C.S. Lewis wrote, “Those are the golden sessions, when our slippers are on, our feet spread toward the blaze. . . . Affection mellowed by the years enfolds us. Life – natural life – has no better gift to give.”

Indeed, sir.

Forty-four years ago I joined the singers of Jimmy Swaggart Ministries with wide-eyed expectation, and entered into a purpose that I could not even grasp. Last Sunday I returned to that same beautiful sanctuary and to the family that I always respected, and have come to genuinely love.

For an hour and a half, the world class singers and musicians of Family Worship Center joined me to sing songs from the 80s (mostly). Joseph Larson and I sang a duet, and my sister, Kay, sang the glory down from the piano. What a night!

The return to Baton Rouge was an opportunity to revisit the past. They were days of glory, growth, and hard work. We were a part of something magnificent that God had birthed. Fast forward to Sunday – God is still at work in the same sanctuary, the same ministry, the same family, and it is exciting to see. I seriously doubt that Donnie or Gabe have ever plowed a field with oxen, but they have felt the weight of the mantle as surely as Elisha, and they bear it honorably.

It is a night I will treasure forever; another gift from the great Giver of all things good; an invitation to push my slippered feet toward the blaze of His wonderful plan and His magnificent wisdom (Is.28:29) and to celebrate the golden sessions of four decades ago.

It is a pleasure to share it with you, my Friends…

1/18/26 Janet Paschal Live Gospel Music Concert

It reads like an afterthought: a casual claim within the grandiose story of creation. Following a narrative on solar and lunar systems comes this five-word sentence: “He also made the stars” (Gen.1: 16 NIV).

Astrophysicists use the Hubble Space Telescope to map His sky. After spending hundreds of hours gathering light, the Telescope allows them to see further into a specific region. They isolate and measure a ‘slice’ of it, then compute its approximate size. According to their estimate, our universe consists of some two trillion galaxies.

In our galaxy, the Milky Way, there are an estimated 100-400 billion stars. Scientists estimate that most of these stars host their own planetary systems. It is difficult to grasp.

Our planet Earth is some 93 million miles from the Sun, our nearest star. Despite the scant reference in Genesis, God gave special applications to His stars. Without our Sun, we could not survive. Radiation transfers its heat to our planet seamlessly; its light as well. All of the stars’ positions change except the Pole star, Polaris, which is fixed with the Earth’s axis rotation. This North Star continues to guide navigators with a virtual compass in the sky.

Like everything else in God’s world, there is intent and purpose.

British astronomers used a NASA telescope to capture sounds emitted by stars light years away from Earth. Writing in the journal, Science, the team says the “music” gives a more accurate picture of their size and structure.

The pulsation of the stars makes them ‘sing’. Amazingly, no star makes the same sound. Each is unique, with varied pitch, timbre and rumbling. Professor Ian Roxburgh of Queen Mary College said, “It’s like listening to the sound of a musical instrument and then trying to reconstruct the shape of it.”

Isaiah wrote, “Thus says the Lord, ‘My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts.'” (Is. 45:11,12 ESV, NIV)

It is God’s mass choir: a celestial chorus whose proportions we cannot begin to grasp. The Psalmist wrote, “How pleasant and fitting to praise Him! …He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.” (Ps 47: 1-4 NIV) That is a whole new conversation!

After all of man’s research and development, we have identified only a pitiful sliver of the galaxy where we live. The writer’s offhand reference to God’s work on day four becomes a symbol of His magnificence. We gain an otherworldly perspective on the call of the Psalmist to, “Come, let us sing to the Lord.” We join our voices to the song of the stars, “For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise… For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.” (Ps.96: 1-4 NIV)

He also made the stars.

Blessings to you all….

REMINDER: If you live in the Baton Rouge area, we would love to see you next weekend, Sunday, January 18, at Family Worship Center. I will be joining Donnie, Frances, Gabe, Matthew, and the whole FWC family for both services. We would love to see you, too!

You can also watch the services on the SBN television network or via their Facebook or YouTube livestreams. Sunday, January 18, at 10 am and 6 pm CST.

I’ve written a couple of times about the old landscaper who took care of my home in Nashville. He loved what he did. He was like my friend who is a Master Gardener. A bed of rich, black soil is her happy place. She loves browsing through gardening books, nurseries, and hot houses. Her yard reflects it, too. She does not consider time spent there as labor, but pleasure. I am very happy for her.

The old landscaper was talking about one of the trees in my front yard. I was concerned because it seemed frail and it was blown mercilessly by every wind that came. He was so gracious and generous. He explained that stress and tension were exactly what a young tree needs, and without them they do not become strong. The bends and stresses cause the wood to naturally grow thicker and stronger. When tossed back and forth, the roots go deeper, as the movement forces them to widen and “go deep”.

It was a mouthful back then, and it is the same today.

