Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. When I stepped outside this morning it was a mere 28° but with a Heart already overflowing with warmth from the Love of my Savior, my Heart shouted “GLORY!” as if this was the first morning I’d ever seen. It’s a lot like that for me with the Word of God too. I can read the same Words a hundred times over and, although they feed my soul each time, once in a while they Light up like the sunrise and I can’t help but shout “GLORY!” when I read them too. Although some things about my Life are “routine”, nothing about my Time with God is! I refuse for my Spiritual Life to be routine just for the sake of sticking to some self-induced schedule, and I long for the next time my Heart shouts “GLORY!” to the King of all kings. I am FREE in every imaginable way…especially when it comes to the Author and Perfector of my Faith. What a mighty God I serve who can make all things New just like He did this morning! I know with certainty that when the Heart overflows with Anticipation for all that He is and all that He does, it will naturally hunger for Him as if today is the first and the last. Isn’t that the way it is for you in the Journey of Life too?

I wonder how many people never notice the sunrise on any given day or how many refuse to trade slumber to experience it for themselves? I wonder how many people will walk through this day dreading what lies ahead, or how many headed off to work complaining? I wonder how many people will fear the future today and how many will look under rocks for truth? I wonder how many people will set out to end a relationship today and how many will trade time with a child for time with a smartphone? I wonder how many people will take inventory of their lives and how many will whine for more? I wonder how many people will blame someone or something else for why they can’t be happy? Of all the things I wonder, mostly I wonder how many people of Faith met this new day with Anticipation for all that He is and all that He does and if they’ve ever been so Moved by His Majesty that they couldn’t help but shout “GLORY!” over something they’ve already seen hundreds of times before. We don’t Serve a God of mundane things, we Serve a God of New Things…not losing Sight of this Truth is the Key to Peace and Joy through it all.

Faith is much more than just believing that Jesus died on the cross for our sins – genuine Faith includes genuine Trust and it’s backed up with genuine Belief. When I see how many people of Faith live like the Israelites did when they wandered around in the desert complaining for forty years, I hurt for them. When I see so many people of Faith walking the Journey with no Joy, I hurt for them. When I see people of Faith with a doomsday mentality looking under rocks for a version of truth, I hurt for them. When I see people of faith wringing their hands over the uncertainty that surrounds us, I hurt for them. When I see people of faith spitting out insults and cursing the bad guys as if God has left the Throne and left them in charge, I hurt for them. Sadly, all of these people believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, but they’ve been convinced that’s all there is to the Journey of Life. Unfortunately, they “have a form of godliness but deny its power” and they don’t genuinely Believe that He can…and HE WILL… make ALL things new in His time. No wonder they never shout “GLORY” over something they’ve seen or heard a million times before!

I am an imperfect woman living an imperfect life that’s filled with uncertainty just like everybody else’s…BUT I am filled with Anticipation for what God is doing even when I can’t see it and I choose to turn to God for my Joy…in the sunrise, in His Word, and in the New Day. I Hunger for Him, I Trust in His Word, and the Holy Spirit is my Guide. How could everything NOT be New when I have the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit on my side! I KNOW what my Future holds and I KNOW what I’m supposed to be doing until that New Day comes….and if that’s not enough to make you shout “GLORY!” I don’t know what is.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s partly cloudy and slightly sunny and at first glance, it appears to be a warm day. But don’t let the photo fool you. I ventured outside to see what God was up to this morning but I didn’t last long at all. Despite the bright sun, the cool temperature and the steady breeze made it too cold for comfort…at least for now. About this time every year, my Heart begins to yearn for the Spring – a time when my mornings will once again be spent outside on the porch instead of inside looking out. Until then, I’ll be grateful for whatever today brings because I’ve “learned to be content” in this Journey of Life. Every day I pray for the Church and every day I mourn over how distracted and divided God’s people are. We aren’t (necessarily) divided over doctrine…although there will always be some of that going on. Instead, we’re distracted and divided by things of this world that shouldn’t even hit the radar screen for Believers in this Journey of Faith. It’s not easy to avoid the “headlines” that’s for sure, so it takes more Determination than ever to “take captive every thought” to keep things in Spiritual Perspective. As for me, I will ALWAYS be more focused on who’s name is written in the “Lamb Book of Life” than who’s name is written on the Epstein list. Because I clearly understand my Priorities as a Follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, I Focus much more on the Condition of my own Heart than I do the condition of the world or the White House, and because I do, my Compassion for the lost ones never fades. Isn’t that the way the Journey of Faith is supposed to be for genuine Believers?

