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| My girl, her guy, and my grands "In those days when you pray, I will listen." (Jer. 29:12)
My text: "Have you ever thought of teaching a health class at homeschool coop?"
My girl: "That's a great idea!"
Me: "You've talked about purpose and passion. Good health in body, soul, and spirit seems to be one of your passions.
My girl: I wrote this prayer yesterday morning!!!
I rest my case, beloved. When you pray, Jesus listens.
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| our dear friends, Susan and Sam
"Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear My voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends." (Rev. 3:20 NLT)
Visiting Arkansas friends this week - as we say in the South - blessed my pea-picking heart. Another saying we have down here is "come sit a spell" - a friendly invitation to fellowship together.
L-R Sam, Cuba, Earl, Susan, me, and my Phillip
Jesus daily stands at your life's door and patiently waits for an invitation. Won't you ask Him to come sit a spell?
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| Ladies Brunch First Baptist Church Pine Bluff, Arkansas
"What I mean brothers and sisters, is that time is short...For this world in its present form is passing away." (1 Cor. 7:29,31)
I moved from Pine Bluff, Arkansas twenty-three years ago - a young mom in my thirties.
Blink.
I spoke at First Baptist Pine Bluff this morning- a memaw of six with kids in their thirties. So surreal - like stepping out of a time machine into the loving arms of dear friends.
Waste no time, beloved. "We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the One [Jesus Christ] who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work." (John 9:4) |
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| Ridgway Christian School Pine Bluff, Arkansas
"Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me..." (Luke 9:48 NASB)
I talked to first, second, and third graders this morning and read chapter 1 of Mr. Greenleaf's Unforgettable Summer.
Jesus loves the little children, all the little children of the world. Let's love them, too.
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| Our once-upon-a-time-toddler grand, 2010 |
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| Our grandboy, 2011 |
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| Our six-year-old grandboy
"...sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you..." (1 Peter 3:15)
Because I'm busy as a beaver getting ready for the spring book-reading tour that starts tomorrow, I found these great preparation quotes:
"By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail."
~Benjamin Franklin~
"You might need some gettin' ready and settin' before you skedaddle and go."
~Pappy Longlegs, A Chancellor Ferry Tale~
"I will prepare and some day my chance will come."
~Abraham Lincoln~
"Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe."
~Abraham Lincoln~
And last, but not least:
"We should live our lives as though Christ was coming this afternoon."
~Jimmy Carter~
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| "Izzie" "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted..." (Psalm 34:18 NLT) |
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| "Mrs. Weatherby" from A Chancellor Ferry Tale
"Give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Eph. 5:20)
After thirty-eight years of wash days, every week my Phillip still thanks me for clean, fresh sheets. He's a good man.
In Luke 17:11-19, when Jesus healed 10 men of leprosy only one returned to give God glory. Every everyday good thing is from God, beloved. He's a good God. Do you continually give Jesus the glory?
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| This morning's back porch view
"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thess. 5:16-18)
The beloved Mr. Rogers used to say, "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood." Another wise one once said to maintain a praise-the-Lord attitude and only do what He tells you.
Beloved, on this beautiful day in the neighborhood, what's Jesus telling you to do?
Snippet from my new storybook, A Chancellor Ferry Tale:
The boy liked Titus Koonce. His kind
eyes and broad smile made his parishioners feel they mattered to God and their pastor.
Every Sunday after the morning message, the preacher stood at the front door warmly
shaking hands. Peter normally bolted from the pew to play tag with the other
boys in the churchyard; but today, he lingered toward the rear of the line
mustering the courage to ask his burning question.
“Howdy,
preacher,” he said at his turn and shook the large hand.
“Good morning, Peter. How are you today,
and how are things on the farm?” said Pastor Titus.
“I’m good, thank you, and we had an
extra good week at the farm, too,” said Peter. “Uh, Pastor Titus, I’ve got…I’ve
got a question.”
“What’s that, son?” said Pastor Titus.
Peter dropped the knapsack by his feet
and pulled out the glass jar and Norman. “I found a mantis this week,” he said.
“He’s only got five legs.”
The pastor took the jar and looked at
Norman. “Oh, he’s a fine one.”
“He’s a praying mantis, you know,” said Peter.
“Yes, I see that,” said Pastor Titus.
“Well, it’s like this, pastor. Ever
since I found this praying mantis, good things have been happenin’ – like
catchin’ a big mess of fish and a sack full of bullfrogs, and on top of that, we
even got a soakin’ rain on our garden that was drier than the desert.”
“Praise the Lord,” said the pastor.
“It seems to me like ever time I pray, this
here bug bows its head, too,” said Peter. “Preacher, can bugs pray?”
“First, let me say that I’m very happy
to hear you’re praying, Peter. And
about this mantis, well, like they say, the Good Lord sometimes works in
mysterious ways,” said Pastor Titus. “God tells us many things, but some of His
mysteries we just can’t understand. Deuteronomy 29:29 says ‘the secret
things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our
children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.’”
“What does that mean?” asked Peter.
“Well, son, God doesn’t tell us
everything. Some things are purely His secrets. But if we’ll faithfully obey
what He clearly tells us in His law - the Bible - we know plenty enough to keep
us busy all the days of our lives. Like love one another, be ye kind one to
another, forgive others as your heavenly Father has forgiven you, rejoice
always, give thanks in all circumstances, and pray without ceasing - just to
name a few.”
“But what about all them good things
that happened last week?” said Peter.
“Just tell God thank You. The Bible says
that every good and perfect gift is from Him,” said Pastor Titus. “Always
remember, Peter, it’s not who’s praying that matters as much as who we’re praying to; and tell your
father that I’m praying to Jesus for him.”
