Jake Milkshake

L-R Jake, Rebecca, Phillip, Ben, and Dan
1988 April snow in south Louisiana!

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins...But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved." (Eph. 2:1,5)

When our beloved pet died in 1988, our little Rebecca wrote the obituary:

Scripture teaches that all have sinned. All are dead. Everyone. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 6:23). Jesus said, "Because I live, you will live also" (John 14:6).

Beloved, are you dead or alive? "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Rom. 10:13,9)

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A-Bomb

Cpt. W. W. Watson
aboard the LST-1067 enroute to Japan
WWII 1945

"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." (2 Cor. 13:14)



Goosebumps danced from head to toe when I googled the LST-1067 after finding this old photo of Daddy onboard that war ship enroute to Japan. 

The navigator wrote: "The LST-1067 loaded invasion forces at Leyte [Philippines] and was steaming toward Japan, when the a-bomb was dropped, when Japan surrendered, and then our orders were changed to proceed as occupying force. I was aboard as navigator (Ens. Abraham P. Goldblum); Lt. Murtha was the Exex., Lt. White was the commander. We landed 2 docks (Nov. 2, 1945), which had been fastened to our sides, at Mitsagahama, proceeded to Kure naval base and some of us toured Hiroshima."

Okay...back from an intriguing rabbit trail and onto my point. 

I keep hearing people's claim that the god of Islam, the god of the Judaism,  and the God of Christianity is the same God. 

He's not.

Hydrogen + Hydrogen + Oxygen = Water

Father + Jesus Christ + Holy Spirt = God

Take hydrogen out of the equation and you've got a bomb.

Take Jesus out of the equation and you've got eternal death!  

Period.

I believe in God our Father

I believe in Christ the Son

I believe in the Holy Spirit

Our God is three in one

I believe in the resurrection

That we will rise again

For I believe in the name of Jesus 1

1 THIS I BELIEVE, Hillsong Worship, 2014.

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In Father's Hands

Our babygrands

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)

I love this snapshot of our babygrands in their fathers' hands.

Have hope, beloved. You're in Father God's hands.

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Keep Your Eye on the Ball

Our fun-loving' grandgirl

"Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds [your focus]... 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." (Phil. 4:8 The Message)

Toddlergrands' favorite movie is Chicken Little. When the story begins, Chicken Little is terrible at playing baseball but eventually learns to keep his eye on the ball and masters the game.

At 21 Days of Prayer this morning, Pastor Jimmy Bowers said, "An unfocused mind can break your faith. Make it your habit to focus on things that are true and worthy of praise."

Keep your eyes on Jesus, beloved, not your worries. Master the game of life by "...fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ." (2 Cor. 10:5 The Message)

"Improved focus will increase your faith." ~ Jimmy Bowers

Grand finale, 21 Days of Prayer, online Saturday 9 a.m. CDST:

www.wonderfulfamilystorybooks.blogspot.com

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Don't Give Up

Our beautiful Rebecca and her Stephen
2016

"One day Jesus told His disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up." (Luke 18:1)

When our Rebecca was a seventh grader, she believed God told her that one day she'd marry Stephen Figert. Well, a few boyfriends, one fiancé, and ten years later, she did.

At 21 Days of Prayer this early morning, student pastor Blake Cotter encouraged ones waiting on God to keep praying and never give up.

Waiting on Jesus' answer to your prayers, beloved? Keep praying! Never give up!

21 Days of Prayer online:

www.churchofthehighlands.com

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The Cow Says Moo

Our little grandboy cousins

"Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through Him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we see and the things we can't see...[Jesus] existed before anything else, and He holds all creation together. Christ is also the head of the church, which is His body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead...first place in everything!" (Col. 1:15-18)

Our son taught his 8-month-old to growl. Yesterday, babygrand was playing with his cousin and growling. Toddlergrand said, "It's okay, Buddy; it's okay. The cow says, 'Moo.'"

And the point of this post is...I have no idea. It's just a cute story.

Have a great day with Jesus and praise Him for all creation!

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The Place of Victory

Oldest grandboy

"For the LORD delights in His people; He crowns the humble with victory." (Psalm 149:4)

The oldest grandboy's soccer team won their first match of the season 3-2, and my superman and I are chomping at the bits to head north to watch him play. Grandkids are our delight!

Beloved, you are God's delight. Humble yourself at the feet of Jesus - a place of victory.

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A Good Cleanin'

Toddlergrand "muddin'' at the river cabin

"Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others." (1 Cor. 5:11)

After a romp through the rain puddles yesterday, toddlergrand got a good scrubbin' in the mud room sink by his daddy.

First John 1:9 reads: "if we confess our sins to God, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." 

So does sin cleansing simply come by asking God? 

No.

First John is a letter of eye-witness testimony and proclamation that Jesus Christ is the Word of life - eternal life. It was written to persuade others to fully share in the joy of fellowship with Father God through Jesus, His Son. The forgiveness and removal of sin described in verse 9 comes only by the truth of verse 7: the blood of Jesus, God's Son, cleanses us from all sin.

"And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to Himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to Him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. And He gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation." 

"So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making His appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, 'Come back to God!' For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ." (2 Cor. 5:18-21)

Are you right with God, beloved? 

No? then come to God through Jesus Christ today! 

Yes? then work hard to persuade others and proclaim God's wonderful message of reconciliation through Jesus!

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Run with Endurance

Mother and my brother, Rocky
1949

"We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy." (James 5:11 NLT)

By the time this photo was taken, my 29-years-young mother had courageously endured the Great Depression, World War II, Daddy's two-year army deployment to New Guinea, the Philippines, and Japan, and a long battle with tuberculosis at the Alabama TB Sanitarium in Birmingham.

