Solid Evidence

Posted on November 22, 2018 by For Glory Sake!

My blogs are like a huge pile of rocks – a reminder of the things God has done. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to actually build a large mound in our front yard! But David wasn’t so sure.

21 “When your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’…22 “then you shall inform them”… 24 “that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, and so that you may fear the LORD your God forever.” Joshua 4:21-24

Instead, I journal and blog and reread the accounts again and again and marvel and cry (happy tears). These scribblings/typings are solid evidence when I feel lost or alone or unheard or hopeless. It’s embarrassing to think I come to that point, but I do …often. And here I stop, seeing to my shock- that I have felt all this before, and God was so very, very faithful each time.

Mercy!

I’m glad I’ve written about my worry and desperation along the way. These are my truthful words, followed by God’s comforting hope. Sometimes the process was long and agonizing, sometimes quick and merciful, but always His love and care came through somehow.

He hears, He knows, He has a plan – has become my motto. And probably what I’d write on my big messy pile of rocks. Instead I’ll leave behind journals, blogs and stories my children have often heard 10s of times… heck, they lived through them. Hopefully they will pass them on to the next generation and possibly encourage some outside our family as well.

Grateful and thankful today,

ForGlorySake! – Anna



 “For the LORD is good. His loyal love endures, and He is faithful through all generations.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭100:5‬ ‭

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Little Cabin in the Woods

Posted on November 4, 2024 by For Glory Sake!

Spending the weekend cleaning out cupboards at my in-law’s, I discovered many forgotten treasures. Photos, decorations, maps (100s of maps!) even some never-given Christmas gifts. Each was a surprise of some sort.

I was overwhelmed by how much time has passed since I became a member of this family. It’s hard to believe 37 years ago I stepped through their door. So many celebrations have come and gone: birthdays, anniversaries and holidays… especially Christmas! 

Christmas at the log cabin has always been epic. Time shared, memories made and of course lots and lots of homemade food. Think large crowd, small space, everyone sleeping anywhere there’s a spot.  Those moments stand out in my mind but all the time here is special. 

I tried to explain it this morning. This home is a haven. A refuge. Like a lighthouse. It’s where we each come to find peace and feel love – be reminded of where we belong. Personally, I believe it comes from open arms, an extra chair and many spoken prayers with family gathered. 

As time passes the faces change.  Some of the decor does too, but the spirit remains the same. This is HOME. Not only for my husband’s parents but for all they welcome. 

Thank you, John & Debby

ForGlorySake.com 

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Nice to meet you!

Posted on September 2, 2024 by For Glory Sake!

If I met you this summer during my travels, it was a pleasure. If I told you I’d pray for you- I have! If I gave you a painting it was to see you smile and to say thank you. It’s what I have to give: a listening ear, a word of encouragement, and some tiny art. 

God has given me these gifts and I want to share them with whoever crosses my path. I really enjoy meeting new people, and hearing their stories. You are a treasure from God to me.

Thank you for sharing your life. Thank you for accepting my gift. Know that I remember your face and your words  even if I forget your name… hopefully I wrote it down! I lift you up daily before my Heavenly Father.

“The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance to you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

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mission travel

Posted on August 29, 2024 by For Glory Sake!

My husband and I have traveled a lot this summer! Some of it was planned and the rest unexpected. Heading out yet again, someone asked him if it was a mission trip this time. He wasn’t sure how to explain that for us – all our travel is a mission. 

No matter where we are – at home or abroad we are Ambassadors for Christ, everyday and everywhere. Our prayer each morning is, “use us” and each evening, “thank you.” We seek to share God’s love with whoever we meet and bring every conversation toward Jesus.

We have been surprised with how much more receptive people are to faith talk since 2020. I love to start a conversation and just wait for their “GOD-story” (who He is to them) then share about my Jesus. Sometimes that draws others to join in. I haven’t had anyone refuse a chat or prayer since that strange year.

What an incredible time in history. People sense the closeness of His coming. May each of us look for Divine Encounters today. Many are aching for the truth. If you are bold – you just may get a hug in response. ❤️Anna

Beseech the Lord of the harvest, therefore, that He might send out workmen into His harvest.

