Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. A little time with God Almighty, a little time digging into the Instruction Manual for guidance, a little coffee, a little breeze, a little sunrise to take the breath away, and a very Grateful Heart – the way each new day begins for me. Without attention given to this full list of my morning’s firsts, would my heart be grateful this morning? Not a chance! If I don’t keep my priorities straight, the Journey of Life begins to look “too big” and the next thing you know, my courage wavers and my Heart becomes heavy. Keeping my priorities straight at the start of each new day Equips me to be all that God has for me to be and I am forever reminded that I have a Purpose in this life far greater than myself. My priorities are non-negotiable.

Just like anything else in life, it takes commitment to keep my priorities in check. A busy schedule can easily rock the boat and I might be tempted to rush into my work without a second thought to my Priorities. If I want that busy schedule to go smoothly, I’d better be equipped for the day. I could easily get distracted by the needs of others around me rallying for my attention, and I might be tempted to set aside my own priorities to put their needs above my own. So, if I want to have what it takes to give them the Best part of me, then I’d better be Equipped for the ride. I could easily be distracted by the little things in life, and I could change my schedule so that my priorities are addressed after my chores, my errands, my work, or my home. But if I do that, my priorities are no longer a Priority and they take a back seat to so many other things of less importance. If I want to accomplish all of the little things in His Name, then I’d better be equipped for the Journey. My priorities are non-negotiable.

I often hear people comment about how they don’t have the “luxury” of setting aside time for these priorities in life. But I just wonder…if we don’t have a little time to give to the Living God, the King of Kings, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the Prince of Peace, the Bright Morning Star, why in the world would He make our needs a priority either? The Living God isn’t merely looking for performance, He’s looking for Relationship! When the King returns One Day, plenty of people will be listing out all the things they did in His Name…and plenty of people will hear “I NEVER KNEW YOU” – Relationship is what will make the Difference between Heaven and Hell for all of us. As for me, I NEED for Him to “Keep me as the apple of His eye” and to “Hide me in the shadow of His wings” and for as long as I live, He will be my Biggest Priority. That’s non-negotiable for me.

My Priorities are straight and I’m equipped for this new day after my Time in the Presence of the Living God. There are many things for me to “manage” today, but everything will fall into place because of my Time in the Presence of the Living God. I’ll give the very Best of me to my family, my friends, and to the stranger God puts in my path today, all because of my Time in the Presence of the Living God. With God, ALL things are possible and my Time with Him is non-negotiable.

How about you?

I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to Him, as I rejoice in the Lord – Psalm 104: 33, 34

18Lisa Malinosky Alligood, Cynthia Scott Halverson and 16 others7 Comments1 ShareLikeCommentShare

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. My mood matched the weather this morning as I stepped out onto the front porch with my coffee in hand…a little cool…a little foggy…a little quiet…but with the potential to be incredible no matter what. After my time with the Living God this morning I know that He will be keeping “my path straight” and I know that He provides “my daily bread.” I know that the “boundary lines will fall on me in pleasant places” and I know that He will “keep my lot secure.” Cool, foggy, or even quiet doesn’t change my Purpose at all, and the Sunshine in my heart will override the clouds in the sky all day long as I do my work for Him. Isn’t that the way your life is too?

I wish I was as brave as some people think I am, but it’s not bravery they see. I wish I was as confident as some people believe me to be, but it’s not confidence they see. I wish I was as bold as some people think I am, but it’s not boldness they see. I wish I was as creative as some people give me credit for, but it’s not creativity they see. I wish I was as knowledgeable as some people believe that I am, but it’s not knowledge they see. I wish I was as carefree as some people think I am, but it’s not carefree they see. I wish I was as resilient as some people think I am, but it’s not resilience they see. When people look at me and they “see” these Characteristics, it’s not “me” that they see at all. What they see is a Life that has been Surrendered to the King and one that is driven by His Spirit. They see a Willing Vessel and they see a Joyful Servant. They see what a weak woman looks like when God is running the show. They see the results of answered prayers and they see Characteristics beyond my flesh. They see Him.

