A Country Girl

         Growing up my parents gave me all the basic needs and more.  They knew I needed more than what they could provide.  I needed an eternal guiding light, so they introduced me to the One who would lead me through my current walk and into eternal life. 
     In Sarah Young's, Jesus Calling, she writes, "I am God with you, for all time and throughout eternity...  My perpetual Presence with you can be a continual source of Joy, springing up and flowing out in streams of abundant Life. Let your mind reverberate with meaning of My names: Jesus-the Lord saves, and Emmanuel-God with us... Talk with Me about whatever delights you, whatever upsets you, whatever is on your mind..."   
     I am so blessed to have been given parents who were faithful to not only take me to church but to live a Christian example.   In tribute to them, I wrote the following: 

A Country Girl

I was raised among country girls-

Given home permanents with lots of curls;

Digging ‘taters and picking peas-

Saying, “Pass the cornbread, please.”  

I had home-made clothes from flour sacks,

But given love in Godly acts.

There was Daddy’s law

And rules from Maw.

No matter, it was cold or hot,

Momma washed out back in a big black pot.

I remember scrubboards, sounds of roosters crowing,

Rising early with a knowing.

A scented smell of lye soap-

Extinguishing a play day hope.   

Clothes were a’waiting to be hung on barb-wire fences,

Milking cows, gathering eggs to avoid expenses.

Mornings woke with chickens clucking,

Momma, feather plucking.  

There were mattresses airing in the sun,

Yet, work was not at all done. 

A country girl with memories galore;

Not all about work or what I wore.

Jumping rope and playing jacks-

Life was busy but not too much for Godly facts.

We had days for hog killing,

Lard making and chicklings cooking, if Maw was willing.

There was watermelon eating under big oaks,

And home churned ice cream with our kin folks.

Momma quilted and Poppa went off to hunt;

 He loved it no matter the stormy front.   

There weren’t complaints regarding their deeds-

Only thinking to meet the family needs.   

But Poppa didn’t allow no back-talking jaw-

Maw was quick to lay down the law. 

Respect was taught;

Hugs were given if we kids fought. 

I was raised a country girl

Drinking water from community dippers,

Running barefoot with no thought of fancy slippers.   

I had outdoor toilets and tin tub baths,

Then prayers a’teaching Godly paths. 

Life didn’t take no modern-day research- 

Sundays were times for church.

Needless, to say,

On any day,      

I didn’t have the best,

But this country girl was blessed.

                                                                                           Mary Crisp Jameson  10/24/2015

                                                                                   

Simplify

        Our pastor started a sermon series on Simplify this past week.  In today’s world where there is so much stress with jobs and people wanting to have bigger and better, “keep up with the Jones” so to say, it is a good thing to talk seriously about keeping life simple.
     Simplification speaks to me.  I, like a lot of others, struggle with relaxation and keeping life simple.  The first thing that came to mind when I decided to approach this subject was the Sermon on the Mount and meekness.  
     In the Sermon on the Mount, the Kings James version, Jesus taught, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”  I have always considered meek as quiet, gentle, unprotesting, and humble.  Being meek is an attribute of human nature and behavior and defined several different ways, such as teachable, patient, and willing to follow teachings. 

     In The Message version of the Sermon on the Mount, it reads a little differently than the Kings James version:   “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are – no more, or no less.  That’s the moment you find yourself proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.”

     Psalm 37:11 further talks about the meek,  “But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity."

     What does this say to me?  It's a way of finding happiness within myself.  In learning to relax, we should laugh more, find humor in the little things, forgive without being asked.  When I learn to be patient, become more interested in character building than material possessions, make family and God my priority, and truly have faith that God is in control of every event in life I believe I can find happiness through simplification.   

     With this said, let me take Simplify a bit further.

S-alvation –To really be blessed with who we are and enjoy just being ourselves and living in simplicity, we need God in our life and this has to be accomplished through belief in Jesus and obtaining the salvation experience.  Only God can change our hearts and help us be content with what we have and in who we are.    

I-n the Word – To know God we must read His Word.  There is no greater satisfaction than having God in our lives.  No amount of material possessions, fancy cars, or huge nice homes, which keeps us in debt and worried about making ends meet on a monthy basis, will provide this experience.

M-aster the art of staying within our own financial budget.  Not being able to live within our financial means through purchases that are not a necessity keeps us worried and stressed.  It robs us of our happiness and contentment.     

P-ray daily and often to praise God for all He has done for us; pray for others, interceding for their needs, and pray for our own needs as well.  God is always willing and ready to listen and give us strength and courage to meet any situation.  Prayer is another way of getting to know God and finding peace in a simply life.   

L-ive obediently – God’s word tells us how to live in order for Him to bless us through the plans He has for us so that we can truly enjoy life.  If we distance ourselves from God we are also delaying the blessings God has in store for us.   
       L-earn to relax and enjoy sunsets.
       L-augh like there is no tomorrow
       L-avish in peace and calm without comparing what we have to others  
       L-ove God and people

I-mmediate gratification, idle time, and idol worship of things we put before God are our enemies.  Learn to eliminate these to avoid over-indulgence and self-gratification.

F-orgiveness from our wrong-doings should be sought continually.  We are all like sheep going astray.  With forgiveness also should come a willingness to make amends as quickly as possible. Grudges or hard feelings toward others hurt our own inner-self.  How can we achieve simplification if we are not at peace within ourselves? 

Y-ielding our stubborn self-will to Jesus and His direction brings many unforeseen true blessings and with these blessings come satisfaction in living humble and simplified.

   The Message version of Matthew 6:30-33 reads, "If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers- most of which are never seen - don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you.  What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving.  People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works.  Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions.  Don't worry about missing out.  You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met."

