Are YOU Changing With the Times?

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I was out of town for a few days this week, and I as much as I enjoyed myself with family, I couldn’t wait to get back to the farm. When I returned, I captured the beauty as if I was seeing it for the very first time, and I looked around to see if anything had changed while I was away. John Denver described what my heart feels in one of his songs – “Sometimes this old farm feels like a long lost friend,” and although I know most people would NEVER understand that…that’s the way it is for me. Fall is in the air in Virginia, and things ARE beginning to change fast – from the leaves to the wildlife. Each Season comes along with its own changes and challenges… that’s true for nature…for the world…and definitely in this Journey of Life. I don’t like it when changes go against the way I like things to be. I don’t like it when it’s too cold to enjoy the front porch in the mornings, and I don’t like the way our Country has changed from a place of peace to a place of turmoil. There’s not much I can do to alter the changes in nature or in the world, but the Journey called Life is an entirely different story. It’s how I View the changes that will make all the difference in how I Perceive the Outcome…and with the God of All Seasons, there’s never a reason to fret. Isn’t that the way you look at the Journey called Life, too?

There has never been a more critical time in the history of the world for us to be Focused on the Journey of Life than at this very moment in time. Sadly, some people of Faith are laser-focused on the changes instead of recognizing the Season as if they can change the course of the world or the White House on their own. Apparently, they don’t Understand that there is a Master Plan that was put in place before the foundations of the earth, and no amount of shaking fists and spitting insults is going to change it. Like a rudder on a ship, it’s how we Perceive the Outcome that will set the course for the Journey.

I think Humility is the Greatest Difference Maker of all in the Journey of Life because it’s Humility that can alter the Course of the Heart, where Changes that make an Eternal Impact are born. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If my people, who are called by my name, will HUMBLE themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land”. It takes Humility to surrender control over to the Living God, and it takes Humility to repent. If only people of Faith were more focused on all those Plans that were set in Motion even before the foundations of the earth, I think they’d spend more time on their knees than on the Internet (or their favorite news channel) preparing for the Biggest Change of All. Ready or not, the King is Coming, and it is entirely possible He’ll come back in our lifetime. With that in mind, how we Walk this Journey called Life is far more important than shaking our fists in the wind.

Lots of things are changing in my Life…some changes I welcome with open arms…some changes Stretch me…and some changes I could easily do without. Sure, I lick my wounds every once in a while when things change and I’m not happy about it, but I Know the Source of All change and I Trust Him completely. I’m humble enough to hit my knees, and I’m Wise enough to understand who’s REALLY in Control…and He doesn’t sit in a White House…He sits on the Everlasting Throne. So, I’m Courageous because I don’t even attempt to “operate” in my own strength, but His. Every once in a while, you’ll find me with a downcast heart, but you won’t EVER find me hiding under the bed. Instead, you’ll find me Fighting the ONLY Battle that matters with the ONLY Weapons that can (and do) make a Difference. Things are changing fast – the world is getting darker – the country is divided – and the level of hate is at an all-time high. BUT GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE, and I am Confident that it’s how I Walk the Journey of Life that matters most of all to Him.

The King is coming, and lots of things are changing to Prepare the Way for His return, just like the Bible says it will. Chances are, when He comes Looking for me, He’ll find me Talking about Him somewhere to someone, but He won’t find me debating the condition of the world or shaking my fists in the face of other people that He died for, too! Chances are, He’ll see me looking toward the East in anticipation of seeing Him SOON. Chances are, I’ll be Praising His Holy Name before I ever see Him coming. As for me, I can’t afford to waste my time or deny my God by focusing on this dark world – there is way too much to do to prepare for the King!

We have been Warned about the Changes in the last days, so I don’t understand why it’s not recognizable to the world. We’ve been given Explicit Instructions on how to Walk, Talk, Love, and Behave as Ambassadors for Jesus Christ, but so many professed Christians would MUCH rather talk politics than Jesus any day…sad but true. They’d much rather read about the latest “attack” than they would ever read the Word of God, where the ONLY TRUTH and ALL the answers are found. They’d much rather stir up hate than spread Unconditional Love by loving their enemies the way they’re Instructed to do. Wake up Church!

The dark world definitely needs a little (or a lot of) Light, and I’m just the one to Shine. Demons can’t bear to be in the Presence of Jesus, so I make sure they see Him in me. When I mention the name of Jesus Christ, all those pawns of Satan go running back to Hell where they belong. Anytime I see where the world has lost its Flavor, no worries – I have a Heavenly salt shaker, and I’m happy to fearlessly sprinkle salt everywhere I go because I’m commanded by the God of all Creation to be the “salt of the earth”. “Man is without excuse”.

