Mary Crisp Jameson - copyright material







Saturday, May 28, 2011

Christian Water -Poetry Under A Friendly Shade

     Last Sunday our pastor talked about water; how the “the water keeps rolling along!”  He talked about how catastrophe the flood in Noah’s day was. Then he turned it around and talked more about water; how refreshing the rain can be on a hot summer day and how nourishing a cool drink of water can be. 
     The very next morning I opened up my devotional with Joel Osteen and there was a comment, of all things, about water.  Joel said, “Just as a seed needs water daily to grow, your spirit needs the Word of God daily.  Your faith needs to watered by His Word.”
     “Well,” I thought, “wonder what I can write about water?”  The following are my inspirational thoughts about water. 
Water – Medicine For The Soul 
It was the Red Sea water that opened up as the Israelites fled,
It was directed by God who led the way and kept them fed. 
Water! Drink hardy, drink long;
Nourish your body with a Christian song.

It was water that flooded the land,
But it was God who rescued Noah with a foretold plan.
Water! Drink to your health;
Follow Jesus and He will give you wealth.

It is water that nourishes the body and keeps you whole,
But it is the Word of God that nourishes the soul.
Water! Drink up;
Let God’s Word fill your cup. 

It is water that’s needed for the seeds to grow,
But it is a walk with God that helps faith to overflow.
Water! Wet those seeds of kindness in you;
For that’s what Jesus wants you to do. 

It is water that washes away the dirt and grime,
But it is Jesus who washes away your sins and your crime.
Water! Wash until you’re clean;
Let Jesus, in you, be seen.

 It is water from a shower rain that refreshes the land,
But it is prayer time with God that transforms and helps you withstand.
Water! Drink and be strong;
Listen to what He says and avoid all wrong. 

It is water from the waves of the ocean tide that brings tranquility,
But it is our willingness to follow God that brings humility.
Water!  Soak it up and fill your body with love and peace;
Then your worries will all decrease.

It is water that sustains as you go out each day,
And it is Jesus who watches over you in every way, 
Water! Before ye labor, drink it first;
For Jesus promises you will never thirst.
                                                     Mary Crisp Jameson 5/23/2011 

Scripture (John 4:14)  But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.


  

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Memorable Christian Salvation Experience

     I had every intention of writing a humorous story from one of our books today, but that all changed as I listened to a true inspirational mission story this morning.  This story is a devotional in itself.  It does not begin with a humorous story or a joke.  It starts with a desire to do God’s work.  It ends with what reminds me of the words found in The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson; it is a part of the prayer which asks God, “Oh that you would enlarge my territory.”  That is just what has happened in the following true story.  Our Sunday school teacher and his wife had just returned from a mission trip in the Philippines, and he told one of the most memorable endearing salvation story I have ever heard. 
     Upon his arrival in the Philippines he instructed the children to call him Pops.  They loved that! It was easy to say, and they became attached to him quickly.  During one day on this trip a young girl, about the age of eight, hung onto Pops’ arm.  As he talked and visited with the girl, he found out her name was Marjorie, but it wasn’t until her brother joined them that he discovered their dad had died about three weeks before.  Before long Marjorie looked up at him and said, “Pops, I love you.”  After that she exclaimed, “I will be right back.” Upon her return, she was carrying a small book which she asked him to read to her.  Pops read about Adam and Eve, among other Bible character stories, which included the story of Noah and the promise God made when he provided the rainbow.  Afterwards, Pops looked down at the girl and asked if she wanted to know Jesus and if she wanted to ask Him into her heart.  She did!  So they prayed, and Marjorie asked God into her heart.  About that time Pops looked over to his right, and, through his tears, saw that Marjorie’s brother was leaning in over his shoulder clinging onto every word.  Next, Pops asked the girl’s brother if he also wanted to know the Lord.  He did!  They bowed their heads again, and the boy asked God into his life.  Within minutes after that there appeared, across the sky, a beautiful rainbow!
     What else can be said?  Doubts can be removed in the blink of an eye for God is in all things.   With their acceptance of God as their Savior, God gave those two children a sign of his promise to be with them.   
     From that one experience, “Pops” and his wife, Marilyn, left the Philippines with a much greater blessing.  They will always remember these two children anytime they see a rainbow, and those two children will always remember them, as well, along with God’s promise of His enduring spirit living within them.
    I look forward to the many other stories of their witness for the Lord and how their “territory has been enlarged” because of this mission trip.  This is my post today from "A Friendly Shade."  If you enjoyed it please pass it on.  It is a true story of how God will use people to do his work and what a blessing He will bestow upon them if they are only willing to take up His cross and and share His amazing grace.   

