FireStorm Faith Ranch

05/13/2025

Strong and courageous!

When we prepare ourselves to take on a new challenge, we usually wait until we are mentally and physically ready to ensure the best results.
But what happens when you show up unprepared? Do you run? Do you make excuses? Do you sulk in comparison to others talents that you find void in your life?

News flash!!!! You are NOT great at everything! You will NOT succeed completely or fully at everything! Thank goodness! If everyone was perfect at everything, what’s the point of our faith journey? Wouldn’t we all accomplish each task the first time we tried it, and be bored our whole lives? God doesn’t want that. That’s why He made us each unique and perfect as our own masterpiece.

If you show up to a race and can’t run but can walk, don’t feel discouraged; walk and walk the best you can! When you attend church, sing hymns and realize you’re tone deaf, don’t stop singing; keep singing! Don’t shy away from your imperfections. Instead thank God for blessing you with the ability to be able to walk and the gift of singing. He sees you as perfect in His eyes. Quit judging yourself or worrying about what others think and show up proud, stand tall, and perform your best because God is the ONLY audience who matters!

We all have our own creative talents. Joshua 1:9 states, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” God is telling you and me to brave and confident when facing challenges and obstacles. Your “flaws” are someone else’s prayers. Read that sentence again and think about what it says. The blessings you experience everyday are sometimes the hopes of others to receive back in their daily lives.

Cheer on the last place person who completed the marathon, and the “difficult” student who graduated high school with barely passing grades. These people work hard for their accomplishments, and we are not one to judge them when they finish last, or are number 729 out of a class of 729. Because somewhere in this world, there are people who can’t run or even walk to complete a marathon or even have the opportunity to attend school let alone graduate.

So remember, show up strong and courageous and perform your best no matter what place you finish, what your time is, what grade you received or what jokes others are saying about you. As a child of God, YOU have His army on your side and therefore it is IMPOSSIBLE to fail. You are strong. You are courageous. You are ENOUGH! Stop putting on a show for others who don’t matter.

Next Sunday at church, sing LOUD and PROUD even if you’re off key, because God blessed YOU with a voice. Tomorrow, get outside and walk, run, or jog to capture Gods miracles in nature. Whatever your struggle, just show up! You can’t fail at anything if you show up! You only fail when you choose to not trust God, because you’re too scared of what others may think or say about you. You do YOU, as original and unique and PERFECT as God created you, and show the world your talent and Love for God!

05/09/2025

Impossible.
What’s your impossible? What do you think is something you couldn’t imagine happening to you or a loved one? Are you prepared to walk down that road?

We all observe tragedies, sicknesses/illnesses that change a person’s physical and mental state, unemployment and homelessness. As we watch others navigate through these delicate times, we are saddened by their state. We wish them luck and offer help where we can to provide resources. We pray with them and for them. Sometimes, change erupts and life blesses these persons with healing ❤️‍🩹, a new job, a healthier living condition or just pure joy in their heart 💜!

What happens when evil strikes you? Did you see it coming? When you prayed for God to protect you, how do you interpret the reality that just upended your life? Do you blame or question God? No one wants to be in pain, suffer, unable to provide for their family and children. However, this life is uncertain and reality truly tests your faith. When sickness consumes a loved one we go to prayer to ask for Gods hand to heal them. We continue to pray daily, weekly, monthly and yearly until the sickness has vanished. But sometimes, life has other plans. Sometimes God’s plan has a different ending than you want or “need” on Earth. So how does your faith stay strong through prayer that is answered in an uncomfortable way? The answer: You don’t stop praying.

Life is only temporary here on Earth. Emotions hold many questions as we unveil the many messages and mysteries behind each unique experience. Grief is probably one of the hardest ones to describe, experience, overcome, and understand. We all internalize this emotion differently and sometimes we don’t realize we haven’t thrown it away from a specific event.
Even though God may not answer your prayer or reply with the answer you want or “need,” don’t stop calling on His name! God has a plan for each and every one of us, and it’s our job to trust Him and follow on the path He leads us on without trying to steal the reins.

Asking why, wondering what God’s plan is, or simply questioning the reason He chose our loved one specifically to carry and battle an illness, lose a job and home proves to Him we are not truly ready to trust Him and follow Him. As Christians, we must trust that His timing and His plan is right. God never allows a situation to cause more harm to one of His children just so we can have more time with them here on Earth. Through the deep feeling of loss, depression, questions, and confusion our trust in Him must shine through in our daily faith walk. After all, a lifetime of blessed eternal life is waiting for those who truly believe in Him!

