The Way We See Him Depends On The Angle Of The View

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I met with the Bright Morning Star first thing this morning to give my Praise, my Thanks, and to make my Requests known to the God Who already KNOWS my needs even before I ask. After that, I searched for a little Wisdom in my Instruction Manual – and when I do that, I NEVER come out empty-handed. There’s something about having the Heart in the Right Condition as the sun is lighting up a new day, that makes the sunrise a little more spectacular for me. Thanks to science, we know what time the sun will rise, but we NEVER know what it will look like when it does. Sometimes it appears to be bigger and brighter, and sometimes it seems dim. But the sun never changes – it just looks different from where we’re sitting. What a great Reminder straight from the Throne of the Living God that the way we look at Life depends on the Angle of the view.

Many people comment on how beautiful the sunrises are from this old farm, but that’s because of the Condition of the Heart of the one who took the picture. I don’t get a unique sunrise at the farm; I just have a unique perspective. The same sun that rose in Virginia this morning can be seen all around the world at different times, but it doesn’t necessarily look the same from every angle. The clouds could be obstructing the view of the sun somewhere else while it’s scorching the earth in another. No matter what it looks like from every angle on Earth, the sun never really changes, and it never will – just the same as it is with the One Who “scattered all the stars in the sky and knows them each by name.” These days, more and more people are talking about how they believe that the earth is actually flat after all, and they have all kinds of “evidence” to prove it. But that kind of stuff doesn’t matter much to me. The sun, moon, and stars are visible whether the earth is flat or round, and Heaven is somewhere beyond what I can see with my eyes. I’ll be headed Home from this earth One Day, and whether it’s flat or round, I’ll find my way to the Arms of Jesus…right where I belong.

The way we See Him depends largely on the angle of the view. Sometimes it’s cloudy and quiet, and although we long to “see” Him, we can’t, and sometimes the view is so bright that the beauty overwhelms us. He doesn’t change His Course, and He never goes away, even when the view is temporarily obstructed by the clouds. David said, “I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry,” a clear sign that the clouds had been obstructing the view. As long as we’re patient and persistent and we NEVER doubt that He’s still there, no matter what the view looks like from where we’re sitting…HE WILL show Himself again when the Heart is ready.

Every day is a Gift…a Journey…a piece of the puzzle in His Plans for the Life of each one of us. The key to Joy when the view is obstructed all comes down to the Angle of the view. Obstacles and Trials have a Purpose, but we need just the right View of the Sun to see that. The clouds are just a minor inconvenience when you Know what’s behind them. Sometimes the sun is scorching, and it’s not easy to endure the heat. But lots of weeds are done away with in the Heat from the Sun and when you’ve got the right view from just the Right angle, that’s easy to see too.

I enjoyed the sunrise this morning just like I always do, and no two sunrises are alike. I DO have the Perfect View…but I would have the Perfect View no matter where I watched the sunrise because of the Condition of my Heart. I’ve had cloudy days and days when the Heat of the Sun scorched the weeds in my Life to a point that I almost couldn’t bear it…and I’m thankful for every single time. I see the Bright Morning Star every day, no matter what the sky looks like…I know He’s always there…He’s my Rock…my Redeemer…He’s my All.

How about you?

Without Love I Have (I Am) Nothing…

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s overcast again this morning, and the fields are filled with moisture from the days of rain we’ve had at the farm. The deer you see have bulging bellies, and it won’t be long before we’ll be enjoying their babies. My soul is Refreshed after my time with the Living God this morning, and my Path has been made Straight with His Word. I’m not JUST a Follower of Jesus Christ…I’m a Warrior, and Warriors take a few more “hits” in this Life than all the others. As a Warrior, I need to be Strong, Ready, Bold, and Fearless…but more than any of the Characteristics that I need to be a Good Warrior…I need to be Kind and Compassionate, too. It’s not an easy combination to be Bold and Kind all at the same time, and I definitely can’t pull that off on my own. So, I step into the Presence of the Most High God…the truest Definition of Compassion, to Prepare myself for War and to take on His Character as best I can. THAT’S where I find the Balance, the Strength AND the Compassion to do what He has for me to do. Isn’t that the way you find your balance, too?

