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| L-R brother Rocky, me, and brother Mark |
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| My Phillip, four of our grandboys, and me
"For unto us a Child is born..." (Isaiah 9:6)
"...and they will call Him Immanuel, which means 'God with us.'" (Matthew 1:23
"My soul magnifies the LORD, and my spirit rejoiced in God my Savior." (Luke 1:46-47)
From our home to yours, merry Christmas, beloved!
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| L-R My granddaddy, brother Mark, and me Christmas 1958
"...Thank God for this gift, His gift. No language can praise it enough!" (1 Cor. 9:15 The Message)
DING!
DING!
DING!
DING! went my phone this Christmas Eve morning, beginning at 5:00 am. Every text read the same: CHRISTMAS EVE GIFT!
I believed my granddaddy started the Christmas Eve Gift tradition, but folklore claims it originated among poor farming families. The person saying "Christmas Eve Gift" first gets a small gift (traditionally candy or nuts).
Beloved, the greatest Gift ever given to mankind was Jesus. No language can praise God enough for Him!!
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| L-R - My mother, my Rebecca, my niece, my daddy Christmas 1982
"Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. [Father] God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son [Jesus] into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him." (1 John 4:7-9)
If my beloved daddy were still on this earth today, we would celebrate his 98th birthday with a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.
Day after tomorrow, people around the world will celebrate a birthday—Christmas, when Jesus Christ was born.
"For [Father] God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son [Jesus], that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
Beloved, let us never forget that Jesus is the reason for the season and praise Father God for His great love!
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| Our Rebecca and grandboy
"Love is patient; love is kind...it keeps no record of wrongs...It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
Recently, while my Rebecca was teaching first graders math, a little fellow (known for his mischief) raised his hand and asked, "Teacher, can I draw on my paper?"
Rebecca: "No, you may not draw on your paper."
Little fellow: "Well, Johnny's drawing on his paper."
Thinking he was trying to tattletale, Rebecca said, "Don't worry about Johnny. You may not draw on your paper."
When another teacher came in the room, the little fellow jumped from his seat and asked, "Can I draw on my paper?"
Rebecca: "I've already told him he can't draw on his paper. He's just trying to get Johnny in trouble. Now, go sit down."
Near the end of the lesson, Rebecca noticed the little fellow's answer sheet was completely blank. She said, "Why haven't you written down the answers?"
Little fellow: "'Cause you said I couldn't draw on my paper."
Needless to say, Rebecca gave him an apology, a big hug, and the clarification that he could write on his paper. Smile.
Spending time with a difficult relative this Christmas, beloved? Give them the benefit of the doubt with patience, kindness, and unconditional love.
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| L-R niece Virginia, my mama, my Ben, my Rebecca 1985
"But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night." (Psalm 1:2)
One of my favorite Christmas photos is this one—Mama reading The Night Before Christmas to her grandkids on Christmas Eve, 1985.
Beloved, as we ponder the Christmas story on this countdown to Christmas, let us meditate on how the true story of Christmas fits into the overarching story of the Bible: God's plan to save humanity from rebellion and restore His good earth. Jesus is God's solution to man's problem.
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| grandboy with his great-aunt Loretta
"And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." (Luke 2:13-14)
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4)
"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Beloved, in this countdown to Christmas, REJOICE for Jesus Christ was born, He died for our sins, He arose, He will return!!!
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| Gabe January 2009 - December 2019 "There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24)
Gentle, faithful, loving, cuddly, high-fiver, obedient, smart, always happy, forgiving, never complaining, lover of kids and dogs—just a great dog to have had in our family. We will miss him.
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| Lake Monroe, Indiana today
"The LORD is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged." (Psalm 34:18)
A couple of our kids are walking through multiple heartbreaking situations right now, and I'm reminded all too well that not everyone's Christmas season is merry and bright.
On this countdown to Christmas, please pray for sad hearts singing the Christmas blues to find hope in Jesus.
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| Our Rebecca's house |
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| grandgirl Christmas 2013
"So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded." (1 Thessalonians 5:6)
Years ago, I learned that when you read or hear Scripture repeatedly, the Holy Spirit is often whispering, "Pay attention! Pay attention!"
This morning, I opened the One Year Bible app and read:
'These are the words of Him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars..."Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of God." (Revelation 3:1-2)
I then opened the Daily Light devotional and read:
"Awake, you who sleep..." (Ephesians 5:14)
"It is high time to awake out of sleep..." (Romans 13:11)
"Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober..." (1 Thessalonians 5:6 again)
"Arise and shine; for your light has come!" (Isaiah 60:1)
And the repeated theme is???
Dearly beloved, on this countdown to Christmas, don't let Jesus find you in spiritual slumber. Wake up! Watch! Stay alert! It's the King's birthday. Worship Him!!!