Things are changing fast, but I was Born for such a Time as this, and when He arrives, I’ll be Ready. It’s how I View the changes that will make all the difference in how I Perceive the Outcome

How about you?

Is it Even Possible to Get Enough Living Water?

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. Fall is my favorite time of the year when the temperatures drop, the colors change, and the deer gather around the farmhouse to consume the abundance of acorns that are now falling to the ground at record speed. When I see the deer grazing nearby, I think about how they gather around the front porch for nourishment just like I do! Psalm 42 says: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” Meeting with the Lord of my Life isn’t just about opening up the Bible and saying a simple prayer for me. I “thirst” for Him, and I’m desperate to meet with Him. When you “thirst” for Him like a deer thirsting for water, you can’t rest until you “find” Him, because you know He’s the Source of your Nourishment for Life. What is true for water is true for the Living Water too – with Him we Live…without Him we die. What a sweet reminder to me straight from the Throne of a Mighty God this morning…He’s the Living Water and I thirst for Him! Isn’t that the way you feel about Him, too?

It’s a little strange when you think about it – animals thirsting for water or food are relentless. They don’t give up until they find it because they intuitively know that it’s a life-or-death situation. A baby in need of nourishment is relentless, too. They’ll cry until they get fed and watered because they intuitively know that it’s a “life or death” situation. Many people are relentless when it comes to something they want or think they need, and they won’t rest until they achieve it, as if their life depends on it. There’s no end to the list of examples of people “thirsting” for things in life, but I wonder how many people THIRST for the Living Water, and I wonder how it’s possible that they can take Him or leave Him on any given day. If they’re a little hungry or a little thirsty, they don’t give up until they satisfy their physical needs, but somehow their Soul never seems to hunger or thirst for the Living God. Is that even possible for a genuine Believer in Jesus Christ?

He’s the Source of Life…the One who “holds the Keys” to Death and Hell…the One who “set the stars in the sky and knows them each by name”…the One who plants the seed of life within a mother at just the right moment in time, and the One who provides every breath from the first one until the last. He’s the One who “sought them and bought” them with His Redeeming blood…the One who “gives and takes away”…the One who knows the Plans He has for us, plans to give us “hope and a future”. He’s the One who has gone “to Prepare a place for us” where we can live for all Eternity with Him. He’s the One who can part the seas, heal the sick, raise the dead, cause the sun to stand still…the One who gives us “the ability to create wealth” and the One who can “heal all your diseases”. He’s the One who stores up every tear we’ve ever shed in a jar because we’re precious to Him. He’s the Alpha and Omega…the Beginning and the End, and He’s MY PERSONAL Savior! Do I thirst for Him? You better believe I do! How could I not? Like a deer thirsting for water, He’s the Source of my Life. I love Him. I need Him. I thirst for Him day after day.

I woke up to a new day, with a heart still beating and air still filling my lungs. I woke up hungering and thirsting for Him. I remember what my life was like before I Invited Him into it, and the Work He’s done in me is nothing short of a MIRACLE. I’ve been on top of the mountain, and deep in the valley, and just about everywhere in between… and it ALL just makes me hunger and thirst for Him more. It took a while, but once He was sure that He had my Full Attention, He went to Work on me to Build a Willing (and Usable) Vessel…one that thirsts for Him day after day. One who NEVER hesitates to mention His Name. The kind of Vessel that will NEVER get enough of Him. He’s the Source of my Life, and I’m always hungering and thirsting for more.

How about you?

Savor or Squander? It’s a Choice.

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s not possible to see a mediocre sunrise or sunset, ESPECIALLY in the Fall of the year in Virginia, and I’m savoring each one as if it’s the last one I’ll ever see. I don’t have a morbid obsession with death, nor am I counting down the days I have left, but I am acutely aware of the frailty of life, and I refuse to waste any of it at all. I’ve always been one to savor life, and I’ve never been one to lose precious moments that other people might dismiss. If only I had a dollar for every time someone commented on my time on the front porch and how “boring” it must be. But that’s because they look for entertainment, and all I seek is God. Watching the Master wake up the world is the very best kind of Entertainment there is, but because I Savor Life and I Worship the King of the mornings. The older I get, and the closer I draw to the Living God, the more beautiful Life around me becomes, and the more I want to savor ALL of it with ALL of me. Isn’t that the way it is for you, too?

