Mending

Mother's sewing drawer

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." 
(Psalm 147:3)



Spools of colored thread
Lined in a perfect row,
Sitting where she left them
So many years ago.

As I mend a raveled seam
It's her hands that I see,
Making Easter dresses or
School clothes just for me.




A simple sewing drawer with
Pins and pinking shears,
Yet a treasure box of memories
Of my sweet mother dear.

Her love, indeed, a healing
Salve that mended childhood cares -
Like skint knees or loose teeth
Or blue jeans with a tear.

The great love of a mother
What love would dare compare?
The love of God our Father whose
Own Son He did not spare.

In every moment of each day
God knows your hurts and pain.
Let Him bind your heartaches 
In the power of Jesus' name.

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A Work of heART

Our babygrand's quilted masterpiece created by his Great-Aunt Linda

"In that day, the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all." (Isa. 11:6)

            My sister-in-law, Linda, is a needle-and-thread artist, creating  the most gorgeous quilts that you'll ever find. Each masterpiece is a work of heART - stitched together with love for her family and friends.

         The Bible speaks of a day, by God's great love, when He'll make the ugly beautiful, wrongs right, and curses blessings for His family and friends when King Jesus reigns supreme and unimaginable peace  on earth prevails to the extent of good will and fellowship between man and beast. God's masterpiece? - The millennial Kingdom of God, a work of heART.

"For unto us a Child [was] born, unto us a Son [was] given; and the government shall rest upon His shoulder. And His name shall be called Wonderful! Counselor! Mighty God! Everlasting Father! Prince of Peace!" (Isa. 9:6)

Praise the Lord with me!

Joy to the world! The Lord is come

Let earth receive her King!

Let every heart prepare Him room

And heaven and nature sing

And heaven and nature sing

And heaven, and heaven and nature sing

Joy to the world! the Savior reigns

Let men their songs employ

While fields and floods

Rock, hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy

Repeat the sounding joy

Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow

Nor thorns infest the ground

He comes to make

His blessings flow

Far as the curse is found

Far as the curse is found

Far as, far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness

And wonders of His love

And wonders of His love

And wonders and wonders of His love!

JOY TO THE WORLD. Peter Korbel/Isaac N. Watts, 1719. (Based on Psalm 98)

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Rain-Maker

Our princess-grand, age 3





"...For He gives His sunshine to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and the unjust alike." (Matt. 5:45)

           Today, I awoke to a morning miracle: rain upon a dry and thirsty land. 

             From cover to cover, the Holy Bible reveals Almighty God's power to pour down or withhold rain. 

Won't you praise the Lord with me and give thanks to the One and only Rain-Maker?

"Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together." (Psalm 34:3)


From storybook-in-the-making: 

                     Mr. Greenleaf's Unforgettable Summer

                   "When twilight faded to dusk, Mr. Greenleaf opened his black peepers and heard the pitter-patter of raindrops bouncing from the handle of the watering pot. Thunder boomed in the distance trailed by flashes of lightning across the night sky, and Mr. Man-in-the-Moon played hide and seek behind the thick, rolling clouds.
             Whereas human creatures run to shelter in rainstorms, froggys, on the other hand, frolic in the droplets that moisten their thirsty, green skin. Eager to splash and play, Mr. Greenleaf rushed out of the hollow handle."1

1MR. GREENLEAF'S UNFORGETTABLE SUMMER. Copyright 2014 Jill Glassco

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Freebies

Our grands at last Friday night's church Trunk or Treat

"Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before Him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are His. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation." (Psalm 100)

            My pastor, Chris Hodges, jokes that children take for granted the "freebies" provided by their parents. Every morning,  in their minds, Honeynut Cheerios  just "magically appear" on the breakfast table even though the kid neither earned the money nor went to WalMart to buy them. 

      While working on storybook #4, Mr. Greenleaf's Unforgettable Summer, I'm keeping a list of "freeby blessings" given by my Heavenly Father and acquired by no effort on my part. 

My list thus far:

1. My publisher: Deep Sea Publishing, which God led me to through Luke 5:4-6.
2. The story, which blossomed through a little, green tree frog that lived in my watering pot this summer.
3. A book signing invitation from The Sanctuary Christian Bookstore in the Colonial Promenade on Nov. 8th.
4. A marketing invitation from Deep Sea Publishing to sell The Schoolhouse and Secrets of Shiloh, in addition to Hoot Owl Hollow, in their online store.
5. And the icing on the cake, a very talented artist emailed me expressing her interest in illustrating Mr. Greenleaf's Unforgettable Summer!

