Seat Pillows

my back porch



"He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30)

On Amazon, when I typed in Sea Billows to see if my new book is available, the question popped up: Did you mean seat pillows? LOL (And yes, Amazon does carry Sea Billows.)

It reminded me of a story told years ago by Dr. Tony Campolo, an American sociologist, pastor, author, and public speaker. When his children were small, the family pulled into a virtually empty parking lot of a church where he was scheduled to speak. From the backseat, his little boy blurted, "Dad, nobody's here!" His little girl quickly scolded her brother, "Shhhh!!! It's hard to be famous when nobody knows who you are!" (smile)

May everything we do shine the spotlight on Jesus, the One who deserves all the applause.

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There is a Friend

Phillip, Gabe, and Dan
Coosa River





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

We managed to find some play time in-between Alberto's rain showers over the Memorial Day weekend, and everywhere my superman went, his loyal, four-legged friend stuck closer than a brother - even on a jet ski.

Everywhere you go, beloved, you have a Friend who sticks closer than a brother. And His name is Jesus!

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Simple Rule of Thumb

the grands and one BIG bear

Jesus said, "Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God's law and Prophets and this is what you get." (Matthew 7:12 The Message)

My Rebecca posted this picture after the kids' spring, piano recital. When the oldest grand won a prize there, he grabbed a BIG bear for his stuffed-animal-loving, younger sister instead of something for himself.  That's my good boy! 

(By the way, he and his sister were both voted by fellow classmates at their school "The Jonathan Award" for being a loyal friend to all. Proud of you, kids!)

Today, beloved, grab the chance to do something for another. It's the Jesus-like thing to do!

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Remember

Miss Meredith today




"I remember all you have done, O LORD, I remember Your wonderful deeds."  (Psalm 77:11)

Remember the tiny, two-and-a-half-pound Meredith fall 2016?

Don't neglect to remember the wondrous and marvelous deeds God has done!

Remember the brave men and women in uniform who died so that we might live free?

Don't neglect to remember Jesus Christ who lived and died and arose so that we might live forgiven and free forever!

Happy Memorial Day, beloved. 

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Bent Knees

brother, Mark, friend, Steve, and 1960 Willis Jeep
1967

"What a beautiful thing, GOD, to give thanks, to sing an anthem to You, the High God! To announce Your love each daybreak, sing Your faithful presence all through the night, accompanied by dulcimer and harp, the full-bodied music of strings." (Psalm 92:1-2 The Message)

"Lord, recently my family's had sore knees, ankle, and an elbow - injuries where the body bends. Speak, Lord, Your servant is listening."

"Jill, the fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility [a bent knee] (Proverbs 15:33). Therefore humble yourselves under My mighty hand, that I may exalt you at the proper time (1 Peter 5:6).  When tempted  with pride, offer thanksgiving to Me instead. A thankful attitude opens the windows of heaven. Waive your rights. Obey Me. Bend the knee."

"Yes, Lord Jesus. Please help me." 

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Little Library

"And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed." (Joshua 1:8 The Message)



I'm on a treasure hunt: finding little free libraries tucked into neighborhoods across Birmingham and adding a copy of Sea Billows for the children, and I'm pondering a little library in our our front yard for Highland Lakes.

What's the best book you've ever read, beloved? For me, it's the B-I-B-L-E! Yes, that's the Book for me. I stand alone on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E! (smile)

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Six Pack

grandboy and friend
Big 10 Track Championship



"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength." (Proverbs 17:22)

Here's a "happy" for the heart:

The 8-year-old grandboy told his friend: "I don't have a six pack; I just have a belly button."

Beloved, may the Lord bless your day with a contagious smile.

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The Rainmaker

grandgirl
2010?

"This is what God does. He gives His best - the sun to warm and the rain to nourish - to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty." (Matthew 5:45 The Message)

To the only One able to water the front yard, the back yard, and every flower pot all at the same time be praise and glory forever and ever - Jesus, the Rainmaker. Thank You, Lord, for the refreshing, spring shower this morning.

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Big Boy Mug

grandboy

"So come on, let's leave the preschool finger-painting exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art. Grow up in Christ!" (Hebrews 6:1 The Message)

One curly-red-headed grandboy turned four yesterday and moved on from sippy cups to a big-boy mug.

Still sipping on Bible basics, beloved? It's high time to sink those spiritual teeth into thick, juicy T-bone theology. Let's grow up in Christ!

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Two More French Fries Please

my grandboy

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

After picking up happy meals from Mickey-D's, we passed french fries to the back seat all the way back to the farm. 

Very near the cabin, two-year-old little bit said, "Two more french fries, please, Memaw."

"We're almost there, buddy. We'll finish the french fries inside."

"TWO MORE FRENCH FRIES, PLEASE, MEMAW!" came a louder voice.

Two fries promptly went to the back. (smile)

Still waiting on God's answer, beloved? Keep asking. Jesus said so, yes, He did!

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Ambassadors

Grands and friends

"So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making His appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, 'Come back to God!" (2 Corinthians 5:20)

"I'm asking Jesus to take me home," he said. "I have no life."

"That's not true. It's a lie from the devil," I answered. "Yes, you do have a life!! You are God's witness. There may be people who spend an eternity in heaven instead of fiery hell because you tell them about Jesus."

"How can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard of Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them?" (Romans 10:14)

Will you tell them, beloved? Will you tell people about Jesus?

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Double Bows

Double Rainbow

"I have set My bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of covenant between Me and the earth." (Genesis 9:13)


Last evening, the Lord painted beautiful double rainbows across the gulf beach sky - a sign of His unwavering promises.

In Psalm 112 , God promises blessing to the one who fears Him, the one who delights in His commands.

In Proverbs 3, God promises straight paths for the one who trusts and acknowledges Him in all ways.

In Isaiah 41, God promises His presence and His help and strength in the safety of His outstretched hand.

In John 3:16, God promises eternal life to whosoever will believe on His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

Beloved, are you standing on the promises of God?

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The Guardian

Share-the-Beach on patrol
Fort Morgan, Alabama

"God's your Guardian, right at your side to protect you -

Shielding you from sunstroke, sheltering you from moonstroke."

(Psalm 121:5 The Message)

Members of Share-the-Beach (Alabama's sea turtle guardians) patrolled the shoreline early this morning. The first nests of the season are expected any day now.

In Psalm 121, the Pilgrim's Song, we're told that God is our Guardian - always on patrol, never dozing or falling asleep. Our strength comes from Him, the One who protects us now, tomorrow, and forever after. 

Praise the Lord, beloved!

(Sea Billows now available at Sassy Bass Market Place in Fort Morgan and Emporium Gifts and More in Orange Beach. Thank You, Lord! Thank you, Sassy Bass Market Place and Emporium.)

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Beach Combing

Bell
Fort Morgan Beach




"You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (Acts 20:35)

I'm combing Alabama's sugar-sand beaches today searching for gift shops willing to sell Sea Billows and having a blast giving away free copies of my storybooks "along the waves."

The Lord has blessed you, beloved, and me with more than we need. May we use it, daily, for blessing others. 

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