Give Me the Next Generation

my Miss Evelyn
85 years young today

"Today I am eighty-five years old. I am as strong now as I was  [at forty] when Moses sent me on that journey...So give me the hill country that the LORD promised me."

Today, when I called to sing happy birthday to my beloved friend and spiritual mentor, Miss Evelyn said, "Today, I am eighty-five years old and as strong as I was at forty. Give me the next generation in Jesus name!"

Yes, Lord God, draw all generations unto Yourself through faith and trust in Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ!

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Worldwide Day of Prayer and Fasting: Unite714.com

grandgirl
2014

"All Judah was standing before the LORD, with their infants, their wives, and their children." (2 Chronicles 20:13)

In  2 Chronicles chapter 20, three armies marched toward Judah. King Jehoshaphat was afraid, so he turned to seek the LORD and proclaimed a fast throughout the land. 

All Judah—men, women, children, and infants—stood before the LORD, and their king prayed, "O our God, we are powerless before this great multitude coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You!"

Today, as a great and powerful enemy called COVID-19 marches around the world, pastors and churches are united in prayer and fasting before the LORD. Will you join us? Please???

www.unite714.com

"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, I will forgive their sins, and I will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)

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God's Answer to Our Dilemma

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son Jesus, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Jesus is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." (John 3:16-18)

"Jesus is God's final answer to the delimma we face." ~ Dr. David Jeremiah ~

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Papa

L-R Mark, Rocky, Daddy, me
Easter and my 2nd birthday
April 6, 1958

"...you received God's Spirit when He adopted you as His own children. Now we call Him, 'Abba, Father.'" (Romans 8:15)

In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 7, Jesus taught His disciples, "Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened for you...You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So, if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him."

Never forget, beloved, God is your Father—your heavenly Abba or Papa.

When you pray, Father listens. When you look for Father with your whole heart, you will find Him! (Jeremiah 29:12-13)

"The eternal God is your refuge, and [Father's] everlasting arms are under you." (Deuteromony 33:27) 

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All Generations

my grandparents:
Oscar and Elsie Brazelle
Tennessee River, 1950s

On my grandmother's 124th birthday, the Glassco Family Beach Trip Bible Memorization verse for week #12 is: 

"For the LORD is good and His love endures forever. His faithfulness continues through all generations." (Psalm 100:5)

Yes, HE is!

Yes, HE does!

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Let It Start in Me

grandboy by the campfire

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any hurtful way in me and lead me in the way of everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24)

An older Gaither Vocal Band songs says:

There's a fire that's burning, sweeping 'cross the land.

There's a heat consuming every evil plan.

There is gold emerging from refining flame.

There's a diamond sparkling

Where there once was shame.

There's a change a coming.

Let it start in me! 1

Beloved, as the roaring flames of the coronavirus fire sweep across the globe, let the refining Holy Spirit fire sweep your heart shiny clean!

"For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." (Deuteronomy 4:24)

1 LET IT START IN ME. The Gaither Vocal Band.

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Gather Together

Indiana kids and grands

Jesus said, "Where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20)

Because of the current COVID-19 physical-distancing rule, the Indiana kids' life group gathered together online. 

Lonesome, beloved? Gather together with others through technology, and "may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)

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Singing In the Shadow of His Wings

Imogene Hambrick Glassco
My sweet mother-in-law
1988

"On my bed I remember you; I think of You through the watches of the night. Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings." (Psalm 63:6-7)

Many, many hours of the last days of my sweet mother-in-law's life were spent in her rocker listening to Bill Gaither gospel music. In these troubled days, I find myself singing gospel songs in the night and listening to praise-to-Jesus music throughout the day.

Beloved, for every minute you spend reading or listening to current news, spend hours singing praises in the shadow of God's wings.

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May the Road Rise to Meet You

the Daniels
L-R my nephew Daniel and our Dan, 1986

"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am Your God. I will strengthen and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)

One of the many good things I see God accomplishing through COVID-19 is families and friends touching base and checking on one another. This morning, my nephew, Daniel, texted me this old Irish blessing that used to hang on our kitchen wall when his dad and I were kids:

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind alway be at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

And rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

And may God bless you, beloved.

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This I know

grandboys
Fort Morgan Beach, 2018

"...I know this: God is on my side...In Him I trust, and I will not be afraid..." (Psalm 56:9,11)

Week #11 Glassco Family Beach Trip Bible Memorization Challenge verse is: "If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Will there be a Glassco family beach trip in June? 

I don't know, but this I do know: God is on our side. (Psalm 56:9)

The Lord is our Shepherd. (Psalm 23:1)

Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us. The Lord is our helper. (Hebrews 13:5-6)

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1)

Jesus Christ died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. (Romans 8:34)

I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. (Psalm 27:13)

God works all things together for good for those who love Him. (Romans 8:28)

What we suffer at this present time cannot be compared at all with the glory that is going to be revealed to us! (Romans 8:18)

There is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord! (Romans 8:39)

Beloved, dwell on these great and true things!

