Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s a new day or a new week and I’m Armed and Ready to do my part for the Journey no matter what I might face along the way today. It isn’t always easy to go “against the flow” and it isn’t always “drama free” to March to the Tune of my God. But I wasn’t Created to “fit in”, I was Created to stand out! I was born for a Big Purpose and I’m on a Big Mission for an even Bigger God, and I do my best to never lose sight of that fact ESPECIALLY when the going gets tough. When the wind came through the farm last night it blew one rocker off kilter from all the other rockers, and that simple image served as a sweet Reminder to me for the way I am to live my Life…not fitting in, but standing out! Isn’t that the way you want to Live your Life too?

When you look at my Life, you won’t see a whole lot of “normal” and you won’t find me just rolling-with-the-flow of what everybody else is doing. My Life didn’t start out to be “normal”, the events haven’t been “normal” and it won’t end on a “normal” Note. I’m not prone to latch on to fads and I don’t buy things just because everybody else does. I March to the Tune of a Big God and it shows in almost every area of my life! My Faith isn’t “normal” and my Prayers aren’t either. I have a Personal Relationship with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and we don’t make “small talk”, we have Meaningful Conversations! My Convictions aren’t “normal” and the way I defend the Truth isn’t either. The Rules that I follow go against the flow of what the world likes to believe, and when I speak up with Truth; the reaction I get isn’t “normal” either. My parenting wasn’t “normal” as I set out to raise a Godly generation; not just well-rounded, well educated, well dressed kids. When it was time for a Life lesson, I dealt with my kids as their Sister in Christ, and not just as their Mom…there’s sure nothing “normal” about that! My heart isn’t “normal” and the Love I feel isn’t either, because my heart has been Tenderized by the King and He used pain to mold me into a Willing Servant. Just like that rocker on the porch that is a little off kilter from all the rest; I’m a little off kilter from what the world considers to be “normal” and I don’t roll-with-the-flow. The fact that I refuse to be “normal” is not a sign of rebellion…it’s an outward Sign of a Life that has Purpose…that’s just what it Looks like when we understand Who Created us and Why. We were created for Greatness and we’re intended to Stand Out…a little off kilter from the rest of the world.

There are more “normal” people of Faith than the world could possibly count. People that care more about fitting in than Standing up and people that would do anything to avoid being noticed. They’ve convinced themselves that to be a “good Christian” means that we live out our lives peacefully…we mind our own business…we don’t get involved…and we stay home and pray…as if that’s ever been (or will ever be) okay with the Living God. Nobody was Created to be a stay-at-home Silent Partner…but it takes a willingness to not be “normal” to get out and do something Bold in His Name. My Life has been set aside by my God and I was Created for His Purpose and I know it….I Live like it! I am happy not being “normal” and I’m overjoyed that my Life isn’t “normal” either. I’m a child of God, I’m Royalty, I’m here for His Purpose and I’m on a very Big Mission. I won’t be “normal” for as long as I live and if you’re looking for me; you’ll find me a little off kilter from 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 sunny, and it’s going to be a lot warmer today, and although I met with my Wonderful Counselor inside a warm kitchen; the outside helped prepare my heart for this new day. He’s a Big God and He can do ALL things but sometimes the “Little” things, like bringing forth a warmer day in the middle of winter, is like a Gift to see me through and encourage me….at least it feels that way when I thank Him for it. I think it’s the appreciation for the Little things right along with the Big things that is a good indicator of whether we truly walk with Him or not. When we’re consumed by the Living God it’s nearly impossible to miss the millions of Little things that He does for us every single day. Isn’t that the way you see your Life too?

It’s human nature to take people and things for granted; even the Living God if we’re not careful. We can become so complacent that we’re more like robots scooting through this life, than living breathing Creations placed here by the Hand of God for a Big Purpose. It’s when we overlook the blessing of all those Little things that we have trouble believing that He cares about the little things in our lives too. And it’s when we become numb to the Little things; even His Hand in the Big Things begins to dim. It’s nearly impossible to comprehend with the human mind that God is everywhere, in everything, every second, of every day and that He gets pleasure out of showing His Love to His People…with Big things and Little things too. It takes a Relationship with Him to “get it”, and anything short of a Relationship is failure to walk with Him. I can’t presume to know the Mind of my God but I have to believe that when we pause to thank Him, for even the tiniest little things, that it pleases Him. After all, we want to be shown appreciation for even for those tiny little things that we do for others…why would God be okay with settling for less?