I wish I’d never stumble and I wish I’d never lose my way, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never do something wrong that I’d later regret, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never lack compassion, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never feel like giving up, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never want to pull the covers over my head, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never want to shut out the world, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never feel fear, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never feel hurt over the way I’ve been treated, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never feel alone in life, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never need a good cry, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never question God, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never want for things that I don’t have, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never disappoint another, but sometimes I do. When I’m feeling any of the things that I wish I didn’t feel, I know that this weak woman has gotten a little too far away from the Living God and those Characteristics that can usually be seen in me have dimmed…so it’s back to the source of my Strength all over again. Although I am “only human” it’s not okay to live that way…and if I draw everything I need from Him, it shows.

I may have begun this new day feeling cloudy and cool and quiet and I may have been inclined to let my mood follow that path all day long…but it’s an entirely different story after my time with Him. Today I’ll be Strong and I’ll be Unstoppable and I won’t be walking through this day like any “weak” woman you’ve ever seen in your life. If I stumble today, I’ll make it right as fast as I can by asking Him for forgiveness and strength. And if my stumble is a bad reflection of my Faith to someone else, I’ll be making it right with them too so that others may see what humility looks like. There is no good thing in me apart from Him…all that I am…all that I do…it’s all for Him. When you live like that, it shows – and if others can see Him in me, I pray they want to know Him and love Him as I do. That’s the goal.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s destined to be a hot day today with temperatures to scorch and humidity to choke. As I sat in the Presence of the Author and Perfecter of my Faith, I thought about how the scorching temperatures and choking humidity feels a lot like America today. Tempers are rising and the Truth is being choked from one end of America to the other. A Country founded by God and FOR God isn’t even recognizable today. The Living God can lower the temperature and remove the humidity with just one little Whisper from Heaven…but He can also bring hurricanes and tornadoes in His allotted time too. If there is one prayer heavy on my Heart today, it’s for God’s people to set aside their own versions of truth and their own agendas to Trust the Hand of God…the God who allows temperatures to rise and humidity to choke for a season…no matter what tomorrow brings.

The Bible is filled with accounts of wars I think most people like to overlook. All wars were brought on by God and for God because people had turned away from Him and He was being replaced by idolatry. “Idolatry” isn’t just about bizarre statues built in the image of a powerless “god”, “idolatry” is about trusting in something – ANYTHING or ANYONE- other than the Living God. God won’t tolerate idolatry forever, and when He’s had enough, He is ready, willing, and able to bring calamity upon any land…including America. America is guilty of idolatry. We idolize our money and our security, and we’re willing to roll over and play dead – to go against the Living God – just to keep it. We idolize the body as we are consumed by fear of sickness and death. We idolize our agendas that most of the time have little (or nothing) to do with the Living God. We idolize leaders who speak the language we want to hear. We idolize our hidden source of “knowledge” and our own version of “truth.” We idolize our “choice” to distort creation while we spit in the face of the Creator. We idolize sex and we defend our perversions. We idolize our freedom and we’re willing to fight for it AS IF the Living God guarantees freedom in this life – while the only Freedom that matters in the eyes of God is the Freedom that comes by way of Jesus Christ. When you look at it that way, no wonder God is displeased with a country once founded BY Him and for Him.

It’s not possible to be a humble Servant of the Living God and an idolater all at the same time. While so many of us are praying for God to heal our land – so few of us are humble enough to examine our own hearts and to turn away from ANYTHING and ANYONE that isn’t God Almighty Himself. Once upon a time, in a nation filled with idolatry – from idol worship to sexual perversion – God took matters into His own hands the same as He can in America today – “Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I am going to bring such disaster on Jerusalem and Judah that the ears of everyone who hears of it will tingle. I will stretch out over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab. I will wipe out Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down” (2 Kings 21:12-13). When God has had enough, He’s had enough!

If we sincerely want God to heal our land, then we must be willing to turn away from our idolatry – our versions of the truth – and turn to Him instead. He isn’t obliged to tell us what He’s doing but He expects us to accept what He’s doing no matter what it looks like to us! When Habakkuk asked God to fill him in on the plans – God responded with “Look at the nations and observe— be utterly astounded! For I am doing a work in your days that you would never believe even if someone told you. For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans—that ruthless and impetuous nation which marches through the breadth of the earth to seize dwellings not their own.” God rose up a “ruthless and impetuous nation” for a Purpose all His own and it doesn’t have to make sense to us! Our job is to Share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to Trust God no matter what this world looks like from where we sit AND NOT to obsess over the agenda we’re idolizing. God is still on the Throne and the end of the Story is Spectacular…on the other side of this life, that is. Are you as prepared for that part as much as you believe you’re prepared to fight over the political condition of America today?

