Walkin'

grandboys, puppy-dogs, and me
Coosa River Farm

"I will sing of the lovingkindnesss of the LORD forever; to all generations I will make known Your faithfulness with my mouth... How blessed are the people who... walk in the light of Your presence!" (Psalm 89:1,15)

One of my very favorite things on this earth is a walk in the woods with the hubby and the kids and the grandkids and the puppy-dogs.

In the Bible, the word "walk" is synonymous with "live." For example: walk by faith means live by faith, walk in integrity means live in integrity, walk in the light of God's presence means live in the light of God's presence.

The Apostle John wrote: "if we walk [live] in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)

Take inventory of your daily walk, beloved. Are you living in the light of Jesus?

Read more...

Georgia on My Mind

friends and me (kneeling)
1990s



"Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God... I make requests for you with joy..." (Philippians 1:3-4)

"Georgia on My Mind," a 1930 song by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell, sings:

Georgia, Georgia

The whole day through 

Just an old sweet song

Keeps Georgia on my mind...

A few weeks before I tumbled down steps and broke my arm, the Holy Spirit put me on the mind of a godly friend of my daughter's in Indiana. 

She prayed.

This morning, I awoke with a loved one on my mind.

I prayed.

Beloved, who's on your mind today?

PRAY!

Read more...

Chickadee on a Snowless Day

chickadee on a snowless day

"Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it?" ( Lamentations 3:37)

Because weathermen predicted a winter storm packing inches of snow, all schools across north and central Alabama closed today. As it turned out, the Lord decreed a few snowflakes and sunshine.

And the morale of this story is? "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man." (Psalm 118:8) 

The End.

Read more...

Go Forth

grandboys




"Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us." (Romans 8:37)

Despite the muck, mire, and mud, the grandboys made it all the way around our 60+ acre farm on striders.

It's time, beloved. Go forth with boldness into our messy, dark world that desperately needs Jesus!

"We have all eternity to tell of victories won for Christ, but we have only a few hours before sunset in which to win them." ~ Jonathan Goforth 

Read more...

Lifesavers

"And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives." (Jude 1:22-23)


Lifesavers are a tradition at my church - sweet reminders to pray for people who need God. 

Has the Father burdened your soul for the soul of another, beloved?

PRAY!

1. Ask Father God to draw that dear one to Jesus. For Jesus said, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws them." (John 6:44)

2. Ask the Father to bind the spirit that blinds their mind, for "the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." (2 Corinthians 4:4)

3. Ask the Father to give them a personal relationship with Jesus, for "the Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.'" (Romans 8:15)

4. Ask for believers to cross their paths, for Jesus said, "Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest field." (Matthew 9:38)

5. Ask the Father to pour out the Spirit of wisdom and revelation on them, so they may know God better - "keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so they may know God better!" (Ephesians 1:17)

Day #20: Pray for Unbelievers Day:
www.churchofthehighlands.com

Read more...

Up to God

my sweet mama and me
Great Smoky Mountains, 1959

"And when He took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God's people." (Revelation 5:8)

My three-year-old summer, we vacationed in the Great Smoky Mountains. As we wound higher and higher up the twists and turns in a 1957 Ford Custom sedan toward the highest point in the state of Tennessee, I asked my parents, "Are we going up to God?"

No, you can't get to God in a Ford. But, thanks be to Jesus, beyond a shadow of a doubt, you, beloved, can readily approach His throne of grace everyday through your prayers - a sweet incense kept in golden bowls.

In 21 Days of Prayer, it's "pray for your kids" day. Please, join the chorus at God's throne of grace. View service at:

www.churchofthehighlands.com

Read more...

Gifts from the Groom

Christmases ago, my sweet groom gave me an black onyx cross inlaid in gold - a beautiful representation of the Bridegroom's gift in Colossians 1:13-14:

"For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

An anniversary or so later, my groom gave me a diamond-studded, golden key - a stunning representation of a second gift from the Bridegroom:

"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:19)

In Scripture, Jesus Christ is the honored Bridegroom, and the church is the beloved bride of Christ. You, beloved, have been rescued from darkness and given the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Go forth! Use your gifts to bring others to the light of Christ.

