Spiritual Farmers

My Phillip and toddler-grand
Fall 2015

Jesus explained, "The farmer plants seed by taking God's word to others." (Mark  4:14 NLT)

"Tractor" was one of toddler-grand's first words, and both he and his granddaddy love playing farmer.

By definition, a farmer is one who cultivates the land by sowing and reaping. Followers of Jesus Christ are commanded to be spiritual farmers - sowing His word into other's lives.

Beloved, scatter His seed today and pray for a 100-fold harvest!

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The Lion Has Roared

1990s Christmas Card from beloved friends, Elaine and Larry

"The lion has roared - so who isn't frightened? The Sovereign LORD has spoken - so who can refuse to proclaim His message?" (Amos 3:8 NLT)

Because I adored the picture, I framed this Christmas card over 20 years ago. A defenseless lamb nuzzling against the mighty lion depicts the coming peace-on-earth-good-will-toward-men reign of Christ when "the wolf and the lamb will live together...and the calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them" (Isa. 11:6).

The Apostle John wrote, "Behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David [the Son of God, Prince of Peace, King of kings, Lord of lords, Jesus the Christ] has won the victory. He is worthy..." (Rev. 5:5)

Through His life, death, and resurrection, the Lion has roared; His truth prevails. Beloved, this Christmas season, how can we refuse to proclaim His message: forgiveness of sins and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ!

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The World Like It Is Today

Newborn babygrand, oh, so sweet

Jesus said, "....have peace in Me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 NLT)

When my babies were born thirty plus years ago, my grandmother said, "Jill, I wouldn't bring children into the world like it is today."

Two thousand some odd years ago when Herod saw that he'd been tricked by the magi, the furious king sent soldiers to kill all the little boys in Bethlehem who were two years old and under. Moreover, about 600 years prior, King Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem and carted the children of Israel off to Babylon to serve as slaves. 

The truth: the world like it is today is the world like it has been ever since that crafty, ole serpent connived Eve into munching on God-forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden.

Let us, however, consider, ponder, dwell on, and remember "that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly...in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God" (Romans 8:18-21).

Beloved, are you in Christ? Then don't worry and grieve as those who have no hope. Take courage! Have peace!  Jesus will make all things new.  We will be with Him forever and ever and ever and ever where there is no pain or sorrow or tears or sickness or sadness. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords!

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Focus

Our sweet toddlergrand, summer 2015




"Fixing our eyes on Jesus..." (Heb. 12:2)

This morning, I awoke all wrapped up in my self-centered self.  Straightaway, the Holy Spirit whispered, "Focus!"

God says: "fix your eyes on Jesus" (Heb. 12:2), "don't think more highly of yourselves than you ought" (Rom. 12:3), "set your mind on things above" (Col. 3:2), "love one another" (1 John 4:7-8).

Beloved, got a bad case of the "I"s - I feel, I wish, I want? Take your eyes off yourself. Focus on Jesus. Turn your attention to others. It's good for a selfish soul.

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Work Orders

Walter Chancellor on the Chancellor's Ferry
(photo from Jan. 17, 1937 issue:
Birmingham News Age Herald)

"Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ." (Col. 3:23-24)

Founded in the 1860s by William Chancellor, the Chancellor Ferry was in constant operation across the Coosa River between Harpersville and Childersburg, Alabama for some seventy years. Walter Chancellor and his two brothers worked the ferry in its latter days. 

As 2016 rapidly approaches, I'm asking the Lord for my work orders over the new year - one assignment being the publication of a new storybook - A Chancellor Ferry Tale, set in 1935 along the Coosa River at the peak of the Great Depression.

No matter who signs our pay checks, for Christians, our ultimate Boss is Jesus. Got your work orders? Seek the Lord!

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Matchless Gift

box of love

"God so loved the world that He gave His Son, Jesus, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

This little box has sat unopened under our Christmas tree for 26 years. When our Dan was four years old, he gave us a box of love.

Over 2,000 years ago, Father God gave the world a matchless Gift of love - His only Son, Jesus Christ. Beloved, have you opened the Gift?

Tis the season to remember that...

"Although Jesus existed as God, He emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death on a cross." (Phil. 2:6-8)

"He was buried and raised on the third day." (1 Cor. 15:4)

"He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God." (Mark 16:19)

"And on His robe and on His thigh He has the name written, KING of Kings and LORD of Lords." (Rev. 19:16)

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Gifts from Above

Our newborn babygrand
Dec. 3, 2016




"Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes..." (James 1:17 NLT)




Beloved, have you thanked God today for your children?

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Cereal and a Sentence

My precious children
November, 1985




"...Before the presence of the LORD; lift up your hands to Him for the life of your little ones." (Lam. 2:19b)

As I'm gulping down a bowl of cereal and headed out the door, my baby boy's having a baby boy. Prayers appreciated!

