Graham Cracker Nativities

grandboys

"Though He was God...[Christ] gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross." (Philippians 2:6-8)

Two of the grandboys made graham cracker nativities this week. Yes, Jesus is the reason for the season.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for coming as a babe.

Living as a man.

Dying as our Savior.

Rising as our King!

"O Come let us adore Him, Christ the King!"

 

Read more...

My Friend

 

L-R me, Mary
2017

Sixty-six years ago, God gave me a rare blessing: a life-long friend. Mary Igou Shurett. Born just six days apart in April of 1956 at the Dekalb County Hospital in Fort Payne, Alabama, my Mary and I have been friends since before we can remember.

As preschoolers, we could play riddle-ma-riddle-Marie over the party-line telephone because we knew each other’s house so well. In the basement of Dr. Killian’s office, we went to Mrs. Hulsey’s Kindergarten class together as five-year-olds. The summer between first and second grade, our families camped together at Smokemont Campground in the Great Smoky Mountains. We swung on a “Tarzan” vine that Mark found in the woods behind our camper, and we rode a tram to Ghost Town in Maggie Valley, North Carolina.

Mary taught me to pray. How? For years, I watched her pray for Bama to win football games.

One time when we were teenagers, I camped with her family at Dudley Creek Campground in Gatlinburg. Mary and I walked to a candy shop and talked to the taffy makers through the front glass window. We told them we hadn’t eaten in three days and would they please give us some candy. When they said they would, we confessed we were just teasing.

In high school, Mary and I were the first girls to letter in wrestling as the statisticians for the boys' wrestling team. Our senior year, we both had parts in the senior play: The Drunkard.

Mary went to the University of Alabama. I went to Auburn, but our friendship endured. She was my maid-of-honor at my wedding. She and her husband (Ben) now live atop Lookout Mountain where I grew up. I feel so happy every time I drive up that mountain and visit my beloved friend.  

Proverbs 18:24 says: “There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” May the Lord bless you, beloved, with godly, faithful friends.

Read more...

Grandma Got Run Over by a Labrador

 

Our sweet Bell

"No discipline seems pleasant at the time but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed." (Hebrews 12:11-13)

Well, grandma got run over by a Labrador. 😀 Our sweet Bell was overly excited and ran full steam ahead into my left leg. The good news is that my ACL is not torn, and I don't need surgery. Thank You, Lord Jesus! (The not-so-good news is that my leg is broken, and I'll be on crutches for six weeks.)

The great news is that God uses the school of hard knocks to train and grow His children. Are you in a school of hard knocks, beloved? Trust the Lord, and focus on what God is doing in you more than what is happening to you. 

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

Read more...

God's Road Map

 

Thanksgiving Day
Tree top: our Dan
Mid-tree: grandboy
Ground level: another grandboy

"Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He's the One who will keep you on track." (Proverbs 3:6 The Message)

Last week, we celebrated our 14th Thanksgiving-to-God Day at what the grandkids call "The Basement House." Recently, I found the "road map" God used to guide us here.

Starting point: 

"Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch out the curtains of your dwelling..." (Isaiah 54:2)

We started searching for a larger home for sale.

Point #2:

"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house the God of Jacob; that He may teach us concerning His ways and that we may walk in His paths." (Isaiah 2:3)

We drove up Double Oak Mountain and turned into Highland Lakes subdivision.

Point #3:

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord...for he will be like a tree planted by the water..." (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

We narrowed the search in the neighborhood to waterfront property only, and found our home.

Need direction, beloved? Read the Bible, God's road map for life!

Read more...

All in Your Perspective

L to R: Mark, me, and Rocky
1958

"Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse." (Philippians 4:8 The Message)

Calendar quote: "At night, I sleep with a knife under my pillow. You never know when someone is going to break in and give you a cake."

It's all in your perspective, folks! 😋

 

Read more...

The Harvest

Our Rebecca's family
2009

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)

For twenty-eight years we prayed, and yesterday came the harvest: a beloved but lost soul was saved by faith in Jesus Christ.

Keep praying.

Never give up.

Don't quit.

"I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." (Luke 15:7)

 

Read more...

Birthday Rock

Rebecca, Summer the kitty, and the rock

"We were buried with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:4)

Our Rebecca has always been fascinated with rocks. 

