Jake Milkshake

L-R Jake, Rebecca, Phillip, Ben, and Dan
1988 April snow in south Louisiana!

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins...But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved." (Eph. 2:1,5)

When our beloved pet died in 1988, our little Rebecca wrote the obituary:

Scripture teaches that all have sinned. All are dead. Everyone. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 6:23). Jesus said, "Because I live, you will live also" (John 14:6).

Beloved, are you dead or alive? "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Rom. 10:13,9)

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A-Bomb

Cpt. W. W. Watson
aboard the LST-1067 enroute to Japan
WWII 1945

"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." (2 Cor. 13:14)



Goosebumps danced from head to toe when I googled the LST-1067 after finding this old photo of Daddy onboard that war ship enroute to Japan. 

The navigator wrote: "The LST-1067 loaded invasion forces at Leyte [Philippines] and was steaming toward Japan, when the a-bomb was dropped, when Japan surrendered, and then our orders were changed to proceed as occupying force. I was aboard as navigator (Ens. Abraham P. Goldblum); Lt. Murtha was the Exex., Lt. White was the commander. We landed 2 docks (Nov. 2, 1945), which had been fastened to our sides, at Mitsagahama, proceeded to Kure naval base and some of us toured Hiroshima."

Okay...back from an intriguing rabbit trail and onto my point. 

I keep hearing people's claim that the god of Islam, the god of the Judaism,  and the God of Christianity is the same God. 

He's not.

Hydrogen + Hydrogen + Oxygen = Water

Father + Jesus Christ + Holy Spirt = God

Take hydrogen out of the equation and you've got a bomb.

Take Jesus out of the equation and you've got eternal death!  

Period.

I believe in God our Father

I believe in Christ the Son

I believe in the Holy Spirit

Our God is three in one

I believe in the resurrection

That we will rise again

For I believe in the name of Jesus 1

1 THIS I BELIEVE, Hillsong Worship, 2014.

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In Father's Hands

Our babygrands

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)

I love this snapshot of our babygrands in their fathers' hands.

Have hope, beloved. You're in Father God's hands.

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Keep Your Eye on the Ball

Our fun-loving' grandgirl

"Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds [your focus]... on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious - the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse." (Phil. 4:8 The Message)

Toddlergrands' favorite movie is Chicken Little. When the story begins, Chicken Little is terrible at playing baseball but eventually learns to keep his eye on the ball and masters the game.

At 21 Days of Prayer this morning, Pastor Jimmy Bowers said, "An unfocused mind can break your faith. Make it your habit to focus on things that are true and worthy of praise."

Keep your eyes on Jesus, beloved, not your worries. Master the game of life by "...fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ." (2 Cor. 10:5 The Message)

"Improved focus will increase your faith." ~ Jimmy Bowers

Grand finale, 21 Days of Prayer, online Saturday 9 a.m. CDST:

www.wonderfulfamilystorybooks.blogspot.com

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Don't Give Up

Our beautiful Rebecca and her Stephen
2016

"One day Jesus told His disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up." (Luke 18:1)

When our Rebecca was a seventh grader, she believed God told her that one day she'd marry Stephen Figert. Well, a few boyfriends, one fiancé, and ten years later, she did.

At 21 Days of Prayer this early morning, student pastor Blake Cotter encouraged ones waiting on God to keep praying and never give up.

Waiting on Jesus' answer to your prayers, beloved? Keep praying! Never give up!

21 Days of Prayer online:

www.churchofthehighlands.com

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The Cow Says Moo

Our little grandboy cousins

"Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through Him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we see and the things we can't see...[Jesus] existed before anything else, and He holds all creation together. Christ is also the head of the church, which is His body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead...first place in everything!" (Col. 1:15-18)

Our son taught his 8-month-old to growl. Yesterday, babygrand was playing with his cousin and growling. Toddlergrand said, "It's okay, Buddy; it's okay. The cow says, 'Moo.'"

And the point of this post is...I have no idea. It's just a cute story.

Have a great day with Jesus and praise Him for all creation!

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The Place of Victory

Oldest grandboy

"For the LORD delights in His people; He crowns the humble with victory." (Psalm 149:4)

The oldest grandboy's soccer team won their first match of the season 3-2, and my superman and I are chomping at the bits to head north to watch him play. Grandkids are our delight!

