Taste and See

 

grandboy

"Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him." (Psalm 34:8)

To emphasize the importance of a truth, Jesus said, "Verily, verily" or "Truly, truly, I say to you." In other words, pay attention, pay attention. 

When I keep bumping into the same verse, I've learned to pay attention, pay attention. This week's pay-attention verse is: "Taste and see that the LORD is good," and this snapshot of my grandboy eyeing a scrumptious Christmas cookie takes the cake!

Beloved, let us daily pay close attention to Jesus and praise His name together!

"I will praise the LORD at all times.

I constantly speak His praises.

I will boast only in the LORD;

let all who are helpless take heart.

Come, let us tell of the LORD's greatness;

let us exalt His name together.

I prayed to the LORD, and He answered me.

He freed me from all my fears.

Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy;

no shadow of shame will darken their faces.

In my desperation I prayed, and the LORD listened;

He saved me from all my troubles.

For the angel of the LORD is a guard;

He surrounds and defends all who fear Him.

Taste and see that the LORD is good.

Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him!"

(Psalm 24:1-8)

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Peacemaker

 

grandgirl and grandboy
2010?

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God." (Matthew 5:9)

(A borrowed story from my Rebecca's blog.) 

This year's kindergarten class at the school where Rebecca teaches has the reputation of being "a handful." A few weeks ago, her husband (my favorite son-in-law, Stephen) was their substitute teacher. God gave him a brilliant idea: Train these little ones to be peacemakers.

When there was conflict, Stephen said, "How can you be a peacemaker?"

When walking through the halls, Stephen said, "How would peacemakers walk the halls?"

When complaints arose, Stephen said, "How would peacemakers handle this situation?"

God changed little hearts that day. At recess this week, when one of the kindergarteners was hogging the monkey bars, a classmate said, "We need to be peacemakers, and peacemakers would let others go first." The girl on the monkeys bars dropped. Her classmates got their turns. 

This week, beloved, give thanks to the greatest Peacemaker of all: Jesus Christ.

"Peace I leave with you," Jesus said. "My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand." (Romans 5:1-2)

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Jesus

 

Illustration from Secrets of Shiloh
by talented artist Donny Finley

"In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace." (Ephesians 1:7)

From the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey until His death the following Friday . . . 

He wept.

He healed the blind and the lame. 

He told stories: The Parable of the Two Sons, The Parable of the Vineyard Owner, The Parable of the Wedding Banquet, The Parable of the Fig Tree, The Parable of the Ten Virgins, The Parable of the Talents.

He washed disciples' feet.

He taught.

He prayed.

On an old rugged cross, He forgave, He saved a thief, and He died.

Three days later, He arose!

This Passion Week, beloved, set your mind and praise on Jesus!

"You are worthy . . . You were slaughtered and You redeemed people for God by Your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation . . . Blessing and honor and glory and dominion to the One seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!" (Revelation 5:9,13)

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Pink Snow

 

"Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation. Selah." (Psalm 68:19)

Pink "snow" from cherry trees is the only debris in our yard left by tornadoes that ripped through Alabama yesterday. One stayed on the ground to the edge of our neighborhood, hopped over us, and hit the next community. Another barreled toward the farm but dissipated suddenly ten miles away.

Many, many families have a different story — homes leveled, lives lost. I'm tempted to ask why? But this I know: God loves the spared and the victims equally. He will carry the hurting's burdens and work through the hands of the unscathed. 

The undeniable evidence of God's deeper-than-the-ocean love? Jesus. The provided Way to heaven for whosoever will believe. No pain. No sorrow. No sickness. No crying. No death. Eternal peace. Complete unity. Unconditional love. Joy. Perfect. Forever.

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18)

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Things I Remember

 

my grandmother and brother Mark
1953

". . . you share the faith that first filled your grandmother . . . and your mother . . . And I know that same faith continues strong in you." (2 Timothy 1:5)

Today is Elsie Gertrude Thomas Brazelle, my maternal grandmother's, 125th birthday.

Grandmother was a prime and proper little lady that called Granddaddy Mr. Brazelle all their married life. Going to her house in Florence was as exciting to me as Christmas. We would stop at Hardee's in Huntsville for a junior husky, fries, and a chocolate milk shake. 

Mama warned me never to speak to Grandmother of a woman expecting a baby, which she would considered improper. One time I slipped, telling her that my cat was expecting kittens. I quickly tried to fix things and spewed, "But she's already had 'em."

After Granddaddy died, when my family visited, I shared a bed with Grandmother. One night she told jokes before we fell asleep (highly out of character for her). 

Joke: "There once was a woman whose husband hung himself in their spacious attic. Later, a neighbor came to extend her condolences. Fumbling for words, the neighbor sputtered, "We sure have had a lot of rain this spring, but you have such a nice big attic — the perfect place to hang things." 