There is no doubt that I can be a bold Voice for my God when I speak up in this dark world, but it takes much more than a bold voice to be Useful to Him with words. It takes a Heart in Good condition…a tender Heart and a compassionate Heart that gives me the ability to recognize pain in another…and it’s THAT part of the Journey of Faith that I ( we all) struggle with the most. It doesn’t take much for me to cry over somebody’s pain and it doesn’t take much for me to roar like a lion when I see harshness or unfairness toward someone else all in the name of Christianity. It doesn’t take much for me to trade sleep for prayer as I appeal to my God for mercy on behalf of someone else. It doesn’t take much for me to speak up with Words of Wisdom that come from deep within my soul without any effort at all because He Promises to ALWAYS give us Wisdom and Words when we need them. It doesn’t take much for me to call someone out for their judgment of someone else, and it doesn’t take much for me to redirect a pointing finger back to the source of the problem. It doesn’t take much for me to lose my strength when so much of me is consumed by the pain of another. My Heart has been tenderized by the King, and it’s a combination of the Heart that He “refined” within me, and the bold voice that He’s equipped me that is of the most benefit to His Kingdom and the only part of me that will be “everlasting”. Keeping a Spiritual balance makes the difference between being a bold voice that can be used by the Living God for His glory, and one that just sounds off in judgment and anxiously awaits the revelation of a list of lost people most likely headed for Hell. God forbid that I should ever be the latter.

Anybody can thump people over the head with a Bible and anybody can spit out Scripture to set someone straight, but it takes Compassion to deliver the most Powerful message of the Cross…even to people on “a list”. Anybody can be a 21st century Pharisee and anybody can pass judgment on somebody else’s sins while they ignore their own. But it takes Compassion to turn away from judgment and to pray for healing instead. Anybody can ridicule and threaten to get somebody else to do whatever they want them to do – but real leadership (and a genuine representation of Jesus Christ) begins with Compassion and a Desire to lead the way by example instead of by way of judgment. Anybody can attend church whenever the doors are open and anybody can memorize Scripture – but those two things fall short of walking out our Faith the way Christ calls us to walk it out…with Compassion that runs deep and with the kind of Compassion that drives us into Action. It’s that balance that defines our Faith AND our Works and it’s one that’s much easier said than done…unless we work on the Condition of our own Heart every single day and we’re willing to be taken to the Spiritual Woodshed whenever He thinks it’s necessary. After all, that’s what humility looks like.

I don’t like to be taken to the “Spiritual Woodshed” but because I’m willing to go there to be set straight by the Living God, I am able to Focus much more on who has their name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life than I ever would on a list of names of people in bondage to perversion. I’ll do whatever I need to do to be pleasing and useful to my God and it all begins with the right Heart and the kind of Compassion that is only possible with Jesus Christ. Until then, I’ll be praying for opportunities to Show people how to get their name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life and I’ll be praying for all the others – ESPECIALLY the ones who many professed Believers are salivating to expose and destroy. How could I, you ask? Because that’s what Jesus would do! After all, He saved an (unlovable) wretch like me and Transformed me into a Usable Vessel for the King of all kings…if He can do that for me…He can do that for anybody!

How about you? Are you anxiously waiting to see a list of lost people just so that you have the pleasure of watching them be destroyed AND is that more important to you people having their name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life”? Hmm…

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The files are filled with deer, and my Heart is filled with Peace and Hope after my time with the Living God this morning. It’s not quite Spring yet, but it’s getting closer each day, and I’m longing for my Time on the front porch again. It’s there where I meet with the Living God to draw my Strength and get my Direction, and it’s there where I Share my Heart, my time, my coffee, my stories, my laughter, the fields, and whatever words I gain from the Living God along the way. Our Journey of Faith is not about how much we “keep” for ourselves – it’s about how much we’re willing to Share instead. Isn’t that the way it’s supposed to be for a child of the Living God?

It’s easy for most people to share some of the good things in life as long as it doesn’t “cost them” too much – a good experience, a good story, a good joke, a good recipe, or a good report card are good examples of the easy things we easily give away. Although sharing these good things is intended to bring pleasure to the receiver, the one who benefits the most is the one doing the sharing. It feels good to share good things. But when it comes down to sharing those things below the surface of Life…the kind that has an Eternal Impact…most people draw a line in the sand and refuse to Speak up. These people make a choice NOT to freely share their Heart, their space, their time, or their resources with another human being even though it’s these very things we Share that have the most impact on the Life of someone else. It always comes down to sharing…how much we’re willing to give away. “Freely, freely you have received, freely, freely give. Go in my name and because you believe, others will know that I live”.

