The Resolution Rebellion

Our fun-lovin' grandgirl at three
2010ish

"God creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join Him in the work He does, the work He has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing." (Eph. 2:10 The Message)





I, Jill Watson Glassco, of Birmingham, Alabama, on this 30th day of December in the year of our Lord two-thousand sixteen, do hereby resolve from this day forward to abstain from New Year's resolutions. 

The said party, being of sound mind, resolves, determines, earnestly intends, in lieu of New Year's Resolutions for 2017, to seek the new year's God-assignments in their stead and for each subsequent year after as long as the said party shall live.

Join the soon-to-be-broken New Year's Resolution Rebellion and seek God for your 2017 assignments. God has special work all ready for you to do!

May God bless you, beloved, for following Wonderful Family Storybooks Blog throughout 2016. Happy trails to you until we meet again next year....

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Ordered Steps

Ruth and Frankincense
(a new storybook-in-the-making)

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way." (Psalm 37:23)

For months, I've slaved over Secrets of Shiloh - rewriting an expanded edition of my second Christian children's book, when what to my wondering eyes should appear... 

New characters filled with such cuteness and pep, 

That I knew in a moment God was reordering my steps. 

So - republication of Shiloh now sits on the back burner, and Ruth and Frankincense, A Christmas Story is simmering in the possibility pot.

In the Acts chapter 16, Paul and Silas presumably were headed to Asia when the Holy Spirit redirected their steps to Phrygia and Galatia. Then while headed north for Bithynia, the Spirit of Jesus once again did not allow them to go. Instead, the evangelists for Christ traveled to the seaport of Troas.

I've heard it said that God is our co-pilot. Not! God's the pilot. Beloved, allow His Spirit to turn you any which way but loose!

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Welcome Home, Dear Ruth

Frank and Ruth Achenbach
1993

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that  when Jesus returns, God will bring back with Him the believers who have died...so encourage each other with these words." (1 Thess. 4:13-14,18)

This morning, I learned that my dear Ruth died Monday - a long-time, faithful, 90-year-old friend that loved and prayed for my family and me like no other! Our sad loss. Her great gain. Ruth is home with Jesus.

Musician Bob Snyder once said, "Our destination is home with our Father in heaven. It is so easy on this journey to lose sight of our destination and to focus on the detours of this life instead. This life is only the trip to get home."

What's your destination? Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me"  (John 14:6). Believe on Jesus, beloved! Become a citizen of heaven, where the Lord Jesus lives (Phil. 13:20a).

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Imagine That

Big Oak Treehouse
Coosa River Farm

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Cor. 2:9)

Doc, the gnome, lives in a knothole high up in our big oak tree at the Coosa River farm.

Yesterday, "Mrs. Willowkins" picked up Doc from the knothole...

and lo and behold, discovered two of Doc's patients - a little, brown field mouse and a speckled tree frog nestled all snug in their knothole beds. Imagine that!

(Is another Willowkins family storybook in the air - or in a tree?)

Beloved, keep those peepers, ears, and mind open to the wonderful things God has prepared for your 2017!

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Wise Men Still Seek Him

our great-nephew

"Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem saying, 'Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.'" (Matthew 2:1)

Over hill over dale, we traveled 400 miles north last weekend to watch our little wiseman and hear his one liner in the children's Christmas program at their church.

The Christmas story magi of Matthew chapter 2, according to Answers in Genesis, most probably referred to a class of Persian wise men, and possibly priests, who were interpreters of special signs, particularly in astrology. The Bible states they came from the East - likely Babylon and ancient Persia. 

The magi presumably had access to the Hebrew Scriptures because they knew the promises of the coming Messiah. When Messiah's star appeared in the heavens ("...A Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel..."(Numbers 24:17), the wise men traveled afar in search of the Holy Child.

Beloved, be a wise man or woman. "Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near."  (Isaiah 55:6)

Smile for the day:

What was the wise men's occupation when they weren't star-gazing? 