Pray for the church today. 
21 Days of Prayer
www.churchofthehighlands.com

Read more...

The Heavens Declare

Indiana kids and grands
last weekend

"The heavens declare the glory of God: the skies proclaim the work of  His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet there voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world." (Psalm 19:1-4a)

Thousands of voices joined the heavens today declaring the glory of God, and thousands upon thousands prayed for the nations to the ends of the world.

Join the chorus: 
21 Days of Prayer, 
www.churchofthehighlnds.com

"May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, LORD, our Rock and Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)

Read more...

BRAVE

Summer
in the winter




"Haven't I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD  your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)

Our Rebecca snapped this shot of our brave grandkitty, Summer,  perched atop their frozen swimming pool. Brrrr-willy!!! 

It reminded me of Almighty God's charge in Joshua chapter one: 

"Be strong and courageous... Above all be strong and very courageous to carefully observe the whole instruction... Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go. This book of instruction must must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night, so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do. Haven't I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD  your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:6-9)

So, beloved firmly plant your life in the fertile ground of God's word and let courage grow. Winter, summer, spring or fall, the Master Gardener is with you wherever you go. 

Read more...

V-I-C-T-O-R-Y

grands
2010ish



"but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" (1 Corinthians 15:57)

Everybody loves to be on the winning team. Like the 2013 Iron Bowl with two seconds on the clock when Auburn's Chris Davis ran a 100 yard missed field goal touchdown return beating Alabama 34-28. War Eagle!!! (Sorry, Mary.)

Beloved, if you love Jesus, you're on the winning team every single day!

Jesus gives us victory over sin: "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross." (1 Peter 2:24a) "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our sins from us." (Psalm 103:12)

Jesus gives us victory over sickness: "Bless the Lord, O my soul... who heals all your diseases." (Psalm 103:3) "... for by His wounds you were healed." (1 Peter 2:24b) [Often He heals on earth; always He heals in heaven.]

Jesus gives us victory over the enemy. "the Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil." (1 John 3:8b) "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet." (Romans 16:20)

Jesus gives us victory over death: "...through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery..." (Hebrews 2 :14-15) "Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your sting?... thanks be to God who gives us the VICTORY through our Lord Jesus Christ!" (1 Corinthians 15:54-57)

Thank God today, beloved, for VICTORY in Jesus!

I heard an old, old story,

How a Savior came from glory

How He gave His life on Calvary

To save a wretch like me.

I heard about His groaning,

Of His precious blood atoning

Then I repented of my sin

And won the VICTORY!

Oh VICTORY in Jesus, my Savior forever

He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood

He loved me 'ere I knew Him

And all my love is due Him

He plunged me to VICTORY beneath the cleansing flood!1

1 VICTORY IN JESUS. Words and tune HARTFORD, E. M. Barlett, 1939.

Read more...

Remember

grandboy

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful, marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9)

First Peter 2:9 is the theme verse for today - Day #12 of 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. To Jewish believers struggling in the midst of persecution, Peter wrote a letter of encouragement reminding the downtrodden of their incredible blessings and high standing in Christ.

Beloved, I encourage you, this day, to remember. 

Remember that according to His great mercy, God has given you new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who is being protected by God's power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3-5)

Remember that you were redeemed from an empty life, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. (1 Peter 1:18-19)

Remember the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9)

Remember that Jesus Himself bore your sins in His body on the tree, so that, having died to sin, you might live for righteousness; by His wounding you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:24)

Remember, beloved. 

Remember and declare the praises of the One who called you out.

Read more...

Indispensable

new brace

"Just as the body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ... those parts of the body that seem to be weak are indispensable... now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is [an indispensable] part of it." (1 Corinthians 12:12,22, 27)

O happy day! I graduated from a full-arm cast to a below-the-elbow brace today. All my hopes of getting back to a more normal routine, however, fizzled because my left "opposable" thumb is now completely immobilized.

