Hysterical

"These things I have spoken to you so that...

your joy may be made full." (John 15:11)

Look what our kids and grands captured last night in their catch-and-release cage...

(For the animal-identification challenged: this is a skunk.)

 Somebody had to release the poor, little guy.

Skunk Busters!

Here he comes to save the day! Super Stephen is on the way! 

(Love the goggles, man.)

(If that didn't make you laugh, your tickle box has to be broken.)

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Bump in the Road

Our Mandy at the beach vacation baby reveal
(It's a boy!)

"So [Elisha] answered, 'Do not fear".... then he prayed." (2 Kings 6:16-17)


Yesterday, someone may have noticed that I didn't post on Wonderful Family Storybooks. The reason? A phone call abruptly modified my to-do list down to sit and wait at the hospital.

Daughter-in-law #2 is 21 weeks along with grandson #4, and prolonged weakness and tingling in her right arm sent her to the emergency room. The neurologist spoke bluntly. "This is either nothing or this is something really bad, and we have to find out which it is." 

We prayed. 

Faithful friends prayed. 

After a battery of tests from 10 a.m. till 10 p.m., stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, and aneurism were (praise Jesus) all ruled out; and this morning, Mandy was dismissed. What appeared to be a train wreck turned out to simply be a little bump in the road.


In 2 Kings 6, horses, chariots, and a great army crept in by night and surrounded Dothan, the city of Elisha and his attendant. "Alas, my master, what shall we do?" cried the terrified servant. Elisha answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." Then he prayed, and the Lord opened the servant's eyes: behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fires surrounding Elisha; and by the power of God Almighty, catastrophe fizzled to a little bump in the road.

Beloved, what ominous summit looms before you? Pray. Jesus, the Lord of angel armies, is able to reduce your mountain to an inconsequential molehill. 

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Back Porch Perspective

Coosa River from cabin back porch

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and  pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." (Phil. 4:8)



Superman and I spent the night at the cabin last night. This morning, he went to work, and Bell and I stayed behind where a golden sun rose over the misty river, birds darted from tree to tree, and a beaver swam in and out of tall reeds. You know, life sure looks beautiful from a back porch perspective.

From a cold, dark prison, the apostle Paul encouraged the Philippian church to have a "back-porch" perspective: to think on things true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and worthy of praise.

Need a beautiful life perspective, beloved? Think on Jesus - the true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent Savior, Lord, and King, who is worthy of praise!

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Seeds for the Harvest

Our grand and wonderful grands

"Sow with a view to righteousness, reap in accordance with kindness; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD until He comes to rain righteousness on you." (Hosea 10:12 NASB)

Baby grand loves his memaw whispering in his ear. One of the secrets I tell him is: "I love you, Jesus loves you, and one day, you'll be a mighty man of God!"

My mother-in-law  dedicated my Phillip to Jesus when he was still in her womb. Sweet mothers, it's never too early to sow with a view of righteousness in the ears and hearts of your little ones. What future harvest are your words sowing today?

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Free Bible Study: The Prodigal's Mother

Our Dan and me
Christmas, late 1990s

"I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the Lord; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart." Jer. 24:7

Spring of Dan's junior year of high school, the Lord said, "Jill, pray that I will make Dan lie down in green pastures" (Ps. 23:2). Even though I didn't understand God's purpose, I prayed that verse for months. The first week of his senior year, he called from school and said, "Mama, will you homeschool me?" Immediately, God said, "Here's your green pasture."

Because we joined a Christian homeschool association, Bible study was one of the required classes. For nine challenging months, my son and I studied God's Word together (along with economics, Spanish, history of US wars, statistics, English literature, and military semantics). God's promise that His Word will not return void but will succeed where He sends it is absolutely true! In time, Dan returned to God with his whole heart and today is a strong man of God in his home and community.

Beloved mother, give the LORD bookoodles of opportunities to talk to you - saturate yourself in His Word daily! 

(To request a free email copy of the short Bible study: "The Prodigal's Mother," email me at misjill413@aol.com)

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For Her Own Good

Poor, sweet Bell

"And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as His children? He said, 'My child, don't make light of the LORD's discipline, and don't give up when He corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes each one He accepts as His child'...No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening - it's painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way." (Hebrews 12:5-11)



Look at those sad, sweet eyes. Because poor Bell's spay incision reopened after a month, she's back to wearing the uncomfortable, ol' cone, which prevents her from "bothering" the wound and lets it heal. If only I could make her understand that it's for her own good.

Beloved, whenever you find yourself in uncomfortable circumstances, ask, "LORD, what are You teaching me?" The hard place might just be for your own good and God's glory!


