Too Late

Today is the 31st and I chose the 31st verse of Hebrews 10 to enhance upon. If a decision for Christ is not made today, it will be too late in January of 2025 to accept His plan. After today, January, 2025 will be gone forever. But Jesus is still waiting, so don't let another day go by. "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." 

Too Late

 

One day, it will be too late;

Too late to change death’s fate.

As minutes or years fly by

And time on earth to die,

It may be too late;

Too late for tears,

Too late to calm your fears,

Too late for heaven’s stairs,

Too late for mercy or grace,

And too late to gain heaven’s place.

One day we will meet our fate

When we approach death’s date.

We do not know the moment or second

When death will beckon.

One day it will be too late

To find heaven’s gate,

Too late to trust in Him

When the light goes dim, 

Too late to believe and receive,

Too late, everlasting life, to weave,

Too late to accept Jesus’ redemption for sin

And gain heaven’s eternal win.

Woe to those too late in death 

When breathing their last breath.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 1/31/2025 

 

“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:31 

 

 

Connected Forever

This is HUGE! 
     Paul wrote in Romans 8:38-39, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
     Can you imagine how strong a connection this is? Nothing! Absolutely nothing can disconnect me from the love God has for me once I accept Jesus Christ into my life. 

     I know I will sin but God will never reject me. On top of that, although I sin, I have no desire to really do it. I desire the fruit of His Spirit, that of, “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”  

Seven S's of God's Gifts

This morning I identified Seven S’s of what God gives me although I am sure there are more. 

 

1.     God gave me the Scripture:

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correction and training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16

 

2.     He promised to keep me safe.

“You, Lord, will keep the needy safe and will protect us forever from the wicked.:” Psalm 12:7 

 

3.     He promised to keep me secure: 

“As we have heard so we have seen in the city of the Lord Almighty, in the city of our God; GOD makes secure forever.” Psalm 48: 8 

 

4.     He promised to keep give me success:

“He holds success in store for the upright, He is shield to those whose walk is blameless.” Proverbs 2:7 

 

5.     He promised to give me strength:

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” Isaiah 40:29 

6.  and 7. He gives me salvation and is my stronghold in time of trouble:

“The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; He is their stronghold in time of trouble.” Psalm 37:39 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning the Morning

My daily morning as it should be: 

 

Dress appropriately with: 

  The belt of truth around my waist

  The protection of right living upon my chest

  Shoes to speed me along, sharing the Good News of peace

  The shield of faith to stop piercing arrows from the enemy

  A helmet of Salvation upon my head

  The sword of the Spirit- God’s Word 

Eat a hardy breakfast of choice fruit as provided by the Spirit: 

  Love

  Joy

  Peace

  Patience

  Kindness

  Goodness,

  Faithfulness

  Gentleness

  Self-control

At all times: 

  Carry a prayer in my heart

Home

There is no place like home! Just yesterday, I heard a friend say, "I was so excited about going home." 

Home!

 

There is no place like it;

The place I really fit.

No matter what road trip I’ve journeyed on

Whether to the ocean beach or even Rome,

There is no place like home!

All the exotic places, all the worldly spaces, all the different faces

Do not take the place of home, where I most desire to roam.

I’ve not traveled the world or seen the lives of foreigners unfurled.

I’m just not one to roam, much preferring home.

Home is where I hang my hat.

Home is where I like to sit.

Home is where it’s at.

And, although my home on earth will soon be gone,

I will, with joy, carry on.

I’ll fly away to a brand-new home made for me;

A place I’ll never wish to flee;

A place where I will be forever free;

A place where I will carefree walk;

A place where I will laugh, sing, and talk.

I’ll see the streets of gold;

There’ll be no more cold;

I’ll be made well and whole while surrounded by God’s shepherd fold.

This will be my Heavenly place, paid for by His grace.

Home!

God’s place is where I will roam;

Where I will hang my hat and sit,

And be joyful and content in “My Forever Home!”

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 1/18/2025

 

“For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hand.” 2 Corinthians 5:1

 

 

2025 Inauguration

Before I began, let me be clear. This is not a political post.

     I watched the 2025 Inauguration today. As a lady, I have gotten used to and enjoy wearing pants, but I was enlightened to see women today in dresses and/or jackets and skirts although there were a lot in pant suits. Somehow, with age and weight gain I prefer pants with long tops over dresses; however, I do prefer to see women in dresses, especially for Sunday and special occasions.  