If we want the Hand of God to heal this land, we must be willing to humble ourselves in ways we never have before. We must be willing to Trust the Hand of God even IF/when it gets ugly. We must be willing to stand up for God MORE than we stand up for our idols. When you look at it that way, we’ve got a LOT of Spiritual awakening of our own to do before God can (or will?) turn things around…IF THAT’S HIS PLAN. America is just a temporary address for God’s people – if/when we understand that part, we talk a whole lot more about our New Address (and our ONLY Leader) than we do about a broken land filled with broken leaders…a land God may OR may not be willing to heal. My Heart is heavy for so many of my brothers and sisters much more focused on their idolatry and their own version of the truth than they are on the Living God and HIS Truth….the God who brings the temperatures to scorch and the humidity to choke. I hurt for the ones more passionate about speaking words of defeat and discourse than they are to Speak up about Jesus Christ…the ONLY Hope any of us ever have. It’s a Spiritual War and we’re still fighting with weapons of the flesh. It’s a nation riddled with idolatry and we’re refusing to let go. Humility goes a LONG way with the Living God and it is the FIRST STEP for a land in need of healing by the touch of the Master’s Hand.

“Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what He spoke against this place and its people and because you humbled yourself before Me and tore your robes and wept in My presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord. Now I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place and on those who live here.” (2 Chronicles 34:27-28)

God bless America.

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The minute my eyes opened this morning I thought about the Love of my Life and I thanked Him for another day to Serve. Love and Gratitude are one thing, being made ready to take on a new day as a woman of Faith is an entirely different story. For that, I need Wisdom and Grace…a Compassionate Heart…and a willingness to Forgive. I need to Surrender this day and all that it is to Him. I need to be sure that I’m not harboring anything “bad” in my heart that could hinder my Witness to a dark world. I need supernatural Strength and I need Humility. My Journey isn’t possible without Him and I’m not capable of any of these things without His Help, so I seek His face each morning and I put Him first in all that I do. Isn’t that the way you begin your new day too?

It can be so easy these days for people to fight for their independence while they convince themselves that they’re fine all on their own – but God didn’t wire us to be on our own. God breathed the Rule Book into existence and He says “iron sharpens iron” and that “two are better than one.” He made Eve for Adam, He called Aaron to help Moses – He joined Elijah and Elisha to prepare for a time when the prophet Elijah would be taken Home. There are countless examples of how God reinforced relationships to strengthen His people; each one driving the message home that “iron sharpens iron.” It’s that same determination to be independent that can easily carry over into our Journey of Faith too, and before you know it we don’t think we need Him either! The more we work to convince ourselves that we don’t need anybody else, the farther away from understanding what it means to totally depend on God for it all. What the world sees as weakness is actually a sign of Power as we surrender it all over to God. There is no place for independence in the Journey of Faith.

Sometimes it’s funny to see the reaction when people hear me confess that I’m not nearly as “independent” as they think I am. I’ve flown solo most of my life but that isn’t because of a determination to be independent and it isn’t an outward sign of an inward need to be alone. It just is. I’ve survived well on my own – I managed to raise 4 kids on my own and they’ve grown up to be wonderful God-fearing people. I’ve built success and I’ve seen abundance – my family wanted for nothing. But I’ve also been overwhelmed by the burden of it all and I’ve cried myself to sleep more times than you want to know. That is UNTIL I surrender whatever it is over to God and confess that I can’t go it alone – and THEN GOD GIVES ME the one(s) I need to help me through the Journey. I’ve seen so many miracles that I can’t begin to count them all and I’ve had friends hold me up when I couldn’t hold myself countless times. I’m not ashamed to say I’m weak and I’m not too proud to ask God for help….the God that KNOWS that “two are better than one.” I’ve been flying solo for a long time but NEVER have I been alone, and I’ve matured in my faith enough to understand that His “power is made perfect in my weakness.” When I am weak and dependent HE IS STRONG.

