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| my crazy family 2014 "We make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps." (Proverbs 16:9) My phone went haywire this morning, sending and receiving text messages written weeks, months, and even years ago. A friend received a sent-long-ago Bible verse and responded: "I needed that verse today! Thank you!" Yep, beloved, God is in control. He can even work haywire technology for our good and His purposes! |
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| grandboys "What I'm about to tell you is true. Anyone who will not receive God's kingdom like a little child will never enter it." (Luke 18:17) Last week, our 5-year-old grandboy had pneumonia. The miserable night before he saw the doctor, he cried out, "Help me, Jesus!" And Jesus helped the boy. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus taught His disciples that child-like faith is necessary to enter the Kingdom of Heaven — an unbending trust in a steadfast God. Do you truly trust God, beloved? Call on His name with unbending trust. |
"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life." (Proverbs 13:12)
My heart is singing. After waiting for months, The Window at Willow Springs is finally available on Amazon!
A heart-felt thanks to . . .
Jesus, my Lord
Eddie, my publisher
Anya, my illustrator
Ben, my cover designer
Tammy and Nancy, my editors
And last but not least, Rebecca, my children's literature trainer.
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| Indiana fun with kids and grands "How great is the goodness You have stored up for those who fear You. You lavish it on those who come to You for protection, blessing them before the watching world." (Psalm 31:19) Father God blessed my socks off this past weekend, visiting our Rebecca's family in Indiana — three days of ice cream, soccer, Irish step dancing, piano recital, swimming, spikeball, pickleball, walks, talks, and laughter.  God, You're so good! I thank You with all my heart. Beloved, have you thanked God for His goodness today? |
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| The Window at Willow Springs back cover |
"Therefore humble yourselves under God's powerful hand so that He may lift you up at the appointed time." (1 Peter 5:6)
I'm waiting for two extremely busy men — my publisher and the cover designer — to complete the final details of The Window at Willow Springs. I can fret, or I can trust God and His timing. I choose God.
Waiting, beloved? Trust God.
"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)
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| Marie "I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18) On Sunday, Mark and Debra (my brother and sister-in-law) took our 91-year-old friend, Marie, back to Pruden, Tennessee where she grew up. She said there was once a theater, store, school, doctor, and a place for teenagers to gather and dance, but the only building left standing today is the First Baptist Church where she was baptized. I was reminded of the old hymn: "Come to the church by the Wildwood Oh, come to the church in the vale No spot is so dear to my childhood As the little brown church in the vale."1 In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus, the chief Cornerstone, told His disciples that He would build His church, and they would be part of her foundation — a church so strong that neither hell nor death could ever conquer her — a beautiful bride that Christ would die for. ". . . Christ so loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless." (Ephesians 5:25-27) Jesus loves the church, beloved. Jesus loves you. 1 CHURCH IN THE WILDWOOD. William S. Pitts, 1857. |
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| Coosa River Sunrise "Praise the LORD! Praise, you servants of the LORD, Praise the name of the LORD. Let the name of the LORD be blessed, from now to eternity. From the rising of the sun to its setting, Let the name of the LORD be praised!" (Psalm 113:1-3) |
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| my family 2019 "And Noah did this. He did everything that God had commanded him." (Genesis 6:22) Some days it's harder to hear God's voice than others. Today, He spoke loud and clear. First devotion of the morning: "Obedience is better than sacrifice." (1 Samuel 15:22) Next: "Obedience is the secret to pleasing God." Third: "On that day, Abraham [did] . . . as God told him." (Genesis 16:23) Another: "Obedience is the fruit of faith." Beloved, trust God and obey. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey. Trust and obey, for there's no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.1 1 TRUST AND OBEY. J. H. Sammis, 1921. |
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| 5-year-old grandboy "Now protect them by the power of Your name so that they will be united just as we are." (John 17:11b) My sweet daughter-in-law is diligently working with her 5-year-old to prepare him for kindergarten next fall. Yesterday . . . Gabbi: "What's another word that starts with U besides umbrella?" Grandboy: U . . . U . . . Unify! In Chapter 17 of the Gospel of John, Jesus interceded for His disciples and His church. A repeated theme in the High Priestly Prayer is unity: Verse 11: "Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to You. Holy Father, You have given Me Your name; now protect them by the power of Your name so that they will be united just as we are." Verses 20-23: "I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in Me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as You and I are one — as You are in Me, Father, and I am in You And may they be in us so that the world will believe You sent Me. I have given them the glory You gave Me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and You are in Me. May they experience perfect unity that the world will know that You sent Me and that You love them as much as You love Me." What did Jesus mean by unity? Romans 12:4-5: "Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so in Christ, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." Therefore, beloved believers, act like a Christ's body. Unify. How? Romans 12:2, 9-10) "Don't copy the behavior and customs of the world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think . . . Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other." Amen? |
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| Grandkids' Ball Day 2016 "I have hidden Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You." (Psalm 119:11) I dropped the ball this year on the Family Beach Vacation Bible Memorization Challenge —the kids and grands opportunity to earn souvenir bucks. Our trip is now only a month away, and I forgot to send out most of the weekly verses! So, here's the whole 20-verse kit and caboodle: Psalm 23 (6 verses) Psalm 100 (5 verses) Ephesians 6:10-18 (8 verses) Romans 10:9 (1 verse) With a 100-point bonus: Psalm 91 (18 verses) Beloved, are you hiding God's word in your heart? It's a lamp to guide your feet and a light for your path! |
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| L-R our Rebecca, two grandboys, and my superman Fort Morgan Beach, 2018 "Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood . . . be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen." (Revelation 1:5-6) Spring Bible studies ended last week. "Summer Pearls" begins today — a gem a week from the book of Revelation. Pearl #1: Beloved, you are loved and freed from your sins by Christ' shed blood. |
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| 5-year-old grandboy "What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?" (Luke 11:11) Smile for the day: 5-year-old grandboy: "Mama, for your birthday, I'm giving you a snake, and for daddy's birthday, I'm giving him a skunk." His mother: "Why, buddy?" 5-year-old grandboy: "'Cause you're sending me to school next year!" Smile, beloved, and have a great Monday with Jesus! |
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| My Phillip and me 1974 "Call to Me and I will answer you." (Jeremiah 33:3) Friday night, Fort Payne, Alabama, May 7, 1971, 50 years ago today, I had my first date with Phillip Glassco. We went to play putt-putt with Mary and Stanley. |
Phillip called, God answered, and I'm so very grateful His answer was me.
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| Ben's house "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you." (Isaiah 43:2) Tuesday, our Ben's family learned the meaning of "flash flood" firsthand. In a flash, you're surrounded by water; a few hours later, all is gone but the big mess and water damage. In the book of Isaiah, the prophet assures Israel of God's loving presence and protection even in the flash of calamity. Wading through stormy waters, beloved? Think on these things: God is your life boat. He loves you. He is with you. He will help you. He has a plan forward for you. |
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| Ben's 2nd birthday May 3, 1985 Moses said this about the tribe of Benjamin: "The people of Benjamin are loved by the LORD and live in safety beside him. He surrounds them continuously and preserves them from every harm." (Deuteronomy 33:12) Benjamin in Hebrew means "son of the right hand." Today, is our Benjamin's 38th birthday.  Ben, we are so proud of the man God has grown you to be. May you continue to love the Lord, obey His voice, and hold fast to Him all the days of your life. May you use the amazing gifts God has given you to finish the work He set before you for His glory! Happy birthday! I love you, Mama |
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