     With that being said, my new First Lady, Melania Trump, rates a ten on a scale of 1-10. How she made the day in those spike heels, I will never be able to explain. I have been known to wear a dress with flats or even a back-up pair of tennis shoes. Therefore, as I watched Melania take all those stairs during the day, she gets my highest accolades. My feet ached for her.

     I also loved Melania’s hat. The only disappointment is that it hid her beautiful eyes as she smiled. Her smile lights up her whole face and I wanted to see her eyes! However, that hat added to her classy look. I just wish I could wear one as well as she does. 

     Not only that, but in the way of “classy” (style and poise) I rate the first ladies of my day as follows:  

1. Melania Trump

2. Jackie Kennedy 

3. Laura Bush

     My readers are welcome to disagree, but I still love you all. 

 

     All this being said, I am looking, talking, and rating from the external image not from the internal heart, because I have never met these great ladies. 

     Whereas I see the external, God sees the internal which is how I need to see people. Clothes and jewelry do not count. What really counts is the heart. That is where the beauty is truly found.  

 

“Though you probe my heart, though you examine me at night and test me, you will find that I have planned no evil; my mouth has not transgressed.” Psalm 17:3 

 

The Cornerstone of Building

With the weather staying the 20s to mid-30s today, I am glad my house is pretty much air-tight. It was constructed by good builders with my husband on-site ensuring a solid foundation. When I think about how well-constructed and warm my home is, I also think about how well-constructed my life should be, like: 

 

1.     Is my life (house) built on a firm foundation? Daily in God’s Word

2.    How do I feel about stepping into a boat daily. Do I fear or trust it will not rock with the waves? Faith in God

3.     Are my ideals rooted deep like the mighty oak tree? Obeying God’s Word 

4.    What have I made the cornerstone of my life?  God’s Inspired Scripture

 "But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. 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 17:7-8

Life Happens In A Sentence

It takes a village to make life happen, but true life happens with God in it. Within this, I challenged myself to put Life into one sentence? 

 

L iving one day at a time by Letting go and Letting God

I n work, play, or social time, In illness or In health,

F acing troubles, Facing victory; Feeling it all and  

E mitting goodness, gladness, calm, along the way, but always Eager  Every second, minute, and hour throughout the days and years. 

                

My Inheritance

An inheritance is always good to get or to pass on. I have never looked forward to receiving an earthly inheritance because that would mean I would have to lose a loved one. Yet, my Heavenly Father has given me an inheritance that I do look forward to receiving. Jesus had to die to give me this inheritance. My joy is that He rose again, and I have eternal life with Jesus in it. He is alive! 

      The Inheritance 

 

There is no other way- 

Only one before life is done.

One way! 

One way!

There’s no other way to gain it, 

No other way to earn it, 

No other way to deserve it. 

There is only one way,

No other way to be redeemed or cleaned,

Except by the blood. 

There are no conditions, no required missions;

Only acceptance of the shed blood.

There is no other way, 

In any given day,

To gain inheritance or birthright 

But to accept Christ, the Son of God,

Who is the Father of night and light. 

 

            Mary Crisp Jameson 1/18/2025 

 

Hebrews 9:15  “For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”

 

A Dash- A Pinch-A Tad- A Smidge

How can I begin to describe what I give to God and compare it with what He gives to me? 

     I guess I will start with this: A dash, a pinch, a tad, a smidge; these are all only slightly detectable- just a small amount. These words could easily describe the amount of time and what I give to God; whereas, He is available to me round-the-clock and gives so much more. 

     Going further:

     A dash is just a small amount, but God gives His all.

     A pinch is almost nothing, but God is something-The Father of All!

     A tad is only a tiny bit, but God is large and all around.

     A smidge is itty-bitty or teeny-tiny, but God is bigger than life.

     Then there are opposite words like, enoromus, gigantic, and colossal, all meaning exceedingly large, but they are still not words great enough to describe the amount of time and what God gives to me. 

Goals -Big, Medium, Small

Daily Hope quoted that, “If you set a big goal, God will work in a big way. If you set a medium-size goal, God will work in a medium way. If you set a small goal, God will work in a small way.” 