According to the National Science Teachers Association, our shortest, thickest digit on the human hand is called opposable because the thumb can be moved around to touch the other fingers, which gives people the ability to grasp [and hold and pull and zip and snap and type etc., etc., etc.] Even though I'm right-handed, I never realized how much I use and need my left thumb.

In his letter to the Corinthian, Paul compared believers, the body of Christ, to the human body - made of many, many parts and each part holding an indispensable roll.

Beloved, today may you understand how much you are used and needed in the body of Christ! You, my friend, are indispensable!

Read more...

Rejoice Today

our Stephen, grandboys, and Mr. Snow




"This is the day that the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24)

Last week, even though our nine-year-old grandboy was a bit under the weather, when the weather dumped four inches of snow in their front yard, he ran outside and joined in on the family fun.

Beloved, even though life may dump deep problems on today, it's still a day the LORD has made. We may rejoice in the blessings and promises and hopes in Him. Don't miss out on today's joy.

"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;

even though the flocks die in the fields,

yet I will rejoice in the LORD!

I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!"

(Habakkuk 3:17-18)

"... Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of

the LORD is your strength!"

(Nehemiah 8:10)

Read more...

He's Still Working On Me

my sweet superman




"...for it is God who is at work in us, both to will and work for His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13)

Because it's impossible to roll hair with a broken wing, my loving and patient superman works on this ol' gal every morning. And because I'm God's work in progress, like the children's song, every day, He's still working on me.

There really ought to be a sign upon my heart

Don't judge [her] yet, there's an unfinished part

But I'll be better, just according to His plan

Fashioned by the Master's loving hands

He's still working on me

To make me what I need to be

It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars

The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars

How loving and patient He must be

'Cause He's still working on me 1

Take heart, beloved. He's still working on to you, too.

"O LORD, You are our Father. We are the clay; You are the Potter. We are formed by Your hands." (Isaiah 64:8)

1 HE'S STILL WORKING ON ME, Joel Hemphill.

Read more...

My Lamp

Indiana sunrise

"Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path." (Psalm 119:105)



Pastor Layne Schranz, Day #6 of 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting: "The more we read His word, the more we hear His Voice."

"Open my eyes so that I may see wonderful things in Your law...

Your servant will think about Your statutes; Your decrees are my delight and my counselors...

How sweet Your word is to my taste - sweetie than honey to my mouth...

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path...

LORD, please accept my willing offerings of praise, and teach me Your judgments...

Since I love Your commands more than gold, even the purest gold, I carefully follow all Your precepts and hate every false way...

My eyes pour out streams of tears because people do not follow Your instruction...

Abundant peace belongs to those who love Your instruction; nothing makes them stumble...

I long for your salvation, LORD, and Your instruction is my delight...

(Psalm 119)

Read more...

What HE Has Done

Jesus, Phillip, and me
1977

"I will live to tell what the LORD has done." (Psalm 118:17)

Lord Jesus, in the beginning was the Word, and You are the Word. You spoke the heavens into existence and put the stars in the sky. You created the heavens and the earth. Every created thing is the work of Your hands, every creature land, sky, and sea.

You formed man in Your own image and gave him breath and life. From man, You fashioned woman, and together, they are like You.

You made fatherless Abraham the father of nations, and chose a people for Your own. You freed them from slavery in Egypt. You split the Red Sea, and they walked on dry land. You fed them in the desert and brought them into Your Promise Land.

After 400 years of silence, You humbled Yourself, emptied Yourself of Godhead, and came to earth as a babe and slave. On earth as a man, You lived a sinless life. You healed the sick, opened blind eyes, made the lame dance, and forgave sins. You unstopped deaf ears and fed a multitude with two small fish and five loaves. 

You willingly went to the cross in my place and took my punishment and the penalty for my sins. You lived, You died, and three days later, You arose! Alive again forever!

You appeared to over 500 people across forty days. You ascended into heaven, sat down at the right hand of power beside the Father. You sent Your Holy Spirit to indwell Your people and empower them to go and tell the Good News of salvation through faith in You! 