My God cares about my heart, my Life, my family and every tiny little thing in between. Without Him I have nothing and with Him I have everything. I see His Hand in everything around this old farm, and I see Him in everyone I meet. I see His Hand when He closes a door in my Life, and I see His Hand when He opens another. I see His Hand when He brightens up the world with a sunny day, and I see His Hand in the wind and the rain. I see His Hand in the “chance meeting” of people everywhere I go, and I see His Hand when He sets boundaries around me so that I don’t get hurt by another. I see His Hand every time the furnace kicks on in the winter, and I see His Hand in the warmth. I see His Hand in the Gifts that He gives to me so that I can Fulfill my Purpose, and I see His Hand in the correction I need sometimes. I see His Hand of Protection every time I get behind the wheel of my car, and I see His Hand of Provision with every bite I eat. There is no end to the blessings and no end to the thanks for the Big Things and for the millions of Little Things that He does for me. I walk with Him and I talk with Him, and I make sure that He knows just how much I love Him…through the good…through the not-so-good, and through everything in between.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I crawled into the presence of a Mighty God this morning like a weary traveler looking for rest, and I found it in no time at all. How strange that I can sometimes go from slumber to stress almost as soon as I open my eyes, with no rhyme or reason at all. But I know where those thoughts of doubt come from, and I know what resides in the “darkness”, so when I’m feeling weary; I run to the source of my Strength. And as quickly as those feelings consumed my first few minutes on this new day; they went running for cover after I Armed myself with the the source of my Strength and my Hope and my Peace and my Joy. Hallelujah! Isn’t that the way you get control of your Life too?

It would be so easy to succumb to dark thoughts, and it would be easy to surrender to “hopelessness”…UNLESS we know where to go for Help, that is. Some people wonder how (and why) a person of Faith would struggle with these things in the first place; as if people of Faith skirt through this Life trial-free. But I know the Bible is filled with people just like me and they had to fight before, during and after Christ just like I do. I know that I’m a force to be reckoned with in the Spiritual world, and I understand who my enemy is. I know that the bolder I am as I proclaim the Power of a Mighty God for all the world to see and hear; the bigger the battle becomes. My enemy would love to see me sit down and shut up. My enemy would love to see me fall. My enemy would love to see me consumed with dark thoughts, and my enemy would love to see me succumb to them. My enemy would love to see me paralyzed with fear, and my enemy would love to see me throw in the towel. But none of those things will ever happen to me as long as I remember where to go for my Help. Each time I tighten up my Armor and battle my way to Victory; my enemy runs off like the wussie he really is and he sets out to devour another not as equipped to do Battle as I am. I don’t struggle because I’m weak…I struggle because I’m strong!

My Life has been filled with battles and I know there is no end to them until I take my last breath. It only takes sharing a story or two of my big battles and my bigger Victories for most people to shake their heads in disbelief and they stand in awe of the Journey. Some people like to believe that I struggle because I’m weak…but I know that I struggle because I’m STRONG. My God knows that after I fight and I win the battles; I ALWAYS give GLORY to Him…for my Strength…for my Victory AND for the battle itself. Because when I recount the battle and the Victory with another; I’m a living testimony for Him. I’m pretty sure that my God is pleased with me every time I share the stories of where I was…and where I am…and where I’m going, and I’m pretty sure He never wants me to stop. Doing battle is just part of the Journey for every Bold Believer. The battles have not just made me strong; they have equipped me to be a force to be reckoned within the Spiritual world, and I give thanks each and every time my enemy runs off like the wussie he really is.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s still cold outside, but it promises to be warmer today, and just the mere though of warmer temperatures makes me smile. I’ve spent some time with the Living God this morning “drawing circles” around a few things in my life that need change, and I refuse to budge from this circle of prayer until I see them through. I’m not daring God and I’m not testing Him. Instead, I’m making sure that He sees my Commitment to seeing this Change through,and I know for sure that He hears me… because He always does. I don’t know how long I’ll be in this “circle” but I’m willing to wait for as long as it takes and I’m Trusting in the outcome before I ever see it. I believe! Isn’t that the way you look at your Prayers too?