Matthew 9:38

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Never Changing

Posted on August 7, 2024 by For Glory Sake!

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and to the ages” Hebrews 13:8

Never before in my life have I needed these verses so desperately. To know for sure that one thing in my life is stable and secure and not anout to flip-flop or deceive me is gold. When I’m confused or disoriented all I need is a few minutes with my Bible to reset the focus. Solid Truth.

Each morning I thank the LORD that He is: still there! Ever present- in control- on the throne… knowing that in the next few minutes I will hear some more earth shaking, soul shattering, shocking news. This constantly-changing world is moving like a roller coaster. Hold on.

…YOU however are the same and the years of YOU will never end. Hebrews 1:12b

Peace comes easily, effortlessly when I trust that HE is who HE says HE is, and will fulfill ever purpose of HIS perfect will. Everything that comes will ultimately be for HIS Glory and even more amazingly for my good! Wow. Fear has no place to land and anxious thoughts have nowhere to hide. Song:

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore! ❤️ How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore! ❤️ How He watcheth o’er His loved ones, died to call them all His own; ❤️ how for them He intercedeth, watcheth o’er them from the throne.

ForGlorySake.com

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Perfect Timing

Posted on July 21, 2024 by For Glory Sake!

I was particularly excited to cut grass this week. The riding mower had been repaired and I could not wait to go out and spend time praying in the field, calling out requests and singing praises! My thoughts were all on our adult kids. Big grown-up needs pressing. I wanted peace in the waiting. 

Suddenly I realized the blades were cutting, but far too high .I tried and tried to release the “deck” but it was locked. Instead of crying, I just keep cutting. Some was better than none. After I finished and parked … the deck released to the proper height. “Why didn’t You help me sooner?!” I cried. 

Starting up again I zipped back around, cutting everything to the proper height. Amazingly, no huge clumpy mounds of cut grass were left in my wake. That’s when I heard a whisper in my heart, “sometimes later is smoother.” I knew it was Jesus and He wasn’t just talking about mowing.

I’d asked for peace in the waiting and had been given an object lesson on timing. Cutting the yard twice took longer but caused less mess. Maybe delays to prayers had purpose too. Will we trust Him with His timing? Will we be faithful in the meantime? Even when it means “mowing” the whole thing twice? 

Just like that, I had peace. ❤️ForGlorySake.com

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Killer Bees

Posted on June 26, 2024 by For Glory Sake!

On our annual anniversary trip we discovered a beehive right in the backyard of our rental – about 15 feet from the door. For a few days we were completely unaware, even walking under the tall bush. Then a visiting family member, standing too close got stung and jumped into the small pool close by! 

Soon we realized there was a cloud of activity and called for some help. The bee catcher was VERY surprised to find such a large hive. He explained these were no ordinary bees but aggressive “africanized killer bees”- meaning they are stronger, produce more honey and can attack as a group to kill. His advice was to stay back and leave them alone OR clear the premises before he could remove them. 

Full realization of a threat is a game changer! As with so many other minefields David and I have navigated in our 35 years together, this was a visual reminder that fear of the enemy is not wrong, it’s how I handle the fear that matters! We had nowhere to move to, so … could I now let go and trust God? This would require prayer.

Unique as killer-bees are, we stopped to list other impossible evils that had come against our family. God saw us through those deadly issues in such miraculous ways, surely, we determined, He would protect us here as well. I confess it takes focus and self control to  creep into the pool and relax. Psalm 91 and 139 have been on repeat❤️ Yet He has helped me again to trust and wait on His good timing.

The LORD holds me in a tight grip. (Psalm 139:10)

ForGlorySake.com

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Tradwife

Posted on June 12, 2024 by For Glory Sake!

I read there’s a new trend called “trad-wives:” staying home to raise your children, cooking and cleaning for the family, willingly serving your husband, even homeschooling the kids! I had no idea that me and my 55+ age friends were so hip. We could’ve made money, money on Tik Tok with millions of followers. 😂 

It’s not exactly the “making of desciples” that we imagined, but possibly our example of trusting God’s Word and putting Him first has benefitted others. It’s certainly has been a beautiful and fulfilling journey for me. I’m thankful that what my mom modeled became my ideal and is now passing on to some women of this current generation. In the face of a culture telling them it’s not that important- they’re willingly giving it a go.  

