Crazy Love

Our Snow Princess

"The Lord appeared...from afar, saying, 'I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have drawn you with lovingkindness." (Jeremiah 31:3)

Why would anyone in their right mind rent a 4-wheel drive pickup and head north toward minus 4 degree temperatures and a foot of snow? For the love of KIDS AND GRANDKIDS!

Why would God in His righteous mind give up His divine privileges, leave the glory of heaven, be born as a man, and die a criminal's death on a cross? For the love of YOU and ME!

Beloved Christian, God is crazy in love with you!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son [Jesus] that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life!" (John 3:16)

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Thief in the Night!

"Suspicious" tracks on our deck steps

"Now concerning how and when all this will happen, 
dear brothers and sisters, we don't really need to 
write you. For you know quite well that the 
day of the Lord's return will come unexpectedly, 
like a thief in the night." 

(1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 NLT)

Yesterday, I filled our bird feeders.

"Undeniable evidence!"

This morning, they were empty!

Even though I didn't see the robber with my eyes, I present to you undeniable evidence that our thief in the night was the notorious renegade:

Illustration from soon to be released, Mr. Greenleaf's Unforgettable Summer

By my friend and talented artist, Dawn Copeland

Daniel Coon!

Even though I haven't seen the Lord with my eyes, His tracks across my heart are undeniable evidence that Jesus is real. 

Historical, Scriptural, and indisputable evidence prove that Christ came to earth over two thousand years ago, fulfilled His Savior mission, and will one day return as King of kings and Lord of lords!

Therefore, beloved, live in holy conduct and godliness in eager expectation of the Day!

"But the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along...we are looking forward to the new heavens and earth He has promised, a world filled with God's righteousness!" (2 Peter 3:10-13 NLT)

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Life-Light

Lighthouse
Sanibel Island, Florida

"Everything was created through [Jesus]; nothing - not one thing! - came into being without Him. What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by. The Life-Light blazed out of darkness; the darkness couldn't put it out." (John 1:3-5 The Message)

In 1884, construction began on the Sanibel Island lighthouse; and since August of that same year, it has been a a life-light in the darkness, providing regular and reliable service for the safety of travelers along Florida's West Coast.

Genesis tells us that in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void and darkness was over the surface of the deep. But then, God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light - a celestial light that dispelled physical darkness.

In Isaiah, the prophet foretold that one day the life-giving Light  would shine on people who walk in spiritual darkness (Isa. 9:2); and in the gospel of John, we learn that this Light is the Lord Jesus.

Dr. Henrietta Mears wrote:

"We open the book of John with this question in mind - 'What do you think of Christ?'...John begins his wonderful record with Jesus the Christ, before His incarnation. God did not send His Son into the world in order that He might become His Son, for He IS the eternal Son...The Lord has no beginning. He was in the beginning. ...Then comes the wonderful announcement that through Him all things were made...In Him was life, and that life was the Light of men. Yes, the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us...truly God, Light of Life..."

"Jesus said, 'I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" (John 8:12)

Beloved, are you in darkness? 

Run to Jesus, the Life-Light of the world!

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One Bite at a Time

Lighthouse Cafe's Hungry Fisherman Omelette
Sanibel Island, Florida




"Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in  Him!" (Psalm 34:8 NLT)

Last weekend, my Phillip's favorite breakfast on Sanibel Island was the hungry fisherman's omelette - fresh crab meat, scallops, and succulent shrimp wrapped in a fluffy egg blanket and smothered in mouthwatering Alfredo sauce. He savored that scrumptious feast one bite at a time.

Recently, the Lord gave me two, very specific assignments: reread Watchman Nee's The Normal Christian Life and memorize the 91st Psalm one bite at a time.

So this morning, I gleaned one truth from Nee's classic,

Jesus is my Substitute.

He died on the cross instead of me for my forgiveness.

Now, He lives instead of me for my deliverance.

            and memorized three verses.

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, 

my God, in whom I trust!"

3 For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the 
trapper and from the deadly pestilence.

Beloved, has God given you a daunting assignment? Move forward in obedience - one step at a time!

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Gift of Love

my man
Sanibel Island, 2015

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; 

and that not of yourselves, it is a 

GIFT of GOD; 

not of works, so that no one may boast." 

(Ephesians 2:8-9)

My Christmas gift from Superman was a trip to Sanibel Island - our 25th honeymoon across 37 years of marriage. I didn't deserve the romantic get-away. I didn't work to earn it. I just had to accept his gift of love.

Sanibel seagull (or boy - ha!)

Beloved, regardless of who you are, what you've done, or where you live, today, God offers you His free GIFT: eternal life with Him!

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

"By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4:9-10)

"But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free GIFT of GOD is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

Before life slips below eternity's horizon, please receive God's GIFT of sins removed and heavenly life forevermore through faith in His Son, Jesus!

