God of the Seas

My Phillip and the sea



"Out at sea you saw God in action,
saw His breathtaking ways with the ocean:
With a word He called up the wind -
an ocean storm, towering waves...
Then you called out to God in your desperate condition;
He got you out in the nick of time.
He quieted the wind down to a whisper,
put a muzzle on all the big waves.
And you are so glad when the storm died down,
and He led you safely back to the harbor.
So thank God for His marvelous love,
for His miracle mercy to the children He loves.
Lift high your praises when the people assemble,
shout Hallelujah when the elders meet!"
(Psalm 107:24-32)

Beloved, may the God of the seas quiet the tumultuous waves and lead you safely into the quiet harbor of His everlasting arms.

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You're #1

First grandboy front and center





"My son...trust in the LORD with all your heart;
do not lean on your own understanding.
Seek God's will in all you do,
and He will show you which path to take."
(Proverbs 3:5-6)

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday to you!

Happy 13th birthday dear Easton!

Happy birthday to you!

(And your school's athlete of the week to boot!)

You're #1!

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Weighed Down

Superman's way of caring a heavy recliner

"Come to Me," Jesus said, "all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

Feelin' weighed down, beloved? Run to Jesus!

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V-I-C-T-O-R-Y, Victory, Victory is Our Cry

super grandboy




"The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. Amen!" (Romans 16:20)

"Lord, when I work on the Professor Sparrow book, why does my heart sink?"

"What thoughts are coming to your mind, Jill?"

"It's not good enough. It will never be good enough. Compared to Andrew Clements or Jerry Spinelli, I write like a third grader."

"Comparison. Discouragement. Put down. Do you recognize the voice?"

"Yes. It's the enemy."

"What then are you to say about these things?"

"If You, God, are for me, who can stand against me? Who can bring an accusation against God's elect? Jesus is the One who died and has been raised. He is at the right hand of God and intercedes for me."

"Jill, in all these things you are more than victorious - more than a conqueror - through Me who loves you. So what are you to do?"

"Be strong in You and put on Your full armor so that I will stand firm against the devil's schemes. I will take up Your TRUTH, RIGHTEOUSNESS, GOSPEL OF PEACE, FAITH, SALVATION, and YOUR WORD, and I will PRAY."

"And I, the God of peace, will soon crush Satan under your feet. My grace is with you."

"Amen!!!"

Beloved, are you listening to the wrong voices, too? You are more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ, the God of peace!

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Champeezee

My Phillip
Fort Morgan Beach




"He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy." (Job 8:21)

On our way home from the beach, we started the ten-thumbs-up children's book: The Losers' Club by Andrew Clements. Last night, in the final chapter, I read aloud: "Alec tried to smile, but he was so nervous he grinned like a champeezee... uh champeezee... wait a minute... a chimpanzee!"

We laughed so hard I nearly got a headache.

God says a merry heart does good like a medicine (Proverbs 17:22). Beloved, don't miss any opportunity for a good dose of happy today. Laugh!

For the ten-thumbs-up sermon: "Surviving Life's Worst Moments" by Pastor Chris Hodges, listen or watch at: 

www.churchofthehighlands.com

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Praise Awaits Him

Fort Morgan Beach Alabama



"Praise awaits You...
You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds,
God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest these seas,
who formed the mountains by Your power,
having armed Yourself with strength,
who stilled the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
and the turmoil of the nations.
The whole earth is filled with awe at Your wonders;
where morning dawns,
where evening fades,
You call forth songs of joy."
(Psalm 65:1, 5-8)

O Jesus, You're an awesome God who reigns with power and love!

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Life Under the Sun

Fort Morgan Beach Today
(a gift from Phillip and God)




"Enjoy life with the woman you love all the days of your fleeting life which God has given you under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 9:9)

Years ago around Valentine's Day, I overheard a conversation between two husbands in the floral department of Winn Dixie.

"What are you gettin' your wife?"

"I don't know, but whatever I get it'll be wrong."

So, I came up with a simplified shopping plan. Every birthday, Christmas, anniversary, and Valentine's Day, I ask my husband for the same thing: a trip with my superman. 

Got a mate beloved? Enjoy together the life Jesus has given you under the sun and thank Him for it.