        Constantly, our good and loving Heavenly Father  showers us with unmerited blessings. Have you made your thank-You-God list today? 

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John "Praying" Hyde

John "Praying" Hyde

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard  your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:6-7)




         When a critter takes up residence at our Chancellor Ferry Farm, we name it. The newest addition to the wildlife menagerie is John "Praying" Hyde - a praying mantis often seen crawling around our back porch.

          In 1892, missionary John Hyde traveled across the ocean to preach the gospel in the Punjab region of India. Initially seeing few converts and enduring severe persecution, Hyde then prayed intensely and formed the Punjab Prayer Union. When hundreds converted to God through faith in Jesus Christ, the missionary became known as "Praying Hyde" for his passionate prayers to reach lost souls.

Are you worried today? Discouraged? Weary? Afraid? With a thankful heart, pray intensely to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and His peace, which passes understanding, will refresh your mind and heart. He is able to work a great work beyond your imagination! 

Fall on the farm

"Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we ask or think." (Eph. 3:20)

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Daily Before God's Throne

Our precious babygrand




"Before the presence of the Lord, lift up your hands to Him for the life of your little ones." (Lamentations 2:19b)

                After multiple ear infections, babygrand got ear tubes this week. As I rocked him yesterday, our normally smiling, babbling, wiggly baby, sat quietly in my arms. Poor little guy. We're praying he's 100% wiggles and giggles soon!

               One of the most valuable things I've ever done and continue to do for my children and grandchildren is pray for them everyday - lifting them before Almighty God's throne of grace, petitioning the One who is more powerful than ear infections or even a teenager's attitude! (Woe, that's powerful!)

Pray for your children EVERYDAY!

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Chasing God-Dreams

Three of our four grandkids,  Fall 2011


"Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life..." (Psalm 23:6a NLT)

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;

before you were born I sanctified you;

I ordained you a prophet to the nations."

(Jeremiah 1:5)

           Fall of 2011, while rocking in my bedroom, God whispered, "Jill, it's time."

                "Time for what, Lord?"

                "Time to write her story."

             From a 1955 letter written by my grandmother came The Schoolhouse - a beautiful, true tale of faith, determination, danger, servitude, and love. 

         And from that storybook, God called this grandmother to be an author of Christian storybooks for families. 

                Today, I'm chasing that God-dream as fast as my wrinkled fingers will fly across the keyboard.


Surely God's goodness and mercy are chasing you. Have His dreams captured your heart?

Hoot Owl Hollow, The Schoolhouse, and Secrets of Shiloh are now available locally at: 

• Briarwood Presbyterian Church bookstore  
• The Sanctuary Christian Bookstore at the Colonial Promenade (hosting a book signing, November 8th, 1:00-2:00 p.m.)
• Double Oak Mountain Pharmacy
• Church of the Highlands bookstores

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Hopeful Plans for Your Future

"The Bean" - Chicago, Illinois
(photo by my Rebecca)

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for Me wholeheartedly, you will find Me." (Jer. 29:11-13 NLT)



              Years ago, my Phillip and I heard Dr. Henry Blackaby preach a memorable message from Jeremiah 29:11-13. Dr. Blackaby's points:

• God has plans.
• Oftentimes, He stirs your circumstances around you to cause you to seek Him.
• When you seek the Lord wholeheartedly, you find Him and His plans. 
• It's a promise!

Is your "sandbox" caught in a whirlwind? Seek the Lord with all your heart, and find God and His plans!

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God's Chosen Artist

 our granddaughter and her granddaddy
Coosa River

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." (Prov. 3:5-6 NLT)


        A picture truly is worth a thousand words, and I love, love, love this picture of my Phillip guiding our little princess up the Coosa River.

        I have no earthly idea who will illustrate my next storybook, Mr. Greenleaf's Unforgettable Summer, but I'm trusting my heavenly Father to guide me in His plan. The Lord has chosen someone to bring Mr. Greenleaf, Caiaphas Croaker, and all the other little critters to life; and as surely as Mr. Man-in-the-Moon shines over Blue Heron Lake, He will guide me to that artist. 

Do you need guidance? Trust Jesus! Stop depending on yourself. Seek God's will, and Jesus will guide you rightly.