I sit alone on the front porch at daybreak most days and I’m flying solo through life…but I’m not really alone. When I need help He’ll bring it to me because He loves me and He knows that I’m dependent. When I’m feeling lonely He’ll bring someone along to fill that empty space. I’m a Strong Warrior for the Living God and I walk out my faith with Boldness…but there is nothing independent about me or my life and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. As I met with the Living God from the front porch at sunrise, I had plenty of things to give thanks for. Another day to Serve…a farm to steward…an amazing tribe…a life overflowing with friends…a strong and healthy body…and for a father who taught me how to savor a sunrise and what it looks like to love unconditionally. It’s my Dad’s birthday today and I’m missing him a little more than I usually do. I don’t focus on when he died – or how he died – I focus on when he was born and how he lived instead. The legacy should never get lost in the loss. So this morning, I thanked God for choosing him to be my Dad and I thanked Him even more that I am absolutely confident that there’s a Heavenly reunion coming one day soon. Isn’t how you think of your loved ones too?

I could make a list that would wrap around Virginia a few times about the drama surrounding my childhood. I could blame all my bad decisions and all the curveballs of life on how I was raised. I could talk until I turn blue about what it was like to be abandoned over and over again by a Dad who was a runaway alcoholic. I could make a strong man cry to hear what it felt like to be shuffled from house to house more times than I can count and how uncertainty was part of daily life throughout my childhood. But it’s when we know that we know that God Handpicked our parents before the foundations of the earth for a PURPOSE much greater than ourselves, that we Learn to Trust that all things really do work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His Purpose. I know that all the uncertainty and all the heartbreak brought on by a man consumed by his addiction (and filled with remorse each time he stumbled) had a Big Purpose. It didn’t define me or my life and it sure didn’t make me weak – it made me strong instead. It taught me to love unconditionally. It taught me to be compassionate toward the “weaker ones” and it taught me not to judge the man (or woman) based upon the mess. It made me loving and kind. It taught me how to forgive over and over again, and it prepared me to put the needs of others before my own. When I think of my Daddy on what would be his 108th birthday, I give thanks for the ENTIRE journey and how his heart for me was so much bigger than his battles…and I look forward to our Eternity together. He knew how to laugh. He knew how to love. He knew how to talk for hours with his little girl – the beautiful side of my childhood prevails every time.

I wouldn’t wish my Daddy back to this life for anything in the world because I know he’s found his Forever Home and he’ll be waiting for me to join him one day. Things of this earth don’t matter anymore and there’s no more uncertainty for either of us. Through his weakness I became strong…through his love I learned to love no matter what… and through His character mine was developed. His journey prepared me for mine! How could I possibly have regrets when all the pieces have been threaded into Good? The “bad times” will NEVER out shadow the good times and my Daddy’s legacy will NEVER be lost in the loss.

Happy birthday, Daddy!

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. When I met with the Living God this morning to give my Praise, my Thanks, and to make my Requests known, I was feeling a little inadequate to Accomplish all that He has for me in this Journey called Life. So, the Master of the universe walked me down Broken Lane to remind me of how Strong I really am and how it came to be. There are lots of things in the past I’d much rather forget…at least in the human sense…but the Hand of God brought calamity my way many times in my life…not to break me…but to Build me into a Usable Vessel and to make me strong for Him. I went from feeling inadequate to BELIEVING I have all that it takes to Serve the King of Kings….all because of my brokenness. Isn’t that the way you look at your life too?

It can be so easy for most people to throw-in-the-towel when they experience brokenness, but they miss out on all the Strength that can be found in Victory when they do. Some people shake their fist at God and demand answers when calamity strikes, and some people hide under the bed. Some people spend what seems like forever “asking” for answers for why the trials showed up in the first place, while others are consumed with self-pity because God is being so “mean.” Some people gloss over the broken experience as if it’s just a minor set-back, and they brush it off without a second thought. Some people experience brokenness and they stay so busy trying to hide it from the world they miss out on the Beauty that is just around the corner if they’ll just let go and let God do what God does best. It makes me sad to see all those wounded people so clueless about the process and it makes me even sadder to know that they can’t be Used by the King as long as they remain on Broken Lane and they refuse to share the Journey with the world as a Witness of His goodness. God always uses Brokenness and Spins it into Strength IF we accept the Purpose behind the storms.

