Homecoming Dress

Our beautiful Lila
First Homecoming Dance




"Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready. It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints."
(Rev. 19:7-8)

             Yesterday, I received this picture of our beautiful "niece" (by love, not blood) all dressed up for her first homecoming dance.

             In the book of Revelation, we're told that the Church, the lovely bride of Christ Jesus, will be dress in her finest - her acts of righteousness.

O child of God, be careful how you "act" today. After all, you're weaving what you'll wear to The Wedding.

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the High and Exalted One says

L-R - my friends Sunitha, Debora, Dawn,
my aunt, Mary Grace, me,
my daughters-in-law, Gabbi and Mandy
ReCreate, 2014





"For the High and Exalted One, who lives forever, whose name is Holy says this: 'I live in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and lowly of spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the oppressed.'" (Isa. 57:15)

          Before the ReCreate Women's Conference this past weekend, I'd prayed for my family and friends to personally hear the Lord's voice and be refreshed. God, indeed, spoke clearly to each of us. All praise to Jesus, the High and Exalted One!

       From the beginning, Satan's oldest trick against mankind has been and continues to be the temptation to doubt God's voice. In the Garden of Eden, the beguiling serpent hoodwinked Eve by saying, "Has God indeed said?"

Have you heard God's voice? Welcome the message with joy, search the Scriptures to make certain that voice aligns with God's Word, close your ears to all other voices, and then stand firm on the promises of God!

Standing on the promises of Christ my King,

Through eternal ages let His praises ring,

Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,

Standing on the promises of God!

Standing on the promises that cannot fail,

When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,

By the living Word of God I shall prevail,

Standing on the promises of God!1

1 STANDING ON THE PROMISES. Russell K. Carter, 1886.

ReCreate Women's Conference, 2014

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Oh Happy Day!

My Phillip, our granddog, Gabe, and Superman's treasured dump truck


"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self,
which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
to be made new in the attitude of your minds;
and to put on the new self, created to
be like God in true righteousness and holiness." (Eph. 4:22-24)

         My superman's one of the most content fellows I know; and at the farm in his dump truck, he's happier than a piggy in a Mississippi mud puddle.

        Proverbs 23:7 states "as [a man] thinks in his heart, so is he." More than circumstances, it is the thoughts of our minds and attitude of our hearts that determines our well-being. Ella Wheeler Wilcox, an American author and poet, once wrote, "Tis the set of the sails and not the gales that tells us the way to go."

      In Scripture after Scripture, the Lord teaches the beneficial or destructive impact of thoughts and attitude. 

Sarah Young in her "40 Days with Jesus" said:

      "Do not listen to voices...not from [God]...
Let the Spirit take charge of your mind,
combing out tangles of deception.
Be transformed
by the truth
that [God] lives in you!"

Having a happy day? Check your thoughts and attitude and "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence, and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things"(Phil. 4:8). 

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J & J Red Cab Express

Jill & Jane's red car "taxi service"





"The Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two ahead of Him to every town and place where He was about to go." (Luke 10:1)

         Because we combined the Woodlawn and N. Avondale women's Bible study groups to meet together at the N. Avondale Library, the Woodlawn saints need transportation. The Lord gave Jane, my friend and "ana duo" (companion in the work of the Gospel), the grand instruction for us to transport the Woodlawn ladies back and forth between the Dream Center and library each week.

          In the book of Luke, Jesus sent His disciples ahead of Him by twos (in the Greek: "ana duo") to prepare the way of the Lord.

So, dear friends, grab a partner in the Gospel of Jesus Christ - your "ana duo" - and y'all get to work today! It's so much fun!

"They got the church together and reported on their trip, telling in detail how God had used them to throw the door of faith wide open so people of all nations could come streaming in." (Acts 14:27 The Message)

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Manifold Grace

My Rebecca and my Ben,
Summer, 1986?





"As each one has received a special gift,
employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the
manifold grace of God." (1 Peter 4:10)

         This photo of Rebecca and Ben in their colorful Native American headdresses was taken in my parent's flower garden following a vacation to the Great Smoky Mountains. Could you guess?

      After reading 1 Peter 4:10 this morning, I researched    "manifold" and learned that the Greek word "poikilos", translated as manifold, literally means "of various colors." Thus, God's manifold grace is His unmerited favor (grace) demonstrated in numerous different ways - like the multicolored facets of an exquisite diamond.

