Baby Talk

>> Monday, November 30, 2015

Our sweet daughters-in-law



"A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary's greeting, Elizabeth's child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, 'God has blessed you above all women, and your Child is blessed.'" (Luke 1:39-42 NLT)


With babygrand #5 due this week and babygrand #6 due nine weeks later, there's lots of "baby talk" around our house.

Two thousand years ago, "baby talk" announced the coming Christ. When young Mary, pregnant with Jesus, visited her cousin Elizabeth, John the Baptist leaped in Elizabeth's womb - the unborn child testified to his mother, "The Messiah is here!"

Beloved, Jesus is the reason for the season. Come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!

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Don't Forget the Gratitude

>> Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Homemade Butternut Squash Soup
Yum!


"...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 100:4b-5 NLT)


Just a friendly reminder that tomorrow amongst the turkey, dressing, giblet gravy, cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole, silver queen cream corn, green beans, deviled eggs, wild rice, whole wheat yeast rolls, pecan pie, and pumpkin pie, don't forget the gratitude!

Happy Thanksgiving-to-God Day!

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This is Good

>> Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Our Dan, Mandy, and baby bun-in-the-oven
June, 2015


"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purposes for them." (Rom. 8:28 NLT)


I started a cold this morning. Seems like rotten timing when our small group semester-end dinner and Bible study was supposed to be tonight, and Thanksgiving is just two days away. But on the other hand, babygrand #5 is due next week, so this is good - better to have a cold this week than next.

Beloved, are things different from what you hoped and prayed for? Be encouraged. Know with great confidence that Jesus Christ who deeply loves you is causing all things to work together in a plan far beyond good according to His divine purposes. Trust Him.

When the night has been too lonely 
And the road has been too long...
Just remember in the winter 
far beneath the bitter snow,
Lies the seed that with the [Son's] love
In the spring becomes the rose. 1

1 THE ROSE. Amanda McBroom, 1977. 










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Woodlawn

>> Monday, November 23, 2015

Woodlawn Prayer Walk
2013


"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think..." (Romans 12:2 NLT)


At the 2013 Serve Day prayer walk in Woodlawn, Alabama, a sweet mama struggled with her toddler on that hot, July Saturday; so my Phillip carried this cute little fellow on his shoulders.

Woodlawn holds a special place in my heart. Our church Dream Center and Christ Health Center are across the street from Woodlawn High School - one of the campus locations for Church of the Highlands. I, also, have precious friends in that community made while teaching women's Bible study there 2009-2015. The Dream Center, Christ Health Center, Church of the Highlands Woodlawn Campus, Serve Day, Prayer Walks, and Bible studies are all fruit of a mighty transformation God began in the 1970s.

Tandy Geralds, Woodlawn High's football coach 1971-76, struggled to ease desegregation racial tensions. When he allowed outsider Hank Erwin to speak to his team players about a "better way" possible only through following Jesus, almost the entire team gave their lives to Jesus Christ; and the spiritual change rocked a school and community.

Beloved, do you need hope? Do you long for things to be different? Stop following the world. Follow Jesus, and let God transform you and life around you.

Film directors Andrew and Jon Erwin tell the true story of football great Tony Nathan and a transformed community in the 2015 movie release: Woodlawn. Hear Pastor Chris Hodges' Nov. 22nd message of hope and transformation from "Woodlawn" movie clips  at:

www.churchofthehighlands.com

Click: "At the Movies"



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My Hometown

>> Friday, November 20, 2015

Fort Payne, Alabama
my hometown



"Friends, this world is not your home, so don't make yourselves cozy in it. Don't indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives...Then they'll be won over to God's side and be there to join in the celebration when He arrives." (1 Peter 1:11-12 The Message)


Yesterday, I visited dear friends and family in Fort Payne, Alabama - my hometown. In the 50s through the 70s, my dad's law office sat upstairs above Owen Hardware (right edge of picture) - the best seat in town to enjoy the annual Christmas parade. I can't imagine a better family, better friends, or better place to grow up.

God, however, exclusively promises His children a better hometown...

