Ladies

Christmas party, Fort Payne, AL, 1960
Back L-R: Opie Hawkins (half), Elizabeth Owen, Hazel Sauls,
Doris Chambers, Arleen Igou, Verna Watson (my mother)
Front: little Shannon Sauls

"Teach the older women to live in a way that honors God...These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God." (Titus 2:3-5)

In my experience, women of the 50s and 60s were ladies in every sense of the word, and anyone of those pictured above could have given June Cleaver a run for her money. Dedicated to family. Soft-spoken and kind. Her husband's best friend and cheerleader. No, not housekeepers, but homemakers.

Recently, I believe the Lord assigned me the daunting task of teaching Titus 2:3-5 in a Bible study to younger wives and moms of the 21st Century. Help me, Lord!

Facing a daunting task, beloved? Look to the Lord and obey.

"Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). ~ Jesus Christ

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O Christmas Tree

our Christmas Tree

"Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other." (Romans 12:10)

This year, we broke tradition and bought a "pretend" tree instead of the customary fresh Fraser Fir from the Daniel's at Lloyd's Christmas Tree Lot. (But, we still watched "White Christmas" as we decorated.)

In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul urged believers: "Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection."

In this most wonderful time of the year, beloved, let us cast off all pretense and love others with genuine affection. 

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Closing Argument

"Jesus" by Priscilla Wadsworth

"I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise You among your assembled people." (Psalm 22:22)


Astonishing?

Remarkable?

Amazing?

Striking?

I'm searching for the right word to describe the celebration ceremony we attended yesterday, where our friend, Richard - a former District Attorney - at his own funeral gave a final, closing argument for...

the case of Jesus Christ,

Savior and Lord. 

The first "witness" took the pulpit and testified that, on the basis of science, history, and prophecy, Jesus Christ is indeed God.

1. Thousands of years before scientist discovered that the universe had a beginning and still continues to expand, God said, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1), and "He alone stretches out the heavens" (Job 9:8).
2. Historically, there were more eye-witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead than any other recorded event in history.
3. And in Psalm 22, David prophesied the crucifixion of Jesus some 1,000 years before Jesus was born. 

His colleague and friend gave Richard's final, closing argument: Richard's own surprising journey to salvation.

Richard lived an exemplary life. A man of integrity lovingly devoted to his family, church, and work. But, it was only one year prior to his death at age 74 that his head knowledge of Jesus Christ became heart knowledge when Jesus by grace through faith saved Richard from religion, sin, and eternal death and gave him forgiveness, personal relationship, and eternal life.

Before his death, Richard said, "This story needs to be told. On earth, it's never too late to be saved."

The defense rests its case.

I pray Richard's life-changing testimony circles the globe. Lord Jesus, use it to bring many sons and daughters to glory. Amen and so be it!

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Things Above

Grandboy

"Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth." (Colossians 3:1-2)

We're headed to Fort Payne today to bid a dear friend farewell until we meet again where Jesus is. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for the enduring promise of heaven.

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These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

Five Glassco Men and Boys

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." (Mark 12:30)

One of my favorite things is walking through a field with my boys on a bright blue November day. Another is walking through the woods with grands and pups.

But, my most favorite thing of all is walking through life with Jesus, the Author and finisher of faith.

What are a few of your favorite things, beloved?

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving at my house



"Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name." (Psalm 100:4)

Thank You, Lord, for so many, many blessings.

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The Truth, Whole Truth, and Nothing But the Truth

My daddy and me
1958

"Jesus told him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)

After earning his Bachelor's degree from the University of Alabama in 1943, my father, W. W. Watson, joined the Army and finished O.C.S. as a Second Lieutenant in Anti-Aircraft Artillery at Camp Davis, Wilmington, N.C. In May, 1944, he sailed to New Guinea - landing on June 6th, D-Day in Europe. He was later transferred to Subic Bay in the Philippines and, after WWII ended, was sent with the occupation troops to Japan. 

During his twenty-six months overseas, Daddy was promoted to captain and served as a Platoon Commander, S-II-Intelligence Officer, S-III-Training Officer, and Trial Judge Advocate. After the war, he returned to law school at Alabama and, for forty-four years, advocated the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

In the Gospel of John, the beloved apostle quotes Jesus as saying that He is the Truth and no one comes to the Father but by Him. 

Oswald Chambers wrote: "Never build your case for forgiveness on the idea that God is our Father and He will forgive us because He loves us. That contradicts the revealed truth of God in Jesus Christ. It makes the Cross unnecessary, and the redemption 'much ado about nothing.' God forgives sin only because of the death of Christ." 

And that, beloved, is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So help us God!

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Tell Me the Story

2 grandboys and Bell
(Granddaddy and our Ben in the background)

"But 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 about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them the story of Jesus?" (Romans 10:14)

"Memaw, did you get Bell at the pet store?" four-year-old grandboy asked for the umpteenth time. (His way of asking me to tell him Bell's story.)

"No, buddy. One day, Bell just walked up on the cabin porch. She was so hungry and..."

Recently, in regard's to faith in Jesus, a friend said, "How can you make yourself believe something you don't believe?"

The Bible's answer? "Faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ." (Romans 10:17) And even faith itself is a gift from God: "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8)

Know someone struggling to believe, beloved? Tell them the story of Jesus and encourage them to read the life-changing Word of God!

Tell me the story of Jesus,

Write on my heart every word;

Tell me the story most precious

Sweetest that ever was heard.

Tell how the angels in chorus,

Sang as they welcomed His birth,

"Glory to God in the highest!

Peace and good tidings to earth."

Fasting alone in the desert,

Tell of the days that are past,

How for our sins He was tempted,

Yet was triumphant at last.

Tell of the years of His labor,

Tell of the sorrow He bore;

He was despised and afflicted,

Homeless, rejected and poor.

