Dinosaur Cake

 

grandboy's dinosaur cake

"Look at the Behemoth . . . what strength it has in its loins, what power in the muscles of the belly! Its tail sways like a cedar . . . It ranks first among the works of God." (Job 40:15-19)

Every time someone asked our littlest grandboy what he wanted for his third birthday, he'd shout, "Dinosaur Cake!"

What flavor? 

"Dinosaur Cake!"

What present do you want?

"Dinosaur Cake!"

Happy birthday, hot rod! I'm happy you finally got your dinosaur cake!

(Beloved, did you know that God describes dinosaurs in the Bible? Just look it up! Behemoth: Job 40:15-24 and Leviathan: Job 4:1-34.)

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In a Fog

 

fog over the farm pond

"We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright!" (1 Corinthians 13:12)

Early morning fog was so thick at the farm Saturday that I couldn't see across the pond to the other side. But before long, I could see clearly; the fog was gone.

Fog is a cloud that touches the ground — tiny water droplets hanging in the air obstructing the view. When the sun rises, the air and ground warm up, causing the fog to evaporate.

Problems are like fog — worries hanging in our thoughts obstructing clearheadedness. When problems fog our minds, beloved, we must let the Son of God and His word rise, warming our hearts and showing us the clear way, truth, and light of life!

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Mentone Arts Center

Mentone Arts Center at the
Chuck Sennett Center for the Arts



"I give You thanks, O LORD, with all my heart . . . " (Psalm 138:1)

One of the highlights of our recent Lookout Mountain trip was touring the Mentone Arts Center featuring the beautiful handiwork of talented local artists: paintings, pottery, photography, books, weaving, and more.

A surprise blessing in the visit was the Arts Center now sells three of my books: The Schoolhouse, The Adventures of the Lookout Mountain Gang, and The Window at Willow Springs. Thank You, Lord Jesus! Thank you, Mentone Arts Center.

Beloved, what surprise blessings has God sent your way recently?

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The Secret's in the Apples

 

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives . . . God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

No brag. 

Just fact. 

I make a mouthwatering, scrump-dilly-icious  apple pie, and the secret in its success is: Granny Smith apples.

In the Old Testament, God told Joshua the secret to success in life:

"Study the Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it . . . you will prosper and succeed in all you do. (Joshua 1:8)

Beloved, no matter how you feel or what anyone tells you, know and obey God's Word, the Bible. It's the right thing to do and the right way to go — every time and always.

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Press Toward the Goal

 

first draft of cover design
by Anya Figert

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)

Because the story's setting is in Indiana, I'm pressing hard toward the goal of having next year's book, Fish Fry, out before the end of the school year with the release "party" at our sixth-grade grandson's Indiana school. 

In his letter to believers in Philippi, Paul wrote that he pressed on toward the goal of receiving the heavenly prize for which God through Christ Jesus had called him. The prize? Eternal life, God's promised gift for those saved by His grace through belief in His Son Jesus Christ.

Beloved, forget the wrongs of the past and look forward to the wonder that lies ahead. Press on toward the heavenly prize from Father God through Christ Jesus!

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Key to Peace

 

peaceful place
Mentone, Alabama

"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock." (Isaiah 26:3-4)

One of the most common prayer requests I get from folks these days is for peace of mind.

Need peace, beloved? Get alone with God. Listen to His voice through His word, and trust Him!

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Sorghum Molasses

 

Mary Grace and her birthday cake

"Now to Him who is able to do superabundantly more than all we dare ask or think [or hope or dream], according to His power . . . to Him be glory . . . throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21)

God super blessed every little last detail of the girls trip with my aunt, Mary Grace, even down to helping her find a jar of sorghum molasses for sale that we were told wouldn't be found. 

Thank You, Lord, for the  beautiful mountain cabin back porch view.

Thank You for Ben and Mary and the wonderful birthday dinner at their gorgeous home.