I wish I could have avoided the pain and suffering of Broken Lane, but I wouldn’t I be a Strong Vessel for Him today had He not taken me there to Shape me into what He needs me to be. I find comfort when I read about all those Saints of the Bible who were Broken for His Purpose too – like Paul on the road to Damascus and David after his sin with Bathsheba…and the list could go on and on…people He walked down Broken Lane JUST so they could become Strong in His Name. Brokenness doesn’t end well UNLESS we accept His Purpose for our lives in the good times and the bad ones too. It takes understanding that brokenness comes with a Purpose much bigger than we can see on this side of Heaven…but we never fulfill the Purpose if we aren’t willing to look at Brokenness for what it really is…a chance to be Readied for Service….an Opportunity to become Stronger than ever. I’m not sure if God “tests” us or not but I AM sure that He has a Perfect Master Plan and He longs for each one of His own to be willing to be tested through brokenness…will they become weaker or stronger in the end? Will they shout Victory from the mountaintops or hide it from the world?

I started off this new day feeling inadequate for the Job but He set me Straight by walking me down Broken Lane all over again. He reminded me of where He’s taken me and how Strong I really am in His Name. He Encouraged me with Heavenly Reminders that I have EVERYTHING I need to do what He’s Called me to do and that Victory is mine. I Serve Him well…I Love Him and Trust Him completely…and I’m grateful for Broken Lane….the place where I found my Strength through Him. I’m a Vessel for the Living God…an Ambassador for Christ…a force to reckon with in His Name…and it all began with brokenness.

“The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength.” – 1 Samuel 2:4

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I spent the first part of this new day outside on the porch and I listened in the dark as nature came to life. No orchestra could hold a candle to the sounds I heard, and it was as if nature was celebrating the God I Serve right along with me. By the time the sun came up, I was already filled with awe over the Work of the Master’s Hand in my Life, and from this porch. No artist could ever paint anything as beautiful as what I see when I look at Life with Eyes for Him. Sometimes I study my Instruction Manual. Sometimes I sit in silence. Sometimes I fall at His feet. Sometimes I just weep. And sometimes, like this morning, all I can do is Praise Him for His Majesty. “If the stars were made to worship, so will I.” Isn’t that the way it is for you too?

I think some people believe that all I do is sit around on the front porch taking in the view, but that’s not true. My life is busier than most people know, and most of what I stay busy with isn’t outside at all. I understand the Importance of Time with the Living God and I understand the Value of Peace…AND I guard both with everything I’ve got. I know what Life looks like when it’s consumed by things of this world, and that’s not a place I’m willing to go or a price I’m willing to pay…the loss of Peace and Trust in the Plans of the God of all. I don’t “question” what He’s up to because I Trust in His Master Plan. I don’t “tell Him” what’s going on in the dark world because He’s the One to allow it. I don’t cry out for Him to reckon with the evil in my country because He already sees it and He’s letting it roll for this Season for His Purpose. Sometimes I wonder if He’s allowing it all to see what His People do. Will they focus on the dark world and how they’re going to “fix it?” Will they rant and rave to anyone who will listen to be sure the message gets through? Will they sprinkle a little “God” into what they do and say to validate their hate and agenda? OR will they fall to their knees in Surrender to the One with the Master Plan? Will they Praise Him no matter what’s going on?

It’s not that I don’t care about what’s going on in the world around me, it’s that I know I can’t “serve two masters” – the more time I give to the dark world and its agenda, the LESS Time I give to the One who Created it. Garbage in, garbage out. It’s not possible to fill up with a good dose of all the horrific things going on in the world and fill yourself up with Praise for the Living God at the same time. Of all the things we could say or do to make the world a better place, NOTHING can hold a candle to the Love and Light of Jesus Christ. That’s what the world needs more of, and that’s what God’s People are Called to do. The more we talk about all the injustices, the less we talk about the Living God…the only Hope any of us really have. The more we talk about the dire future of America, the less we talk about Heaven! We only exist to Glorify God, and we’ve all been given the same Great Commission…the sharing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ…the ONLY message that can make a difference at all. Things can’t get better “in the White House” unless God’s House is in order…and right now, there’s garbage coming in and garbage going out. Oh, how my God must mourn to be taking the back seat for Time and Attention as His people chase the darkness instead.

I began this new day Praising God for who He is and what He does for me. I accept my Assignment of the Great Commission and I do my best to live it out each day. If you want to talk politics and/or the deterioration of this wonderful nation of ours, I won’t be engaging. Not because I don’t care. Not because I don’t think it’s impacting life in America or that I don’t believe our freedom is being lost. But because I know that HE IS FREEDOM and I can’t serve two masters…this dark world and all of its ugliness and the One with the Master Plan. I’ve got Peace that surpasses all understanding at one of the worst times in our history…and I’ll have Peace every step of the way because my focus is on Him. My Trust is in Him. My role is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. How about you?