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God's Instructions for Such a Time as This

our kids and grands
Clifty Falls State Park
Madison, Indiana

The LORD said, "Whenever I...send an epidemic on My people, if they pray to Me and repent and turn away from the evil they have been doing, then I will hear them from heaven, forgive their sins, and make their land prosperous again." (2 Chronicles 7:13-14)

"Draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith..." (Hebrews 10:22)

"...through love serve one another." (Galatians 5:13)

PRAY.

REPENT OF EVIL.

DRAW NEAR TO GOD.

HAVE FAITH.

LOVE.

SERVE.

Got it, beloved?

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VICTORY Belongs to Jesus

our four-year-old grandboy

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God...will guard your hearts and minds." (Philippians 4:6-7)

On Saturday, while pushing their shopping cart down the empty aisles of Walmart, our four-year-old grandboy was singing at the top of his lungs, "Victory belongs to Jesus! Victory belongs to Him!"

Dr. David Jeremiah wrote: "Some time back, the retailer Amazon released a list of the most popular passages from its most popular books, and the most commonly highlighted portion of the Bible was Philippians 4:6-7. When we look around at our anxious world and our fretful lives, we can understand why people are drawn to the promise of Philippians 4. But notice the context of the passage: The Lord tells us here to rejoice in Him (vv. 4); to be gentle in our dealings with others (vv. 5a); to remember how near He is to us (vv. 5b); to pray earnestly about our concerns (vv. 6b); and to focus our minds on what is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy (vv. 8)." 1

Beloved, in these perilous times, trust Jesus; victory belongs to Him. Do not be anxious; pray and praise the One who is faithful and able.

1 EVER FAITHFUL, A 365-DAY DEVOTION. Dr. David Jeremiah, 2018, (pp. 83).

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Life is FASCINATING

Indiana grands

"Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge." (Psalm 62:8)

Why are our Indiana grandkids playing with legos today instead of learning at school? Because all Indiana schools, churches, and large gatherings have been banned due to the coronavirus.

My mother used to say, "Life is fascinating!" Nothing seemed to rattle that amazing lady who had endured the Great Depression, World War II, tuberculosis, lupus disease, the death of her husband of over 50 years, and a double mastectomy from breast cancer that metastasized to her brain, liver, and lungs and took her to heaven.

Jesus said, "Anyone who hears these words of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who builds his house on rock. The rain poured down, the rivers flooded over, and the wind blew hard against that house. But it did not fall, because it was build on rock." 

"But anyone who hears these words of mine and does not obey them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain poured down, the rivers flooded over, and the wind blew hard against that house, and it fell. And what a terrible fall that was!" (Matthew 7:24-27)

The world's shaking and rattling, beloved. Is your life built on the Rock: Jesus Christ?

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NO Need to Dread

Indiana sunrise
(photo by our Rebecca)

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever." (Revelation 21:4)

The greatest encouragement I can offer you today, beloved, is the end of God's story:

The timeless theme, earth and heaven will pass away.

It's not a dream, God will make all things new that day.

Gone is the curse from which I stumbled and fell.

Evil is banished to eternal hell.

No more night, no more pain,

No more tears, never crying again.

And praises to the great I AM. 

We will live in the light of the risen Lamb.

See all around now the nations bow down to sing.

The only sound is the praises to Christ, our King.

Slowly the names from the book are read.

I know the King, so there's no need to dread...

See over there, there's a mansion prepared for me

Where I will live with my Savior eternally.

And there will be no more night, no more pain,

No more tears, never crying again.

And praises to the great I AM! 

We will live in the light of the risen Lamb.

Oh, praises to the great I AM!

We will live in the light of the risen Lamb!!!

NO MORE NIGHT. Lyrics Bill Gaither. Recorded by Glen Campbell, 1985.

LISTEN: YouTube, David Phelps NO MORE NIGHT.

 

 

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Week #10: Glassco Family Beach Trip Bible Memorization Challenge

our Dan and Gabe
2015

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5) is the Week #10 verse for our Glassco Family Beach Trip Bible Memorization Challenge. While looking for a photo depicting "trust," I came across this snapshot from 2015. Good ol' Gabe. Sure do miss you, buddy.

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Do You Like Donuts

Indian Valley Elementary First Graders

"When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don't ask questions: Wait for hope to appear."  (Lamentations 3:28-29 The Message)


Last Friday, I enjoyed reading to first graders at Indian Valley Elementary School in Sylacauga, Alabama. At the end of the story, I asked the children a few questions to see if they were good listeners. After my questions, their teacher asked her students if they had any questions. When hands popped up all over the room, I thought, they are really interested in books! 