"We have our eyes peeled for the City about to come...No one's ever seen or heard anything like this, never so much as imagined anything quite like it - what God has arranged for those who love Him." (Heb. 13:14, 1 Cor. 2:9 The Message)

Who are the children of God? The Bible says that whosoever belongs to Christ Jesus is God's child - those who have the Spirit of Christ living in them. Remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to Him at all. Those who have the Spirit of Christ, God adopts as His own children. They call Him, Abba, Father. (Romans 8)

Beloved, are you God's child? If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved - you will become God's own child. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. (Romans 10)

Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)

"Indeed, the right time is now. Today is the day of salvation!" (2 Cor. 6:2)

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Storm Shelter

>> Wednesday, November 18, 2015

our sweet grand girl
2010



"...O LORD...You are a refuge from the storm and a shelter from the heat. For the oppressive acts of ruthless people are like a storm beating against the wall, or like the relentless heat of the desert. But You silence the roar...as the shade of a cloud cools relentless heat, so the boastful songs of ruthless people are stilled." (Isa. 25:4-5 NLT)


It's a stormy day in Alabama, but I'm quite comfortable - as snug as a bug in the rug. The roaring winds and pounding rain can't touch me within the cozy shelter of my little library.

As you well know, these are stormy days on earth. Howling winds of terror beat against peace of mind. But "those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty" (Psalm 91:1).

Beloved, Jesus keeps in perfect peace all who trust in Him, all whose thoughts are fixed on Him. Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock (Isa. 25:3-4). One day every knee shall bow and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:10-11), and the boastful songs of ruthless people will still forever.






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Love Letters

>> Tuesday, November 17, 2015

My beloved parents, 1944
Mt. Rubidoux, California




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)



My parents had only been married a few months when Daddy shipped overseas in World War II. As the soldiers passed under the Golden Gate Bridge toward the South Pacific, Daddy said that tears streaked the cheeks of their commanding officer. Over his two year deployment, Daddy and Mother wrote love letters to each other every, single day.

From Moses to the Apostle John, the books of the Holy Bible were written at different times by various authors over a period of approximately 1,500 years - sixty-six love letters from Almighty God, the Lover of people.


You, dear one, are beloved of the Lord. Have you read His love letter today?


In Genesis, He's the breath of life
In Exodus, the Passover Lamb
In Leviticus, He's our High Priest
In Numbers, the fire by night
In Deuteronomy, He's Moses' voice
In Joshua, He is salvation's choice
In Judges, law giver
In Ruth, the kinsmen-redeemer
First and Second Samuel, our trusted prophet
In Kings and Chronicles, He's sovereign
In Ezra, true and faithful scribe
In Nehemiah, He's the rebuilder of broken walls and lives
In Esther, He's Mordecai's courage
In Job, timeless redeemer
In Psalms, He is the lover's dream
In Isaiah, He's Prince of Peace
In Jeremiah, the weeping prophet
In Lamentations, the cry for Israel
In Ezekiel, He's the call from sin
In Daniel, the stranger in the fire
In Hosea, He is forever faithful
In Joel, He's the Spirit's power
In Amos, the arms that carry us
In Obadiah, He's the Lord our Savior
In Jonah, He's the great missionary
In Micah, the promise of peace
In Nahum, He is our strength and our shield
In Habakkuk and Zephaniah, He's pleading for revival
In Haggai, He restores a lost heritage
In Zechariah, our fountain
In Malachi, He is the son of righteousness rising with healing in His wings

In Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, He is God, Man, Messiah
In the book of Acts, He is fire from heaven
In Romans, He's the grace of God
In first and second Corinthians, the power of love
In Galatians, He is freedom from the curse if sin
In Ephesians, our glorious treasure
In Philippians, the servant's heart
In Colossians, He's the Godhead Trinity
In first and second Thessalonians, our coming King
In Timothy, Titus, Philemon, He's our mediator 
and our faithful Pastor
In first, second, third John and Jude, 
He is the Lover coming for His Bride
In Revelation, He is King of Kings

Lord of Lords
The Prince of Peace
The Son of Man
The Lamb of God
The great I AM
He's the Alpha and Omega
Our God and our Savior
He is Jesus Christ the Lord
and when time is no more
He IS!1

1 from HE IS, Aaron Jeoffrey.