(Answer: They were firemen. After all, the Bible does say they came from  a "far." Ho Ho Ho!)

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Testimony

Our Rebecca's family
Advent Candle service 2016

"And they have defeated [Satan, the one who accuses them before our God day and night] by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives even when faced with death." (Rev. 12:11)

My preparations for a Bible study of Revelation for spring small group semester have caused me to ponder, "How does a testimony defeat Satan?"

Personal testimonies of how one came to Jesus are a common occurrence in Christian church services. The backstories before  Christ are as different as chalk and cheese, but the tale of rescue is the same for every soul: saved by God's grace and cleansed by Jesus' blood.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." (Eph. 2:8)

"...Jesus Christ, the faithful Witness, the Firstborn of the dead, and the Ruler of the kings of the earth...loves us and released us from our sins by His blood." (Rev. 1:5)

Therefore, 

"Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the One who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword [or Satan]?...But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us." (Romans 8:33-37)

No backstory is too sordid to trump God's grace and the blood of the Lamb. Come to Jesus by faith, beloved. Eternal life conquers the devil of darkness.

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Believe

Santa, Ben, Gabbi, and our little munchkins

Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in Me." (John 14:1)

 

This morning, I confessed to God my sins of fret and worry over  someone far from Him.

"Jill, walk by faith, not by sight," He replied through 2 Cor. 5:7.

Oswald Chambers said, "Faith based on experience is not faith; faith based on God's revealed truth is the only faith there is."

Got a "believe" ornament hanging on your Christmas tree? Attach "believe" to Jesus, beloved, not ol' St. Nick!

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Brokenhearted

Our sweet little  great nephew

"...the Lord has anointed Me to bring good news to the afflicted. He has sent Me to bind up brokenhearted and to proclaim freedom to the captives...to comfort all who mourn...giving them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, a garment of praise instead of the spirit of despair..." (Isa. 61:1-3)

When our great nephew's first grade teacher recently called on him to answer an arithmetic problem, he gave the wrong answer. His classmates laughed; he cried.

"I had to go see the school nurse," he told his mother later.

"Why did you have to see the nurse?" she asked.

He replied, "Because it broke my heart."

Around 700 B.C., the Old Testament prophet, Isaiah, foretold the coming of the Holy-Spirit-anointed Servant, who would comfort the brokenhearted, set captives free, transform ashes to beauty and despair to praise - a prophecy of Jesus Christ Himself.

Brokenhearted, beloved? In despair? In sorrow? Or suffering? Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace!

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Piper

Piper swinging in the grandboy's unmentionables

"Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep!" (Luke 15:6)

Building on yesterday's post, a Christmas tradition around Rebecca's house is Piper - a little, brown, mischievous lamb.

Across cold, December nights, Piper gets into trouble while children are nestled all snug in their beds, and every December morning, the wee ones search for their mischief maker. 

A few nights ago, the little lamb decorated their Christmas tree with unmentionables, and last night, she got into the gift paper and bows:

Nonetheless, every late Christmas Eve, Piper, without fail, finds her way to the manger to adore Christ, the Child, the newborn King.

O come let us adore Him, beloved, Jesus Christ, the King of kings!

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Oh, You Better Watch Out

Our littlest grand and Santa

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

One of three of our children's households "believes" in Santa, whereas the other two don't. Personally, I have no problem with ol' Saint Nick representing the true spirit of Christmas: giving.

For once upon a midnight clear, God so loved the world that He gave His Son, Jesus, born as a babe in Bethlehem that whosoever believes on Him will inherit eternal life. 

And Jesus, though He was God, gave up His divine privileges, took the humble position of a slave, and in obedience to God, died a criminal's death on a cross to pay for your sins and mine.

Jesus rose again.

Ascended into heaven.

Sat down at the right hand of God.

Oh, you better watch out, beloved! He's coming back when heaven and nature sing:

Joy to the world! The Lord is come.

Let earth receive her King.

Let every heart 

Prepare Him room...