Another friend who is a physical therapist and who had the privilege to meet Dr. Paul Brand in her early years, introduced me to strength or “resistance” training. In short, you work your muscles against an outside force in order to strengthen them. What actually happens is that the resistance tears the muscle fibers and they grow back thicker and stronger. It tears them in order to strengthen and stabliize them.

I just happened to be reading Philippians this morning, where the Apostle Paul both challenges and encourages the church:

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then . . . I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together . . . For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for him . . .” Ph 1:27-29

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing . . . Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.
Ph 2:14-16

“Not that I have already obtained all this . . . but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me . . . Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize . . .”
Ph 3:12

It is the same now as then. Ours is a race, a battle, a testimony of standing, striving, holding, suffering, straining, and pressing. It is not for the faint of heart, and it can be unpleasant.

In 2003 we lived in Virginia, and endured hurricane Isabel one October night. The following morning I feared what we would see when we walked outdoors. Much to my surprise, everything was calm. I wrote then, ‘We lost two trees – a beautiful old oak which turned out to be rotten inside and a smaller, younger maple which fell because it stood too close to the rotten oak (I know. There’s a sermon there.) Here’s the good part: the towering oaks and hickories and maples and sycamores just stood there that morning – wet and slightly bare, but calm and stoic – as though nothing unusual had happened. Amid fallen branches, mounds of leaves and air that seemed tactile, those old characters had seen it all before. There would be casualties, but there would be survivors, too.’

Paul was reminding the church that ours is a struggle, because the goal for us is to become stronger in Christ. It is critical that we not only survive, but that we thrive! Just as trees are swayed and branches weighted, we must endure the resistance that assures our strengthening.; we must have faith that looks increasingly upward rather than toward the here and now.

Be strengthened today. Give thanks for the winds of resistance, knowing that they are part of God’s plan to continually bring purpose to your life and to assure that you “go deep”.

Many blessings to you today…

Two weeks ago, aboard Bill and Gloria Gaither’s Farewell Alaska Cruise, I made my way to the concert on the final night of the final Alaska cruise. There is a spiral staircase that takes you directly to the backstage area. I learned about this stairway from Gordon Mote, as I fell in behind him and Bob a few nights prior and simply followed them directly to where I needed to go. (The blind leading the, ah, well, you know.)

I was almost at the bottom of the carpeted stairway when I decided to grab a tissue from my purse BEFORE I got to the bottom. I let go of the right rail when, suddenly, I was falling and twisting. I glimpsed the right rail and, while turning the opposite way, I summoned every ounce of strength in me to reach across myself and lunge at the right rail with my left hand. I grabbed it and, while it slowed my fall, it also fractured the humerus bone in my left arm.

The cruise line reps who helped me up asked what I wanted to do? Not knowing I had broken a bone, I told them I would gather my composure, then proceed to the stage for the program, which I did. About an hour into the program, I realized that my arm was hurting more than it probably should so I sneaked offstage and went to the ship’s ER where the x-ray revealed that I had a “perfect break” in the “perfect location” (oxymorons, in my opinion, but I was thankful it was a ‘best case’ break.) Treatment required only that I wear a sling until the bone healed itself, followed by physical therapy.

To date, I have seen three doctors who ordered three sets of x-rays, and I marvel at God’s healing provision. Four days after the injury, the doctor showed us how my body was already sending tissue, blood, etc, to the site of the fracture. That matter would calcify, closing the fracture, until, over time, that temporary, woven bone would be replaced by new, lamellar bone, restoring the humerus to its original strength.

Every day, I sense that I am healing. That said, I do miss using my left hand and arm. Yesterday I slipped out of the sling and used both hands to open an envelope. IT WAS AMAZING. My hands worked together perfectly, synchronizing the automatic movements, making the task so easy. I literally stared at my hands, amazed at how they work so effortlessly, efficiently together; astounded at the planning and purpose which led God to design us with limbs that interact seamlessly, working toward a common purpose.

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. [Eph 4:11]

That was Christ’s desire for us: that each of us bring our gifts to work together, in harmony, synchronizing our labor with our brothers and sisters who also long to be His hands (and arms) extended. We have common purposes: to bring glory to God, to love each other, and to spread His love abroad. 

So, when you get to church in the morning, look around at your fellow worshippers and be reminded that you all share a common mission, orchestrated by Jesus, and they are your wingmen/women when you need them. 

Because, trust me on this, two are definitely better than one!

I’m sure someone warned me about one of the sadder consequences of aging: that you face loss upon loss, frequent goodbyes, and states of “missing” that leave you feeling dismantled, unclear, and strangely numb.

We lost our mom slowly, as the thief of dementia stripped away her memories and her understanding, leaving only her quick, easy smile, and a look of confusion that haunts me still. She met Jesus on my birthday in 2023, a gift that I treasure, knowing that He could have chosen any other day. 