"So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong!" (He. 12:12-13)

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The Willowkins Family Adventures Series

Glassco Family Adventure
Caymen Grill pier, 2015

"The Lord said to Moses, 'Tell the people of Israel to...build Me a holy sanctuary so I can live among them. You must build this Tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the pattern I will show you.'" (Exodus 25:1-2,8 NLT)


Writing storybooks wasn't my idea. It was God's. And every book is constructed according to His detailed instructions - as best as I can understand Him. 

When  Mr. Greenleaf's Unforgettable Summer turned into a little, green tree frog's encounter with the Willowkins family (pseudonym for the Glassco family), I believe the LORD said, "Jill, from this book forward, write the Willowkins family adventures series." 

So storybook #5 in the making, A Chancellor Ferry Tale, has shifted to the Willowkins hunting cabin on the Coosa River.

In Genesis, God created the world in beautiful, intricate, multi-color detail. In Exodus, God gave Moses specifications to the tiniest jot and tittle for the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and priests' garments. In Revelation, He revealed the nitty-gritty prophetic schedule for the end of this age.

Beloved, need plans? Ask God - our intricately specific Creator with detailed, nuts and bolts blueprints for your life!

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Strength Training

 L-R Our boys, Ben and Dan, and friend, Brian
Summer 2004

"Therefore, keep up your courage...for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told." (Acts 27:25)



Because Ben was headed to a college football program in east Tennessee and Dan to Parris Island with the US Marines, our boys were all into strength training summer of 2004. 

Much like muscle-strengthening requires muscles working or holding against a resisting force or weight, faith-strengthening requires trusting God against circumstances, emotions, appearances, and often all human reason.

When I was invited to submit Mr. Greenleaf's Unforgettable Summer to LifeWay Christian Stores, my hopes climbed; and Friday's rejection email provided the perfect opportunity to exercise my faith muscles: One trust, two trust, three trust...one hope, two hope, three hope...One persevere, two persevere, three persevere...one believe, two believe, three believe that all God said will come to fruition even when it seems impossibly out of reach.

In Acts chapter 27, a ship tumbled and tossed for days in a terrible gale-force-wind storm that blotted out sun and stars till all hope was gone for everyone except the apostle Paul. An angel of God had appeared to him saying, "Don't be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What's more, God in His goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you." By strong faith, Paul believed God's promises over life's troubles. (By the way, every word of God came to pass - not one failed.) 

Beloved, is life working against God's promises? Exercise those faith muscles, keep up your courage, and trust the One who is able, in Jesus' name!

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The Papa Chase

Our grands 2011

"Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever." (Psalm 23:6 NLT)

Our first year back in Alabama in '93, my Phillip had a long, tiring commute back and forth to work and limited time with our kids. One afternoon, he took off a little early to come play outside with Rebecca, Ben, and Dan before nightfall; but less than a mile from home, a train blocked the roadway. Watching the sun chase the horizon, our superman parked the car, crawled under a train trestle, and then hiked up Roper Hill through the woods to get to his family.

In Psalm 23, King David sang about God our Father relentlessly pursuing the children He loves.

Turn around, beloved. Abba Father is chasing  you!

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My Glad Decision

Our kids and grands fun, family car wash

"Giving them...the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of despair." (Isa. 61:3)




After a week-long chain of conversations with suffering friends, yesterday, I felt lower than a snake's belly in a wagon rut; but today, I made the glad decision. I'm glad that...

"Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, 

whose sins are covered...

whose sin the Lord will never count against them!"

(Rom. 4:7-8)

I'm glad that I believe...

"God gives life to the dead and 

calls into being things that were not!"

(Rom. 4:17b)

I'm glad that I'm...

"fully persuaded that God has the power

to do what He has promised!"

(Rom. 4:21)

I'm glad that we can

"glory in our sufferings, because

we know that suffering produces perseverance;

perseverance, character;

and character hope. 

And hope does not put us to shame, because

God's love has been poured out into our hearts

through the Holy Spirit, 

who has been given to us!"

(Rom. 5:3-4)

Now, aren't you glad you read this post! J

Some glad morning when this life is over

I'll fly away

To a home on God's celestial shore

I'll fly away

I'll fly away, oh glory

I'll fly away

When I die, Hallelujah, bye and bye

I'll fly away

Just a few more weary days and then

I'll fly away

To that hole where joy will never end

I'll fly away

I'll fly away, oh glory

I'll fly away

When I die, Hallelujah, bye and bye

I'll fly away1

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

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Labor Again

Our Dan, Mandy, and baby-on-the-way

"Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I'm going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives!" (Gal. 4:19 NLT)




The birth of our third and last child played out like a sitcom. 

Setting: small town hospital in the mid 80s with one birthing room.

