The Faithful Toiler

The Newton Floyd Thomas family (around 1904)
Back L-R: unknown, Will, Newton, Gunter, Daniel
Front L-R: Newton Floyd Thomas, wife Abbie, Della, Elizabeth, Elsie (my grandmother)
(daughter Katy not pictured)
(daughter Lilly died in infancy)

"We must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work." (John 9:4)

In 1904, my great-grandfather moved his family to one of the best farms in Rankin Cove on the Tennessee River near Jasper, Tennessee. Newton Floyd Thomas, a cobbler by trade, indentured a young man to work the farm while he made shoes for the local community and shipped goods to New York, London, and Paris. Abbie, a mid-wife and herb doctor, served the sick throughout their rural neighborhood. In her absence, a housekeeper cared for the home and children. 

In later years, a newspaper article featuring Newton Floyd Thomas read:  "Success comes not to the man who idly waits, but to the faithful toiler."

In Luke chapter 19, Jesus ended a parable with the command, "Do business till I come." The Apostle Paul wrote: "Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and teaching (2 Timothy 4:2). Each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it (1 Corinthians 3:13). Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58)."

Beloved, what work will you do for the Lord today?

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Crossing the Great Divide

Phillip crossing suspension bridge
Fall Creek Falls State Park
Tennessee

"And even if the Good News is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand the message about the glory of Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)

I was scareder than a jack-rabbit with a wolf on its tail walking the L-O-N-G suspension bridge over a deep ravine at Piney Falls in Fall Creek Falls State Park. So why did I cross the bridge? To get to the other side, of course.

I recently asked a man if he knew Jesus. Wrong question. Knowing about Jesus - the only Bridge over the bottomless chasm of sin to God - is totally different from a walking relationship with the Bridge.

So, now I make known to you, beloved, the Good News that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and He was buried, and that He was raised to life on the third day, and whosoever believes on Him and walks with Him will not perish, but have eternal life.

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The Trading Post

Indian Village Trading Post
Pikeville, Tennessee

"If you make a sale, moreover, to your friend or buy from your friend's hand, you shall not wrong one another." (Leviticus 25:14)

Mr. Walking Bear, the friendly owner of Indian Village Trading Post, traded me one "Arizona Highways" magazine and a turquoise bead necklace for a copy of The Schoolhouse - my very first ever trading post transaction. (smile)

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for a marvelous, fun, wonderful getaway to Tennessee with Phillip and You.

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As the Deer

Fall Creek Falls State Park
Tennessee

"As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for the living God." (Psalm 42:1-2)

"Deep calls to deep at the sound of Your waterfalls...The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; and His song will be with me in the night, a prayer to the God of my life." (Psalm 42:7-8)

Yes, we made it to the base of Fall Creek Falls this morning. May the LORD command His lovingkindness upon you all day long!

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Check the Map

Fall Creek Falls
Tennessee

"There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death." (Proverbs 14:12)

Early this morning, superman and I set out for the base of Fall Creek Falls - the highest free-falling waterfalls east of the Rockies. We found the Fall Creek Falls overlook (pictured above). We found the Lower Loop Trail, and off we hiked without checking the map or asking directions. Did we get to the base of the falls? Nope. Later, we found the Fall Creek Falls Base Trail in the completely opposite direction. 

Beloved, what appears to be the right way often isn't. So, never start a day without checking the map of God's Word and asking Him for directions. 

"Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path." (Psalm 119:105)

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Waiting Quietly

Grandboy and Bell

"I would have despaired  unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD." (Psalm 27:13-14)

Yesterday, I snapped this shot of the grandboy and Bell sitting quietly, waiting for Granddaddy to come home from work.

One of the many things Jesus has taught me in sixty-two years is to wait upon Him more quietly. The weapon Jesus gives me to fight worry, fear, jittery nervousness, fretful uneasiness, and anxiety is TRUST in Him.

Are you a basket case of heebie-jeebies waiting on the LORD, beloved? Resolve to believe that you will see the goodness of the LORD in this land of the living. Take heart and courageously trust in Jesus, our Savior, Friend, Provider, Protector, Teacher, Way-Maker, Lord of lords, and King of kings!

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Reflections

My boy and grandboy
Coosa River Farm

"Ask Me and I will tell you remarkable things you do not know about..." (Jeremiah 33:3)

In chapter 3 of Professor Sparrow, the American history professor gives a student a riddle and a promise: solve the riddle (which no one has in forty years) and get an A+ for the semester. The riddle:

"From times gone by

A mystery lies,

A secret to unveil.