We giggled until Mama called from the next room, "It's time to go to sleep you two." She fell asleep first. Grandmother didn't snore. She puffed. In my head, I can still hear her.

One summer, while Mark and I were spending a week with her, I told an "off-color" joke. She threatened to take me to the Catholic priest to confess my sins. We were at her house when NASA landed the first man on the moon.

She drank Pepsi cola everyday. She never learned to swim. She fed the sparrows and shooed the starlings. She made the best toast in the world in a gas oven. After we washed dishes, she said, "We'll let the angels dry them."

A letter she wrote on the night before her 55th birthday to Mother became my first children's book: The Schoolhouse.

Happy birthday, Grandmother. Thanks for the memories!

 

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Summer Pearls

 

spring's jewels

"God's kingdom is like a jewel merchant on the hunt for exquisite pearls." (Matthew 13:45)

Normally, my Bible studies end the first of May and resume in September. This year, God has a different plan: "Summer Pearls" —exploring short devotional pearls of truth from the book of Revelation.

Father knows best!

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Whispers in the Night

 

farm house on a summer night

"The way You counsel me makes me praise You more, for Your whispers in the night give me wisdom, showing me what to do next." (Psalm 16:7 TPT)

In next year's book, Professor Sparrow has vanished into thin air. I had written up to chapter 5 and still had no idea what happened to him. This morning, thanks to the Holy Spirit, I now know.

"[My] mouth was filled with laughter, my tongue with songs of joy . . . The Lord has done great things for [me]." (Psalm 126:2)

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Jesus Loves Five-Year-Olds

grandboy and his fish

"And Jesus places His hands on [the children's] heads and blessed them." (Matthew 19:15)

Last week, I woke up with an idea: make number charts for the five-year-old grandboys to help them learn numbers and patterns of numbers before they start kindergarten next fall. I strongly trusted this idea was God's.

 

Later, one of the boys told his mom: "I want to do those sheets Memaw gave me." She said that he read all the numbers, pointing to each one, counted 1 to 100, and then they counted by 5s and 10s together. Afterward, he hugged her and said, "I love when Memaw gives gifts."

And I love that Jesus loves five-year-olds.

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Extend My Border

 

Our Rebecca's family

"Oh, that You would greatly bless me and extend my borders, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm so that it would not hurt me!" (1 Chronicles 4:10)

In this prayer, Jabez asked four things from God:

God' Blessing

Increased territory

God's presence

God's protection

1 Chronicles 4:10 ends with God's answers:

"And God brought about what He requested."

James 4:1 tells us:

"You do not have because you do not ask God."

Selah.

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Author of Authors

 

". . . so is My word that goes from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11)

I recently hit a "writing wall" and prayed: "Lord, You are the most creative One — the original Author, the Author of authors, the Master Storyteller. You wrote the best-seller of all times. You created narrative, humor, and mystery. Writing a youth fiction is a very small task for You. Please make me Your scribe and tell me the story for Your purposes and glory."

Beloved, whatever work God has set before you, He's the expert. Let Him work through you!

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Trouble

 

Rebecca and praying mantis

". . . I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him . . . " 

(Psalm 91:15)

Severe weather threatens. 

One of our kids is wedged in a hard place.

Friends are walking through dark valleys.

And my head is drumming:

"Well, ya got trouble, my friend, right here

I say, trouble right here in River City . . .

Trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble." 1

Then.

I listen.

May the Lord grant you peace

May His love shine down, love shine down

And meet, your every need

And keep your feet from stumbling

And fix your eyes on the mark, on the prize

As you go, may you rest in Christ

Receive His grace to love all men

In spit of all our differences

May your words be filled with life

That crumble walls of fear and pride

Take  up the cross to serve the least and the lost 

As you go, be the hands of God

'Cause He is your strength and your victory, yeah

He comes behind you and heals

He is the cup and the portion

Your banner and shield

So be (so be) released

Be blessed, be free

Live and move as the Spirit breathes

As you go

Go with God

Go in peace. 2

Ahhhhhh.

Shalom, beloved.

1 YA GOT TROUBLE, Meredith Wilson, from The Music Man 1957.

2 BENEDICTION (AS YOU GO), by Selah. Writers: Jennie Lee Riddle, Charity Gayle, Todd Smith.

 

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Rebecca's Family
Smoky Mountains

"Stand at the crossroads and look . . . ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls." (Jeremiah 6:16)

One set of our kids and grands are walking Smoky Mountain trails today.

Beloved, as you walk, walk with God, walk in peace, in Jesus' name.

 

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Tale of Two Brothers

 

grandboy brothers

"You made all the delicate, inner parts . . . knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank You for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous! (Psalm 139:13-14)

Tale of Two Brothers by Ben Glassco . . . 

