Seat Pillows

my back porch



"He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30)

On Amazon, when I typed in Sea Billows to see if my new book is available, the question popped up: Did you mean seat pillows? LOL (And yes, Amazon does carry Sea Billows.)

It reminded me of a story told years ago by Dr. Tony Campolo, an American sociologist, pastor, author, and public speaker. When his children were small, the family pulled into a virtually empty parking lot of a church where he was scheduled to speak. From the backseat, his little boy blurted, "Dad, nobody's here!" His little girl quickly scolded her brother, "Shhhh!!! It's hard to be famous when nobody knows who you are!" (smile)

May everything we do shine the spotlight on Jesus, the One who deserves all the applause.

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There is a Friend

Phillip, Gabe, and Dan
Coosa River





"...there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
(Proverbs 18:24)

We managed to find some play time in-between Alberto's rain showers over the Memorial Day weekend, and everywhere my superman went, his loyal, four-legged friend stuck closer than a brother - even on a jet ski.

Everywhere you go, beloved, you have a Friend who sticks closer than a brother. And His name is Jesus!

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Simple Rule of Thumb

the grands and one BIG bear

Jesus said, "Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God's law and Prophets and this is what you get." (Matthew 7:12 The Message)

My Rebecca posted this picture after the kids' spring, piano recital. When the oldest grand won a prize there, he grabbed a BIG bear for his stuffed-animal-loving, younger sister instead of something for himself.  That's my good boy! 

(By the way, he and his sister were both voted by fellow classmates at their school "The Jonathan Award" for being a loyal friend to all. Proud of you, kids!)

Today, beloved, grab the chance to do something for another. It's the Jesus-like thing to do!

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Remember

Miss Meredith today




"I remember all you have done, O LORD, I remember Your wonderful deeds."  (Psalm 77:11)

Remember the tiny, two-and-a-half-pound Meredith fall 2016?

Don't neglect to remember the wondrous and marvelous deeds God has done!

Remember the brave men and women in uniform who died so that we might live free?

Don't neglect to remember Jesus Christ who lived and died and arose so that we might live forgiven and free forever!

Happy Memorial Day, beloved. 

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Bent Knees

brother, Mark, friend, Steve, and 1960 Willis Jeep
1967

"What a beautiful thing, GOD, to give thanks, to sing an anthem to You, the High God! To announce Your love each daybreak, sing Your faithful presence all through the night, accompanied by dulcimer and harp, the full-bodied music of strings." (Psalm 92:1-2 The Message)

"Lord, recently my family's had sore knees, ankle, and an elbow - injuries where the body bends. Speak, Lord, Your servant is listening."

"Jill, the fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility [a bent knee] (Proverbs 15:33). Therefore humble yourselves under My mighty hand, that I may exalt you at the proper time (1 Peter 5:6).  When tempted  with pride, offer thanksgiving to Me instead. A thankful attitude opens the windows of heaven. Waive your rights. Obey Me. Bend the knee."

"Yes, Lord Jesus. Please help me." 

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Little Library

"And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed." (Joshua 1:8 The Message)



I'm on a treasure hunt: finding little free libraries tucked into neighborhoods across Birmingham and adding a copy of Sea Billows for the children, and I'm pondering a little library in our our front yard for Highland Lakes.

What's the best book you've ever read, beloved? For me, it's the B-I-B-L-E! Yes, that's the Book for me. I stand alone on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E! (smile)

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Six Pack

grandboy and friend
Big 10 Track Championship



"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength." (Proverbs 17:22)

Here's a "happy" for the heart:

The 8-year-old grandboy told his friend: "I don't have a six pack; I just have a belly button."

Beloved, may the Lord bless your day with a contagious smile.

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The Rainmaker

grandgirl
2010?

"This is what God does. He gives His best - the sun to warm and the rain to nourish - to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty." (Matthew 5:45 The Message)

To the only One able to water the front yard, the back yard, and every flower pot all at the same time be praise and glory forever and ever - Jesus, the Rainmaker. Thank You, Lord, for the refreshing, spring shower this morning.

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Big Boy Mug

grandboy

"So come on, let's leave the preschool finger-painting exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art. Grow up in Christ!" (Hebrews 6:1 The Message)

One curly-red-headed grandboy turned four yesterday and moved on from sippy cups to a big-boy mug.

Still sipping on Bible basics, beloved? It's high time to sink those spiritual teeth into thick, juicy T-bone theology. Let's grow up in Christ!

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Two More French Fries Please

my grandboy

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

After picking up happy meals from Mickey-D's, we passed french fries to the back seat all the way back to the farm. 