It’s not easy for most people to share uncomfortable things in life but that always comes down to pride. Sometimes those “uncomfortable” things have the potential to sting the ones we Share them with, and sometimes we might cause them to suffer consequences when we’re Messengers of the Truth. Although there are plenty of people out there who get pleasure from being the one to make others uncomfortable, most people prefer to avoid sharing the uncomfortable altogether. It’s the dodging of the uncomfortable conversations that allow rebellious behavior in children, deterioration of relationships, failure in business, and a refusal to share our Faith with the world. It always comes down to sharing…how much we’re willing to give away. “Freely, freely you have received, freely, freely give. Go in my name and because you believe, others will know that I live”.

It’s not easy for most people to share the “bad” things in life, when it comes down to sharing their biggest mistakes and failures, their darkest hours, the pain of their past, or their worst circumstances altogether. They guard the details of Life for the sake of their own pride and selfishness and they’ll attempt to bury the past as if putting it there serves any Purpose at all. These people guard the “bad” details of their life like Fort Knox and they’re far too busy tiptoeing through tulips in an attempt to paint a picture of a perfect life that they miss the opportunity to turn their trials into a blessing for someone else. “All things (really do) work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His Purpose” but in order for the “bad” to turn into “good” it must be Shared with the world. That’s what a Testimony looks like! It always comes down to sharing…how much we’re willing to give away. “Freely, freely you have received, freely, freely give. Go in my name and because you believe, others will know that I live”.

If you sit with me on the front porch of this farm in Virginia one day, you’d better be prepared to hear about the “bad” things in my imperfect life. I cherish tulips, but I don’t tip-toe through them when it comes to my Journey because I am Confident that my Journey has the potential to lead someone else to Jesus Christ when I share it. My Trials and Tribulations might just curl your toes BUT you’ll be dancing in the end when you hear about the Power of the Living God and when you see how He has led me to Victory over and over and over again. It always comes down to sharing…how much we’re willing to give away. “Freely, freely you have received, freely, freely give. Go in my name and because you believe, others will know that I live”.

I’m an Imperfect woman living a beautifully imperfect life and I’m Armed with Love and Truth BUT the best part is that I’m Willing to Share. I don’t like making people “uncomfortable” but I Love them enough to speak Truth into their souls that could ultimately make an Eternal difference. It’s funny how it works…the more I share with them, the more they share with me, and before you know it I see a rich Testimony growing out of a simple conversation…all because I was willing to Give away exactly what they needed when they needed it. It always comes to sharing…how much we’re willing to give away. “Freely, freely you have received, freely, freely give. Go in my name and because you believe, others will know that I live”.

I’ll be freely giving all the days of my Life…those simple things that make a Difference and the Bigger Truth that has the potential to change their entire Journey…now and forever more!

How about you?

1 Corinthians 9:19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cold and windy this morning and although it won’t be warming up by much today, it’s destined to be a beauty. The deer are plentiful around the farm all year long and I never grow tired of watching them. Sometimes they seem to be oblivious to everything around them because they’re too fat and happy to worry about danger. Sometimes they’re on high alert and any little sound sends them running. Sometimes they take a nap in the fields and sometimes the little ones play. I can’t tell most of them apart from the other, but sometimes the behavior of one stands out from the others and I wonder what makes them “different”. I watched this lone deer walk away from her comfort zone and leave the herd behind like I’ve observed her so many times before but THIS time, God used this little deer to drive home a Message about the Journey of Faith. It’s only when we are willing to walk away from our comfort zone – when we’re willing to leave the rest of the herd behind if necessary – it’s only when we stop weighing the dangers and we move forward in His Name that we can be a Usable Vessel for the King of all kings. Isn’t that the way you look at your Journey of Faith too?

It can be so easy for most people to follow the herd in Life but we miss out on the Unique Opportunity to Serve the King when we do. Jesus said, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple”. Jesus didn’t mean “hate” the way we think of “hate” because much gets lost in the translation. What Jesus was saying is that if your herd is more important to you than He is, then you can’t be His disciple. I get it. The closer I’ve drawn to Jesus and the more Committed I am to doing HIS work (instead of my own), the fewer people there are in my life. I get it. The more I proclaim “the Mighty Name of Jesus” the more uncomfortable countless people have become and over time, fewer and fewer are still in the field with me. I walk away just like the lone deer in this photo so focused on Jesus Christ that I don’t even notice that I’m headed in One Direction while all the others remain in the field. Sadly, when it comes down to it, most professed Christians aren’t willing to put Jesus Christ first – above their siblings, or children, or grandchildren, or spouse or even themselves and their selfish ambition. Unfortunately for them, Jesus doesn’t accept the leftovers in the Journey of Faith…He insists on being the Main Attraction.