Beloved, you are God's delight. Humble yourself at the feet of Jesus - a place of victory.

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A Good Cleanin'

Toddlergrand "muddin'' at the river cabin

"Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others." (1 Cor. 5:11)

After a romp through the rain puddles yesterday, toddlergrand got a good scrubbin' in the mud room sink by his daddy.

First John 1:9 reads: "if we confess our sins to God, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." 

So does sin cleansing simply come by asking God? 

No.

First John is a letter of eye-witness testimony and proclamation that Jesus Christ is the Word of life - eternal life. It was written to persuade others to fully share in the joy of fellowship with Father God through Jesus, His Son. The forgiveness and removal of sin described in verse 9 comes only by the truth of verse 7: the blood of Jesus, God's Son, cleanses us from all sin.

"And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to Himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to Him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. And He gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation." 

"So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making His appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, 'Come back to God!' For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ." (2 Cor. 5:18-21)

Are you right with God, beloved? 

No? then come to God through Jesus Christ today! 

Yes? then work hard to persuade others and proclaim God's wonderful message of reconciliation through Jesus!

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Run with Endurance

Mother and my brother, Rocky
1949

"We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy." (James 5:11 NLT)

By the time this photo was taken, my 29-years-young mother had courageously endured the Great Depression, World War II, Daddy's two-year army deployment to New Guinea, the Philippines, and Japan, and a long battle with tuberculosis at the Alabama TB Sanitarium in Birmingham.

"Therefore, [beloved], since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith [generations of brave men and women before us], let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us." (Heb. 12:1)

How's that possible?

"We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne." (Heb. 12:2) 

21 Days of Prayer online:

www.churchofthehighlands.com

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God's Thoughts About Obama, Clinton, and Trump

McKenzie-Glassco Washington DC vacation, 2001
L-R Wayne, Dianne, Rhett, April, Ben, Rebecca, Dan

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of truth." (1 Tim. 2:1-4)

Father God, 

You command us to pray with thanksgiving for those in authority. So, Lord, I thank You for Pres. Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Donald Trump. I pray that You bless them and bless their families. 

I ask that You drawn these men and this woman unto Yourself, fill them with the knowledge of truth and Your will, and empower them to walk in a manner worthy of You. In Proverbs 21:1, You say the king's heart is in Your hand to channel as You will. Please turn their hearts toward You. I pray that they cleanse themselves from all unrighteousness and grow as vessels of honor, sanctified, and meet for Your use. 

I pray they will call to You and You will answer them and show them great and mighty things they do not know. I pray Obama, Clinton, and Trump will love You, obey Your voice, and hold fast to You. 

I pray Your will be done on this earth as it is in heaven. Please help Your people who are called by Your name to glorify you in our thoughts, in our words, and in our actions.

I ask these things in Jesus' name, Amen and Amen.

So, beloved, are you grumbling or petitioning? "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." (James 5:16b)

21 Days of Prayer online:

www.churchofthehighlands.com

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That "Feel-Good" Church

Our toddler-grand

"That is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved." 

(2 Thess. 2:9-10)

"Oh, you go to that feel-good church," remarked one of my son's coworker.

"Well, my church teaches Truth," he answered. "And for some it makes them feel good, and for others it makes them feel bad."

In the book of Acts, Luke described the Bereans as noble-minded  people who received the word with great eagerness, but examined the Scriptures daily to see if it aligned with truth.

In his second letter to Timothy, Paul warned that in the last days, people will not endure sound doctrine. They will follow their own desires and look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.

Wanna know who and what to believe, beloved? Read the Bible. Everyday. It could save your life - today and forever.

"How can a person keep his life pure? By obeying Your word." (Psalm 119:9)

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That's Peculiar

Windmill powered farms of Wisconsin

The Lord said to Joshua, "You and your fighting men should march around the town once a day for six days. Seven priests will walk ahead of the Ark, each carrying a ram's horn. On the seventh day you are to march around the town seven times, with the priests blowing the horns." (Joshua 6:3-4)

The Lord said, "Write a children's book."

That's peculiar, I thought. I don't know a hill of beans about writing books.

After storybook #2, the Lord said, "Cast your nets into deep waters."

That's peculiar, I thought. How does one cast children's books into deep waters?