Characters: one doctor and two ladies in labor


Since it was first come first serve, lady #1 got first dibs on the delivery room, while lady #2 (me) waited elsewhere. Baby #1 was in no hurry to make his debut, but baby #2 (our Dan) was bound and determined to win the race. (He's ALWAYS been competitive.)

When my Phillip finally convinced a nurse to come check out the competition, she agreed that baby #2 was headed full steam ahead for the finish line. So lady #1 was removed from the delivery room, and lady #2 was rolled in. 

While the doctor pulled on rubber gloves, he ordered, "Somebody put the delivery table together." 

Phillip said, "I can do that!"

Then, the doctor barked, "Somebody get lady #2 on the table."

I said, "I can do that!"

As soon as I hit the table, Phillip saw Dan crossing the finish line and yelled, "Catch him, doc! Catch him!"

After the race quickly ended, the doctor turned to the nurse and asked, "What did you give her for pain?"

The nurse answered sheepishly, "Was I supposed to give her something for pain?"


Ladies, you physically labored and labored to bring those children into the world; so, before God's throne of grace, never stop laboring spiritually in prayer until Jesus Christ is fully developed in their lives! 

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The Perfect Sacrifice

Jack and Jill
our friends' twin baby goats

"For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. That is why, when Christ came into the world, He said to God, "You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings. But You have given Me a body to offer...I have come to do Your will, O God..." (Heb. 10:4-7 NLT)

Sacrifice is defined as the act of surrendering a possession as an offering to God, and the perfect sacrifice was Jesus Christ.

Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. But our High Priest [Jesus Christ] offered Himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then He sat down in the place of honor at God's right hand. There He waits until His enemies are humbled and made a footstool under His feet. For by that one offering He forever made perfect those who are being made holy.

And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For He says, "This is the new covenant I will make with My people on that day, says the LORD: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds."

Then He says, "I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds."

And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices...By His death, Jesus opened a new and life giving way..." (Heb. 10:11-20 NLT)



"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms...we praise God for the glorious grace He has poured out on us who belong to His dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins!" (Eph. 1:3-7 NLT)


Beloved, today "enter the Lord's 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 100:4-5)

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Broken, Trained, and Obedient

Our Dan, sweet wife,  Mandy, and baby on the way
July, 2015

"You trained me well. You broke me, a wild yearling horse, to the saddle. Now put me, trained and obedient, to use. You are my God. After those years of running loose, I repented..." ( Jer. 31:18-19 The Message)



This morning, I thumbed through an old Bible and found a treasured artwork:

Jesus' baptizm by John the "Badist"

by Dan Glassco, age 7

Little boys can be as sweet as anything; but when they get to be teenagers, you just never know. Yep, for our Dan, some rowdy, unruly years stampeded in-between his "Jesus loves us" drawings and the mighty man of God he is today. Nonetheless,  our God who loves sweet, little boys and rambunctious teens, is truly able to return them to their senses and lead them down His path of righteousness. Thank You, Lord Jesus!!!!

O beloved, are you storm-tossed and not comforted over a wayward child? Lift your hands to the Lord and pray for the life of your little one. Ask the Most High God to teach him His ways that he may walk in truth, and give him an undivided mind to fear the name of the Lord, love Him, obey His voice, and hold fast to Him all the days of his life!

"My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD  or loathe His reproof. For whom the LORD loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he loves." (Prov. 3:11-12)

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Be my Guest

Our beautiful daughter, Rebecca
Senior Portrait, 2000

"In the last days, God says, 'I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophecy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams." (Acts 2:17)



Today's guest writer: Rebecca Glassco Figert (July 10, 2015)

So I was reading 1 Samuel 15 this morning. That's the part of the story when King Saul loses favor with God because he doesn't destroy every last bit of the Amalekites. They even spared the Amalekite king, Agag. So at the end of the chapter, Agag thinks he's safe until the prophet Samuel (who I thought was a nice guy) hacks Agag to pieces (1 Samuel 15:33)!

My brow furrowed with disbelief, "How could he? Is this really God's way?"

My day continued, and I let the hacked pieces of Agag settle in my mind and mostly forgot about it until my mom told me about her thumb.

Yeah, her poor thumb is suffering from a bacterial infection. When I begin to pray for her healing, it was like God spoke, "When I told Samuel to tell Saul to get rid of every last remnant of the Amalekites, I wanted to keep Israel clean and pure - just like your mom's thumb, every last trace of bacteria must be killed."

That made a lot of sense to me. We'd never want to leave a little bacteria on a wound; one single speck of bacteria infects the entire site. God knew what He was doing. This connection also reminded me that God does not tolerate sin. We must let Jesus' blood completely cleanse us, letting go of every single speck of sin.