Be swift, my soul,

Be brave and bold

To comfort her travail.

Be jubilant feet

To run and seek,

The story never told.

The truth that hides

From modern eyes

Of ones so brave and bold."

At the end of each chapter is a REFLECTIONS page. Under POINTS TO PONDER, I asked, "How do you think Mark (the student) felt when Prof. Sparrow gave him the riddle?" (Answer: confused or puzzled.) 

Under WHAT DOES GOD SAY, I wrote James 1:5: "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking."

Under LIVE WHAT YOU LEARN, I asked if the reader needed wisdom about something in their life and encouraged them to ask God now for His wisdom and understanding.

Has life got you puzzled, beloved? Ask God NOW for His wisdom and understanding and then live what you learn!

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Dem Bones Gonna Walk Around

"The LORD took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the LORD to a valley filled with bones...They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out." (Ezekiel 37:1-2)



No, this cartoon has absolutely nothing to do with Halloween. Quite the contrary. It's from a children's video, Dem Bones, based on a Bible story in Ezekiel chapter 37.

Ezekiel connected dem dry bones,

Ezekiel connected dem dry bones,

Ezekiel in the Valley of Dry Bones,

Now hear the word of the LORD...

The LORD: "Son of man, can these bones live?"

Ezekiel: "O Sovereign LORD, You alone know the answer to that."

The LORD: "Prophecy over these bones and say, 'Dry bones, listen to the word of the LORD! Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you alive again! I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD."

Suddenly as Ezekiel spoke the words of the LORD, there was a rattling noise and the bones came together."

While writing Professor Sparrow, I often think of Ezekiel. By God's grace, the skeleton of this children's mystery has come together. Now we're adding the flesh and muscles and skin and breath. One day, Lord willin', these dry bones will walk around!

In a Dry Bone Valley, beloved? Speak the word of the Lord over those skeletons and listen for the rattle of God's mighty hand at work!

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Outside the Bubble

Irish step dancing at the Farmer's Market
(grandgirl is the pretty young lady, left side)

"The the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you...For I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.'" (Matthew 25:34-35)

Guest writer: Rebecca Jill (my daughter)

On Saturday, my daughter was Irish step dancing at our local farmer's market. A stranger approached me. He noticed my t-shirt with a Bible verse on the back and asked, "Are you religious?"

I replied, "I'm a Christian."

He stuck out his hand and said, "I'm a Muslim."

We shook hands and continued conversing without even exchanging names. I learned a little more about his story and shared about opportunities that I thought may interest him since he wanted to improve his English.

It was a small moment in my day, but I'm still thinking about it three days later. I only have to drive a few miles down the road to pop the bubble I live in. It's so easy to get caught up in the busyness of my schedule and my family's hectic, hamster-wheel life. However, by the grace of God, He orchestrates moments like these to remind me about the world outside my tiny bubble and the people He loves so much.

“I’ve spent my whole life avoiding the people Jesus spent His whole life engaging...”
― Bob Goff, Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People

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The Music Box

"Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession." (Psalm 2:8)



One of the treasures Daddy brought Mama from Japan after WWII was a beautiful jewelry and music box. Wind it up and the 音楽 plays while the pretty maiden dances around and around and around and around. When I was about five, I asked Mama, "When you die, can I have this box?"

Years ago, a Japanese friend said. "Pray that God will send missionaries to Japan. We need something."

In 2002, Lifehouse International Church began in Tokyo with sixteen people and has grown to over 5,000 across all campuses.

Beloved, will you join me in praying for Japan today? The something Japan needs is Someone, and His name is Jesus!

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Diamond Anniversary

my beloved parents: Winfred and Verna Watson
married August 17, 1943

"Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready." (Revelation 19:7)

Seventy-five years ago today, Verna Haselton Brazelle married William Winfred Watson. On earth, they would be celebrating their diamond anniversary. In heaven, they are the radiant bride of Christ.

For Jesus said, "When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage. In this respect they will be like the angels of heaven." (Matthew 22:30)

"I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one Husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to Him" (1 Corinthians 11:2). 

"Husbands love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave Himself up for her, to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God's word. He did this to present her to Himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish...A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one" (Ephesians 5:25-32).

Therefore, beloved, let us rejoice and be glad for one day, perhaps soon, we will be the bride of Christ forever. Are you preparing yourself for the wedding?

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Clean Up for Jesus

Fishing buddies
(grandboy and my superman)

"But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." (1 John 1:9)

While keeping the grandboy last week, when it came time to clean up the toys, I sang, "Clean up, clean up, everybody clean up." After changing his diaper, I sang, "Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross!"

