Watchtower

kids and grands on the farm
Big Oak Treehouse

"I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guard post. There I will wait to see what the Lord speaks to me." (Habakkuk 2:1)

Because my home church, Church of the Highlands, strongly believes that Jesus deserves first place in everything, we begin each new year with 21 days of seeking God through prayer and fasting. Thousands climb the spiritual watchtower and listen for His voice. 

Beloved, start 2016 off right. Put Jesus first.

Prayer services available online Jan. 3rd-23rd at:

www.churchofthehighlands.com

Sundays - 8:00, 9:30, 11:30, 4:30, or 6:00 CST

Monday-Fridays - 6:00 a.m. CST

Saturdays - 9:00 a.m. CST

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To the Full

My Phillip, Mandy, and baby-grand
flooded farm pond





Jesus said, "...I came that they might have life...in its fullest. (John 10:10b)

Because recent torrential rains pushed the Coosa River and our farm pond over full and out of their banks, getting to the woods required boats and waders. 

As the last rays of 2015 fade under the horizon, my moth-eaten ambition for 2016 is "to live each day to the fullest." 

The goal?  cliche'. 

The achievement? gripping! 

Honoring Jesus wholeheartedly.

Loving others unconditionally.

Working faithfully and tirelessly - each and every "live-life-to-the-fullest" day.

Wow! A New Year's Revolution!

"Don't just listen to God's Word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves." (James 1:22)

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Tank 'em

Our princess-grand and toddler-grand




"Let every created thing give praise to the Lord!" (Psalm 148:5)

Our cute toddler-grand created a new expression for gratitude: "tank 'em" ("thank you" and "you're welcome" combined). He's learned that "pease", "tank 'em", and an adorable smile will get him just about anything he wants.

In these last days of 2015, take time to express your gratitude to Jesus. And give Him the glory, great things He has done.

"Praise the LORD from the earth...

For His name is great

His glory towers over the earth and heaven!"

(Psalm 148:7,13)

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Merry Christmas

All our children and grands



"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." (Isa. 9:6 KJV)


Merry Christmas from the Phillip Glassco Family

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Christmas Eve Gift

My granddaddy, brother, and me
Christmas 1958




"Then they opened their treasure chests and gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh." (Matt. 2:11 NLT)

My granddaddy passed down a Christmas Eve tradition. Whoever says Christmas Eve gift first, receives a present from the other person. At 6:30 this morning, I shouted "Christmas Eve gift!" to my superman and then texted it to my kids, brothers, sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews. Gotcha!

For many years, Phillip and I have kept another Christmas tradition: Jesus receives our most expensive gift of the season. After all, Christmas is His birthday. We give His gift through our church's local and global missions offering to help spread the Good News of Jesus Christ with neighbors and nations around the world.

Beloved, what gift will you give King Jesus this year?

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Joining Angels

My Angel: Amber-Crystal

"And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom God is pleased." (Luke 2:13-14 NASB)

On a cold January Wednesday years ago, God opened a door for my Phillip and me to share Jesus with eight teenage skateboarders. The group of eight grew to fifty before the door closed three years later. 

Our last Christmas together, two of the sweet girls, Amber and Crystal, gave me an angel doll in a green velvet dress, and I named her Amber-Crystal. She's held a prominent place under our Christmas tree every year since.

From Genesis when God drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden and stationed the angel with the flaming sword to guard the tree of life, to the last chapter of Revelation where an angel rebuked John worshipping at his feet, "Do not do that, I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who heed the words of this book. Worship God!," angels hold a prominent place in the Holy Scriptures.

Scripture identifies three angels by name: the messenger angel: Gabriel, the warring angel: Michael, and the fallen angel: Lucifer. 

In 2 Kings 6, an angel army with horses and chariots of fire covered the mountains surrounding the prophet Elisha.

In Luke 2, angels announced the birth of Messiah.

In Hebrews 1:14, angels are defined as ministering spirits sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation. 

