Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I woke up feeling the pain of my laborious weekend, and my mood was inclined to follow what my body feels this morning. I didn’t feel like getting up and I didn’t feel like sitting on the front porch. I didn’t feel like welcoming in the new day and I didn’t feel like filling my soul. But I forced myself into motion to do what I do each day, and after just a little time with the Living God and a little time pondering my Instruction Manual and now; my body may be in slow motion this morning but my soul is full-speed-ahead and my aches and pains won’t hinder what the Master has for me today. Isn’t that the way it is with you too?

I love being older and wiser but there are some things about getting older that aren’t fun. The body begins to rebel a little bit and our strength and stamina aren’t what they used to be. What used to be effortless can become a major undertaking and what used to take minutes can take much longer. We lick our wounds a little more when we’re older and if we aren’t careful we’ll stop doing those things that test the body altogether because we’re not willing to pay the price or to take the risk. Although we can only do so much to turn-back-the-clock for the body, being “old” is really a state of mind. The mind is much stronger than the body is and so much of what we excuse away and we stop trying to do has more to do with the state of the mind than it does with the frailty of the body. The mind can propel forward and the mind can cheer us on OR the mind can stop us in our tracts. The mind can convince us that we’re “too old” to do this or that, and the mind can override the fears of age. It’s when the mind and the heart are willing, that the body will follow too, and although it may not be able to physically keep up the same as it did in the old days; we keep moving forward for Him.

Our Purpose doesn’t fade with old age although most people embrace the concept of doing less as they get older. It may be a little more difficult to do what we did years ago, but when we’re willing; our wisdom makes up for the loss. So many of the Saints that we read about in the Bible like Noah and Abraham and Moses were called into service in their senior years, and I’m pretty sure they had aches and pains too. But when Faith is foremost and the heart is focused on pleasing our God, fear of age takes a back seat, and when the heart is willing; the body will follow…even if it’s tired or achy. It’s when we slow down to lick our wounds or we convince ourselves that service is for younger people that life has already ended for us; we just haven’t stopped breathing yet. Our days are allotted to us with great Purpose, and each day is a gift from God. Not just for us to be around to enjoy the view from the front porch of a farm in Virginia or to play with the grands, but to serve Him. Is it possible to be “too old” for that?

My body may be feeling the pain of my efforts, but my mind and my heart are ready for this new day and I’ll continue to do the Work of the King no matter what. I’ve been blessed with long years and I’ve been blessed with good health and I’ve been double blessed with Wisdom that came with the journey, and I’m not willing to take stop working or to take any of these things for granted…not even for one day… even if it “hurts”. How about you? Do you allow the limitations of age to limit your Heart too and are you sitting back licking your wounds while you expect somebody younger do the work? If so, reach out to me. I’ll write a list that will wrap around Virginia a few times of examples of people given the Strength to do His Work with no regard for age, and I’ll explain the dangers of surrendering your Purpose because of your years, and when I’m done with you; you’ll keep Moving toward the Goal despite your age and your aches and pains and you’ll Serve the King all the days of your life with a body that may be tired, but with a Heart that refuses to stop singing too.

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. As surely as God Almighty is changing this morning sky, He’s changing the direction of my plans, and when He does; I need to be as willing to move as freely as the clouds do when He changes their course. It’s not easy for me to shift in another direction sometimes….especially when my work is dedicated to Him. I’ll keep forcing against all odds and I’ll keep the creative juices flowing as if I’ll somehow force a square peg into a round hole until eventually; I surrender. It’s when I surrender to whatever He has Planned for me and my Life that I find the peace I’ve been looking for all along. Isn’t that the way it is for you too?

When God changes the Plans that man facilitates, it’s not always easy to see His Hand. Sometimes we’ll keep forging ahead despite the adversity while we’re convinced that every roadblock can be credited to warfare. But sometimes those roadblocks come from Him, and sometimes He has a different idea than the ones we believe are being played out in His Name. Being strong and courageous in the midst of the trials as we step into those plans is one thing. Listening to His voice and accepting His ways is another. It’s when we refuse to pause and we refuse to allow Him to show Himself in the midst of the facilitating that we can cause the most painful of circumstances. But when we get to that point…that breaking point…that need to change the course point from the way WE envisioned things would be to the way He envisioned them to be that the true beauty begins to unfold.