Very near the cabin, two-year-old little bit said, "Two more french fries, please, Memaw."

"We're almost there, buddy. We'll finish the french fries inside."

"TWO MORE FRENCH FRIES, PLEASE, MEMAW!" came a louder voice.

Two fries promptly went to the back. (smile)

Still waiting on God's answer, beloved? Keep asking. Jesus said so, yes, He did!

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Ambassadors

Grands and friends

"So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making His appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, 'Come back to God!" (2 Corinthians 5:20)

"I'm asking Jesus to take me home," he said. "I have no life."

"That's not true. It's a lie from the devil," I answered. "Yes, you do have a life!! You are God's witness. There may be people who spend an eternity in heaven instead of fiery hell because you tell them about Jesus."

"How can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard of Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them?" (Romans 10:14)

Will you tell them, beloved? Will you tell people about Jesus?

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Double Bows

Double Rainbow

"I have set My bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of covenant between Me and the earth." (Genesis 9:13)


Last evening, the Lord painted beautiful double rainbows across the gulf beach sky - a sign of His unwavering promises.

In Psalm 112 , God promises blessing to the one who fears Him, the one who delights in His commands.

In Proverbs 3, God promises straight paths for the one who trusts and acknowledges Him in all ways.

In Isaiah 41, God promises His presence and His help and strength in the safety of His outstretched hand.

In John 3:16, God promises eternal life to whosoever will believe on His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

Beloved, are you standing on the promises of God?

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The Guardian

Share-the-Beach on patrol
Fort Morgan, Alabama

"God's your Guardian, right at your side to protect you -

Shielding you from sunstroke, sheltering you from moonstroke."

(Psalm 121:5 The Message)

Members of Share-the-Beach (Alabama's sea turtle guardians) patrolled the shoreline early this morning. The first nests of the season are expected any day now.

In Psalm 121, the Pilgrim's Song, we're told that God is our Guardian - always on patrol, never dozing or falling asleep. Our strength comes from Him, the One who protects us now, tomorrow, and forever after. 

Praise the Lord, beloved!

(Sea Billows now available at Sassy Bass Market Place in Fort Morgan and Emporium Gifts and More in Orange Beach. Thank You, Lord! Thank you, Sassy Bass Market Place and Emporium.)

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Beach Combing

Bell
Fort Morgan Beach




"You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (Acts 20:35)

I'm combing Alabama's sugar-sand beaches today searching for gift shops willing to sell Sea Billows and having a blast giving away free copies of my storybooks "along the waves."

The Lord has blessed you, beloved, and me with more than we need. May we use it, daily, for blessing others. 

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Sip of Cool Water

the grands

"As cold water to a weary soul, so is good news from a far country." (Proverbs 25:25)

I heard it through the grapevine that A Chancellor Ferry Tale made it on the 2018-2019 Book Quest reading list at a Christian elementary school in Indiana - a sip of cool water to my weary, book-writing soul.

Today's prayer for you, beloved: may the Lord bring good news to your sweet soul.

~

A little sip from A Chancellor Ferry Tale:

“Mamaw, what does a missionary in India have to do with a bug in Alabama?” asked Elizabeth.

“I’m glad you asked, sugar. The story’s told that on a hot July day in the little town of Childersburg…”

Norman Hyde climbed the whitewashed siding onto a windowsill beside the Estey pump organ  - his regular seat on any given Sunday at the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church.  A peek inside found a middle-aged man in a worn, black suit leaning over the pulpit. Rivulets of sweat streamed down his furrowed brow. 

A number of menfolk lined the hardwood pews, mopping their faces with white handkerchiefs, and womenfolk fanned their red-cheeked babies. The blistering summer heat of 1935 felt hotter than sizzling grease in a frying pan, and a breeze through the open windows was about as rare as pocket change in the offering plate. 

In those days, Americans struggled to keep their heads above the fierce economic typhoon; and folks in the south – Alabamians in particular – were hit harder than a Babe Ruth home run. With daddies out of work and families out of food, a single egg became so valuable that a farm boy could trade it for all the candy he wanted at Dunlap Grocery and Market out on Highway 91; and I reckon, in some ways, the bug-kind got by better than mankind. At least they could catch supper instead of having to grow it or buy it. 

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Evidence

Grandgirl

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not [yet] seen." (Hebrews 11:1)

My Rebecca snapped and posted this picture of the grandgirl with the caption: "mermaid in waiting." I call it "evidence of things hoped for" - hot, midwestern, summertime, paddling-around-the-pool days.