Sometimes it bothers me to watch my world get smaller and smaller but Jesus already warned me that would happen. He said, “And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved” and I’m committed to enduring to the end even IF I am hated by the world. He said “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword” so I’m not surprised to see division in friendships and family as some draw nearer to Him while the others are content to graze in the field too fat and happy to worry about the danger of not Following Jesus. After I do my Part to encourage the other “deer” to Follow along with me when they refuse, I walk away with Jesus and I don’t look back. Of course, it makes me sad and YES there is an empty place in my Heart for them when I do but mostly I’m sad about their Future without Jesus. He’s my Best Friend. He’s my King. He’s my Redeemer. He brings me more Joy than anyone here on earth ever could and my Joy will last Forever. He is all things – He is above all things. He died for me and I’m willing to Live for Him because of it. If you see me alone in the field like my furry friend don’t feel sorry for me. My desire for popularity died a long time ago and now, there isn’t a person, place, or thing I wouldn’t walk away from for the sake of my Relationship with Jesus Christ.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s bright, beautiful, and unseasonably warm (55°) this February morning in Virginia and I could have stayed on the porch all day. Once again the Living God lit up the farm with Majesty, and no matter how many times I witness the Work of His Hand, I am in awe of Him. When I went before the Throne of the God of all Creation this morning He did a good Work in me…work that I desperately needed for the Journey. I’m troubled by this troubled world but not for reasons most people are. I’m troubled to see SO MANY of my brothers and sisters far more interested in speaking out about the troubled world than they are in speaking to the troubled world about the Good News of Jesus Christ and I find myself whispering “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” more and more each day. This magnificent sunrise was a firm Reminder to me to focus on His Majesty…the Light of the world…and to be a Testimony through it all – NOT just for the lost – but to my brothers and sisters too. Isn’t that the way you see you Purpose too?

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” are the words spoken by the Savior of the world when he was wrongly accused and ultimately murdered by the rulers of the land. If anybody ever had the right to speak out against the political wrongs it would be Jesus Christ…the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords. If making sure the troubled world heard about its wrongs was of any importance to Him at all, He would probably still be hanging on the Cross to get the final accusations out. Instead, His heart broke for them and He cried out to His Father to forgive them “for they know not what they do.” Jesus died for ALL including the ones who hung Him on a cross like a common thief. He died for the thieves, the rapists, the abusers, the abductors, and all the politicians the world whines about today. The final words of Jesus were beautiful words…Compassionate words…words of Love, Hope, and Forgiveness. That’s the story of Jesus Christ; the one whose very nature we are called to take on. “Be holy as I am holy”! It’s not humanly possible to be without sin like He was, but it IS humanly possible to care a whole lot more about the Final Outcome than we do the troubled world itself, and having the “last word”…words of Love, Hope, and Forgiveness is always a choice.

Sometimes I close my eyes and try to imagine what it would be like if my brothers and sisters, so determined to spread what they believe is happening behind the scenes would begin to spread the Good News with the same passion and conviction! I wonder what it would sound like to hear “Jesus is Coming!” or “Have you heard what Jesus did?” a whole lot more than we hear character assassinations in every shape and size. I wonder what the world would be like if it could hear personal Testimonies of what Jesus Christ has done in our lives instead of a repeat of the latest political rhetoric and how we’ve been wronged by man. I wonder what it would be like if we longed to see Heaven a whole lot more than we long to see justice here on earth. I wonder what it would be like if God’s people would cry out “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” instead of shouting out insults at those they hate as if God gave them special permission. I wonder what it would be like if my brothers and sisters understood that they’re being used by the enemy – like pawns of Satan – just as surely as their enemies are, and they’re not messengers for the Living God the way they think they are because they fail to speak Love, and Forgiveness right along with all their “truths.” Hmm…

Watching how so many of my brothers and sisters are weighing in on the world breaks my heart…it is one of the saddest times of my life, for sure. But there’s more. Watching them trade Fellowship with their brothers and sisters for a remote control sermon as if all they need is entertainment sure explains how we got where we are. The flipping back and forth between their favorite pastor and their favorite news channel must be challenging at times for those who don’t understand that God is a “jealous God” and there is NO CONTEST for time with Him. Sometimes I wonder if we read the same Bible or serve the same God at all, but more than that, I find myself whispering “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” more and more each day…a prayer for all those lost people too ignorant to know what they’re REALLY doing, and for my brothers and sisters who ought to Know better but choose to be caught up in the war.