As a little girl, she collected rocks. 

As a teenager, when she drove to Virginia to check out Liberty University, the message rock on campus read: "Rebecca, your Shepherd is here."

Recently, she found an interesting rock at the tree and plant nursery behind her house in Indiana. Her dad and I bought it for her birthday, and the nursery delivered it yesterday.

This morning, she texted: "I just saw it!"

"The birthday rock is the empty tomb!"

The tomb is empty, beloved. Jesus is alive! Therefore, walk in newness of life!

"In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus!" (Romans 6:11)

 

Read more...

I Must Tell Jesus

"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them." (Romans 8:28)

I signed a contract with Trilogy Christian Publishing, an affiliate of Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) to rebrand and market Fish Fry through their 1.8 million-follower social media.

I was so exited!

My kids and grands, however, don't like the new cover (that I approved). They think it looks like Halloween.

That made me sad. 

(Fish Fry is not about Halloween. It's an action-packed adventure that includes a nail-biting trek through a cave.)

So, I talked to Jesus. 

About my concerns.

The only One able. 

To work this for good.

Made a mistake, beloved? You must tell Jesus!

(P.S. The post-production team is changing the cover. Thank You, Lord Jesus.)

 

Read more...

Happy Birthday, Buckaroo

 

youngest grandboy
2020

"Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him. For the LORD is your life. . ." (Deuteronomy 30:19-20)

Happy 4th birthday, little buckaroo. May the Lord Jesus Christ equip your parents in every good thing to bring you up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. May you grow to be a mighty man of God who loves the Lord, obeys His voice, and holds fast to Him all the days of your life!

May you hide God's word in your heart and hold God's sword ready in your hand to proclaim the Gospel and defeat the schemes of evil. May you complete every work God assigns you for His purposes and glory.

Granddaddy and Memaw love you so much!

Read more...

My Way

 

Back to front: brother Mark, sister-in-law Debra, and my Phillip

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

At Bible Study on Tuesday, my friend, Robin, said something profound that made us all pause and ponder. She said, "I realized this week that much of my fear is because I'm afraid that God will not do what I want Him to do."

God's antidote for fear, beloved: TRUST in the Lord, your God.

Selah.

Read more...

Listen to Him

 

"Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior." (Ephesians 5:22-23)

Yesterday, I was offered a contract by Triology Christian Publishing to rebrand and market Fish Fry. As I fretted over the decision and begged God for clear instructions, I "happened" upon a message by a young woman from Africa. She said:

"If you are in a godly marriage, humble yourself, listen to your husband, and do what he says."

So I asked Phillip — for the second time — what he thought I should do. (Yes, I confess. He had already answered my question hours before.)

"Move forward," he replied — again.

This time, I listened, and God's peace flooded my soul.

Begging God for guidance, beloved? Has the Lord sent instructions that you ignored? 

Read more...

The Old Button Box

Mama's button box



"Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin."
(Luke 15:9)

This morning, I discovered that a button on my autumn "Give Thanks" pillow was missing. I rejoiced!

"And why in the world would you rejoice over a lost button?" you may ask.

Because a lost button is an opportunity to find a matching one in my sweet mother's old button box and that gives me joy.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells three parables of things lost — a sheep, a coin, and a son — and the joy felt when the lost treasures were found. 

Jesus loves and finds the lost and that gives Him joy. And I tell you, there is great rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God when lost souls are found.

 

 

Read more...

Fort Payne Wildcat Prayer

 

Fort Payne Wildcat Lettermen's Club Officers
1974

"Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people." (Ephesians 6:18)

I had to dig out my high school annual for this snapshot of the Fort Payne Wildcats Lettermen's Club Officers in 1974. (How did that girl get so old?)

Forty-eight years later, I'm praying the Fort Payne Wildcat prayer for our national and worldwide leaders:

F  - fear of the Lord

P  - protection

W - wisdom

C  - competence

Will you join me, beloved?

Read more...

Awesome Wonder

 

"So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the waters teemed and that moved about it..." (Genesis 1:21)

To kiss the summer goodbye, my Phillip and I took a spur of the moment trip to St. George Island. This morning, we watched over 5 pods of dolphins with 3 to 8 or more dolphins in each pod rolling over the surface of the sea and leaping into the air!