Sunset at Sanibel, 2015

Some bright morning when this life is over, I'll fly away
To a land on God's celestial shore, I'll fly away

I'll fly away, oh glory, I'll fly away
When I die, hallelujah by and by, I'll fly away!1

1 I'LL FLY AWAY. Albert E. Brumley, 1929.

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Quiet Place

Our quiet place
Sanibel Island, Florida




"Then He said, 'Let's go off by ourselves to 
a quiet place and rest awhile.'" 
(Mark 6:31 NLT)



Cordage of the cares of life twine
Round about this heart of mine
And creep into my thoughts at night
Invade my soul and choke it tight

Then one day my toes touched sand
Along the shore beside my man
And rode a bike built just for two
Then watched the sun drop out of view

In one short while I was astounded
My vines of woe could not be "founded"
Somehow they slipped away from me
And silently drifted out to sea

Ahhhhhh...

How grand 'twould be to go about
With no fears, no woes, no doubt
With heart at peace and mind at rest
My disposition at its best

Then these words I did recall
An invitation for one, for all -

"Give Me your cares," my Jesus said,
"Lie down in peace upon your bed.
For I am greater than the sea.
Let go, let woes drift up to Me!"1

1 OUT TO SEA. Copyright 2010 by Jill Glassco

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Temporary Housing

"Mountain Quail" from Mr. Greenleaf's Unforgettable Summer
Illustration by my friend and talented artist, Dawn Copeland

"Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord - for we walk by faith, not by sight - we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him." (2 Corinthians 5:6-9)

From the U.S. Rocky Mountains to Mexico's Baja peninsula, mountain quail, even though they're birds, move primarily by walking and are ground-dwellers.

Around the globe, from Shelby County, Alabama to Mangazeya, Siberia, Christians, even though we're merely people, walk by faith in Jesus Christ and are destiny's heaven-dwellers.

So, beloved of the Lord, be of good courage!  Don't stress over momentary trials and tribulations. Remember, life on earth is just a brief visit in temporary housing.

Sneak peak into soon to be released:

Mr. Greenleaf's Unforgettable Summer

          "Fern," Mr. Greenleaf said breathlessly, "you won't believe what just happened. I've unquestionably survived yet another hair-raising adventure with Mrs. Willowkins. Not that I have hair to raise, mind you. But if I did, I'm quite certain it would be sticking straight up like the black plume of a mountain quail - although the quail's plume is most indubitably a feather and not hair. Nonetheless, I tell you I've weathered another spine-tingling ordeal!"1


1 MR. GREENLEAF'S UNFORGETTABLE SUMMER. Copyright 2015 by Jill Glassco

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Just Right!

my view while driving his tractor






"Then the LORD God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.'" (Gen. 2:18 NLT)

I'm unquestionably, irresistibly, appealingly attractive in my superman's eyes when I'm working by his side helping do the things he loves. Truthfully, this gal prefers the great outdoors any day over a shopping mall, because God designed me just right for him.

Beloved, you are fearfully and wonderfully made. God knit you together in your mother's womb, and His workmanship is marvelous. You're just right. This I know very well.

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He Opens the Flood Gates

"Joe" from Hoot Owl Hollow
Illustration by my son and talented artist, Ben Glassco





"...I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed My word and did not deny Me." (Revelation 3:8 NLT)

Me thinks my Lord is up to something great. 

My little blog normally averages about 50 page views a day, but after a favorable review from Readers' Favorite, today that number leaped to 513!

Beloved believer, our strength may be small but our God is not. Put your hope and trust in Him!

Review Rating:     4 stars

Reviewed by Rich Follett for Readers' Favorite

Hoot Owl Hollow by Jill Watson Glassco is a pleasant, educational, Christian-centered family tale that will delight children and adults alike. Set in rural Georgia, Hoot Owl Hollow is the story of a veterinarian who leaves Atlanta to join the practice of a country doctor in the rural hollow of the title, the friends she makes there, and her experience of coming into the Christian faith as she is supported by the members of the community.

Glassco's tale is as educational as it is heartwarming - along the way, references to the writings of Ella Wheeler Wilcox and Cherokee culture color the narrative, interspersed between familiar Bible stories retold with the folksy charm of mountain culture. There is also a touch of mystery to propel the story forward; as any further mention of this element might spoil enjoyment, this mystery is best left for readers to discover on their own.

Jill Watson Glassco's Hoot Owl Hollow would be a perfect story for young adults to read and discuss as part of a youth group or church curriculum. At the end of each chapter, a Bible verse and designated space for writing "petitions from your heart to Jesus" encourage reflection and discussion. The story is written in a colloquial style with short, easily understood chapters entertaining enough to hold the interest of experienced readers but short enough not to prove daunting for reluctant or beginning readers. Hoot Owl Hollow by Jill Watson Glassco has all the elements of a classic family tale and will no doubt entertain and educate readers for years to come.

