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?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I woke up just as the Master woke up the world, and I kicked off this new day in His Presence to give Praise and Thanks for this new day of a new year of my life. A new year is something to Celebrate from the inside out, that’s for sure, and even though I don’t like what I see in the mirror these days, I like what I see on the inside much MORE than I ever have. After a really good dose of Wisdom from my Instruction Manual and a hot cup of coffee, I’m ready to Celebrate this beautiful new day in my Journey of Life in a manner that will Please the One Who “knit me together” in my mother’s womb…the One who died for me! Without Him, I might be celebrating a day, but with Him, I Celebrate my Life. Isn’t that the way you look at your birthday, too?

My heart overflows with Gratitude this morning for countless things. Psalm 40:5 says, “Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.” It’s impossible to count my Blessings – there are too many to declare. But on this day, in honor of my birthday, I’ll declare a few…

I’m thankful for a saving Faith and that I know, with all that I am, that One Day I will spend the rest of my days in the Presence of the One who died for me and with all those Faithful ones who have gone before me. I’m thankful that all my children have a Saving Knowledge of Jesus Christ too, and that parting from this earth won’t mean parting forever for us! We’ll have a Family Reunion in Heaven one day that will be so beautiful it will defy words. I won’t just see the people I’ve loved here on earth in Heaven, I’ll also see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Daniel, Peter, Paul, Barnabas, Job, and countless others that I read about in His Word! I’m grateful for the promise of Eternity for those of us who Believe – “too many to declare.”

I’m thankful for the world’s most amazing family. The Love that runs through my children for me and for each other is only possible through God, and it’s an answer to a daily prayer since I became a Mom. God blessed me with children I don’t deserve, and He has answered my prayers for Wisdom to raise them, a Heart to love them unconditionally…to forgive them just as Jesus forgives us…a Heart to speak Kindness and to reflect gentleness no matter what. I’m thankful for the strength and health of each one of them and for joy and laughter year after year. It hasn’t been a perfect journey, and there have been plenty of storms, but we’ve Celebrated Victory together after the storms, and we’ve always clung to our Faith to see us through. The things I’m grateful for are “too many to declare.”

I’m thankful for my Covenant partner…my husband, my brother, and my friend…a gift to me from God in the final chapter of my life. After decades of being content to fly solo, God brought me the perfect man for me, and he has filled my life with Love. My covenant partner loves Jesus MORE than he could ever love me, and THAT’S how and why he’s so good to me…Christ is the center. Together we serve the King!

I’m thankful for my friends. Some I’ve known for decades, and some who have entered my life in this winter season of my Life. Some I’ve never met in person, but I love them all the same. Each one has Blessed me in ways “too many to declare.” I’ve felt their prayers in the trying seasons of my life, and we’ve celebrated Victories at the end as I climbed back up to the mountaintop while they cheered me on – and we ALWAYS give thanks to God for the new Testimony they know I’ll BOLDLY Share with the world. The goal of Christian friendships is to “spur” one another on to be all that we can be for Jesus, so I spur every chance I get, and I’m grateful for when they spur me on, too. I love to belly laugh with them at every given opportunity, and my Heart and prayers can be counted on when they need me…and I know that theirs can be counted on when I need them too. “Too many to declare.”

My morning is already filling up with calls from my family and friends – each one with a priceless message of love for me as I celebrate a new year. Today I’ll celebrate over lunch with a few friends, and tonight I’ll be serving the King by way of a Bible study. What better way to honor the One who died for me? Our family will gather soon to decorate our Christmas tree, and we’ll be celebrating each December birthday (there are 4) – decorating the tree for my birthday has been a tradition for as many years as I can count. Our home will overflow with love and laughter, and I know that all the things I’ll be grateful for on this day as I celebrate my birthday will be “too many to declare”.

Thank you, God, for another day – ANOTHER YEAR to make a Difference in this Journey called Life. Thank you for each life MY Life touches throughout this coming new year. May I be a Reflection of you as I share the Truth with them with Christ-like Love. May I not squander even one day of this new year so that I can Live it out for Jesus Christ! Thank you, God, for the Peace and Love that overflows in my life.

Thank you to my precious tribe and to all of my friends for each sweet birthday message for me.

My thanks are “Too many to declare”. My heart overflows.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I met with the One who breathed Life into my soul, and once I got into His Word, I couldn’t get enough. I read Words I’ve read many times before, but they Touched me in ways they never had before, and today they had New Meaning just for me. I’m growing more each day because of Him AND because I’m a Willing student. No doubt my days are getting shorter and shorter, and there’s no longer “all the time in the world” for me. So I work hard to get my nature as close to the Nature of the Perfect One who died for me as humanly possible before He calls me Home. Like the branches on these trees, there are pieces of me here and there that need Attention so that the smaller, weaker parts of me can eventually become Mature like all the others. If I keep strengthening some parts, but overlook all those other “little” things that need to Mature, I can’t become ALL that He Created me to be. So, I keep working to become the Best I can be for Him. Isn’t that the way you look at your life, too?

It can be so easy to feel good about ourselves based on Maturity in some areas of our lives, while we overlook the importance of developing all the other “little things.” We can be strong and well-rooted in some ways, but as weak as a newborn colt in others. If we continue to pour Living Water on the strong parts, no doubt they will stand firm for the long run, BUT if we overlook the “little things” that need attention too, we risk thwarting the entire Journey of Faith. Sometimes those small branches need to be pruned to make way for all the others, and sometimes they need to be cut away entirely. Either way, unless we pay attention to the “little things” that stand in the way of us becoming all that He Created us to be, we never reach the Ultimate Goal. There aren’t many things that scare me as much as thinking I could end my Journey with a “MISSION INCOMPLETE” all because I refused to address the “little things” that stand between my God and me.

Sometimes we don’t realize our Journey is being thwarted, but that’s because we excuse away the “little things” as if they don’t matter. We easily deceive ourselves into believing that the “little things” don’t matter as long as there are some Strong parts…but THAT’S NOT TRUE. After all, the human body is made up of TRILLIONS of cells, but all it takes is a few active cancer cells to prevent all the others from thriving…and the same is true for the Journey of Faith. We often tell ourselves that “nobody’s perfect,” and while that’s true, that’s no excuse for not giving it everything we’ve got to be more like the Perfect One who died for us. Don’t take my word for it – He says, “Be holy as I am holy”. It takes each piece to Grow into a Strong Vessel that is worthy to be used by the King, and sometimes it’s all those “little things” that are standing in the way of Spiritual Growth, no matter how many other Strong branches we have. As long as we’re Willing…and Seeking His Face…and Determined to please Him more than we’re determined to please ourselves… He’ll keep revealing those “little things” that need our Attention, and He’ll teach us how to Prune them out of our lives so that we become the Vessel He intends for us to be.

The Lord used the winter backdrop of dormant trees this morning to drive home a message to my Heart, and I’m grateful for the Pruning we did together. He loves me. HE Created me for a Purpose. He wants to Use me. He wants me to be Strong. He has command over every cell in my body. He wants me to Grow. He wants me to be a Walking Testimony of His Love and Grace in every area of my Life. If I need to go through a little pruning and cutting away every once in a while so that I can be the Best for Him, it’s WORTH it. He’s WORTH it.

I won’t reach perfection on this side of Heaven, but that won’t prevent me from trying to be more like Him every day until He takes me Home. “MISSION INCOMPLETE” isn’t an option for me. Is it for you?