Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cold this time of year, and they’re calling for rain later today. If not for rising temperatures, no doubt we’d be welcoming in ice or snow later instead of rain. The Fall in Virginia is very unpredictable in terms of temperature and precipitation, but the one thing we can count on in Virginia is high winds. The sharper the temperature contrast this time of year and the stronger the atmospheric pressure difference, the stronger the winds. That’s the technical answer for why it’s windy this time of year, BUT the simple answer is that God uses the wind for His Purpose. My Dad used to say that the wind was God’s way of pruning the trees – He shakes them up and causes the weaker ones to fall away so the tree can be stronger overall. God uses the wind to take down the trees in due time, and He uses it to blow leaves into the places where the deer bed down. This Black Walnut is more than twice as tall as the farmhouse is, and it’s a treasure to me, for sure. Although this tree gets pruned by God routinely, one day it will succumb to the wind…and it will be forever missed by me. God prunes more than just the trees, though. He prunes His people, too. Sometimes He’ll huff and puff and cause the winds to rush through the Life of One who belongs to Him JUST SO that He can prune away the pieces that need to be done away with once and for all…to make them Stronger. What a blessing it is for the God of all Creation to use the wind and the branches of an old tree to drive home a Message this morning.

Life is filled with Strong Winds, and nobody manages to escape them – But the winds don’t pass through for punishment, and they NEVER pass through without Purpose. When the Strong Winds pass through, it’s always a time for Pruning. Sometimes the Purpose is to cause some of the weaker things to fall away so that we can be made Stronger. Sometimes God is refining our Character, and He’s forcing us to do away with things that shouldn’t exist in the Life of a Child of God at all. Sometimes He shakes things up to force us to hold on Tighter as we call out to Him for help. Sometimes He shakes things up just so that we can see that when we’re weak, He is strong and His “power is made perfect in weakness.”

For some people, the wind of life seems to never stop blowing, and if they aren’t careful, they’ll question God in the process. I don’t presume to know the mind of God, but I think sometimes He keeps Pruning and Pruning, hoping the tree will stop trying to stand on its own…and sometimes I think He’s got BIG Plans for the tree, so a Big Work needs to be done to Ready them. When the wind comes through, it’s not time to whine…it’s time to Seek His Will and to Surrender to His Plans. God Loves a Heart that is Humble and Inclined to please Him. If we ask about the Purpose of the winds with a Heart that is willing to be Pruned, He’ll always reveal His Pruning Plan. This is the Key to Maturing for the Journey.,

The winds have passed through my Life more times than I can count and God has Pruned me into a Tree that is Strong and Willing in the process….a Tree that looks the same on the outside but one that will never again be the same on the Inside. God huffed and puffed and pruned LOTS of things from my Life that needed to go so that I could be made Stronger for the Journey…and so that I could be a usable Vessel for Kingdom Work… and I’m sure He’s not finished with me yet. When those winds pass through, I never say “Why me?” – instead, I hit my knees at the sign of the first breeze because I KNOW He’s got a Purpose in the Pruning process…to make me Stronger for the Work He has for me. Pruning always begins with a Willing Heart and a desire to be taught by the God of all Creation. At this Stage of my Journey, my middle name is “Willing”.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. This morning, as I met with the Love of my Life, I was filled with Gratitude for how He answered my prayers over a short but challenging Season of Life. He “directed my path” and kept it Straight, and He gave me the words that I needed when I needed them,” just the way He promises He will. No matter what makes a challenging Season challenging, all we EVER need to do is Surrender the Plans He has for us and to Remain Focused on Sprinkling the Glory of God everywhere we go, no matter what’s going on. Sound simple? It IS that simple IF we give to the Creator of the Seasons to Manage. There are all kinds of Seasons in Life that come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Sometimes we go from one Season to the next so quickly that if we aren’t careful, we’ll stop Sprinkling the Glory of God as we go. When the Sprinkling ceases, the color of our “leaves” can easily get replaced with the barren, just like the foliage in Virginia. But it doesn’t have to be that way if the Seasons are Sprinkled with the Glory of God, and when they are, each Season is more beautiful than the last! Isn’t that the way you look at your life, too?

It can take your breath away to be in the presence of someone with a Life that is Sprinkled with the Glory of God, no matter what season of life they’re in. Some people start Sprinkling in the springtime of life, and as they go from one season to the next, they just become Sweeter with the Glory of God as time goes by. Some people start Sprinkling when they’re adults, and they laugh about their reckless youth as they Sprinkle the Glory of God over their own children in hopes that the next generation will Sprinkle His Glory too. Some people wait until the final Season of life to begin Sprinkling; after they’ve raised their kids and secured their retirement, because those things were more valuable than Sprinkling in their eyes. No matter the Season, a Life Sprinkled with the Glory of God is a beautiful thing to see, and somehow age doesn’t seem to matter much when you’re Living in Sprinkle-mode. I weep when I’m in the presence of someone who has made it as far as the final Season, and they never bothered to Sprinkle Life with the Glory of God at all. I wonder how much Love they really have for the God of their Salvation if they can’t be bothered to Sprinkle their world with Him? I’m no Expert, but I think those guys will have a lot to answer for on Judgment Day.