Tell of the cross where they nailed Him,

Writhing in anguish and pain;

Tell of the grave where they laid Him,

Tell how He liveth again.

Love in that story so tender,

Clearer than ever I see; 

Stay, let me weep while you whisper,

"Love paid the ransom for me."

Tell how He's gone back to heaven,

Up to the right hand of God:

How He is there interceding

While on this earth we must trod.

Tell of the sweet Holy Spirit

He has poured out from above;

Tell how He's coming in glory

For all the saints of His love.

TELL ME THE STORY OF JESUS. Fanny Crosby, 1880.

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Joy Ride

Memaw and her grandboys





"You will find joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the earth..." (Isaiah 58:14)

On Saturday, the little grandboys took Memaw on a joy ride in the wagon.

"I can see it now," I laughed, "in about 20 years, my grandboys hauling Memaw around the farm in a wagon."

In Isaiah 58, the LORD told His people to feed the hungry, help those in trouble, and keep the Sabbath holy. In return, He would make their light shine out of darkness, guide and provide for them continually, and make them ride on the high places (in other words, give them great honor).

In this Thanksgiving season, beloved, take a joy ride: thank God for His continual guidance and provision and help someone outside your family circle. 

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A Good Man

Our Dan and his boys



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

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday to you,

Happy 33rd birthday, dear Dan,

Happy birthday to you!

We love you, good man.

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What Are You Thinking?

Fall Creek Falls
in the fall

"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 things that are excellent and worthy of praise." (Philippians 4:8)

For years, Dr. Caroline Leaf, a cognitive neuroscientist, has studied the effects of thoughts on the human brain. She discovered that negative or "toxic" thoughts actually release chemicals into the brain, which, overtime, negatively impact physical and mental health. Dr. Leaf, who is also a Christian, now travels the globe as an author and public speaker teaching the scientific benefits of thinking God's way: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, self-control, forgiveness, etc.

Dr. Leaf goes so far as to say that mental illnesses are actually mental disorders that can be changed by changing thought patterns. Interesting.

So, beloved, want to change your stinkin' thinking? Here's a vigorous mental workout. I challenge you to try it. 

1. Read aloud (yes, out loud) the following Scriptures.

• 2 Timothy 1:7
• Deuteronomy 30:19-20
• Romans 12:2
• Philippians 4:8
• Romans 8:31-39
• Romans 8:15-17
• Psalm 103:1-5
• Psalm 112:1-9
• Psalm 100
• Psalm 23
• Psalm 91
• Proverbs 3:1-6

2. Repeat #1 once a day for 21 days.

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Right Place, Right Time

my superman and Bell
Lower Loop Trail, Fall Creek Falls State Park


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

"I almost didn't come here," said the teary-eyed lady, sitting alone at a diner in rural Tennessee. "But I think God brought me here. Thank you for the book. I needed this."

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for once again ordering our steps to the right place at the right time.

Beloved, stay alert. Pay attention. The Lord God of heaven and earth orders your steps daily into opportunities to love another.

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Walkin' in High Cotton

grandboys

"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren...yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! (Habakkuk 3:17-18)

In the antebellum (pre-Civil War) days of the South, the term "high cotton" meant crops were good, prices were good, life was good and prosperous.

In the Old Testament, we find the prophet, Habakkuk, in a quandary: How can a good God allow things to get so bad? God's answer? The righteous must live by faith; trust Me. The book ends with Habakkuk's song of praise to his God who works all things for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Beloved, are you struggling to reconcile a good God with hard times? Walk by faith in the God of your eternal salvation! 

"I have heard all about You, LORD. I am filled with awe by Your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as You did in years gone by...I will be joyful in the God of my salvation. The Sovereign LORD is my strength!" (Habakkuk 3:2,18,19)

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Just a Widdle Bit

grandboy

"Obey Me, and I will be your God and you will be My people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you." (Jeremiah 7:23)

Memaw to two-year-old grandboy standing by the bathtub: "Don't turn on the water."

As soon as Memaw's out of sight, I hear water running and a little voice saying, "Sorry, Memaw, just a widdle bit."

Oh, so hard to obey as a two-year-old. Oh, so hard to obey as a sixty-two-year-old. Help us Lord!

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57

photo by our Rebecca

"Jesus told them, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)

I like to listen to sermons on Youtube while ironing. This week, Craig Groeschel's message: "One Minute After You Die, Part 2; The Horrors of Hell" left me gripped with fear - not for myself, but for 57 people on my prayer list that may not have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Are you heaven-bound by the saving blood of Jesus? Then work while there's time, beloved, telling the hell-bound the Good News  of Christ. 

"What you believe about eternity will determine how you live today." ~ Craig Groeschel

"At the Movies" evangelistic series begins this Sunday at Church of the Highlands. Find a campus near you at: churchofthehighlands.com

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Grossly Unremarkable

Remarkable front-yard maple

"They all met regularly and in remarkable harmony on the Temple porch named after Solomon." (Acts 5:12)

Most of us long to be remarkable in some way. I'd love to be labeled a remarkable Christian or wife or mom or memaw or friend or writer. But on the other hand, in a recent abdominal scan, I was tickled pink that the doctor labeled my insides: grossly unremarkable. Thank You, Jesus!

In the New Testament book of Acts, some pretty remarkable God-signs and wonders and miracles were happening through the work of Jesus' apostles. The sick and those possessed by evil spirits were all healed. Equally remarkable, remarkable harmony took place among the Christ followers. 

Long to be remarkable, beloved? As much as depends on you, live in remarkable harmony with other believers.

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Harvest Time

grandboy

"The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to sent more workers into His fields!" (Luke 10:2)

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Good Works

Our Dan and his little man

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10)

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