So, don’t stop praying no matter the outcome in good or bad situations. Keep your head held high and know God is protecting each and every one of you. He is always by your side. Your impossible and your miracle that’s needed will be fulfilled by calling on His name.

03/27/2025

Vulnerable and not in control can be messy but also powerful.

As a type A personality who thrives off a clean home, everything put in the correct place, and all chores completed daily, I struggle with relinquishing control. Relinquishing control means I have to not panic when toys blanket the floor, dishes paint the sink and counter, and laundry gives Mount Everest a run for its money. Letting these sights of "lived in" homes represent the memories made can be a normal day to day picture of a well-balanced family who genuinely loves life and truly loves each other. However, my brain only sees chaos, disorder, and uncleanliness. This is a real-life struggle for me to cope with when life gets messy.

Trusting and following God is the exact same way. The road isn't always roses, perfect stepping stones, or even a lighted path with a guardrail for added support. True faith and trust drive you to places of the unknown, vulnerability, and obstacles that you may or may not be able to conquer alone. Learning how to let go of the safety net, walk through the current, and open doors that seem locked for your protection mold you into a stronger, wiser, and more inspirational child of God.

Almost a year ago, after putting my kids to bed, I sat down, called on God, and poured out my heart and soul to Him with every ounce of my being. I was ready to progress in my faith journey, and I hungered to know which path God wanted me to follow. The previous 2-3 years I kept feeling the need to write and I knew this new venture would change my life. But as history repeats itself, I regularly miss His answers to my prayers, over analyze situations, and wondered if writing was truly what God wanted me to explore. So that night, I gave everything I had to God and told Him if writing was where I needed to be, I was ready to dive headfirst and design new literature that I could only pray would touch others and maybe someday save someone's life. The catch, was that I needed God to give me the BIGGEST sign I've ever had so I wouldn't chance missing it, overlooking it, or wondering if that was the correct answer. Well, as His work is mighty and powerful the very next morning, I received a phone call that changed my life and the person I'm meant to be! Writing was God's answer!

Being vulnerable means giving up ALL control and trusting the journey. When you whole heartedly reach out to God entrusting every ounce of your being to Him and the next step of your faith journey, the changes in your life will be miraculous. Along the path you have to stay vulnerable and fully trusting to allow His hand to work in your life. Don't pick and choose when you want to be vulnerable and when you want to grasp control, because you will miss important lessons and opportunities. Never lose sight of your end goal. There will be problematic times and situations where you question if you've lost your inspiration or your drive to push forward. Keep pushing forward. Hold on just a little longer and you will see the next stepping stone.

Practice being 100% vulnerable and breath in the fresh air God places within your lungs. I challenge you to take the leap of faith, jump off into the current, and let go of the handrail, because a world of beauty and miracles is waiting at your fingertips. Can you be completely vulnerable for a life changing journey? Do you have what it takes to fully relinquish control?

Today your story begins on page 1. What will you write?

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02/27/2025

The POWER of prayer! 🙏

Prayer is talked about out frequently. Most of us pray daily or weekly in church, but have you ever stopped to truly appreciate the power your words hold?

Emergencies arise when life is most challenging! Young children, family, friends, and pets hold deep ties to our hearts and our love for them over powers our soul. When tragedies arise, we question “why.” We tend to replay the incident over and over and criticize ourselves for our actions. “If I hadn’t have done _____, then ____ wouldn’t have happened.” “If I would’ve waited 2 minutes then everything would be ok.” Blaming ourselves for accidents, or actions causes fear to control our identity. But during these fearful times, prayer is our priority. We search for protection, care, and healing from God through our words. Many times, the incident has a positive outcome and we are relieved to see another day with our loved ones. But have you ever stopped to ponder the true power of prayer?

Praying to God is a testimony of our faith. We ask for healing and our faith drives our spirits of hope that our loved ones will be ok. The power words can hold to heal a child from an injury, cure a family member from a deadly disease or simply ask for God to watch over us is mind blowing. 🤯 A God who can heal millions of people around the world every second of everyday with a fee simple spoken words leaves me speechless. It’s true when they say words can have a lifelong effect on someone. Be careful what you say, but never forget the strength and confidence you possess to ask for help! Whether you believe in prayer, or God, know that YOU are loved and prayed for. Praying for those you don’t know can not only heal a stranger but open your heart to receive God’s love and offer a blessing that can save another persons life.