I can attest after 35 years and now 6 adult kids – nothing compares to a traditional roll of motherhood. Its been worth every sacrifice I ever made. Of course my husband and I made mistakes BUT we had Jesus and He always provides awesome grace. As we continually prayed (and keep praying), He works everything for His Glory. And that’s what life on earth is all about …where our hearts are directed! He keeps really close tabs on that.

Paul said it best in his letter to pastor Titus, “encourage women to love husbands and children, be self-controlled, pure, managers of their homes, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, so that the Word of God will not be discredited.” Titus 2:5

Im always interested that following God’s directions turns out for the best every time. Like I used to tell my children, He didn’t set guidelines to be cruelly restrictive, but to show us how to find -fulfilling peace -ultimate joy -abundant life! 

I definitely found it. ❤️Anna

ForGlorySake.com

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Good for something!

Posted on May 15, 2024 by For Glory Sake!

My parents were savers! EVERYTHING: from twist-ties to old nails, newspapers to sandwich baggies, plastic containers to old Christmas cards. Wrapping paper for family gifts was always “the funny papers.”
They did NOT believe in waste of any sort, believing there was a use for everything – “give it a second life.”

An average Sunday afternoon was a long bike ride with the whole family and afterwards my parents would go back in the car to glean treasures from the garbage they’d passed at the curb. Since my dad could fix anything, our neighbor’s old damaged riding toys were repaired and useable in our backyard. We had go-carts, Big Wheels and bicycles in every size.

I can’t say I appreciated all their frugality as a child (summer was hot in Georgia without AC until late July), but I did learn valuable lessons around true recycling and necessity vs luxury. Today my cupboard isn’t filled with mismatched containers nor do I dust with old underwear 🙄, but I do reuse almost everything multiple times -to the amusement of my DILs.

It’s true- everything is good for something (except maybe mosquitos). Even me, God has found use for… because I asked Him. Nothing too fancy or public, yet He does use me again and again and for that I am grateful. It might be a listening ear or kind word, to change a diaper or wash little hands, pray a prayer, sing a song… you get the idea. When done for Him, it’s all good.

ForGlorySake.com

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She can’t see

Posted on April 16, 2024 by For Glory Sake! 
Deep heart
Rich soul 
Beautiful face
But she can’t see

Contagious laugh
Lovely smile
Gracious presence
But she can’t see

Warm welcome
Comforting embrace
Wonderful friendship
But she can’t see

I told her yesterday
I tell her today
I’ll tell her tomorrow
Until she can see 
❤️Mom

ForGlorySake.com


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She knew…

Posted on April 9, 2024 by For Glory Sake!

My mom loved Israel🇮🇱 the land, it’s  miraculous story and people. She and my dad traveled five times to tour. They brought back stories, photos and a hunger to return. Her enthusiasm over Bible prophecy drove her passion for God’s chosen nation along with a desire to bless them.

 Before she died she gave me her two enormous and well-used Bible commentaries. In the margins are her study notes. It doesn’t take long to see a theme. “Jesus is Coming soon!” and “Keep your eyes on Israel.” She’d be thrilled to know I took the challenge, studying where she left off and continuing to pray for Israel.

Even more so, she’d be amazed at the rapid daily unfolding of prophetic events; news coordinating with scripture like a program guide. God’s Word has never felt more alive to me. I marvel that so such treasure lies buried within reach, ready for the digging. It’s the best of treasure hunts..

And as I was told, the more I search the more I agree “it all revolves around Israel”: her history tells us Who our Father is, why He sent the Messiah, how He saved the Gentiles and the coming Rescue of the Bride… even “Jacob’s Woe” which will bring a long-awaited Remnant to FULL awareness, finally making us one in the Lamb. 

I can’t wait for the day I say: “Thank you -the keys to unlock the mystery were right where you told me! I’m forever grateful.” 

ForGlorySake.com 

Blessed be God’s fig tree!

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