He rules the world with truth and grace

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness

And wonders of His love!1

1 JOY TO THE WORLD. Isaac Watts, 1719.

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Angels in Action

"Angel" by our nine-year-old grandgirl

"...In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back...Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying, 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty - the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.'" (Rev. 4:6-8)

Our nine-year-old grandgirl is quite the budding artist. A unique feature about her drawings is that they often portray action. (Notice the "movement" of her angel's hands and skirt in the sketch above.)

In Scripture, I've yet to find an angel floating around on a cloud doing nothing. The Bible book of Hebrews describes them as servant spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation. 

In  Old Testament Daniel, angel Michael wars against the prince of Persia. In the gospel of Luke, angel Gabriel announces the coming Messiah. In Revelation, myriads of myriad, and thousands upon thousands of angels lift their voices in worship to Jesus, the King of kings:

"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive

power and riches and wisdom and might and honor

and glory and blessing!"

Let's learn a lesson from the angels, beloved. Don't be idol. Jump into action. Care for people and praise Jesus, the everlasting Prince of Peace.

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These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

Oldest grandboy as "Professor Gabriel"

"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)

We traveled to the brrr-willy midwest this past weekend to visit kids and grands, and these were a few of my favorite things: 

• Sitting around the table in a warm kitchen playing Skip-Bo with the grands and watching the snow fall
• With a fire in the fireplace, snuggling under blankets with the grands watching Polar Express and eating two huge bowls of popcorn
• Attending church with our kids and grands, watching them light the Advent candle, listening to our nine-year-old grandgirl read Scripture to the congregation, watching our eleven-year-old grandboy play the part of Professor Gabriel and sing his first solo, and watching the seven-year-old grandboy sing his heart out with all the hand motions.

So, beloved, the next time the dog bites, the bee stings, or you're feeling sad, simply remember the true, the honorable, the right, the pure, the lovely, the admirable, the excellent and worthy-of-praise things, and then you won't feel so bad!

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Scattered

My Phillip and me
Christmas 1972

"...to those who reside as strangers,  scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: may grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure." (1 Peter 1:1-2)

5 week holiday forecast: 90% chance of scattered blog posts due to an incoming front of fun places to go and fabulous people to see causing occasional missed devotions here and there. 

I believe it's safe to assume that many of you will also be scattered about the globe as you join family and friends to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In his first epistle, the apostle Peter addressed the church scattered across Asia Minor or present-day Turkey - not in celebration, however, but under the oppressive persecution of Nero's Roman Empire. 

Amidst their suffering, Peter reminded fellow believers that God had caused them to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Christ Jesus from the dead, who protected them by His power through faith. Therefore, they could greatly rejoice. Even though distressed by many trials, their precious, tested faith would result in the praise and glory and honor of Jesus Christ at His revelation.

In celebration and suffering, beloved, may we rejoice in the living hope that we are born again through faith in our resurrected King. May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure!

Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace!

Hail the Sun of righteousness!

Light and life to all He brings

Risen with healing in His wings

Mild He lays His glory by,

Born that man no more may die

Born to raise the sons of earth

Born to give them second birth

Hark the herald angels sing

"Glory to the newborn King!" 1

1 HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING. Charles Wesley, 1739.

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Christmas Memories

Our staircase

"These things I remember and I pour out my soul within me...with the voice of joy and thanksgiving." (Psalm 42:4)

A couple of nights ago, I was thumbing through my mother's recipe box and came across a Christmas treasure - my mother-in-law's recipe for peanut brittle with a note she'd written to my mother in the 1970s thanking her for a Christmas wreath and homemade candle. 

Mrs. Glassco's peanut brittle, Mother's candles, and those two, beautiful mothers are all treasured, Christmas memories.

Make treasured memories, beloved, as you celebrate Jesus this Christmas season.