Unfortunately, I squandered the first season of my life as I focused on survival and then on my success, and most of my young days are nothing but a blur because of it. I was in survival mode, and I didn’t even think about Sprinkling the Glory of God to others as I hoarded for myself and my family. BUT THAT WAS BEFORE I KNEW HIM well. As my Faith grew, so did my Desire to Please Him, and I began to SERIOUSLY Sprinkle His Glory, beginning with my own. When my children were very young, because I longed to see their lives filled with His Glory too. I understood my Role in leading them to Jesus Christ and teaching them how to Sprinkle on their own by the example I set for them. All my grown children Know and love Jesus Christ, all because of the Sprinkling, and now my grandkids are being taught how to Sprinkle, too. GLORY! As a grandparent, there are LOTS of things I can teach my grandchildren and plenty of fun to be had, that’s for sure. But the Greatest (and everlasting) thing I can Share with each one is how to Walk the way Jesus walked and how to Sprinkle the world with the Glory of God the way Jesus Instructs us ALL to do. With that Part right, everything else in their lives, AND for all the generations to come, will be Amazing! And the best part is that not only will I see them in Heaven, but I’ll be able to Celebrate their Rewards because I “did not labor in vain”. Hallelujah!

I’m in the final season of my life now, but I’m not slowing down to take it easy when I’ve still got some time allotted to me! Instead, I’m Sprinkling the Glory of God all around my life and in every direction, and the thought of slowing down never enters my mind.

I’d like to think that I might take your breath away when you see my Life that is Sprinkled with the Glory of God in my final season – at least that’s the Goal, so I’ll continue to Sprinkle His Glory over the lives of my children and grandchildren and to EVERYONE else in my presence, until He Calls me Home….just the way He commands us all to do. As for today, I’ll be sure to be Sprinkling His Glory as far and wide as I can for ALL the world to see. After all, Isn’t that the Purpose of the Life of a Child of the Living God?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s a magnificent morning, and, as usual, whether I’m inside or outside this time of year, I’ll always opt for a front-row seat to watch the Master wake up the world. There is nothing quite like putting His Majesty and Magnificence in Perspective than by Considering His Hand on each new day. The way I choose to approach (and embrace) this new day will Determine how I’ll be used by the Author and Perfector of my Faith. If I Approach the new day feeling weak…then I’ll be too weak for Service, BUT if I approach this new day with Great Anticipation to do His Work and if I’m Empowered by the Great I Am, then I’ll be Ready for Kingdom Work today, no matter what that “looks” like from where I sit. I can watch the sunrise from any window in this old house, and one day soon that’s what I’ll be doing every morning as I ride out the winter months, BUT nothing beats being surrounded by His creation as we ALL stand in awe at the Work of His hands to set my Spirit in Motion. Isn’t that the way things ought to be in this Journey of Faith?

I’m a bold woman of Faith, and I’m RARELY lost for words. I stand for what I Believe in, no matter what, and I’m not too timid to speak up. I wear my Armor like the Warrior God has called me to be, and I don’t hesitate to do Battle when He tells me it’s Time. I am confident that “No weapon formed against me will prosper” -since I Believe every word OF the Word, I’m confident that “Greater is He who is in me, than he who is in the world”. I Know that Jesus Christ fought the Devil with Scripture, and I’m Armed with plenty of them should I need them in Battle today. You can always count on me to stand up for the downcast, and you can count on my Voice to be heard (especially) when theirs is too weak or when they are lost for words of their own. I’m passionate and Compassionate. I’m Strong and I’m Courageous. I have unwavering Convictions that are sometimes mislabeled as “personal opinions,” and I never grow tired of speaking up for Jesus Christ or for the Truth of His Word. BUT the purpose of my speaking up isn’t so that I can be heard, and I never take on a Project unless/until He gives me my Marching Orders. I don’t speak up for myself – I speak up so that HE can be heard. I’m a Vessel for the Most High God, and I’m Equipped to do His Work 24/7. Just like any Good Soldier, all I ever need to do to Win is to show up – to put on the FULL Armor of God – and then Follow His Orders in all that I do. If I don’t get these things Right…I won’t have what it takes to do Battle today.

