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| Bama boys "The very day I call for help, the TIDE of the battle turns. My enemies flee! This one thing I know: God is for me." (Psalm 56:9 Living Bible) Here's a verse-of-the-day humor explanation for the non-Alabamians: the Alabama Crimson Tide is playing the Cincinnati Bearcats this afternoon in the National College Football Championship semifinals. Roll Tide, beloved, (yes I'm an Auburn grad) and happy New Year's Eve! |
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| grandboy and grandgirl fall 2021 "The LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place." (Deuteronomy 1:31) From its dawn to the fading twilight, the Lord our God carried His children through 2021. And I trust He will faithfully bear us up on eagles' wings over the coming New Year. Therefore, beloved, "do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear . . . Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them . . . See how the flowers of the field grow. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these . . . Do not worry . . . But seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:25-33) |
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| children's book coming spring 2022 "From one man God made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from any one of us." (Acts 17:26-27) When my college roommate's Christmas card returned "undeliverable," I went on an internet search and found her. In chapter one of Romans, Paul told the Romans that since the world was created, people have seen the earth and the sky, and through everything God made, we can clearly see His invisible qualities — His eternal power and divine nature. In chapter seventeen of Acts, Paul told the Athenians that God marked out man's appointed times and location so that we would seek and perhaps find Him. In chapter nineteen of Luke, Jesus told Zacchaeus that the Son of Man came to seek and save this who are lost. The bottomline: God sought after you, beloved, and designed you to seek Him. Have you found Jesus today? |
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| grands 2012 |
"On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity." (Zechariah 13:1)
Today's Old Testament Bible reading lead me to the prophet Zechariah who foretold that Israel will one day look upon Jesus, the Messiah, with faith and repent of the years of rejection. On that glad day, God's "Fountain" will cleanse His people of all sin and impurity.
In 1771, the promise of Zechariah 13:1 inspired William Cowper's (pronounced Cooper) beloved old hymn "There Is a Fountain."
"There is a fountain filled with blood,
Drawn from Immanuel's veins;
And sinners, plunged beneath that flood,
Lose all their guilty steins."
Feeling guilty, beloved? Run to the Fountain! "The blood of Jesus, God's Son, purifies us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)
Read more...
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"I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." (Psalm 27:13) My empty kitchen table Christmas Day brought me to a crossroads of the will: in my disappointment, would I choose bitter or better? Oswald Chambers wrote: "Our battles are first won in the secret places of our will in God's presence." Disappointed, beloved? Choose the good way — a surrendered will to the trustworthy Most High God. "Therefore we do not lose heart . . . For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal weight of glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since the seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:16-18) |
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| my granddaddy, brother Mark, and me Christmas 1958 "You will be able to tell wonderful stories to your children and grandchildren about the marvelous things I am doing." (Exodus 10:2) A Christmas Eve tradition passed down through the generations by my maternal grandfather was the first one to shout, "Christmas Eve gift!" on Christmas Eve got an extra present. My phone dinged at 11:13 PM Central Time last night (12:13 PM Eastern Time) with a "Christmas Eve Gift" text from my niece in Kentucky. It dinged again at 5:27 this morning, a "Christmas Eve Gift" GroupMe text from our youngest son to the whole family followed by a "Got Heem!" GIF. So, Christmas Eve Gift to you beloved! And may the Lord bless you and your family as you celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! |
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| our Rebecca's family "Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; and the fields lie empty and barren; even thought the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!" (Habakkuk 3:17-18) They'll be home for Christmas . . . only in my dreams. Sigh. Well, our girl and grandgirl have covid, so they can't come home for Christmas. I'm very extremely disappointed and so, so sad, yet I will praise Jesus, the God of my salvation. Heartbreaks and disappointments got you down, beloved? Sing a hallelujah and praises to the Lord most High! "Why and I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again — my Savior and my God!" (Psalm 42:5) |
"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation." (Isaiah 26:3-4)
Twas three days before Christmas,
when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse . . .
Because some of our kids and grands are sick
and dreams of gathering together hang in the balance.
Yet . . .
We will enter His gates with thanksgiving
and His courts with praise;
give thanks to Him and praise His name.
For the LORD is good and His love endures forever;
His faithfulness continues through all generations!
(Psalm 100:4-5)
O come let us adore Him, beloved, Christ the Lord!
When my dear friends, Mary and Susan, placed Christmas wreaths on the gravesites of veterans in their family, they also place one by my daddy's headstone — an act of lovingkindness that deeply touched my heart.
Beloved, may the lovingkindness of Jesus Christ touch others through you this Christmas season.
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| grandboys on the mountain top "I will work hard to make sure you always remember these things after I am gone." (2 Peter 1:15) Saturday, the grandboys and I climbed to the top of the mountain behind their house. On the way up, we found a patch of British Soldier moss.  |
Camp Juliette Low.
Mary.
And Thumper.
When Mary Igou, my best friend since birth, Sharon Abbott, Angela Killian, and I went to the Girl Scout Camp Juliette Low in Cloudland, Georgia the summer of 1968, she was extremely homesick. While the other girls and I canoed, rode horseback, and made campfires, Mary followed Thumper, the camp nurse, around the woods learning moss identification. (Mary would later teach me to recognize British Soldier moss.) Here's a snapshot Daddy took of me (Mama, Grandmama, my brother Mark, and Mr. Abbott are in the background).
One purpose of this blog is to record sweet memories for my grandkids to have after I'm gone.
In his second letter to scattered believers, Peter knew his earthly life would soon end. So, he reminded them of the divine power Christ had given them for a godly life, and encouraged them to add to their faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, affection, and love. "For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure," he wrote, "they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
This Christmas week, beloved, remember. Remember that Christ has given you everything you need for a godly life through your knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Glory to God in the Highest!
"Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands." (Isaiah 49:16)
One of the 90+ Christmas letters we mailed came back because the address label had fallen off. Who knows who didn't receive our Merry Christmas well-wishes this year.
Beloved, God will never lose track of you. He knows your name and has graven you on his hand and written you on His heart. You are the apple of His eye.
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| Felicia GED graduation 2013 "The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." (Proverbs 18:10) My dear friend, Felicia, (who has seen more than her share of hardships in her 38 years, including two children now in heaven) told me that when her high schooler got off the school bus the other day, her grandbaby ran and jumped in her arms. Then she said, "When life is hard and we don't understand what's going on, God wants us to run and jump in His arms." Is life hard, beloved? Run to Jesus and jump in His arms. Ready, set, go! |
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| grandboy and classmate |
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| grandgirl age 4ish "Jesus said to His followers, 'Go everywhere in the world, and tell the Good News to everyone." (Mark 16:15) I love this picture of the grandgirl when she was about four. I have no idea what she was saying back then, but she was most assuredly tellin' somebody the news. According to Mark's Gospel, early on the first day of the week after Jesus rose from the grave, He appeared to Mary Magdalene. She hurriedly ran and told His followers. After that, Jesus appear to two of His disciples. They ran back and told the rest. Then He appears to the eleven while they were eating and said, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved, but the one who does not believe will be condemned." Beloved, run and tell. Tell the Good News that God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life!" |
"They entered the house and saw the Child with His mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him." (Matthew 1:11)
My all-time favorite Christmas hymn is "O Holy Night." My favorite part is the crescendo "Fall on your knees!" It stirs my heart and brings tears to my eyes.
Beloved, throughout this Christmas season, let us fall on our knees and worship Him! Jesus is the reason for the season.
Read more... |
| grandboy and Summer "The people of Israel called the bread manna." (Exodus 16:31) |
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| 12-year-old grandboy "The LORD will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above and not beneath, if you heed the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them." (Deuteronomy 28:13) Last summer, our 12-year-old grandboy made the elite 1000 Club for juggling a soccer ball over 1000 times in succession. Good job, hot rod! I often pray Deuteronomy 28:13 for my kids and grands, asking God to make them the head and not the tail, above and not beneath. And how will that happen? By them heeding and obeying the commandments of God. Wanna be the head and not the tail, beloved? Know God and obey His commands. |
"He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." (Job 5:9)
Kind neighbors gave us potted bulbs for Christmas. I added water, and two days later, little green miracles pushed through the dirt.
