Mary Crisp Jameson - copyright material







Monday, December 26, 2016

Christmas Acronym

     Christmas season is always a busy time! And for that reason, I am late in posting my Christmas blog.  However, since Christmas is all about Christ, His birth and death, Christmas should be in our hearts all year long. If we think about Christmas in the right way, we will also think about the One True God. 
     Christmas represents His many names:     
C-hrist came to save sinners
H-eaven is the Christian's destination and resting place
R-edeemer is our Lord and intermediator
I-Am is the One who created you and me
S-avior is the Shepard who gave His life so we might live
T-ruth is the Way, our direction in life
M-essiah is our Lord and Savior
A-lpha is the Beginning; in Him all things were created
S-on of God and the One born on Christmas and laid in a manager stall

     Also Christmas tells us about how we can live to be a witness for God: 
C-heerful heart
H-appy in all things
R-ejoice in life
I-dentified as a Christian
S-atisfied with God's blessings
T-hrilled in the day
M-aster the art of love 
A-live to the moment
S-aved by the cross of Jesus
     
     On a final note, I wish everyone a very "Happy New Year!"

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Magical Time of the Year

     In this last week before Christmas, people are getting their last-minute shopping done, and children are being given a final seat on Santa's knee in order to tell him what they want for Christmas.  As most say, "It is a magical time of the year."
     I pray that parents are reminding their children what the real reason for the season is.  And that is Jesus!  Jesus is so much more important than giving children a glimpse of Santa and helping them write up a list of "worldly desires." 
     A sign recently seen, "Santa didn't die for anyone," is a quick reminder of what the season is about.  The Angels didn't declare Santa's birth!  The wise men didn't travel from afar to worship Santa.
     Another great event took place in Matthew 18: 23-3 "And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven."  I can just see the children gathered around Jesus, with some sitting on his knee.  The children's eyes were big with wonder.  Jesus was showing a gentleness and love.   Now this had to have been a "magical time".  Santa just can't compare.  Santa didn't freely allow himself to be nailed to a cross to save a life.  Santa just cannot possible  pull such a life-saving gift from his bag of gifts on Christmas night!
       As the song goes, "Santa is coming to town. He sees you when your sleeping... so you better be good for goodness sake."  Yet, it is not Santa who sees all and knows all.  Jesus is the one who is watching, caring, and loving all year long.  He is the One who knows whether you've been "bad or good." 
     Finally, I ask, "Can we really compare Santa's knee with the knee of Jesus?  Can we compare Santa's bag full of goodies with the grace of Jesus?  What is truly the magic of Christmas?"

TRUST in the Lord and do good;
DWELL in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
DELIGHT in the Lord,
and He will give you the desires of your heart.
COMMIT your way to the Lord,
TRUST also in Him ..."
                          Psalm 37:3-5

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Watch!

     Before Jesus was born, people were waiting and watching for a King.  They did not know the hour or time of His arrival just as we do not know, today, the hour of His return.  We are told in several scriptures to "watch".  Matthew 24:42 says, "Therefore keep watch..."  Matthew 26:41 tells us, "Watch and pray...."
     What is so important about "watch"?  And how do we watch?     For me, being watchful means staying in the Word.  To remind myself of why, I developed the following acronym:
  W-ord
  A-lpha
  T-emptations
  C-hrist
  H-eaven
     
     By staying in the Word of God, I am strengthening myself and surrounding myself with His shield of protection.  I am preparing myself to be watchful of the way I live my life as a witness for others.   1 John 2:5 "But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him."
     Jesus said, I am the Alpha and Omega; the beginning and the end.  From the beginning of my Christian life to the end, I need to study the Word, being watchful to remain true to God throughout my life.  Jesus and His Word are my safety net.   Isaiah 40:8 lets me know that from beginning to end God's Word stands forever.  "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever."
     Temptations come at me every day, for Satan is roaming to overcome me at my weakest moments.  Only by staying in God's Word can I watch and even attempt to overcome my sinful nature.  Hebrews 4:12, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
     Jesus Christ is the who said, "Watch."  By watching and strengthening myself in His word, I am striving to be an obedient child of God.   2 Timothy 2:15, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
     Heaven will be my reward for remaining watchful and for trusting in the One who created me.  Proverbs 30:5,  "Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him."
 
 

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Wash My Feet

     At Christmas, there is more to the story than Jesus coming as a babe.  When I see Jesus as a baby lying in a manger, I also see Jesus on the cross dying for me. 
     The Christmas story doesn't just begin with His birth and end with His death.  There is a lot more woven into the story.  Just before Jesus was betrayed, He gave an example of doing service for others when He became the servant and washed His disciples feet. 
     Doing for others is what Christmas and every day should be about. 

John 13: 3-16
Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

As I thought about Jesus washing my feet and how very ashamed I would be for Him to do that, I also realized I need His daily cleansing:  
 Wash My Feet
Tried and tested,
seemingly unrested;
Weary and worn.
Among the worldly, I'm torn.
Wash my feet, Lord!
Wash my feet.
I've tread the trails that others walk,
Bittersweet with mournful talk.
Oh, Lord! Wash my feet.
Cleanse my heart;
strengthen my weakened part.
Remove my pride;
the sinful desires I've eyed.
Oh, wash my feet, Lord!
Wash my feet.
Towel me in your embrace,
 cradled in your mighty grace.
Wrap me in forgiving love
with blessings I'm unworthy of.
Dry away my sinful ways
 through this newfound phase.
Moisturize me with kindness, happiness, and peace;
Warm me in your Shepherd's fleece.
Wash my feet, oh Lord!
Though undeserving, please wash my feet.
Cover me with the cross you bore
till we meet at Heaven's shore.
                                                   Mary Crisp Jameson

Sunday, December 4, 2016

Mary, Did You Know?

     With Christmas just around the corner, I thought about Mary, the mother of Jesus, and just what she knew about the life her newborn child would live.  There is no way to really know the measure of Mary's thoughts.   
     The one thing I do know, from my own experience, is that I loved the child I was carrying.  I prayed daily for her to be healthy.  I did not know what a wonderful, precious blessing she would really become.  I did not know what her successes would be.  I did not know she would become my best friend.  I did not know, and still do not know, what her future holds.  The one thing I know is that she has Jesus and His love in her heart, and that is the most important thing in this life.  Without Him, we will not have life eternal. 
    The authors of the song, "Mary, Did You Know?"  give us much food for thought:

Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you

Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God

Mary did you know, Mary did you know, Mary did you know
The blind will see, the deaf will hear and the dead will live again
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great I am

Mary did you know, Mary did you know, Mary did you know?