praise

A Smile Found Me

November 11, 2025

Good morning, friends! I have been away a bit, but God has never stopped urging me to write, so here I am. My favorite thing in the world to do is to write, but I have resisted it for a long while because…well, maybe my journal entry I actually wrote this morning is the best way to explain…I am being brave and getting personal. Here goes…

November 11, 2025

I just listened to “The King is Coming” on Spotify and it touched my heart! As i imagined hearing the trumpet sound to signal Jesus’ coming, I got excited. I could almost hear the scurrying of angels feet as they dressed in robes and assembled to sing for the biggest celebration of all. I can feel my lips curving into a smile as the words to this song pervade my heart and mind, my room, my office. (I must look silly, sitting here all alone with a big grin on my face. But I am not alone. HE is here!)

Sidenote…cars are driving by my house in a rush to work and I find myself thinking…”Are you ready for Jesus to come?” I want to ask them. I want to hope they are ready.

Then, I think…Am I totally ready?…Yes! He’s my Savior!, but…

No, I am not ready. I haven’t done enough for Him. for others. Please, Lord may I have more time to love others that need you? May I be able to write again after all the trials of the last few years?

I am not making excuses, Lord. From now on… Hold on…

***Something cool just happened this second, while typing. I heard this phrase being sung, from the song “He Touched ME”…”I will never cease to praise Him” That’s it, Lord. I get it and I will never cease to praise You!

Ok, back to the journal entry…

I am not making excuses, Lord. from now on, I’ll write during trials. Please say hi to My brother John, , Aunt Freddie, Uncle Bill, Dad Crute and now Mom Crute, Dad Glynn and Mom Glynn and David, Sarah, Aunt Carol, Elgie Wilmoth, and especially Momma Dillard and my Momma. Tell her I am writing and singing every day, because of her, because of YOU.

So that’s it. That’s my heart. God is so good. We have lost so many family members in the last few years, BUT, we will see them again in heaven. Sometimes I don’t focus enough on that. We also had a house fire, a small one, that threatened to destroy our joy, but, thanks to our gracious Lord, He has taught us and brought us through it. Friends, I hope you have a great day and week, wherever you are.

Maybe that’s a new slogan for me to cling to, maybe you too. “I have been bought, taught and brought by the lamb of God!”

All glory to God and love to all,

Tina

The Dragonfly Chose Me

November 7, 2022

Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
According to Your lovingkindness remember me,
For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord. Good and upright is the Lord;
Therefore He instructs sinners in the way. Psalm 25:7-8

Here’s a poem I wrote ages ago, about my salvation experience. It’s wonderful to remember when I first realized I needed Jesus, and that even a dragonfly on my shoulder could not distract me from going to the altar to ask Jesus to forgive my sins.

The Dragonfly Chose Me

A dragonfly chose me, at children’s camp, you see.
It was music time and all was fine, until he landed on me.
The kids behind me had a scream attack!
It was on my back. I turned around and said,
“Guys, I don’t want to be mean, but I want to sing.”

On stage, the teacher held a large picture book. I took a good long listen and look.
She then explained, “Our hearts have a stain called sin.
That makes our hearts black within.” Then she started, soon, singing a beautiful tune:
“If you want a heart of white, ask Jesus in your heart tonight.”

So, though the Dragonfly was now in my hair, and
My friends were making a fuss,
I just didn’t care because Jesus was there. It was just the two of us. I started thinking, “What should I do?”
My heart, so heavy and black, not the color I wanted, but Jesus could make me new!

So with no looking back, Dragonfly still on me,
I left my chair and went to the altar, Jesus to see! I asked Him into my heart that day.
And when I did, the bug flew away.
Sometimes I think it was a sign
Of how Jesus is with me all the time.

So that’s the story I will never forget,
When that Dragonfly and I briefly met.
But, oh, even better, what happened that night! Jesus changed my heart and made it white!

Friends, I hope you have a wonderful day. It is good and pleasing to thank the Lord for how He works in our lives. He’s just so good, isn’t He? I bet you have some great stories, too!

Christina

Praying our Praise

March 15, 2022

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I almost cried during a recent prayer! At my daughter’s bridal shower, I was asked to pray. Uh-oh, why didn’t I plan a special prayer? Up in front of everyone, behind the microphone, my brain whizzed. With a quick prayer, “Help me, Lord,”

I began thanking Him for all He did that caused everyone there to be in that gathering place on that special day of Kellie’s shower. Words would not come at first, but then my heart grew in gratefulness as I thanked God for His immense goodness over the years. These people in the room were special!

He brought my two daughters and I through a seemingly impossible situation. He supplied the right friends at the right time. Right pastors, mentors, coaches and godly men appeared in their life. Right teachers taught and befriended them and prayed and watched out for them. Parents of kids they themselves coached and still coach, have taken them into their friend and family units with love.

These things were no accident. God knew they needed those angel friends. What more could a Momma ask for?

That’s why I almost cried…because of His goodness through all the days and years. Do you ever do that… sit and marvel at how God has carried you and provided what you needed? Then you know what I mean!

This moving experience reminded me to not just be grateful, but to proclaim it publicly, to share how glorious God is, so I am attempting to do just that. To Him be all the glory for whatever His plan is!