In Hebrews 13:2, believers are urged to show hospitality to strangers, for we may be entertaining angels unaware.

In Revelation 4, angels encircling the throne of God, day and night, do not cease to say, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD God, the Almighty, who was and is and is to come."

Revelation 12 records one-third of the angels swept out of heaven by the tail of the great dragon, that serpent of old called the devil and Satan.

In Revelation 14:6, another angel flying in mid heaven, having an eternal Gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation, and tribe and tongue and people, shouts in a loud voice, "Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who make the heaven and the earth and the sea and springs of water."

Angels are not deity. Like people, they're created beings. Like people, angels were made to worship God and serve others.

Beloved, on this eve of Christmas Eve, let's join the angels. Fall on your knees and worship Jesus Christ, the LORD, our Savior and King.

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Waiting

our precious princessgrand
today

"I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord. Be strong and take courage! Yes, wait on the Lord." (Psalm 27:13-14)

 

 

 

Because our precious princess-grand has a nasty, ole tummy virus, the Glassco Christmas plans are on hold, and the whole clan is praying, watching, and waiting to see what the Lord will do.

 

Beloved, has the unexpected thrown a monkey wrench into your well-laid plans? Relax. Call on the Lord Jesus. Trust Him to work all things together for His good purposes.

 

 

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God with Us

Our Ben, Gabbi, and toddler grand
Christmas 2015




"It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles." (Phil. 4:14 The Message)

Because our sweet toddlergrand had skin-prick allergy tests this morning, both mommy and daddy came along to support and comfort the poor, little guy.

Some two thousand years ago, in a lowly manger, Mary bore a Son conceived by the Holy Spirit and called His name Jesus, because He saves people from their sins. This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet Isaiah: "Behold, the virgin shall be with Child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which translated means 'God with us.'" (Matt. 1:23)

Beloved, feel troubled and alone? You're not. God is with you - and that's the beautiful truth.

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Home for Christmas

My mother modeling silk, Japanese pajamas
Christmas 1945

"May my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I fail to remember you, if I don't make Jerusalem my greatest joy." (Psalm 137:6)

In Psalm 137, the Jewish captives wept along the riverbanks of Babylon, hung their harps on willow branches, and refused to sing because their broken hearts longed for home - Jerusalem.

World War II ended May 8, 1945, and Daddy spent that December in Japan with the U.S. occupation troops. For Christmas, he mailed Mother beautiful, Japanese pajamas. Fifty years later, she still cried every time she heard the Bing Crosby song...

I'll be home for Christmas

You can plan on me

Please have snow and mistletoe

And presents on the tree

Christmas Eve'll find me

Where the love light gleams

I'll be home for Christmas

If only in my dreams.

Beloved, pray for folks around the world who this year will come home for Christmas only in their dreams; and if you're home, tell the Lord Jesus, "Thank You!"

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Unshakable

L-R My brothers, Mark and Rocky
Christmas morning, 1957

"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need." (Luke 12:31)

One Christmas morning many years ago, my mother told my brother, Mark, "Don't shake that present, sugar. It might be breakable."

"It might be eggs," he concluded. "Bet it is eggs."

On the first Christmas morning long, long ago, Father God gave the world His Son, Jesus Christ - the only doorway to the Kingdom of God. 

Beloved, "since we are receiving [through faith in Jesus Christ] a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshipping Him with holy fear and awe." (Heb. 12:28 NLT)

Come, Thou long expected Jesus

Born to set Thy people free;

From our fears and sins release us,

Let us find our rest in Thee.

Israel's strength and consolation,

Hope of all the earth Thou art;

Dear desire of every nation,

Joy of every longing heart!1

1 COME THOU LONG EXPECTED SAVIOR. Charles Wesley, 1744.

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Sword Wielders

Toddlergrand and his light saber sword




"Mobilize! Marshal your troops! The enemy is laying siege..." (Micah 5:1)

As kids, our boys fought many a "bad guy" with their trusty Star Wars, light saber swords; and now, we're enjoying the next generation of sword wielders.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are at war - not with flesh-and-blood enemies, but against mighty powers of darkness and authorities of the unseen world, evil spirits in the heavenly places (Eph. 6:12) conspiring to steal, kill, and destroy marriages, children, families, churches, nations, and our very lives.