It can be so easy to lose our Balance when we’re faced with adversity or when we find ourselves not seeing eye to eye with someone. Anybody can roll over and play dead in the midst of the trials and Tribulations, and most people are good at lashing out when they’re feeling hurt or offended. Most of the time when we’re faced with these things, our truest character can show itself in a split second, but followers of Jesus Christ are called to be “slow to speak,” and we can’t afford to “lash out” just because we want to, because we have a Witness to Protect. Some people are cowards, and they refuse to “get involved” even if the Battle has the potential to harm someone else. Some people spit out insults without blinking an eye, and those words can never be reversed once they’re spoken. Some people point fingers and spin the situation in the direction they want it to go in, or in the direction they THOUGHT you were heading in, even when you weren’t. Some people think they’ve been given the supernatural ability to read minds or to test motives, so they think they already know where you’re coming from without you speaking a word. Some people gear up and stay so busy defending their own position that they never stop to hear what yours is at all. Some people have perfected being passive-aggressive, and they’ll pout or go silent in the midst of the conflict because they know that it hurts you more when they do. There are plenty of people who are entertained by conflict, and they’ll do anything to keep it going – because as long as it’s going, they are sure to have your attention, which is all they’re really looking for in the first place. No matter what’s going on or who it’s going on with, the Battle can’t be won when we rely on our OWN words or our OWN “feelings” to get the job done. It takes a Warrior to do battle God’s way! It takes a Warrior who has been Prepared through time spent in the Presence of the One they “fight” for, and a Warrior equipped with the only Words that ever really matter from a Warrior willing to speak up and a Warrior consumed with Compassion. That’s the ONLY way a Battle is ever really won, and it’s the ONLY way to Glorify God when we’re at War. Putting on boxing gloves and slinging insults has no place in the Life of a Warrior because War is ONLY ever won with Truth and Love. This is the Key to living like the stakes are High.

There are all kinds of battles we face in this Life, but there is only ever ONE War. There are all kinds of conflicts with all kinds of people that we’ll face along the way too, but there’s only ever ONE enemy. I don’t pick fights, and I don’t open a can of worms just so that I can speak Truth. I don’t like conflict, and I guard my Peace with everything I’ve got, BUT when God throws me into a situation where I have the choice to be tolerant while His Name and His Character are being questioned OR to stand Firm for Truth…I’m called to be a Warrior. Because I know my enemy very well, I know his subtle ways, and I know what he’s up to when he attempts to bend the Truth. I know what’s at risk if I remain silent, and I Know when and how to Speak the Truth as a Warrior for God Almighty. I’m not afraid, and I’m not worried about being popular. I’m not the Judge or the jury and don’t express what others might perceive to be my “opinions” – I stand up for the Judge and speak for the Truth, no matter the consequences I might face in this world because of it. I don’t “hate” others because they don’t believe what I believe…I have Christ-like Compassion for them, and I care enough about their Future to speak the Truth to them at all costs. He is my God, and I am His Chosen Warrior. I am an Ambassador for the One who hung the stars in the sky and knows them each by name. I am a Child of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob! I know that if He sent His Son to die for me so that I might have Eternal Life, I need to be willing to die for Him if I’m ever faced with that too. I’m Bold, I’m Strong, I’m Compassionate, I’m Kind, AND I’m a Warrior. I’ll be doing battle in His Name for as long as I have life, and when I draw my last weary breath, THEN I’ll see Victory face-to-face, and maybe I’ll hear “well done, good and faithful servant”.

How about you?

Nobody Escapes The Trials!

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s a new day, and I’m armed and ready for whatever comes my way after my time with the Living God. Things beyond the view from this porch aren’t so beautiful sometimes, and I know that if I’m going to endure what He has for me to endure or if I’m going to bless a suffering soul, it always comes down to being One with Him. I don’t have it in me to run this race of Life alone. I’m equally yoked just like these mules are to successfully navigate my way through this life, AND I have HIM IN ME. With Him, there’s nothing I can’t do and no pain too great for me. I’m like a walking billboard for what Victory looks like, and I make sure that my world hears about the Power of my God day after day after day. Isn’t that the way you live out your Faith, too?

Nobody gets through this life without trials and tribulations, even though some would have you believe that they have. Some people hide their lives so far from the rest of the world and so deep within their hearts that it would take a sledgehammer to break them free. Some people don’t believe that our trials and tribulations are “anybody’s business,” as if people of Faith don’t have them and as if there’s some kind of shame if they do. Some people square their shoulders and walk around as if they’ve managed to escape the hardships, and some of them have even convinced themselves that God is showing more favor to them than He does the rest of us. But nobody escapes trials and tribulations in this life, ESPECIALLY if they’re going to be used by a Mighty God, because it’s the fire that refines the gold. Those trials and tribulations ALWAYS have a multi-faceted Purpose from a multi-faceted God, and they weren’t intended to be hidden behind closed doors. How can a Mighty God be glorified through secrets, and how can we offer Hope to a suffering soul unless they can see and hear about what God has done through our darkest hours?