I fought hard for my plans and I wrestled with changes mostly because I was afraid of disappointing other people; as if changing the way things look on the outside changes the Power of my God. I fought hard and I wrestled over the headcount of people that would experience His Plan; as if a smaller crowd dims the Glory of my God. I fought hard and I wrestled with things that were distracting people away from my plans and into the hands of the plans of others; as if God doesn’t know who is supposed to be where. I fought hard and I wrestled with the opinion of others as I set out to fulfill His Plans; as if their opinions have any impact on my God and His Plans at all. I fought hard and I wrestled with the perception of “failure” as things shrunk into a manageable size; as if it’s possible for anything anointed by God to fail at all. I fought hard for Him day after day and I stayed on course UNTIL He made the change of plans a necessity. And now I am filled with peace and excitement about what my God is about to do with what He has put before me to help facilitate in His name. I’m not sure what it will “look” like exactly, but I know that for reasons of His own He had a different idea of how He wanted things to be and it’s my honor to Serve Him no matter what. His Plans are always Perfect and I know that the “changes” will lead to beauty beyond my ability to comprehend. Hallelujah!

I’ve been tried and stretched and I’ve fought hard and wrestled but NOW I am Peace and I’m so excited to see what He has in store. I know that there will be some people that will fail to see His Hand in the changes, but that’s okay because I know that those who are present to see His Hand at work…the ones that are set out to experience His Plans no matter the shape and size of the venue He uses will be shouting from the mountaintops when they see Him work it out. Glory to God. Isn’t that what it’s ALWAYS about?

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 cloudy…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 provide “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, cloudy 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 a 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 care-free 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’s 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 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 disappointed another, but sometimes I do. When I’m feeling any one 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. I may be “only human” but it’s not okay to live that way, and if I draw everything I need from Him; it shows.

I may have started out feeling cloudy and cool and quiet this morning 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. How about you? Do you lack those King-Sized Characteristics that you wish you had, while you refuse to put in the time and effort to be more like Him? If so, reach out to me. I’ll show you what Life looks like WITH Him and I’ll warn you about what life can look like WITHOUT Him too, and when I’m done with you; you’ll see yourself as a weakling just like me and you’ll realize that your Greatness will come when you let the world see Him instead of you, and before you know it you’ll be running to the source of your Strength every day to sharpen your King-Sized Characteristics too!

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I met with the Master at the break of dawn but the sun was hidden by the clouds and it’s destined to rain again today. It doesn’t take a whole lot of rain to cause the creek to rise, and as I considered the water’s journey and all of the obstacles it goes through along the way; it reminded me of my life. There have been lots of twists and turns and lots of obstacles along the way, but as long as I persevere; none of these things can stop me if I keep moving toward the larger body of water…the Living Water….my Ultimate Destination. Isn’t that the way it is for you too?

When you think about it, it should come as no surprise that Jesus Christ referred to Himself as “Living Water” over and over again. Without water, all life would cease to exist. Without a healthy water source, all life would suffer the consequences and eventually succumb to disease. Water is unstoppable and sometimes it’s relentless in its journey. No mountain, or rocks or any man-made means can stop water completely because nothing can get it’s way of the ultimate goal. It might hit a few obstacles along the way and it might just have to re-route because of it; but it’s unstoppable and it keeps moving toward its ultimate destination. Water is the most powerful solvent and it can “chip” away at anything that stands in it’s way. It’s also the most important nutrient for the human body and when the body goes without it; it suffers. When water sits still it becomes “dead” and stagnant and it is no longer of good use to any life, so “flowing Rivers” is key to get the full benefits of water. The earth is covered with plenty of sea water but if we consume too much salty sea water it leads to death…not life. Every living thing on the earth needs water for life…water that flows freely and water that’s unstoppable…and the Living Waters is the Source of it all… in more ways than one.

Just like riving flowing, life is filled with obstacles but if we focus on our Ultimate Destination, we’ll be unstoppable too. As long as we keep moving we’ll chip away at everything that stands in our way. We’ll sometimes have to re-route in order to keep moving, but re-routing doesn’t mean we lost the battle or that anything had the potential to stop our journey…it just means we had to adjust. If we sit still and we stop moving toward our Ultimate Destination we become stagnant and we are no longer of good use to others. If we allow our journey to add too much salt into life, it’s possible for the bitterness of the salt to take over, and we stand the chance of dimming the True Benefits of the Living Water because of it. As long as we allow the Living Waters to flow freely through us, we can be fierce when it’s needed…but we can be full of life and beautiful too. When others see the Living Waters flowing freely through us; they’ll want to take a little time to enjoy the Peace that comes with it, and it’s when they see the beauty of the Living Waters flowing through us…they’re inclined to want to have Living Water flowing through them too.