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"Mark Spence"

>> Monday, November 16, 2015

believe it or not, our Rebecca 
"the old woman" 
high school costume day, 1999





"Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. They will declare, 'The LORD is just! He is my rock! There is no evil in Him!'" (Psalm 92:14-15)


Getting old is fascinating! Because our furnace died over the weekend, I called the heating and air company. The service manager instructed me to call dispatch and request "Mark Spence" technician. "Ask for Mark Spence technician?" I asked. He laughed, "No, ma'am, ask for the most experienced technician."

Honey, you better hold on to Jesus. Ears will dull, eyes will dim, but the spirit abiding in the LORD remains as young as a spring chicken.

"Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day." (2 Cor. 4:16)

our "real" Rebecca
senior portrait 2000





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Practice What You Preach

>> Friday, November 13, 2015

"me"
(posing for "Mrs. Willowkins" illustration in Mr. Greenleaf's Unforgettable Summer)


Jesus said, "Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in Me." (John 14:1 NLT)



Yesterday, after writing a Bible lesson on God's peace amidst life storms, I received some unsettling news. (My family and I, by the way, are fine; someone I love dearly, however, isn't.) I confess that I didn't find God's peace until this morning when I asked Jesus to increase my faith.

The opposite of fear and worry? Faith in Jesus Christ - the ONLY One who is able to comfort the brokenhearted, set captives free, give beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, and replace despair with praise (Isa. 61:1-3).

Beloved, practice what you preach. Be doers of the Word and not hearers only. If you look carefully into the perfect Law of God that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it (James 1:22-25).


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Running with Endurance

>> Thursday, November 12, 2015

my grandboy: "Wheels"


"...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith..." (Heb. 12:1b-2a NASB)


Our grandboy may be the smallest little fellow on his soccer team, but he's the fastest! His coach nicknamed him "Wheels".

I've heard Dr. James Dobson say on more than one occasion, "Life isn't a sprint; it's a marathon." How do you finish a marathon? By endurance and perseverance. How do we finish life's race? By keeping our eyes on Jesus, the One who gives perseverance and encouragement (Romans 15:5); who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Jesus who endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart (Heb. 12:2b-3).

Feeling a bit weary, beloved? Set your eyes on Coach Jesus and run by faith and endurance.



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Questions and Answers

>> Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Spring Mill State Park
(photo by my Rebecca)


"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)


Because we're nearing the end of our fall Bible study: Bible Basics for Young Women, last week I journaled, "Lord, what's my spring semester assignment? I don't need to figure this out; I need to hear Your voice." 

The following morning, I read Hebrews 6:1: "So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding."

Pretty clear answer! Thank You, Lord Jesus. 

Next semester, we're studying the books of Daniel and Revelation. "And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding" (Heb. 6:3).

Have questions, beloved? Don't try to figure things out. Seek Jesus and His will, and He'll show you what to do!

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Precious

>> Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Our precious babygrand
all dressed up as "the firehouse pup"
"Ruff, ruff!"


"Don't be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God." (1 Peter 3:3-4 NLT)


For two weeks, I've been waiting eagerly for an opportunity to post this endearing picture of babygrand all dressed up as precious pup, the firehouse dog.

In a letter to Christ Jesus believers scattered across Asia, the Apostle Peter advised Christian wives to make a fashion statement - not with outward apparel, but with inner, holy beauty of gentle, gracious hearts.

Wanna look precious in the sight of God, ladies? Put on gorgeous, godly garments: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control.

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The Principle of First

>> Monday, November 9, 2015

My Jesus, my Phillip, and me
September 10, 1977



"[Jesus] is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have FIRST place in everything." (Col. 1:18)


"When God is first, everything comes into order. When God is not first, nothing comes into order." ~ Pastor Robert Morris of Gateway Church in Dallas/Fort Worth

Beloved, is your life out of order? "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need" [for a well-ordered life]. (Matt. 6:33)

LIFE, MONEY, HOPE - Part 4 "The Principle of First" by Robert Morris at: www.churchofthehighlands.com 



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Don't Walk Away

>> Friday, November 6, 2015

My Phillip and grands
Cascades Park



"For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened - those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come - and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing Him to the cross once again and holding Him up to public shame." (Hebrews 6:4-6 NLT)


This week, I was asked to pray for a young man to believe in Jesus again. Is the Hebrews passage above hopelessly teaching that someone who walks away from Jesus can't come back? Theological scholars' interpretations disagree, but this I know for certain, "What is impossible with man is possible with God" (Luke 18:27). Jesus said, "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from Me, for My Father has given them to Me, and He is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father's hand (John 10:28-29). If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost...won't he leave the ninety-nine others...and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it" (Luke 15:4)?