After Deep Sea Publishing released my fourth children's book, the Lord said, "Cast your nets on the right side of the boat?"

That's peculiar, I thought. What's the right side?

"Keep reading," said the Lord.

After Jesus told His disciples to cast their nets on the right in John chapter 21, He told Peter to feed His sheep and lambs.

"Oh. Gotcha."

After reading stories to big and little people from Alabama to Arkansas to Indiana in schools, churches, and senior living facilities, the Lord said, "This summer, give books away."

That's peculiar, I thought. My book expenses far exceed any profits. 

After giving away pert near 400 books, the Lord said, "Now, send the books, one chapter at a time, to prison."

That's peculiar, I thought, sending children's books to a federal prison.

Chapter 2 of A Chancellor Ferry Tale dropped in the mailbox yesterday.

We are God's peculiar people (1 Peter 2:9 KJV), beloved, chosen to show forth the love and praises of Him who called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light. And sometimes, that looks...well, peculiar.

"The seventh time around, as the priest sounded the long blast on their horns, Joshua commanded the people, 'Shout! For the LORD has given you the town!" So the people shouted, and the priests blew the trumpets...and the wall fell down flat!" (Joshua 6:16, 20) 

21 Days of Prayer online at:

www.churchofthehighlands.com

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Released

Our grandgirl

"...To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood." (Rev. 1:5)

We spent Friday night at the river cabin and woke to a beautiful, summer-Saturday morning. I'd just finished a delicious bowl of shredded wheat, fresh fruit, and nuts when I remembered my commitment: fast breakfast during 21 Days of Prayer.

I'd sinned. 

Unintentionally. 

Absentmindedly. 

But all the same, sin against God.

Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 reads: "When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it...It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay."

I couldn't right my wrong, but I belong to the One who can.

"In Jesus we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us." (Eph. 1:7-8)

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

I did, and He did.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me bless His holy name...He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. (Ps. 103:1,10-12)

Got sin, beloved? Confess. Jesus loves you and released you from your sins by His blood.

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Travelers

Our grandboy

"All these faithful ones...agreed that they were foreigners and nomads on earth...looking for  a better place, a heavenly homeland. For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. (Heb. 11:13-16, Heb 13:14)

Our seven-year-old grandboy is tickled pink over a road trip - just him and his dad. Their trek to Alabama and back home will, no doubt, be a 940-mile adventure stamped in vivid technicolor into his special-memories bank.

The writer of Hebrews reminds us that earth is not our home. We're on a journey. Just travelers. And if we're God's child through faith in Jesus Christ, then Abba, Father is right beside us all the way home. 

Who's traveling with you, beloved? Map check. Are you headed to a heavenly homeland?

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Undivided Attention

Toddlergrand sporting his super-fast, "fire engine" shoes
Aldridge Gardens

"Jesus rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Silence! Be still!'" (Mark 4:39)

Yesterday, while toddlergrand and I jumped up and down, up and down trying to touch the fan hanging from a 20-foot picnic shelter ceiling at Aldridge Gardens (nothing seems impossible for a two year old), my sweet daughter-in-law told me about a book she's reading. My grandboy pointed a little finger at his mother and said, "Too loud, Mama, too loud!" His way of saying, "Silence, woman! I want Memaw's undivided attention."

Does Jesus have your undivided attention, beloved?

"Silence other voices that hinder the Holy Spirit's voice." ~ Pastor Blake Lindsey

21 Days of Prayer online at:

www.churchofthehighlands.com

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New Eyes

"Big Red"

"Ananias...after laying hands on him, said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.' And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales..." (Acts 9:17-18)



Big Red's taken little Glassco boys on trail rides for nigh upon thirty years. I promised toddlergrand weeks ago that I'd replace the moth-eaten pony's missing peeper. Yesterday, with needle and thread from Mother's sewing drawer, I stitched on two, shiny-new button eyes.

In the book of Acts, scales fell and Brother Saul got new eyes with sight and insight. The murderer of Christ-followers transformed to the preacher who saw Truth - Jesus, the Son of God. 

Jesus said blessed are the eyes that see. Do you have blessed, new eyes, beloved?  Then waste no time. Get to work. Pray. Proclaim the Good News that Jesus, the Son of God, died for sins, was buried, and rose again and watch scales fall like hickory nuts on a windy day.