Need a miracle, beloved? Pray to the God of Miracles —Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the One who is able to do far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams.
"If all the things Jesus did were written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written." ~John, the beloved disciple of Jesus Christ~
Read more...
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| Pawpaw and Ben 1992ish |
"Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit." (Psalm 51:12)
Years ago, after our Ben karate kicked a hole in my parents' screen door, my daddy said, "Boy, you and I are going to go fix a door." And the door was restored.
Beloved, pray to Papa-God today, the One who is able to RESTORE marriages, good health, wayward children, lost jobs, broken hearts —anything and everything.
"...With God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26)
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| Art Project by our talented grandgirl "In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:4-5) For school, our talented Anya had to draw an art piece contrasting darkness and light. The portrait above is her interpretation of the assignment. Light is a theme throughout the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The life in the Savior Messiah is the good Light for the people that shines into and overcomes the darkness of sin and evil. Beloved, one flicker of light dispels the deepest darkness. May the Light of Jesus Christ shine through you across this Christmas season. |
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| birthday grandboy "Just ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does now know that the hand of the LORD has done this?" (Job 12:7-9) Today, I'm baking a beaver-sports cake for our beaver-loving grandboy's sixth birthday. Football: beavers vs badgers. Soccer: beavers vs bears. Basketball: beavers vs foxes.  Beavers are one of God's most clever creations. Did you know that beavers have special valves in their ears and nose that close when beavers dives under the water and reopen when they surface? Did you know that God gave beavers goggle eyes —transparent eyelids that close underwater allowing them to still see very well? Did you that God specially designed beavers' self-sharpening front teeth strong enough to "chop" down trees! And even more amazing, God gave them the ability to chew sticks underwater with no water entering their mouths because they have fur mouth flaps between their front incisors and rear molars? Plus, a beaver's large paddle-shaped tail is an effective rudder and webbed hind feet make it an excellent swimmer. Thank You for beavers, Lord God. And thank you for a boy who loves them. Happy 6th birthday, hot rod! |
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| grandgirl Anya (left) at our book signing 2017 (Anya is an award-winning, young artist and has illustrated six of my books) "For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere." (James 3:16-17) Confession: I contemplated imploring my blog readers to hop over to Amazon.com today and order one of my children's books for Christmas, but then repented and turned in a different direction. When it comes to the books, I constantly have to ask the Lord to weed my heart of selfish ambition (book sales) and cultivate the desire for God's purposes to be accomplished (feeding His sheep the Word of God through stories). Beloved, how's the garden of your heart today? Overgrown with selfish ambition or fruitfully (is that a word?) producing God's good purposes? |
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| grandgirl 2012 Jesus said, "Believe in God, believe also in Me . . . Peace I leave to you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful." (John 14:1, 27) The gift of God's peace is received by trusting Him with all your heart. Selah. |
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| My kids: Dan, Rebecca, and Ben April 3, 2004 "We glory in tribulation, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance." (Romans 5:3) Both our boys, now men leading their own households, are facing challenges right now. I'm asking God not only to work out the difficult circumstances but also to work in them, making them even more like Jesus. In a hard place, beloved? Ask God to work for you and in you to accomplish every good thing He has planned. "Troubles are the soil from which God grows His courageous warriors." ~ Mrs. Alice quote from Fish Fry ~ Coming spring 2022. |
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| our Rebecca and "Comet" "And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away." (1 Peter 5:4) When the Chief Shepherd Jesus Christ appears, I hope He finds me feeding His sheep and little lambs the Word of God through Bible studies, children's books, and a blog. Beloved, when the Chief Shepherd appears, what will He find you doing? |
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| Christmas at the cabin "And [Mary] gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped [Jesus] in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." (Luke 2:7) "Jesus humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:8) "But on the first day of the week, at early dawn . . . they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus . . . suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them . . . 'Why do you look for the living among the dead? [Jesus] is not here; He has risen!'" (Luke 24:1-7) Beloved, this day after Thanksgiving-to-God Day before the Christmas season rush, will you pause with me and thank God for the manger, the cross, and an empty tomb? "Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel . . . By this gospel you are saved . . . that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) Jesus is the reason for the season!!! |
"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations." (Psalm 100:4-5)
M & M cookies are baked.