The world beyond the front porch of this old farm is filled with trials and tribulations, and it sure would be easy to hunker down at the farm and to ignore the pain and the darkness of it all. But I wasn’t Created to hoard up or shut up, and neither were you. God didn’t accidentally place me in this life at just the right moment in time without Good reason, and He didn’t accidentally place you here without Good reason either. God doesn’t fill my world with just pleasurable things, and He won’t fill yours like that either (regardless of what some would have you believe). God hasn’t refined me through Fire without Good Reason or to torment me, and He hasn’t made a mistake or left His Throne when your life looks the same. Sometimes it takes a season to recover from the pain beyond the front porch, but it’s never OK to sit back and lick my wounds because of it. Instead, the hardness of my life has served to soften my Heart, and I’ve been Tenderized by the King for Good reasons beyond anything my human mind can comprehend. ALL things work together for Good….if we let them.

I don’t understand it all, but I DO understand that without Him I could do nothing. Without Him, I would have no Hope. Without Him, I wouldn’t know what Victory looks like. Without Him, my Heart wouldn’t have been softened for the Journey. So, from where I sit I know that all of those trials and tribulations Served a Purpose BEYOND me and my Life and I’m supposed to share with all those suffering souls…NOT to whine…to encourage…to offer Hope…to be a Living Testimony of the Power of a Mighty God! I’m what Victory looks like.

How about you?

All The Tiny Little Pieces That Make The Biggest Difference!

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The magnificence of this new day captured my Heart the minute I stepped onto the porch, and I was compelled to Praise the God of all Creation. I don’t see just a good view, although it is, I see God. I don’t just see the wildlife that calls this farm home, I see God. This squirrel enjoying breakfast under the oak tree caught my eye, and I thought about how that little squirrel with a tiny little acorn has the potential to plant countless oak trees that might tower over the farmhouse one day…all because of God. God is the God of Big Things, and we spend plenty of time in the Journey of Faith waiting for His Hand to move mountains because of it. But it’s in those “little things” where the Biggest Miracles can be found, and it’s through those “little things” that He can use me to have a Big Impact on my World. What a sweet reminder to me this morning, straight from the Throne of a Mighty God, to NEVER overlook the Little Things while looking for the Big. Isn’t that a good reminder for you, too?

It can be so easy to do nothing while we wait for the Big Moments in Life, but we miss out on all the Tiny Pieces that make up the Big Things when we do. It can be so easy to overlook the Magnificent Moments while we wait on the sea to part or the mountains to move, but it’s in the Tiny Pieces that those most Magnificent Moments are found. Lots of people refuse to step into their Faith, and they whine about not knowing what God wants them to do while they’re here on this earth. But there are millions of Tiny Pieces that they can be a part of this very moment…IF they’re just willing to look for them and IF they’re humble enough to participate. It’s the ego that causes us to wait for the Big things to be a part of, and it’s pride that stops us from Serving in a million Tiny Ways.

This very moment, there are people across the country praying and “waiting on God” to Provide the funding to launch a mission to feed the hungry somewhere in the world BUT, most of them would never consider feeding a meal or two to a homeless person in their own home in the meantime. This very moment, there are people across this country praying and “waiting on God” to do something about abortion BUT most of them would never consider taking a pregnant teenager into their own home in the meantime. This very moment, there are people across the globe praying and “waiting on God” to touch the hearts of “lost” loved ones…but most of them wouldn’t dream of Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ on their own. There are millions of Tiny Pieces that anybody can do that will ultimately lead to the Bigger Miracles, but few are willing to try because they want the Big Moments OR no moments at all. Sad but true.