Thank You for Rocky and lunch at Wildflower Cafe.

Thank You for Tamara and her taking time off work to show Mary Grace the gorgeous renovations they have done to the house Daddy and Mother built in 1951.

Thank You for superabundantly-more-than-I-dared-to-ask-think-hope-or-dream blessings.

God, You are so good to all generations!

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Girls Trip

 

L-R sister-in-law Debra, Aunt Mary Grace, and me
Girls Trip 2017

"The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever." (Psalm 121:8)

Girls trips are rare for me, but today my Aunt Mary Grace and I are hittin' the road —headed to beautiful Lookout Mountain.

May the Lord watch over you, beloved, everywhere you go! 

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Worry or War

 

family fun
Orange Beach, 2021

"Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God." (Philippians 4:6 Amplified Bible)

Our three children and their families are each walking through their own challenging circumstances. A choice is before me: 

1. Worry about them. 

OR 

2. War for them.

I choose #2. 

Beloved, will you worry or war? Praying to Jesus, the One who is willing and able!

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Grammer Check

 

grandgirl and the Bible

"He who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides in it, not having become a [careless] listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience]." 

(James 1:24 Amplified Bible)

I recently found the coolest grammar-check website. I just type in a sentence, and it corrects my grammar errors.

Wouldn't it be great to have a life-check website? Just type in my actions, and it corrects my blunders. 

Good news! The perfect life checker has been available for hundreds of years. It's called the Bible. 

Beloved, let us look carefully into God's perfect law daily and adjust our actions accordingly. We'll be blessed and favored if we do!

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Autumn

 

"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." (Isaiah 40:8)

Stand on God's word, beloved, and may the Lord bless you on this beautiful autumn day (my grandmother's 120th birthday).

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Loud and Clear

L-R my friend Cuba, my Rebecca, and me
Pine Bluff, AR
1998?

"Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening." (1 Samuel 3:9)

Yesterday, my dear friend Cuba and I were texting one another at the same time. I texted Colossians 1:9. She texted Dr. Charles Stanley's message: "A Life-Changing Prayer" based on guess what? Colossians 1:9-14.

Sometimes I think I hear God's voice. Yesterday, I'm certain I heard Him loud and clear!

Beloved, today, by the Lord's command, I pray that God will continually fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God." (Colossians 1:9-10)

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Anything I Can Pray for You

 

our grandkids
Orange Beach
June 2021

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in truth." (3 John 1:4)

Text from my nephew Daniel: "Anything I can pray for you?"

My reply: "Please pray that all 7 grands will love the Lord, obey His voice, and hold fast to Him all the days of their lives."

Anything I can pray for you, beloved?

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Don't Stop Till You Get It Right

"Mrs. Alice" by Anya Figert
(Illustration from Fish Fry
coming spring 2022)

"I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on . . . " (Philippians 3:12)

As I've said before, I have two great editors: my daughter, Rebecca, the maestro of children's literature, and my friend, Tammy, who has an eagle eye for grammar, punctuation, and spelling mistakes.

Next year's book, Fish Fry, is currently under Rebecca's scrutiny, making sure the story flows and appeals to young readers. After rewriting chapter 16 a bajillion times, I told her, "Don't let me off the hook till I get it right."

Wrestling with a task at hand, beloved? Seek Holy Spirit's help, and don't stop till you get it right!

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Wise Girl

 

grandgirl

"When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness." (Proverbs 31:26)

My fourteen-year-old grandgirl is very smart and wise beyond her years. Sometimes in our conversations, I feel like I'm the little kid and she's the adult.

Currently, she's reading Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights. When I decided to read it as well, she warned that the book is a romantic tragedy. Knowing I like happy endings, she said it might not be a good "Memaw book" and recommended a Jane Austin novel such as Pride and Prejudice.

And the point of this blog post is? I'm thankful to God for my grandgirl and very proud of her!

Beloved, have you thanked God for your kids today?

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