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The Apple of His Eye

Our Stephen and grandboy




 "...for He who touches you, touches the apple of My eye." (Zechariah 2:8)

The day I read to her class, a third grader said, "You are my favorite author. I can't believe I'm finally getting to meet you. When I saw your name, I couldn't believe it!" (I seriously doubt she'd ever heard of me before that day, but oh how nice to feel loved.)

Beloved, did you know that the day you met Jesus there was wild rejoicing in heaven? He declares that you are the apple of His eye. He has loved you with an everlasting love, and He drew you unto Himself with lovingkindness.

Jesus loves you this I know. Oh, how wonderful it feels to be loved by Him!

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How Do You Know It's God

Heritage Christian Academy

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." (John 10:27)

This morning, while talking with students at Heritage Christian Academy, a second grader asked me the outstanding question: "How do you know it was God that told you to write a book."

From Genesis through Revelation, God is commonly found talking to people.

Directly: And God said to Adam, "Who told you that you were naked?" (Genesis 3:11)

Through prophets: The Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel and he said, "Listen. Do not fear for the battle is not yours but God's." (2 Chronicles 20:14-15)

Through an angel: And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus." (Luke 1:30-31)

Does God still speak to His children? Absolutely. God has never stopped talking. His voice is ever-available through His Word. His nudges come gently through His Holy Spirit. Frederick William Faber once said, "Whenever the sounds of the world subside in our soul, we hear the whispers of God." 

Shhhhh, beloved. God's talking. Are you listening?

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Detour

sheep dog at work
Indianapolis Irish Festival

"After the Holy Spirit prevented them from speaking the word in the province of Asia, they traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia." (Acts 16:6)

What a fun weekend with kids and grands at a cross-country track meet, three soccer games, the Irish Step Dance Festival, and  their church worship service! 

Yesterday afternoon on the way home from Indiana, we thought WAZE redirected us around construction on Tennessee I-24, but when the one-hour, out-of-the-way detour brought us to Wendy's and a 101-year-old former teacher of a one-room schoolhouse, I recognized the Holy Spirit had ordered our steps. (And yes, I gave the old gentleman a copy of  The Schoolhouse.)

Beloved, if we see Jesus in everything, we'll detour annoyed and impatient. 

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Rising of the Sun

Today's sunrise over Lake Monroe, Indiana




"From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD shall be praised. The LORD is high above all the nations; His glory is above the heavens." (Psalm 113:3-4)

Beloved, have you praised the Lord Jesus today?

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Too Small Too Big

small grandboy; big granddaddy

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9)

As I have in past small groups, yesterday, I posed the question: Is it ever right to be mad at God? 

Many say, "Yes! God is big enough to handle it."

Hmmm...yes, God is BIG, but is it ever right to be mad at our perfect, never-wrong God? If I'm mad at Him, doesn't that make my God too small and me too big? If I'm mad at God, aren't my eyes set on the temporal and not the eternal?

What does God say?

Jesus said, "I have told you this so that you may 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)

"For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix out gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)

Therefore, beloved, if we're ever tempted to be mad at God, let us remember all that He has done for us:

"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before He made the world, God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure. 

So we praise God for the glorious grace He has poured out on us who belong to His dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins. He showered His kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. God has now revealed to us His mysterious will regarding Christ - which is to fulfill His own good plan. And this is the plan: At the right time He will bring everything together under the authority of Christ - everything in heaven and on earth!" (Ephesians 1:3-10)

Our God is an awesome God! Worthy of praise and thanksgiving on the mountaintops and in the low valleys.

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Dancing the Two-step

My superman and me
2016

"Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)

In the New Testament book of James (half-brother of Jesus), he gives believers the "two-step" of spiritual warfare: 

Step 1: Submit to God. 

Step 2: Resist the devil.

Let's ask ourselves: how is my relationship with God? Before we say, "fine!" Let's consider submission to God in light of verse 4: "You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."

Yikes! So, beloved, who's your dance partner? The World or Jesus?

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My Brother's Keeper

Grandboy's first cross-county race
(6th place out of 50)

"And don't forget to do good and share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God." (Hebrews 13:16)

I recently asked kids, "What does the phrase 'my brother's keeper' mean to you?" and encouraged them to search for everyday opportunities to help others.