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Gatlinburg Wildfire Relief Shop

Bluff Illustration from The Schoolhouse
by talented artist Cami Monet Webb

"Share each other's burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ." (Gal. 6:2)

Six years ago, we traveled to Gatlinburg, Tennessee in search of an artist to illustrate The Schoolhouse and, with God's help, found Cami Monet Webb - a talented, young watercolor artist, calligrapher, and stationery designer. 

Cami, now married and based in Orlando, Florida, grew up in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee on Morning Glory farm. After the recent, devastating wildfires ravaged her hometown, she started the Gatlinburg Wildfire Relief Shop, and to my delight, the bluff scene from The Schoolhouse is one of the beautiful watercolor prints (the "pray for Gatlinburg" heart) available.

All proceeds from these print sales go directly towards helping evacuees and those who have lost everything. Check out the shop, beloved, and share the burden for Christ's sake.  

Visit:   Camimonet.com

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It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Small Group Christmas Party

"That night there were shepherd staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them..." (Luke 2:8-9)

Fall Bible Study ended last night with a fun-filled, all-inclusive Christmas party with Christmas dinner, Christmas cookies, Christmas games, Miss Tackiest Christmas Sweater pageant, decorating the Christmas tree, and Silent Night, a Christmas carol. It goes without saying, that around my house, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

On the first Christmas so long long ago, snowman cookies and tacky sweaters weren't in picture. Instead, a newborn babe in a smelly barn, heavenly hosts caroling frightened shepherd in the fields, and the radiant glory of the Lord adorned the night that God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). 

May we always remember that Jesus is the reason for the season, and may you have yourself a merry, Christ-filled Christmas, beloved!

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Join the Triumph of the Skies

Sweet baby Meredith in her mother's loving arms

"And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. Mary gave birth to her firstborn Son. She wrapped Him snugly in strips of cloth and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room in the inn." (Luke 2:6-7)

After PDA surgery, rounds of steroids, and a plethora of prayers, baby Meredith has turned the corner. She's now a whopping 4 lbs. 5 oz. and continues to have good reports. Praise You, Lord Jesus, from whom all blessings flow!

And praise You, Lord Jesus, that 2,000 some odd years ago, though You are God, You did not think equality with Father God as something to cling to. Instead, You gave up Your divine privileges; You took the humble position of a slave and You were born as a tiny baby boy. 

When You appeared as man, You humbled Yourself in obedience to Father God and died a criminal's death on a cross. There, He highly exalted You to the place of highest honor and gave You the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:6-11).

Hark the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the newborn King"

Peace on earth, and mercy mild

God and sinners reconciled

Joyful all ye nations rise

Join the triumph of the skies

With angelic host proclaim,

"Christ is born in Bethlehem"

Hark the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the newborn King!" 1

1 HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING. Charles Wesley, 1739.

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Smoky Mountain Wildfires

Great Smoky Mts. 1 month ago





"...The Lord be with you all." (2 Thess. 5:16)

You've probably heard about the tragic wildfires that swept through Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains Monday night destroying hundreds of businesses, homes, cabins, acres and acres and acres of forest lands, and more importantly, at least fourteen lives. My heart aches  for the Sevier County community.

May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, who stands in the midst of you. May His presence go with you and give you strength. May the Lord sustain your hope in Him and supply your every need as you rebuild.

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And the Rain Rain Rain Came Down Down Down

2.5" of rain

"Then, when He prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops." (James 5:18)

Alabama had a Winnie-the-Pooh like blustery day yesterday that poured 2.5" to 3" of rain on our dry and thirsty land. 

All praise and thanksgiving to You, Lord Jesus, who sends rain on the the just and unjust alike!

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You Silly Goose

The Glassco brothers: race car drivers

"When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things." (1 Cor. 13:11)

Race car shopping carts are high on the favorite list with toddler and baby grand. Much to their disappointment, on a recent trip to the grocery store, all the cool, green carts were taken. When a little boy driving a race car cart passed their plain-Jane buggy, our two-year-old called, "Hey! Come back here, you silly goose!"