            From her hiding place inside the old bird feeder Mrs. Willowkins had set on the garden floor, Cousin Kelly Greenleaf peeped as loud as her small voice would peep, "Jumping Jehoshaphat Greenleaf, leap for your life! Croaker, the bullfrog, has invaded our pond!"
            Oh, my, my, my, what shall I do? Where shall I go? Mr. Greenleaf wondered in his wee, little mind. For you see, tree frogs understand from tadpolehood that bullfrogs, the largest frogs in North America, have the severe reputation of being aggressive, opportunistic, ambush predators that eat any small animal they can stuff down their throats; and Joseph Caiaphas Croaker held the title of most voracious bullfrog in all of Shelby County.1


1 MR. GREENLEAF'S UNFORGETTABLE SUMMER. Copyright 2014 Jill Watson Glassco

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Sweet-Memories Trail

family and friends at
Chancellor Ferry Tree Farm

"Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and [sweet] sacrifice to God." (Eph. 5:2)



        On Saturday, precious family and dear friends gathered at our Chancellor Ferry Farm. Last night, Cindy texted:

"My memories of this weekend:

taking a nature walk till "half pint" and I tuckered out,

getting a lift back to the cabin in Ben's pretty red Jeep,

making fairy houses in the woods,

making arrows from sticks to mark our path,

fun on the river,

swinging in the riverbank swing, 

rocking in the back porch rocking chairs,

watching Phillip and Ray play horseshoes,

having a blast with incredible friends and sweet family,

delicious food,

and to top it off, 

sitting next to you in church on Sunday morning."

God's number one, most important, greatest love, 

hands down, 

is...

PEOPLE!

Time is a terrible thing to waste. 

Spend it wisely. 

Blaze a "Sweet-Memories" Trail

with 

PEOPLE!

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Grand Prize

Chicago Night from the Navy Pier
(photo from my Rebecca)



"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward
call of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 3:14)

After two failed attempts, our last night in Chicago we finally reached the prize: Navy Pier's gigantic ferris wheel.

Navy Pier Ferris Wheel
Chicago

In our God calling, no matter how many times we fail, we simply must press on toward the grandiose prize - Jesus!

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Practice What You Preach

Poison Arrow Frog, Shedd Aquarium
(photo by my Rebecca)



"There are four small creatures, wisest of the wise they are." (Prov. 30:24)

        Yesterday, my Bible study friends and I studied WISDOM by way of four tiny creatures described in Proverbs 30:24-28:

The ant - frail, but by 

planning and preparations,

has plenty of food for the winter.

The marmot - vulnerable, but by

strategy and diligence

makes an impenatrable fortress in the rocks.

The locust - has no king, but by

organization and following lines of authority,

can strip a field like an army regiment.

The lizard - easy to catch, but by

resourcefulness and exercising God-given abilities,

sneaks by guards into palaces.

         Today, with an out-of-town funeral tomorrow and friends and family coming for the weekend, I have the opportunity to practice what I preached: plan, prepare, strategize, diligently organize, follow my lines of authority, be resourceful, and exercise the abilities God's given me, and by God's wisdom and grace, my to-do list will be accomplished for His glory!

What's on your plate? Look to God's tiny, wise creatures and accomplish much!

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Two Funerals

Lake Michigan
(photo by my Rebecca)

"[Jesus] Himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins - and not only our sins but the sins of all the world." (1 John 2:2)

        Yesterday, my Phillip and I attended the service for the 34-year-old son of our dear friends, and later this week, we'll speak at our nephew's funeral.

Two

Sailed away to distant shores

To live with God forevermore.

Neither lived a perfect life,

Both reached God through Jesus Christ.

"Behold [Jesus], the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!" (John 1:29)

"Come now - let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow, though they be red as crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isa. 1:18)

         No one, no not one, has ever nor will we ever live a perfect life; but the perfect sacrifice of Jesus satisfied the wrath of God. The only way to God is through Christ. 

Have you come to God through Jesus Christ?

"You...He has made alive, wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us. He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross." (Col. 2:13-14)

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Making an Ant Hole Out of a Mountain?

Gulf of Mexico sunrise



"The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display His craftsmanship."
(Psalm 19:1)

         On my Rebecca's blog, she recently told of overhearing a disagreement between two of her children. Our granddaughter told her little brother, "You're just making an ant hole out of a mountain." (Smile)

           I think we do the same to Jesus - make the magnificent common! So the next time you see a sunrise or the ocean or fall flowers...

or a clownfish,...

Shedd Aquarium, Chicago




don't make an ant hole out of a mountain!


For heavens sake, give God His due praise!




Water You turned into wine,
Opened the eyes of the blind
There's no one like You,
None like You!
Into the darkness You shine
Out of the ashes we rise
There's no one like You
None like You!

Our God is greater!
Our God is stronger!
God You are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer,
Awesome in power,
Our God! Our God!1

1 OUR GOD. Chris Tomlin, 2010.

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