Project Eden

 

from my 2nd book: Secrets of Shiloh
by talented artist, Donny Finley

"Start children off on the right path. And even when they are old, they will not turn away from it." (Proverbs 22:6)

As the S.T.E.A.M. (Science and Technology through Engineering and Arts, all based in Mathematical elements) teacher at a Christian School in Indiana, our Rebecca is designing an outdoor classroom for this year: "Project Eden" — based on Genesis 2:15, "The LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it."

School starts just around the corner, beloved. Pray for students, teachers, and administration to walk the right path — God's path of goodness, truth, and righteousness.

Read more...

Bible Challenge

my confirmation class
First United Methodist Church
Fort Payne, Alabama
1962

"Oh, how I love Your instructions! I think about them all day long." (Psalm 119:97)

Quizz:

What is the longest chapter in the Bible and who wrote it?

If you answered, "Psalm 119," good job! You are absolutely correct. If you said King David wrote the psalm, you may or may not be right. Psalm 119 is one of the "orphan psalms." The psalmist did not include his name in the text.

This long poem (176 verses) is an acrostic organized in the order of the Hebrew alphabet — 22 sections of 8 verses, each verse of each section beginning with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. (Some Rabbis believe King David may have used the poem to teach his son, Solomon, the alphabet.)

Bible challenge: Today, beloved, read Psalm 119 — from Aleph to Tav.

Read more...

Make the Most of the Times

L-R me (with a "busted" head from a rock Mark threw),
Uncle Frank, and brother Mark
1961 

"Pay attention to how you live . . . making the most of the time. . . " (Ephesians 5:15)

Recently, a childhood friend found a card from the early 1950s for a trumpet music holder. 

 "Frank Nance" was scrolled on the top right corner. The music had belonged to my Uncle Frank in his Fort Payne High School Marching Band days. If you'll notice, on the top left above FANFARE No 1, it reads: 1st Cornet. In other words, Frank held the top spot among the trumpeters, making the most of those fun days.

In the New Testament book of Ephesians, God, through the Apostle Paul, gave specifically clear instructions on how to make the most of our time on earth. Paul wrote:

"Pay careful attention, to how you live — not as unwise people but as wise — making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So don't be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. And don't get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit: speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music from your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of Christ."

Beloved, what are you doing to make the most of these times?

Read more...

Love and Trust

 

littlest grandboys

"Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what He is saying to the churches." (Revelation 2:7)

"Lord, what will You say to Your church today?"

"Trust Me and love well.  I will keep in perfect peace all who trust in Me, all whose thoughts are fixed on Me, (Isaiah 26:3). You can have the gift of prophecy, and understand all of My secrets plans, and possess all knowledge, and have faith that will move mountains, but if you do not love others, you will be nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2)."

Seven times in the book of Revelation chapters 2 & 3, Jesus said, "Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches." 

Trust Me. 

Love well. 

Beloved, are you hearing the Spirit today? 

Read more...

When I Grow Up

 

my friend, Marie

"She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness . . . Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised." (Proverbs 31:25-26,30)

Developing Mrs. Alice, a zany character in next year's book, I always envision Marie, my spunky 90+ year-old friend from Kentucky. So, I asked Marie to be the "model" for a Mrs. Alice illustration, and she said, "Yes!" I want to be like Marie and Mrs. Alice when I grow up. 

According to The Wycliffe Bible Commentary (thank you Loretta and Wayne for the gift), Proverbs 31:10-31 is a famous, alphabetical, Hebrew poem about the virtuous woman — industrious, valiant, wise, and kind. What matters most, however, is her God-fearing relationship with the Lord Most High. When I grow up, I want to be like her. 

Read more...

Trust the Plan

 

photo by my Ben
Fort Morgan Beach 2018

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans for good and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 11:29)

On the way home from church Sunday, I read a billboard with a simple message that rocked my world. It said:

Trust the Plan.

The plan: 

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away . . . and I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.' And He who sits on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.' And He said, 'Write, for these words are faithful and true.' Then He said to me, 'It is done, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning of the end. I will give the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son.'" (Revelation 21:1-7)

Beloved, trust the Plan. Trust the Planner!

"For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporary, but the things with are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)

Read more...