I’m not one to pray simple prayers and I don’t just offer up the sweet ones. I don’t approach His Throne like a wussie and I don’t approach Him with doubt. I’ve been taught how to pray by the Master Himself, and I’m a Warrior when it comes to prayer. I know that my prayers need to begin with Praise to a Mighty God, so when it comes to that part; that’s where I spend most of my time. “Our Father, which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy Name” means that His Name is HOLY and we need to be sure to declare it and to Believe it. I know from His Word that the Heavens praise Him 24 hours a day with “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty Who was, Who is and Who is to come”. When I think of how beautiful that must sound as the Heavens declare the Majesty of my God; I weep. One Day I’ll hear those Praises myself when I enter into Heaven with Him. After I praise Him; I thank Him for all that He is and all that He does for me and my family. I could spend 24 hours a day on that part alone because His wonders are “too many to declare”. After I’ve spent my time Praising Him and then Thanking Him; it’s time to ask for Forgiveness.  No matter how hard I try or how well I live, there’s always something that I need to be Forgiven of…He already knows whatever it is and He’s always ready to Forgive me; but He wants to hear it from me and He wants to see my Humility as I stand before Him. Then, AFTER ALL THAT, it’s time to make my Requests known to the Living God. It takes entering His Presence with the Right Heart for either of us to be prepared to talk about Requests. It’s ONLY after I Praise Him for Who He is and I thank Him for all that He is. and I address my Wrongs, that I can approach His Throne with Confidence and with a Faith that can move a mountain.

I know His Word pretty well and I’m not afraid to say so when we Meet. I know Who He is and I know What He says. I know that He will never leave me nor forsake me, and I make sure that He knows that I Believe it. I know that He says that I don’t have to worry about anything at all because if He cares about “the birds in the air”, surely He will provide for me and I have a single that He will. I know that He’s the One that gives me the “ability to produce wealth” and I’m not afraid to ask Him to open doors for me in my business….I EXPECT Him to open doors in my business instead. I know that He says that He will “take you by the right hand and lead you” so as long as I’m willing to surrender to His Leadership; everything is going to be alright. But I also know that if I stand before my God like a wussie, and I pray without Believing, that I should have no expectation at all that my prayers will be heard. I pray with boldness and I Believe in the results long before I see them. I Declare Victory over the challenges; I don’t just ask Him if He’ll help see me through. I make sure that He Knows that I’m Armed and ready to do Battle; I don’t just ask Him to fight the Bully for me. I don’t spend time begging God for things to be “His Will”, and I don’t address Him with meekness. I refer to His Promises and I Declare His Majesty and when I pray; I BELIEVE. I don’t always get what I ask for because what I ask for isn’t always within His Plans for me…at least for now. But I could spend the rest of my Life making a list of ALL of my Requests that have been Honored by the Living God and all of the Miraculous things He’s done in my Life. I stand on His Promises and I Believe.

I’ve drawn a “circle” around a few things and I know that Jehovah Shammah (“God is there”) is hearing every Word I speak and He knows what’s within my Heart. And I know that He knows that I won’t budge from the “circle” until I hear from Him. I’m a Child of the Living God and I’m a Warrior. I Believe.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cold here, and there’s a raging wind with enough strength to blow the rocking chairs off the front porch and into the field. I’m sure am thankful for the warmth and safety inside this old farmhouse this morning. As I considered how much strength it takes to lift these heavy chairs and toss them into the field like dollhouse furniture, I considered the Strength of my God and how He can just as easily set me in a New Place too with no effort at all. Just like the rockers that “have their proper place” on the front porch of this old farm, God can move me from what I believe to be my “proper place” in a heartbeat with just the Command of His voice. So, I do my best to Tune-in to Him and I’m ready to move in any Direction He takes me in even when it doesn’t make sense. Isn’t that the way you look at His Plans for your life too?

It can be so easy to fight against the Will of God when things don’t make a lot of sense to us on the surface. We spend so much time second guessing and rationalizing God’s “next move” that we often miss out on the Opportunity to fulfill His Purpose for our lives. But when God has a Plan in mind, He has the Strength to fulfill it. It doesn’t take much Faith at all to flounder around waiting for clarity when clarity comes from Him in the first place… IF WE TUNE IN to Him and we believe that He has the Strength to fulfill any plan He has for us. Moses was asked to lead millions of people to the Promised Land and when He attempted to tell God that He’d picked the wrong guy; God took away His excuses. It didn’t make a lot of sense when God told Joshua to march around the city of Jericho 7 times, but Joshua did it He saw Victory up-close-and-personal. We’re only weak and useless if we chose to be weak and useless, because with God ALL things are possible and He’s got enough Strength to share with the world…IF we TUNE IN and Trust Him AND if we’re willing to get our of our “proper place”.