I think we all assumed that time would soon begin to erase the vacancy, the grief, but, sadly, the emptiness and the “missing” seems even more acute now than before. Some days I wish for just one more conversation with her, one more time to see her laugh uncontrollably, one more opportunity to tell her how special I think she is. I trust God’s will and His timing completely, but some days I just long to see her.

Last year, one of my best friends of more than forty-two years was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Miraculously, she stayed here for more than a year, but she is weary now, and she wants to be free of paralyzing pain. She will not likely see another August. 

Reverend Jimmy Swaggart (Brother Swaggart to me) was a sort of hero to our family. He was someone from our denomination who moved the Pentecostal church from across the railroad tracks to the frontlines, and into the greatest stadiums and arenas around the world. His anointed music and preaching spoke to people of all denominations.

In March, he celebrated his 90th birthday in Baton Rouge with lots of friends and family. This morning he met Jesus. Sadly, the world already feels different without him. 

Knowing that it could be painful, Jesus chose to love us. He signed on to share our emptiness. He stepped up, knowing that He would wrap Himself in our loneliness and disappointment. He knew that He would be wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities.

Jesus understood that love was costly, but He also knew that love was the only thing worth dying for. 

On this very important weekend, a prayer by General Douglas MacArthur regarding his only son, Arthur. It was written while he was stationed in Australia, serving as the Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in the Southwest Pacific.

BUILD ME A SON

Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.

Build me a son whose wishes will not take the place of deeds; a son who will know Thee—and that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge.

Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn compassion for those who fail.

Build me a son whose heart will be clear, whose goal will be high; a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men; one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.

And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor, so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of true greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, and the weakness of true strength.

A few days ago, John said he wanted to show me something. He launched three online videos from his laptop, each featuring a child playing the piano. They were classical players and each performed with a full orchestra. The little girl was five years old, the two boys were five and three.

It was amazing to watch them play. Their renditions were flawless, their feet halfway to the floor, and arms stretched to compensate for their short reach. Their adorable fingers stretched and moved without a detectable miss, and the three-year-old flared and nodded like a seasoned musician. None of them used music, and they seemed almost detached, as though effort and attention was not required. 

As we watched, John said quietly, “Look how far we have moved from what God intended.”

Whew. I had to think about that. 

Imagine the world that He intended. Everything would operate in harmony. There would be perfect peace and equitable justice. There would be no war, no fear, and no lack. 

The creatures of the earth would dwell together, as would humanity. Man would be wise, discerning, and understanding. He would share his gifts, but he would not boast of them. Within the confines of the laws of his Great Creator, he would live in the “paradise of God.” (Rev 2:7 NIV) 

Jesus admonished the church at Ephesus when He had John write them, “Look how far you have fallen.” (Rev 2:5 NIV) Theirs was a thriving church, founded by the Apostle Paul and supported by great teachers. Jesus said that the church body had worked hard, persevered and endured hardships, yet they had forsaken the love they had at first. 

There is a phenomenon called the Angle of Depression, that explains why objects appear smaller as we move further from them. In short, as we move further away, the angle becomes less steep because the overall distance increases. For instance, when you stand under a tree and look up at its height, it will appear much taller than when you walk away from it and look back.

And so it is with us. The further we move away from our first love, the less significant it appears. As the distance increases, the conviction decreases. When I look back at some of the mistakes and poor decisions I have made, I am sure He whispered, “Look how far you have fallen.” 

It is no wonder that Solomon admonished us:

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. _4:23  

Take hold of my words with all your heart.. _4:4

Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. _4:13

Fix your gaze directly before you. _4:25

Give careful thought to the paths for your feet. _4:26

      And finally:

Bind (His commands) always on your heart; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you, when you awake, they will speak to you. _6:21-22

So, though we remain in a tainted world, we can yet rejoice because our eyes look for the beautiful, unfathomable city to come; our hearts long for the peace that God intended; our ears listen for the sound of the trumpet. 

Then we will shout, “Look how far …… we have come! Amen!”

I’m in the airport awaiting the flight to Ft. Lauderdale, then the Gaither Farewell Caribbean Cruise. This year marks Bill and Gloria’s final voyages to both the Caribbean and Alaska. It will be wonderful, of course, but perhaps a little melancholy, too. Time doesn’t slow for any of us.

It seems to me that life occurs in circles, with each one demanding completion. Whether a career, a relationship, a commitment, etc, the circles always seek resolution. Maybe we are compelled to do a better job, to go the extra mile, or to right a wrong. One thing is certain: as we grow older, we gain a richer, more honest perspective, but it comes at the costly currency of time.

When God closes a circle, it brings peace to that part of my journey. Equally importantly, it allows my heart to let go of it, knowing that the Great Orchestrator arranged that the rests in a piece of music are just as critical as the notes. And so it is with the stages of our lives. HIS PLAN IS WONDERFUL AND HIS WISDOM IS MAGNIFICENT! Is. 28:29

Blessings to you all!