NEVER doubt the true power of prayer. Even if your prayers aren’t answered on your timeline or if you receive a different answer than you asked, DON’T STOP PRAYING. God has each of us carefully held in His hands and is protecting us through His love. ❤️ During the difficult times when the outcome is grim or fear sets in, remember God has a plan and will protect you at all costs.

Parents, always air on the side of caution and never feel as though you are worrying about a “little” matter. Your children are your world, and they can’t be replaced. Love as if tomorrow never comes. Have faith to trust God’s plan, and Pray with the confidence that God can and will heal all!

DON’T STOP PRAYING!

02/19/2025

Trials.

Raising children is hard. Staying calm, patient, and loving is hard. Just when you think you have overcome a challenging day, life throws numerous curve balls at you and pushes you past your physical limit. Where is God in all of this? God is always present in our daily life even when we can't see or hear Him.

Yesterday was HARD! One of the hardest days I've experienced in a long time. Children were fighting and destroying the house. I heard "mom," more than 20 times in one minute; yes, I counted at one point. An earlier appointment didn't go as planned, and I was pushed WAY past my physical and mental limit. So, what did I do? I cried. I ugly cried and then cried some more. I'm not ashamed to admit I'm not perfect, I fail at everyday life, and sometimes I need to just cry because it's the only thing I feel. Expressing your emotions brings to light your human nature and the realization that it is ok to show weakness and vulnerability. Sometimes realizing that life is not picture perfect and that failing teaches you success is exactly the medicine you need to heal.

God never left my side yesterday. He was with me through every trial and failure I experienced. Keeping my faith strong in Him and seeking Him in my hardest days teaches me that God carries me through the rough seas and prepares me to tackle any battle I encounter up ahead.

God chose to place the gospel in us, knowing that we are not perfect, we are fragile, and may fail. Why would he choose a delicate place to entrust His word? God chose you and me knowing that His glory would shine through our weaknesses. These trials are when we are most fit to share His glory with others!

Don't turn away when you're having a bad day, and it snowballs. Don't feel bad about crying, even if you have to ugly cry! Let your emotions out and become vulnerable. Show your children, family, and friends it's ok to cry, to feel sadness, failure, and defeat. Perfection is a myth. We are not meant to be perfect or have our lives perfectly put together. As children of God, we are on a journey to seek Him daily, grow our relationship with Him, and share His word and Love with everyone we meet. Quit stressing over your home not being clean, your car piled with toys, trash, and dirt. Don't allow showing up late to appointments set the tone for the rest of your day. These things are all steps to guide you to become a better person through navigating challenges and learning how to overcome busy times that leave you scrambled.

Show up messy. Enter with chaos. Love with faith.
Thank you, God, for entrusting me with your word, and providing me the tools to show others how wonderful you are.

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02/10/2025

New Year. New Dreams. New Fears???

When you're ready for a new start, you may seek God and stand confidently praying for Him to show you which path is right. You confess "I'm ready Lord." "I'm ready to dive straight in and do your work whatever sacrifices may arise." But when God shows you which door to pass through, and it's not the one you subconsciously were "hoping" for, do you run and make excuses? Do you suddenly have fears arise and question if you're 100% ready to dive in like you confessed?

If you wait for the right time to take your next step, you will never achieve your goal! You will be stuck exactly where you are even if that means you take a different path. Taking a risk reveals uncertainty in its rawest form. Questions arise about the end goal and fears creep into our minds convincing us this may not be the right answer. We look for ways to soften the load, or trials we are to face in hopes of feeling confident in the "comfortable" aspects of the journey. Using your faith in God will guide you through the hard times where you will fail, but more importantly you will learn how to overcome the evils of this world. Your journey is not meant to be easy. If it was, what would we learn from it? How would we grow individually and spiritually? Exploring the hidden paths toward your purpose will reveal the true meaning of joy IF you're committed to a challenge. Comfortable is complacent, while uncertainty is success and happiness.

So, when you're afraid, will you keep pushing forward knowing that God is fighting right next to you, or will you allow your fears to take over and question what's right? Try pushing forward when you're afraid, and you may peel back a few layers you never knew you had deep within your soul. Fears are not meant to scare you, but rather bring to light how strong you are if you are willing to face your giants!

Try listening harder when you're afraid. Step forward and trust that God will protect and guide you. Wear confidence when your fears arise, and you may just find the peace you were searching for.

Will you try it afraid.....?

