A Shining Star

A Shining Star

 

I wish not upon a shining star

Up above so far.

I look to the Word, so true.

I do not wish, but pray it through.

It makes no difference who I are,

A dream is not built upon a shining star;

It’s God who sees me through.

He is the One so true!

It’s He who set the star

Up above so far,

But it’s only there to give me light,

Shining up so bright.

I wish not upon its power

For God is my mighty tower.

I wish not upon a shining star

Up above so far.

God’s the One who grants my needs;

He hears and heeds.

I do not wish, but pray it through

To the One, so true.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 8/9/2025

 

“God made two great lights-the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.” Genesis 1:16 NIV 

 

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us His own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3 NIV

 

Trust in the Lord with your Prayers - He Hears!

It is hard to know how or what to pray at times, but God cares whether I know how or not. He just wants me to share my honest feelings with Him, and He will take it from there. Nothing is too small or too big to pray about; My words just need to come from my heart.  God works in small ways, and He works in big ways. God understands! God hears! God listens! 

     I look to John 14, where Jesus says, “Whatever you ask in my name, that will I do so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything, I will do it.” 

     At the same time there are other verses which tell me that if I do not receive, it may be because I ask with the wrong intent, or without forgiveness in our heart, or God has determined it is not in my best interest, or even that it is not in God’s timing. I just have to understand that there will be times when I may be disappointed with unanswered prayers. This only teaches me patience, courage, and a continuing trust in the Lord. I just need to keep praying!

     I also look at Jeremiah 1:6-9 “But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, I am a youth, because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And all that I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them…vs 9 “Then the Lord stretched out His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me, Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.”  

Paired Together

Mary things are associated or paired together. Some are similar while others are opposites, like: 

 

Peanut Butter and Jelly

Macaroni and Cheese

Bacon and Eggs

Salt and Pepper 

Bread and Butter

Ketchup and Mustard

Milk and Cookies

Hammer and Nails

Shoes and Socks 

Day and Night

 

     Actually, most all of the above can do without the other and still be good; however, I have to be paired with God to be good. He is the Spice of my life. 

     Futhermore, I cannot be paired with Him unless I have accepted and believe in the name of His only Son, Jesus.

 

My pairing would sound like- “God and Mary”.  As Matthew 19:26 says, “With man (Mary only) this is impossible but with God all things are possible.” 

  

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” John 3:36 NIV

The Example

I have often followed the example set by my parents and even that of my friends, but I desire most to follow the example set by my Savior. Jesus set many examples, like: 

 

Jesus went about His Father’s business. 

     “And He said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business.” Luke 2:49 KJV      

 

Jesus desired to do His Father’s will.

     “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” Luke 22:42 KJV 

 

Jesus loved to teach and heal.

     “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.” Matthew 4:23 

 

Jesus did not desire earthly possessions.

     “And He said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.”  Luke 9:3 

 

Jesus had a work in winning souls.

     “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43 

 

Jesus set an example in prayer.

     “And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeded down, and prayed.”  Luke 22:41 KJV 

 

Jesus gave examples on how to love.

     “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy,’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:43-44 

 

Jesus set an example on forgiveness.

     “And when he saw their faith, He said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.” Luke 5:20

 

Jesus set an example in leadership.

     “Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Mark 9:35 NIV 

 

Jesus set an example on peace-keeping.

     “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”  Matthew 5:39

 

Jesus demonstrated the utmost example of obedience, love, and humility- AND HE DID IT FOR ME! 

     “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!”  Philippians 2:8 

 

I would do good to follow the examples established by Jesus!

 

 

Salvation

The is nothing more valuable than my salvation! I am so very thankful to God 

for sending Jesus!

My Salvation 

 

At the moment of my Salvation,

I was forgiven in a flash,

But I had much to learn, to remove life’s trash.

My journey had just begun,

God was far from done.

I had so much to learn

With some bridges to burn.

It’s hard to follow the example Jesus set

And do it without a fret.

This was going to be a long process,

I confess,

For Jesus loved everyone

In His daily run.

He was about His Father’s business; loving others;

Treating all like sisters and brothers.

