with all the rest while we ride out the Winter Season. How can the dark world see the Bright Morning Star in us if we’re blending in with it? Don’t you want the world to see the Color of your Faith all year round too?

The winter season often comes on with a vengeance – one day it’s warm and the next day it’s cold and it seems to strike and stay once it’s here. One day you’re outside celebrating the warmth and the next day you’re hiding away from the cold. One day the trees are covered with leaves and the next day the leaves are gone and there’s absolutely nothing we can do to stop it. But the winter of the Heart is a different story – that season is so subtle that most people don’t even realize the Heart has gone from Celebrating the Warmth of the Son to a Heart that’s as cold as the winter in Virginia. Many of them continue to do the same things they did in the Summer of their Faith – like going to church and praying even though the Heart is in hibernation, but that doesn’t make any more sense than wearing shorts and a T-shirt outside in the winter as if wearing those things will make it so. The Heart that was once so eager to Celebrate the Son can’t be seen in them anymore despite the steps they take as part of their “routine” like attending church and the bumper sticker on their cars. From cold to warm and back again. It must break God’s Heart when He sees His people blending in with all the rest.

When we’re in Celebration mode we want EVERYBODY around us to feel the Warmth of the Son too! We encourage them to FOLLOW us to the Warmest spot there is and we give them Directions on how to get there. When we’re in Celebration mode EVERYTHING around us appears to be in Living Color and we don’t want anybody else to miss out. When we’re in Celebration mode we STAND OUT in any crowd and they SEE Him in us even if we opt out of uttering His Name. Unfortunately, many have been deceived into believing that as long as they’re “nice” there’s no need to speak up at all. When we’re in Celebration mode we dance and we weep with Joy and we don’t care who’s watching. When we’re in Celebration mode we can’t get enough of the Son and we almost don’t want to go to sleep as long as there’s more to learn. That’s what Love looks like.

The church can be a great social club filled with the friends we love the most and we aren’t afraid to show and tell them most of the time. But when the Heart is Celebrating the Son it cares a WHOLE LOT more about all the ones who have never seen the Bright Morning Star and they NEVER lose their hunger to Share. God has a BIG Message about what it looks like to Him when the Heart of His People is no longer Celebrating the Son: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked”

I weep over the ones so determined to take the same steps over and over doing all those things they believe are a sign of their Love for Him – the ones who have let the cold set in and they’re no longer Celebrating the Son with PASSION AND RECKLESS LOVE the way they did in the beginning. I pray for REVIVAL for the ones who are no longer Celebrating the Son right along with the ones who have yet to HEAR because their destiny will likely be the same. As long as there is breath in my body I’ll be Celebrating the Son and nothing about me will blend in with the rest. I want EVERYBODY to have what I have before it’s too late for them – so I’ll be BOLDLY Celebrating in and OUT of the church. God forbid that He would see my deeds and find me “neither hot nor cold” – a place so vile that He would be inclined to “spit” me out of His mouth.

How about you?