Will we stand by and allow the enemy to lay siege? No! Mobilize, today! Marshal the troops! Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power, put on God's full armor to stand firm against the strategies of the devil, and fight the good fight with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. 

O Christian, pray God's Word over loved ones, troubles, trials, and heartaches! Wield the Sword! For the Word of God is alive and powerful! It's sharper than a two-edged sword (Heb. 4:12 NLT). 

"Despite these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us." (Romans 8:37)

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The Hardest Christmas

Our family
Christmas 1987

"God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble." (Psalm 46:1)

Christmas 1988, without question, was a time of trouble for our young family. (Notice the picture above dates 1987. I couldn't even find a photo from Christmas '88.) 

Because Phillip's Louisiana land and timber business had failed, a few days before Christmas, we packed up our belongings, three little kids, Jenny-Minnie, the dog, and her seven newborn puppies and moved to a borrowed cabin in Alabama. I was sick with  bronchitis and scared to death by the uncertainties. Every night, we prayed together, "Please, Lord Jesus, get daddy a job." God supplied every need that season and answered our prayers infinitely greater than we asked or imagined. 

Beloved, is this Christmas your hardest? Seek Jesus. Trust in the One who holds the winds in His fists, who wraps up the oceans in His cloak, who created the whole wide world (Prov. 30:4) - the One who loves you more than you can imagine.

All glory to Jesus Christ through all the generations forever and ever! Amen!

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Spiritual Farmers

My Phillip and toddler-grand
Fall 2015

Jesus explained, "The farmer plants seed by taking God's word to others." (Mark  4:14 NLT)

"Tractor" was one of toddler-grand's first words, and both he and his granddaddy love playing farmer.

By definition, a farmer is one who cultivates the land by sowing and reaping. Followers of Jesus Christ are commanded to be spiritual farmers - sowing His word into other's lives.

Beloved, scatter His seed today and pray for a 100-fold harvest!

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The Lion Has Roared

1990s Christmas Card from beloved friends, Elaine and Larry

"The lion has roared - so who isn't frightened? The Sovereign LORD has spoken - so who can refuse to proclaim His message?" (Amos 3:8 NLT)

Because I adored the picture, I framed this Christmas card over 20 years ago. A defenseless lamb nuzzling against the mighty lion depicts the coming peace-on-earth-good-will-toward-men reign of Christ when "the wolf and the lamb will live together...and the calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them" (Isa. 11:6).

The Apostle John wrote, "Behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David [the Son of God, Prince of Peace, King of kings, Lord of lords, Jesus the Christ] has won the victory. He is worthy..." (Rev. 5:5)

Through His life, death, and resurrection, the Lion has roared; His truth prevails. Beloved, this Christmas season, how can we refuse to proclaim His message: forgiveness of sins and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ!

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The World Like It Is Today

Newborn babygrand, oh, so sweet

Jesus said, "....have peace in Me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 NLT)

When my babies were born thirty plus years ago, my grandmother said, "Jill, I wouldn't bring children into the world like it is today."

Two thousand some odd years ago when Herod saw that he'd been tricked by the magi, the furious king sent soldiers to kill all the little boys in Bethlehem who were two years old and under. Moreover, about 600 years prior, King Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem and carted the children of Israel off to Babylon to serve as slaves. 

The truth: the world like it is today is the world like it has been ever since that crafty, ole serpent connived Eve into munching on God-forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden.

Let us, however, consider, ponder, dwell on, and remember "that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly...in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God" (Romans 8:18-21).