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02/07/2025

When you feel inspired, you pursue a dream with every ounce of your soul. Trials that pave your path seem miniscule at the time and are easily overcome. But what happens when you are put into a new or unfamiliar situation? Do you use your faith to trust God and step out of your comfort zone? Or do you stay back, and turn back toward your safe circle and search for a different path to follow that won't challenge you as deeply?

Growing up, I was shy around new people, new situations, and new beginnings. I preferred to observe from the outside, take notes, and then decide the best path to navigate an unfamiliar territory. Others would label me as weird, stand offish, unfriendly, and insecure. These feelings hurt, because we all want to be accepted and fit into some type of group. However, once I became accustomed to the new routine and slowly began speaking to others, I felt comfortable to trust this new group. Being guarded and reserved has had it pros and cons in the past, but this path was the safest for me to feel comfortable around new people.

I experience this still today as an adult. We all say we have friends we can call on and rely on when troubles arise. But when
a hard time presents itself, are these "friends" there for you, or do you reach out and simply receive silence in return? When you feel part of a group, but then find out your excluded from group conversations, or gatherings, how do you feel? Anyone would respond that they feel confused, sad, and question why they are a part of that group if they're not truly included in everything. We as followers of Jesus must continue to invite those who may always tell us "no" or "maybe next time," because you never know what that person is navigating to work up the courage to feel comfortable attending your gathering. It is not our place to judge or simply close a door with a "friend," because we constantly hear "no." Each one of us is different and we all excel in different areas at various rates. What may be comfortable to you, may be extremely scary and insecure for someone else. Never keep give up on anyone and keep trying, because one day that "no" will become a "yes," and you may have saved that person's life. Be there for others and invite them to be a part of your circle, because at some point you searched for a group to be a part of too!

Lastly, sometimes the biggest change in someone can be found in the quietest of moments. Allow your "friends" to pursue their faith journey at their own pace, even if they aren't ready for the next step in your group. Courage is a strength that lights up your soul. Make sure your light is shining for all to see!

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02/03/2025

You’ve got this!!!

Whatever it is you’re facing, you’ve got this!
No matter how sad, lost, or confused you are, you’ve got this! God is with you each and every step of the day!

If you need a lending ear, I’m here! If you need a prayer, I’m here! If you need encouragement, I’m your biggest fan! Whatever you do don’t stop praying! Don’t give up, and tell your ❤️ to beat again!

God instilled courage and love in your heart and soul. Keep holding on, and keep praying!!! Bad times will turn around. Good is in every second of every day. Have you found yours today?

Don’t allow yourself to give up or give in to yesterday’s worries. Today was made by God for you! Get up, do your absolute best, and know that you make God proud each and every day.

Let me know how I can pray for YOU!

01/25/2025

Open your heart! ❤️

If you want God to change your life, your situation, your next step, then quit crowding your heart with unnecessary clutter. Allow God to step into your life and change you for who you want to be, change you so you can take the next step in your journey, and change you so your 💜 can radiate love for others.

Let God take control and follow His leadership. Quit worrying about what ifs. Quit stressing about money and savings. Quit wondering why others can succeed further into life than you while you work your life away. God has you in His hands and knows the plans He has specifically for You! Don’t compare yourself to others, as their battles may be far deeper and harder than yours. Be blessed and thankful for what you have.

Let God in, and your life will be filled with blessings.

01/23/2025

It's OK to be human!

We all experience good times, and bad times throughout our lives in an endless cycle. Mistakes are what make you unique and shape your character. If we didn't make mistakes, then we would all be perfect making life very boring. When you are struggling with a decision to make, feelings of loss, defeat, or depression turn to God and He will light your way.

Life is tough right now. Many of us are navigating a new year, new goals, new jobs/relationships, new leadership, or just trying to survive the day. When survival mode hits, and it's all you can do to get out of bed, keep pushing forward! God's strength and power have the most effect on you when you're at your weakest, if you let Him in.

January begins bright and filled with hope for many of us as it's the beginning of a new year, blank slate ready for you to shape and mold it into something better than the previous year. But we often forget the struggles intertwined with this new outlook. There are stronger obstacles than last year you must overcome. While you may have accomplished goals and tasks last year, this new year presents different mountains that you must conquer using different strategies. If you always approach your battles with the same strategy, you will never grow. Push yourself to put on new armor and face new giants so you can gain strength and new opportunities in your relationship with God.