There once was a man who was desperate to be healed of leprosy. When he was told that there was a Prophet who could heal him, he immediately loaded a caravan with treasures to pay for his healing and then headed out to find his hope. Before he ever reached the home of the Prophet, he was sent instructions for his healing… “go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored, and you will be cleansed”, and when he heard these Simple Words, he was outraged! He expected Big Things! He anticipated a Magnificent Miracle Moment! He THOUGHT he deserved to be (and needed to be) “touched” in order to be healed, so he disregarded the simple instructions as nonsense and a total waste of his time. His pride and his ego got in the way of believing that He could find hope and healing in the Simple Instructions given to him, so he set out to return to his land still riddled with leprosy. Thankfully, he was encouraged by his friends to do what he was told to do…after all, what would he have to lose by trying? So, reluctantly, he followed the Simple Instructions, and he washed himself in the Jordan River seven times…and he was instantly healed (with skin like that of “a boy”). This man could so easily have missed out on the Tiny Step that would lead to a Magnificent Moment, all because of HIS interpretation of what it takes for God to do Big Things. But the God that brings forth those Miraculous Moments is the same God that uses a million Tiny Pieces to bring Glory to Himself too, and it’s through those Tiny Pieces that He can (and He will) use His People day in and day out…IF they will humble themselves and IF they are willing to participate.

I’m a simple woman, living in a simple farmhouse on a simple farm in Virginia. I’m a wife, a Mom, a Grandma, a friend, AND I’m a child of the Living God. I’m a Tiny Piece in the Bigger Picture. I have no formal education, and I have no special talents that set me apart from everybody else in the world – BUT I Understand that my life on earth is just “a vapor”, and that my days of living are getting shorter every day. I Understand the Significance of all the Tiny Pieces that I can be a part of that will have a Big Impact and an Everlasting Significance on my world. I open my simple life on this simple farm for all the world to see because I know that when I do, I have the chance to offer a Tiny Piece that will Glorify God. I welcome the masses into my home and onto the land of this simple farm because I know that every footstep will be a chance to Glorify my God by sharing all that He is and all that He does for me. I open my Heart, and I share my weaknesses because I know that every Word I Speak is a chance to Glorify my God. All the Tiny Pieces that I’m willing to be a part of will “all work together for Good,” and at the end of my days when I draw my last breath, all those Tiny Pieces will add up to Magnificence.

I’m a humble Servant, and He is my God. What I may be inclined to believe is “simple” will always be Significant if it’s something He calls for me to do, AND if I’m willing to do the Tiny things that become Big Things that bring Him Glory. After all, if God can use a little squirrel with a tiny acorn to grow a forest, just think what He can do with me!

How about you?

Anticipate The New!

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. No matter how many mornings I step outside to watch the Master wake up the world, I see something new every day. No matter how many times I read through the Words breathed into existence by the Living God, I see something new every time. No matter how many times we Meet for me to give my Praise and my thanks, I learn something new about my Journey each time. Every day is filled with New when you look at Life with a Heart for Him, and no two days are ever the same. The only constant…the only thing that NEVER changes in my Life is Him…my God is the same “yesterday, today and forevermore”…He’s the “Beginning and the End.” When you have One Constant in a sea of New things, how could anybody ever get bored?

It’s amazing to see how easy it is for most people to get bored in a Life filled with New, but they do. Some people need entertainment as much as they need air, and the only time they’re ever really satisfied is when something or someone “fun” is around to satisfy their need for fun. They want to be on the go as much as possible, as if they’re running from something in life. Some people schedule activities from sunup to sundown, and in their eyes, the weekends were invented just for their own pleasure. In between the activities, they’re on the phone, or the television or radio is sounding off in the background because the thought of silence makes their skin crawl, so they fill it all up with noise. Some people don’t believe it’s possible to have fun without alcohol, so their entertainment almost always includes an abundance of it. I can’t imagine how exhausting it must be to work so hard to be entertained just to be sure there’s no chance of ever getting bored. But the saddest part to me is that the Sweetest Things in Life are found in those still and quiet moments that the “bored” ones are missing out on because of their need for self-fulfillment.

God doesn’t have a problem with fun, that’s for sure! His Word says, “So I commend the enjoyment of life because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be merry”. The first Miracle Jesus performed was turning water into wine at a wedding when they ran out, and Jesus clearly loved to break bread with His friends. I’m also sure that God didn’t mean for us to fill life up ONLY for our own enjoyment, and I know He loves to meet with us in the silence. Life is filled with beauty, fun, and amazing people, and I like to have a good time just like the rest of the world does sometimes. But if you want to see me REALLY entertained, join me in the quiet places…without distractions…where conversations flow freely…where Trust is built…where wounds are healed… where laughter abounds…where every word is heard…where Hearts are fused together forever. Now THAT’S entertainment for me!