In my new life, I wanted to grow;

In Christ to glow;

Through me, let love show.

I had a mission to learn;

Time and time again, from sin to turn;

Release my self-concern;

Jesus’ words to never spurn;

And Godly wisdom to discern.

I wanted to follow my Father’s will;

To pray and hear as I sat still.

My Salvation didn’t require works to earn

But I desired to give and to learn.

You see, 

God set me free

With only a belief in the Son,

And my everlasting life was won.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 8/2/2025 

 

“And He said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” Luke 2:49 KJV 

 

The Cloudy Mirror

The is always something that happens in life when we want to question, "Why God?" The answer can seem rather cloudy, at best. 

The Cloudy Mirror

 

“Why, God?” I ask.

Why is my view concealed like a mask?

I only see as in a cloudy mirror. 

I wish an answer, clearer.

“Why did this thing happen or take place?”

“Why did my loved one die so soon?”

Why must I suffer pain?

What is there to gain?

“Why did my friend turn and walk away?”

“Why am I in such despair, 

And live to shed a tear?”

I see as in a cloudy mirror, unclear,

And I wait to hear.

I wish to see Your face reflected back to me,

But it’s all cloudy as I struggle to see.

And God answered,

“Why do you ask ‘why’

When things go awry?”

You see as in a cloudy mirror,

Quite unclear,

But you are given grace

Until you see me face to face.

Then you will know,

But for today, just grow.

Grow in faith, hope, and love.

 Within your cloudy view, my dear,

I am love, and I am near;

Just trust! 

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 

 

 “Now all we can see of God is like a cloudy picture in a mirror. Later we will see Him face to face. We don’t know everything, but then we will, just as God completely understands us. For now, there are faith, hope, and love. But of these three, the greatest is love. 

1 Corinthians 13:12-13 CEV

.

 

Reap What You Sow

I have been told all my life that you “reap what you sow.” I thought about that a few days ago when I was cleaning out the pea vines from my garden. I had obtained a good harvest, but that would not have happened had I not tilled the ground, planted the seed, and asked God to water.

     It is the same in life. I want and desire a good harvest. I want to sow love and goodness, but I cannot do that without God in my heart every day. The seeds of my Lord have value!

 

“Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it. According to their various kinds.” Genesis 1:11 

To Know

It is good to wake and know! Know that I am loved! Know that I am loved by God. How do I know? 

 

1 John 4:8, “…God is love.”

John 3:16, “God so loved the world…”

John 13:34, He says, “…I have loved you.”

 

Song of Praise

Song of Praise

 

O Lord!

You are my God!

I will give You praise.

In my helplessness, 

You are my defense;

In the heat of the day, my shade;

Through the storm, my refuge.

I praise Your Holy Name.

You wipe away my tears,

Remove my fears,

Establish my years.

You turn my weariness into hope,

My sadness into joy,

My woe into song.

You are my strength in need, 

In heartache,

In trouble.

O Lord!

You are there.

You are my God,

And I will praise Your Holy Name.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 7/29/2025

 

“For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.” Isaiah 25:4 KJV

 

“And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” Isaiah 25:9 KJV 

 

 

A Little Thing But A God-Wink Moment

I love an unexpected “God-wink” moment story! 

     I think God was watching and feeling sympathy for two old people who were working out in the July heat attempting to perform a project in which they really did not know what they were doing. 

     We were about to pour a cement pad for a small retaining wall. The ground was leveled and ready for the cement mixing, however, we did not know how much to mix. We started out with 2 bags of cement, hoping it would be enough to do the job. In the process, we accidentally added too much water and had to open the third bag and use about 1/3 of it to obtain the right consistency. Because of the extra added water, we ended up with the exact amount of cement needed, not a drop more nor a drop less leftover. I gave God the praise! Our “God-wink” moment! He works in the little things as well as in the big things!

     We quickly cleaned up and took refuge in our air-conditioned home. 

 

“Taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.” Psalm 34:8 

The Highway

Isaiah 11 talks about a peaceful kingdom where predators and prey will live together in peace. It also foretells the gathering of the dispersed Israelites; of how there will be a highway for the remnant of His people to return to their homeland.