God is the truest definition of Love and Compassion, and although He can show His wrath any time He feels like it, His wrath is never abused, and it always stems from Love. He doesn’t point fingers or jump down throats just to be heard, even though He could…and neither should I. When I encounter someone who is sick – physically OR spiritually – I don’t shun them…I don’t attempt to “fix” them…I don’t throw them under the bus…Instead, I treat them the way Jesus would, and I Trust Him to Guide me toward Helping them in His Mighty Name and not through my own will. Christ didn’t treat those who didn’t believe in (or agree) with Him with unkindness, bitter words, or tongue lashings. Instead, He showed them Compassion as He spoke Truth with Love. He showed a Compassionate Heart to the most “unlovable” people, and thousands upon thousands of people came to Know Him because of His HEART… NOT because of a heavy hand or bitter words. The way to lead people TO Christ is to mirror His Ways! If Christ didn’t minister to the dark world with a mean Spirit, then why are so many Christians? That doesn’t come from Him…it comes from the Adversary instead.

Despite my boldness, I know that I’m not the Judge or the Jury, and I’m really not a fighter at all outside of Kingdom Work, that is. In fact, I dodge conflict like the plague, and I am known for being a peacemaker in my own world. But when I am called by the Living God to speak up for Righteousness, I’m given the Words, the courage, AND THE HEART to do just that. And when I’m called to be a Reflection of His love, His Grace, and His Compassion, I am given a Tender Heart and immeasurable patience to share with others, too. Every word I speak, every step I take, every day of my life should be a Living Testimony for the Living God, and although I’m not even close to being Perfect, I never lose sight of the Goal. When you look at the Journey of Faith that way, it puts everything into perspective…especially our behavior toward others who don’t know Him. At least it does for me.

I’m as bold as a lion or as gentle as a lamb…I’m whatever He needs me to be at the time and for HIS Purpose and not my own gratification – and it all stems from Love and not hate or judgment. I’m striving to be a beautiful example of the Love of Christ and a Reflection of the nature of my God in a dark and ugly world so that He can be Seen in me and Heard through me in all that I do and all that I am.

“The greatest of these is love.”

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. Today is Veterans Day, and I spent a little more time than usual this morning praying for those special people who have sacrificed so much to serve me and my country. It’s the kind of sacrifice that I can’t begin to fathom and the kind of sacrifice that often goes unnoticed…except for once or twice a year, that is. Sometimes I think about the Biggest Sacrifice EVER made for you and for me. When I do, I realize that if most of the world doesn’t accept or appreciate THAT Sacrifice either, then how in the world will they understand the sacrifice of time and life that our servicemen and women (and their families) give selflessly each and every day?

I gladly gave up my own life to raise my family, and I’d be willing to die for any one of them today. I’d give up my life for my God, too, should I ever be asked to deny Him. But the thought of people being willing to give up their lives for people they don’t know…wow! That thought overwhelms me every time I think about it. These days, it must be difficult to make so many sacrifices for a country that hasn’t been showing them the respect they deserve. It must have been difficult to be threatened with being removed from service because of the choices they make for their health as they watched “freedom” quickly become a thing of the past…beginning with them. It must be hard for them to face a Government shutdown knowing that they are defending our country for free. God bless them for still being willing to serve the greatest nation in the world, even after watching it transform right before their very eyes into an unrecognizable place. If there’s ever been a time we need them, it’s now.

Not everyone who serves in our military is faced with the sacrifice of life (thank God), but they’re willing to if they have to…and they ALL make huge sacrifices for you and me every day. In THEIR fight for OUR freedom, they surrender their own. They’re told when to show up, when to suit up, and when to shut up. They’re told what to wear and when to wear it, and they know that what they wear better be perfect at all times. They are people of discipline and people of excellence, and it shows. They’re told where to live and how long to live there. They’re told what to say and when to say it, and to never question authority. They’re told what job they’ll be doing, and they’re taught how to do it, and if they don’t particularly like what they do, they do it anyway without complaining, instead of looking for a new job like you and me.

Most of our young enlisted men and women could easily make more money working at a retail store full-time than they do serving our country 24/7. They’re told when they’ll have a day off and IF they’ll have a holiday off, and many of our servicemen and women spend the holidays alone more often than we care to think about. Despite all of the sacrifices they make for you and for me, they PROUDLY serve America even when we don’t tell them or show them how much we appreciate the sacrifices they make for us. That’s what true heroes look like to me!

My husband proudly served in the US Marine Corps, my father served in the United States Navy during WWII, my youngest son served in the United States Air Force to do his part in this War on Terror, and my son-in-law still proudly serves in the United States Air Force today. I’m not just thankful for THEIR service, I’m humbled by ALL of the sacrifices made by them (and their families) day after day for you and for me. I’m thankful for EVERY Veteran…those I know and love and those I’ll never meet! I don’t just thank them on Veterans Day, and I don’t just pray for them on special occasions either. Every single one of them has my heart, my support, my gratitude, and my prayers every single day that I breathe.