As surely as God brings the sun each morning, I’ll do my best to make sure that the Light of my Faith outshines the darkness around me and I’ll DETERMINE to be the Witness He’s called for me to be. Oh, and because I LOVE HIM, I’ll continue to feed His sheep too. He’s my Priority. He’s my Good News. He’s my Savior. He’s my Rock. HE IS THE TRUTH and that’s the ONLY TRUTH this troubled world needs to hear about.

Amen?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I’m so grateful to have met with the Living God in the warmth of this old farmhouse, and although I stepped out onto the porch to take in a breath of winter air and snap this photo…that was enough for me. It’s just like the Author and Perfecter of my Faith to use those few seconds of “pain” to send a Firm Reminder to me this morning about how it takes stepping into the “uncomfortable” to make a Difference in the Bigger Picture of Life. There is Peace in my home and warmth for the coldest of days…thank God. But unless I’m willing to step into the uncomfortable in the Name of Jesus Christ, all those things are just blessings that never make a difference at all. Isn’t that the way you look at your Journey of Faith too?

It can be so easy to settle into our lives and become dependent on our creature comforts as if the Living God wants us to sit back and be fat, dumb, and happy. The more comfortable we become the more excuses we make for staying put. It’s a blessing to have a warm home and a wonderful family, but complacency is born when we focus all our attention on things inside the walls where we’re the most comfortable while refusing to step out for Him. When Christ calls us to Himself, He doesn’t call us just to be warm and safe and comfortable within the confines of our homes. He makes sure that we know that our family is the first priority as we raise up a Godly generation…but He never intended for us to sit back while He Works. In fact, His Instructions are just the opposite – we’re told to GO FORTH and He doesn’t discriminate for age and sex…we are without excuse. Yes, He wants good things for us! After all, He’s the Provider of the home and our warmth. But warm couch potatoes don’t serve a Purpose in the Kingdom of God and they can’t have an Impact on the world UNLESS they’re willing to get uncomfortable for Him.

Not everybody is intended to serve in the mission field in places I’ve never even heard of, but EVERYBODY claiming to be a follower of Jesus Christ is expected to be Serving and sharing the Gospel. God doesn’t call us to do nice things that make us feel good. He calls each one of us to Bold things in His Name so that we shine the Light where it’s needed the most. Jesus spent some quality time with people along the way…from the disciples to His closest friends, and He was a guest in many homes where fine food and wine flowed freely. I’m sure He spent some time teaching when He was inside and I’m sure He had a little fun too. But that’s not where His Greatest work was done and Jesus sure didn’t stay put. He went to where the hurting people were and He ministered to them in His Name. Jesus set the example for all of us! First, He met their practical needs with Compassion SO THAT HE COULD open the door to minister to their spiritual needs…the most important part of Serving others. Jesus didn’t beat around the bush. He didn’t leave them with “God bless you.” Instead, He made sure that each one knew where to place their Trust and how to find their Hope. How much of that are we doing these days?

What good purpose does it serve to “minister” to the needy or to meet a practical need of a suffering soul if we NEVER MENTION JESUS CHRIST in the process? Handing the homeless a pair of boots in the middle of a winter storm is a very nice thing to do – but sharing the Message of Hope is a whole lot nicer and it will last a whole lot longer than the boots. Saying “God loves you” is one thing – sharing the MESSAGE of Salvation is another. How many lost opportunities do each one of us have to answer for one day? How many times have we failed to mention the Greatest Hope of all to a total stranger? How many times have we cowered down because we cared more about what someone thought of us than we did about their Eternal life? Of all the things that we can do to help someone in need, the Greatest Gift we could ever give to them is to share the Gospel…the Gift of Life. How sad that Jesus gave us one job to do while we’re here drawing breath on earth – but we’re so comfortable in our warm homes that we refuse to do it?

The cold air was painful enough for me at daybreak but the Reminder I got felt like ice water to wake me up all over again. Jesus IS coming…and He’s coming soon. There’s no time for us to sit back in a warm home and REFUSE to share Hope with the world. I don’t have to “get out” as much as I need to REACH OUT and you’ll NEVER find me ASHAMED of the Gospel of Jesus Christ or being too much of a coward to Share Him. I’ll meet every practical need that I’m able to meet, but you can be sure that when I do the Focus will ALWAYS be on how to fill the biggest Need now and forever. A warm pair of boots is one thing. The Gospel is another.

Will you be sharing Him today?