Praise the Lord

There is nothing that sets the day better than to offer praise to the Lord for He is good.

Praise 

 

Praise the Lord for His mighty expanse!

For beauty at a glance-

Found in the timbers, the waters that surround

And all that grows upon the ground.

 

Praise the Lord for His mighty deeds!

Deeds that fill the needs,

Deeds which heal the ailing-

Ever prevailing

 

Praise the Lord for His greatness!

His crowning ornateness!

Applaud Him!

Lift up a joyous hymn.

 

Praise the Lord for He creates!

He seals human fate,

He loves, carries the load,

And makes straight the road.

 

Declare His praise! 

Glorify His ways!

Extol Him with heart and soul

For the Lord is the Whole!

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 4/29/2025 

 

“Praise the Lord…in His mighty heavens. Praise Him for His surpassing greatness...Praise Him with the harp and lyre…Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.”  Psalm 150: 1-6 NIV

 

 

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Right On Time

There are a few “N” words I do not enjoy hearing, although I have heard them often and/or learned that they are a part of life. I have heard them from my parents, my friends, even from myself, and I have often found they come from God. They are; 

 

No

Not Now

Not Yet

Never 

 

With these words comes patience to see if it will be never or just not now. I have found that with God, His timing is “just right” and "right on time.”  I have to remember God said, “It is not for you to know the times,,, and, “He has “made everything…in His time.” 

 

 

Bitter or Better

Doing a play on words, I consider the following a few to consider. Which would I prefer to be a part of my life? I would choose the more positive so that I do not “fall short.”  

 

Bitter or Better

Controlling or Caring

Playing or Praying

Sedentary or Seeking 

Wicked or Wiser 

 

“See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” Hebrews 12:15 

Garage Sale

I’ve heard it said that “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” I found that to be true with a recent garage sale I had. I can honestly say that this is not my favorite thing to do, although I do get pleasure in getting rid of my “trash” and hope it truly gives please as a “treasure” for someone else. 

     The hardest thing about preparing for a garage sale is the pricing. I never know what price to place on it, because I want it to sale. I do not want to be left with anything after going to the trouble of dragging it out of storage. 

     As I think about the price of an item, I can’t help but rethink our past weekend Easter service. It was about Jesus who died on the cross. He allowed Himself to be priced to save me. His suffering came at a high price. God did not reduce His price- His sacrifice. He was trash to those who beat Him, split on Him, and crucified Him, but He was and is a Treasure to me. He gave His All for me. 

 

Steer the Course

Below are a few quotes that could turn negative, depending on how I twist them. They pop up with me occasionally. I have to be careful not to let them control my thinking and my life. 

 

“If it is to be, it’s up to me,” indicates I consider myself in control which I am not. God is! Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you, and I will give you rest.” To be yoked with Jesus lets Him steer the course.

 

“What’s in it for me?” indicates I am pretty selfish, and I am not considering the fruit of the spirit; that of love, kindness, and goodness.

 

I certainly need to start each day with, “Lord, take control. Steer my course.” This day is not my own, so let me ask, “What can I do for someone else today?” 

 

Jars to Fill

I am really late planting some of my garden but had intentions of limiting my planting this year, but I do need enough tomatoes to fill a few canning jars and enough cucumbers for pickling. 

     When I think about what to fill my canning jars with, I consider a few more desirable products.  

 

Jars To Fill

 

If I had jars to fill

I’d want them overflowing with good-will

Not-

Worry or guilt

Not-

Anger or fear

Not-

Hopelessness or despair

I’d want to fill my jars 

With 

Those things not hard to bear

And

Things that bring no tear.

I’d want my jars full-

Overflowing to the brim 

Of 

Things that bring a happy hymn,

Of 

Happiness and laughter,

And

I’d want my jars full of

Hope and love;

Those things I’d not get rid of. 

Filling my jars with what was taught 

By God’s own Son-

Wouldn’t that be fun!

 

Mary Crisp Jameson   4/20/2024

 

“And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” Ephesians 3:19

He Died and He Arose

Today is a day of celebration! 

     I like a good “Once Upon a Time” story that ends well. Yet, the story I celebrate today has no end. It is a story that started with a King who became an earthy man. He suffered and He died. In sadness I cry for the suffering He had to endure in death because that suffering was for me. The best part of the story comes next. Jesus Arose and He Lives!  

     I celebrate His resurrection. Because of the whole process of life and death, Jesus gave me an inheritance, and it will never end. In the words of Jesus, “I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.” 

 

 

Wonder-Working Power

I must say there are some days when life seems lonely and sad but, mostly, I am uplifted, happy, and content. 

     I am sure that the disciples felt lost and alone after Jesus died upon that cross. Yet, three days and Jesus returned! There was joy, gladness, and amazing, wonder-working power. 

     When I feel lonely and discouraged all I need to do is think of the cross and know that joy is coming in the morning! In lonely, dark days I know that there is still life all around me. God is there! He is behind me, beside me, and in front of me. I cling to the words of Hebrews 13:5, “For He hath said, ‘I will never leave you, nor forsake thee.’”