"So both of my sons got bloody scrapes on Saturday.

First, the 5-year-old and Memaw walked to the boat ramp. He fell and scrapped his ankle. Memaw carried the Tonka truck in one hand and held my boy's hand in the other. He gets a walking stick and they trudge their way back to the cabin, like a wounded warrior returning to base camp.

Next, the 6-year-old fell and scraped his elbow on the driveway. Screamed at the top of his lungs. Crocodile tears streamed down his face. He yelled, "I'M GONNA DIE!!! I'M GONNA DIE!!! DADDY, I'M GONNA DIE. GOOD-BYYYE! I LOVE YOU! GOOD-BYE!!"

~

May God bless you, my son, as you bring your night-and-day boys up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. May He equip you in every good thing to train them and guide them accordingly.

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Good Thing You're A Good Kisser

Superman and me 
1993

"Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards." 

(Song of Solomon 2:15)

Superman dropped his keys on the kitchen counter.

I put them up.

Later. "Where are my keys???"

"I put 'em up."

"Good thing you'r a good kisser."

We laughed.

And kissed.

Beloved, "bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." (Colossians 3:13)

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We Laughed We Cried

 

my dear friends
Jane, Eve, and Nancy

"Two people are better than one, for they can help each other . . . But someone who falls alone is in real trouble . . . Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

A week ago, horrific tragedy struck Eve's family. Yesterday, Jane, Eve, Nancy, and I gathered in her backyard. We laughed. We cried. We left refreshed and stronger.

Beloved, people need the Lord. People need each other. Love the Lord with all your heart. Love others as yourself.

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A Man Full of Faith

 

my favorite son-in-law

"Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit . . . " (Acts 6:5)

Happy 40th birthday, Stephen! You are a blessed man because: 

"God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth." (Matthew 5:5)

"God blesses those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied."  (Matthew 5:6)

"God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy."  (Matthew 5:7)

"God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they shall see God." (Matthew 5:8)

"God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God." (Matthew 5:9)

Thank you for loving our Rebecca well. Thank you for bringing your children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Thank you for serving the Lord and His little ones. Thank you for being the best son-in-law in the whole wide world. We love you, Stephen!

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Remind Me

my kindergarten class 1961-62
(bottom row, 3rd from left)

Jesus said, "But when the Father sends the Helper as My representative — that is the Holy Spirt — He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you." (John 14:26)

I need to often be reminded of the elementary things Jesus said like:

Jill, respect Phillip in all things and build him up!

Jill, the purpose of your books is to feed My sheep.

Jill, make allowances for other's faults. Forgive quickly as I forgave you.

Jill, pray without ceasing.

Jill, don't let your heart be troubled. Believe Me.

Beloved, what do you need to remember today? Ask the Holy Spirit. He'll remind you!

 

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Generations

5-year-old grandboy, Phillip, and our Ben 
breaking the beaver dam

"We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about His power and His mighty wonders." (Psalm 78:4)

At church yesterday, Mark Pettus, the president of Highlands College, gave the excellent message: "Generational Mentality."

Before 1981, life was slow, faith was shared, trust was high, and morality was high. For millennials and generation Z, life has always been frantic, faith at the margins, trust broken, and a morality of devaluing people to defend an idea.

What must older generations do, beloved? Personally receive from God and intentionally pass truth on to younger generations.

Full message available at:

 www.churchofthehighlands.com

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Love Well

 

Our Ben's family and friends

"Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions." (1 John 3:18)

While praying for a friend walking through a family tragedy, I cried, "Lord, what can I do?"

"Love her well," Jesus whispered.

Selah (Think about it.)

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Sweet Home Alabama

Bokeelia community, Pine Island, Florida

 

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:17) 

After a fun-filled week at the beach, we're back on the road to sweet home Alabama. Thank You, Father God, from whom all blessings flow.

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Passing Through

 

"Lord, our Lord, how magnificent is Your name throughout the earth . . . You made [man] lord over the works of Your hands . . . animals in the wild, birds in the sky, and fish of the sea passing through the currents of the seas." (Psalm 8:1,6-8)

I snapped this photo yesterday. Can you tell what it is? Look closely and you'll see gazillions of fish in the shallow, golden waters of the sea — tiny creatures just passing through.

In this life, beloved, you and I are just passing through. "For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come (Hebrews 13:14)." A home with pearly gates, streets of gold, and Jesus forever and ever and ever.

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To the End of the Island

 

St. James City, Florida

"Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth." (Colossians 3:1-2)

On Saturday, we rode bikes to the end of Pine Island and praised the Lord and prayed for others along the way. In good times and hard times, beloved, let's keep our minds on Jesus.

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