The next day, Dan called. "Did you teach the boy a new song?"

"Why?" I asked.

"Because he came home singing, 'Clean up, clean up for Jesus."

LOL

Not a bad idea! Confess and repent of sins, beloved, and let's all clean up for Jesus!

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Hope Has a Name

grandboys





"...let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, focusing our eyes on Jesus..." (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Hope has a name, beloved. His name is Jesus. So, keep running life's race and never give up!

There is a song, I know it well

A melody that's never failed

On mountains high, in valleys low

My soul will rest, my confidence, in You alone

Hope had has a name, His name is Jesus

My Savior's cross has set this sinner free

Hope has a name, His name is Jesus

Oh, Christ be praised, I have victory1

1 HOPE HAS A NAME. River Valley Worship.

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Unsung Heroes

Highlands College Students




Come, let us sing praise to the LORD!
Let us shout praises to the Rock who saves us.
Come and worship Him with songs of thanks.
Let us sing happy songs of praise to Him.
For the LORD is a great God...
The deepest caves and the highest mountains belong to Him!"
Psalm 95:1-5

Who are some unsung American heroes? Over a thousand Highlands College students singing, "I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back" at 6:00 a.m. in the morning!

There is hope for America, beloved!

God [save] America

Land that I love

Stand beside her

And guide her 

Through the night with the light from above

From the mountains

To the prairies

To the oceans

White with foam

God [save] America

My home sweet home

God [save] America

My home sweet home!

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Fear Not: Lesson #1

grands
first day of school 2018

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:7)

Fear grips me tightest when it comes to my kids and grands. A thought slithers into my mind, "What if..."

At prayer service this morning, I asked Jesus to teach me to fear not, and the Master quickly offered lesson #1: 

Recognize that every fear-filled "what if" is a lie of the devil, for he is the father of lies (John 8:44). Therefore, fix your thoughts on what is TRUE (Philippians 4:8).

Does fear have you in its grips, beloved? Defend yourself with the truth of God's word and shut the mouth of the lying lion (1 Peter 5:8).

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ENLARGE

Inner-city Dream Center
Birmingham, Alabama

"Enlarge...stretch out...spare not, lengthen...and strengthen..." (Isaiah 54:2)


On Tuesday, I shared that Isaiah 54:2 is my focal verse for 21 Days of Prayer. Today, I believe the Lord showed me a way to ENLARGE what He's put in my hand: get the children's books to kids in the inner city.

Beloved, what's in your hand? May Jesus show you how to ENLARGE, s-t-r-e-t-c-h, l..e..n..g..t..h..e..n, and STRENGTHEN it for His purposes, His people, and His glory. So be it!

(And by the way, Summer the lost kitty was found. Thank You, Jesus!)

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Summer Come Home

Summer, the grandkitty

"What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?" (Luke 15:4)



Summer, our Indiana grands' sweet kitty, has been missing for a few hours now. This Memaw is earnestly asking Jesus to bring her home soon.

Luke chapter 15 is noted for three "lost" parables: the parable of the lost sheep, the parable of the lost coin, and the parable of the lost son. Although often overlooked, verses one and two explain why Jesus told these parables:

"Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that He was associating with such sinful people - even eating with them!"

Why did Jesus associate with the lowly of lowlies? Because Jesus came to seek and save those who are lost (Luke 19:10). Aren't we thankful that God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we [too] were still sinners (Romans 5:8).

Beloved, pray NOW for the lost.

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling- 

Calling for you and for me;

Patiently Jesus is waiting and watching -

Watching for you and for me!

Come home! come home!

Ye who are weary, come home!

Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,

Calling, O sinner, come home!1

1 SOFTLY AND TENDERLY. Will L. Thompson, 1880.

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The Principle of FIRST

Grands exploring with friends
Summer 2018
(Photo by our Rebecca)

"Abel...brought the firstlings of his flock...for his offering." (Genesis 4:4)

Well, the carefree, lazy days of good ol' summertime have ended for our midwestern grands. Today's the..

FIRST day of school 2018-2019,

FIRST  day of middle school for the oldest grandboy,

 

FIRST day to go to a school for grandboy #2 

(he was homeschooled K-2nd grade)

FIRST day as a 5th-grade teacher for our Rebecca.

In Genesis chapter 4, we're offered the valuable and biblical principle of first. Moses wrote: 

"So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the LORD of the fruit of the ground. Abel, also brought a gift - the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The LORD accepted Abel and his gift, but He did not accept Cain and his gift."