     Joy comes in the morning! There is always wonder-working power in which to look forward, upward, and outward because Jesus Arose! 

 

Palm Sunday

With Palm Sunday comes memories of a chain of events about to happen. 

     First, Jesus was cheered by the crowds as He rode a donkey into the city. There were shouts of “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

     Next comes the turning of events. I envision Jesus upon the cross dying for me, but then the darkness of this event turning to a glorious one when Jesus rises to live forever. It took only One God to send His One Son, but God used a diverse number of people to put Jesus on the Cross and a host of others who were witnesses to this event.

     There were people who waved palm leaves and cheered as Jesus entered the city on a humble donkey. There was the one who betrayed Jesus. There were the chief priests, the elders, the scribes, and the whole Council who held a consultation and bound Jesus. There was Pilate who questioned, “Are You the King of the Jews.” There was, again, the chief priests who stirred up the crowd. There were the religious leaders, also stirring up the crowd. There was the crowd who shouted, “Crucify Him!” There were the soldiers who placed a crown of thorns upon His head, mocked Him, and hammered the nails into His hands and feet. There were the believers and the unbelievers standing there watching, some laughing and some crying. There were the thieves on each side of Jesus, in which one was saved. There was Jesus’s own Mother and His disciples weeping.  There, in the crowd, was also a man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who would ask for Jesus’s body and dress Him for burial. 

     It took all of these people to set the stage for the day of Jesus’s crucifixion, but there was One other in attendance; the One who planned it all, and He was the One in charge. When Jesus cried out in a loud voice “It is finished,” God send a mighty earthquake. The rocks split, tombs broke open, and the dead were raised to life.

     Finally, I envision the angels attending the tomb, the rolling away of the stone, the resurrection., and the nail-scarred hands of my Jesus. 

     All of this was done for me! It was a planned event orchestrated by God and His Only Son. And, a mighty victory occurred!

 

The "I" Problem

I know that I often have an “I” problem, an “I” centered problem, and an “I” focused problem. My devotional yesterday pointed out some words where “I’ is located in the middle. These are all at the root of my “I” problems, and I need to work to resist them. They are:

Sin

Pride

Whine

Envious

Defiant

Criticize

Deceitful

Merciless

 

The devotional  also pointed out some results when I center my focus on my “I” problem.  Again the “I’ is in the center of the word. They are: 

Guilt

Fatigue

Hostility

Pessimism

Emptiness

 

So, what am I going to do about my “I” problem. I believe I need to stop thinking, “What’s in it for me?” and start asking, “How will this please God?” He is the antidote to my “I” problem.

 

“You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”  Isaiah 26: 3 

 

 

 

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 [MJ1]

Fleas

“If you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas.” is certainly a slogan that had to have been taken straight from scripture and worthy of attention and life’s application.

 

Warning signs are given: 

 

1 Corinthians 5:11, “But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.”

 

1 Corinthians 15: 33, “Do not be misled. Bad company corrupts good character.” 

 

Proverbs 13:20, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” 

 

Proverbs 22:24-25, “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.” 

 

2 Corinthians 6:14, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbeliever. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” 

 

 

 

The Old Self to the New

I suppose I will never completely get my act cleaned up, but I can try. My old self pops up from time to time but God is such a forgiving God. He understands and gave me the example of The Lord's Prayer; whereby I can ask His forgiving every day. "Father forgive my debts as I also forgive my debtors."

My Plan 

 

Heaven is perfect and I am not! 

Jesus was sinless and I am not!

But I am taught and bought

With a price

And promised paradise.

For that reason, I have a desire to be more God-aligned

And not remaining blind.

I need to change from the inside not the out;

Against the world, stand tall and stout.

It can’t be done by a nail manicure,

That is for sure.

It can’t be done by buying a brand-new hat

Or in a room full of idle chitchat.

It can’t be done by changing the color of my hair

But only through prayer.

I need to change my heart

As a start.

I need to change the direction of my thoughts,

Or it will be all for naught.

I need to change my values or what I most desire

in order toward God, to have my heart set on fire. 

Within my heart I need a cleansing from the sins that bind

To become more God-aligned.

I need to love, not just some but everyone,

But I’m not done.

I need to make a decision 

To change my vision,

Change my speech,

Change my outreach.

Love is my long-range plan-

Love for Jesus and for man.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson  4/9/2025

 

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24 

Early to Bed-Healthy and Wise

I did not know what I could say about the quote,  “Early to bed and early to rise makes a person, healthy, wealthy, and wise,” other than the customary rule that applied as I was growing up. We were to get up early, work, play, go to school, and then to bed at a normal hour, and by normal that was at least by ten o’clock.  It did not make us wealthy, and I am not sure about the wise part. 

     I do firmly believe that getting enough sleep can lead to a more successful day and getting up early and having time with God jumpstarts my day in a healthy and wise way. Therefore, what really makes me healthy and wise is spending time with God and doing what God wants of me -What pleases Him! In Micah 6, I am told what the Lord requires, “To do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with God!”