May the light of God's beautiful, manifold grace radiate through us today as we serve one another as good stewards of His undeserved favor.

"Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify the Father which is in heaven." (Matt. 5:16)

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Hurry up! Let's go!!!

My Ben (age 1) and my Rebecca (age 2 1/2)
Bogalusa, Louisiana, 1984






"...pray...that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored." (2 Thess. 3:1)

          As a tiny tot, my Ben slept with a toy car clutched in one hand. He's always loved speedy things on wheels - Tonka trucks, to motorcycles, to off-road Jeeps.

          In first and second Thessalonians, the apostle Paul tells of two great events in the future: first, Jesus Christ's coming for His bride, the Church, and second, seven years later, King Jesus's return to earth with His Church to establish His throne.

      In knowing what's to come, Paul felt an urgency for lost souls to be rescued from their eternal penalty for sins; and therefore, petitioned the Thessalonians to fervently pray that the Gospel of life-forevermore-through-faith-in-Jesus-Christ would spread rapidly. 

         "Faith comes by hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ" (Rom. 10:17 NLT). So what are you doing to speed ahead the Word of the Lord? 

Hurry up! Let's get going!

"We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned to us by the One who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work." (John 9:4)

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Good News!

My Rebecca and our beloved Joe, 1994

"Sing to the Lord; praise His name. Each day proclaim the good news that He saves." (Psalm 96:2)


        It's becoming more and more rare these days to go to your mailbox, open a newspaper, or turn on the TV or radio and hear good news. This morning, while waiting for tests at the Kirklin Clinic, I pulled up "One Year Bible" on my phone and read today's Old Testament passage, which "just happened" to be:

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand...Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them." (Isa. 41:10,12)

         I prayed, "Lord, I hope You're telling me that my enemy, cancer, will not be found today," and the good news is that none was found. All is well. Thank You, Lord Jesus!

Are you tired of bad news? Turn off the television and open the Bible - it's full of good news from Genesis to Revelation!

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messengers who bring good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!" (Isa. 52:7)

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Whoever's Nearby

My neighbor, Steve, and me, 1967
(Sitting on daddy's 1960 Willis Jeep)

"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 2:3-5)


            In my downtown women's Bible study, one of the precious ladies brings her 26-year-old son. Richard is autistic and mentally challenged, but nevertheless, he's fearfully and wonderfully made by God. 
            At the conclusion of each study, I traditionally go from person to person, put my hands on their shoulders, and pray for them. The first time I met Richard, I asked him if I could pray for him.
            Richard said, "Perfect."
            While praying, I got a little long-winded; and in the middle of the prayer, Richard said, "Next!" - politely encouraging me to move on to the next person. Ha! Good advice, Richard!
             This week, we studied Matthew 22:39 where Jesus declared that the second greatest commandment is:

 "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 

             I asked the ladies and our one gentleman, "Who is your neighbor?", and Mother Evelyn (as the others affectionately call her) wisely answered, "Whoever's nearby."

                 On Wednesday afternoons, Richard is my neighbor. On Monday mornings, Deborah is my neighbor. Who's your "neighbor" today? Are you loving them as yourself?"

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Life Through a Telescope

Wolf Bay Boardwalk
Orange Beach, Alabama

"Weeping may last for the night,

But joy comes in the morning."

(Psalm 30:5)

           When life gets hard, look through God's telescope.

"Momentary, light affliction is producing for us 

an eternal weight of glory

 far beyond all comparison, 

while we look not at the things which are seen, 

but the things which are not seen; 

for the things which are seen are temporal, 

but the things which are not seen are eternal."

(2 Cor. 4:17-18)

For His children, 
one day in the future, 
God will 
right 
every 
wrong thing.

(God's Children = exclusively, people in relationship with Him 
through faith in His Son, Jesus.)

"I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered, 

bind up the brokenhearted

and strengthen the sick..."

(Ez. 34:16)

Got sorrow?
It's temporary.   
Got Jesus? 
All is well,
just,
 focus through the eternal perspective:

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
for those who love Him."
(2 Cor. 2:9)

God's telescope. 

"God will wipe away every tear from their eyes;

and there will be no more 

death

or 

sorrow

or 

pain.

All these things are gone forever."

(Rev. 21:3-4)

           

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Syrup and a Feather?