Why did God accept one and reject the other? Not because of the size of the gift, but because of the order. Abel gave first fruit, whereas, Cain gave the LORD his leftovers.

Christ is the head of the church. He is the beginning, supreme over all, and He deserves first place in everything (Colossians 1:18).

From your paycheck, beloved, does Jesus get the first or the leftovers?

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S-T-R-E-T-C-H

Grandboy's 6th-grade graduation
Spring 2018

"Enlarge the place of your tent; stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, spare not; lengthen your cords and strengthen your pegs." (Isaiah 54:2)

Over this 21 Days of Prayer, by the Holy Spirit's prompting, I'm meditating on Isaiah 54:2 and asking God to: 

ENLARGE

S-T-R-E-T-C-H

L...E...N...G...T...H...E...N

and

STRENGTHEN


His CHURCH, our NATION, FAMILIES, the next GENERATIONS, YOU, and ME.

So, beloved, by the power of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, may our roots grow down into Jesus, and our lives be built upon and in Him. May our faith grow strong in the truth we were taught, and may we overflow with the Good News of eternal life in Christ, thankfulness to Him, and praises to His faithful, holy name! Amen. So be it!

21 Days of Prayer: churchofthehighlands.com

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God, Please Make Puddles

Grandboy #4

"Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18)

Yesterday, when lightning flashed and thunder rolled, our two-year-old grandboy pressed his nose against the glass door, and his parents heard him praying, "God, please make puddles. God, please make puddles."

Hundreds of churches around the USA have joined together for 21-Days-of-Prayer. Will you pray with us, beloved? (Prayer services available online all day at: churchofthehighlands.com

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His, His, His, His, His

grandboy #5

"Bring all your tithes to...My Temple...I will open the windows of heaven for you. ...Try it! Put Me to the test!" (Malachi 3:8-10)

Remember the "seagull scene" from Finding Nemo? 
"Mine! Mine! Mine! Mine! Mine!" 

In a recent conversation with a financially-challenged friend, I sounded like the broken-record seagulls - repented: "His! His! His! His! His! So, Tithe! Tithe! Tithe! Tithe! Tithe!"

Why in heaven's name would I tell a friend that's barely scraping by to give the first 10% of her small paycheck to the Lord? Because the God of heaven is faithful to His promises 100% of the time.

Got money troubles, beloved? Then tithe, tithe, tithe, tithe, tithe!

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God Bless You

Our kids, 2004



"And Jesus took the children in His arms and placed His hands on their heads and blessed them." (Mark 10:16)

As kids, our children knelt at their daddy's feet. He placed his hands on their little heads and blessed them. Today, now grown men with kids of their own, our boys call on their way to work for the daily blessing.

Beloved, may God bless you this day and prosper you in body, soul, and spirit. May He bless the work of your hands and make you the head and not the tail, above and not beneath. May He give you and your family strong protection, godly wisdom, His favor, and Holy Spirit anointing, and may you love Him with all your heart, obey His voice, hold fast to Him, and serve Him with a whole heart and stedfast mind. May He make your marriage a watered garden, and may your children and your children's children walk as faithful servants of God. May the Lord bless you financially with more than you need so that you may be a blessing to others. May Jesus Christ have first place in your life in everything, and may you complete the work God assigned you for His glory. Amen and so be it!

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Instructions

Rebecca, Ben, and Dan 1993

"The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise." (Psalm 19:7)



Years and years ago (summer of 1993 to be exact), because my Phillip received a job transfer to Shreveport, Louisiana, we conducted an exhaustive search for a rental house, but came up empty-handed. Three tired kids slouched in the back seats of the minivan. Phillip was driving, and with an open Bible across my knees, I prayed out loud (maybe Phillip prayed): "Lord Jesus, please help us."

When I opened my eyes (I kid you not!), a tall billboard loomed in from of us. It read: "Need help? Come to Willow Point Baptist Church."

On that late Friday afternoon, Phillip whipped off the freeway into the practically empty church parking lot. The interim pastor "just happened" to be locking up for the day. After patiently listening to our story, he said, "A house is a small thing in the sight of the Lord. Come to church on Sunday."

At the close of the service that Sunday, Pastor Sonny Duprang announced that a family was looking for a place to rent, and if anyone had one, please meet the Glasscos at the altar. A family met  us there, and that day, God led us to a lovely, rental home.

God used a billboard and a pastor to instruct His weary children. Need help, beloved? Call to the Lord and then listen and watch for His perfect and trustworthy instructions.

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