Sometimes a Strong Wind comes through my world and God takes me from my “proper place” and He sets me in an entirely different direction. Sometimes it’s not convenient and sometimes it makes no sense to me. Sometimes it means that I’ll suffer a little persecution by doing His Will and sometimes it means that I’ll have to be ready for Battle. Sometimes I’m afraid as I set off out of my “proper place” and sometimes I attempt to make excuses just like Moses did. But God knows my heart beneath my fear and frailty, and anytime I try to excuse myself from Service; He makes sure that I am reminded of Who my Boss is and His Strength Working through me overwhelms me. There’s nothing “unproductive” or “irresponsible” or “wishy washy” about being willing to move when the Strong Wind passes through. In fact, it takes Strength and Trust and Faith to step outside of our “proper place” and it takes Obedience to do what the Boss tells us to do even when it doesn’t make sense. I know that when God brings the Strong Wind to change my Course, it’s miracle time and the outcome can never be credited to me. I like to believe that God knows that I will ALWAYS give Him the Glory in the end, and maybe that’s why I’ve had a few more Strong Winds that removed me from my “proper place” than the average person. Giving God the glory through the Good, the “bad” and the “ugly” is the key to being a Vessel that God can use to bring Himself Glory no matter the circumstances and no matter which way the Wind blows.

The strong winds have rearranged the furniture on the front porch and we’ve lost a few limbs at the farm. But with just a few minutes of clean-up the rockers will be back in their “proper place”. As for me? I’ll keep walking the walk and talking the talk and I’ll keep striving to be a Vessel Worthy to be used by the King, and when He brings the Strong Wind and He decides to move me from my “proper place” to that Place where I can be used to glorify Him; I’ll be ready.

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 it’s still outside, and just looking at the remnants of a dusting of snow days after it fell to the ground makes me want to run for cover from the inside out. But my body was warmed by the fire and a hot cup of coffee, and my soul has been warmed by the Hand of a Mighty God, and NOW I’m ready to venture out on this new day. It doesn’t take much for me to surrender to my circumstances if I’m not careful, so spending time on the inside of me to be sure that it doesn’t get cold there too is even more important than a coat and a hat on a winter’s day. Isn’t that the way it is for you too?

Life is like a rubber-band. We can stretch it out almost to the breaking point as we attempt to grow past our obstacles; but as surely as the rubber-band is inclined to retreat back to where it was before it was stretched; so are we inclined to go back to the place we’re trying to grow out of. It’s only when we lose our grip that the rubber-band retreats, and it’s only when we continue to stretch it that we eventually break through. Whether it’s fear, or depression, laziness, or discouragement; it’s easy to retreat back into any of these UNLESS we’re willing to keep stretching…even when it hurts and even IF it takes a million attempts. The Apostle Paul, said ” I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do”. If retreating back into old ways was a problem for one of the Greatest Saints who ever lived; it’s no surprise that it would be a problem for you and me too. It doesn’t matter how many times we (re)stretch the rubber-band that matters. What matters is that we keep stretching and stretching and refusing to retreat back. And if we do that over and over and over again; we eventually break through and the rubber-band can no longer retreat. It would be easy to throw in the towel and proclaim “that’s just the way I am” or to give credit to genes by saying “It runs in my family”, but retreating back to old ways is an on-going battle for ALL of us, and we each make the choice whether to surrender to our weaknesses or to keep stretching until we eventually break through the barriers. This is the key to Victory.

When I’m inclined to retreat back to where I came from, I’m certain of a few things. I know it’s time to regroup and to stretch a little harder. I know that if the Apostle Paul struggled with the same thing and eventually reached Victory, there’s Hope for me too. I know that He’s “my glory and the lifter of my head” and through Him I have the Power to change anything and everything. I know that when I’m inclined to retreat back that I’m on the brink of Great Things and the temptation doesn’t come from a Good Place at all. I’m fighting against the rubber-band-syndrome and I refuse to retreat back into my “old ways”. I’m doing my part to Stretch and I’m leaning on the One who gives me Strength day after day.

How about you?