A Broken Heart

 

grandboys at the farm

"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed." (Psalm 34:18)

One of the 5-year-old grandboys stomped a roach and asked, "Mama, did I break the roach's heart?"

His mama: "Well, buddy, you killed it. So, yes, you broke its heart."

Grandboy gasped wide-eyed, "I broke its heart!?!?"

Has life broken your heart and stomped your spirit, beloved? God is near. Rest in His loving arms.

Read more...

Thank You, God

two-year-old grandboy

"I will give thanks to You, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonderful deeds." (Psalm 9:1)

This snapshot of our youngest grandboy praying brings back sweet memories of his daddy's prayer as a two-year-old: "Tank You God for da tees, birds, shunshine. Mamen."

Beloved, are you thanking God today? Are you teaching your kids and grands to thank Him, too?

 

Read more...

Fish Fry

 

Fish Fry
Orange Beach, 2021

"May the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands — yes, establish the work of our hands." (Psalm 90:17)

Writing children's books has been a big surprise in life for me. Never a dream. Never even considered writing a book until ten years ago when God whispered, "It's time to write her story." 

I'm having a blast today, working on next year's Fish Fry — a story about my twelve-year-old grandboy (at his request).

Beloved, may the favor of the Lord our God be upon you, and may He establish the work of your hands today, tomorrow, and all the days to come!

Fish Fry Sneak peek:

Professor Sparrow vanishing into thin air stirred up more fuss and feathers than the time Mrs. Alice Holtshausen plowed down the cemetery gates in old Gertie — her 1987 Lincoln Town Car. 

“I thought surely to goodness Gertie could squeeze right through there,” she told the Monroe County deputy.

Mrs. Alice and Professor Sparrow were both old as dirt, maybe older. Mrs. Alice’s ancestors were among the founding fathers of Clear Creek, a small community in southern Indiana. Professor Sparrow had moved there in 1978 as a new history professor at Indiana University over in Bloomington. When he heard Mrs. Alice’s great-great-grandfather’s pre-Civil War mansion was on the market, the professor had snatched it up sight unseen.

Read more...

Lessons from Mother

My mother
1922?

". . . Don't turn away from your mother's teaching. What they teach you will be like a beautiful crown on your head. It will be like a chain to decorate your neck." (Proverbs 1:8-9)

 

Although it was years ago, I still remember Mother's first words upon her waking from a serious surgery: "Jill, did you get some lunch?"

One of the many valuable lessons she taught her children was selflessness, a concern more with the needs and wishes of others than with one's own.

The Apostle Paul wrote: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves." (Philippians 2:3)

Amen, and so be it!

Read more...

Joy in the Morning

 

all our grands
Orange Beach, June 20201

"Sing to the Lord . . . Praise His holy name . . . Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning." (Psalm 30:4-5)

David Guzik's (pastor of Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara, California) commentary of Psalm 30:5 says: "This is an emphasis on the certainty of God's comfort and joy to His people. Morning always follows nights, and the weeping believer may be confident that as they keep their focus on God, He will bring them once again to joy."

God is faithful. All the time. This too (whatever your this is, beloved) shall pass.

"You changed wild lament into whirling dance, you ripped off my black mourning band and decked me with wildflowers. I'm about to burst with song; I can't keep quiet about you." (Psalm 30:11-12 The Message)

Read more...

Bottle Caps and Sucker Sticks

 

grandboys on Serve Day

"God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another." (1 Peter 4:10 NLT)

While the grandboys scrubbed fire engines on Serve Day, Granddaddy and Memaw weeded Harpersville City Park and picked up trash. 

Lord Jesus, may every soul who dropped a bottle cap or sucker stick on the ground know how deep and wide Your love is for them. May each and every one confess with his mouth Jesus as Lord, believe in his heart that God raised Him from the dead, and be saved! 

Read more...

Real Men

my superman

"Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong." (1 Corinthians 16:13)

If you don't play pickleball, you may misconstrue the logo on superman's T-shirt: "Real men stay out of the kitchen." (In pickleball, "the kitchen" is the no-volley zone.)

