Confession

“Confession is good for the soul” they say. It may be good for the soul, but when I was growing up it might not have been too good for my behind.  Or, at least, I feared it would not. 

     On a more serious note, confession is the best way to lift a burden off the heart. It is soul-cleansing! However, confession should be a two-step action; one followed by the asking of forgiveness.  

     Hopefully the one I confess to will be the forgiving kind. I know my God is One. I am so glad God cleanses me when I confess and when I ask for forgiveness.  My soul rejoices!

The Apple

     I have to acknowledge that “an apple a day may keep the doctor away.”  My husband has one every night. He is now 87 and going strong. I ensure his health by keeping the refrigerator stocked with sweet apples and by giving him lots of energy-burning “honey-do jobs.”

     Most people think of the apple as the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, but scripture never identifies the fruit. Therefore, I do not know what fruit was forbidden, but what I do know is that in Psalm 17, David says to God, “Keep me as the apple of Your eye, hide me in the shadow of Your wings.” And, this is what I want also. I want to be the apple of God’s eye and I want His protection in order to keep the evil one away. 

Words of Advise -Day 2

I have thoughts about another famous saying and good advice as follows:  

     I’ve heard often that “the squeaky wheel gets the grease.”  I worked in the business world long enough to know how true this can be. Take for instant, the persistent client who continually and consistently calls although I am busy with other things. That person is the one who gets priority if for no other reason than to stop the calls and interruptions.

     Even in scripture, Jesus told a parable about a judge who was continually bothered by a widow. She was “the squeaky wheel.” In the end, the judge met her demands. The parable was told to show how they should always pray and not give up. So keep on praying!

     “Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” Luke 18:1

Not Can't But Can

Yesterday I wrote about Folklore and Sayings or Words of Wisdom.  I would like to enhance on one of them today.   

     My mother always told me, “Can’t never could do anything.” This was to instill in me a desire to at least try in order to be successful. I couldn’t just sit on my hands and expect rewards. 

      When I relate the phrase to God’s desire, I realize how true this saying can be here too. It is so easy to say, “I can’t” to God, but when I say “Yes” to God, I can. I remember how Jonah said “No” to God. He ran. He didn't want to, but when he finally said “Yes”, he could and he did. 

Folklore and Sayings (Words of Wisdom)

Folklore or old wives’ tales offer up a lot of interesting facts. Some are prone to be on target while others are just fun to remember and consider, for I have heard them all my life. Such as: 

 

• When the pecan tree buds out, a freezing frost.is over.

• If it thunders in February, it will frost in April. 

• If there is a ring around the moon, it will rain soon.

• If the cows are laying down, the fish will not bite.

• Wind from the East, fish bite the least, but wind from the West, fishing is best.

• If the kernel inside a persimmon seed is a fork shape, winter will be mild; if a spoon shape, winter will be snowy; if a knife shape, winter will cold and harsh.

 

Then there are the sayings my Dad, Mom, Grandparents, and/or friends repeated often, and they are actually words of wisdom. 

 

• Many hands make light work. 

• Never look a gift horse in the mouth. 

• People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.

• Early to bed and early to rise makes a person, healthy, wealthy, and wise. 

• Any job worth doing is worth doing well. 

• The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

• Can’t never could do anything.

• The early bird catches the worm.

• Make hay while the sun shines.

• Strike while the iron is hot.

• Hurry up, we’re burning daylight.

• Don’t cry over spilled milk.

• One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

• You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.

• Beggars can’t be choosers.

• This is not my first rodeo.

• You’re barking up the wrong tree.

• You’re a day late and a dollar short.

• It will all come out in the wash. 

• Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. 

• A watched pot never boils.

• Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

• If you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas.

• Pretty is as pretty does. 

• Home is where the heart is. 

• Confession is good for the soul.

• An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

• There is more than one way to skin a cat. 

• If it had been a snake, it would have bitten you.

• Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill.

• If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

• Birds of a feather stick together.

• It doesn’t amount to a hill of beans. 

 

And there are the old favored Southern saying I love: 

• Heavens to Betsy.

• Bless your heart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Only Imagine

As a weak worldly human, I carry a weigh- a weigh of fear and projection, but God does not want me to do that.  He wants me to depend on and trust in Him.  The best way for me to daily understand His power and find peace, I can:  

 

1.   Imagine: A God standing taller than myself and standing behind me. His shoulders are broader and above mine. He is wearing a backpack. In that backpack are my worries and concerns. He is lightening my load. He “has my back!”  

 

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

 

2.   Imagine: Two sets of footsteps in the sand. One makes deeper imprints. That is my Lord carrying my load. He is walking by my side.

 

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” Psalm 37:23 

 

3.   Imagine: A set of hands, big and wide. Inside those hands, I sit. He is holding me through my burdens. All my burdens are in His hands. 

 

“The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” Psalm 24:1 

 

I don't have to imagine, I know, that God will not “leave me nor forsake me.”  Hebrews 13:5b 

 

 

 

The WOW Factor

When I think about my life, I am in awe of God. From the time He formed me, God had a plan. Within His plan, I cannot help but offer praise for all He has and will do for me. 

The Wow Factor of My Life 

 

I describe my life,

As now, a mother and wife

Enjoying blessings God has given,

Peaceful in His forgiving.

Before a wife and mother

I grew up with sisters and a brother.

My days were filled with caring and love,

Being taught about my Father above.

From days of youth to now,

I offer up to God a great big “Wow”

For how He has stayed

Even when I disobeyed.

I offer a “Wow” for His guiding hand.

As I’ve grown and walked across His land.

Before my youth I was just a child, 

But in His plans, I imagine God smiled,

As He lovingly molded, tucked and nipped

A tiny babe to be held and led-

To believe in His Son who bled.

I offer a “Wow” for my hope in Him,

And I sing a praiseful hymn.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 3/26/2025

 

“Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary: praise Him in the firmament of His power. Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to His excellent greatness. Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the psaltery and harp…” Psalm 150