Mary Crisp Jameson - copyright material







Sunday, March 25, 2012

Peace I Give You

     One of the most tragic things that can happen to a parent is to have their children injured and/or lose their lives in death.  I write this today in honor of a precious couple struggling with facing injuries requiring many surgeries for one child and the loss of another one through a tragic automobile accident.  There are no words that can be said to comfort them or uplift their hearts.  Only by knowing they are loved and by being supported and surrounded by friends can they find light from the darkness that envelopes them.  And only by having the strength given them through the love of Jesus and His promise that He will go and prepare a place can their veil of darkness penetrate into a feeling of hope.  Woe to those who do not have God in their lives.
    During a time like this it is good to remember that when Jesus hung on the cross there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.  The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.  I can only imagine the pain that was God’s as he looked upon the face of His only Son nailed and hanging from that cross.  God was in true agony as He allowed His son to die so that all who believed on Him could be saved.  There lies our promise - that there is a forevermore life waiting for those who love Him.  For that I shout today from my wee small place designated as my ‘friendly shade’ and pray for my family and my friends as they travel  through the dark days ahead of them.  They are strong for they know there is hope in Jesus Christ.  Yet their days ahead will still be filled with heartache.  This heartache can be overcome with the peace they, as Christians, know about.  This peace comes from God.  Jesus has already lightened the burdens of their cross, and He did this when He laid Himself upon His own cross in a place called Calvary. 

 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 14:27

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.  John 14:3

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. 
Revelations 21:4  


Sunday, March 18, 2012

Nascar

  Act 2:2 Suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.” 
     Does this verse remind you of the excitement of a Nascar race? The sound of hot rod engines roaring across the race track sends chills through the spines of many avid fans of Nascar, much like the sound of a might rushing wind, and Nascar fans love to keep up with the race all the way to the finish line. 
     The sport of Nascar has ushered in an era of racing that requires skill and control by the one under the wheel; it requires knowledge of what’s under the hood; it requires a team of experts to change out parts, motors, and tires in a matter of minutes; it requires speed in filling up the tank with its source of power.   Nothing takes the breathe out of the heart and soul of the driver than to be stranded in the dugout for more than a few seconds.  The driver must get back on the track to win the race.   
     In comparison,  the Christian life is much the same.  Just as in Nascar and the race to the finish, Christian lives are repeated over and over.  We get up, go to work, come home, do chores, care for family situations, and go to bed just to repeat the process all over again.  And we have to take care of our engines.  The best way to fill the tank and stay fit and charged is through prayer and Bible study.  Unlike Nascar, it only takes one expert behind the wheel and that is God.  True, we may have to practice the habit, but to truly win a perfect race, it comes back to who we let take control.  Then we need to take a look “under the hood.”  What is under your hood?  In Galatians we are told what should be found.  The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, faith, meekness, temperance….”    If we let go of any of these and take over on our own, we may end up like many of the drivers in Nascar- stranded and out of the race. 

      

Sunday, March 4, 2012

The Voice

     As I sit under my "Friendly Shade" I long to know Jesus better.  But yet the ways of God are not the ways of man.  God is not so quick to judge. Even when man sins God continues to love and call his sheep back into His fold; whereas, man often just turns away.  David was a man after God’s own heart, but David sinned.  When Noah was building the Ark the people criticized and said he was crazy.  The people judged and mocked him and did not understand. 
     There are people in the midst of trouble and straying away from God today, yet Jesus continues to work in their hearts and calls them back into His fold.  Oh, if only people would think before turning their backs when the ways of other people do not conform to their ways. Continuous and unconditional love would help the grace of God shine through to the lives of others. 
     There is a voice that can be heard – a voice that feeds His sheep.  To know Jesus better we must conform to His ways! 

THE VOICE 

 I heard it in the whirlwind -
I heard it out-loud and within my mind.
Just what is that?
A voice! Quiet and softly flat.

I heard it again,
Across the meadow and the glen.
I heard it the thunder,
Just before I knuckled under.
Quiet but nudging-
Loving, yet not judging.

I heard the voice from deep inside-
Not me, not now,” I replied
I ignored it as I turned around,
But it persisted and was quiet profound.

I heard it through my distress;
Quiet but filled with tenderness.
The voice – It was one I knew;
Calling me from my worldly view.

The voice nudged at my selfish pride.
“I died for you,” it cried.
The voice was ringing loud and clear-
It resounded and brought a tumbling tear.

The voice! Do you hear it?
Small, quiet, and gentle - I must admit.
It takes you from despair -
Restores your life with gentle care.

The voice – I can hear it in the night-
Restoring me to a life of love and light.
It speaks to me,
And calms the raging sea.
                      Mary Crisp Jameson