“If the stars were made to worship, so will I

If the mountains bow in reverence, so will I

If the oceans roar Your greatness, so will I

For if everything exists to lift You high, so will I

If the wind goes where You send it, so will I

If the rocks cry out in silence, so will I

If the sum of all our praises still falls shy

Then we’ll sing again a hundred billion times”

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I met with the Master of all Creation before the sun showed itself in the morning sky and we had a long talk about Life. It doesn’t serve any Good Purpose at all to question the Hand of God when we know underneath the pain that His Will is always Perfect. So, I cast all my cares at the foot of the Cross this morning and I spent time in His Word to reinforce my Belief about the God who “gives and takes away.” Bad things DO happen to good people – and good things happen to the “bad” – these are mysteries we don’t have the capacity to understand on this side of Heaven…that’s where Faith comes in. The same God who paints a beautiful picture each morning from the front porch is the God who allows pain and suffering FOR HIS purpose. Isn’t that the way you look at the Journey of Life too?

There’s a good reason the Bible mentions “fear” 365 times and there’s a good reason we’re referred to as sheep. When trials come our way we’re all inclined to fear, and when we do we can scatter like fearful sheep with no direction at all OR we can cling to the Shepherd like never before. It’s not a sin to be fearful – God knows it’s human nature – but the depth of our Faith will either be Refined through our Circumstances or we can choose to shake our fists at heaven and give God a good lecture on fairness instead. There was nothing “fair” about Jesus Christ being beaten and flogged and hung on a cross to die like a common thief…but it was God’s Perfect Will. Mary and Martha were convinced that if Jesus had come to help Lazarus when he was sick, he wouldn’t have died at all. It didn’t seem fair that Jesus would delay returning to town when He heard about His sick friend, and it didn’t seem fair that He would “let him die” when He had the Power to Heal. But Jesus knew that God’s Perfect Will was for Lazarus to die so that Jesus could “prove” His Power to the world by raising him from the dead instead. We don’t know the mind of our God, we just Trust His Perfect Will through it all. That’s what Faith looks like.

Plenty of “bad” things are happening to good people these days and it’s impossible to make sense of the world. The Church in America is beginning to experience persecution and things don’t look so good for this “one nation under God.” Some people have found comfort in worldly experts even though we read, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” It could be fear that’s causing the sheep to scramble around America looking for answers OR it could be that some people can’t accept that a Good God sometimes allows “bad things” to happen to fulfill His Perfect Will. He’s a God who “gives and takes away” – we either Trust Him completely OR we can choose to shake our fists toward Heaven and accuse the God of all Creation of being unfair. It’s not easy to understand when we’re middle of the storm, BUT “All things (really do) work together FOR GOOD for those who LOVE HIM and are called ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.” There is nothing to fear with Him on the Throne and nothing too big to endure…IF we Trust Him through it all.

It’s not a perfect day in Virginia but it’s a Good One – one that I choose to walk through with complete Trust in my Father’s Perfect Will. He’s a good God. He loves me more than anybody else does. He sent His son to die for me. “He sought me and bought me, with His redeeming blood.” He chose me before the foundations of the earth. He wants what’s best for me. He called me out of darkness and into the Light. He has gifted me to do His Work. He has called me to feed His sheep. After all that He’s done for me, how could I not Trust His Perfect Will over my Life?

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 stood in awe of His glory as He painted the sky and whispered “good morning” to the world around me. There aren’t words to describe the beauty of this new day from the inside out, but my heart has been filled with an attitude of Gratitude because of it, and there’s a big smile on my face that will probably carry me through to the end of it. God Almighty is the source of my Joy, but I have to do a little work to be happy too. Isn’t that the way it is with everybody?

Taking the time and taking the steps that lead toward true Joy in my life is worth more than gold to me. There are plenty of “reasons” that I could dwell on to be sad or bitter or angry over my life circumstances, but I refuse to live with a heavy heart so I take the steps toward restoration each day. There are plenty of reasons I could find to cry and whine about what I do have, or what I don’t have, but I focus on all of the blessings in my life and I count them one-by-one each day instead. There are plenty of times I could have complained about loneliness and abandonment when I’ve relied on another for my fulfillment, but I choose to fill my time with the One who loves me Unconditionally and who will never let me down instead. There are more than enough reasons that I could find to be angry with people around me when I’m wronged or when things don’t go according to my plans, but I choose to examine my own heart each time and I “let go and let God” deal with the wrongs instead.

