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| Our Rebecca's beautiful family Abe Martin Lodge Aquatic Center
"...tell Him thank you for all He has done." (Phil. 4:6b)
Over our fun weekend with kids and grands, I don't recall them asking for much. What I remember is their many thank-yous.
In our times with God, what will Jesus hear most - please, please, please or thank You, thank You, thank You?
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| Brown County State Park, Indiana |
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| My man, romantic get-away Sanibel Island, 2015
"At last!" [Adam] exclaimed. "This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh"...This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. (Gen. 2:23-24 NLT)
Divorce was rare as a child in the 60s. Divorce is too common as a grandmother in 2016.
Want a GREAT marriage? The Author of marriage offers three simple steps:
1. Jesus Christ must have FIRST place in everything. (Col. 1:18)
2. Husbands must LOVE their wives just at Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her." (Eph. 5:25)
3. Wives must RESPECT your husbands and submit to them as to the Lord. (Eph. 5:22)
The answer? Simple. The BIG problem? Refusing to obey God.
So, beloved, how badly do you want a great marriage? Bad enough to obey?
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| Princess-grand Fall 2015
"But be sure that everything is done properly and in order." (1 Cor. 14:40 NLT)
For today's young women, a common prayer request is for balance between work and family. Where do you start? Align your days with God's life-order: Jesus first, family second, and work last.
Is life out of kilter, beloved? Check your priority list.
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| My boys, Ben and toddler-grand Two avid fishermen
[Jesus] called out, "Fellows, have you caught any fish?" (John 21:5 NLT)
All my born days, from granddaddy's ponds atop Lookout Mountain to the little pond on our Coosa River farm, fishing's been a fun slice of life. It's no wonder that Lord Jesus uses His good fish tales to map my route.
Simon's deep water fishing trip in Luke 5 marked my trail to Deep Sea Publishers. The disciples' 153-fish-catch on the right side of their boat in John 21 turned my course from radio shows and newspapers to book-readings at schools, libraries, and churches. And Jesus feeding thousands with 5 little loaves and 2 small fish in Mark 6 has me looking eagerly ahead for what opportunities stand around the next bend in the road.
Need direction, beloved? Read the Bible - God's roadmap for life!
"Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path." (Pslam 119:105 NLT)
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| Our toddler-grand and sweet Labrador Retriever, Bell
"Students are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher." (Luke 6:40 NLT)
I recently watched a TV show where the dog trainer said that even though Labrador Retrievers aren't the most intelligent breed, they are the most trainable. Why? Because they're people pleasers, having a strong, innate desire to know and do what their master wants.
Now, that'll preach, sisters (and a few brothers)!
Lord Jesus, our Rabboni, Teacher, Master, please give us a strong desire to please You - to know and do what YOU want today.
"The person who knows My commands and keeps them, that's who loves Me." (John 14:15 The Message) |
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| My Rebecca's zoology class
"And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32 NLT)
My slender, well-fit (there's a reason for telling you that) daughter teaches a zoology class to kindergarteners. Yesterday's lesson was on Galapagos tortoises.
"A male Galapagos tortoise can weigh between 500 and 600 pounds," Rebecca said.
A student (her son) raised his hand and matter-of-factly said, "Isn't that about what you weigh, Mom?"
In our world, there's a bukootle of sincere beliefs that are sincerely wrong. The truth - the ONLY truth - is that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the way, the truth, and the life and no one comes to Father God but by Him (John 14:6); and whoever believes on Jesus will not perish but have eternal life (John 316). Anyone who denies Jesus, the Son, doesn't have God, the Father, either (1 John 2:23).
What do you sincerely believe, beloved? Search the holy Scriptures day after day to see if what you believe is true or false!
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| My Ben, Phillip, Dan, and friend, Rhett, 2006? (That's a golf tee in Rhett's mouth, by the way.)
"But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over." (Jeremiah 18:4 NLT)
According to Wikipedia, "a mulligan is a second chance to perform an action, usually after the first chance went wrong. Its best-known meaning is in golf whereby a player is allowed to replay a stroke."
Because I believe it could be better, I'm calling a mulligan on Secret of Shiloh, my second storybook, and rewriting the manuscript.
Could areas of your life be better, beloved? Ask Jesus, the God of second, third, fourth...hundredth chances, for a mulligan. For He promises, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
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| Our Dan and Mandy, San Diego, CA, 2009
"Who kept the sea inside its boundaries as it burst from the womb...For I locked it behind barred gates, limiting its shores. I said, "This far and no farther will you come. Here your proud waves must stop!" (Job 38:8-11 NLT)
The book of Daniel takes an unorthodox turn in chapter 4. Pagan King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon offers a personal testimony of the miraculous signs and wonders the Most High God performed for him. I, too, have God-turning-the-tide testimonies:
Beloved, is life's angry sea tossing you to and fro? Cry out to Jesus, the tide Turner!
HE can turn the tides and calm the angry sea.
HE alone decides who writes the symphony.
HE lights every star that makes our darkness bright.
HE keeps watch all through each long and lonely night.
HE still finds the time to hear a child's first prayer.
Saint or sinner call and always finds Him there.
Though it makes Him sad to see the way we live,
He'll always say, "I forgive!" 1
1 HE, Avas Music Publishing Co, 1954. Lyrics by Richard Mullan.
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| cover design by my Ben (woodgrain - the cabin's kitchen table)
"I have filled him with God's Spirit, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in every craft to design artistic works..." (Ex. 31:3 HCSB)
After months and months of writing, editing, and drawing, A Chancellor Ferry Tale has finally transferred into the hands of Deep Sea Publishing in Virginia and will hit the market soon. I'm foot-stompin' HAPPY!!!
