Known and Unknown

I just checked my calendar to plan my week, but there is just so much I can plan, for I do not know what will occur to change any plans I make. I can only be happy in the moment, knowing that what comes this week, God walks through it with me. 

The Known and the Unknown

 

I do not know

How the wind will blow.

I do not know what life on earth will bring-

What will occur with my off-spring,

What will come tomorrow,

Whether I will have joy or sorrow, 

Whether I will have pain or gain.

I do not know of sin’s cost, misfortune, or loss.

I do not know about the following day

Or what will cross my pathway. 

I can only pray. 

The present and future are not in my hands,

For God is in control of all plans.

Only one thing is certain

As I peep through future’s curtain-

Earth’s death will come with no warning;

It could be tonight or the morning.

It could come a year or more from now,

And there’s no way to know how.

Only one thing I do know-

Only One will help me grow,

Only One will get me through.

Life is unknown 

Except by the One upon His throne.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson  2/23/2026

 

“By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” 

Genesis 3:19

 

A New Heaven and A New Earth

I often like to take scripture and turn it into a conversation with God using verse. It just seems to bring me closer to God within my Bible study. Revelation 21: 1-5 inspired the following: 

 

A New Heaven and A New Earth 

 

I am clothe in white,

Washed clean and bright,

With no lingering sin left in sight.

That’s what I see in this new heaven and earth,

After God has established my merit and worth.

I now stand in God’s Holy City among the righteous and equal.

But there is a sequel!

There are no tears-

There are no fears.

There are no rich or poor

Wanting what’s yours.

I cry no more.

I’m given no heavy chore.

There is no more pain;

Only joy is my gain. 

God dwells with me here.

On His throne is where I see Him appear.

He is robed in glory and might.

I see no darkness, only light.

God has made all things new;

Given everyone their due.

He sits on His throne,

And I glory in how He rules over His own.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson   2/22/2026 

“Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:1-5 NIV 

 

I Believe

We all believe in something, and no matter how hard someone tries, there is no way to change your mind. I, too, have a belief, and no one can change my mind. I believe in the One true and righteous King of the Universe. 

I Believe 

 

Lord! I believe!

I believe You are the Son of God;

That You died for me.

I believe Your arms are open wide-

You are always by my side.

There is nothing more I must decide-

Only to believe!

I believe in Your grace

And the promise of my permanent resting place.

I believe You forgive me in my wrath,

You forgive my wayward deeds,

You forgive my unfruitful seeds.

I believe I am saved-

No longer lost,

And it was You who paid the cost.

Lord!

I believe every scripture verse;

You are the King of the Universe, 

The Bread of Life,

The Light of the World,

The Beginning and the End.

Lord! I believe!

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 2/20/2026

 

“Do not let your hearts be troubles. You believe in God; believe also in me." John 14:1 

 

“But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” John 20:31 

 

 

 

MAKING TIME

If I want to be a friend of others and of Jesus, I have to make time. That could mean rising early; it could mean skipping something I want to do for myself, or it could mean just putting others before myself. I believe that is also called love. Making time brings its rewards and it presents moments to cherish. I, personally, need to do better. 

 

M issing a personal scheduled appointment

A ppointing a special place and time 

K issing my personal time good-bye with joy

E liminating television time 

 

T rading off my plans for someone else’s 

I nvesting in growing the friendship

M aking the minutes, hours, and day meaningful  

E mbracing the moments together

Testing Negative for Stupid

I have been reading John Kennedy’s book, How to Test Negative for Stupid. I find his down-to-earth character refreshing and his quotes amusing: however, I have to comment on a few:  

 

One of his quotes is, “I believe that our country was founded by geniuses, but it’s being run by idiots.”  

     I could not help but laugh. Mr. Kennedy rightly stated this from a humanistic viewpoint, and I am sure he would agree that from a Christian viewpoint, our country was founded and created by God and it is run by God. God can take the decisions made by idiots and turn it to good. I quote Isaiah 40:23, “He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.”

 

Another quote I founded interesting and so true with humans is, “I have the right to remain silent but not the ability.” 

     God gives us some words of wisdom about this in Proverbs 21:23, “Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”

 

One more quote I would like to make a comparison about is, “I’m not going to Bubble Wrap it: The water in Washington, D. C., won’t clear up until you get the pigs out of the creek.” 

     This is bittersweet humor because it is so true. Throughout the Old Testament, there were few kings who did right in the sight of the Lord. However, there is hope, but the “swamp” may always be there. I place my hope in 2 Peter 3:13, “But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.”

 

For what it is worth, if you can find humor at all in government, read the book!  

 

 

 

 

Come Before My Presence

Psalm 16:11 NKJV “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”  

 

The Message version is: “Now You’ve got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of Your face. Ever since You took my hand, I’m on the right way.”  

 

I am trying to envision Psalm 16:11. In so doing, I see Jesus, first. I see His presence with a mighty glow surrounding Him. In His presence is joy; A joy which brings completeness. It provides satisfaction and contentment. I have no need to search for anything more. Next, I see Jesus with His right hand stretched out. As I place my hand in His, all fear is gone. My path is certain and secure. My heart is filled! I have found direction. I have found favor! 

     As the scripture says, my pleasure and my treasure in life is being with Jesus; surrounded by Jesus, and walking with Jesus. 

     As I pray the scripture: “Lord! Come before me and be present with me this day. Take my life, my hands, feet, mouth, and thoughts; Make them Yours so that I can walk in fullness of joy, being content with my direction and with all You provide.”

 

BETTER

Better is a more excellent quality, and I always want better. However, obtaining better does not come with having more money, more status, or even more power. Obtaining “better” comes from searching for what really makes life meaningful; it comes from being able to taste the fullness of God. How do I achieve this? Some ways are: 

 

B eing in favor with God

E ntering into daily communication with God

T elling Christ’s story

T urning from sin to God

E ntertaining all with whom I come in contact with love

R ecognizing that all I have comes from and belongs to God 

So, today, let me do better to obtain better!