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)

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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!

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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!

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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."

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Paint That Church

Frison Chapel



"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" (Isaiah 6:8)

Twenty-five summers ago, while driving past Frison Chapel, I heard the voice of the Lord whisper, "Paint that church."

Out of that assignment came an enduring friendship with Mrs. Mattie B. Taylor and her brother, Mr. Fred Cross. Both beloved saints are now in heaven.

Mrs. Mattie

Yesterday, my heart stirred again for Frison Chapel. Lord, I don't know what You are up to, but here I am. Send me!

 

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A New Season

 

grandboy's 6th grade graduation

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under the heavens." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Monday night, our grandboy graduated 6th grade. Christian education ends; public middle school begins. Godspeed, young man!

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Change in the Wind

 

my frog pond weathervane

"The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going." (John 3:8)

"Winds in the East

Mist coming in

Like somethin' is brewin'

and bout to begin. . ."

~Bert, from Mary Poppins~

I sense change a comin'. Lord, what are You up to?

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Mama's Little Helpers

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

Here's a picture of our grandboys after "helping" mom water flowers. Hope it makes you smile, beloved! Have a great day with Jesus!

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Out of the Mouth of Babes

 

Isaac

"Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies to silence the foe and the avenger." (Psalm 8:2)

Our little friend, Isaac, is third grader. Yesterday, he was baptized at his Christian school because he wanted to show the world that he believes in Jesus. Isaac wrote:

The Lord is Better

The enemy tries to cut me short

I come back longer.

They try to burn me out

I come back brighter.

They try to make me weak

I come back stronger.

They try to make me quiet

I come back louder.

They try to block me out

He finds another way.

Selah.

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Cutest T-shirt in the Whole Wide World

 

". . . give your mother a reason to be glad." (Proverbs 23:25)

Look what came in the mail today! The cutest t-shirt in the whole wide world, compliments of my Rebecca's family. I am one glad mama/memaw.

According to Proverbs 23, what makes a father and mother truly happy? Righteous and wise children.

Beloved, may your children and grandchildren make you glad. May they all walk in the ways of the Lord all the days of their lives.

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Teamwork

 

Our Ben, coach
Our grandboys: far left, 3rd from right, far right
(Glasscos made half the team)

"The body of Christ...is a team. The body is not supported by one person, but by all of us. We are one, we are strongest working together in unity. Teamwork is the key to living life in harmony, so that we can do God's will." (1 Corinthians 12:14)

At the beginning of the season, these little guys would take the soccer ball and try to dribble all the way to the goal. Once they learned to spread out, pass the ball, and work as a team, they became winners. (Last game score: 9 to 1)

Beloved, never try doing the work of Christ alone. You are one member of the Jesus team. Work together.

"If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself." ~Henry Ford~

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A Thumb Story

 

grandboy

"... Make the most of every opportunity you have for doing good. Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to find out and do whatever the Lord wants you to." (Ephesians 5:15-17)

Our God has a sense of humor. 

So, a couple of weeks ago, my sweet cousin had thumb surgery. It was a busy week for me. I prayed for her but did nothing to help her. 

The following Saturday night (out of the blue — literally), my left thumb began to hurt. It made me think of Belinda, so I prayed for her again.

Sunday night, the same thing happened. Around bedtime, my left thumb was in pain. I prayed, "Lord, please heal Belinda's thumb."

The pain got worse.

"Okay, okay, Lord, I hear You! I'll fix a meal and take it to her family tomorrow night!"

The next day, I cooked chicken and rice casserole, green beans, rolls, and M & M cookies and delivered it to Belinda's doorstep. My thumb hasn't hurt since. (Smile)

Oswald Chambers wrote: "We have to get into the habit of carefully listening to God about everything, forming the habit of finding out what He says and heeding it."

Beloved, pay attention, pay attention and do whatever the Lord tells you to do!

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Getting Ready

 

"All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps." (Matthew 25:6)

Our dog Bell has watched me scurry about the kitchen all morning preparing for the Bible study ladies' luncheon — our first party in two years since "Mt. Pandemic" erupted.

In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 25, Jesus compared the Kingdom of Heaven to a wedding party. . . 

“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil.  When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

“At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’

“All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’

“But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’

“But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’

“But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’

 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of My return."

Beloved, are you ready???

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New Little Lamb

 

grandboy and little lamb
2013ish

"[The Sovereign LORD] tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young." (Isaiah 40:11)

I am SO thankful and excited! The Lord sent me a new little lamb this spring (9-year-old little girl) to feed through Bible study and prayer.

In John 10:14-15, Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd...I lay down My life for the sheep." 

In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah described the Sovereign LORD as a caring shepherd. According to The Moody Bible Commentary, Isaiah chapters 40-48 offer comfort to God's exiled people. Despite their captivity in Babylon, there was hope of restoration by their faithful God. 

Yesterday, today, and forever, God cares for His people like a shepherd cares for his sheep — providing, feeding, protecting, rescuing, nursing injuries and illnesses. 

You are God's sheep, beloved. He will take care of you!

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