Today's Larry Stockstill devotion landed my excitement in its rightful place. Pastor Larry said, "You must not get more interested in the work of God than in the God of the work!"
Therefore...
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Praise Him all creatures here below!
Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
Beloved, have you praised the God of your work today!
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| Our sweet toddler-grand
"I will teach you hidden lessons...stories our ancestors handed down to us...We will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about His power and His mighty wonders...so the next generation will know them - even the children not yet born - and they in turn will teach their own children." (Psalm 78:2-6 NLT)
Saturday afternoon while rocking toddler-grand, I studied the patchwork quilt over the bed...
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| My great-grandparents, Benjamin Franklin and Ella Viola Beason Robison daughters Jessilee (my grandmother) and Sally early 1900s |
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| Our toddler-grand at the farm
"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 NLT)
My Ben said that the other night they were watching a Youtube video on his phone, when toddler-grand hit the home button, swipped the screen, and picked a kitty-cat cartoon. He's a ONE-YEAR-OLD, people!!!
Did you know that a marked increase in knowledge is one sign of end times? If the angel trumpet blows today, are you ready to meet Jesus in the air?
"For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words." (1 Thess. 4:16-18 NLT)
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| Watercolor by award-winning artist, Donny Finley, from Jill's storybook: Secrets of Shiloh |
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| Our little superstar #4
"Yes, there are many parts, but only one body."
(1 Cor. 12:20 NLT)
When it comes to basketball, our "Flash" is a little superstar. He steels the ball, dribbles down the court, and scores - steels the ball, dribbles down the court, and scores - to the point that his coach sometimes must remind him to pass the ball!
Coach's wise advice also applies to small groups. When it comes to talking, it doesn't take long to figure out who, like me, are the ball hogs and which ladies sit quietly on the sidelines. So at last night's meeting, I encouraged us "talkers" to remember to pass the ball!
Attention all talkers, remember to pass the ball. Attention you silent ones, take that ball and score! It's good for the team.
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| My boys and their boys "There is a God in heaven..." (Dan. 2:28)
Little Glasscos are popping out faster than you can say "Wilbur Willowkins wore a winter weskit."
(You'll have to read Mr. Greenleaf's Unforgettable Summer to understand that alliteration.)
"How can a young man keep his way pure in this morally-decaying, malignant, evil-minded, wicked world?" asks their memaw.
"By obeying My Word," says God in Psalm 119:9.
About 2,500 years ago, the city of Jerusalem was besieged and young Daniel was carted off to Babylon (modern day Iraq). He determined in his heart and mind not to defile himself; and when his very life was threatened, he prayed,
"Praise the name of God forever and ever,
for He has all wisdom and power.
He controls the course of world events;
He removes kings and sets up other kings."
(Dan. 2:20-21)
In the face of mighty King Nebuchanezzar, Daniel declared, "There is a God in heaven."
Oh Father God, in this increasingly dark world, I pray that our children and grandchildren will hide Your word in their hearts that they will not sin against You! I pray they will build their lives on the rock in obedience to Your commands so when storms come they will stand and not fall. May they overcome the evil one by the blood of the Lamb Jesus, the word of their testimonies, and their love for You more than love of their own lives. May they complete the work You give them to do in the land of the living and bring You great glory! In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen and Amen.
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| Our grands: "Princess" and "Flash" 2009 "For nothing will be impossible with God." (Luke 1:37)
My daughter recently overheard this conversation between two of her children:
Flash: "What are idols?"
Princess: "They're like gods."
Flash: "There's not a lot of gods."
Princess: "Some people think there are lots of gods."
Flash: "Oh."
Princess: "But there's only one God."
Flash: "Yeah, and He's in control of everything."
Princess: "Yeah, He can do anything He wants."
Flash: "He's strong enough to hold the whole world in His hands and move it."
Princess: "He can even make a unicorn appear right here if He wanted to."
There is one God. He's in control. He is strong. Nothing is impossible for Him. Take courage, beloved!
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| baby-grand and his sweet mommy Just born today
"Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights..." (James 1:17)
It's a boy! Babygrand, just born today: 8 lbs. 7 oz. 22 inches
Praise the Lord!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
praise Him in His mighty heaven!
Praise Him for His mighty works;
praise His unequaled greatness...
Let everything that has breath sing praises to the LORD!
Psalm 150
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| Our Ben, Gabbi, and toddler-grand Christmas 2015
"But now the LORD says: Be strong...Be strong all you people...and get to work, for I am with you, says the LORD of Heaven's Armies." (Haggai 2:4)
It's time! Our Ben and Gabbi's second little boy is scheduled for arrival tomorrow. This go-round, while Gabbi works hard at the hospital, Memaw will labor in prayer at home while chasing toddler-grand.
Have hard work to do, beloved? Be strong. The God of Heaven's Armies is with you!
I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side 1
1 WHOM SHALL I FEAR, Chris Tomlin, 2012.
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| The "Willowkins" hunting cabin
To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story, "A man had two sons..." (Luke 15:11 NLT)
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| Last week's sunset at the farm
"For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword..." (Heb. 4:12 NLT)
Believing that God, the Artist of sunsets, is in charge and in full control, why do we worry about anything? But we do.
I issued my older grands a Bible verse challenge this morning (Rebecca, check your email). The challenge - memorize Phil. 4:6-7 NLT for a prize from Memaw:
"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."
Got worries, beloved? Memorize Phil. 4:6-7 and trust the Artist of sunsets.
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