David’s words remind us to TELL of our thanks:

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
Let them sacrifice thank offerings
and tell of his works with songs of joy. Psalm 107:121-122

The phrase, ‘Thank offering’ made me smile! Praising Him is a sort of thank offering, isn’t it? You never know…someone may need to hear YOUR thankfulness to a loving God in word or in song. All I know is…it makes God happy when WE know that HE knows it all and controls it all and we are happy about that! He is so faithful:)

I hope you have a great day knowing God is faithful and working in your life. Sometimes it is hard when things do not go as we expect. He is there with us always, though. Isn’t He the absolute best? Love and prayers to you all!…Tina

Practicing Praise

January 25, 2022

I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. Psalm 9:1-2 NIV

You know the phrase, “Practice Makes Perfect?” Well, it’s not true, really, because none of us are perfect, are we? We may try many times to paint or draw but that doesn’t mean we become perfect at it. However, it is true we can become better at things, the more we do them. Our definition and expectancy of perfection may keep us from ever feeling good about what we are doing, writing or working on…and the enemy would love us to feel that way!

When I started writing, I was so hard on myself that it would take me hours to get a post “perfect.” I would finally post, not because it was perfect, but because I could think of nothing else to add or change, I was never totally happy with the result, UNTIL… I discovered in God’s Word, that it is the effort that counts! As long as we are trying to glorify Him the best we can, we are doing it right! Remember, HE is our “Boss-man.” We are here to please HIM, not others and not ourselves.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. Colossians 3:23

Father God, Thank You for the sunshine today that wraps around my heart as I think of how great You are. It will be my joy to keep practicing praise because you are indescribable and perfect! Like David, I want to tell of You, be glad in You and rejoice in you. Amen

Today’s Take-away: God is never disappointed when we do our best.

May you have a blessed day with our Father, practicing praise:)…..Tina

Momma’s Songs

December 3, 2021

Good morning! Here’s a poem you may enjoy if you grew up on gospel music. I wrote this a few days ago, about my Mom who played and sang gospel music to me for years. She is in heaven now, but I am grateful for her!

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is img_20211126_214703580-1.jpg

Momma’s Songs
I gaze upon the sunshine in the sky
and wonder where it went in eighty-two.
The day my Momma died, it disappeared
and left me in the dark without a clue.

For solace, I began to sing her songs,
for Jesus songs were ones that she adored
and as the notes fell from these lips of mine,
I felt her teaching me about her Lord.

Through her piano keys, she played her part
with melodies that mothered eighteen years.
I now remember every gospel tune.
Each lyric echoes lessons in my ears.

I didn’t know that she would leave that soon
and felt so unprepared to be so strong,
But God knew everything and had a plan
for me to grow up leaning on her songs.

Of course I wish my Momma was still here,
but I can’t fault the Lord for anything,
for if I want the sun to shine again,
He tells me all I have to do is sing.

I hope you all have a great day in the Lord, praising Him and singing songs:)

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Acts 16:25

Tina

Foggy Future

March 31, 2021

It’s a poetry day:) This poem is about how uncertain our future is. Only God knows what He has in store for us. We can guess, but we will not know for sure, so faith, not fear should be our “weapon” of choice.

The
future,
a foggy
distance that
beckons meager
mortals to explore.
murky fate that curtains
off whatever lies beyond,
whether potential joy or sure
danger. Hey dreamers, Hey, you
dooms-dayers, So what do you say?
Choose your weapon, faith or fear, and
put an end to your prophecies and begin
your victorious freedom. The key to the future
is opportunity; it turns to the present.
Now, you mortals, be free and walk.
Beyond fog and more
time lies your future ,
but remember…
Your future is
God’s to plan,
yours to desire,
yours to request,
but God’s to grant.

Have a great Wednesday! Love from our Father to you,

Christina

Let me Think About it

February 23, 2021

Thinking is one thing I do a lot of. Being a planner and part-perfectionist, I drive myself crazy considering all possible alternatives to a plan. After I have mulled them all over, I finally choose my direction. At least to start out with. If that direction doesn’t work, I go to Plan B. My reasoning is that only by thinking very hard about something can I come up with the best possible solution. I will admit that can be a heavy burden to bear, that all of my thinking has to have good results. You know what kind of thinking is easy to do and ALWAYS has good results? Thinking about good things!

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8

Of course, we need to think about what needs to be done in our lives and how to handle it best. But when I read Philippians 4:8, it seems to say to me…If you plan on doing lots of thinking (and I do), think on good things for awhile. Thinking doesn’t always have to be about problem-solving, but praising the true problem-solver. How much would my life change if I took ten minutes a day and did nothing but think of all that’s Good, God.

Let’s call this a faith exercise. I will do this too. How about we set a timer, go to a quiet, alone place and do nothing but think how great God is! Mentally list all that He has done for yourself and others. Think of how awesome He is to love us with all of His abundant love. Think about how much love that is! Think about anything that deserves praise. Let it fly. Do not open a book, check your phone or email until the timer goes off. I am starting now. See you in ten minutes. I just sent my puppy to the basement with my husband so I can focus. Ok, Tina, think!

Wow…That felt way longer than I thought it would be, but what a wonderful time of praise! I kept expecting the timer to go off, so I almost got distracted. Thinking on good, happy things about our Lord brings peace. I felt closer to my Savior the more I praised Him for who He is and what He has done and for loving me as I am and saving me. Having no distractions made the time seem longer, more purposeful and fuller and of better quality. That is how prayer should be, full and rich with praise. Not once did I make any plans or think of my to-do list! Was this your experience too? Thank You, Lord, for this!

The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. Exodus 15:2

Dear Father, Holy God,

We exalt You. We lift up Your name to be praised above every other name. You not only have done great things for us but You answer us when we pray for others! You cannot help but be good. That is who You are. We praise You for all of Your plans, whether our human mind can understand them or not. We trust You and know You love us. We will try to spend more quality time meditating on how awesome You are, when our schedule gets hectic or trials threaten to take us down. You are faithful and excellent! We love You. Amen

Love and prayers to everyone. Have a great Tuesday!

Just me. Just His.

Tina