Swearing

I think I will be just a little preachy today which is not my usual thing to do, and also since ugly talk and/or swearing in public conversation is a little pet peeve of mine.  To my readers, if I offend someone, I simply ask forgiveness after the fact, but I make no apology about not wanting to hear my God's name used in vain. 

     Matthew 5:34-37 says, “But I say to you, do not swear at all; neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool, nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. But let your “yes” be “yes” and your “no” be “no.” For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.”   

     Since my childhood, we have come a long way, and not for the better. In my youth there was not any, if very little, bad words on T.V. much less by those who are in roles of leadership. If my parents swore, it was not in front of me. That’s goes a long way in the role of parenthood and respect.

     It would mean a lot in the role of true leadership if our politicians, who are supposed to be role models, left their swearing and/or bad words in their rooms of privacy and broadcast on national T.V. during speeches or interviews. 

     To the politicians and, in all due respect, even to the President of this great United States of America: No value is being added to the position in which the people have elected you to with the use of your swear words and the use of the "F" word. Your positions are to be respected, and the people are to be respected, as well. 

     To the news commenters: Families do not want the use of the "F" word broadcasts in  news being received into their homes, even if it is bleeped.  

     To the movie industry: Families who are trying to bring up children to be respectful, want the ugly words and vain use of God's name left out of their homes. 

     To the book writers: Readers do not want their minds filled with the use of God's name used vainly. This gives no justice to the story and adds no appeal. You may have written a very good story, but the use of God's name smeared throughout the pages of your book ruins the whole concept. 

     In the role of Christians, we are called to the same- that is leave off our swearing and use of God's name in vain. Much can be accomplished with a simple “yes” or “no”.

 

It's Not Fair!

I hear it all the time and have even said it myself, “It’s not fair!” Take today, for instance. I had planned to work my flower beds, but I woke up to rain. “Lord, I need outside, this is just not fair.” This is really minute, but it proves a point. We whine about the smaller of things.

 

It’s Not Fair

 

It’s not fair that I am oppressed and stressed.

It’s not fair what I must endure;

Others have better living, I am sure.

Life is not fair I grumble and mumble.

Yet, was it fair what Jesus had to bear?

Was it fair that Jesus’ trials were not just, though they were a must?

Was it fair that Jesus was afflicted, though they were predicted?

Was it fair that Jesus suffered pain, though He did not complain?

Was it fair that Jesus had to die, though He did not whine and cry?

Was it fair that Jesus remained silent when all was violent?

Was it fair that Jesus suffered a brutal infliction at the crucifixion?

Was it fair for Jesus to take my sins to make me an heir?

Was it fair that the world did not care? 

Was it fair? 

Is it fair that when I pull away from God, He is still there?

Is it fair that when I deliberately sin, God still pulls me to Him? 

Is it fair, my sins Jesus must still bear, though I gain love through prayer?

 Is it fair? 

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 2/11/2026

 

“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth. By oppression and judgment He was taken away. Yet who of His generation protested? For He was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people He was punished.” Isaiah 54:7-8 NIV  

 

 

 

I Can Only Imagine!

 We have all been given an imagination. Some have a better ability of forming mental images than others; yet, I believe everyone who knows Christ can project a mental image of what happened with Christ on the cross, His nail-scarred hands, His ascension, and what is to come.

I Can Only Imagine

 

Can you imagine the clouds so high

Too high for the reach of man and too unclear for the human eye!

There was a man standing beneath them on the ground 

While people stood around-

They had already seen a miracle and a foretelling,

Though they never understood the indwelling.

They had witnessed this man’s death and burial-

They had experienced His resurrection

And preformed a nail-scarred hand inspection.

What miracle was coming next?

The man, before them, had them all perplexed! 

And then He started to ascend-

A cloud came down to cover their friend.

I can only imagine 

This man rising into the clouds and then out of sight

With me standing there watching His powerful might.

I can only imagine the breath being held-

How each man’s chest swelled. 

I can only imagine 

The tears that fell from faces looking upward that day

And the memory being stored away.

I can only imagine!

The wonder, being there and turning, to see 2 strangers in white

Suddenly appearing within their sight,

And saying, “Why look up and sigh?

That is Jesus ascending on high.

But He will come again in the sky

And be seen by every eye.

I’ve read about what this all has meant.

And my chest swells with joy for this great event.

I can only imagine!

 

Mary Crisp Jameson - 2/10/2026

 

“And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight.” Acts 1:9 KJV

 

Jonah's Rebellion

Every Bible reader knows the story of Jonah, in his rebellion, who ran from what the Lord wanted of him, and Jonah got swallowed by a large fish that we like to call a whale. 