Beloved, clear and indisputable evidence of things hoped for in God but not yet seen spreads across all history of mankind. As Jesus said to His disciples: "Have faith in God!" (Mark 11:22)

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Nectar

my grandgirl

"Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:32)

A few years ago, after our son-in-law, Stephen, carefully explained the circulatory system to our butterflies-and-rainbows-and-run-through-the-grass-barefooted grandgirl, he asked her, "So, what runs through your veins?"

"Nectar," she answered sweetly. (smile)

May the nectar of Jesus flow through our veins today - sweetness and kindness, patience and love.

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God Appointments

Sanibel Island

"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)


Yesterday, I got a phone call, which led to a trip to the bookstore, which led to my standing in line at the post office dressed in a Gulf Shores t-shirt next to a delightful older gentleman that, come to find out, had lived in Gulf Shores for 18 years. 

AJ had volunteered with the sea turtle rescue team: Share-the-Beach - the very same group that checked my new book, Sea Billows, for sea-turtle facts accuracy. And to boot, he just happens to be a close cousin to our former pastor's grandfather.

Small world? Nah. BIG GOD, who has appointed times for every event under the sun.

Keep your eyes open and your heart attuned, beloved. Today's God-appointment may be standing right next to you.

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Met and Kissed

My Phillip and me
teenagers of the 70s




"Unfailing love and truth have met together.
Righteousness and peace have kissed!"
(Psalm 85:10)

We met at a whiffle-ball game in a parking lot between our churches. 

Forty-seven years ago today, we had our first date - putt-putt in north Fort Payne with friends, Mary and Stanley. 

We first kissed...well, actually at a church picnic before the first date. (Blush.) 

What can I say? I can't help lovin' that man of mine!

In Psalm 85, a song of the descendants of Korah, the psalmist sang:

"LORD, You poured out blessings on Your land!

You restored the fortunes of Israel.

You forgave the guilt of Your people -

Yes, You covered all their sins. SELAH...

Unfailing love and truth have met together.

Righteousness and peace have kissed!

Truth springs up from the earth,

And righteousness smiles down from heaven.

Yes, the LORD pours down His blessings.

Our land will yield its bountiful harvest.

Righteousness goes as a herald before Him,

preparing the way for His steps."

What can I say? I can't help lovin' Jesus that God of mine!

Don't you just love Him, beloved?

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Remembering

Our Rebecca and Ben
1983

"I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago." (Psalm 77:11)



Thirty-five years and one day ago, God gave us a miracle - a baby boy named Ben.

Today, he's a fine, young man with boys of his own. Thank You, Lord Jesus.

Beloved, remember the Lord's miraculous deeds of long ago and today and give Him praise!

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Exceedingly Good Plans

two little grandboys




"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good...to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)

When the grandboys fight over a toy, I take their little hands in mine and say, "No screaming. Let's make a plan." Tuesday, when a tug-of-war erupted over the firetruck riding toy, our good plan: push your cousin until it's your turn to ride.

When God gave me the chidren's-book-writing assignment years ago, I believed He also promised a good plan: to take the storybooks places that seem impossibly out of reach. Seven years later, unconsciously, my expectations had lowered considerably until last night's first Wednesday message by Pastor Craig Groeschel (available soon at churchofthehighlands.com - media archives - first Wednesday): When you can't see what God is doing, remember: You have no idea what God may produce through a single seed planted in faith. If God did what you expected [when you expected it], then He wouldn't exceed your expectations.

Be encouraged, beloved, and give all glory to Him who is able, through His mighty power at work within you, to accomplish infinitely more than you might ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20)

"So let's not get tired of doing good. At just the right time, we will reap a harvest if we don't give up!" (Galatians 6:9)

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Who Am I

Sunset Sanibel Island

Who am I?

The LORD formed me from the beginning, 

before He created anything else.

I was born before the oceans were created, 

before the springs bubbled forth their waters.

I was there when He set the limits of the seas,

so they would not spread beyond their boundaries.

I was the architect at His side.

I was His constant delight,

rejoicing always in His presence.

Joyful are those who listen to me.

For whoever finds me finds life

and receives favor from the LORD.

My name is ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___.

(Answer found in Proverbs 8:12)

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How Does Your Garden Grow

Pallet Garden

"Let your roots grow down into [Jesus], and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness!." (Colossians 2:7)

Pallet Garden:

Jill, Jill, over the hill,

How does your garden grow?

With curly kale folds

And marigolds,

And pepper bells all in a row.

Heart Garden:

Jill, Jill, climbing the hill,

How does your garden grow?

Soaking long

In verse and song;

Listening to the God I know.

Beloved...

Soak.

Listen.

Grow.

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