I watched the Master wake up the world the way I have a thousand times before…and I gave thanks for the New. I heard the birds singing a new song…and I gave thanks for it all. I read pieces of His Word that I’ve read countless times before….and I gave thanks for the new Message. Today I’ll hear from my family and friends that I’ve heard from a million times before…and I’ll give thanks for a new day to hear their voices all over again. Bored? NEVER! With the quality of Life that I have in the Silence, how in the world could I EVER be bored?

How about you?

God-size Dreams Don’t Have A Timeline…

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s the morning after a heavy rain, and everything around this old farm is coming to life after being nourished by the touch of the Master’s hand. The greens are the greenest, and the blue is the bluest, and no artist in the world could come close to capturing what my eyes saw this morning. My Time with the Master was a little different than it usually is, and I was pouring out my Requests like a river. I spelled out my heart’s desires, and I got specific about my goals. He already knows all those things because He knows every thought I have, but I think He likes it when we don’t give up, and He sees that we never stop Believing throughout the Journey. When I looked at this photo of the sun, it reminded me of how it is with me and my God…a beam from the front porch straight to Heaven to a God who cares about every single part of me. Isn’t that the way you see your Relationship with God, too?

It can be so easy for people to give up on their dreams just because they haven’t become a reality yet, but we lose out on the chance to lean into God when we do. God-sized dreams are put into Motion by the Touch of the Master’s Hand…a Hand that is Timeless and One that will never be rushed. When God plants the Seed of a Dream, He’s got His own Agenda and His own Timing, and the fact that we haven’t seen it all come into Play yet doesn’t mean the Details aren’t being Worked in Heaven. But the waiting often leads to impatience when we don’t see what we’ve been Dreaming of within our desired timeframe, and most people will throw in the towel instead of Leaning into Him even MORE. If we don’t Believe in the Dream that was planted by the Touch of the Master’s Hand in the first place, how will it ever come to be?

With the Faith of the size of a mustard seed, we can move mountains…IF we BELIEVE. That’s not to say that we make a wish and get our way, but if the Plans come from a Seed of a Dream that was planted by the Hand of God, it’s already a “done deal” even when we don’t see it with our eyes yet! “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” Why would you expect to see the fulfillment of the Dream He planted within you if you don’t believe that it’s possible yourself, and you give up because you got tired of waiting on God?

God says, “I am the I am” – He’s the “Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End.” His Word says, ” For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways – As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways.” He’s the “same yesterday, today, and forevermore,” and His Promises are True. He says, “I know the plans I have for you,” and THAT alone should be enough to keep even the biggest “skeptic” waiting on the Touch of the Master’s Hand. God never rests, He never changes His mind, He never quits on you and me….so how can it be so easy for so many to quit on Him just because He hasn’t revealed the Whole Picture in OUR desired timeframe yet?

No matter what I want for myself, I know that God knows what’s best for me, and I Trust Him because I BELIEVE what He says. It took 25 years for the fulfillment of the plan for Abraham and Sarah – from the first hint of a son to the birth of Isaac. God doesn’t work on our timing – He works on His own. He planted a few God-sized Dreams within me years ago, and they haven’t become a “reality” YET…but they will in HIS time. I NEVER stop Believing. I never stop Trusting. I never doubt Him. I don’t rush Him. I don’t quit, and I don’t give up on what He has for me. You won’t find me like a wave of the sea going back and forth in my Belief…I serve a Mighty God who NEVER breaks a Promise, and ALL things are possible with Him!

Amen?

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The Importance of Rolling With His Plans…

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s a new day at the end of a long week, and God has put a new song in my heart. A song of Praise, a song of Thanksgiving, a song of Hope… and a song of EXCITEMENT for His Plans for my life today and beyond. I’m not sure how anybody endures this Journey of life without a similar song in their own Heart, and I feel sorry for all of my friends of Faith who lack excitement as they pass through this life. The Bible says, “The joy of the Lord is your strength,” so having a Joyful Heart is the Key to all things. I know that I have a Purpose much bigger than anything I can wrap my head around, and I don’t need step-by-step Instructions to be willing to keep moving toward the Goal – I just need to Press on. Isn’t the mere thought of your Master Plan enough to excite you, too?