     In Jonah 2b, Jonah told the Lord why he ran. “I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and One who relents concerning calamity.”

     My prayer is that:  Lord, I am so glad you are a gracious and compassionate God. I thank You for being slow to anger and for loving me with a desire that no calamity should come my way because of my sin. You always reach out Your arms and bring me back to you and are compassionate in forgiving me. Should troubles arise because of what I have done or said, You help me through in ways only You know. I praise You for continually caring, forgiving, and loving.  Amen!

A Work in Nature

There are many scriptures about nature. I have quoted a few and used them to assist in writing the following: 

 

A Work in Nature 

 

God counted and named the stars,

And He knows my memoirs.

He knows every bird and insect in the field,

And He know the deeds, I yield.

God clothe the flowers,

And He knows my remaining minutes and hours.

So, as the deer pants to quinch its thirst,

May I, too, pant for the Living Water, placing God first.

Like the tree planted by water’s edge,

May I be made strong by God with His protective hedge.

Like the fig tree’s tender twigs announcing summer’s beginning,

Let me announce my Christian life within my living.

As the eagle soars up in the sky so high,

May I soar, run and not be weary, as with God, I draw nigh.

Like the ant,

May I endure and not be faint.

Consider the strength of the lion and how hard it is to control,

Let me, for God,  be so bold.

He counted the stars and knows their name,

And He knows mine too, even in my shame.

God knows the name of all in His creation

So, in my summation,

The heavens, creatures, and all the things He made

Declare His glory, and it will not fade.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson. 2/7/2026

 

“He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.” Psalm 147:4 

“I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine.” Psalm 50:11

“And do not worry about clothes: See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.”  Matthew 6: 28-29 

 

 “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, My God.” Psalm 42:1 

 “They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:8

“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.” Matthew 24:32 

 “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 

 “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!” Proverbs 6:6 

“The wicked flee through no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.”  Proverbs 28:1

 “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” Psalm 19:1 

 “Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths...wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds.” Psalm 148:7,10

 

Another Day of Opportunity

Today, I have another day of opportunity. Another day to keep my eyes focused straight ahead on Jesus. Another day to be grateful for all God has done and will do. Another day to store up treasure in heaven. Another day to be productive. Another day to seek God first and to pray. Who knows when God will come “like a thief”- when I least expect? 

     Let me prepare today!

     Let me produce the fruit of God’s spirit today!

 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control...” Galatians 5:22-23a  NIV

 

“Listen! I will come at a time you don’t expect, like a thief. Great blessings belong to those who stay awake and keep their clothes with them. They will not have to go without clothes and be ashamed for people to see them.” Revelation 16:15 ESV

 

The "I" in Idolatry

Idolatry is defined as extreme admiration, love, or reverence for something or someone. Also, I read in a devotional several days ago that the “I” in Idolatry could be just that, I. 

     In other words, am I just looking out for “me” and what only pleases “me” or daily thinking, “What’s in it for me?” 

     In studying about Solomon, he stated that with all his riches, he denied himself nothing. He had everything. So, you might say he lived in “I”dolatry. In the end, even with all Solomon had acquired, Solomon in his wisdom expressed that life was meaningless without God in it.  

     Comparing Solomon’s life to Paul’s life, they were completely different, yet Paul had learned to be content without luxury. After Paul's conversion experience, he lived only for God and sharing the ministry. In 2 Corinthians Paul tell us: 

1.     5 times I received 39 lashes from the Jews

2.    3 times I was beaten with rods

3.    Once I was stoned

4.    3 times I was shipwrecked 

5.    A night and a day I have spent in the deep

6.    I have been on frequent journeys in dangers from rivers, robbers, countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on sea, and dangers among false brethren.

7.    I have been in labor and hardship

8.    I have had many sleepless nights

9.    I have had hunger and thirst, often without food

10. I have been in cold and exposure

11.  I have had daily pressure over concern for all the churches

I have to take note of Paul’s last comment in item #11. His concern was not over the hardships he listed in numbers 1-10, his concern with for the churches and His work for God. He certainly was not into the “I” factor. 

     Both Solomon and Paul, in different ways, gave me the final analysis. I, like everyone else, will have an earthy death -earthly riches cannot be taken with me - my earthly deeds will be forgotten by man. The only thing I have is my hope in Jesus Christ who has gone before me to make an eternal home for me if I only believe in the Son of God. It is really very simple. Believe and gain joy in my earthy walk with God.