You formed me in my mother's womb and gave me breath and life. You chased after me with Your goodness and mercy. And in a movie theater when I was a fifth grader, You saved me. You gave me faith to believe. You convicted me of my sins and forgave me and cleansed me by Your shed blood.

You protected me and loved me as a rebellious, sinful teenager. You ordered my steps into the arms of Phillip Glassco. You blessed our marriage and gave us three beautiful children.

You stopped us in our tracks in Bogalusa, La and put us on Your chosen path back to Alabama and RMS. You restored lost fortunes. You protected and redeemed our rebellious teenagers - lifted them from the pit and set them on the Rock, Jesus Christ. You blessed them with Your chosen mates and seven beautiful children. 

You called me to teach Your Word and write Your stories. Every day You are with me. You empower me to do the work You set before me for Your glory. 

Lord Jesus, You have done so many more things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written. 

O come let us adore Thee, Jesus Christ our Lord!

Read more...

Right Side Up Again

grandgirl

"A period of seventy sets of years has been decreed for your people and your holy city to finish their rebellion, to put an end to sin, to atone for their guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness..." (Daniel 9:24)

Beloved, be of good cheer. Great hope for this upside-down world lies in an almost twenty-five-hundred-year-old prophecy given to a kidnapped and enslaved man around 536 B.C. God promised Daniel that one day He will set all things right side up again, putting an end to sin and ushering in everlasting righteousness!

(Fun facts: Daniel was taken into captivity as a youth in Jerusalem and carted off to Babylon in 605 B.C. When Daniel was an old man, God, through the angel Gabriel, gave him the infamous seventy-sevens prophecy near the end of seventy years of exile. I guessed 69 years to come up with 536 B.C. This prophecy of "no sin and everlasting righteousness" is yet to be fulfilled, but one day - sooner than later - it will be done through Jesus!)

Makes me wanna shout! Praise Jesus! Worthy of all worship and praise!

Read more...

International Sign of Surrender

my church

"In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God..." (1 Timothy 2:8)

On this day #3 of 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, Pastor Chris taught that lifted hands are the international sign of surrender. In his first letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul instructed the young pastor to have God's people pray with holy hands lifted high - a sign of personal surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Are you surrendered to Jesus, beloved? Lift those holy hands high in prayer and praise!

Read more...

All About Jesus

grandboys 2017




"Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," says the LORD Almighty. (Zechariah 4:6)

Today is Day #2 of 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting for thousands and thousands of Christians around the world. Beloved, will you please join the chorus?

This year's theme comes from the Old Testament book of Zechariah chapter 4:

Then the angel who talked with me turned and woke me up, like someone awakened from sleep. He asked me, "What do you see?"

I answered, "I see a solid gold lamp stand with a bowl at the top and 7 lamps on it, with 7 channels to the lamps. Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left."

I asked the angel, "What are these, my lord?"

He answered, Do you not know what these are?"

"No, my lord," I replied.

So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty."

This week's focus: All About Jesus.

Daily prayer services available online at:

 www.churchofthehighlands.com

Read more...

A funny thing happened on my way to the basement

all 7 grands

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18)

While waiting for the last family members to arrive so we could open Christmas presents, I ran some boxes down to the basement. On the third step from the bottom....

Let me back up a bit.

So, Rebecca and I were in the kitchen smelling my new set of essential oils, and I said, "Wow, this is enough to give you a headache."

Back to the third basement step from the bottom... 

In my haste, I twisted my ankle and swan-dived onto the basement floor breaking my left arm. The 9-year-old grand witnessed the crash and ran for help. When Rebecca came upon the scene - me sprawled on the floor holding my wrist over my heart - she thought, oh no,  the essential oils gave Mama a heart attack! Which nearly gave her a heart attack. Ha!

Compared to a heart attack, a broken arm isn't so bad - even after yesterday's surgery to put the radius back together with a metal plate and screws.

Suffering, beloved? Be encouraged. Great days with Jesus are ahead.

Read more...