     As far as “early” goes, I believe I can lump the following together:

 

“Early to bed and early to rise…” 

“The early bird catches the worm”

“Make hay while the sun shines”

“Hurry up, we’re burning daylight” 

 

     Actually, these quotes might just be a form of saying what Proverbs 6 says, “How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest – and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.”

Glass Houses

“People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones,” is a saying worth considering. How many times have I criticized someone for a bad quality in their character or dress before looking inward at myself?
     I would guess the phrase could be a takeaway from Luke 6:42, “How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye.’ When you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” 

     Even as I take a look in the mirror and see my fault along with the fault of others, I need to show love. If I truly love, I will not be prone to throw stones. If I truly love, I will not think myself above another. I will not set myself up in a glass house to be shattered and broken. I need to heed the words of 1 Corinthians 13:1, “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” 

Confession

“Confession is good for the soul” they say. It may be good for the soul, but when I was growing up it might not have been too good for my behind.  Or, at least, I feared it would not. 

     On a more serious note, confession is the best way to lift a burden off the heart. It is soul-cleansing! However, confession should be a two-step action; one followed by the asking of forgiveness.  

     Hopefully the one I confess to will be the forgiving kind. I know my God is One. I am so glad God cleanses me when I confess and when I ask for forgiveness.  My soul rejoices!

The Apple

     I have to acknowledge that “an apple a day may keep the doctor away.”  My husband has one every night. He is now 87 and going strong. I ensure his health by keeping the refrigerator stocked with sweet apples and by giving him lots of energy-burning “honey-do jobs.”

     Most people think of the apple as the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, but scripture never identifies the fruit. Therefore, I do not know what fruit was forbidden, but what I do know is that in Psalm 17, David says to God, “Keep me as the apple of Your eye, hide me in the shadow of Your wings.” And, this is what I want also. I want to be the apple of God’s eye and I want His protection in order to keep the evil one away. 

Words of Advise -Day 2

I have thoughts about another famous saying and good advice as follows:  

     I’ve heard often that “the squeaky wheel gets the grease.”  I worked in the business world long enough to know how true this can be. Take for instant, the persistent client who continually and consistently calls although I am busy with other things. That person is the one who gets priority if for no other reason than to stop the calls and interruptions.

     Even in scripture, Jesus told a parable about a judge who was continually bothered by a widow. She was “the squeaky wheel.” In the end, the judge met her demands. The parable was told to show how they should always pray and not give up. So keep on praying!

     “Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” Luke 18:1

Not Can't But Can

Yesterday I wrote about Folklore and Sayings or Words of Wisdom.  I would like to enhance on one of them today.   

     My mother always told me, “Can’t never could do anything.” This was to instill in me a desire to at least try in order to be successful. I couldn’t just sit on my hands and expect rewards. 

      When I relate the phrase to God’s desire, I realize how true this saying can be here too. It is so easy to say, “I can’t” to God, but when I say “Yes” to God, I can. I remember how Jonah said “No” to God. He ran. He didn't want to, but when he finally said “Yes”, he could and he did. 

Folklore and Sayings (Words of Wisdom)

Folklore or old wives’ tales offer up a lot of interesting facts. Some are prone to be on target while others are just fun to remember and consider, for I have heard them all my life. Such as: 

 

• When the pecan tree buds out, a freezing frost.is over.

• If it thunders in February, it will frost in April. 

• If there is a ring around the moon, it will rain soon.

• If the cows are laying down, the fish will not bite.

• Wind from the East, fish bite the least, but wind from the West, fishing is best.

• If the kernel inside a persimmon seed is a fork shape, winter will be mild; if a spoon shape, winter will be snowy; if a knife shape, winter will cold and harsh.

 

Then there are the sayings my Dad, Mom, Grandparents, and/or friends repeated often, and they are actually words of wisdom. 

 

• Many hands make light work. 

• Never look a gift horse in the mouth. 

• People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.

• Early to bed and early to rise makes a person, healthy, wealthy, and wise. 

• Any job worth doing is worth doing well. 

• The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

• Can’t never could do anything.

• The early bird catches the worm.

• Make hay while the sun shines.

• Strike while the iron is hot.

• Hurry up, we’re burning daylight.

• Don’t cry over spilled milk.

• One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

• You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.

• Beggars can’t be choosers.

• This is not my first rodeo.

• You’re barking up the wrong tree.

• You’re a day late and a dollar short.

• It will all come out in the wash. 

• Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. 

• A watched pot never boils.

• Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

• If you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas.

• Pretty is as pretty does. 

• Home is where the heart is. 

• Confession is good for the soul.

• An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

• There is more than one way to skin a cat. 

• If it had been a snake, it would have bitten you.

• Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill.

• If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

• Birds of a feather stick together.

• It doesn’t amount to a hill of beans. 

 

And there are the old favored Southern saying I love: 

• Heavens to Betsy.

• Bless your heart.