Like a plant, we need sunlight and water to thrive. Don't allow yourself to slip away and put a wall up pushing friends and family out of your life thinking you can handle everything on your own. Plants and animals can survive desolate situations far longer than we think they can. When you are forced to survive an experience that is out of your comfort zone, you may panic at first, but soon realize you are capable of being strong through any storm placed in your path. This is called FAITH!!! Quit waiting for the hard times to push you down to rely on your faith in God. Grow your faith every day, and water it as if it truly depends on you to survive. Your faith is only as strong as you allow it to be in your life. With a God so ready and willing to guide you through anything big and small, don't waste unnecessary energy feeling sorry for yourself and waiting for someone to do something for you. Stand up and fight for your faith and reach out to God always!

Praise God for the sunlight, rain, snow, and heat. His gift can be found in all. Search for ways to bring out God's gift in others and share yours with them as well. When flowers bloom in the desert or snow provides water for animals, His gift is showing you His blessings to others. Take off your blinders, and strengthen your armor, because TODAY YOU are ENOUGH! Your good is good enough. Your determination is a step in your journey. And your Faith is your survival.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you." -Deuteronomy 31:6

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01/19/2025

2 years……

2 years feels like 20 and yet here we are today still living day by day not knowing what tomorrow holds. We are thankful everyday for a legacy you helped us create through your heart, desire, and passion. We share your story with others and through your determination Gods word shines through inspiring a new generation.

The pain will never truly heal from not walking out and seeing your pure spirit in the pasture. Goodbyes are never easy, but through the eyes of our horses we see your heart, through the flutters of the birds in the trees we witness freedom. Every piece of our land carries your love and devotion. Until we meet again sweet friend.

01/17/2025

Courage...

Have you ever had a dream and been overly ecstatic about beginning the journey to accomplish it? Your energy is radiating, and your attitude is positive and inspiring. As you begin, all the stars align, and your progress is easy and comforting providing a sense of success and motivation. A few obstacles cross your path, and you conquer them not allowing them to steal your joy. A few weeks or a month pass, and the newness wears off. The fire is still burning strong in your heart to push ahead and fulfill your dream, but a few concerns begin to arise. Questions begin to surface in your mind challenging your passion, and heart to achieve your dream. As the days linger on, doubt becomes familiar and each time you look ahead to the next step, worry and anxiety blind your courage to keep pushing forward. Soon, your dream becomes a distant thought now subjected to a corner in your heart waiting to be covered in cobwebs risking the ability to be accomplished at a later date. Life returns to the same mundane tasks you complete over and over from sunrise to sunset. As this chapter closes you wonder if you will revisit your dream or move on and hope for a new dream to evolve. Does this sound familiar? Have you been featured in this film more than once?

I can honestly say I'm currently living this unending circle of events at this very moment. Writing is a brand-new game to me, and I was ecstatic to dive in feet first and give it my all to accomplish something I don't know much about. Like most people, I was inspired at the beginning, hearing words and songs that motivated me to pull my car over on the side of the road and write! That's crazy! These actions stimulated my motivation and excitement to learn more about this new world and how I could become a part of it. However, like all new things the freshness began to dissipate, and I'm currently stuck in a rut. Some writers refer to this as writers block; a time where their inspiration is gone. A loss of inspiration can be scary to writers as they fear they may not make their next deadline or worse might not have enough vision to create the next book in a series.

Music and songs have ALWAYS spoken to me far deeper than any sermon I've listened to. I realize both are just "words," but somehow words in a lyrical phrase strike a different meaning to me as I can physically feel them throughout each nerve in my body. As I'm struggling to create a devotional, I've worked on developing for over a year, my fears and anxiety are taking over my positivity. I constantly remind myself that I WILL NOT let the enemy win. God spoke directly to me telling me that this is what HE wants me to do, and what I'm meant to do to share His word with others. Those words alone lit a spark far greater and brighter in my soul than anything I've ever experienced. Seeking inspiration, and reaffirmation, I confided in my husband about why this is so challenging to design when I have everything laid out and the hard work is done. He replied," It's hard, because it's what you are meant to do." That struck me hard!

When you are struggling, and worry consumes your doubts and fears, remember, if it's hard then you are probably on the right path. The enemy is going to make it hard for you to accomplish your dreams. The enemy wants you to follow him instead of God and will do anything to lead you astray. Find what inspires you when you are lost, for me it's music, and dive in to restore your strength, knock down those cobwebs and conquer the dream you've longed to accomplish.

Nothing is impossible. Keep holding on just a little bit longer, and you too will reap the blessings of God!

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