How about you?

Thank you, Veterans!!!! May God bless you and your families, and may God richly bless the United States of America.

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The Fall is a spectacular time of year in Virginia, and the view from the front porch changes a little more each day. I don’t ever want to miss a thing, no matter how cold it gets! I’ve been known to wrap up in multiple blankets JUST to be able to watch the Hand of God on a cold morning from the front porch…something most people would never consider doing…but I’m not most people. I love to take it all in from outside whenever it’s humanly possible, and I love to breathe in fresh air, no matter how cold it is. Today, I spent my Time with the Lord from inside with a hot cup of coffee and a good dose of the Living Word. From the minute I opened my eyes this morning, I began to take Authority. God is the Author and Perfecter of my Faith…He’s my Protector, my Provider, my Redeemer, and everything in between, BUT He expects me to do my part too. He expects me to take Authority all on my own. Authority over my thoughts. Authority over my Life. Authority over the devil that already knows he’s lost. Authority over Spiritual Truths that I can always lean on, and Authority over those fiery darts that threaten to disarm me. Authority over everything! Just like everybody else ever born, sometimes I’m inclined to feel like a weakling, but there’s NO EXCUSE for that because I’ve already been given the Power to take Authority in the Mighty name of Jesus Christ over anything in my Life. Isn’t that the way you see your Journey of Faith, too?

It can be so easy to succumb to our circumstances when we lose sight of our Authority, but whether we succumb or NOT is the biggest difference between Warriors and wussies. It makes me sad to see more wussies than Warriors these days, and sometimes I wonder why that is. How did it come to be that God’s people could be clueless about the Authority that is given to those who belong to Jesus Christ, and WHY would they ever want to serve a Power Less God?

Maybe we can’t change people (even though we want to sometimes), and we often have no control over our circumstances, BUT we have the Power to take Authority over ANY Situation so that we aren’t destroyed in the process. Warriors know how to put it all in Spiritual Perspective because we see a Bigger Picture. “Authority” doesn’t necessarily mean we have the power to alter the outcome; it means that we have the Strength and the Power to disarm whatever or whoever is set out to harm…a Gift from a Mighty God who longs for us to “get it.”

They say that most people only use a Smartphone to 10% of its capacity, and I think the same is true for most of God’s people when it comes to understanding the Power within us. Sadly, many people are easily disarmed because they believe they’re powerless; so they live their lives like victims who are “lucky” just to survive the journey. They throw in the spiritual towel and accept things that they NEVER should accept…all because they don’t understand the Power that has already been given to them in Jesus’ Name! This is the Key to being a Warrior for the Leader of the Universe!

When something comes along that threatens to disarm me, I don’t roll over and play dead waiting for the outcome. I don’t pull the covers over my head wishing it would go away, and I don’t whine and complain to whoever will listen. Instead, when something comes my way, I Fight like the Warrior I was created to be! I take the Authority that has already been given to ME in the name of Jesus! The first step is a refresher course on God’s Promises, and I Know them well by now, so I push the Replay button whenever I need to. Jesus “fought” the devil with Scripture, so I am confident that knowing what the Bible has to say is critical to the outcome for me, too. God is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore, and I can Rely on what He says. I may not always accept an outcome that I can’t see with my eyes from start to finish the way God can, so I take Authority over every thought until I see Victory.

The Devil is a liar, and he would love to convince me that I’m powerless or that my future is bleak, BUT that’s not possible because I Know the Truth. I speak the Word of God out loud, and I Proclaim the name of Jesus Christ, and when I do, His Word tells me that every demon in Hell shudders. Knowing that I have that kind of Power over the darkness makes me Proclaim it even louder, and it brings me that kind of “peace that surpasses all understanding” throughout those times when others would be tossed here and there like collateral damage, ready to throw in the Spiritual towel. I am Strong because His Spirit Lives WITHIN me…the Spirit that gives me the Power to take Authority!

There are some things in my life that could have the potential to disarm me UNLESS I take Authority, so it’s battle time at the farm 24/7. I refuse to give one thought to an unpleasant outcome just because I can’t see my circumstances from start to finish on this side of Heaven. Most things aren’t the way they appear to be on the surface, and nothing is too big for God…the same God who loves me enough to send His Son to die to pay my debt ALWAYS has my back, and He ALWAYS wants what’s best for me. More than anything else, I know that “when I am weak, He is Strong” and that His “Power is made PERFECT in weakness.”

Nothing is over until God says it’s over and NOTHING has the power to take me captive. I know how to Fight and I know how to take Authority using the Power that is within me, AND I’ll always find my way to Victory because it’s HIS SPIRIT that dwells in me and I Trust Him.