The unknown writer of Hebrews urged believers to stop going over and over and over the elementary teaching about Christ and to press on to maturity in faith toward God.

When it comes to Jesus, beloved, are you still speaking, thinking, reasoning, and praying as a child? Let your roots grow down into Christ, and let your life be built on Him. Let your faith grow strong in the truth you were taught, and press on toward maturity, you silly goose!

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Wayne

Our Thanksgiving table yesterday
(Wayne, far right)

"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8)

When I met Wayne, he was a married man, father of two, Sunday School teacher at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, a deacon (I think), head  pharmacist at Montclair Baptist Medical Center, and my boyfriend's brother-in-law - qualities that weren't especially impressive to a fifteen year old. Just an ordinary American man in 1971.

As a teenager, I remember him bragging on my straight-A grades. I liked that. I also remember  Phillip and me promising his son, Tim, we'd come to a baseball games. Wayne pulled us aside and said, "Your coming to Tim's game means a lot to him. Don't tell him you're coming unless you mean it." (Needless to say, we drove from Ft. Payne to Birmingham and watched Tim play.)

As college students, I remember going with Wayne and Loretta to the young couples Sunday School class.

As a young mother of three, I remember Wayne and Loretta keeping our kids over night and giving Phillip and me a night to ourselves in a time when finances were tighter than bow string. They also took the kids to McDonalds, the McWane Children's Science Center, and the circus during that season.

When I began writing and teaching Bible studies, Wayne boasted. When the children's books started, he encouraged.

Forty-five years have passed through the hour glass since 1971. I've watched Wayne feed the hungry, clothe the needy, and faithfully walk justly, kindly, and humbly with His God - all with a sensational sense of humor.

Hmmm...

Fifteen-year-old Jill was most definitely wrong. Wayne's not  an ordinary man by any stretch of the imagination. He's indeed quite extraordinary and highly esteemed by God...

and me.

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Popcorn

The Winfred and Verna Watson (my parents) Family
Thanksgiving 1984

"Enter His gates with Thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations." (Psalm 100:4-5)

One Thanksgiving when I was a little girl, as my mother prepared Thanksgiving dinner for our family of five plus grandparents, aunts, uncle, and cousins, her "long-lost" cousins called to say they were dropping in for lunch. So Mother prepared two Thanksgiving meals that day. After the last dish was washed that night, she sat down by the fireplace, and I piped, "Mama, will you pop us some popcorn?"

As a child, I couldn't fathom the amount of work mothers do. As a child of God, I fail to give adequate thanks for the tremendous work God has and continues to do. So on this Thanksgiving day, I thank You Father for...


CREATION - "You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb." (Psalm 139:13)

SALVATION - "Jesus, You freed us from our sins by shedding Your blood for us." (Rev. 1:7)

REDEMPTION - "You redeemed us not with perishable things like silver or gold from our futile way of life but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ." (1 Peter 1:18-19)

SANCTIFICATION - "Therefore, in Christ, we are new creatures; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." (2 Cor. 5:17) and "You predestined us to become conformed to the image of Your Son. You justified; and these whom You justified,..." (Romans 8:29-30)

You will one day GLORIFY. (Rom. 8:30)

You are a masterpiece, beloved, hand crafted and beautifully made. Thank the Master today! And happy Thanksgiving-to-God Day!

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Riverside People

Coosa River Autumn

"But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months o drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit." (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

Last week, my Phillip and I took a fun afternoon cruise down the river to see the breathtaking fall foliage. Alabama mountainsides are brown and dormant these days due to long months of drought, but as stated by the Old Testament prophet, Jeremiah, the riverside trees with roots that reach deep into the water are full of  color and life - not  bothered or worried by a long train of rainless days.

Wanna be a riverside person, beloved - not bothered or worried by a long train of difficult circumstances? Trust in the LORD, and make Jesus your hope and strong confidence!