It can be so easy to take Life for granted if we aren’t careful. We fail to look up (or to get up) to capture a sunrise and, more often than not, something on television replaces the sunset. We roll out of bed and scurry off to begin the new day, and most of the time we don’t think twice about being physically able to do so. We throw the kids in the backseat and rush off to wherever it is we need to be, and most of the time, a TV monitor in the back seat or a cell phone conversation in the front seat replaces those sweet little voices that can only be heard when we listen out for them. Family mealtime has become a thing of the past. Instead of sharing a meal together at the same table at the same time, one is texting, one is watching television, and the opportunity to hear about what’s going on in the life of the other is lost forever.

I don’t want to wake up one day and wonder what happened with my life, and I don’t want to squander my time. I don’t want to trade good conversations and belly laughs for television, and I don’t want to miss out on all of those precious little moments that come when you anticipate them. I anticipate great things because I Serve a Great God, and I Treasure the beauty because it’s all a Gift from Him, AND because I am acutely aware of the frailty of life. I savored my children, and I’m savoring my grandchildren because I Know what a Gift from God they are, and because of that, they WILL NEVER be replaced with my own entertainment.

I can only try to imagine what Heaven is going to be like, but I anticipate going there, too. With an earth filled with beauty that is impossible for me to capture in pictures or describe with words, Heaven is going to blow my mind. When I get to Heaven, I’ll be busy doing the Work that He’s been preparing for me to do all along, but when I get there, time will stand still. I’ll be there forever with all my loved ones who are/were Believers in Jesus Christ, too. I guess it’s possible for some people to be content with the idea that they’ll go to Heaven and spend Eternity on the sidelines…but NOT ME. I know that if I Savor what He has for me here, and I Work with His Plans and His Purpose in mind…if I work out my “salvation with fear and trembling” then I won’t be on the Sidelines…I’ll just be doing a Heavenly version of His Work intended just for me. With that in mind, who in the world would take Life for granted or be willing to squander their time?

This new day was beautiful when it first began, and it will be beautiful until it ends, too. I’ll leave the squandering up to all the ones who don’t “get it”. Unfortunately, their squandering will lead to a life filled with regrets…something I’ve spent a Lifetime trying to avoid altogether. No doubt I’ll savor all that I possibly can on every day the Lord gives me, and you won’t find me squandering even a minute. Instead, you’ll find me ANTICIPATING Great things. When you look for Great things from God, you find them every time!

How about you?

What Does Your Priority List Look Like?

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. A little time with my Redeemer, a little time digging into my Instruction Manual for Truth, a little coffee, a little rain, and a very Grateful heart, and NOW I’m Set for this new day. Without attention given to my Priority Lists, would my Heart be overflowing with Gratitude this morning? Not a chance! If I don’t keep my Priorities straight, the darkness of the world looks overwhelming to me, and before you know it, my Courage can begin to get shaken, and my Heart begins to get heavy. Keeping my Priorities straight at the start of each new day is what equips me to be ALL that God intends for me to be, and I am forever reminded that I have a Purpose in this life far greater than myself. Jesus Christ IS my biggest priority, and His Plans for me are Prioritized over everything else in my Life. My Priorities are non-negotiable. Isn’t that the way you manage your Journey of Faith, too?

Just like anything else in life, it takes commitment to keep Priorities in check. A busy schedule can easily rock the boat, and if I’m not careful, I might be tempted to rush out the door without a second thought to my Priorities. If I want that busy schedule to go smoothly, then I’d better be Spiritually Equipped for the day. I could easily get distracted by the needs of others, and I might be tempted to set aside my own priorities to put their needs above my own. But if I want to have what it takes to give others the Best Part of me, then I need to have my Spiritual Priorities in order. 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 family, my chores, my errands, my work, or my home. But if I do that, my priorities are no longer a Priority at all, and they take a back seat to so many other things of less importance. If I want to accomplish all the little things in my Life, I’d better be Spiritually equipped to handle the load. My Priorities are non-negotiable.

Sometimes I like to close my eyes and imagine what the world would look like if even a fraction of the people who profess to be Christians had their Priorities straight too. What would it look like if their Hearts overflowed with Gratitude, no matter what the dark world looks like? What would it look like if they set the alarm clock for an earlier time JUST SO that they have time with the Living God before anything else on their list of things to do? What would the world look like if they started seeing their children as an opportunity to raise the next “godly generation” instead of an opportunity to brag about their accomplishments? What would the world look like if the needs of others were Prioritized above their own? What would the world look like if they began to see that their money isn’t their money at all and that God has a Plan for Giving that is Prioritized above our own personal thrills? Godly Priorities should be non-negotiable.