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| my kids and Scout the kitty 1986
"May the Lord make your love grow and overflow to each other and to everyone else, just as our love overflows toward you." (1 Thessalonians 3:12 NLT)
According to the bio in her book: What the Bible is All About, Henrietta Cornelia Mears (1890-1963) was one of the great Bible teachers of the 20th century. While Christian Education Director at First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, she built one of the largest Sunday Schools in the world and wrote curriculum that was in such high demand that to publish it, she founded Gospel Light in 1933.
Ms. Mears once said, "God is the source of love; Christ is the proof of love; service is the expression of love; boldness is the outcome of love."
Beloved, on this countdown to Christmas, may your love grow and overflow. For "if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and His love becomes complete in us—perfect love!" (1 John 4:12 The Message)
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| grandboys 2018
"For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son [Jesus], so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
Christmas Gift Challenge:
On that first Christmas Day over 2,000 years ago, God gave His best Gift to the world: Jesus, His one and only Son. This Christmas 2019, I challenge you, beloved. Give your best and most valuable gift to Jesus. After all, it is His birthday!
Listen to "Legacy Sunday" by Pastor Chris Hodges at:
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| great white heron at our farm
"Proclaim with me the LORD's greatness;
let us praise His name together!"
(Psalm 34:3)
"Sing to the LORD, all the world!
Worship the LORD with joy;
come before Him with happy songs!"
(Psalm 100:1-2)
"I will proclaim Your greatness, my God and King;
I will thank You forever and ever.
Every day I will thank You;
I will praise You forever and ever.
The LORD is great and is highly praised;
His greatness is beyond understanding."
(Psalm 145:1-3)
"Praise the LORD!
Praise Him in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty expanse.
Praise Him for His mighty deeds;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness...
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!"
(Psalm 150)
Do you have breath, beloved? Then praise the LORD today and every day as we count down to Christmas!
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| Mrs. Ward's Presbyterian Church Sunday School Class Manitou Cave Fort Payne, Alabama 1897
"So on October 8 Ezra the priest brought the Book of the Law before the assembly, which included the men and women and all the children old enough to understand. He faced the square just inside the Water Gate from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand. All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law." (Nehemiah 8:2-3)
Beloved, on this countdown to Christmas, read the Bible, God's living Word.
Read it everyday.
Read it out loud.
Read it s-l-o-w-l-y.
Think about what God is saying.
You'll stand amazed.
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
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| "Mama Loumari"
"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19)
In Clermont, Kentucky, a family of forest giants lives nestled among the trees of the Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest. Meet Mama Loumari and her children, Little Nis...
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| grandboy, granddaddy, and Bell
"Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters." (1 John 3:18,16)
After our four-year-old-today (happy birthday, hot rod) grandboy raked a mountain of leaves, he cried, "Come on, Granddaddy!" And they jumped into the pile.
On this countdown to Christmas, beloved, let's put love into action. Jesus did and still does.
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| grandgirl
"If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to Him in prayer! Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you. Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear." (Job 11:13-15 NLT)
Part of the fun of our grandgirl's Mid-America Irish Step Dance Competition on Saturday in Louisville, Kentucky was watching the girls prepare for their performance.
Beloved, amid all the preparations for Christmas—our Savior's birthday—don't neglect to prepare your heart to worship Him.
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| Grandgirl 2015
"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Him who alone does mighty miracles.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to Him who placed the earth among the waters.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to Him who made the heavenly lights—
His faithful love endures forever.
the sun to rule the day,
His faithful love endures forever.
and the moon and stars to rule the night.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His faithful love endures forever."
(Psalm 136)
Beloved, on this Thanksgiving Day, give thanks to God: Father, Son Jesus, and Holy Spirit!
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| illustration from The Schoolhouse by talented artist: Cami Monet Webb
"...We saw His majestic glory with our own eyes when He received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to Him, 'This is My dearly loved Son, who brings Me great joy.' We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with [Jesus] on the holy mountain." (2 Peter 1:16-18)
I recently asked a man in dire straits, "What is God saying to you these days?"
"Nothing!" he said. "I cannot hear His voice."
In Apostle Peter's second letter to Jewish believers struggling in the midst of persecution, Jesus' disciple testifies that he was an eye-and-ear-witness to the majesty of Christ and the voice of God the Father.
Although hearing God's audible voice may be rare these days, we can still hear his voice every single day IF we open up and read the Bible. Every word is God speaking to us.
Today, I hear Him saying to all of us, "Beloved, by My divine power, I have given you everything you need for living a godly life. You have received all of this by coming to know Me, the One who called you to Myself by means of My marvelous glory and excellence. I have given you great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share My divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires."
"In view of all this, make every effort to respond to My promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brother affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of Me, the Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3-8)
Are you listening to the voice of God, beloved?
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| babygrand in the sunshine
"Again Jesus spoke saying, 'I am the LIGHT of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" (John 8:12)
After a downpour on Saturday, the sun came out, and the grandboys went out to play. So fun!