     Today, God’s has already established a path, a highway, for us to come to Him and be able to live in His peaceful kingdom. All we have to do is “Believe in Jesus!” 

Cinderella and Superman

Growing up I imagined a Cinderella story, but even as a girl, I also wanted Superman strength; power to exert a force that would allow me to defeat enemies, move massive objects and withstand extreme impacts.

     I have gained the Cinderella story because I know from my salvation experience, I will be rescued to live forever in a glorious dwelling place with my Savior. 

     During the wait, I also have a Superman experience. When I was saved, I was given a permanent indwelling Holy Spirit. He helps me defeat troubles and heartache. He works to lift my burdens to give me peace and joy. He helps me move mountains. He is the power to keep me from sin and give me supernatural strength.

 

My Cinderella promise: John 14:2 NIV “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?” 

 

My Superman indwelling: 1 Corinthians 6:19 “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You, are not your own.”    

Hebrews 13:5 NIV “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”    

 

Forgiving and Saying, "I am sorry"

It happens in personal life and on the job? It happens with me either being the offender or someone offending me, and it is hard to say, “I am sorry” and it is hard to forgive the offender. Since I need to always be prepared, I have to remind myself of scriptures I use to accomplish forgiveness because the struggle can be real. 

 

I only have to consider Ephesians 4:32 to know what I should do and why. “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” 

 

I certainly want God to forgive me. I can think of nothing worse if He declines my request for forgiveness. Therefore, I look to Matthew 6:14-15, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

 

I must say that I am selfish and want what is good for me, and it is not good for me to carry the burden of unforgiveness. It eats at my heart and only hurts me. I want and desire a merry heart so I must “let go” of resentment and forgive. Because of this I am reminded of Proverbs 17:22, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” 

 

I have found that I can only forgive if I can also pray for the offender, and I pray that I will always be willing to do so even if it does not change the situation. So I consider what Matthew 5:44 says, “But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”   

 

Now what do I use to help me say, “I am sorry?” Below are just a few:  

Psalm 38:18, “For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.” 

Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” 

Acts 8:22, “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.”

 

 

 

 

 

Looking Beyond and Never Done

As I start my day, I often wonder what will come of it-what new adventure will I incur? Will I fall short? Will all be right with the world? Yet, there is only One who knows. 

Looking Beyond and Never Done 

 

When God looked at the world He made,

All had been carefully weighted.

Then He did His creative work in man,

And declared, “Rule the land!”

God knew man’s potential

And embraced them as essential,

Even knowing they would fall short

In every way and sort.

When Moses killed an Egyptian slave,

He fell short, but God didn’t rant and rave,

He was just not, yet, done!

He looked beyond.

When Saul opposed those who believed,

God looked beyond but grieved,

Though He was not done!

When Peter denied His Son,

God looked beyond and was not done.

God works the same with me

To keep me free.  

When I fall short and fell to go the distance,

God looks beyond and stays consistent.

He is not done!

He leads me back to more,

And takes action to restore.

By His own hand, I was made.

So, God is not dismayed; 

He looks beyond,

Knowing how I will respond.

When He applied His finishing stroke, 

He spoke,

“You are fearfully and wonderfully made,’

Molded and weighed.”

He is never done

Until the battle is won. 

He looks beyond for what He has planned

While holding my hand.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 7/20/2025 

 

“The Lord Almighty has sworn, “Surely as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.” Isaiah 14:24 

 

Loved

It is so good to wake in the morning and have my first thought, " I am loved!" I quote a children's song that instantly followed my thought.

"Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so."  

Acquaintances

In thinking about who have influenced my life, I remember: 

 

My parents- their discipline out of love, their Godly instruction, and the example of good work habits

 

My teachers – those who taught, disciplined, and directed my learning experiences 

 

My Church leaders and teachers – their love for God and how they inspired

 

My bosses and co-workers from whom I learned so much and how they dealt with others 

 

My family members- spouse, grands, nephews, nieces, children and grandchildren- all who shared love and laughter and wonder in their youth and wisdom in their maturity

 

Acquaintances, many from youth to elderly age, all have something to add to my experiences and learning. From them, I learned in conflict-forgiveness, in play-joy. and in watchfulness-new ways of doing things.