Making the choice to be happy each day is the source of my Peace – it doesn’t come from an anointed, problem-free life that so many would like to believe that I have here at my farm in Virginia. There is no doubt in my mind that I’ll hear from people who have read these words today and who will attempt to paint a picture that justifies their unhappiness or their heartbreak, but it won’t fly with me. As they try to “sell” me on their right to be miserable, and they suggest that I would be too if I were in their shoes, I’ll do my part to explain what it means to make the choice to be happy. As they attempt to fill me with details over what’s going on in and out of the White House, I’ll remind them that the Master of the world is in control. As they paint a picture of heartbreak and loneliness because they put their trust in another instead of the Living God, I’ll do my part to explain the love and fulfillment that ONLY He can satisfy. Making the choice to be happy in spite of the circumstances is the key-to-it-all but one so many overlook as they remain focused on themselves and their own desires. I hope and I pray that one day soon they’ll learn to die to their own needs as they focus on the King and all of the wonderful Plans that He has for them…IF they make the choice to be happy.

I’ve done the Work on me this morning and I’ve turned to the Living God for it all. He’s the One with the Keys to Hell and Hades, and He’s the One with the Perfect Master Plan and I won’t be relying on anything or anyone but Him today. I’m happy, I’m content, I’m at peace, I’m Grateful and I’m fulfilled this morning after a little attitude adjustment of my own as I made the choice to be happy today.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s the last day of a very busy week but I’m refreshed and revived for my Journey after time in the presence of the Living God. Time spent with Him is the most important thing I’ll do today, not just because I’m showing Him Honor by giving Him the first fruit of my time, but because He’s my Commander in Chief and each step I take with Him is a Step in the Right Direction. So, I wake-up, I pray-up, I listen-up and I arm-up each day with His Plans for me front-and-center, and as long as His Plans are my main focus, I’ll succeed in every single thing I do..for Him and with Him. Isn’t that the way you see your life too?

It’s easy to measure “success” by tangible signs that come by way of dollars and cents. Big cars, big houses, big toys, catch an admiring eye from most people. Sometimes these things are a genuine sign of affluence, and sometimes they are nothing more than an attempt for some poor soul to fool the world into believing they’re something they’re not. Some people try so hard to impress the world, and the cost and the consequences don’t seem to matter to them as they work so hard to be admired. Sometimes affluence is just a lifestyle that has effortlessly passed on from generation to generation and it would be nearly impossible to spend all the money if they tried. Sometimes there is no outward sign of money at all, and the “keeper” of the wealth could easily be presumed to be penniless. The world is often shocked when it hears of their passing and how they left almost every penny they ever earned behind. There’s no wrong in having lots of money as some people of Faith would lead the world to believe. After all, if nobody had any money, God would have a tough time funding ministry and working His miracles in a tangible world. But the truest sign of wealth isn’t measured in money at all, and the truest sign of Success doesn’t come from the bank. It’s what we do here on earth that has an Eternal “measure” that will bring the greatest Reward (AND joy) and the reward at the “end of the day” will exceed the value of all the gold in the world. This is the key to Success.

We’re each born for a Big Purpose and each of us has already been equipped for the Job. How interesting it is to hear people say “I don’t know what God wants me to do” when He’s already issued the Job Description and He’s already given each of us a unique Gift to be used for His Purpose that will always lead to Success. Jesus said to Peter, “if you love Me, feed my sheep” – but how will we feed them food if we have no money and how will feed them Truth if we aren’t willing to try? Hoarding up our Gifts and our talents and our money serves no Purpose at all, and if we aren’t careful, the same God who gives, is the God who also takes away, and we could so easily find ourselves penniless and useless for Him if we don’t put to Good Use those things that bring Him glory. I’m a “businesswoman” and I work hard to earn my dollars, but the Greatest Work I’ll ever do in my life is my work for Him. He’s front-and-center in my work, in my family, in my friendships, and everything else in between. As long as I have my Life in Perspective, I’ll always be successful and the fruit of my labor will have Eternal Significance. I love Him, and I’m doing my Part based on my Job Description…I’m going forth to tell the world the Good News, and I’m using my Gifts and my talents to feed His sheep day in and day out every chance He gives me. I’ll never have to worry about a single thing as long as I’ve got that Part right.

How about you?