(Baby Meredith update. This morning, she beautifully came through surgery to close the ductus arteriosus. No blood loss. No chest tube. Next 48 hours are important. Keep praying please!) 

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Close to His Heart

Daddy, Mommy, and sweet baby Meredith

"He will feed His flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in His arms, holding them close to His heart. He will gently lead the mothers with their young." (Isa. 40:11)

On October 24th, sweet baby Meredith made her debut 13 weeks early at 2.6 pounds. Everyday her family rides an emotional roller coaster, but their feet remain firmly planted on the hope of Jesus Christ, the One who holds their tiny lamb close to His Heart.

O Lord, thank You for Meredith. We ask for long life and good health for her in body, soul, and spirit. Please grant her parents, Blaine and Nicole, strength, hope, wisdom, and endurance, and please provide for their every need. Unto You who is able to do far more than we ask or can even imagine, be glory forever. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen and Amen.

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How to Win the Holiday Race

Our Ben and toddlergrand

"You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart," declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 29:13)

My "to do" list for the next 5 weeks:

1. Grocery shop for Thanksgiving dinner.

2. Cook Thanksgiving dinner and birthday cake

3. Shop for gifts for a daughter-in-law's Thanksgiving day birthday

4. Print pictures, write and print Christmas letters, and address, stamp, and mail 100 cards.

5. Make a cookie monster cake for babygrand's 1st birthday

6. Shop for gifts for baby grand's 1st birthday.
7. Down with the fall decorations and up with the Christmas
8. Christmas dinner party at my house for small group

9. Finish Christmas shopping for 13: kids and grands and hubby.

10. Travel to the midwest to see grands' Christmas program.

11. Grocery shop and cook for the kids and grands at our house Christmas week.
12. Down with the Christmas decorations.

OR

1. Seek my God each day with all my heart and serve others with gladness.

And the winning list is.... #2.

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A Dry and Thirsty Land

My daddy and his mother (my grandmother)
WWII before he shipped overseas
Riverside, California 1944

"...my soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water." (Psalm 63:1)  

I can't help but wonder if there's a reason for the umpteen rainless days and drought in Alabama.

In Israel's parched days of the Old Testament, the Lord through the prophet Isaiah declared, "You refuse to ask for My help. You have not honored Me with sacrifices or brought Me fragrant calamus. Instead, you have burdened Me with your sins and wearied Me with your faults."

O Lord God, Maker of heaven and earth, we, too, as a nation have wearied and burdened You with our sins. Have mercy on us, O Lord. Please pour out water to quench our thirst and to irrigate our parched fields, and pour out Your Spirit on our dry and thirsty souls. May the United States of America openly profess once again, "We belong to the Lord." In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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Stars Fell On Alabama

My man and me
Senior Prom 1974

Jesus said, "You don't love Me as you did at first...Turn back! Recover your dear early love. " (Rev. 2:4-5)

I'm having a blast writing the expanded edition of Secrets of Shiloh for republication with Deep Sea. When I came to the "Prom Night" chapter, however, I felt stumped and a bit silly. 

So...

I dug out our old prom pictures and pulled up on YouTube Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong's rendition of "Stars Fell on Alabama." The hands on the clock of my mind turned backward, and I was eighteen again - dancing with my head on Phillip's broad shoulder. Sigh. (I ordered that CD.) 

Been married a long while, beloved? Put a log on your fire of romance, and may the stars fall on your Alabama tonight.

From Secrets of Shiloh, Chapter 10:

Ebenezer High School gymnasium had transformed into a twinkling, velvet-night dreamland. White cloths covered round tables edging the black, draped walls and sweet magnolia blossoms scented the candle lit room.

Martin took Rachel's hand and guided her to the dance floor as the school orchestra played the old 1934 classic "Stars Fell on Alabama."

I never planned in my imagination

A situation so heavenly

A fairyland where no one else could enter

And in the center just you and me, dear

My heart beat like a hammer

And my arms wound around you tight

And stars fell on Alabama last night

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