Beloved, don't ever walk away from the One who died for you, and earnestly pray for people far away from Jesus.

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Fully Engage

>> Thursday, November 5, 2015

My Phillip and me
"Fully Engaged"
Wedding Day 1977



"...I focus my attention on what You are saying..."
(Psalm 119:69 The Message)




I often ask friends and family, "What's Jesus teaching you these days?" Well, these days, He's telling me, "Jill, fully engage with whoever you're with. Listen attentively, show interest, and fully focus on that person - beginning with Me."

Oh, prone to wander, Lord I feel it! My mind drifts from Your throne of grace and meanders back to earth too many times. Just this morning, I stopped in the middle of our visit to make a doctor's appointment. Help, please!

Precious ones, with God's help, let's fully engage with the one we're with.

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Study

>> Wednesday, November 4, 2015

my high school graduation day
Class of '74



"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Tim. 2:15 KJV)


When I was 8 or 9, I started reading the Bible every day. When I was 32 and in a family crisis, I started studying the Bible like I was preparing for final exams.

The Apostle Paul told young Timothy: "There's nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another - showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correction our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us." (2 Tim. 3:16-17 The Message)

Beloved, study the Bible; it's good for the soul. Learn God's truth that will enable you to pass life tests and His final exam.

From the storybook Hoot Owl Hollow:

"Mornin' honey. Here," Nonie said and handed Andi a brown paper bag and a small Bible with a worn, leather cover. "This buttermilk biscuit and smoked sausage'll stick to them skinny ribs of yorn, and a word or two from the Good Book will feed a hungry soul."

"Thanks, Miss Nonie, but I've tried readin' the Bible a couple of times, and I don't really understand it."

"Don't worry 'bout understanding' ever'thang. Just keep readin'; and before ya know it, the word'll go right past yer mind and into yer spirit."

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Intense

>> Tuesday, November 3, 2015

My daddy, 1944



"The intense prayer of the righteous is very powerful."
(James 5:16b HCSB)




While looking for a family photo that captures "intense", I found in my parent's World War II scrapbook this picture along with the caption: "Stuck in the snow 30 miles from nowhere." Since I came along in the 50s, it's safe to say that Daddy powered through until their 1931 Model "A" Ford was unstuck and on the road again.



God through James, the half brother of Jesus, taught that much can be accomplished through earnest, fervent prayers of righteous people - righteous not of ourselves, but from God on the basis of faith in Christ (Phil 3:9).

Beloved, are your prayers accomplishing much? Turn up your intensity from lukewarm to burning and effectively power through to omnipotent God!










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INSIDE Out

>> Monday, November 2, 2015

Clockwise: Inside Out's: Sadness, Anger, Joy, Fear, and Disgust
(Kids and grands at Friday night's Church Trunk or Treat)





"Don't be DEJECTED and SAD, for the JOY of the LORD is your strength!" (Nehemiah 8:10b)





Superman and I traveled to the midwest last week for five tons-of-fun days with kids and grands - a picture-perfect trip (with a few imperfect exceptions: scattered rain showers, occasional brisk, cold winds, and a couple of small headaches). Joys, nonetheless, far outweighed minor discomforts. 



Like 11-year-old Riley in the computer-animated adventure film Inside Out, our core emotions normally drive thoughts and actions, and outside circumstances normally control inside feelings. God, however, says we don't have to live "normal". JOY and PEACE can rule daily regardless of surrounding conditions, because the JOY of never-ending relationship with Jesus Christ outshines every earthly trial - minor or major. 

Beloved, which emoticon is controlling your mental headquarters? Fix your mind on Jesus, and put JOY in charge!


Image result for emoticon
Jesus said, "Remain in Me and My words...Remain in My love...so that you will be filled with My JOY." (John 15:5-11)

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