The turkeys are on the grill.
Dressing and sweet potato casserole are in the oven.
Gravy's on the stovetop.
Corn is in the microwave.
Stuffed deviled eggs are in the refrigerator.
Cranberry sauce is in the bowl.
Christmas music is playing softly in the background.
But no guests are coming today for Thanksgiving dinner.
Our daughter is with her husband's family in Huntsville, AL. The grands are sick at both our sons' households, and our brother-in-law is in the hospital.
So . . .
Three boxes sit on my kitchen counter for Door Dash Thanksgiving deliveries.
Lord, even when unexpected disappointments come, You are good.
Your love endures forever.
And we are grateful!
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| My oldest grands "So thank God for His marvelous love, for His miracle mercy to the children He loves; offer thanksgiving sacrifices, tell the world what He's done—sing it out!" (Psalm 107:22) Today, I thank You, Lord, for our seven grandchildren. What wondrous gifts from Your hands!  Beloved, who are you thanking God for today? |
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| my family Christmas 2008 "Your vibrant beauty has gotten inside us—You've been so good to us! We're walking on air! All we are and have we owe to GOD, Holy God of Israel, our King!" (Psalm 89:18-19 The Message) Thank You, Lord God, for my six children—the three I birthed and the three they married. Beloved, what will you thank God for today? |
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| my superman and grandboy "My beloved is mine and I am his." (Song of Solomon 2:16) On this Thanksgiving-to-God week, I thank You, Lord, for my husband, Phillip. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Beloved, what are you thankful to God for today? |
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| my girl, Rebecca, and her boy "But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way." (Daniel 1:8) In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Babylon under the cruel rule of King Nebachadnezzar, besieged Jerusalem, capturing handsome, smart young Jewish men and forcing them into the pagan king's service. One captive named Daniel stood firm in his faith to the Most High God and decided not to defile himself regardless of his circumstances. Because God promised that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength, staying the right course begins with a decision. I have decided to follow Jesus. I have decided to respond in kindness no matter what. I have decided to choose joy. I have decided to love my enemies. I have decide to put God first. I have decided to put other before myself and treat them the way I want to be treated. I have decided . . . Beloved, what have you decided today? |
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| "Isaac" from Fish Fry illustration by talented artist Anya Elizabeth Figert |
"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty...He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God and I trust Him." (Psalm 91:1-2)
Illustrations are completed, book cover is designed, and I'm in the final edits of the manuscript before handing Fish Fry over to Deep Sea Publishing. In this story of a young boy's quest for courage, Isaac says, "Fear is like a dark shadow. It follows you around everywhere you go."
Beloved, which shadow are you under today? Stressing in the dark shadow of fear or resting in the shadow of the Most High God?
Run to the Lord, dear one. He will cover you with His feathers and shelter you with His wings. His faithful promised will be your protective shield. When you call to Him, He will answer; He will be with you in trouble and rescue you. (Psalm 91:4,15)
"Even when I walk through the shadow of the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me." (Psalm 23:4)
Read more...
"Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!" (2 Corinthians 9:15)
Last summer, my ladies and I did a twenty-two week Bible study of Revelation called: Summer Pearls. Yesterday, my beautiful sister-friends gave me a gorgeous 22-pearl necklace. I felt overwhelmed with love.
In a second letter to believers in Corinth, Paul thanked God for His indescribable gift: Jesus Christ. Beloved, have you thanked Father God for your Savior Jesus today?
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