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Watching and Working

L-R standing: My Rebecca and friend, Amy
Seated: friend Nikki
 1999 school play "Oklahoma"




"But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret;
seal up the book until the time of the end,
when many will rush here and there,
and knowledge will increase."
(Daniel 12:4)

Our Rebecca has donned the stage since age two...

And thanks to "increased technology knowledge," yesterday, we watched live her monologue drama of the woman at the well on a 500-miles-away stage.

In the fascinating Old Testament book of Daniel, an angel of the Lord (most probably Gabriel) visited the old prophet and said, "O Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say...I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come." 

At the conclusion of the detailed prophecy, the angel revealed that a monumental increase in travel and knowledge will mark the end of time. In the past 50 years, increased travel and knowledge include a man on the moon, microwave ovens, jet liners, industrial robots, smoke detectors, cellphones, laptop computers, MRI, GPS, and DNA fingerprinting just to name a few.

Although Jesus said that no one knows the day or hour of the end of time, not even the angels in heaven or the Son Himself - only the Father knows. He also commanded that we:

keep watch, 

read the signs, 

and 

quickly carry out the tasks assigned us

by the One who sent us. The night is coming, when no one can work.

Beloved, are you watching and working?

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To Have and To Hold

My Phillip and me, 
September 10, 1977

"Let us rejoice and be glad and give glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb[Jesus] has come and His bride has made herself ready. It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints...Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." (Rev. 19:7-9 NASB)



From the cradle, my parents ingrained in my brain: "you go to college then you get married, you go to college and then you get married, you go to college and then you get married."

So when the tall, strong, handsome, and sixteen-year-old Phillip Glassco asked fifteen-year-old me to marry him, I responded, "You go to college and then you get married."

Even by finishing Auburn University on the three-year fast track, Superman and I waited six looooooong years to have and to hold until death do us part.

~

Although believers have waited for over two thousand years for our Lord's return, in John 14, Jesus promised, "Don't let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in Me...I go to prepare a place for you...I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you will also be [to have and to hold, from this day forward, forever and ever and ever and ever].

Therefore, beloved of Jesus, on this Valentine's Day, "let us draw near [to Him] with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful" (Heb. 10:22-23).

For God

              so loVed the world,

                    thAt He gave His

onLy

          bEgotten

soN,

               thaT whosoever

    belIeves

                                   iN Him shall not perish,

                but havE everlasting life.

John 3:16

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

     

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Hidden Treasure

My grands' latest treasure hunt, 2015
photo by my Rebecca

"If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden from people who are perishing...For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as bond-servants for Jesus' sake...But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." (2 Cor. 4:3,5,7)

I "borrowed" this picture from my daughter's blog of my older grands most recent geocache (an outdoor recreational activity where participants use GPS devices to hunt hidden containers or caches.)

As Christians, we carry within us the most valuable treasure on earth: the Gospel Good News of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. 

Beloved Christian, is the treasured Good News of Jesus hidden within you or clearly visible and shared with others?

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Unlimited Talk, Text, and Data

"Elizabeth" from Mr. Greenleaf's Unforgettable Summer
Illustration by my friend and talented artist, Dawn Copeland

"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 NLT)

Our God truly is the Genius. Not only did He design the perfect Way to cleanse away sin and grant never-ending life, but the Lord also developed the very first unlimited talk, text, and data plan with 100% coverage from every location on the planet, 24/7, every day of every year, forever: PRAYER.

You may be thinking, but, I don't know how to pray. Well, do you know how to talk, write, or think? Then you know how to pray!  Now, just talk, write, or think to God. He'd love to hear from you.

Sneak-peak into soon-to-be-released

Mr. Greenleaf's Unforgettable Summer

           "Well, it's bedtime, children. Elizabeth would you like to talk to God tonight?"

             "Sure," said Elizabeth.

            Next, all the he, she, and wee-humans bowed their heads and closed their eyes, so Mr. Greenleaf did too.

            "Dear God," said Elizabeth, "thank You for letting us come to Alabama to visit Papaw and Mamaw Willowkins. Thank You for guiding us and taking care of all the animals. Thank You for our new friend, Mr. Green Jeans, and please keep him safe. Amen."

             "Amen," said the Willowkins family.1

1 MR. GREENLEAF'S UNFORGETTABLE SUMMER. Copyright 2015, Jill Glassco.

          

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Like Father Like Son!

My Ben, 1989




Like Father

My Ben and babygrand, Feb. 8, 2015

Like son!

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord..." (2 Cor. 3:18)

           Since boyhood, my Ben has loved fishing, and babygrand is  conforming to dad's image in catching his first crappie at the tender age of 8 months.

Second Corinthians 5:20 states that we are ambassadors for Christ, as though [Father] God were making an appeal [to others] through us. Beloved Christian, as we encounter people today, will they see, hear, and perceive the image of God? 

(Oh, be careful little tongue what you say)

(Oh, be careful little hands what you do)

(Oh, be careful little feet where you go)

(For the Father up above,

Is looking down with love)

(It matters how we act, don't ya know!)

J

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