Under Bad Behavior

Rocky, 1950

"If you see a fellow believer sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life..." (1 John 5:16 NLT)

In our family, the story's told that as a little tike, my brother, Rocky, was playing on the kitchen floor and suddenly jumped up and butted the oven door. Without a word, he returned to playing and then repeated the bizarre behavior. After the third oven head butt, Mother discovered that an open diaper pen was sticking the poor little fellow every time he sat down.

Got someone difficult in your life beloved? Pray. Respond with grace. Pain might just lurk under bad behavior.

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This New Generation

Easter Egg Hunt

"Now that I am old and gray...Let me proclaim Your power to this new generation, Your mighty miracles to all who come after me." (Psalm 71:18 NLT)

We hid 33 eggs for Sunday morning's Easter egg hunt. When I asked our grands the significance of 33, our oldest grandboy answered, "That's how old Jesus was when He died on the cross."

Beloved, are you telling the story of Jesus to this new generation?

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In the Arms of Love

Brian and Chelsea
3-26-16

"...encourage the young men to live wisely and...be an example to them..." (Titus 2:6-7 NLT)

Do you notice something unusual about this wedding party? Most of the happy groom's groomsmen are over 50.

A few years ago, when Brian moved to Ft. Meyers a little down in the dumps and far away from his family, the pastor and families of Relevance Community Church rallied around him. Jesus, through their deep love and godly examples, pulled a young man out of the pit of discouragement and set his heart on solid ground.

Beloved, look around you. Find the down-hearted and be God's arms of love and encouragement.

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Together

Easter Sunrise Service
Sanibel Island

"Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning...an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled the stone away, and sat on it..."Don't be afraid!" he said... "[Jesus] isn't here! He is risen from the dead..." (Matt. 28:1-6 NLT)

Because of our dear friend's wedding on Saturday,

Easter Sunday, we were on Sanibel Island with kids and grands. 

Because Jesus Christ hung on a cross on Friday and rose from the grave on Sunday, one day His family will be with Him forever in Paradise. Are you in His family?

Jesus said, "When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with Me where I am." (John 14:3 NLT)

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The LORD of Good Friday

Last night's sunset
Sanibel Island




Give thanks to the LORD,
for He is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
Has the LORD redeemed you?
Then speak out!
Tell others He has redeemed
you from your enemies...

Some were fools;
they rebelled and suffered for their sins...
"LORD, help!" they cried in their trouble,
and He saved them from their distress.
He sent His Word and healed them,
snatching them from the door of death.
Let them praise the LORD
for His great love
and for the wonderful things
He has done for them...

Some went off to sea in ships,
plying the trade routes of the world.
They, too, observed the LORD's power in action,
His impressive works on the deep seas.
He spoke, and the winds rose,
stirring the waves...
"LORD, help!" they cried in their trouble,
and He saved them from their distress.
He calmed the storm to a whisper
and stilled the waves.
What a blessing was the stillness
as He brought them safely to harbor!
Let them praise the LORD for His great love
and for the wonderful things
He has done for them...

He rescues the poor from trouble
and increases their families
like flocks of sheep.
The godly will see these things and be glad
while the wicked are struck silent.
Those who are wise will take all this to heart;
they will see in our history
the faithful love of the LORD.
(Psalm 107 NLT)

Beloved, has Jesus redeemed you? Then speak out and tell others about the LORD of Good Friday! Praise Him for His great love and for the wonderful things He has done for you.

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Sockless

Sweet babygrand
Christmas 2015

"Your lovingkindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies." (Psalm 36:5 NASB)

Not by the tiniest smidgen of merit of my own, but on account of His great compassion and mercy, Jesus blessed my socks off this week - a new book release, the Readers' Favorite 5-star review I told you about, and yesterday, a clean bill of good health from my 2-year-post-cancer checkup. 

"Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." (James 1:17) Thank You, Lord Jesus!

God is the Giver of all good things. Have you thanked Him today?

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Cure for the Grumpies

My precious grandboy and his special friend

"The whole earth is filled with awe at Your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, You call forth songs of joy." (Psalm 65:8 NIV)

In anticipation of his uncle's engagement, my friend's grandson advised his uncle not to propose in the morning. "Sometimes people are grumpy in the morning," he said.

Got the morning grumpies, beloved? Start each day with Jesus and be joyful!