 
On this countdown to Thanksgiving Day, I thank You, God, for the sun and for Your Son, the LIGHT of the world!
Beloved, what are you thanking God for today?
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| my beautiful family
"...you received God's Spirit when He adopted you as His own children. Now we call Him, 'Abba, Father.' For His Spirit joins our spirit to affirm that we are God's children." (Romans 8:15-16)
On this countdown to Thanksgiving Day, today I thank God for family—my immediate family as well as the whole family of God.
Thank You, Lord, for our children and grandchildren, and thank You that we are Your children through faith in Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.
Beloved, have you thanked God, today?
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| Grandboys 2017
Jesus said, "I have finished the work which You have given Me to do." (John 17:4)
On this year's countdown to Thanksgiving Day, what are you thanking God for? Today, I thank God for the Cross of Jesus Christ.
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. God could forgive people in no other way than by the death of His Son, and Jesus is exalted as Savior because of His death... Jesus Christ became a curse for us by divine decree."
Are you forgiven, beloved? Then thank God for the Cross of Christ.
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| US Army vehicles and soldiers Harpersville Day 2019 |
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| grandboy
"I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled." (Habakkuk 3:16)
"Henny-penny," is a children's folk tale about a little hen who believes the world is coming to an end.
Beloved, if you want to be like Henny-penny (hopeless, doomed, and as good as dead), then fill your mind with today's news. If you want to live a hopeful, joy-filled, and fruitful life, then fill your mind with the word of God!
"Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food...
yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
He enables me to tread on the heights."
(Habakkuk 4:17-19)
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| my friend and sister in Christ, Felicia
"And forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us." Jesus said, "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins." (Matthew 6:12,14-15)
Today, Felicia's son, Sanquez, would have turned twenty-one years old. Tragically, last spring, he was shot and killed.
Over the past six months, I've watched Felicia intentionally and diligently work toward forgiving her son's killer. And by God's grace, mercy, and power, she recently told me that she has forgiven him.
Why? Because Felicia loves Jesus, and Jesus said, "If you love Me, obey My commandments. And this is My commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you and forgive each other in the same way I have forgiven you."
Felicia, you are a remarkable young woman—an overcomer and an inspiration to everyone around you. May the Lord bless and keep you and your children. May He provide for your every need and empower you to accomplish every good work He sets before you. May God help you bring up Jabary and Jakiyah in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. May they honor and obey you as teenagers. May they grow to be a mighty man and woman of God that love the Lord, obey His voice, and hold fast to Him all the days of their lives. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
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| babygrand and me
"Enoch walked with God." (Genesis 5:24)
This week, babygrand walked all over the Birmingham Zoo holding tightly to my fingers. I loved it!
Twice in the fifth chapter of Genesis, we're told that Enoch walked with God. In other words, he lived life holding onto God. The Bible's "faith hall of fame" in Hebrews chapter eleven says that the life Enoch lived greatly pleased God.
Never try life in solo, beloved. Grab hold of God and walk with Him.
I'll walk with God
From this day on.
His helping hand
I'll lean upon.
This is my prayer
my humble plea.
May the Lord be ever with me.1
1 I'LL WALK WITH GOD. Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster. 1954.
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| five-year-od grandboy
"It was sweet in my mouth, but when I swallowed it, it turned sour in my stomach." (Revelation 10:10)
Our five-year-old grandboy is missing his first tooth. No, the tooth is really missing. He swallowed it while eating supper last night.
In the book of Revelation, the Apostle John is on the prison island of Patmos when he receives a panoramic vision from heaven. In the vision, an angel gives John a little book and says, "Take it and eat it." In John's mouth, the book tastes sweet like honey, but in his stomach, it's sour. Then the angels tells John, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings."
This vision symbolizes the great joy of representing God and His Word and the overwhelming sorrow of the coming judgment. Preaching God's prophetic truth is bittersweet.
Although not recorded in Scripture, tradition holds that John eventually left Patmos and returned to Ephesus in modern-day Turkey where he preached God's true story until his death sometime after AD 98 (the only apostle to die peacefully).
And the point of this post is? Beloved, be God's faithful witness. Testify of salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ—even when it's bitterly unpopular. Eternal lives are depending on it!
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| Indiana grandkids today
"Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see." (Hebrews 11:1)
Monday night, when one of our Alabama grandboys saw pictures (via family GroupMe) of snow falling at his Indiana cousins' house, he prayed, "God is it going to snow tomorrow?" Then he said, "Mama, He said it is."
And the next morning, snowflakes fell on Alabama. (smile)
Faith is believing today your hopes and prayers for tomorrow, but faith is only as strong as the One you put your trust in. Beloved, put your faith in Jesus, the trust-worthy One.
"The certainty of faith goes beyond hope. The fact that something is unseen does not make it unreal." ~ Larry Stockstill ~
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