It’s pretty easy to think in shallow terms when it comes to this life, and it’s even easier to fall into the trap of routines if we aren’t careful. Routines can be good things, but when routines overshadow our ability to be spontaneous for the Lord, they’re nothing but a trap. It’s when we determine to keep our eyes and our hearts fixed on the excitement of the Future as we live out His Plan that all of those shallow and routine things seem to be a whole lot less significant to us. I’ve known a few people (and a few churches) that would be rattled to the core if their routine was shaken because God had the nerve to “show up”. They aren’t prepared to let Him “work” whenever He’s ready to work, and if He isn’t on the schedule, it ain’t happening. These people can easily excuse away their actions by defending the need for “law and order” or by preaching about time and responsibilities, but they stay so focused on their need for schedule and their fixation on routine that they wouldn’t recognize a visit from the Master if He hit them over the head. Sometimes I wonder if these people are reading the same Instruction Manual that I read, or if they are just inclined to consider it to be more of a history book filled with things of the past than one filled with Life that still applies today. You don’t have to read too far into my Instruction Manual to see that when God “showed up,” He didn’t sit around and wait until He could be squeezed in to the schedule. Instead, people responded to Him at the most inconvenient times, and their blessings were immeasurable because of it – BUT those who chose to ignore Him instead, paid a high price….and so will you.

Oh, I’ll take care of my responsibilities today, and I’ll be following a few routines too. But all the while I’ll be listening out for the voice of my God, and when He calls me into action, all bets are off. I’ll get busy doing the Work of the One I love the most without a worry at all about all of those shallow, routine things getting done, because when I obey Him, somehow there’s plenty of time and energy within the day to do it all. If He brings a suffering soul my way today, I won’t make them wait until a more convenient time when I’m not so busy. I’ll drop what I’m doing, and I’ll get busy doing the work of my Master. If He calls for me to speak up and to share my Faith with a lost person today, I won’t make excuses for why it isn’t a good time or place to do the sharing. Whatever He calls for me to do today, I pray that I’ll do it without reservation, and I pray that those shallow, routine things don’t blind me to His Plans for one second.

I’m filled with love for the Love of my Life today, and I’m very excited about what He might have me do in His Name. When He “shows up,” I’ll drop everything else to serve Him, and I know that all of the other things on my plate will be managed with Heavenly efficiency because of it.

How about you? Do you have a schedule and shallow routines that prevent you from listening to God, and would your world turn upside down if you dropped it all for an unscheduled opportunity to Serve Him? IF so, we need to talk. We’ll have a long talk about what it means to know the Living God so well that you recognize His voice when He speaks, and how if you don’t tune in and make Him your priority, you’ll miss out on all that He has for you, and when I’m done with you, you won’t be wound-up tight or sticking God in a box until a more convenient time in your life either!

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Where The Burdens of my Heart Rolled Away…

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s raining this morning, and just the sound of it from the front porch is guaranteed to soothe the soul. God knows precisely what we need, and when we need it, and no amount of whining about the weather will change His Plans for this new day, that’s for sure. As I sat there taking in the rain, I watched the raindrops fall on the flags and then run down across the cross before they fell to the ground. Those raindrops reminded me of tears, and I wondered just how many times I have shed tears at the Cross. For sure, I’ve shed every imaginable kind of tear at the Cross – tears of gratitude – tears of joy – tears of shame – you name it. I’m forever running to the Cross with whatever is on my Heart…as it should be. Make no mistake, I don’t worship the Cross the way some are inclined to do, BUT I do worship the One Who died for me on a Cross, and that’s why having it nearby is so important to me. In a world where the Cross is being removed to make room for other things, it is, and forever will be, front and center in my life, and I guard it with everything within me. Isn’t that the way you consider the Cross, too?

I believe the biggest turning point in our Faith comes when we embrace the fact that it ALL began at the Cross and that we were ONLY Created for His Purpose. That’s the source of our Peace and Joy, and it puts all of the pieces of Life together…it’s the ONLY thing that makes our lives make sense at all. But most people don’t “get it”. They somehow have convinced themselves that life is all about what they can get out of it for as long as they live, and they somehow believe they exist for their own pleasure. They question everything that happens, fight against the Flow, and are determined to make things the way they believe they should be, rather than considering His Plan and His Purpose in it all. To them, the Cross is merely a reminder of an historical moment in time and NOT the center of who they are in Christ Jesus. When good things happen they easily shout out a “Hallelujah,” but when bad things happen, they question His Will. My greatest Joy is knowing that my life has been stamped by His Hand for His Purpose and that every single piece of it belongs to Him. Some pieces make me cry, and some pieces bring me profound sadness, but EVERY piece has a Purpose beyond my ability to comprehend. This one significant piece of my Faith is the source of my Peace, my Joy, my Contentment, my Strength, and Unconditional Love. I was Created for His Purpose, and I’m Destined for Greatness. Why would I try to “own” all of the pieces of life when I can find my Peace only by accepting His Purpose for my Life every step of the way?