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Nose to the Grindstone

Our grandkids at
"Make Your Own Ball Day"

"So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up." (Gal. 6:9 NLT)

A review of Wonderful Family Storybook's fiscal year caused me to contemplate giving up book writing, but today's Readers' Favorite 5-star review of A Chancellor Ferry Tale motivates me to keep my nose to the grindstone. 

Are you discouraged, beloved? Don't give up. Keep your nose to the grindstone. In due time, a harvest of blessing will surely come.

(Readers' Favorite Review: Jill Glassco makes A Chancellor Ferry Tale into a classic story complete with lessons to learn. Each chapter has a review section that summarizes important lessons and relevant Biblical quotes from that chapter. It's cleverly told and the lessons are well learned even before the chapter summary appears. This is a charming children's story that teaches young children valuable lessons - a family keepsake and a treasure to read. 
Review rating: 5-stars. 
RF Reviewer: Emily-Jane Hills Orford, award-winning, Canadian author.)

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Love in Action

Norman Hyde from
A Chancellor Ferry Tale

"But don't just listen to God's Word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves." (James 1:22 NLT)

In my new children's book, A Chancellor Ferry Tale, a little praying mantis named Norman Hyde befriends a Shelby County farm family during the Great Depression of the U.S. of A. and learns that love in action speaks louder than words.

Beloved, love others today - in words and actions!

A Chancellor Ferry Tale, now available at Amazon.com.

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Morning Glory

Morning Glory
(photo by my Rebecca)

"I will never forget this awful time...Yet I will dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning." (Lamentations 3:20-23)

Recently, I heard a young man lament, "I don't think God wants to help me."

I remember years ago as a young mom of three preschoolers in the midst of financial wipeout asking, "God where are you????" On that cloudy day,  a ray of sunlight hit my face for a moment and then disappeared behind the clouds again. In my spirit I knew God answered, "Just at surely as the sun is in the sky, I'm right here. You just can't see me for trouble's clouds."

Got problems, beloved? Look past trouble's clouds to the Son of God - Jesus, the Light of the World. His mercies begin afresh each glorious morning.

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Take Fifteen

One of our precious grandboys
(dribbling the ball)

"Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come." (1 Timothy 4:8 NLT)

Superman and I, in our "old" age, have learned the valuable benefits of physical exercise. (I once asked my grandkids, "When I get old, will you take care of Memaw?" To which my granddaughter answered, "You are old!")  Just fifteen minutes on the elliptical can lower blood sugar and blood pressure back to the normal range.

The Apostle Paul wisely advised young Timothy that physical training is good by spiritual exercise is eternally beneficial!

Want a stronger, healthier body, soul, and spirit, beloved? Take fifteen minutes of your 1,440-minute day to talk to Jesus and exercise!

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Hand to Hand Combat

My 6th birthday, 1962
L-R - brother Rocky, friend Steve, brother Mark, and me

"Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith..." (1 Peter 5:8-9)

Because I was the only little girl in our neck of the woods, I tagged along with the boys and did what boys do - fist fights included. Brother Mark was my trainer and manager and even arranged a "match"  between a boy 3 years my senior and me. He stopped the fight, however, when I punched the poor guy in the belly and made him cry.

You may be surprised to know that at almost 60, I'm still fighting! Not with fists, but on my knees against an invisible but very real enemy - the devil and his diabolical cohorts.

For a short while, the devil is alive and actively seeking someone to destroy. Resist him in Jesus' name, beloved, and fight for your family!

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Lucy Tickles Sassy

Great oak and our neon grandson on
The Nut Trail

"In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for His own glory." (Isa. 61:3c)

When our three oldest grands were little tikes, they planted a red oak and named it Lucy Tickles Sassy. Their tender care and diligent watering, however, were sadly to no avail, because neighborhood deer soon devoured the fragile sapling.

Jesus said, "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

Wanna be a great oak of righteousness, beloved? Abide in Jesus. Part from Him and the world, the devil, and your own flesh will devour you!

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Healing Ointment

our sweet Ben
1987

"He sent out His Word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction." (Psalm 107:22 ESV)

See the "boo-boo" on little superman's left cheek? For our Ben as a kid, a hug and a kiss always served as healing ointment for his bumps and bruises.

A friend walking through a painful trial texted today: Scriptures have been like a healing ointment.

Is life giving you bumps and bruises, beloved? Apply God's Word. It's healing ointment.

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