"...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles..." (Heb. 12:1)

"[God] is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son [Jesus] and forgave our sins." (Eph. 1:7 NLT)


(Afterword: The thumb is well on it's the way to full recovery. All signs of infection are gone. Thank You, Lord Jesus. And thank you beloved friends and family for praying to the One who is able.)

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Serve Day 2015

Our oldest grand helping Granddaddy cook breakfast
Ft. Morgan Beach, July 2015

"As bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord,  and not to men." (Eph. 6:6-7)

Tomorrow, Saturday, July 11th, is our annual Serve Day for Church of the Highlands and other sister churches when thousands of Christians will care for the needs of our communities with simple acts of kindness to bring God glory through serving others.

"As each has received a gift...

use it to serve one another."  (1 Peter 4:10)

Come join the fun!!! For Serve Day opportunities near you, visit:

www.churchofthehighlands.com

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F.R.O.G. - Fully Rely On God

Our sweet babygrand
Ft. Morgan Beach

"Long ago the LORD said, 'I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to Myself.'" (Jer. 31:3)

Yesterday, I gave a copy of Mr. Greenleaf's Unforgettable Summer, the story of a little, green tree frog, to a new friend. She looked taken aback by the front cover and then told me her touching story. 

our beach tree frog friend

A year ago, she'd lost her little grandson in a tragic accident; and afterward, they kept finding tree frogs in their house. After numerous frog encounters, she remembered the F.R.O.G. acronym: Fully Rely On God.

"That's how God got us through," she said. "Every time we found a frog, we knew the Lord was telling us to rely on Him. Now, at this one year anniversary, He's reminded me again."

Beloved, where ever you are today, God is there. Fully rely on Him!

God is there

In the middle of your night

In every single moment

In every single light

He's reaching for you right where you are

The God of the impossible is never very far

Oh, imagine a place He would never be

No height no depth

Not life nor death separate you

Ever separate you, ever separate you

God is there

In the middle of your night

In every single moment

In every single light

He's reaching for you right where you are

The God of the impossible is never very far

Oh, imagine a place He would never be

God is there

Ooh, God is there1

1 GOD IS THERE. Damond Rio, 2009

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Down in the river to pray

Baptism
by the late, great, African-American artist Ray Batchelor

"By day the LORD commands His steadfast love, and at night His song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life." (Psalm 42:8 ESV)



For our anniversary in 1995, superman told me to choose a painting from LifeWay; but at the store, I couldn't decide which one. "Lord," I prayed, "they're all so lovely. What should I choose?"

No sooner had I voiced my confusion than an older, beautiful African-American lady walked up beside me. "Which one would you choose?" I asked. 

Bernice Moore pointed to "Baptism" by Ray Batchelor and said, "That one. Look at heaven's light coming through the trees and that baby's face! This picture looks just like the Cahaba River where I was baptized as a child."

Beloved, are you confused? Pray to Jesus, the one true God who answers!

As I went down to the river to pray

Studying about that good ol' way

And who shall wear the robe and crown?

Good Lord show me the way!

O sinners, let's go down

Let's go down, come on down

O sinners, let's go down

Down in the river to pray1

1 DOWN IN THE RIVER TO PRAY. Christian folk hymn. Origin unknown, but believed to have been composed by an African-American slave.

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Strength of Three

My superman and me
Ft. Morgan Beach 2015

"Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed....A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." (Eccl. 4:8,12 NLT)

I have a new appreciation for the old adage: sticks out like a sore thumb.

Because routine chores are currently challenging, my superman is carrying over and above his share of the load these days.


Marriage is an institution created by God - a covenant of three stands: the Most High God, one man, and one woman. Together, the triple-braided cord stands strong against life's woes and foes.

Beloved, link arms with Jesus and your covenant-mate and live strong!


"...the Lord has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth...she is your companion, and your wife by covenant." (Malachi 3:14)

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Rum Bum Bum

Our grands hard at "work"
Ft. Morgan Beach 2015

"When He saw the crowds, Jesus had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to His disciples, 'The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to send more workers into the fields.'" (Matt. 9:36-38 NLT)

Did you play the charades game Rum Bum Bum as a kid? Remember the dialogue exchange between teams?

Team #1: "Rum bum bum! Here we come! Blowin' our bugles and beatin' our drums!"

Team #2: "Where you from?"

Team #1: "New Orleans!"

Team #2: "What's your trade?"

Team #1: "Sweet lemonade!"

Team #2: "Then get to work and get it made!"

O Christian, as we see the confused and helpless people of this world, like sheep without a shepherd, let's get to work and get it made! 

Jesus said, "Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commandments I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with  you always, even to the end of the age" (Matt. 28:18-20).

Are you willing? Are you ready? Then rum bum bum, here we come! 

 

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