Sometimes I cry when I don’t have the answers, but I know that if I stay in His Presence and I ask Him for Wisdom, He’ll provide it to me every time. Sometimes I cry out of frustration over my circumstances, but I know that if I stay in His Presence and seek His Will, He’ll always put me on the right path. Sometimes I cry. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for all that He is and all that He does for me, because I know that I don’t deserve it, but He gives His love to me freely and unconditionally, no matter what. Sometimes I cry. I’m humbled by the Work He places in my Hands because I don’t believe that I can measure up, but EVERYBODY measures up in His eyes! All He ever looks for is a Vessel willing to live out Life according to His Purpose and not their own…and a Focus on the Cross. Living out Life with only His Plan in mind may look like the loss of freedom for those people who don’t understand it, but living out Life according to His Purpose and His Plan is the ONLY Freedom that matters at all, and it’s the ONLY way to find True fulfillment and Peace.

I’ve shed a whole lot of tears at the Cross, but every single one of them has been dried by His Warmth, and my Heart is singing for Joy as I set out to fulfill His Purpose for this new day.

How about you? Will the Cross be out of sight and out of mind for you today, or will you remain focused on the Price He paid for you? Will you be focused on the Cross today? Will you Trust His Purpose for your Life here on earth, or will it be all your own?

At the cross, at the cross

Where I first saw the light,

And the burden of my heart rolled away,

It was there by faith I received my sight,

And now I am happy all the day!

The Care and Feeding of the Saints…

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. We’ve been blessed to have visits from eagles lately – something we haven’t seen before. As I considered their recent visits, I thought about how they needed to be “protected” for a season, and now they’re strengthened, and their numbers are high. With the thoughts of the eagle spinning around in my head, I ended up spending a little extra time with the Living God, focused on Refreshing my Heart and my Soul, and I’m finally ready to face the day after a little Heavenly pampering. My Heart has been tenderized by the King, and it’s a rare kind of Heart because of it. Though I’m strong and I’m courageous just like the eagle is, and I’m the kind of gal you want on your side to fight on your behalf, my Heart is tender, and it can easily fracture if I’m not careful. It’s important for my Journey of Faith that I guard my Heart as best I can, so I make sure to go to the Great Physician when it needs a little patching up for the journey. After all, He wrote the Book on the Care and Feeding of a Tender Heart, so when my Heart is hurting, I know where to go for my nourishment.

Strong and courageous people are often seen as the ones who need the LEAST amount of care and feeding, but that’s SO far from the truth. After all, even the eagle became endangered and called for a little extra protection for the journey. Hearts that have been tenderized by the King have been put through a tremendous amount of adversity to get them in just the right condition to be used for Great things. They’re the bold ones not easily ignored, and they’re the ones you’ll see on the front lines of Battle. They’ll come to your defense in a quick minute, and they’re inclined to guard the underdogs when nobody else will. They’re often seen as the tough and capable ones, but they actually need a little more care and feeding for the Heart than the average person. They’re seen as the “survival type,” and although they’ll rarely crumble for others to see… they crumble when nobody’s watching.

The tenderized heart will give and give until there is nothing left to give if they aren’t careful, or if they aren’t stopped by another who understands their Heart and who doesn’t hesitate to protect it. The strong and courageous ones often push beyond where the average person goes, but they dig deep to get there, and they’re fueled by a Heart tenderized by the King. Since it’s the Heart that leads the way for the bold and courageous, it’s the Heart that gets the most wear and tear in the process.

If you’ve been tenderized by the King, you’ll need to be sure that you guard your Heart even if nobody else does. As rare as it is to encounter a tenderized Heart, it’s just as rare to encounter others who see beyond the surface and into the Hearts of these bold ones. It’s that rare kind of Heart that’s the most likely to break when it’s not protected, but it can easily be repaired when we follow the Instruction Manual on the Care and Feeding of a Tender Heart.

