The Year 2026

Talking about the coming year needs no introduction!

The Year 2026 

 

I’m about to finish this year’s course 

As the year, 2025, closes with a mighty force. 

Whatever I did to blow the year of twenty-five

Jesus helped me thrive,

And I offer Him a big high-five!

Tomorrow, 2026, will open its door,

And I’ll walk through without knowing what lies before.

I’ll enter wide-eyed with Jesus by my side.

We’ll walk hand-in-hand into this new year.

The first day I’ll offer a prayer for blessings here and there.

I’ll cook my black-eyed peas and greens,

But not for luck or money as that’s what it means;

It’s simply a family tradition,

As is keeping in touch with the Great Physician.

Jesus is the One who shares my home and table

And who, in twenty-six, will keep me stable.

Should I cry, Jesus will wipe away my tear.

Should I fall, Jesus will support me through it all.

What takes place will take place, 

But I’ll have grace. 

Come what may, 

With Jesus, I’ll get through each day. 

I’ll persevere cause the Lord will steer.

I’m excited to see what doors will open in twenty-six -

What blessings will be in the mix,

What will be revealed,

And what the year will yield.

Surrounded by the arms of Christ-

I’m sure,

Two thousand twenty-six will be lovingly spiced.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 12/31/2025

 

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Colossians 3:23 

 

 

Pondering On!

     I decided to: 

Ponder about the great 

Physician today. 

Past is Christmas, 2025, but Jesus is still 

Present. With Him I find

Peace- for He is the 

Prince of Peace. With Jesus, I find

Purpose which is to love God, to talk with Him in 

Prayer, to be 

Patient awaiting God’s timing, to

Praise His holy name continually, and to love 

People, for He created us all. 

Pleasing God is what I strive for and that will make for a good

Practice in 2026 for God sent His only Son, Jesus, to pay the 

Price for my sin. 

        

 

A Time To...

Scripture gives me hope. It reminds me of God’s promises. 

     As time goes by, I am also reminded that God has His own timetable. It is not mine, and though my prayers often are the same day after day, month after month, and year after year, I know God hears and sees. 

     I am greatly reminded of that as I read about the plight of the Israelite people. 

     In Exodus 2:24, God heard their groanings and He remembered His covenant.

     In Exodus 2:25, God was concerned.

     In Exodus 3:7, God said, “He had seen their misery.”

     In Exodus 3:8, God said, “I have come to rescue.” 

The plight of the Israelite people took place over a very long period of time. This was all on God’s timetable. 

    The key words here for me is that God hears, God sees, God cares, God comes, God rescues, and it takes place in His timeframe. 

     I am given more instructions about a timetable, and it takes constant communication with God and, often, patience on my part waiting for "the time."

 

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: 

A time to be born and a time to die, 

A time to plant and a time to uproot. 

A time to kill and a time to heal, 

A time to tear down and a time to build, 

A time to weep and a time to laugh,

A time to mourn and a time to dance, 

A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, 

A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 

A time to search and time to give up, 

A time to keep and a time to throw away, 

A time to tear and a time to mend, 

A time to keep silent a time to speak, 

A time to love and a time to hate, 

A time to be silent and a time to speak.”  Ecclesiastes 3 :1-7

    

 

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Day is here and excitement is in the air!

 

The Light has come!

The Priceless Gift has entered the world!

The Greatest Gift of eternity has been unwrapped!

Love abounds, for God is Love! 

Thanks be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!

 

Merry Christmas to all my readers!

 

 

 

Christmas Songs

The year of 2025 has rolled around to another Christmas. I like to think that I have used my gifts wisely- by that I mean, the gifts God bestowed. However, this morning, I am looking forward to a great Christmas Eve service at our church tomorrow with lots of beautiful Christmas singing. I so love all kinds of Christmas songs. 

Songs of Christmas

At Christmas, 

we sing the “Joy to the World” song,

‘Cause Jesus ascended from His heavenly throng.

Heaven and nature truly sing to receive our King!

We sing “Away in a Manger” to celebrate

Jesus’s earthly birth date,

and, in wonder, consider how the stars looked down on the hay

where Baby Jesus lay.

At Christmas, 

we sing “Silent Night”

and think of the star that shown so bright,

announcing Jesus’s holy birth upon the earth.

We sing, 

“Mary, Did You Know?”

for Jesus came, salvation, to bestow and are awed 

by how Mary kissed her Baby Boy, the very face of God.

We sing, 

“Go Tell It On The Mountain,” 

for Jesus Christ was born to be our Living Fountain.

We rejoice and sing it “over the hills and everywhere,”

putting the spirit of Christmas in the air.

We sing other happy songs, like: 

“Jingle Bells” 

which nowhere mentions Jesus, 

but, oh what fun, as “over the hills we go”, to have Jesus’s story to tell.

We sing, 

“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,”

‘cause there’s mistletoeing, hearts glowing, and loved ones near.

But, then, Jesus came Christmas morn to be near and dear.

This truly made Christmas “the most wonderful time of the year.” 

At Christmas, 

We sing happy and joyful songs, Jesus’s love to share;

of how He came as a lowly baby, our sins to bear.  

We sing because Jesus came, 

and established His Holy name.   

 

 Mary Crisp Jameson 12/21/2025 

“Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.” Psalm 96:12 NIV  

One Day in Song

I so enjoy listening to the choir at our church. I envy their singing ability and long to be able to sing a beautiful song that is not off-key. However, I realize that members of our choir and the writers of Christians songs are a true blessing. Their words reach the heart and draw me closer to God. I can only imagine the beauty of the singing that takes place in heaven. One day, I actually might even be able to join into this melodious experience with an up-lifting beautiful voice of my own. 