"Your prayers do more than you think because God is doing more than you see." ~ Pastor Layne Schranz

21 Days of Prayer online:

www.churchofthehighlands.com

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Rainbows Over Reality

Bow over Birmingham
(photo by my Ben)

"Then God told Noah and his sons, "I hereby confirm My covenant with you...Never again will floodwaters kill all living creatures; never again will a flood destroy the earth...I have placed My rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of My covenant with you and the earth." (Gen. 9:8-13)

Walk by faith and not by sight. 

It's hard.

Seemingly impossible.

I see trouble.

Hatred.

Darkness.

Evil.

Decline.

Sin.

Destruction.

But Jesus said...

"The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, for He has anointed Me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the LORD's favor has come." (Luke 4:18-19)

God said...

"Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness, to deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine." (Psalm 33:18-19)

And the One sitting on the throne said...

"Look, I am making all things new." (Rev. 21:5)

So there. 

I have decided. 

I trust Jesus.

I believe what He says over what I see.

Do you?

21 Days of Prayer online services at:

www.churchofthehighlands.com

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United, Scriptural, Bold Prayer

Our grandgirl
Rainforest Cafe, Chicago

"...I will not keep silent...I will not keep quiet, until her righteousness goes forth like brightness, and her salvation like a torch that is burning." (Isa. 62:1)

It's Day #2 of summertime 21 Days of Prayer, and I will not keep silent, I will not keep quiet until God crushes the great dragon - the ancient serpent called the devil - under the feet of one I love and makes her righteousness blaze like the sun.

Someone you know and love in Satan's chokehold, beloved? Join thousands at the feet of Jesus in united, Scriptural, bold prayer.

Prayer services on line Aug. 7-27th at: 

  www.churchofthehighlands.com 

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Right Words

our toddler grand

"Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction." (Prov. 18:20)

Granddaddy and Memaw bought vacation souvenirs for the grands. When I handed toddler-grand a fire-engine red Rainforest Jeep, he said enthusiastically, "Thank 'em, Memaw. Good job!"

Made my day. 

Beloved, make someone's day today with the right words.

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Very Narrow

West Bluff Trail
Devil's Lake State Park
Wisconsin

"You can enter God's kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it." (Matt. 7:13-14)

In Chicago, a delightful taxi driver from Jordan took us from the RV drop-off to our hotel. Over the 45 minute ride, he explained  the "sameness" of his Islam and our Christian beliefs. "One God, the Creator, and Jesus, the greatest prophet. If you're good, you go to heaven. If you're bad, you go to hell," he said.

No, our beliefs are not the same. Jesus wasn't a great prophet. Jesus Christ is God just as He said, or He was a liar or a lunatic.

For Jesus, God, Creator, Savior said, "I am the gate. Those who come in through Me will be saved (John 10:9)...I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me (John 14:6)."

Truth is a very narrow path, beloved. Have you found Him? 

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Love Dare Days #7 & 8

L-R - My grands, my girl, and my man
Lincoln Park Zoo
Chicago, Illinois

"Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life." (Psalm 23:6)

Our girl and her kids met us for sight-seeing in Chicago day #7 before our flight to sweet home Alabama day #8 - a "grand" finale to the great outdoors adventure and my self-assigned love dare. 

My pursuit of speaking less and following more will continue for all the rest of my earth-born days. More importantly by a long stretch, beloved, the goodness of Jesus, the LORD, and His unfailing love will pursue you and me all the days of our lives!

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Love Dare Days #5 & 6

My superman and me
West Bluff Trail
Devil's Lake State Park

"This is what the LORD says, 'Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way and walk in it. Travel the path, and you will find rest for your souls.'" (Jeremiah 6:16)

Since my last post, we've watched an air show over Lake Winnebago in Oshkosh, worshipped Jesus with our home church family via internet, passed a hundred and one lush corn fields, hiked the West Bluff Trail, Tumble Rock Trail, and East Bluff Woods Trail in Devil's Lake State Park, sat around a campfire  with Connie, Francis, (Connie and Francis - not Connie Francis) Lauryn, and Maya, retraced God's hand on our yesterdays, dreamed of good days to come, and found rest for our souls.

God is good. God is kind - the kindest that you'll ever find.

(Phillip said I earned an "A" in following well.)

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