This Spiritual Battle isn’t for wussies, it’s for Warriors, and it’s time to armor up, Church.

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. Every day is one step closer to wintertime, and every day the “backdrop” from the front porch is gloriously different. Before God turned the lights on this morning, a herd of deer was gathered around the oak tree in the front yard in the dark. They were getting their acorn “fix”—a pre-winter treat that will help them fatten up for the colder weather when edible foliage is hard to find. This morning, everything looked muted outside, and mostly everything blended together EXCEPT for this lone deer in the hay field. Despite having grown a thick winter coat of a color that helps it blend in with the winter foliage, it still stands out like a sore thumb. It isn’t nearly as hidden as it thinks it is. The longer I watched that deer “hiding” from danger, the more it reminded me of man. The Spiritual war is raging, and life on this earth is getting more troubling every day, that’s for sure. But here’s the problem. Instead of facing the enemy head-on…instead of squaring our shoulders, lifting our chins, and confronting the one(s) who LOOK scary (but have no power over us), MANY are making plans to go “off the grid” to hide away from it all. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. There is no hiding place away from the Spiritual things, and there’s no fighting a spiritual war with weapons of the flesh. It’s not the time for cowards, and it’s never the time for man to take on the nature of animals. It’s time to face adversity head-on. It’s time to Declare the Name of Jesus Christ like never before. It’s time to Love the lost ones and to pray for souls. It’s time to stop hiding. Isn’t that the way you see your Journey of Faith, too?

The perilous times the Bible warns us about have begun, and the birth pains are not as far apart as they used to be. There is a sense of URGENCY in the air, and it’s pretty clear (at least to me) that God is Preparing His people. I’m pretty sure He’s doing a little “sifting” from His Throne as He Prepares to separate the sheep from the goats, and some who will hear “I NEVER KNEW YOU!” unless something changes in their lives before they take their last breath. I don’t have all the answers, but I do know this: God doesn’t need intellectuals…He needs Warriors who are willing to Fight this Spiritual war with Spiritual weapons. He wants His people CONFIDENT in His Word and Fearless because they KNOW it so well. He wants the ones He died for to be Willing to live for Him. How in the world can we be a Witness for Him if we’re hidden away off the grid somewhere as far away from mankind as humanly possible?

God has no tolerance for cowards. Revelation 21:8 says, But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” God wants His army to be Confident in the fact that “greater is He who is in me, than he who is in the world”. But the cowardly…the ones so determined to hide away from “the government” – the ones who believe it’s possible to live anywhere on earth “off the grid” – have been deceived by the one much more dangerous than any government man has ever known. We can run, but we can’t hide from this Spiritual War no more than that lone deer can hide from the hunters. We either Armor up (with the ARMOR OF GOD) and face it head on like the Victors we were born to be, OR we die like cowards. The choice is yours.

Throughout my lifetime, plenty of people have commented on my “bravery,” but I’m not Brave at all! I Know that I’m surrounded by Protection 24/7, and I don’t allow the liar from Hell to tell me otherwise. I’m Redeemed. I’m Santified. I’m a child of the Greatest Commander-in-Chief of the entire world! Why would I hide like a wussie from a Spiritual War that spans from one end of the universe to the other? Why would I choose to live in the woods and stockpile food just for me and my loved ones when I could be Front and Center in this world that is starving for Hope, Freedom, and Peace that ONLY comes by way of Faith in Jesus Christ?

I was born for such a time as this, so you won’t find me trying to hide in the field like this cowardly deer – you’ll find me on the Frontline instead. You won’t find me relying on guns to get them through – you’ll find me using my Spiritual Sword that makes any weapon of “mass destruction” look like a water pistol on a playground. You won’t find me trying to hide my food from all the hungry ones around me because I Know that the Bible says that “The righteous will never go hungry” and I believe it. Besides, I serve the God of Multiplication – and if my food runs low because I gave so much away, I Know He’ll multiply it all over again. The devil is a liar, and that liar knows that he has absolutely no power or control over me or my family. We can’t be deceived by him when we Know the Truth so well!

If you’re inclined to be a coward living in the woods somewhere, I pray it works out for you, but I wouldn’t count on it. You can’t hide from this kind of enemy, and God sees your every cowardly move. If you ever get tired of hiding from something you CAN’T hide from, reach out to me. I’ll show you the way to Spiritual Bootcamp, and before you know it, you’ll be on the frontlines with me!