Our oldest grandson, age 2
2007



"Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord's work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." (1 Cor. 15:58)

       The simplest things thrill and entertain two year olds. In the picture above, I was throwing a frisbee in the air and the blustery wind was blowing it back. Time after time after time, my little grandson said, "Gin (again)!"

        My mother used to tell the story of a young mother's creative way of keeping her baby occupied while cooking dinner. She put  him in his high chair, poured a drop of syrup on each hand, and then placed a feather in one chubby fist. When the little fellow tried to take the feather out of that hand, it stuck to the other, and thus went the game over and over again until the family meal was prepared and on the table.

       Many hours of many days for me are spent alone at the computer writing and writing and writing and writing. Somedays I wonder if I've really received God assignments or just heavenly syrup and a feather to keep Jill busy and happy. (Smile)

      To any and everyone who's grown weary in the Lord's work, be encouraged! The work of God is never in vain. "So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don't give up!" (Gal. 6:9)

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One Hope

Jackson Square New Orleans, Louisiana

"Therefore I...beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowances for each other's faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just at you have been called to [one hope] one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and through all." (Eph. 4:1-6 NLT)



              On Saturday, my Phillip and I strolled the historical streets of French Quarters, New Orleans where giant live oaks extend their moss-covered arms to offer respite from the blistering heat. Under many sweat-covered brows, however, I perceived wilted souls - those who linger long over wine and sleep on park benches; those who wear diamond rings yet squander riches on loose living. Is there hope of respite for them?

Yes

One Hope  

And His name is Jesus

           Yesterday, we turned on the GPS and navigated to Langston Hughes Elementary School, 3519 Trafalgar Street, New Orleans, La. for the first practice set up of One Hope Church: a body of believers, under the leadership of Pastor Josh and Amber Canizaro, committed to helping those who are far from God find hope through a life-giving and fulfilling relationship with Jesus Christ.

Launch service: Sunday, September 28, 2014, 10 a.m.

O Lord, please empower One Hope Church in every good thing to rescue wilted souls and bring glory to Your name! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen and amen.

Practice set up
One Hope Church
New Orleans, La.

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On My Guard Post

 Pelicans and seagulls, "posted" on Wolf Bay
 Orange Beach, Alabama



"I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the lookout tower. 
I will watch to see what He will say to me..."
(Habakkuk 2:1)



He wakes the dawn with early light,
And watches if perhaps I might
Stand upon my own guard post
And listen for the Holy Ghost
 Of God, my Savior, Lord, and King,
The Master over everything.

When I climb the lookout tower
And seek the Lord in that first hour -
Run boldly to His throne of grace
And speak to Him as face to Face -
My Father's always waiting there,
Faithfully offering tender care.

God, You are so good to me,
My heart sings praises unto Thee.

Glorious sunrise at Fort Morgan Beach, Alabama

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HoneyMOON

Today's early morning moonset in the west

 Today's early morning sunrise in the east





"From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord will be praised." (Psalm 113:3)

         Thirty-seven years ago, I walked hand in hand with my man along the sandy shores of Daytona Beach, Florida. It was our honeymoon. This morning, I walked hand in hand with my man along the sandy shores of Ft. Morgan Beach, Alabama. It's still our honeymoon. All praise to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

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Wedding Day

My bridal portrait, 1977

My Phillip and me, wedding day, September 10, 1977

"I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me always, for their own good and for the good of their 

children after them." (Jeremiah 32:39)

Happy 37th Anniversary, Superman!

Every today, I love you more than yesterday.

The Phillip Glassco Family 2014,
(37 wonderful years later at the Coosa River family farm)

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Made Ready for Her Groom

My engagement picture, 1977





"And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband." (Rev. 21:2)


Watson - Glassco

Mr. and Mrs. William Winfred Watson and Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Lester Glassco, announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their children, Tamara Jill Watson and Phillip Larry Glassco, both of Fort Payne, Alabama. The bride-elect is a senior in speech pathology and audiology at Auburn University  and plans to enter graduate school in January, 1978. The prospective groom will graduate in Forestry Management Honors at Auburn University in August, 1978 and plans to work in Auburn. The wedding will be held September 10, 1977, 3 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Fort Payne. The reception will follow in Cobble Hall. No local invitations will be sent. All friends and relatives are invited to attend.