"Therefore, [beloved], since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith [generations of brave men and women before us], let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us." (Heb. 12:1)

How's that possible?

"We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne." (Heb. 12:2) 

21 Days of Prayer online:

www.churchofthehighlands.com

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God's Thoughts About Obama, Clinton, and Trump

McKenzie-Glassco Washington DC vacation, 2001
L-R Wayne, Dianne, Rhett, April, Ben, Rebecca, Dan

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of truth." (1 Tim. 2:1-4)

Father God, 

You command us to pray with thanksgiving for those in authority. So, Lord, I thank You for Pres. Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Donald Trump. I pray that You bless them and bless their families. 

I ask that You drawn these men and this woman unto Yourself, fill them with the knowledge of truth and Your will, and empower them to walk in a manner worthy of You. In Proverbs 21:1, You say the king's heart is in Your hand to channel as You will. Please turn their hearts toward You. I pray that they cleanse themselves from all unrighteousness and grow as vessels of honor, sanctified, and meet for Your use. 

I pray they will call to You and You will answer them and show them great and mighty things they do not know. I pray Obama, Clinton, and Trump will love You, obey Your voice, and hold fast to You. 

I pray Your will be done on this earth as it is in heaven. Please help Your people who are called by Your name to glorify you in our thoughts, in our words, and in our actions.

I ask these things in Jesus' name, Amen and Amen.

So, beloved, are you grumbling or petitioning? "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." (James 5:16b)

21 Days of Prayer online:

www.churchofthehighlands.com

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That "Feel-Good" Church

Our toddler-grand

"That is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved." 

(2 Thess. 2:9-10)

"Oh, you go to that feel-good church," remarked one of my son's coworker.

"Well, my church teaches Truth," he answered. "And for some it makes them feel good, and for others it makes them feel bad."

In the book of Acts, Luke described the Bereans as noble-minded  people who received the word with great eagerness, but examined the Scriptures daily to see if it aligned with truth.

In his second letter to Timothy, Paul warned that in the last days, people will not endure sound doctrine. They will follow their own desires and look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.

Wanna know who and what to believe, beloved? Read the Bible. Everyday. It could save your life - today and forever.

"How can a person keep his life pure? By obeying Your word." (Psalm 119:9)

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That's Peculiar

Windmill powered farms of Wisconsin

The Lord said to Joshua, "You and your fighting men should march around the town once a day for six days. Seven priests will walk ahead of the Ark, each carrying a ram's horn. On the seventh day you are to march around the town seven times, with the priests blowing the horns." (Joshua 6:3-4)

The Lord said, "Write a children's book."

That's peculiar, I thought. I don't know a hill of beans about writing books.

After storybook #2, the Lord said, "Cast your nets into deep waters."

That's peculiar, I thought. How does one cast children's books into deep waters?

After Deep Sea Publishing released my fourth children's book, the Lord said, "Cast your nets on the right side of the boat?"

That's peculiar, I thought. What's the right side?

"Keep reading," said the Lord.

After Jesus told His disciples to cast their nets on the right in John chapter 21, He told Peter to feed His sheep and lambs.

"Oh. Gotcha."

After reading stories to big and little people from Alabama to Arkansas to Indiana in schools, churches, and senior living facilities, the Lord said, "This summer, give books away."

That's peculiar, I thought. My book expenses far exceed any profits. 

After giving away pert near 400 books, the Lord said, "Now, send the books, one chapter at a time, to prison."

That's peculiar, I thought, sending children's books to a federal prison.

Chapter 2 of A Chancellor Ferry Tale dropped in the mailbox yesterday.

We are God's peculiar people (1 Peter 2:9 KJV), beloved, chosen to show forth the love and praises of Him who called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light. And sometimes, that looks...well, peculiar.

"The seventh time around, as the priest sounded the long blast on their horns, Joshua commanded the people, 'Shout! For the LORD has given you the town!" So the people shouted, and the priests blew the trumpets...and the wall fell down flat!" (Joshua 6:16, 20) 

21 Days of Prayer online at:

www.churchofthehighlands.com

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Released

Our grandgirl

"...To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood." (Rev. 1:5)

We spent Friday night at the river cabin and woke to a beautiful, summer-Saturday morning. I'd just finished a delicious bowl of shredded wheat, fresh fruit, and nuts when I remembered my commitment: fast breakfast during 21 Days of Prayer.

I'd sinned. 

Unintentionally. 

Absentmindedly. 

But all the same, sin against God.

Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 reads: "When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it...It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay."

I couldn't right my wrong, but I belong to the One who can.

"In Jesus we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us." (Eph. 1:7-8)

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

I did, and He did.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me bless His holy name...He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. (Ps. 103:1,10-12)

Got sin, beloved? Confess. Jesus loves you and released you from your sins by His blood.

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Travelers

Our grandboy

"All these faithful ones...agreed that they were foreigners and nomads on earth...looking for  a better place, a heavenly homeland. For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. (Heb. 11:13-16, Heb 13:14)

Our seven-year-old grandboy is tickled pink over a road trip - just him and his dad. Their trek to Alabama and back home will, no doubt, be a 940-mile adventure stamped in vivid technicolor into his special-memories bank.

The writer of Hebrews reminds us that earth is not our home. We're on a journey. Just travelers. And if we're God's child through faith in Jesus Christ, then Abba, Father is right beside us all the way home. 

Who's traveling with you, beloved? Map check. Are you headed to a heavenly homeland?

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