Beloved, are you in Christ? Then don't worry and grieve as those who have no hope. Take courage! Have peace!  Jesus will make all things new.  We will be with Him forever and ever and ever and ever where there is no pain or sorrow or tears or sickness or sadness. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords!

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Focus

Our sweet toddlergrand, summer 2015




"Fixing our eyes on Jesus..." (Heb. 12:2)

This morning, I awoke all wrapped up in my self-centered self.  Straightaway, the Holy Spirit whispered, "Focus!"

God says: "fix your eyes on Jesus" (Heb. 12:2), "don't think more highly of yourselves than you ought" (Rom. 12:3), "set your mind on things above" (Col. 3:2), "love one another" (1 John 4:7-8).

Beloved, got a bad case of the "I"s - I feel, I wish, I want? Take your eyes off yourself. Focus on Jesus. Turn your attention to others. It's good for a selfish soul.

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Work Orders

Walter Chancellor on the Chancellor's Ferry
(photo from Jan. 17, 1937 issue:
Birmingham News Age Herald)

"Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ." (Col. 3:23-24)

Founded in the 1860s by William Chancellor, the Chancellor Ferry was in constant operation across the Coosa River between Harpersville and Childersburg, Alabama for some seventy years. Walter Chancellor and his two brothers worked the ferry in its latter days. 

As 2016 rapidly approaches, I'm asking the Lord for my work orders over the new year - one assignment being the publication of a new storybook - A Chancellor Ferry Tale, set in 1935 along the Coosa River at the peak of the Great Depression.

No matter who signs our pay checks, for Christians, our ultimate Boss is Jesus. Got your work orders? Seek the Lord!

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Matchless Gift

box of love

"God so loved the world that He gave His Son, Jesus, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

This little box has sat unopened under our Christmas tree for 26 years. When our Dan was four years old, he gave us a box of love.

Over 2,000 years ago, Father God gave the world a matchless Gift of love - His only Son, Jesus Christ. Beloved, have you opened the Gift?

Tis the season to remember that...

"Although Jesus existed as God, He emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death on a cross." (Phil. 2:6-8)

"He was buried and raised on the third day." (1 Cor. 15:4)

"He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God." (Mark 16:19)

"And on His robe and on His thigh He has the name written, KING of Kings and LORD of Lords." (Rev. 19:16)

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Gifts from Above

Our newborn babygrand
Dec. 3, 2016




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




Beloved, have you thanked God today for your children?

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Cereal and a Sentence

My precious children
November, 1985




"...Before the presence of the LORD; lift up your hands to Him for the life of your little ones." (Lam. 2:19b)

As I'm gulping down a bowl of cereal and headed out the door, my baby boy's having a baby boy. Prayers appreciated!

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Runaway Brides

My Phillip, my Jesus, and me
1977

"These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong to us...Anyone who denies [Jesus] the Son doesn't have the Father, either. But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also." (1 John 2:19,23 NLT)

On September 10, 1977, a team of wild stallions couldn't have dragged me away from the First United Methodist Church in Fort Payne, Alabama! I'd waited six, long years to become Mr. Phillip L. Glassco's bride.

Sadly to say, too many people sit on my prayer list because they've forsaken assembling together with other believers - runaway brides of Christ if you will. 

Beloved, pray now for the runaway brides in your life. "Perhaps God will change those people's hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil's trap." (2 Tim. 2:25-26)

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A Monkey On Your Back

My Phillip (front) and my crazy brother, Mark
1972

"...Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the Source and Perfecter of our faith..." (Hey. 12:1-2 HCSB)

Since 2014, I must constantly beware of the what-if fear of cancer returning. When that creepy, sneaky monkey tries to crawl on my back, my best defense is the trustworthy Sword of God - His Word, the Holy Bible.

"Having a monkey on your back," I'm told, is an old Hindu expression meaning that you're carrying a burden or a problem that you find difficult to get rid of.

Beloved, got a monkey on your back? Knock that burden off with the Word of God, set your eyes on Jesus, and run with endurance the race of life set before you!

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