My wedding week to-do list:

1. Call Mrs. Floyd (florist)

2. Paint DeKalb Co. Library door

3. Go by Grandmother Nance's

4. Go by the Glasscos

5. Pick up Phillip's pants

6. Call Troy (church custodian)

7. Call Susan and JeAnne (bridesmaids)

8. Wrap bridesmaids presents

9. Buy shelf paper and hooks

10. Get check cashed

11. Get travelers' checks

12. Pack for honeymoon

13. Pack for Auburn

14. Go to Auburn to pick up Phillip

15. Trim Phillip's hair

16. Get marriage license

17. Go by florist

18. Go to Albertville to see Phillip's G.mama

19. Wash and wax car

20. Check oil and water in car

21. Call Angela and Mrs. Files (caterer)

22. Pick up hub cap for car

O Church, we are the bride of Christ, and life on earth is our time of preparation. Are you living intentionally to make yourself ready for Jesus, your Groom?

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Needs or Wants?

Our grands and our son-in-law, Stephen
(before the challenge)

"And my God will supply all your NEEDS according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:19)

                Our daughter's family decided to adjust their budget clock. So for thirty days, this family committed to buying only NEEDS and no WANTS - meaning no ice cream, no chewing gum, no movies,  no going out to eat, etc., etc., and they're saving a surprising sum of cash.

We Americans are in a state of confusion - mistaking WANTS for NEEDS. Need more money to meet your NEEDS? Try denying WANTS for 30 days.

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Out of the Blue!

Our "little Snow White", 2010ish




"Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow." (James 1:17)

         This fall, we're meeting our daughter's family in Chicago to visit Legoland and celebrate our grandson's 9th birthday. Yesterday, I learned that an opera-singer friend of theirs (who "just happens" to work in Chicago) is performing in the Grimm's Fairy Tale children's musical that very week! Then today, "out of the blue", a friend of mine emailed me the text to The Original Grimm Fairy Tale: Little Snow White.

          Coincidence? Chance? Good luck? NO WAY!!!, but rather, perfect blessings coming out of the blue heaven above from our Good Father God! Thank You, thank You, Abba Father!

Let's stay alert to heaven-sent blessings, and thank our Father, Almighty God, who sends them!

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Ticket to Heaven

My precious friends, hostesses for my Rebecca's bridal tea, 2004
Back Row L-R: Dale, Rhonda, Trendy, and Connie
Front Row L-R: Gwen, and Brenda

My precious friends, hostesses for my Gabbi's bridal tea, 2008
L-R: Debora, Carolyn, Dale, Connie, my Gabbi, Angela, Rhonda, Delana, and Brenda

"Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body." (Phil. 3:20-21 NLT)

           On Tuesday, I said farewell until we meet again to my dear friend, Rhonda Osborne. Bob Snyder once said, "Our destination is home with our Father in heaven. It is easy on this journey to lose sight of our destination and to focus on the detours of this life instead. This life is only the trip to get home."

And the ONLY ticket home to heaven is trusting faith in God's Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. 

"Jesus told him, 'I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through Me.'" (John 14:6)

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

I heard a loud shout from the throne saying, 'Look, God's home is now among His people! He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.'" (Rev. 21:1-4 NLT)

Do you have your ticket home? 

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In Harmony

My uncle: Frank Allen Nance, age 9, 1945

"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers [and sisters], be compassionate and humble." (1 Peter 3:8)

         Fall Bible study began at my house today, and I marveled at the beauty around my living room - eighteen women of different ages, denominations, races, and nations in harmony with one another, like a marching band of musical instrument, loving Jesus and each other.

"How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters [in Christ] get along!" (Psalm 133:1 The Message)

         

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Times of Refreshing

Our babygrand and our Gabbi, his sweet mama

"...times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." (Acts 3:19 NASB)







          Yesterday, babygrand took his first dip in the pool - a time of refreshing in the hot summer sun.

          In Dr. Luke's letter to Theophilus (the book of Acts), he recounts Peter's address to the men of Israel: "The things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has fulfilled. Therefore, repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord" (Acts 3:18-19).

Need refreshing? Repent - turn away from sin and toward the Lord Jesus Christ! 

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The Work of Our Hands

Our granddog, Gabe, sporting his new lifejacket

"Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us; establish the work of our hands - establish the work of our hands." (Psalm 90:17 NLT)













As we enjoy rest and play on this Labor Day 2014, let's not forget to thank Father God for the work of our hands.

Friday night's crescent moon over the Coosa River

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