Our Extraordinary, Extremely-wonderful, Totally-awesome, Unprecedented, Amazingly-marvelous, Unbelievably-fun Beach Vacation!!!

My beloved family at the beach this week.

“Sing to the Lord a new song,

and His praise from the ends of the earth,

You who go down to the sea, and all that is in it,

You coastlands and you inhabitants of them!”

(Isaiah 42:10 NKJV)

And a good time was had by all!

Thank You, Lord Jesus!

Praise God from whom all blessing flow!

Praise Him all creatures here below!

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host!

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! 

Amen and Amen!

Read more...

Defeating the Great Dragon

Grandkids with pet snake: Violet Pearl

“You will tread upon the lion and the cobra…the serpent you will trample down! (Psalm 91:13)

         The devil is a liar and a deceiver! Revelation 12:9-11 teaches that we can overcome the great dragon - that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan - by the blood of the Lamb, by the word of our testimony, and by loving God more than life itself.

I’ve learned that Satan can also be defeated by choosing not to fear when he tempts me to panic and by choosing to walk down the path called "Righteousness" when he temps me to take a stroll down "Sin Lane".

So, to all you faithful, wonderful-family-storybook friends, I urge you to “stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8 NLT).”

Defend yourselves in the name of JESUS and in His power! May the God of peace soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you! (Romans 16:20)

Read more...

The Shepherd's Song

               One of my lambs was going downhill fast his junior year of high school. I cried to God in despair. and the Lord instructed me, "Jill, pray that I will make him lie down in green pastures."

I prayed fervently.

The second week of his senior year, my wayward sheep called from school to ask, "Mama, will you homeschool me?"

God replied before I could, "Homeschool is his green pasture!"
Although the road back took years, Jesus restored his soul and continues to guide him down paths of righteousness for His name's sake!

Pray fervently for your children today!!!

Lord Jesus,

Thank You for being my children’s Shepherd.

Please give them all they need.

Please make them lie down in green, healthy pastures,

Lead them beside quiet, peaceful waters, and

Restore their souls: their minds, wills, and emotions.

Please guide them down paths of righteousness for

Your name’s sake.

When they walk through dark valleys,

Help them not to fear, for You are with them.

Please comfort them with Your rod and staff.

Conquer their enemies and

Anoint their heads with oil till their cup overflows.

Thank You for chasing after them with

Your goodness and mercy all the days of their lives.

Help them to dwell in Your house forever and ever!

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen and Amen

(Psalm 23:1-6: the Shepherd's Song)

Read more...

Love Letters

My parents, 1943

“We are all pencils in the hand of a writing God, who is sending love letters to the world.” 
Mother Teresa

        For two, long years during World War II, my parents wrote letters to each other everyday while Daddy was overseas. 
        Everyday our lives pen messages to the people around us: family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers. Are we sending God's love letters into the world?

“The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:8)

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

“And (Jesus) answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27)

“But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word…but in deed and truth.” (1 John 3:17-18)

“Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be (children) of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.” (Luke 6:35)

Read more...

Without Jesus, We're Sunk!

My grandson tubing, 2011

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” 

(Phil. 4:13 NLT)

As a tot, my cousin watched his dad water ski and 

proudly boasted, “Wook at my daddy a pushin’ that boat!”

Let us never forget that YES, through Jesus, we can do all things (Phil. 4:13), BUT, apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5)!

Read more...