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| Our toddler-grand
God can do anything, you know - far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams..." (Eph. 3:20 The Message)
When a rainstorm hit our playroom yesterday, toddler-grand and I rushed to get the stick horse in the barn (under the bunk bed) and matchbox cars and trucks into the garage (under the wooden children's table). Imagination is a marvelous thing.
Is your life in a rainstorm? Get under God's umbrella, beloved. Jesus, by the action of His power at work within us, is able to carry out His purpose and do superabundantly, far over, above and beyond all we dare ask or think up or ever imagine or hope for!
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| Our little farmer "Children's children are a crown to the aged..." (Prov. 17:6)
Today is play day for toddler-grand and Memaw. Enjoy your kids and grandkids, beloved. It's a limited-time offer.
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| our grandboy
"One day Jesus told His disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up." (Luke 18:1 NLT)
Last night, our six-year-old grandboy played his very first baseball game ever. His very first time to bat in his very first baseball game ever, the boy hit it out of the park - home run, baby!
Are you striking out in the game of life, beloved? Don't give up. Keep swinging prayers to heaven. The next prayer might hit a home run.
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| Ruth holding The Schoolhouse (cartoon from My Big Book of Bible Stories by accomplished Christian author and illustrator, Phil A. Smouse)
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23 NLT) Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits..." (1 Cor. 12:7 The Message)
In keeping with Bill Hybel's bestseller The Power of a Whisper: Hearing God, Having the Guts to Respond, at 4:00 A.M., I believe I heard a whisper: "Give The Schoolhouse away to libraries and Christian schools - a free gift that shows who I am."
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| Our Rebecca (right) Before the 13 mile Hoosier Half-check
"So I run with purpose in every step..." (1 Cor. 9:26)
Our Rebecca ran her first half marathon Saturday. With purpose in every step, she finished the race in 2 hours and 5 minutes despite stiff winds and freezing temperatures.
Yesterday, a young lady texted me a common question among millions running the race of life: "How do I figure out my purpose and how to use it?"
My answer for her is so, so simple: start with your basic, everyday God-given purposes:
1. Love the Lord with your whole heart (Matt. 22:37).
2. Be a helper to your husband (Gen. 2:18).
3. Bring up your child in the ways and words of the Lord (Eph. 6:4).
Got it? Ready, set, go!
"The Master was full of praise, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling the small...so now I will give you many more responsibilities." (Matt. 25:21 NLT) |
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| My grandboys and me Christmas flood, 2015
"They worshipped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity." (Acts 2:46)
The past eight days, due to a yucky cold, I've missed church twice and Bible study and haven't seen friends, kids, or grandkids.
Disconnection is not good, beloved. We're better together.
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| My Phillip Sanibel Island, FL
"Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked...I have been... in dangers from rivers... dangers in the wilderness... dangers at sea, dangers among false brethren..." (2 Cor. 11:25-26)
Superman and I recently returned from a favorite romantic getaway destination - Sanibel Island, Florida. Although back in Alabama, we're still on the beautiful island via Emmet Sparks AKA: Daryl Donovan's Sanibel Island Under Siege - a paperback juvenile-fiction Christian adventure.
Like hair-raising, suspenseful stories, beloved? Read the Bible, where real heroes faced perilous dangers with uncommon courage and unshakable faith in their Almighty Jesus.
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| Auburn vs Memphis Birmingham Bowl 2015
"I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." (Acts 20:24 ESV)
Life is like a football game:
First quarter: childhood and teens
Second quarter: 20s and 30s
Third quarter: 40s and 50s
Fourth quarter: 60s and 70s
(After 80, we're in overtime, my friend)
The whistle has blown. My fourth quarter officially started today. Time is of the essence. No time to waste. Not a minute to lose.
Help us shake a leg, Lord Jesus, and finish the game of life in a manner worthy of You, fully pleasing You, and bearing fruit for Your glory.
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| Our Bell "God places the lonely in families..." (Psalm 68:6 NLT)
I got a 7:00 a.m. text from my daughter-in-law: "Happy birthday, Bell!"
Today is our sweet Bell's second birthday. In March 2015, homeless, hungry, and (we found out later) expecting four puppies, she tiptoed onto the river cabin's back porch and into our hearts.
That April 5th, Phillip decided Bell would be a Glassco. So now, my phone number's engraved on one side of her tag and Psalm 121:8 on the other: "The LORD will guard your going out and coming in from this time forth and forever."
Sometimes Jesus drops an unexpected blessing into our lives that we didn't even think we wanted. "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think...be glory...forever and ever. Amen." (Eph. 3:20-21)
(Storybook #6 in God's timing: "Bell" - a journey to family.)
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| Superman and me, 2016 Wedding reception at Ft. Meyer, FL
"...select from among you...men of good reputation, full of the Spirit, and of wisdom..." (Acts 6:3)
According to Wikipedia, superman is a superhero who wears a blue suit and red cape, flies, leaps tall buildings in a single bound, and disguises himself as Clark Kent.
I'm sorry Wikipedia, but you have it perfectly wrong.
Superman is actually Phillip Glassco who loves the Lord Jesus with all his heart, mind, and strength and is the greatest husband, daddy, and granddaddy in the whole wide world. (One of our grandboys once asked his mother, "Mom, is Granddaddy and God the biggest mans in the world?")
Gentlemen, wanna be a superman? Love the Lord Jesus, obey His voice, and hold fast to Him all the days of your life. Your family will deem you their hero!
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| My brother, Mark, and me on Eberhart's Pond 1989 painting by our mother, Verna Watson
"The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it."
(1 Thess. 5:24 NIV)
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