James, the half-brother of Jesus wrote: "What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you have faith but don't show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, 'Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well' - but then you don't give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?" (James 2:14-17)

Beloved, what will you do to help another today?

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What a Wonderful World

"And I will give them one heart and one purpose: 

to worship Me forever, 

for their own good and 

for the good of all their children."

(Jeremiah 32:39)

I see trees of green, red roses too

I see them bloom for me and you

And I think to myself what a wonderful world

I see skies of blue and clouds of white

The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night

And I think to myself what a wonderful world

I hear babies crying, I watch them grow

They'll learn much more than I ever know

And I think to myself what a wonderful world

Yes I think to myself what a wonderful world

Happy 41st Anniversary, superman.

I love you so!

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Three Cheers for the Pastor

artwork by Collin Lovely

"Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not sorrow." (Hebrews 13:17)

My young friend, Collin, recently wrote his pastor:

Dear Brother J.C.,

It's me Collin Lovely. In case you don't remember me, my parents are David and Tammy Lovely The Lord has given me the spiritual gift of encouragement, and I love working for the Lord! My mom  told me that pastors have a huge responsibility and a very important job. So, I'm writing you to encourage your heart. Every Sunday, you preach what God's word says about Jesus and you encourage them to grow in their relationship with Him and to love each other. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! I pray that you stay strong, courageous, and committed to the Lord. I pray for the joy in your heart as you serve the Lord. I pray that you are altogether fruitful, and that you'll be God's mouthpiece - always speaking the truth. I also want to tell you its truly an honor to be part of this new church, and I thank you for all you do every day to help us be more like Christ. 

Love, your brother in Christ,

Collin

(Philippians 1:6, Proverbs 16:31, Jeremiah 29:11)

Beloved, have you encouraged your pastor recently?

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Fishers of Men

two grandboys and one grand nephew

And Jesus called out, "Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Matthew 4:19)

Boys. Boys. Boys. It seems like everybody's having baby boys these days. Our sixth grandboy is due in eight weeks.

"Why so many boys?" I asked.

"Because God is fishing for some godly men," my wise Miss Evelyn replied.

Got boys and grandboys, beloved? Train them up in the way they should go. Teach them to love the Lord, obey His voice, and hold fast to Him. It's what daddys and mamas and granddaddys and grandmamas are supposed to do. Jesus said so. Yes, He did!

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Makes Me Wanna Shout

photo by our Rebecca

"I know that the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me. No wonder my heart is filled with joy, and my mouth shouts His praise!" (Psalm 16:8-9)

Just knowing that the Lord is with me - right beside me - always. Oh, Lord...

You know You make me wanna SHOUT!

Kick my heels up and SHOUT!

Throw my hands up and SHOUT!

Throw my head back and SHOUT!

Come on now SHOUT! 1

So, come on, beloved...

"Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth!

Worship the LORD with gladness

Come before Him, singing with joy...

For the LORD is good.

His unfailing love continues forever,

And His faithfulness continues to each generation."

(Psalm 100:1, 2, 5)

"The joy of the LORD is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10)

SHOUT!

1 SHOUT. The Isley Brothers.

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Warrior

Ray, the Cooper Hawk
Photo by our Rebecca

"He will cover you with His feathers. He will shelter you with His wings. His faithful promises are your armor of protection...You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!" (Psalm 91:4,13)

Several weeks ago, I believe the Lord instructed, "Read Psalm 91 aloud every morning and every night."As Hope for the Prodigal's Mother starts this week, I believe the Lord said today: "Prepare for war! And do not be afraid."

Let the war begin. 

Lord Jesus, I pray for the prodigals that they will no longer conform to the ways of this world but will be transformed by the renewing of their minds. May they walk not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of the sinner, nor sit in the seat of the scornful, but may they delight in Your word and meditate upon it day and night. Make them like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit in each season and prospering in body, soul, and spirit. I pray they will come to their senses, run to You, love You with all their heart, soul, and mind, obey Your voice, and hold fast to You. May no weapon formed against them prosper in Jesus' name, and today, may they live in victory by the shed blood of Jesus Christ! In Jesus' name I pray, Amen and so be it!

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