Decades ago, Carl Boberg penned:

Oh Lord, my God

When I, in awesome wonder

Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made . . . 

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee

How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Centuries ago, the psalmist wrote:

O my soul, bless God!

God, my God, how great You are!

Dressed up in sunshine,

and all heaven stretched out for Your tent.

You built Your palace on the ocean depths,

made a chariot out of clouds and

took off on wind-wings . . .

What a wild and wonderful world, God!

You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side,

made earth overflow with Your

wonderful creations.

Oh, look — the deep, wide sea,

brimming with fish past counting!

(Psalm 104, the Message)

Read more...

In His Hands

 

The Potter and His Clay
(sculpture by Ben Glassco, 2005)




"Yet You, LORD, are our Father.
We are the clay, You are the potter;
we are the work of Your hand."
(Isaiah 64:8)

I love this sculpture our Ben created when he was a student at Tusculum University, a private Presbyterian university — Tennessee's first university and the 28th-oldest operating college in the United States. 

When I first saw his work, I asked, "Ben, how did you come up with the idea?"

He said, "From the scripture you sent me, Mama."

(I had sent him Isaiah 64:8)

Did you notice "man" is bowed down in the hand of his Creator? Are you, beloved?

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you." (1 Peter 5:6)

Read more...

Come Home

 

Rebecca's friend
"Hidden"

"So there is hope . . . " declares the LORD. "Your children will return to their own land."

Over the summer, our Rebecca made a new friend — a praying mantis named Hidden who lived in their hydrangea bush. In August, when Rebecca pulled back the branches to introduce us to her bug friend, Hidden was frightened and flew away to a tall pine tree across the street.

"Hidden, come home!" I cried and prayed, "Lord Jesus, please help Hidden find her way home." 

Two weeks later, Hidden was back in the hydrangea bush. Thank You, Lord Jesus!

Beloved, there is no prayer too large or too small for our loving, Almighty Heavenly Father. Today, ask.

Read more...

Question of the Day

storm over Sanibel Island
2021

"Oh, what a sinful nation they are — loaded down with a burden of guilt. They are evil people, corrupt children who have rejected the LORD . . . and turned their backs on Him." (Isaiah 1:4)

Question of the day:

Am I more disgusted with evil behavior than concerned about the eternal destiny of evildoers?

Selah.

Read more...

Back Up

grandboys

"Don't do anything from selfish ambition or from a cheap desire to boast, but be humble toward one another, always considering others better than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3)

The wrap-around porch at the river cabin is a racetrack for the grandboys and their riding toys. When two tried to squeeze through a narrow space at the same time, their wheels jammed. Both kept peddling but neither budged.

I said, "Now that's what you call a traffic jam. What does Jesus tell you to do?"

Four big eyes stared back at me. Then, without a word, the eight-year-old slowly peddled backwards, letting his little brother go first.

At a relational standstill, beloved? Do what Jesus tells you to do. Put another's needs before your own. Relationship is more important than winning!

 

Read more...

Trustworthy

Stephen and grandboy
2020

"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and strength and honor and glory and praise!" (Revelation 5:12)

When the grandboy was learning to roller blade a couple of years ago, he clung to a trustworthy hand — his dad's.

Beloved, in this roller coaster world, cling to Jesus — our trustworthy Savior, Lord, Shepherd, and Friend.

Read more...

Right Hand

 

grandboy



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

A couple of minor injuries to my right hand this week prompted a word study. What does the Bible have to say about the right hand? Plenty!

"Your right hand, LORD, was majestic in power. Your right hand, LORD, shattered the enemy." (Exodus 15:6)

"I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken." (Psalm 16:8)

"You will make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand." (Psalm 16:11)

"Now I know this: The LORD gives victory to His anointed. He answers him from His heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of His right hand." (Psalm 20:6)

"For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 'Do not fear; I will help you.'" (Isaiah 41:13)

"Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died —more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us!" (Romans 8:34)

The right hand of God is powerful.

The right hand of God is victorious over our enemies.

God holds us in His majestic, righteous right hand.

God takes us by our right hand and helps us.

Jesus now sits at the right hand of God, interceding for us. 