Two thousand years ago, the Apostle Paul's T-shirt may have read: "Real men stand strong with Jesus." He closed his first letter to the Corinthians with these to-the-point instructions:

1. Be on watch.

2. Stand your ground to keep the faith, adhering to God's Gospel, His wisdom, and His revelation, even unto death. 

3. Be strong and act courageous.

The Matthew Henry Commentary reads: "Christians should be manly and firm in their contests with their enemies, in defending their faith, and maintaining their integrity."

O men of God, in these rebellious days, stand strong with Jesus (and stay out of the kitchen when you're playing pickleball).

Read more...

You

grandgirl

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Beloved, if you are a child of God by faith in His Son Jesus, what does He say about you?

My child . . . 

You can do all things through Me who strengthen you.

In your weakness, I am made strong.

You are chosen.

You are forgiven.

You are blessed.

You are predestined and adopted.

You are redeemed through My blood.

You are wise and discerning.

You have the mind of Christ.

You are My heir.

You are sealed by the Holy Spirit.

You are alive in Christ forever.

You are changed and transformed.

You are anointed.

You are sanctified.

You have been brought near to God by Jesus' blood.

You have been saved by grace.

You have been made new.

You are loved.

You walk in love.

You are strong in the Lord and in My mighty power.

You are more than a conqueror.

You tread upon the enemy.

You love Me though you have not yet seen Me.

You are clothed in righteousness — the old is gone.

You are My ambassador.

You carry the treasure of the Gospel.

You are salt on the earth.

You are My light in a dark world.

You belong to Me.

You are protected and led.

You are covered with My wings.

You are provided for.

You are My servant.

You are hopeful.

You are not ashamed of the Gospel that is God's power to save.

You know whom you believe.

You are persuaded that I am able.

You have peace with God through Jesus.

You have the victory.

You are led down paths of righteousness for My sake.

You will dwell in My house forever and ever.

Now, go have a great day with Jesus!

Read more...

Who Will You Serve

 

grandboys helping Uncle Stephen make a pie

"The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:28)

Saturday is Serve Day at Church of the Highlands and countless other churches around the globe. One group recently served a single mom whose family lost everything in a house fire. On Saturday, another group will pick up trash and weed tennis courts at Harpersville City Park. And yet another is taking cookies to firemen and washing their fire engine.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus taught His disciples that whoever wants to become great must be a servant, for the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life for the many. 

In the Gospel of John, Jesus took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist, poured water into a basin, and began to wash His disciples' filthy feet. He said, "I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you." In other words, serve others.

Beloved, who will you serve today?

Read more...

Grandboys, Castles, and Moon

 

grandboy, sandcastle, and moon

"Rejoice, all who take refuge in You, sing for joy forever! And may You shelter them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You. For You bless the righteous person, Lord, You surround him with favor as with a shield." (Psalm 5:11-12)

Thank You, Lord, for watching over the works of your hands —grandboys, castles, and moon. 

He's got the whole world in His hands.

Read more...

Across God's Boundaries

Our Rebecca and grandboy
under the sea

"Have you no respect for Me? Why don't you tremble in My presence? I, the LORD, define the ocean's sandy shoreline as an everlasting boundary that the waters cannot cross." (Jeremiah 5:22)

Because Rebecca's sending gorgeous pictures from their visit to the Florida Keys —from swimming with the dolphins . . . 

 to snorkeling with the fish under the sea . . . 

I looked up Bible passages about the sea and came across God's warning to His people through the prophet Jeremiah. 

According to the Moody Bible Commentary, though Judah had eyes and ears, she did not see or comprehend the true character of God. Even the sea remains within its God-given boundary, yet the God's people refused to stay within God's covenant limits, and therefore, reaped the dire consequences of rebellion.

O, that God's people then and now would but fear the Lord! As you celebrate the 4th of July, beloved, pray fear of the Lord for the USA!

Read more...

Yard Men

"You have been raised up with Christ . . . Work at everything you do with all your heart. Work as if you were working for the Lord, not for human masters." (Colossians 3: 1, 23)

Dan mowed the yard for us this week, and our 5-year-old grandboy was right behind him, pushing his toy mower. So, when it came time to blow, Granddaddy handed the little yard man the real deal.

Lord, thank you for equipping this grandboy with an incredible work ethic. I pray he works for You all the days of his life!

Read more...