I often hear people say that they don’t have the “luxury” of setting aside time for Priorities like mine – aka Time with the Living God before everything else – but I just wonder…if we don’t have a little time to give to the Living God, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the Prince of peace, the Bright Morning Star, then WHY IN THE WORLD DO THEY EXPECT HIM TO MAKE OUR NEEDS A PRIORITY EITHER? I need Him. I NEED to be the “apple of His eye”, and I NEED for Him to “Hide me in the shadow of His wings,” and for as long as there is breath in my body, He will be my Biggest Priority. My Priorities are non-negotiable because I want ALL that He has for me, and I want to Fulfil my Purpose before He calls me Home. With my Priorities straight, I hope to hear “Well done, good and faithful servant” One Day. For all the professed Believers who refuse to get their Priorities straight, there is no Time like the Present to make things right with the Living God…before it’s too late.

I’ve got my Priorities straight and I Guard my Time with the Living God day after day. He will always come first because my Priorities are non-negotiable. He’s FIRST and my world knows it.

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

Off To The Spiritual Woodshed….Hallelujah!

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I woke up this morning with lots of things on my mind, and I hit the ground running right after prayer time on the front porch. I opened His Word. I prayed for Wisdom. I asked what He had for me on this new day of a new week, but I was attempting to rush things along with the Living God! He Knows my Heart for Him, and He Knows how to get me to slow down and pay attention, that’s for sure. As soon as He Knew He had my full Attention, He took me to the Spiritual Woodshed for (as they say in the south) a little Talkin’ to. One minute I was Praising Him and placing my Requests before His Throne, and the next minute I’m hanging my head in shame over some things in my Heart that need to be made right. We are more precious than gold to the Author and Perfecter of our Faith, and the only way for those Heart issues to ever be made right is if we are willing to spend time with the Refiner and we’re willing to endure His fire. When He reveals these things to us, He’s ready to take us “by the right hand and Lead” us, and He’s ready, willing, and able to Forgive whatever it is. So, off to the Spiritual Woodshed I went, and I’m more Pleasing in His eyes now because of it. Isn’t that the way it works in your Journey of Faith, too?

I think it’s pretty sad that most people of Faith either don’t believe Refining is necessary for them, OR they refuse to talk about the Woodshed for fear of anybody else knowing they aren’t quite as perfect as their world thinks they are. As long as the Heart is content with things “just the way they are”, and as long as we refuse to strive to be ALL that we can be for Him, we can’t expect to grow into all that He Created us to be. He shapes and molds AND Refines those He loves, so the Woodshed is a necessary step to Transform our Lives into something that He will use to Glorify Himself. “No pain…no gain” is more true for our Spiritual fitness than it is for our physical fitness, but it’s hard for some to Believe that God allows a little pain for His own gain…But he does. The closer we draw to Him, the hotter the fire to Refine us becomes because He wants His “Gold” to be pure and as close to Perfect as it can be. I don’t like going to the Spiritual Woodshed, and it would make me a whole lot happier if I never needed to, but I sure do like to Know that He loves me enough to Refine me and that I’m more Pleasing to Him after my Visit. This is the key to Spiritual growth.

It’s a dangerous thing when Christians say “Nobody’s perfect,” “Everybody sins,” or “God loves me anyway”. All these things are TRUE, but they’re more of a Spiritual cop-out than anything else. It somehow makes those guys feel better about their Flaws if they remind the world that God is still there and He’s always ready to forgive. Although forgiveness is the Biggest part of the Spiritual Equation, it’s not the ONLY part of the equation. If He took on the role of Redeemer and He’s already paid the price for every wrong we’ve ever committed (or will in the future), and if our Hearts are sincerely Grateful for the Price He paid for us, then the desire to please Him comes automatically and all those excuses for our wrongs are just lame attempts to mock His Gift to us. I know there is absolutely NOTHING I can do that could push the limit on His Forgiveness…He paid the Price for it ALL on the Cross. But when I think about what He’s done for me, even though I didn’t deserve it, I want to please Him and serve Him and be all that He created me to be. This is the key to Spiritual Maturity.

I’m a grown-up woman and a grown-up Christian, but I’ll be busy working on my Maturity Level every single day that I draw breath into this old body because I want to be found PLEASING to Him. When He needs to take me to the Spiritual Woodshed, I won’t run and I won’t hide like a child, because I know that whatever it is that He’s calling Attention to…it needs to be made Right in my Heart so that I can become ALL that He Created me to be. That’s what grown-ups do.

How about you?

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me” 1 Corinthians 13:11

If You Hate The Bold Ones, You Hate Jesus!