     

The Mobile Call 24/7

      Since the evolvement of cell phones, I see people everywhere talking on mobile phones; in restaurants, in the car traveling, and even in the workplace.  We simply can’t “leave home without them.”

     This tells me that most people pick up the phone regularly to either talk with a close friend or family member.  We are either sharing some exciting event or complaining about the frustration of the day.  We simply need someone to listen, to console us, to provide re-assurance, to advise or give agreement. 

    How frustrated do we become when the phone rings and rings yet no one picks up?  Then if we should be so lucky as to have the call answered, I wonder how content and uplifted we really are at the end of the conversation.  If our call gets dropped, how much more frustrated do we become?   

     If our day has not been an amazing watercolor of events are we left fearful, anxious, or fighting back tears because our problems were not solved?  We needed a relaxing, reassuring calm voice from a loving individual.  Did we get it, or did our call get dropped?

     Take a moment to image a completely different phone call – a phone call to God.  What would He say?  It might go something like the following:

     Ring, Ring…

     “Hello my child.  I have been eagerly waiting for you to call.  Be still and know that I am with you.  Yes, I saw it all today, but I want to reassure you that I love you from the inside out.  Remember, I fashioned your heart and I know your works. 

     Rejoice in me!  Trust me!  All will eventually be well with you for I am your help and your shield. 

     No, you are never a bother.  I want you to feel free to seek me in all your times of need for I am always ready to listen and be with you through any heartache and pain.

     Have faith in me!  Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

     Please don’t feel rejected or lonely for I will not leave you comfortless.  I walk beside you every moment of every day, and I will always be with you.  In other words, I “have your back.”  There is no need for tears.  If you will focus on me, I will guide you onto whatever path you need to take.

     The earth is mine.  Be of good courage.  If you have a pure heart, you shall receive my blessing.    

     My desire is that you stay connected and don’t ever hang up the phone without joy in your heart, my child.  I loved you enough to die for you, and I am here for you twenty fours a day, seven days a week.” 

Psalm 33:15  He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.

Psalm 28:7  The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. 

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

John 14:18  I will not leave your comfortless: I will come to you.

Hebrews 13:5-6  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.   So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. 

Psalm 31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.

Psalm 24:4-5 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.  He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.  

Psalm 34:18-19  The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.  Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

Heaven and Home

      I jokely call "A Friendly Shade" heaven on earth, but when I really think about heaven there is no way to imagine what it is really like.

     Heaven was created by God as told in Genesis. “In the beginning God created the heaven… and God called the firmament Heaven…” We also know that heaven is God’s throne. Revelation 21:22, “And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.” Again, in Revelations, we are told of a city of “pure gold, like unto clear glass.” It is garnished with all manner of precious stones. Even though we read about heaven and what God has in store for believers, we truly have no concept of what heaven will really be like.

     Some people describe heaven as a higher place, a holy place, or even a paradise, yet Isaiah 64:4 tells us, “For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.

     As little as I know about what heaven will be like or what God has prepared for me I still would like to take my concept of heaven a bit further through the use of an acronym.

H ome - As a believer in Jesus Christ I know that I will be provided with a special place in heaven with God and I look forward to calling that place “home.”

John 14:2“In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” 

John 14:3,“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

E verlasting life – I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I will have everlasting life with God.

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

 A ltered state – My life will be so very totally different in heaven.  I will have no worries, fears, sickness, or heartache.  

Revelation 21:3-5a, “ And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.  

V ictory –  Because of my faith and belief in Jesus I will have victory.  

 1 John 5:4-5, “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”

E ternal reward – Through the cross and the blood of Jesus I have grace, and there will be a reward for me in heaven, as underserving as it may be.

 

 

Ephesians 1:7, " In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 

Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

N ew body – I know when I accepted Jesus as my savior I obtained a new body in Christ and can only imagine what restored perfect body God has waiting just for me.

Romans 8:10“And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.”

2 Corinthians 5:17, “ Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

     In ending, regardless of what heaven is like, God's glory will shine forth, and we are commissioned to tell others of Jesus and the home waiting for those who will believe in Him.

Psalm 19:1, The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shewth his handywork." 

Mark 16:15, "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."  

HIS NAME

     One of the Ten Commandments is not to take the Lord’s name in vain.  There are so many more scriptures in the Bible that tell us to honor God’s name.  Psalms 111:9 tells us  “…holy and reverend is his name.”  In the example of the Lord’s prayer, it starts off as “Hallowed be your name.”   Yet so many Christians use God’s name either as a swear word or just plain cussing.  The tongue can be a powerful weapon and can show dishonor in so many ways when we use God’s name inappropriately.  Not only can our words either lift God up or tear down our ministry for Him, but it also can affect how we build our own homes. 
     The will of God is to be honored and praised.  Matthew 7:24, “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.        

HIS NAME

The heavens declare His glory!

In a loud voice the angels announce, “Behold the Lamb!”

What a story!

Power, praise, and honor are given by His name.

To lift Him up should be our aim. 

 

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost-

The Creator, Savior, Living Spirit- giving life upmost; 

To use His name in vain

After so much gain!

Your name, Oh Lord, your name-

To hear it used in vain should set your people aflame.

The sweet, sweet name of Jesus,

A man who died for us;

To use your name in vain

After your blood, your death, your pain;

The Son, Jesus, our Savior’s precious name-

Used in vain? Oh, what a shame!

 The holy name of God-

Our Father, Maker of all, the Creator!

Who in all the world is greater?

To violate His name?

The One who sent His only Son, to die He came –

The Trinty, Three in One-

Father, Holy Ghost, and Son.

Why, oh why use their name in vain?

What good?  What gain? 

 Rather, declare as do the angels-

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty”

   Giver of grace, let us honor thee. 

                                                                                               Mary Crisp Jameson

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.  Exodus 20:7