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Runaway Brides

My Phillip, my Jesus, and me
1977

"These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong to us...Anyone who denies [Jesus] the Son doesn't have the Father, either. But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also." (1 John 2:19,23 NLT)

On September 10, 1977, a team of wild stallions couldn't have dragged me away from the First United Methodist Church in Fort Payne, Alabama! I'd waited six, long years to become Mr. Phillip L. Glassco's bride.

Sadly to say, too many people sit on my prayer list because they've forsaken assembling together with other believers - runaway brides of Christ if you will. 

Beloved, pray now for the runaway brides in your life. "Perhaps God will change those people's hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil's trap." (2 Tim. 2:25-26)

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A Monkey On Your Back

My Phillip (front) and my crazy brother, Mark
1972

"...Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the Source and Perfecter of our faith..." (Hey. 12:1-2 HCSB)

Since 2014, I must constantly beware of the what-if fear of cancer returning. When that creepy, sneaky monkey tries to crawl on my back, my best defense is the trustworthy Sword of God - His Word, the Holy Bible.

"Having a monkey on your back," I'm told, is an old Hindu expression meaning that you're carrying a burden or a problem that you find difficult to get rid of.

Beloved, got a monkey on your back? Knock that burden off with the Word of God, set your eyes on Jesus, and run with endurance the race of life set before you!

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Baby Talk

Our sweet daughters-in-law

"A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary's greeting, Elizabeth's child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, 'God has blessed you above all women, and your Child is blessed.'" (Luke 1:39-42 NLT)

With babygrand #5 due this week and babygrand #6 due nine weeks later, there's lots of "baby talk" around our house.

Two thousand years ago, "baby talk" announced the coming Christ. When young Mary, pregnant with Jesus, visited her cousin Elizabeth, John the Baptist leaped in Elizabeth's womb - the unborn child testified to his mother, "The Messiah is here!"

Beloved, Jesus is the reason for the season. Come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!

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Don't Forget the Gratitude

Homemade Butternut Squash Soup
Yum!

"...Give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation." (Psalm 100:4b-5 NLT)

Just a friendly reminder that tomorrow amongst the turkey, dressing, giblet gravy, cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole, silver queen cream corn, green beans, deviled eggs, wild rice, whole wheat yeast rolls, pecan pie, and pumpkin pie, don't forget the gratitude!

Happy Thanksgiving-to-God Day!

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This is Good

Our Dan, Mandy, and baby bun-in-the-oven
June, 2015

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

I started a cold this morning. Seems like rotten timing when our small group semester-end dinner and Bible study was supposed to be tonight, and Thanksgiving is just two days away. But on the other hand, babygrand #5 is due next week, so this is good - better to have a cold this week than next.

Beloved, are things different from what you hoped and prayed for? Be encouraged. Know with great confidence that Jesus Christ who deeply loves you is causing all things to work together in a plan far beyond good according to His divine purposes. Trust Him.

When the night has been too lonely 

And the road has been too long...

Just remember in the winter 

far beneath the bitter snow,

Lies the seed that with the [Son's] love

In the spring becomes the rose. 1

1 THE ROSE. Amanda McBroom, 1977. 

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Woodlawn

Woodlawn Prayer Walk
2013

"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think..." (Romans 12:2 NLT)

At the 2013 Serve Day prayer walk in Woodlawn, Alabama, a sweet mama struggled with her toddler on that hot, July Saturday; so my Phillip carried this cute little fellow on his shoulders.

Woodlawn holds a special place in my heart. Our church Dream Center and Christ Health Center are across the street from Woodlawn High School - one of the campus locations for Church of the Highlands. I, also, have precious friends in that community made while teaching women's Bible study there 2009-2015. The Dream Center, Christ Health Center, Church of the Highlands Woodlawn Campus, Serve Day, Prayer Walks, and Bible studies are all fruit of a mighty transformation God began in the 1970s.

Tandy Geralds, Woodlawn High's football coach 1971-76, struggled to ease desegregation racial tensions. When he allowed outsider Hank Erwin to speak to his team players about a "better way" possible only through following Jesus, almost the entire team gave their lives to Jesus Christ; and the spiritual change rocked a school and community.

Beloved, do you need hope? Do you long for things to be different? Stop following the world. Follow Jesus, and let God transform you and life around you.

Film directors Andrew and Jon Erwin tell the true story of football great Tony Nathan and a transformed community in the 2015 movie release: Woodlawn. Hear Pastor Chris Hodges' Nov. 22nd message of hope and transformation from "Woodlawn" movie clips  at:

www.churchofthehighlands.com

Click: "At the Movies"

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