Jesus said ” Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” I have Living Water flowing through me and I’ll “never thirst again”. I’ll continue to work my way around every single obstacle I encounter and I’ll keep moving toward my Ultimate Destination as surely as the rivers flow.

How about you? Do you have Living Waters flowing through you? If not, I’ll show you the way. Remember, Living Water is the most powerful Source of all and you’ll never thirst again. Does it get any better than that? Not in my book!

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s back-to-work after a season to celebrate our labor and as I met with the Living God at sunrise this morning, I considered the importance of the work of my hands and I gave thanks for it all. Some of my work is to earn my living and some of my work is to take care of my home. Some of my work is dedicated to my family and some of my work involves ministering to suffering souls….but ALL of my work is done with Him in mind and I never forget that I’ve “been called according to His Purpose”. Isn’t that the way you look at your work too?

It’s human nature to attempt to compartmentalize our lives. One piece belongs at the office and one piece belongs in the home. One piece belongs in church and one piece belongs to recreation. But ALL of the pieces of our lives should have a common denominator…it all should be with HIS Purpose in mind and not in our own. To most people, our work is a merely a symbol of our success and a means of making our wealth and we raise our children to chase the biggest paycheck and the most impressive title in the workplace. The inclinations or nature desires that our children have to do something that doesn’t pay as well, or that doesn’t impress the world, are discouraged and labeled as a “waste of time” by their parents who long to brag about their successes. But if we’re doing what God calls us to do; how can we NOT be successful? We are taught to squash out those God-given gifts and talents and to chase fame and fortune instead, and when we do; we get in the way of the Plans that God has for each one of us that have been “called according to His purpose”. The greatest joy in life comes to us when we are fulfilling HIS PLANS for our lives and not our own.

It’s easy to resent our work when we’re doing something that doesn’t bring us joy and when we overlook the true Purpose behind our work. It’s when we consider that He will place us precisely where He wants us to be (if we let Him) so that we can accomplish what we were CREATED to accomplish that we find our contentment…and our EXCITEMENT for each new day. When we finally get the Big Picture life is more like an adventure that the “hard work” so many people complain about, and it’s only THEN that we understand our Significance…no matter the size of the paycheck or the title on the door. Our job is one of the greatest opportunities to be a Witness to the world of our character and of our integrity and our love and compassion that ONLY come from the Living God. Whether it’s 8 hours or 10 hours or 12 hours or more that we spend in the office; it’s ALL time that truly belongs to Him and there is a Purpose much bigger than your paycheck to be there! If that doesn’t excite you…nothing will!”

I’m giving thanks for the work of my hands in every corner of my life and I’m on the “look-out” for what He wants me to do today. He IS my World…so everything around me from my family to my work will be savored and loved and “dealt with” according to His Purpose…and not my own. That’s my REAL job and He’s the only “Boss” that matters to me. I’m excited to get to work! How about you?”

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us- yes, establish the work of our hands.”

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It looks like there’s a battle going on the sky this morning between the sun and the clouds, each one leveraging for position this morning. This picture reminded me of the world we live in today…a never-ending battle over good and “bad” and a never-ending battle for position. While today has been declared a National Day of Prayer for those poor people dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey…prayers of hope and prayers for restoration and strength…there’s another storm brewing for “bad” as one group is scurrying around to gather up funds for “emergency” abortions for the storm victims that may be at risk of running out of time to terminate life within the legally allowable limits. The never ending battle over good and “bad”….

Christians get in a whole lot of hot water for speaking-up for Truth…at least those of us bold enough to speak, that is. When we speak-up about things like abortion or homosexuality or any other modern-day “right” the world fights over, our words are twisted and turned and we’re painted into being judgmental and opinionated fools. But we’re just Ambassadors for the One Who set the Rules in place, and we’re just the Messengers of Truth on His behalf. Oh…there are some Christians that point fingers and beat people over the head with Bibles with no love or compassion at all, and I can’t say that I blame the world for not listening to the Truth when they do. But there are plenty of others with Christ-like compassion willing to spread the Truth with love and kindness that get thrown under the bus with all the rest. At this time when life is in absolute turmoil for so many people in the aftermath of Harvey…a time where we gather to pray on their behalf…a time when we’ll do what we can to help them rebuild their lives and we’ll shed tears over their circumstances….is also a time that “bad” attempts to squash out the good with a focus on ending human life to spare them from the woes of this world. The never-ending battle over good and “bad”…