Friday, May 13, 2011

Inspirational Christian Poem

This comes a week after Mother's Day, but, as I rest underneath my "friendly shade," I think of my Mom and what she meant to me.  I often wish I could just pick up the phone and give her a call. but I know she is resting in God's embrace, and that means all the world to me.  The next best thing I can do is honor her with the following poem. 

In My Mother’s Eyes   

In my mother’s eyes I was a blessing to be unwrapped;
In my eyes she was the one who gave me life and helped me adapt.

 She is no longer with me these days,
But my mother left a special gift.
 She raised me to know Jesus and His mighty ways;
She taught me where to look when I need a lift.

My mother and I had special ties; 
In her eyes I was an extraordinary child.
That’s the way I am in God’s eyes,
For when I was born, I believe, He smiled.

In my mother's eyes I was the rose that held no thorn;
In my eyes she was the one I ought to adorn.

She watched over me through my growing phase.
I remember how she taught me right from wrong;
How she read and studied her Bible throughout her days;
  How it helped through trials to make her strong.

Although I tested her patience; she kept her calm.
That was my mom!
She never thought, “Why bother?”
My mother still loved me in her heart.
I share this same knowledge with my Heavenly Father;
He’s always willing to give me a fresh new start.

 In my mother’s eyes I was the one who stood apart; 
In my eyes she was a complicated work of art.

My mother is no longer with me this day.
When I miss and long to hear her voice,
I hear my Lord say, “Talk to me. I’m here to stay.”
Like Mom, He listens, gives hope and helps me rejoice.

 In my mother’s eyes she saw a child of Christ;
In my eyes I saw a mother’s sacrifice.

  She left me a legacy, a gift, to carry throughout my days. 
It didn’t come wrapped in fancy ribbons and bows;
It was the simply act of her worship and praise,
For the Lord who died for me. And then, He arose! 
                                                       Mary Crisp Jameson
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.” 
Proverbs 31:30

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Inspirational Devotional for Mother's Day

Mothers are special people and must truly be the most patient people on the face of this earth.  Only God could be more patient with His children.  God never abandons His children through all of their rebellious ways.   Just like mothers, God wants His children to have a harvest of plenty, but He also wants His children to seek Him.  The following is an except from the book SO? Whatever!

A mother had lost all patience in dealing with her son and his constantly getting into mischief.  She asked, “How are you ever going to get into heaven?” she asked.  The son said, “I will run in and out slamming the door until St. Peter finally says, ‘Billy, come in or stay out.’”
Billy got the idea of persistence down pretty good.  He knew how to turn a “no” or a “do not” into acceptance.  That is exactly what we need to do in life.  It is easy to get frustrated when our season of hope is not realized.  The key is not to go backward.  Keep hoping, keep planting, and keep pursuing your dreams and goals.  There is a season for everything.  God will find favor and show increase if you keep your eyes on Him. 

Leviticus 26:4 I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Humorous Joke and Devotional for the Day

The following is a humorous joke followed by a devotional thought and Bible verse.  It is taken from the book, So? Whatever!  
    The man’s weight was out of control so he goes to his family doctor who says, “You are going to have to lose a hundred pounds.”  The man argued, “There’s no way I can lose that much weight.”  The doctor told him there was a diet guaranteed to work.  The man then asked, “What type of diet is that?”  The doctor responded, “Put it in your mouth, if it tastes good, spit it out.”
    The man reached that weight over a period of time.  It began as a small gain and gradually got out of control.  That is the way sin works.  It begins as something small.  When left un-confessed and encouraged by others, it will progress to something larger.  One single drug usage could ultimately make a person into a drug addict.  Don’t try to solve your small problems and allow them to grow into large ones which you cannot handle.  Take your small problems to Jesus every day.
    Romans 6:12  Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.