Today, beloved, take hold of God's right hand stretched out to help you.

Read more...

First Day Friend

 

grandboy and Bell

"There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24)

The afternoon before school started, I got a call asking to borrow Bell. The grandboy was a little nervous about the first day of first grade and wanted Bell to spend the night and ride with him to school. 

Beloved, you have a friend who sticks closer than a brother, and His name is Jesus.

Read more...

Say Ahh

 

grandboy and his fish

"Come, follow Me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." (Matthew 4:19)

We took two of our grandboys fishing Sunday evening. The three-year-old was trying to pick up a fish by the lip. When it wouldn't open its mouth, he said, "Say ahh."

In the Gospel of Matthew, one day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, He saw two fishermen, Peter and Andrew, throwing a net into the water. Jesus called to them, "Come, follow Me, and I'll show you how to fish for people!" The brothers left their nets at once and followed Him.

Are you following Jesus, beloved? Are you fishing for people for the Kingdom of God?

Join thousands of fishers of men around the world in a season of 21 Days of Prayer. Online at:

www.churchofthehighlands.com

Read more...

Until We Meet Again

 

Margene and me
"All That Jazz"



"May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from another." (Genesis 31:49)

I've grown to love Margene, the owner of All That Jazz, my favorite novelty shop in Apalachicola, Florida. Sadly, the store is closing soon, and I'm wondering if today was the last time I'll see my friend this side of heaven. 

For those in Jesus Christ, the Good News is: separation of believers is always temporary.

"... And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words!" (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18)

Read more...

Changes in Attitude

 

grandboy

"Anything that proceeds from the mouth proceeds from the heart, and it defiles a man." (Matthew 15:18)

Recently, God's been teaching me the value of a good attitude and the destruction of a bad one. Yesterday, I learned the name of the beachhouse we rented next week on St. George Island:

"Changes in Attitude"

I hear You, Lord!

Read more...

Oasis

grandboys at the farm

"The LORD is your shade at your right hand." (Psalm 121:5)

In the Desert of Shur, God led the Israelites to Elim —an oasis with twelve springs and seventy date palms.

In a life desert, beloved? Jesus is your Elim —the Living Water, Bread of Life, and Shade at your right hand. Run to Him!

Read more...

The Rest of the Story

Phillip Glassco family
Orange Beach
2022

"Now unto Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-32!

On June 22, I posted that two of the grands had been exposed to covid and one had cold-like symptoms just days before our family beach trip.

The rest of the story: God healed the cold, no-one else got sick, and a grand time was had by all. Thank You, Lord Jesus!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Blessed be the name of the Lord!

 

Read more...

His Plans

 

family beach trip 2021

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 29:11)

For months, we've planned the family beach trip. For months, we've asked Jesus for good health, good weather, safe travel, and good times.

With the trip is just days away, two of the grands have been exposed to covid; one of the two now has cold-like symptoms.

This morning's devotional read: "What do you have in your hand? Give it to God and watch Him work."

What do I have in my hand? 

Plans. Long-time, heartfelt plans.

Lord, I give my plans to You and ask for Your plans — Your good and perfect plans.

"This is what the Sovereign Lord says, '. . . those who hope in Me will not be disappointed." (Isaiah 49:22-23)

Read more...

Good Ol' Summertime

grandboys

"Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come!" (Song of Solomon 2:12)

It's good ol' summertime! 

 

I believe the Lord said, "Write less and visit more, but still feed My sheep." (So, blog posts may be hit and miss for a while.)

Beloved, what are your God assignments this summer? May God bless the work of your hands for His glory!

Read more...

Present

 

My brothers and me
1956

"Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it." (Hebrews 2:1)

I want to be present.

In the now.

All there.

Listening carefully.

Paying close attention to whoever I'm with.

God.

My Phillip.

My kids.

My grandkids.

Extended family.

Friends.

The cashier at the grocery store.

Everybody.

All there.

Listening.

Paying attention.

Help me, Lord Jesus!

Read more...

Blue in Spanish

 

grandboys on the Coosa River bank



"A merry heart does good like a medicine."
(Proverbs 17:22)

Smile for the day:

8-year-old grandboy: "Can you say blue in Spanish?"

3-year-old grandboy: "Sure! Blue in Spanish."

Read more...