There’s no such thing as “choice” when it comes to taking the life of another human being and there’s no such thing as a “fetus” that has feels no pain or that has no soul. There’s no such thing as an accidental pregnancy when you understand Who creates life in the first place, and there will never be a need for “emergency abortions”. There’s no such thing as “safe” abortions and there’s no such thing as preventing “back alley” abortions just because they can be performed in a clinic these days. To some, abortion is still considered shameful and they’ll opt for a back alley abortion to keep their secret “secret” over signing into the clinic for a legal one every time. So far there have been over 60 million lives lost to abortion by legally allowable means since abortion became legal. We have no way of knowing how many other secret abortions have taken place. But 60 million people will never be a voice in America and 60 million people will never make their mark. These 60 million people will never fill our schools or the workplace or churches of even the government and they’ll never vote. They’ll never work to pour money into our economy and they’ll never stand up for good or “bad”. The only way to endure the thought over what we’ve allowed to happen to these innocent lives, is by knowing that the God that knit them together in their mother’s womb welcomed them Home to Himself the second the “bad” snuffed the life out of them; emergency abortion or not.

I’ve been praying for the Harvey victims and for all of those selfless people working so hard to help them, and I’ll be praying for them long after this National Day of Prayer is over. And while I’m praying for Good for the people of Texas and Louisiana, I’ll be praying against the “bad” that is trying so hard to creep into a vulnerable situation to prey on the weak and “helpless” people. There’s a battle going on between “good” and bad and I’m doing my part to Fight!

Are you willing to stand up for Truth and to Fight back with prayer and your voice EVEN IF it means you aren’t so popular when you do?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. This 1st day of September has the feel of the Fall season and it’s a reminder to me that things are destined to change around this old farm pretty soon. The days will be shorter and the air will be cooler. The leaves will change color and the wildlife will be preparing for the cold. Soon I’ll be heading inside to meet with the Living God instead of outside on the front porch. No amount of effort from man and no amount of threat of global warming will change these things; they’re destined to be. When it comes to those things destined by the Hand of the Living God…whether it’s the change of our seasons…good or bad circumstances…painful times or joyful times…I Trust Him. Isn’t that the way it is for you too?

It’s easy to sing praises and to trust God when things are going well. It’s easy to give thanks when there is enough food on the table or when everybody is healthy and getting along. It’s easy to trust God when the family is in order and relationships are strong and when we’ve got a roof over our heads. There’s no cause to be challenged with Trust issues when everything in life is smooth sailing. But it’s an entirely different story when the seasons in life change for the worse and our world is turned upside-down. It’s during chose challenging times that we are inclined to dig into our Faith and cry out to our God; but do we TRUST Him? Do we Trust His Plans when we lose our health or when we lose a loved one or do we just tolerate the pain and question “why?”. Do we merely endure through the agony that we experience in life sometimes, or do we consider that He has a Purpose in it all? Do we mourn our loved ones when they leave this earth and do we feel like we’ve “lost” them when He calls them Home to Himself? Life is destined to be filled with heartbreak and trials along with all of the good. It’s a piece-of-cake to Trust Him when things are good, but do we Trust Him when things aren’t?

I have no idea how many people are shaking their heads and questioning why a Loving God would allow Hurricane Harvey to come through town and bring forth such destruction….but it’s a LOT. There are countless others mocking people of Faith and shouting obscenities about the Living God because of their circumstances. Some are denying the existence of a God at all because of this tragedy, and they somehow don’t accept that bad things DO happen to good people. I don’t know for sure why God allows for calamity, but although my heart breaks over the suffering; I choose to Trust Him with His Plans. I know that He doesn’t bring forth destruction for the lack of love for ALL people and I know that He doesn’t leave His Throne and forget to protect us. After all, He sent His one and only Son to die for the sins of the world so that we might have Life everlasting…that kind of Love is impossible to comprehend! I’m not sure why people get old and sick or why people die young. I don’t know why the poor exist in our world or why we have times of war. I don’t know why people stop loving each other and homes are destroyed, and I don’t know why some people will suffer the loss of all their materials things through tragedy. But I DO KNOW that He is a multi-faceted God, and somehow the bad things are threaded into ALL of those good things that we find it to be so easy to Trust Him with. If He’s good enough to Trust with the Good and to give thanks to when things are smooth sailing, He’s certainly Worthy of our Praise and our Thanks EVEN when the course of life changes. This is the Key to Trust.