 

Most of all and first is my God. He gave and gives me scriptural instruction, love, discipline, and blessings. He is forever and always with me giving His sacrifice, His salvation, and His Almighty staying power. It is God who will never move on, who will never let go my hand, who will take me into His Heavenly Throne Room when the time is right. 

 

I never have to look back and try to remember God as I do people who have once touched my life in one way or another. I continually see every day how God has influenced my life. I don’t have to wonder if He remembers me from when we last met or spoke. I know I am in His thoughts and plans! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Question Game

Let's play a question game...

There is only one answer that fits all of the following questions. 

 

What do the rich and the poor have in common? 

What do the educated and the uneducated have in common? 

What do the trained and the untrained have in common? 

 

Answer: The Lord is the maker of them all, and Jesus came to save them all.

 

Next Question: 

 

What should I do for both the rich and the poor? 

What should I do for both the educated and the uneducated? 

What should I do for both the trained and the untrained? 

 

Answer: Love them! 

 

The Blame Game

A funny thing happened … We had been looking for a special Razorback drink holder, but were unable to find it. One day, my husband washed and cleaned the car and found it under the seat. Since I am usually the car driver and he is the truck driver, he immediately assumed I had used the drink holder last. Upon further inspection, it held his favorite soda pop drink, not mine. Opps!

     This got me to thinking about the “blame game” and how often we use it. In this particular case, it was done in humor; however, that is not always the case. So, why do we “blame”?

 

It could be because of: 

 

B ruised emotions

L ow self-esteem

A fraid

M alice toward another

E nvy toward another

 

Blame is often done because we do not see the “speck in our own eye.” 

 

Matthew 7:3 “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?”

 

Expectations

Nothing may come of my day, but eager expectations jump start it. What does that encompass? 

 

E nter into prayer 
X-pect good things
P raise God non-stop
E njoy the moments
C ommit thy ways to the Lord
T hink positive 
A nswer with respect 
T alk with love 
I ncorporate scripture 
O wn your deeds 
N  ip the negative 
S avor the joy   

When I Awoke

There is nothing like a little talk with God...in the early morning hours...before the day begins.

O Lord, 

This morning as I awoke, 

I ask that you take my yoke;

The weight from my shoulders,

The little things and the mighty boulders.

Take my burdens, my cares,

And all my personal affairs.

I give it all to you to control;

To mold, and my steps to patrol.

I, in turn, 

Give you my concern.

Let my steps match your walk

And your talk;

To align;

To give you the yolk that is mine.

O Lord,

Lift the weight, 

Make my path straight,

Seal me with Your grace and heaven’s fate.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 7/10/2025

 

“Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22 KJV 

 

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 KJV 

 

Sing A Joyful Song

 I have so much to be thankful for, and I am in awe of the blessings given by my Lord. My heart if full, and I sing a joyful song.

I Sing a Joyful Song 

I shout joyfully to the Lord,

And strive to be of one accord, 

For it is He who made me;

I am His, the lamb in His meadow,

And through Him I flow and grow.

 

I sing a song of joy to the Almighty One;

Through Him all things are done.

In His hands are the depths of the earth;

He made all things of worth.

In His hands are the peaks of the mountains.

The sea is His-He made it!

His hands formed the dry land;

By Him all things were made rich and grand.

 

I rejoice and am glad in the Lord,

For He is the God world-wide,

And the One forever by my side.

He firmly established the earth.

He set the seas.

He formed the creatures, trees, and bees.

 

Though I walk through the city streets,

And feel the winter breeze or the summer heats,

It is His.

Though I walk through the crops and fields,

It is His and what it yields.

Though I walk upon the forest floor

Or across the ocean shore,

It is His,

And I praise His holy name,

For it is from Him I came!

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 7/10/2025 

 

“O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.” Psalm 95:6 KJV 

Watched

It is automatic with any mishap, like a fall, etc., to suddenly look around to see if anyone saw the embarrassing moment. Even when I fail and sin in some way, I never want anyone to know. Yet, I am assured that someone is watching, and it causes me to groan. 