     I am a goal setter. Mine have never been to climb Mount Everest, go the moon, travel the world, or become a millionaire, so I guess I have never set big goals. However, my goals give me something to look forward to, to strive for, and in which to hope.

     I need goals, but they need to be Godly ones—good ones…ones which enrich life. Many of my previous goals were to benefit myself, but lately I am seeking more and more goals which will benefit others, as well.  This is important, and I may consider these goals small, but I believe God sees them as “Big”.

     Setting goals helps me grow and mature. True, I may never reach certain ones, and I may need to re-evaluate and set new ones, but I always look forward to what “will be” and by letting God take the reins.

     Daily, I just can’t wait to see what happens. When and how!

 

Steps and Leaps of Fatih

Steps happens! They may be small, short, or long ones, but it requires placing one foot in front of the other. Taking steps is kind of like taking leaps of faith which require a first STEP and moving on from there. My first step toward my “leap of faith” might look something like:  

 

S tep forward

T red onward

E nter the door of opportunity

P lace my hand in God’s

Get Er Done!

The next day, the next week, and the next year is here! Will it be put off another day, week, or year?

     I am a firm believer in not putting off what needs to be done. In other words, “Grab the Opportunity” now, not tomorrow or next week or next year.  “Seize the moment,” if possible. As Larry the Cable Guy said, “Get er done.”

    Imagine what would have happened had Zacchaeus not grabbed the moment and climbed a tree for “Jesus to see.” He might never have heard, “Zacchaeus, you come down, for I'm going to your house today.”

God's Way

There is never a time to give up...God stays...He continually walks beside...Let Him have His way.

God’s Way

 

Start…

Pray and do not lose heart.

To Him, cry out…

To Him, shout!

Expect a delay…

It may be His way.

Expect His timetable…

He is able!

Keep knocking…

Keep asking…

Keep persevering…

Keep seeking…

Keep believing!

Ask day and night…

Keep God in sight…

He is the light!

His way…

Come what may…

A lifetime of trust,

Before we return to dust.

 

       Mary Crisp Jameson  1/13/2025

 

“And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint…Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.” Luke 18:1, 5 KJV

 

Today

 There is no greater blessing God gives me than waking up into the TODAY. It is up to me to make it count. 

Today

 

Yesterday is gone,

And so are the things that I did wrong.

Those I will not let control my days,

Or the trails ahead I choose to blaze. 

Worry will not change the past, 

And nothing lasts.

On the other hand,

As I tread this land,

Tomorrow is a day to think about,

But I cannot know what, from it, will sprout

Worry will not change the future or what lies ahead;

Just plan, pray, and trust instead.

Within my trust, 

I must’nt let today turn to dust. 

Today is what I grip within my hand.

Today is when I skip across the land.

Today opportunities are like the grains of sand.

Today is where my energy must go.

Today is when I sow.

Today, my spotlight does not end until the night.

It is: 

To be happy and gay,

To pray,

To not stray,

To make it worthwhile,

To smile.

To go the extra mile.

Today is mine, 

Taking it seconds and minutes at a time. 

It is up to me, on wings, to mount

And make my today count.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson. 1/11/2025 

 

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 NIV

Pass It On

I have such good memories of generations before me. They were mostly poor and did not pass on silver, gold, or a big bank account. What they left was so much more. They loved God, and they passed it on.

Pass It On

 

I remember my great-grand parents.

They were old, and life had taken a toll,

But they passed on love from their household.

They modeled a relationship with God,

Although they may have been somewhat flawed.

I remember my grandparents more,

And I was always welcome at their door.

In their pastures, there was much to explore.

They had cows and mules, 

But mostly, I remember the life they stood for.

From their garden they raised their food,

Lobored hard, but showed a loving, Godly mood.

From a well they drew their water,

Hogs they had to slaughter.

They worked hard from daylight to dark.

But their love for God was never a question mark.

They were filled with Godly precepts and rules they kept.

Before they were gone, they passed it on.

Then, there was the love my parents held for me.

They lived Godly lives that I could see.

They shaped my heart, my thoughts, my choices,

And I still can hear their voices.

They read their Bible, took me to church, and prayed at meals.

They kept the faith as they traveled burdensome hills.

Mom and Dad loved God, 

And they passed it on before they were gone.

Then, it was left for me to pass on God’s love for my child to see.

I did my best and still pray that she is blessed.

To pass it on is my heart’s quest. 

There is God who created me.

There is Jesus who died to set me free.

There is the Holy Spirit who gives my heart glee.

And, I want to pass it on.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson. 1/9/2025

 

“Remember the day you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, when He said to me, ‘Assemble the people before Me to hear My words, so that they learn to revere Me as long as they love in the land and may teach them to their children.’” Deutheronomy.4:10 NIV 

Center-Stage

I am not one to enjoy being center-stage with everyone watching my performance. Yet one day, there will be One whom I will stand before on center-stage, and He will determine how well I have performed.

 Center Stage 

 The stage was set!

I had studied and lived the part,

But I began to fret,

For I had not gotten the script down to a fine art.

I was not ready, just yet,

But the stage was set.

The final act was about to start,

And I began to sweat.

This final scene, I had not rehearsed, 

And this was a first.

Taking pause,

I wondered if I would get applause,

Receive the words I wanted to hear,

Or get the cheer.

I was in fear

As I took my bow.

I so desired to hear the “Wow!”

Yet, 

There was reason to fret

Remembering the times I’d had to be corrected,

Never getting my act perfected. 

As the curtain fell,

My blood pumping through every cell,

I remained center-stage,

Listening for a response to gauge.

I had yet to hear the sound of clapping or of booing,

But I still had hope for the forgiving of my misdoing.

Would I hear, 

As the Director drew near,

Within my lingering hope, so fervent,

“Well-done, my servant?”

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 1/72025 

 

“His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Matthew 25:21 KJV.

My Woe is Gone

     In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Jesus talks about some who may not inherit the kingdom of God. They are the fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate, homosexuals, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, and swindlers, 

     Other scriptures also tell me not to be vengeful, judgmental, an unforgiven, or a lover of earthy idols. 

     I could easily place myself among some of the categories listed and cry, “Woe is me!” Yet, 1 Corinthians 6:11 takes away my, “Woe” because a few “buts” are listed.  

     It says, 

But…you were washed.

But…you were sanctified.

But…you were justified.

     When Jesus laid His LIFE on the Cross, He did it for me. He took my sins and washed them, sanctified them, and justified them so I could inherit the kingdom of God. He took away my “Woe is me!” so I could live better, love better, and glorify Him not only in word but in action.

     He gave me a kingdom inheritance if I believe in the name of the only begotten Son of God, Jesus, my Savior. My "Woe" is gone because I am washed by His blood.

Stubborn or Unyielding

I was thinking about how stubborn and unyielding I can be sometimes. This is not a trait I like to acknowledge, and I certainly do not want to be like Pharoah. He was one hard-hearted, stubborn soul. 

 

1.     Pharoah would not listen with the 1^st warning when Aaron’s staff became a snake

2.    Pharoah would not listen when the Nile, the streams, the canals, the reservoirs and all the waters turned to blood. The fish died and the water stank. 

3.    Pharoah would not listen when frogs covered the land, came into the palace, the bedrooms, ovens, and kneading troughs.

4.    Pharoah would not listen when all the dust of the land became gnats that got on the people and the animals.

5.    Pharoah weakened only somewhat when swarms of flies invaded the land, the palace, and the houses but his heart was still hard.

6.    Pharoah was unyielding even when a plague hit the livestock and the horses, donkeys, camels, and cattle died.

7.    Pharoah still did not listen when boils broke out among the people and the animals throughout the land.

8.    Pharoah’s heart was still hardened when the hail came and lightning flashed back and forth. The hail beat down everything growing in the fields and stripped every tree. 

9.    Before the next plague, Pharoah wanted to deal but only on his own terms so, once again, he did not listen and would not be humble. The locusts came and covered the ground; they devoured what little was left after the hail.

10 Pharoah still wanted to deal on his own terms when darkness descended and no one could see or move. 

11 Pharoah only agreed to listen when the final plague came; when every firstborn of both people and animal died. Still, the Pharoah wanted to undo his decision. He never really feared the Lord, for he sent his army to bring back God’s people, and that resulted in further disaster. 

 

       In my own defense, although I may be stubborn at times, I greatly respect and fear my Lord. I would have yielded at the snake. “God’s ways are better than my ways.” 

     I pray for those who are too stubborn and unyielding to acknowledge God, His Son, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I pray for those who wish to "go it alone" without God.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."