Their hilarious questions and comments:

Do you like donuts?

Do you eat pizza?

Do you like pizza?

Why do you wear a necklace?

I like your shoes.

I like your yellow bag.


Oh, the joy and wonder of six and seven-year-olds. SMILE.

~

Lamentations is an Old Testament book of poetry most probably written by the prophet Jeremiah at a critical hour in Judah's life. Jerusalem had been reduced to rubble, and her people carried off to Babylon. 

In chapter three, Jeremiah encourages the brokenhearted to pray and not ask questions, because "above the cloud of the poet's weeping over the sins of his people, God's sun is shining." (Dr. Henrietta Mears)

God is faithful. His loyal love never runs out, His mercies never dry up. They rise afresh with every new day. 

Therefore, beloved, when life is heavy and hard to take, don't ask needless questions. "Pray. Quietly hope for help from God.Why? Because the Master won't ever walk out and fail to return." (Lamentation 3:27-31 The Message)

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Dried Tears

four-year-old grandboy and his little friend



"Trust in the LORD with all your heart..." (Proverbs 3:5)

At a birthday party on Saturday, our four-year-old Liam was in tears because he couldn't play with the birthday boy's new toys. His little friend said, "Give him to me, Mr. Ben. I'll take care of him."

Liam's tears dried up immediately.

When I'm in tears, I believe Jesus leans over in heaven and says, "Give her to me, Father. I'll take care of her." And when I trust Him with all my heart, my tears dry up immediately.

In tears, beloved? Trust in Jesus with all your heart.

"For faith grows but by exercise in circumstance impossible." ~ Mary Butterfield ~

"Trust God's Word and His power more than you trust your own feelings and experience. Remember, your Rock is Christ, and it is the sea that ebbs and flows with the tide, not Him." ~ Samuel Rutherford ~

"Sail away! Spread your sail toward the storm and trust in Him who rules the raging seas." ~ J. R. Macduff ~

"When I cannot feel the faith of assurance, I live by the fact of God's faithfulness." ~ Matthew Henry ~

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Sing a New Song

photo by my Rebecca
(I love this snapshot!)

"Sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done marvelous things..." (Psalm 98:1)

At least ten verses across Scripture tell us to sing a new song of praise to the LORD. I recently heard a pastor teach: "Every generation should create new songs of praise to Jesus."

Today, beloved, "sing to the LORD a new song...and shout for joy!" (Psalm 33:3) "Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth. Serve the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing!" (Psalm 100:1-2)

[God] makes me wanna SHOUT!

Kick my heels up and SHOUT!

Throw my hands up and SHOUT!

Throw my head back and SHOUT!

Come on now SHOUT!1

1 SHOUT. The Isley Brothers, 1959.

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Relax

our grandkitty, Summer

"God's a safe-house...a sanctuary during bad times. The moment you arrive, you relax; you're never sorry you knocked." (Psalm 9:9-10 The Message)

When the Indiana grands put up a new tree-swing, their kitty, Summer, made herself right at home—all comfortable and relaxed and without a care in the world.

Today, merely five minutes of the news or social media will wind your nerves tighter than a clock spring. God is your safe-house, beloved. The LORD is your shield on all sides; the One who lifts your head high. He covers you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your mighty fortress. Trust Jesus and relax in His ever-loving arms. (And turn off the noise of the world. Soak in God's true and living and comforting Word.)

Sermon Recommendation: "Stop Worrying" by Pastor Larry Stockstill. Available on YouTube.

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Week #9: Glassco Family Beach Trip Bible Memorization Challenge

grandgirl
Fort Morgan Beach, 2017

Week #9: "...I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may life, you and your children, by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days that you may live in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them." (Deuteronomy 30:19-20)

This morning, after I sent the kids and grands this week's extra long memory verse for the Glassco Family Beach Trip Bible Memorization Challenge, Ben texted back: "If a five-year-old or under memorizes that verse, that family automatically wins!"

(A couple of weeks ago, when I told one of the four-year-old grandboys to do something, he shouted, "Yes, ma'am! Ephesians 6:1, 'Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right!'")

The plan is working!!!

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Tug-of-War

L-R our kids: Dan, Rebecca, Ben
Yellowstone National Park
1993

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves." (Philippians 2:3-4)

Inside, "Want-To" and "Wisdom" are in a fierce tug-of-war. Stephen and Rebecca invited us to join their family at the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone National Park this summer. My mind, will, and emotions are screaming, "YES!" My body and spirit are whispering, "No, not a good idea for many valid reasons."

Wisdom won the war.

Who are you listening to, beloved? Want-to's shouts? Or Wisdom's whisper?

"Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you...Listen, my child, accept what I say...I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths...Hold onto instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life." (Proverbs 4:6-13)

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