If you’ve been blessed with the rare gift of having a tenderized heart in your life, be sure to exercise proper Care and Feeding if you want to benefit from all of those things a tenderized Heart brings to the table. They’ll be your strength and your courage, and they’ll propel you to great things, and if you’re willing to exercise proper Care and Feeding of their tenderized heart, they’ll keep going and giving like the Energizer battery. Isaiah said, But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint – so I soar like the eagle and new my strength my the Journey too. This is the way to Finish well.

I’m bold and courageous, and I’ve been tenderized by the King of all kings! I wouldn’t trade my Hard Lessons for anything in the world because those Lessons made me who I am in Christ today. The Bible says that “All things work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose,” and I because I LOVE Him and I’ve been “called according to His purpose,” I’m a good case study for the Care and Feeding of a tender Heart, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The Lord Knew precisely what it would take to transform me into a usable Vessel for Himself, so my primary Goal is to never let Him down. I’ve been strengthened this morning by the One who wrote the Book on the Care and Feeding of a Tender Heart, and now my Heart is overflowing all over again.

How about you?

The Song of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Surround-Sound

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 this morning, and I lingered past the sunrise because it was too sweet to rush. The beauty of any new day is almost too much for me to take in, and it makes me wonder about what Heaven will be like. This morning, it was as if everything I heard had a voice…from the birds singing to the leaves rustling in the trees, to the sounds the flags made as they blew in the breeze. It was like a God-given orchestra in Surround Sound, and it was a sweet reminder to me that everyone has a voice that needs to be used for Good. Each voice can be a part of the God-given orchestra, and we can all be heard in this dark world in Surround-Sound if only we’re willing to speak the Right Words with the Right Purpose.

We live in a noisy world filled with debaters (in and out of the Church), and it’s not likely they’ll hear in Surround Sound because of it. News programs pay top dollar for nice-looking commentators hired specifically to debate and (talk over) someone else with a different opinion of “truth. The Internet spreads lies and hate faster than you can say “amen” and churches are dividing every day as they debate their own “versions” of Truth. (The Truth doesn’t have versions, but apparently, their Knowledge of the Truth is too weak to understand that). Some Christians have convinced themselves that it’s their “job” to debate the dark world (and each other) even though the Bible they claim to know so well warns against that kind of foolishness. When it comes to God’s people, there is only One song that needs to be sung…Only one song that will make a Difference…only One song we’re commanded to sing…only One song that has Power of its own…Only One song that leads to Good…and only One song that has the potential to reach the world in Surround Sound – and that’s the song of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

They say that the average female speaks 20,000 words a day and the average male 13,000. I can’t help but wonder, of all of those words spoken each day by each gender, how many of those words were GOOD words…ENCOURAGING words…UPLIFTING words…LOVING words and how many of them were Words used for the PURPOSE of Good? If we rattle off thousands of words each day and most of those words are NOT positive and uplifting words used for Good Purpose, how in the world can we expect our own world to be filled with Good either? It’s impossible to fill ourselves with negative things and expect Beautiful things back in return. The power of Life and death is in the tongue, and our words are indicators of the Condition of the Heart and the mind. If we want LOTS of those 20,000 words we speak to be Good ones with Good Purpose, then it all begins on the inside. Garbage in…garbage out.

People around me often hear me say that “speaking about my Faith is as natural to me as breathing,” and it wouldn’t be possible for me to stifle my voice to snuff Him out of my conversations at all! I am His Child, and He is my God, and He is a part of all that I am and all that I do. But even though I speak out (and often), I can’t help but feel shame when I consider how many of those 20,000 words were actually glorifying Him. How many times was my voice heard yesterday, and how many of those 20,000 words included a mention of a Mighty God…my HOPE and my REDEEMER? It boggles my mind when I hear someone of Faith say something like “Wow…I just found out he/she is a Christian!” after having spent time with them in the past. I think it’s pretty obvious that if either one of them were using some of their 20,000 words a day to mention Jesus Christ, they would have come to that realization long before they did. If we fail to use our voice to speak up about our amazing God, how can others hear about Him, and how can we consider ourselves to be a Good Witness of our Faith if we’re silent?

I’ll speak my words today with Purpose, and I’ll be sure not to squander an Opportunity to be a LOVING Light for Him by using a bigger portion of my 20,000 words. My Voice won’t be silenced today because my desire to Honor Him is much bigger than my desire to be part of the noise. The mention of my amazing God will flow through my conversations as naturally as blood flows through my veins.

How about you?

“You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontals on your forehead”

“You shall teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up”

“You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates”