Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The world seems so quiet when the earth is blanketed in snow, as if the world has gone off the radar. You could almost hear a pin drop without all the usual sounds heard on an average day here at the farm. But then again, there is no such thing as an average day in the eyes of the Creator of all. As the Master shed light on the farm this morning, I marveled at the twists and turns of the snow all around me, no doubt about that, but the one thought that wouldn’t leave me on this bitterly cold ice-covered day is all those poor people who have no warmth to turn to. Maybe they are sleeping on the streets – maybe they’re inside, but with inside temperatures being close to what it is outside because they have no heat. It’s 13° at the farm right now, and temperatures are expected to stay low for several more days…and Virginians are whining. We might be challenged by 22 acres of snow covered with inches of ice, and we might even get frustrated when we can’t get it moved out of here as fast as we’d like to, BUT we are very much aware of how blessed we are to be warm and tragic it is for the cold. Isn’t that the way you see your Journey of Faith, too?

It has taken lots and lots of hard lessons in my life to get me to a place of Surrender to the Living God…warm or cold. It’s not so much that I was more confident in myself with the outcome than I was Him it’s just that I was accustomed to taking care of everything and everyone around me, and I didn’t pause long enough to even consider to ask for Help for myself. Every once in a while, God would allow paralyzing Circumstances to come my way, and He must have grown so frustrated with me while He waited for me to Surrender my Circumstances to Him. I am living proof that He is a Compassionate and patient God. He cares about everything in my life. He Knows every hair on my head. He Knows about every tear I ever shed. He Knows the days He has allotted to me, AND HE KNOWS IF I’M WARM OR COLD. I don’t know why some people go hungry and cold and why God doesn’t FIX IT, but I do know that He doesn’t love me more than He loves them, and MAYBE, JUST MAYBE, God scatters the cold and hungry around just to see what the others will do about it. “Whatever you did for the least of these of mine, you did for me”. The question is how many people will remain focused on their own snow shoveling while “the poor among us” freeze to death? The funny thing about dying to yourself and guarding your peace is that once your selfish eyes turn away from your own agenda, YOU SEE THE SUFFERING, and you have no peace until you do what you can to help. Look at God!

For some God-like reason, the patterns of snow reminded me of my darkest hour. If you’re a regular reader of my posts, you know that I OFTEN refer to my darkest hour! Not because I want to savor my suffering but BECAUSE I NEVER want to forget what God has done for me! How much praise is enough praise to God for what He’s done for us? So…I had reached the end of myself. I was completely overwhelmed by my circumstances, and I had lost all hope. The world seemed so dark, and my circumstances seemed irreparable, and I no longer had the strength to put one foot in front of the other. I didn’t want to die – I just didn’t have the strength to live anymore. I was completely and totally broken. I couldn’t pray, and I had no joy. One morning I cried out to the Living God in total despair, and I confessed that I couldn’t go on. Even my body succumbed to my grief as I crumbled to the floor in my brokenness, and it was at that very moment…that time of total despair…the time when my hope and my strength were completely gone that God spoke to me and He taught me a lesson about surrender that changed my life forever. He reminded me that He is my God…the great “I AM”. He assured me that He would deliver me, and He made it very clear that I couldn’t control my circumstances “any more than you can hold back the waves of the sea”. My circumstances didn’t change in that moment, but I sure did. An indescribable weight was supernaturally lifted from me as I considered how ridiculous it was that I was attempting to “hold back the waves of the sea”. I surrendered all in that moment, and that is the secret to my peace.

It might be easy for some people to read these God-inspired morning posts each day and to marvel at my Peace and my Joy, but rest assured, my life isn’t perfect, and I’ve paid a BIG PRICE for my Peace. I guard my Peace like the good Warrior I am, and I don’t allow it to be stolen from me by anybody. Some people think they somehow DESERVE to have it, and some people accuse me of not being a very good Christian because I REFUSE to give away BUT truth be told, the Most High God IS Peace and He’s the ONLY ONE who can pass that along to another.

I’ve learned to surrender, and I go before the Throne of God each morning to seek His Will for me. I don’t have to carry the load anymore, and I don’t attempt to control my circumstances. This is the secret to surrender. I’m letting God be God in my life today, and I have indescribable peace with my imperfect life.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cold and quiet on this new day of a new week, and all is well with my family, this farm, The Well, and the world around me because El-Shaddai (God Almighty) protects it ALL. It’s no small thing to call out to El-Shaddai for help, and it’s no small thing when He Answers. As I sat in His Presence this morning, I was overwhelmed by His Might. I feel His Love and Protection every hour of every day, and I’m forever grateful for Him, BUT when I pause to consider His Might, it’s an indescribable feeling. When I pause to consider the Power of the Living God, it doesn’t make me feel small in comparison to Him…instead, it reminds me of just how much Power is at my fingertips ALL because of El-Shaddai. Isn’t that the way you look at yourJourney of Faith, too?

It can be so easy for people of faith to lose sight of the Power of a Mighty God because they tend to take matters into their own hands more than they place matters into His. But our Power doesn’t come by our own actions, and no matter how resourceful we think we are, we’re never the ones to “fix” whatever it is that’s wrong. It’s always the amazing El-Shaddai at work, even for the most “trivial” things. There are plenty of horrific things going on all around the world these days, and it would be easy to get caught up in them, but El-Shaddai sees it all…cares about it all…is with us through it all…and He’s got it all in the palm of His Hand. There’s a tremendous sense of Peace and Power that comes just by knowing that El-Shaddai is ALWAYS there and ALWAYS listening. The best part is that He doesn’t need social media to speak to His people, and nobody can twist His arm or thwart His Plans. There is Power in His Name.

The Bible says, “You believe that there is one God? Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder.” Even the evilest of evil shudder at the mention of His Name, and yet we hear His name mentioned more in vain than we do in Praise these days. Believing He exists is one thing – Living as if you Believe is an entirely different story. When you Believe, you understand the Power that is within you. When you Believe you call upon His Name for everything. When you Believe you fearlessly mention His name, and you’re excited to share Who He is with the world. When you Believe it’s easy NOT to become overwhelmed…even over the simplest of things…because you see His Hand in everything and it’s overwhelming to know that El-Shaddai…the God of all…the Prince of Peace…the Great “I am”… is there with you through it all. When you Believe the tears flow freely at the mere thought that El-Shaddai will never leave you nor forsake you. When you Believe you KNOW there is Power within you, and that all you ever need to do is tap into it. There is Power in His Name.

I spent Quality Time with the Most High God this morning, and I gave thanks for His Power and Might. The more I considered how “big” He is, the Stronger I began to feel. ALL things are possible through Him and I know He doesn’t grow tired of me asking for the “impossible” and Believing those things will come to pass…all because of El-Shaddai – my Mighty God…the omnipresent and omnipotent God of my Life that sees it all…cares about it all…is with me through it all…and Who has it ALL in the palm of His Hand.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I kicked off my day with a meeting with the CEO of my life, and I’ve received Wisdom and Direction from my Instruction Manual. It’s when I get myself Prepared from the inside out for what the day might bring that I feel the excitement about what lies ahead, and my Heart sings with joy regardless of my own circumstances. I am a child of the Living God, and He’ll use me today IF I let Him. I’m a child of the Living God, and I’ll be victorious today no matter what IF I let Him lead. I’m a child of the Living God, and if I can just set my own wants, desires, and needs aside and Focus on Him instead, I’ll have immeasurable Joy and the kind of Peace that surpasses all understanding at such a time as this. Isn’t that the way it is supposed to be for every Follower of Jesus Christ?

There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t do battle of some kind. That’s just the way it is for someone like me shouting from the mountaintops about my amazing God and His Grace. Sometimes the battle is an attack just because of the boldness of my Faith, and sometimes the attack hits me right between the eyes and rocks my world temporarily because I wasn’t Prepared for the “punch.” Sometimes it gets old, and sometimes it’s a challenge. Sometimes it’s a fleeting moment and just a word or two, and sometimes it’s a Season I must endure in His Name. Sometimes I feel strong enough to overcome it all, and sometimes I feel weak and stumble a little. But like a heavyweight champion in the boxing ring fighting for a win, I refuse to give up or to give in because I know that I’ll be Victorious because of Him every single time. This is the key to Strength.

Some of us are faced with “trials of many kinds,” and the world might wonder why we “suffer” at all if we put our trust in God. Sometimes, even professed Christians go into judgment mode, and as they wag their spiritual fingers in the face of our suffering, they suggest that IF we were living a righteous life, we wouldn’t have battles at all. But there’s no truth to that. It’s when we ignore our Instruction Manual, and we lose sight of the Bigger Picture, that we can ALL be inclined to wonder why bad things happen to good people. God does His best “Work” when He can turn around the circumstances in such a way that ONLY He can be Credited for the outcome. God does His best “work” when the storms of life are raging, and He shows up to calm the sea. God does His best “work” when we give Him the reigns no matter what our circumstances look like, and we do our part in the journey. And when we can stand strong and continue to Praise Him and to give Him Glory, no matter what’s going on in life, His Majesty shines for all the world to see. Hallelujah!

Things look good from the front porch of this old farm every single day, and I am blessed beyond measure that “the boundary lines have fallen on me in pleasant places.” Peace can be felt here, but that peace has nothing to do with me and nothing to do with geography. The Peace comes from Him. All that I am, all that I do, every word that I speak, every action that I take, every battle I fight, every Victory I celebrate is ONLY because He is my God, and I am His child, and I live each day FOR Him. I am now, and will forever be Victorious – HE IS WHERE I find my Strength to fight whatever battles come my way.

I’ll keep shouting from the mountaintops about my amazing God, and I’ll be armed and ready for the battle EVERY day. I won’t worry about the outcome because I already Know that He Holds it EVERYTHING in the palm of His Hand. I may have to do a little more Battling than most people, but that’s okay. God knows that I will Glorify Him no matter what, and that I’ll BOLDLY Share my Journey with the world without pride or shame so that they can see how amazing my God is too!

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s a new day of a new week, and I couldn’t be more excited about what God is about to do than I was on the first day I Believed. With a Heart Inclined toward the King of all kings and with eyes and ears focused on my Instruction Manual for Life, I can’t go wrong…AND I can’t contain my excitement. My Heart overflows with Gratitude after a good talkin’ to by the Commander-in-Chief of my life. If I want to be all that I can be in Jesus’ Name, then I need to be willing to be Corrected by the King whenever He sees that it’s necessary for me. Isn’t that what all good Warriors do? I don’t have all the answers when it comes to God, that’s for sure, but it’s not for the lack of Searching for them. I’m with Him for the Long Run…I’m ALL in…and nothing will stop me from ALL that He has for me while I’m still here…as long as I don’t let it, that is. So, I seek His Will each day, and I dig a little deeper into His Word for more Truth and Wisdom, and I’m more excited than ever for how He’ll use me for His Will in the days ahead…IF I’m READY AND WILLING, that is.

A long time ago, many people followed Jesus, and they were eyewitnesses to some amazing miracles. They saw Him feed thousands of people by multiplying a little bread and a few fish, they saw Him walking on water, and they saw Him heal the sick and raise the dead. They saw Him do so many things NO MAN could ever do in the flesh! But as Jesus was teaching in the synagogue one day, explaining that He IS the “bread of life,” many of those disciples said, “This is a hard teaching – who can accept it?” and they walked away from the Miracle Maker. In other words, when it was time to add Knowledge to the “sizzle” of their belief, even the eyewitnesses of some of the most amazing Miracles decided that the Teaching was too “hard” and they went from disciples to deserters, apparently without blinking an eye.

The circumstances are different, and it’s thousands of years since those disciples deserted the Miracle Maker, but people are STILL going from “disciple to deserter” today without blinking an eye when they think the teachings are “too hard.” Maybe they don’t realize that when it comes to the Living God, you’re either ALL IN or you’re ALL OUT. They don’t understand you’re either FOR Him or you’re AGAINST Him. There’s no room for wishy-washy commitments and no excuse for ignoring His Word…even IF it’s a tough pill to swallow sometimes. It’s very sad to think about how many Believers will be surprised One Day when God sees them as DESERTERS instead of disciples, all because they thought the teachings were “too hard” for their liking and they refused to share with the lost world because of it.

I don’t understand every single thing about His Teachings, and some of them DO look “too hard” when you view them from the surface, as those disciples did. But we can’t Learn (or accept) if we rely on our opinion of what’s “too hard” – it takes an Unshakeable Faith and a faithful Heart to pull that off! From where I sit, the disciples had more intellect than Faith, and they couldn’t fathom embracing the Whole Truth of His Teachings because of it…and the SAME IS TRUE TODAY. Countless people refuse to be ALL IN because they’re too busy trying to rationalize the Living God, and so “They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.” Things won’t turn out well for those folks One Day.

I won’t reach “perfection” until He takes me Home, and (unfortunately) I stumble often. But when I stumble, I know where to go to get my feet back on Solid Ground, and I quickly ask for Forgiveness for not obeying His teachings…even IF they’re hard. With Him all things are possible, and when I’m weak, HE IS STRONG. So, instead of copping out with “it’s too hard,” I dig deep to find out the hows and whys for my stumble, and I work hard to keep it from ever happening again – and each time those “hard teachings” become clearer and easier to accept. Though I stumble from time to time, I will NEVER be seen as a “deserter,” and I won’t be found trying to rewrite Teachings because they’re “too hard,” like the world does.

How about you?

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see”

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cold and overcast this morning; a sharp contrast to the condition of my Heart today. The Living God has been doing a little Construction Work on my Heart to Prepare me for the Work He has for me this New Year and beyond. Sometimes the Hand of God reaches down to Refine me – there’s nothing “bad” about me – I’m just a Work in Progress. Sometimes God uses me in Special Ways – but there’s nothing special about me…I’m just a Willing Vessel. Sometimes God expects me to do the “impossible” – things that make no sense to the human mind – but nothing is impossible with God and whatever He has for me will be Completed…not because I’m determined…because I’m Willing. Isn’t that the way you see your Journey of Faith, too?

The world is filled with people excited about this New Year and all the possibilities that come with it. Some are hopeful they’ll find love, while others are hopeful they’ll find wealth. Some want to welcome a baby into the world, while others want to buy a home. Some want to take an exotic vacation, and others want to eliminate debt. There’s no end to all the things people are hoping for in this New Year. I hope their dreams DO come true…most of them will if they determine to make it so. But more than anything else, I wish more people could see the Possibilities the way I see them. I wish THEIR wish lists were more about what they could GIVE AWAY than what they might receive.

Just imagine if more people were more interested in Speaking the Language of Love than pitching a product or service. Just imagine if more people were more interested in the condition of the Soul than the condition of the body or bank account. Just imagine if more people got their Priorities in the Right Order and actually shared their Faith with a lost world instead of merely praying for it. The Possibilities are endless for this New Year and beyond…a world that could easily be turned Right-side-up! It all comes down to Willing Vessels who are more interested in what they can Give away than what they can receive.

I’ve got my Marching Orders for this New Year and beyond, and the excitement sometimes keeps me awake at night. I’m still under Construction and I will be until He takes me Home – but I’m Prepared for the Journey because I’m Willing and I’m Teachable. Pleasing Him is my First Priority, and I Understand what Success looks like from where He sits. There is NO greater success in the world than having an Eternal Impact on the life of another human being, and the Rewards we’ll receive in Heaven will make all the riches of the Earth look like pocket change.

There is no greater Purpose in Life than to Give away the Truth, over and over and over again. There is no greater Fulfillment than to discover our God-given gifts and then put them to Work in His Name. There’s no need to fret over money when going about the “Father’s business” – He’s got that part covered. All we ever really need to do is be Willing to Serve the King of all kings, to SHOW UP, ARM UP, and SPEAK UP, all the days of our lives. When we love Him with our WHOLE Heart, we make sure He IS our First Priority, and Serving Him every day is the greatest Honor of all.

Happy New Year. Will you be SERVING Him this year?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s a crazy-busy, beautiful time of the year, but nothing is permitted to get in the way of my Time with the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. When you think of Him that way every day, why would you ever put Him second to anything? As I looked out over the fields this morning, I thought about how things are rarely how they appear to be on the surface. The sunrise is beautiful…but the fields look barren even though they’re not. It’s focusing on the surface of ANYTHING in life that can so easily fool us. Beneath the barren “look” of the fields is actually life that will be ready to spring forth again in just a few months with a little Help from the Living God, AND all the outer influences He provides – like the sun and rain. And so it is with life. Isn’t that the way you see your Journey of Faith, too?

If there’s anything that can get us into trouble, it’s drawing our own conclusions based on what we see on the surface of life. A smile doesn’t necessarily equate to happiness, no more than the winterized foliage equates to barrenness. Seeing someone with material things doesn’t necessarily mean everything is okay behind the wealth, any more than seeing someone without material things means they’re not happy. Seeing someone dressed for success doesn’t equate to a full bank account, no more than seeing someone not dressed for success means they aren’t. Driving a shiny luxury car doesn’t equate to plenty of expendable income, and driving an older car doesn’t necessarily mean that they lack the means to upgrade. Living in a mansion doesn’t equate to it being filled with joy, and living in a humble abode doesn’t equate to regrets. There’s no end to the assumptions we make about what we see on the surface of life. It’s looking beyond the surface where the truth is found. Without looking below the surface, we never know what the view of life really looks like from where we sit. This is the Key to finding the need within each one, so we know how to “fill it” with Hope.

Of all the assumptions we make about life, the most dangerous assumption comes down to Faith. Going to church doesn’t equate to being a Christian, no more than going to a bar equates to being an alcoholic. Being able to quote Scripture doesn’t equate to being a Christian, no more than quoting science equates to being a genius. Feeding a few hungry people for the holidays doesn’t equate to being a Christian, no more than breaking bread with relatives once in a while equates to being a family. Being a Christian comes down to a personal relationship with the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace – and when we have that part “right,” we spring forth with Living Water, and the Love and Compassion cannot be contained. When we get that part “right”, we dig below the surface of life with everyone in our path – never judging – because we understand the brokenness of man and we celebrate Forgiveness. We never stop Searching for the Condition of the Heart, and sharing our Faith becomes as natural to us as breathing. We love our brothers and sisters in Christ enough to be sure that they’ve not grown barren in the Journey and we never make assumptions based on what we see on the surface. It’s the Holy Spirit that should be dwelling below the surface of every person of Faith and it’s His Spirit that prompts us to Search beyond what we see with our eyes. When He dwells within us, we never look at barrenness without seeing Hope…in and out of the community of Christians.

God used the barren-looking fields this morning to remind me not to make assumptions based on what I see on the outside. Many people can easily be left behind all year long based on assumptions we make about what we see on the surface of life. So, as I celebrate the birth of the King of all Kings, I’ll keep digging below the surface to check the Condition of the Heart of all He puts in my path…beginning with myself, and I won’t assume anything based on what I see. I’ll be Armed and Ready to share the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace throughout the season and every single day of the new year. And THAT’s what the “great commission” looks like below the surface.

How about you?