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Don’t worry, the world won’t hate you if you’re silent. BUT if you dare to be bold…if you fearlessly proclaim the name of Jesus Christ for all the world to hear…if you refuse to exchange the truth for a lie…if you stand firm for what the Bible teaches ESPECIALLY when it doesn’t make sense to the deceived ones…THEN don’t be surprised to be hated. This is a spiritual war that needs to be fought with SPIRITUAL WEAPONS! The Bible says,”Greater is He who is IN ME, than he who is in the world” – so we know that no matter how dark and ugly the world gets, Jesus Christ already paid the price for us AND He wins (we win) in the end…period. Until then, I’ll stand strong with Him – I’ll defend the Truth of God – I’ll rally behind the bold ones proclaiming Jesus Christ to this dark world because that’s what all born again Christians are called to do!

Make no mistake about this – someone recently paid the utlimate price for loving Jesus Christ and for sharing Him with the world, so whatever you do, don’t try to politicize your hate. It doesn’t come from a place of “knowledge” or by way of your “intellect” or because you’re wiser than all the rest of us…hate comes from Hell. The ones who hate ANYBODY proclaiming Jesus Christ as lord…hate Jesus Christ… and the future won’t be good for them because of it. But don’t take my word for it – if you read your Bible you’d already know the Truth.

So, what’s your excuse for your hate and do you understand the price you’ll be paying for your “politics”?

Your hate is ugly BUT it’s powerless and (believe it or not) I’ll be praying for you until the end no matter what you say or do. The Word of God tells us to LOVE our enemies and to PRAY for them and by the Grace of God I’ll be doing both for you. Hmm…that’s actually the polar opposite of what the haters say and do! Interesting…

In the meantime, remember this and consider yourself warned:

“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” Revelation 21:7

One last thing, IF YOU’RE A HATER READING THIS, NO NEED TO TAKE THE TIME OR ENERGY TO COMMENT. I’ll delete it as fast as it is posted and I’ll hit my knees in prayer on your behalf 🙂 Just sayin’.

IF YOU ARE LIKE-MINDED (I shouldn’t have to tell you this) SHARE IT WITH THE WORLD.

To God be the glory!

God Has Given Us Truth – He Doesn’t Owe Us Answers!

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cool and breezy this morning, and the Hand of God is still withholding the rain…at least for now…even though the earth is beginning to beg for water. There’s no need to complain about the lack of rain in Virginia or to question God about what’s going on in the dark world, for that matter. HE ALREADY KNOWS we need rain, and HE ALREADY KNOWS what’s going to happen long before it does. It’s human nature to wonder WHY God does what He does, but He doesn’t owe us answers. The Bible says, “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command,” so I put my Trust in the One who formed the earth. He already Knows when He’ll release the rain…and when He does, it will be the Perfect Time for nourishment. He already knows the day we’re to be born and the day we’ll die, and nobody robs the Living God…not even a random killer. Nobody “takes a life” and takes God by surprise. We’re all going to pass from the earth one day, and even though we don’t know how or when…God does. Is a car accident a more merciful way to die than cancer? Is dying of old age a more merciful way to die than drowning? The time to die will come for all, and ONLY God knows how and when. I don’t need to be concerned about things of this world because I’m just passing through, and I don’t need to critique the Hand of God because I don’t know His mind! You might wonder how I can so easily accept the things I see and hear about in this crazy dark world the way I do…well, I’d say is because I was “beaten” into Spiritual Submission to the Living God a long time ago – I died to myself and I traded my Will for His – and now I TRUST THE PERFECT WILL OF GOD no matter what. Isn’t that the way it is for you, too?

It’s troubling to see a world divided while so many people are shaking their fists at God and demanding answers for recent events, but God doesn’t owe us answers – He only “owes” us Truth. We KNOW that “ALL things work together for Good for those who love Him and are called according to His Purpose” – that should be all the Comfort we need at such a time as this! After all, we Know how the Story began, and we Know how the story ends – but all those in-between things we want to understand, and wish we were “in the know” are Managed by the One who “scattered the stars in the sky and knows them each by name”. There was a man by the name of Habakkuk who pleaded with God to reveal His plans, and God responded with “Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” Who are we to question the Plans of God? Who are we to question His Timing? Who are we to imply that God has been robbed when people die in a “tragic” manner? The disciples died “tragic” deaths too – they were beaten, crucified, beheaded, etc., and I don’t believe I’ve ever read that they were killed without the Knowledge of God. Could He have stopped it? Of course, He could! But there was a greater Purpose in calling them Home when and how He did than insisting on death by “natural causes” because (apparently) it is the only compassionate way to die. We don’t know the mind of God, and the sooner we quit claiming we do, the better off the world will be.

There once was a man by the name of Job who suffered indescribable loss all at once – ALL of his kids were killed, ALL of his servants were killed, ALL of his livestock (his ability to make a living) were killed, AND he was robbed of his HEALTH…all these things happened within minutes of each other. What was Job’s response?

It wasn’t to take to the Internet to spit out lies and insults.

It wasn’t to spread hate and deny God.

It wasn’t to take to the streets to celebrate murder.

It wasn’t to mock the God who could have prevented the violence in the first place, but He chose not to.

The Bible says that Job responded to his tragedies by saying, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Be like Job.

Stop Dancing With The Devil!

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s a new day of a new week, and I kicked it off in the best way I know how…in the Presence of the Most High God from this simple farm in Virginia. I couldn’t wait for Him to turn on the lights so that I could see what kind of day He had in store for us all. It takes Light to see what’s ahead, and it takes Light to see my Instruction Manual. As surely as I breathe, I know that the dawn will break and the sun will rise, and the darkness will turn to light eventually…and it doesn’t need any help from me. Understanding that darkness cannot exist in the light is a whole lot more than a scientific fact – it’s a Spiritual Truth we seem to have forgotten…or at least it looks and sounds that way when so many of God’s people would rather dance with the Devil by talking about the “newsworthy” darkness all around them than they would ever dare to Talk about the Light. If only they would replace the “D” word they often use to place blame for the state America is in, and would exchange it with “D for Devil,” who is REALLY behind it all, then the Spiritual Reality of Light and Darkness might actually sink in. Can you imagine a conversation online or around the water cooler – “Did you hear what the Devil said today?” – “Did you see what the Devil did today?” I would imagine the Devil is overjoyed to be the “star of the show” when he’s talked about a whole lot more than Jesus Christ is…and that’s where people like me come in. I KNOW WHY I EXIST – I exist for the sole Purpose of adding Light into this dark world and to be the salt of the earth. So, my Focus today and every day is on the Throne and what GOD IS DOING and not on the Devil’s and his lies. Isn’t that the way you see your Journey of Life, too?

These are troubling times filled with uncertainty, and there are plenty of people wringing their hands and overwhelmed with anxiety about what will “happen next”- but I’m not one of them. I know all too well from my Instruction Manual that as people turn away from the Living God, there are Consequences for all. I know all too well from my Instruction Manual that worrying about the future serves no purpose at all. I know from my Instruction Manual that times will be perilous before my King returns. I know all too well from my Instruction Manual that things always get worse before they get better, and sometimes it takes a tragedy to bring people to their knees in surrender to the Great I am. I know all too well from my Instruction Manual that praying isn’t the only role I have, but that I am to show up and to Speak up for the Living God in all that I do and all that I am…talking politics can’t hold a candle to the Power in the Name of Jesus. I know all too well from my Instruction Manual that the battle for the Light never ends…at least not until we hear the sound of the Trumpet. What makes me sad (and keeps me going) is watching people miss the mark because they’re too entertained by politics than they could ever be about the Living God…sad but true. I know all too well that I was born for a Purpose much greater than those trials around me and that I am expected to do my Part to share the Light every minute of every day. This is the Key to finishing the race well.

It takes the magnificence of the sun to light up the world each day, but it only takes one tiny little Light to light up the darkness around me. One lit match stands out in the dark like a sore thumb, so I know that my Light can easily be seen by the darkness around me, and it will NEVER go unnoticed. The world is filled with people who like to hide their Light in the closet as they convince themselves that the Light is only for their own benefit and not intended to “offend” others. Those people really don’t care if anybody else ever sees their Light (or if someone finds themselves in Hell One Day) because they’ve convinced themselves that praying is their only Major Role in this dark world. But boy, do they like to talk about the Devil and what he’s doing! No doubt if this darkness had a voice, you’d hear how much it hates the Light. – and since it can’t speak to be heard (it uses man to do that), it manifests in countless ways in the silence. It’s when we keep the Light to ourselves that we are of no threat whatsoever to the darkness, and the darkness will soon snuff out the Light if we aren’t careful. Is it any wonder the world around us is getting darker and darker with so many tiny little Lights refusing to Shine?

I’ll be sure to keep the Light shining all the days of my life. It’s a very dark world, but not too dark for my Light to make a world of difference. I might actually inspire others to shine theirs too when they see how Beautiful my Light is and they see that the darkness around me is repelled because of it. Some people might find their own Spiritual backbone when they see how brave I am in a world that hates me because I KNOW I have nothing to fear. Sometimes the wind will blow and the rain will come, and the darkness may try to Silence me in the storm. but I’m not afraid of the Darkness. I’ll be Praising the God OF the storm and I’ll be Victorious every single time because HE says so. I’m encouraged to know that “Greater He who is in me, than he who is in the world”, so my Light will never go out, and I’ll never quit doing my Part to Light up the world around me.

You won’t find me shaking my fist at Congress or giving credit to any politician for the state we are (or aren’t) in because they have no control at all…they’re just pawns of Satan. You will never find me dancing with the Devil by giving him “air time” he doesn’t deserve. Instead you’ll find me boldly Proclaiming the Name of Jesus Christ “in the presence of mine enemies” and you’ll see me doing the Victory Dance because I know who wins this War. When I Speak the name of Jesus Christ every demon in Hell shudders because they know His Name and they fear Him! I refuse to talk about the Devil and all wrong that he’s doing in this dark world. Instead, I’ll keep talking about my Jesus and all the Good He’s doing and because of it, a lot of that darkness will be snuffed out faster than you can say “Amen”. If you love talking about “politics” and you can’t get enough of the conspiracy chatter – if you insist on focusing on the darkness a whole lot more than you do on the Light…it’s not going to end well for you. Just sayin.

Consider Yourself Warned…

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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 for my first cup of coffee…a little cool…a little foggy…a little quiet…but with the potential to be incredible no matter what. As things get more and more stirred up in America as the battle against Good and evil unfolds, it’s MORE important than ever for me to remain Grounded in the Truth. Although the world is divided and filled with whitewashed truth, there is only ONE Truth and only ONE way to fight a Spiritual Battle. It’s when we forget that part that we end up in a mess every time! I Serve a God who doesn’t compromise the Truth because He WROTE the Rules, and He absolutely hates violence. Psalm 11:5 says, “The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, THOSE WHO LOVE VIOLENCE, He hates with a passion”. Every day I seek the Face of my Savior, and every day I dig into His Word looking for Peace, Comfort, Truth, and Marching Orders. My God is one to fear, and there is no limit to His Power. My God has the keys to Hell and death, and He has an Answer for all things. Why in the world would I look anywhere else for Truth, and why would I care about any opinion or approval other than His? If the side of the world professing to be Christian but choosing to spit out hate, celebrate death, and rely on social media for “truth,” would only turn to the Source and follow the Rules, the entire world would look different than it does today.

If there’s one thing that can set my hair on fire, it’s being around people who love to CLAIM they belong to the Family of God but who refuse to walk like it, talk like it, stand like it, or love like it. They support the same sins that God Almighty clearly condemns, and they attempt to put His Signature on their playbook that was Handwritten in Hell. They have their own version of truth that has been fueled by hate and spread by social media, and they’re sure (these days) to let you know what that looks like, whether you like it or not – worse yet, they demand you believe it “or else”. More and more, as these lost people “fight for justice” or defend things like abortion (for any reason), or they celebrate the death of someone they hate(d) for preaching the Word of God, it becomes painfully obvious that those self-professing “Christians” have no idea what God’s Truth looks like at all – and my guess is that they never did. I don’t think they’ll need to worry about having their Membership Card to the Christian Club revoked because it doesn’t look like it was ever Valid in the first place. Romans 1:25 Bible warns us about such things – “They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen” – so their vile behavior isn’t a surprise to God…or me…BUT just in case they need a reminder straight from the Authentic Rule Book, “God will not be mocked,” and “It’s a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God”. Consider yourself warned.

There are only two Players in this Spiritual War, and it’s not Democrats or Republicans – liberals or conservatives – it’s God (and those standing for Him) and the Devil (and those who are doing his bidding). Sadly, those who have exchanged the Truth for a lie and who are willfully going against the Living God will pay an eternal price for being so willing to be Pawns of Satan…and no amount of denial or debating will change that Fact. Jesus said, “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters”. In a sea of people PROFESSING to be card-carrying members of the family of God while they spit out hate and celebrate the death of the righteous ones…I pity you for sure, BUT I won’t fight with you here on this earth because the real Battle takes place in the Heavenly realm, and Victory will always be with those who are Faithful to the Creator of all. You don’t believe that? Just wait and see how fruitless your hate is with God on the Throne. Don’t you think it’s time for you to get sold out for Jesus like you proclaim to be before it’s too late? If only the scoffers could direct all that passion to the God of all Creation instead of to the enemy of this world, we could ignite a Fire that could not be contained…a fire of Revival.

If you’re busy politicking in the name of “democracy”, I’ll be praying for you and by the grace of my God, I’ll love you, BUT I WILL NOT forsake my God…or His commands…ever. I will fearlessly stand WITH HIM, and I’ll cling to the Truth all the days of my Life, and I am confident that “Greater is He (Jesus) who is in me, than he (the Devil) is in the world”.

I’m grounded in the Truth.

I Know Who wins.

I am a proud American who belongs to the King.

I’m unshakable.

I’m unstoppable.

How about you? Do you call yourself a Christian but you fight for things God hates? I would suggest that you put as much time into reading the Word of God as you do on social media and HE WILL reveal the real Truth to you whether you like it or not. Just sayin’.

What Was Intended to Harm, GOD Intended For Good

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. Fall is definitely in the air, and foliage around the farm is changing too fast for my own liking. The leaves are beginning to change color, and some are already dropping to the ground. When I looked over at this hydrangea planted next to the front porch, I had to smile. Right in the middle of all the other blooms that are turning pink and in the process of dying, there is one big beautiful white flower blooming as if it were Spring. This flower seems totally oblivious to the dangers of winter, and it looks determined to be beautiful for as long as it can be. Only God could bring forth this bloom in a sea of dead blooms, and it’s like a Gift to remind me of the Seasons of Life. This bloom will have a very short life because the cold weather will soon snuff it out. But the fact that the bloom won’t last long doesn’t take away the beauty it will bring while it’s here. That out-of-place, beautiful white bloom reminds me of the life of Charlie Kirk. Charlie didn’t bloom for as long as we would have liked him to, but the beauty he added to a world that is fading fast was priceless! I believe 2 Timothy 4:2 is the perfect Scripture for Charlie – “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction”. I’m celebrating Charlie’s life today much more than I am mourning; a life that left a mark on this dark world, and a life that led Charlie to his ultimate Victory…Charlie is in the arms of Jesus. Isn’t that the way you see it, too?

Charlie didn’t care that he stood out like a sore thumb in a world of opposing views…Charlie loved Jesus. Charlie didn’t hesitate to defend the Truth in a sea of haters…Charlie loved Jesus. Charlie didn’t hesitate to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ because he understood Who is really in charge, and he never cowered away from giving Glory to the One Who gave him the platform. Charlie didn’t care that He (seemingly) was the only man standing in a pool of scoffers…Charlie loved Jesus. Charlie understood that the stakes were high and time was short, and he ran at full throttle regardless of the cost…Charlie loved Jesus. Charlie didn’t hide in fear in the face of adversity because he Trusted Jesus. I’m pretty sure Charlie wasn’t afraid to die in the name of the One Who died for him, and although I’m confident that Charlie would not have wanted to leave this earth now, he Understood that God’s timing is Perfect.

The world lost a champion yesterday when Charlie Kirk drew his last breath – but the story doesn’t end there. In fact, it’s just the beginning for Charlie. The body God Designed for Charlie to use on earth expired at 31 years, but his Soul, which was SOLD OUT for Jesus Christ, will go on forever in the presence of God – and THAT should be our focus at such a time as this. Someone described Charlie as being like a combination of Billy Graham and Rush Limbaugh, and now, Praise God, Charlie is in the presence of both of them for all of Eternity. I can’t begin to imagine what it was like when they greeted one another! He fought the good fight, and he finished the race, and there is no doubt in my mind that Charlie heard, “Well done, good and faithful servant”! Of course, we mourn the loss of this champion and rightfully so, BUT we should be celebrating Charlie’s victory more than anything! We should be in awe of God’s Call on his life and all He accomplished for the Kingdom of God in just 31 years. We should be feeling stronger, NOT weaker, as we consider this world without him because of the Gift he gave to us all! It isn’t the time to stir up hate. It isn’t the time to place blame. It isn’t the time to fight this Spiritual Battle with weapons of the flesh like we saw yesterday – we ONLY fight this kind of Battle with Spiritual Weapons that are available to all who Believe. That’s what Charlie would want.

Genesis 50:20 says, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives”. We have no way of knowing how many lives were “saved” because of Charlie Kirk and His bold stand for Jesus Christ. In the shock wave of his life being snuffed out, it’s not easy to remember that NOBODY robs God. Charlie died precisely when God Called for him…no sooner and no later. Charlie was the CEO of Turning Point, but the Living God is the CEO of the Universe, and He’s STILL in control of this dark world and everything in it. His “power is made perfect in weakness”.

I don’t need to tell Charlie to “rest in peace” because I know the minute he drew his last breath, he was in the very presence of the Prince of Peace. This dark world is far behind him now, and He’s focused on the King! No doubt there will be a giant hole where Charlie Kirk used to be, especially for his precious wife and his children, but the best way for us to honor his life is for us to persevere against adversity in the name of Jesus Christ just like he did AND to NOT taint his memory with hate. One Day I’ll be able to thank Him personally for all he did for Kingdom in his 31 years and I’m praying you’ll be doing the same. There’s only one way to be sure and that is to be SOLD OUT for Jesus just like Charlie was. I am. Are you?