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cold this morning, but nothing that a hot cup of coffee and a warm blanket can’t handle, that’s for sure. I ventured outside just for a minute to say “good morning” to my God and to fill my lungs with fresh country air. One day soon, it will be too cold for comfort, and we’ll be doing ALL of our Meetings inside. Until then, I’m willing to go to extremes to Meet with Him outside, even if for just a minute or two. When it comes to my Relationship with the Most High God, I live a “no pain, no gain” Truth. Being a bold Believer in the Lord Jesus Christ doesn’t just “cost” me a little; it costs me everything. This morning I gave Him my Praise, I gave Him my Thanks, I gave Him my Requests, and then I ventured into His Word to see what He has for me…and He was Full of Surprises. He NEVER EVER ceases to amaze me. The same Words that I’ve read so many times before took on New Life today so that His Spirit could speak to my Soul! A willingness to Meet, coupled with a Heart to Please, equates to Messages that nobody else on this planet could ever get across to my Heart. Isn’t that the way it is when you Seek what He has for you, too?

It’s a Blessing to have a Life full of family and friends who have your best interests at heart, but nobody offers Advice and Direction the way God does. He sometimes uses His people to Confirm what He has in mind, but He Speaks for Himself if we just ask Him to (and IF we Believe He will). He can Heal a hurt, Remove fear, Reveal the Truth, Mend a Broken Heart, and force us to make U-turns in the blink of an eye, and He’s Ready to do all these things when we are Willing to Meet with Him with a Heart to Please.

There is no place for doubt in the Life of a Follower of Jesus Christ, but sometimes when we turn to people for the advice we SHOULD be getting from God, we can become consumed with doubt based on their man-made input. If we feel the need to ask family and friends for approval for what we “think” God wants us to do, then it’s time to go back to the Drawing Board and build a Stronger Relationship with Him to be SURE about what He wants. When we have the Heart to Please Him, He gets First Priority, and we’ll push against the flow of our family and friends regardless of how hard they push back, to Protect our Relationship with Him.

When we have the Order of Business right, and we have the Heart to Please, we can count on Him to send a Messenger to Help us in the Journey, and when that Messenger Speaks, we KNOW it came from God speaking through one of His Vessels, and not from the opinion of man. It’s pretty amazing how God Works the relationships out and how He uses everybody for His Purpose WHEN we’re willing to Meet with Him for Direction and we Have the Heart to Please.

It’s impossible to make everybody happy, and sometimes we find ourselves working hard to please the world around us instead of having the Heart to Please Him above all. We look for approval from everybody else, and we can easily forget what Pleases Him when we do. We strive to “keep the peace,” but until He comes back, THERE IS NO REAL PEACE. We pick and choose what part of His Character we’re willing to take on, and we kick all the difficult pieces aside for comfort. We rub elbows with lost people every day, and yet we keep our mouths shut about Hope, all because we fear what they might think of us when we do…and sometimes they die before they’re Introduced to Hope because of it.

As people of Faith, we WILL find ourselves working against the flow of the world IF we’re doing the Work of the Lord, and some people settle into “comfortable” because of it. Some people are far too concerned about being accepted by the world than they are rejected by the Living God. When we’re diligent about Meeting with Him and we have the Heart to Please, sitting back is never an option, and the opinion of the world dims in comparison to what He Calls each one of His Children to do. When He gives us Marching Orders He will open doors and pave the way – He’ll give us the Help that we need to do His Work – He’ll surround us with Protection – He’ll give us the Right Words and the Strength to do whatever it is He’s called us to do…if we have the Heart to Please Him, that is.

I wish I could make everybody in my world happy, but that isn’t possible. I live out my Faith with Love and Compassion, and I’ll extend Kindness to everybody He sends my way…with no regard for their status in life and no matter what they might think of me when I do. It pleases Him when I “love thy neighbor as thyself,” and it Pleases Him when I go about my Father’s Business, trying my hardest to be an outward Reflection of His Character within me.

The Willingness to Meet and the Heart to Please can produce the Miraculous in the Mighty and Merciful Name of Jesus. Imagine that.

Is there any other way for a child of the Living God to live?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I looked out my bedroom window as soon as my feet hit the ground, just like I always do, to see what God is doing with this one-of-a-kind day. There isn’t an art gallery in the world that houses anything even close to the “art” God paints in the sky. Beginning the day watching the Master wake up the world is not a schedule preference for me; it’s a way of life. I’m in awe of Him after all these years, and I’ll be found in awe of Him when I draw my last breath. That’s what Love looks like, but to have a Rich Relationship with the Living God, it takes EFFORT on our part to make sure that our love for Him never fades. His love for us never will, that’s for sure! One of my favorite hymns says best what my Heart feels, “The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell”. My time with the Living God “restoreth my soul” and Strengthens me for the Journey, and it is through this time with the Priority of my Life that He equips me to shout about my Faith and my God from the mountaintops of Life. Isn’t that the way it’s supposed to be?

It seems so easy for most people to “shout from the mountaintops” about some things in life. We shout from the mountaintops when we see a great movie. We shout from the mountaintops when we find a good restaurant. We shout from the mountaintops when we discover a great vacation spot. We shout from the mountaintops when we discover new technology. We shout from the mountaintops over a “good deal” in a store. We shout from the mountaintops over a new birth. We shout from the mountaintops when we secure a new job. When we’re filled with excitement, we don’t seem to have any trouble at all shouting from the mountaintops over almost anything in life. But when it comes to things of God that are Designed to Compel us to shout from the mountaintops, ARE WE WILLING? IS HE WORTHY? Is our Relationship with the Author and Perfector of our Faith strong (and rich) enough to want to Tell the world about all that He is and all that He’s done for us? Apparently not, because it is a rare thing to hear a publicly proclaimed Powerful Testimony anymore. Sad but true.

My Faith is intended to be a Light in this dark world. My Faith has little to do with me and everything to do with Him. It’s my “job” and my Joy to share it with the world, and I’ll shout from the mountaintops with boldness, with compassion, and with Love, every day until my last.,

Is the Light of your Faith shining for all the world to see, AND are you shouting from the mountaintops, OR are you still hiding behind the excuse that you’re “quiet” about your Faith? No offense, but you weren’t led into your Faith to be quiet about it…it’s not about “you”. If you ever wonder how there can be so much darkness in this world of ours, just remember how few Lights are out there shining for the world to see. Darkness ceases to exist with Light.

Let your Light shine in this dark world today. Shout from the mountaintops with excitement and joy like a child on a Christmas morning. Spread the Good News. Pour out Love and Compassion. Be kind and gentle. Share your Heart. Share this post!

Together, we can light up the world just one “little light” at a time. “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!”

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I met with the Master as He woke up the world on this cool October morning from inside the farmhouse, and I’m already missing my time on the front porch as the season sets in. This morning, my Heart was overflowing with Gratitude for all that He is and all that He does for me and for how He has sustained me for such a time as this. It’s always busy around the farm, that’s for sure. It always has been and always will be, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. But sometimes, when you add just one more thing to the equation, I need a long pause before I get back on my feet. This morning, as I paused, my Heart refused to stop Celebrating the Blessing of watching His Plans for my Life come TO life right before my very eyes. All these years I’ve breathed Living Waters into the Heart of my family, first my children and then my grandchildren, and now I get to Celebrate that “I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain”. One by one, they’ve accepted Christ as their Savior, and now one by one I’ve had the honor of baptizing my grandchildren in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. He never ceases to amaze me at how He shows and moves every Heart if we’re just Willing to walk in His Will and not our own. His Name truly is Wonderful.

My Life is living proof that God can take a broken vessel and mend it into a Mission. It doesn’t matter where I’ve been in the past or how many times I’ve failed, He can still use me to Glorify Himself if I’m just willing to Walk in His will and not my own. When I’m in His will, “I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength”. When I’m in His will, I know that if I “have faith the size of a mustard seed,” I can move mountains. When I’m in His will, my lack of natural talent transforms me into an “expert” in ways that amaze me. When I’m in His will, I can find supernatural strength to endure any storm. When I’m in His will, I am unshakable. When I’m in His will, I can forgive any wrong. When I’m in His will, I can love the “unlovable” because I know they were made in His image and He doesn’t want anyone to perish. When I’m in His will, I find just the right words at just the right time to minister to a broken heart. When I’m in His will, I can do all things because He is the one who will Produce the results if I’m just willing to plant seeds. When I’m in His will, my life shines with Purpose, and it’s when I step out of His will that I fall and I fail.

Making sure that I’m walking in His will isn’t always easy, even though I know firsthand the beauty that comes by way of Obedience. But I can so easily surrender to my own will and my own thoughts, and when it “feels” right, I can put God’s name on it and label it His will if I’m not careful. But walking in His will doesn’t always make sense, and it isn’t always smooth sailing for me or anybody else. Sometimes it requires that we stretch far outside of our comfort zone, and sometimes the direction makes no sense to the human mind…but that’s what Faith looks like. Sometimes walking in His will makes no sense at all when we’re looking through the eyes and not the Heart, and if we’re not careful, we’ll refuse to walk at all because we’re too busy attempting to rationalize the Journey. Walking in His will produces Joy, and walking in His will is where miracles happen! So it’s His will I seek and not my own, and I will always be Victorious because of it. His will is Perfect, and His Name is Wonderful.

When the rest of the world was focused on getting their children to be the best athletes, to win the most trophies, or to get the best grades, I was focused on the Living God and getting my children onto the Jesus Team. It didn’t make sense to so many people watching from the sidelines back then, but I’m pretty sure it makes sense to them now! The Rewards my children (and grandchildren) will receive One Day will far outshine any of their accomplishments here on earth. Sadly, those earthly accomplishments will fade away faster than they will despite the time and effort that went into achieving them. Because of Him, my kids are confident THEY CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO GIVES THEM STRENGTH. It’s no secret that I got a lot of things wrong in my life, and I’ve fallen more times than I care to admit, but the Greatest Part – the Eternal Part – the Part where we’re called to raise up a godly generation…I got that part right!

I’m walking in His will in every area of my Life, even (especially) when it makes no sense to me. After all, it makes absolutely no sense from the human perspective that “a wretch like me” could be Refined by the Hand of Jesus Christ to raise up a godly generation. His Name is Wonderful and I’ll be following Him all the days of my Life. After that, I’ll be spending Eternity with Him AND all the kids and grandkids will be there too!

To God be the glory for my Faith-filled family – a family that could have ended up in an entirely different direction IF NOT for the Promise Keeper who Sustains me…and for my Obedience to His will over my family.

We are Victorious because His Name is Wonderful!

His name is wonderful; His name is wonderful

His name is wonderful; Jesus my Lord

He is the mighty King; Master of everything

His name is wonderful; Jesus my Lord

He’s the great Shepherd;

The Rock of all ages

Almighty God is He

Bow down before Him; Love and adore Him

His name is wonderful; Jesus my Lord

His name is wonderful; His name is wonderful

His name is wonderful; Jesus my Lord

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The morning is cool and foggy, but the warmth of the Living God is everywhere…every day. When I looked out across the fields at sunrise, all I could focus on were the layers I saw – layers of fog and layers of clouds. The view was magnificent! Quickly capturing what I see with my eyes is important because, as the sun heats up, all the layers dissipate fast. The more I thought about those layers I could see with my eyes, the more I thought about the layers of my Life – layers of sin and layers of rebellion, and how the Hand of God peeled each layer away by His warmth too. He “saved a wretch like me” a long time ago now, but the peeling back of layers never ends. The more I seek Him, the more He shows me what He sees below the layers and how Important it is to peel them back. Sometimes He is slow and gentle when He peels back a layer of what needs to be Revealed, and sometimes He rips it off like a Band-Aid. Either way, I’m always Grateful to be one step Closer to Him in the Process. What a Blessing it is to spend time in the Presence of the Most High God any time I want to, and to Hear what He has to say to His people day after day. But If the Most High God had not peeled back the layers to reveal what I needed to Repent of, I never would have become a Usable Vessel for Him. No matter the condition of my Heart, no matter what kind of mood I’m in (or not), no matter my trials, no matter how many times I fall, my God is always Ready and waiting for me any time I take the time to meet with Him. What a friend I have in Jesus!

God doesn’t scrutinize the words I use when I Speak to Him…they really don’t matter much because He sees what’s within my Heart without speaking a word and He loves me anyway.

God doesn’t whine about how much time I give Him, or remind me of when I disappoint Him if I’m busy and I don’t take the time for Him that I should. He’s the Bright Morning Star, and He’s always there 24/7, ready to open His arms to this child of His. He Loves me anyway.

God is always ready to Guide me in the Right Direction when I get off track, just like a Shepherd guides his sheep. His patience with me has no limits, and He doesn’t keep reminding me that I’ve gone down the wrong path in Life over and over again after He’s peeled back the layers. He takes me by the Hand like the Loving Shepherd He is, and He sets me off in the Right Direction all over again. He loves me anyway.

God is all I ever need, the One who has my Heart, the One who “loves me anyway”, the One who will never leave me nor forsake me…BUT THERE IS A CATCH. I’m Commanded to be a Reflection of Him, and I’m Commanded to extend the same things to other people that He has extended to me! I’m supposed to be ready to listen, to Love, to Forgive, and to Guide others into peeling back their layers with Unconditional Compassion too…no matter how “ugly” it is underneath all those layers! I’m supposed to love them anyway. If not for the example that God sets before me, and my desire to please Him because of it, none of this would ever be possible.

I’m filled with an Attitude of Gratitude this morning for all that He is and all that He does for me. Isn’t it just like my Savior to use a little fog and layered clouds to Speak to my Heart? If He can use me, He can use you! He loves you anyway – right where you are and just as you are. All you need to do is Trust in Him and be willing to be “peeled” into “perfection”.

I’m overwhelmed today just as much as I was decades ago when I First met Jesus, that the God of all Creation “sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood,” and I am Forever Grateful for the Peeling Process that revealed my “ugly” nature so that He could Refine me like gold.

I’ll be Working hard every day to be the very best Reflection of Him that I can be, in all that I do and all that I am, until He calls me Home. He loves me anyway.

How about you?