I’m Trusting Him with the bad things even more than the good things and I will NEVER stop praising Him through it all. I know that He says “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways” so it isn’t wise for me to try to figure out God with my simple human mind. I have to Trust Him with my heart and my life instead. Through the good…through the bad…through the ugly…through the heartbreak….through the destruction…through death…through the poverty…through it ALL. He is my loving and compassionate God and I TRUST Him even though I don’t always understand His thoughts or His ways.

Do you Trust Him?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. No attempt on my part could possibly measure-up when it comes to describing the beauty of this new day. Sometimes there are no words for what my heart sees and sometimes it’s nearly impossible to put words to the gratitude my heart feels. So, instead of forcing against the flow of my heart; I sat in silence before my God this morning. He knows what my heart feels and He doesn’t need to hear my words to feel my love. And although there is no way to measure my overwhelming feeling of gratitude this morning; He knows that I am. Isn’t that the way that it is for your sometimes too?

Working against the flow is something that some people of Faith know a lot about. Some of us work against the flow of this dark world day in and day out and sometimes we’re persecuted for our Faith because of it. Some of us are willing to “take one for the Team” when we’re ridiculed and we’re called vile names just because of Who we Serve. Some of us have learned to love the sinner even while we hate the sin and we’re ready, willing and able to share our Faith at every opportunity presented by God. Some of us kick fear to the curb and we’ll stand up for Righteousness every time and in any audience, and if we do it accordingly to Instructions by God; not only are we unshakable but we’re kind and gentle too. Some of us value Forgiveness and we’ve learned to turn the other cheek to those who wrong us…even if it happens over and over again. Some of us have learned not to judge others because we hold on to the Truth and we never forget about who and what we are without Him… and we treasure our Redemption above all. Some of us have learned to love ourselves a whole lot less while we Serve somebody else in His Name, because we know that what we do for them; we do for Him. Some of us get weary as we work against the flow day in and day out and if we’re not careful; we could easily get discouraged. But some of us understand that we aren’t the Source of our own Strength, so we run to the One Who is over and over again. Going against the flow is the key to living out our Faith with excellence.

Most people of Faith don’t know what it is to go against the flow and they’ve convinced themselves that their roll is to mind their own business, to live peacefully and to fill-up a seat on their favorite pew each Sunday morning. They think they’re doing well to be polite to the world and they think if they wear a cross around their neck for all the world to see; that they’ll be recognized as people of Faith without saying a word. Sometimes when I see how some of the cross-wearers behave, I wish they’d remove their symbol before they open their mouth so they don’t make a mockery of what we really believe or how we’re really called to live our lives. Some of these people of Faith believe that if you are living “the right way” you won’t have big problems in life and that the rest of the world just needs to behave to stop the suffering. Some of them somehow believe that they ARE the judge and jury in this life, as if God needs their help to balance the scales. Some of them justify their words and their actions as they set out for vengeance, even though they know that their God says “vengeance is mine”. But what these people really want is to hear the echo of their own hateful words. They want to inflict pain in the name of righteousness and they set out to demand justice because they’ve convinced themselves that they’re worthy of more. Unfortunately, some of the best opportunities to be a good Witness of our Faith is in how we react when we’ve been wronged…. but most of these will never know what that means at all. It’s sad to see so many people of Faith refusing to go against the flow while they busy themselves being sure to “fit in” with all of the rest.

I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the beauty of this new day and for all that He is and all that He does for me. My heart has been prepared to live out my Faith with excellence, and I’ll be going against the flow of this dark world today no matter the consequences to me. I won’t need a cross around my neck to convince someone else that I’m a woman of Faith; they’ll see my Faith in my words and my actions and through my heart without any symbol at all. How about you? Do you go against the flow in this dark world or are you so busy trying to fit-in that you refuse to be “different” while you’re too scared to speak up for Righteousness at all? IF so, reach out to me. It sounds like you might need a good reminder of what God really expects of you and how going against the flow is what He looks for in His people and how being a “spiritual slug” just might have eternal consequences for you, and when I’m done with you; you’ll equip yourself to go against the flow in His Name too and this dark world will have a little more Light to deal with.