     Proverbs 5:21 tells me, “For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and He examines all your paths.” 

     On another level, this verse assures me that God is watching, not only for instruction, but in love, as well. He continually pulls me away from my sin and toward the right path. In this case, I am so glad I have a Lord who watches. He sees me, cares and forgives!

Born and Reborn

The month of July, this year, came in very hot and humid; however, I was blessed that God sent a rain shower and lowered the temperature. It's like July has taken on a whole new refreshed life.  As I sit and enjoy this new freshness in the morning coolness, I cannot help but consider the tremendous blessing of my salvation, my rebirth, and how God washed new life into me. 

Born and Reborn

 

After God breathed into me His very breath,

I was born hungry and thirsty.

My soul fainted from within

Because of sin.

I was troubled-

Problems doubled.

I was often in distress,

Not knowing who to address.

I had a parched and thirsty soul-

Feeling empty and un-whole.

I was in chains-

Pain running through my veins

There was darkness and I felt broken

Until I heard a voice softly spoken.

It led me to the Light

And stopped my fight.

He cured my thirst

And I was immersed.

My troubled storms were gone

With God’s new dawn.

My thirst was turned to living water

When I became God’s daughter.

From death to life-

Into a fruitful land, God brought me out-

His Name I glorify and shout

From a dry and weary land,

God took my hand,

And I was born again.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 7/8/2025

 

“Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV

 

 

 

Consider God's Ways

Consider the: 

 faint whisper

 loud shout

 enticement

 allurement

 driving desire

 continuous thought

 urging from within

 

From whom does it come? What could it be? 

Temptation beyond God’s given boundaries 

or 

A nudging to do something right? 

 

Whatever it is, take it to the Lord, first and foremost. Consider God’s ways! 

 

2 Corinthians 11:3 “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” 

 

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” 

 

Rain In July

It is so uplifting when experiencing a dry spell in July when an unannounced and unexpected heavy rain, leaving puddles, pops up out of nowhere. Even when it begins to stop and the sun pops out, there is still the vision of rain in the background. The landscape literally sparkles! Only God can do this! What a blessing!

A Clean House

While thinking about the joy of dwelling in God’s house, my final resting place, it brought to mind the following song of old: 

 

Sing the wondrous love of Jesus; 

Sing His mercy and His grace; 

In the mansions bright and blessed 

He’ll prepare for us a place. 

When we all get to heaven,

what a day of rejoicing that will be! 

When we all see Jesus, 

we’ll sing and shout the victory!

 

Although I think about my final restful dwelling home with Jesus, I have to, also, think about what kind of place I am preparing in the present. The Holy Spirit indwells with me here, and I rejoice in that. To maintain a clean dwelling place for Him, I need to: 

Stop………to consider the pulling of the conscience

Listen…..and do not ignore His nudging

Choose…to reject missteps

Apply…. His guidance

If I can do this, then I can “sing and shout the victory” in the present. 

 

 

 

Mercies Given

Independence Day starts with the Power of God. He has been merciful in all things by blessing our great nation. He also blesses me, personally, with independence by His gifts, and I acknowledge all His ways. 

     God see all and is merciful! When I am wrong, He see. When I troubled, He sees. When I cry, He sees. 

       

Mercies Given

 

Great are Your mercies, O Lord!

You hear me when I cry 

From Your throne on high.

You reach out to guide,

And I know You are by my side and abide.

When sadness or glee enters my eye,

Lord, You know why!

You watch when my tears flow,

And my troubles, You know.

You understand and revive me

Within my sorrowful plea.

When my eyes shed streams of water,

I know you love me, your sinful daughter.

You are my hiding place,

As I seek Your face.

With every shimmering tear,

You are there to care and cheer.

Great are Your mercies and forgivings,

Helping me through my daily livings.

In my sobbing disgrace,

Your peace enters my space.

When I weep

Your presence makes my heart joyfully leap.

You establish my ways

Throughout my days.

You, O Lord, are my help in times of distress,

And I am blessed.

Great are Your mercies!

 

Mary Crisp Jameson July 5, 2025 

“Behold as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us.” Psalm 123:2 KJV