 

One Day In Song 

 

One day-

When I cross Heaven’s shore

And enter Heaven’s door,

I’ll lift up a beautiful song.

Nothing will sound off-tune or wrong.

One day-

When I kneel at Jesus’s feet,

I decree, 

I’ll perform a melodious feat.

My voice will not be off-key.

One day-

When I see my Savior’s face

And feel His hand of grace,

I will freely sing,

“Hallelujah to the King!”

One day!

Some day!

But today, though off-key, I sing,

I believe God loves my joyful, “Hallelujah” ring.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson. 12/17/2025

 

“Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord...” Psalm 96:1-2a

 

 

 

Glory To God

The spirit of Christmas first started with the announcement of Jesus's birth. 

Glory To God 

“And suddenly there was with the angel

A multitude of the heavenly host

 praising God and saying, 

“Glory to God in the highest, 

And on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”

I add to that: 

Glory to God,

Praise Him in hymn.

Glory to God on high!

Let no day pass by 

Without praise to the Lord

Who will restore,

Who gives peace,

Who makes burdens cease

Who brings goodwill;

A hope, the soul, to still.

Glory and praise to God in the highest 

Who rules unbiased. 

Praise Him for goodwill and peace on earth

With the Savior’s birth.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 12/19/25

 

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” Luke 2:13-14 KJV 

 

The Road To Travel

I never know what road I will travel for the day. All I know is that if I should head down the wrong road, I want God to turn me around and get me onto the right one- the one He desires.

     When Paul traveled the Damascus Road, he obviously was going the wrong way. God redirected him. 

     Speaking of Paul, he was an Apostle who developed a love for the gospel of Christ. His life story is interestingly told in Scripture: 

Paul was initially against Christians and wanted them all killed. Paul was blinded and converted on the Damascus Road. Paul was imprisoned. Paul experienced troubles even after his conversion. They were: shipwreck, imprisonment, beatings without number, in danger of death, labor and hardships, sleepless nights, hunger and thirst. However, Paul stated: “I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content.” He persevered in the gospel.

     Out of Paul’s experiences, one told often is his conversion on the Damascus Road. I did my best to compose it as follows: 

 

The Damascus Road

 

What was there about the Damascus Road,

A worn trail, where a miracle was bestowed?

 

It was a road of dust 

Where walked a man Christians could not trust-

A soldier in armor whom they feared,

Until God appeared 

And asked, “Why Saul? 

Why do you persecute me?”

Saul looked about, but he could not see.

 

The Damascus Road was touched by the hand of God-

On it had been a heart, wicked and flawed.

Now, on his knees, was a man for God – 

A man once evil-minded,

Sitting on the Damascus Road, blinded 

To be become God-minded. 

Here sat a man with his heart being changed, 

So, he would no longer be, God estranged.

 

 On the Damascus Road 

A bright light glowed,

A miracle occurred, 

And God was heard.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson  12/16/2025 

 

“Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.”  Act 9:22 NIV

 

 

The Good News

News travels either fast or slow! Some is good and some is bad. However, this Christmas season, I like to think about the good news of Jesus. 

     The angels first brought the good news to the shepherds when they proclaimed, “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord!”

     What wonderful news to acknowledge each and every day! I like to think about it as follows:

 

Today, I bring you good news! 

Jesus was born one Christmas morn.

He came to save from the grave.

This includes both you and I; it was for all He came to die. 

To cleanse our sins, came God’s only Son; to do it once and done.

Henceforth, there is given mercy and grace with an eagerness to embrace.

These are free gifts with no associated ifs except to believe and receive.

The good news is of hope, joy, and love; all good to speak of.

The good news is of happy days by living God's words and ways.

The good news is for you and me, and it is free.

The good news is true each day, so don’t keep Jesus at bay;

Let Him stay-accept without delay- and pray!

                                     Mary Crisp Jameson. 12/15/2025

 

 

I Am

In Exodus 3:14, God told Moses, “I Am Who I Am.” God is truly the great “I Am”, However, I wanted to see what other scriptures told me about “I Am”. This is what I found in my search. Jesus said:  

John 15:6        “I am the Vine.”

John 15:1        “I am the True Vine.”

John 6:35        “I am the Bread of Life.”

John 10:11      “I am the Good Shepherd.”

John 8:12        “I am the Light of the World.” 

John 10:7,9     “I am the Door (Gate) of the sheep.”

John 11:25      “I am the Resurrection and the Life.”

John 14:6        “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life.”

 

I end by saying that “I am nothing" without my God and my Jesus1

 

Possessions

When God told the man in the 10^th chapter of Mark to “go and sell all your possessions…and follow me” God was telling him to not let his possessions own him, to not love worldly possessions more than God, but rather to treasure the things of heaven more than worldly possessions.

   

There is a good lesson to be learned about my love of possessions:  

   Possessions did not bring me into the world, God did.

   Possessions will not gain me heaven, but God will.

   Possessions cannot replace emptiness in my heart, but God can.

   Possessions cannot fill loneliness, but God can.

   Possessions cannot help through life’s struggles, but God can.

   Possessions can break, burn, rot, and get damaged; whereas, God is here for a lifetime and forever- healing, restoring, and protecting.

   Possessions won’t stop the thirst for more, but God will give the satisfying Living Water.

   Possessions are bought with a price tag, but God gives a free pass.

   Possessions are not meant to take first place in my life, they are only God's temporary blessings. His permanent blessing, by grace, is being heaven bound.

 

Jesus gave the perfect example of giving up His possessions. He gave up His heavenly crown, His royal robe, and His place beside His Father. He gave up all His riches to become poor in order to take on a fleshly nature to save me and give me a place in Heaven far more valuable than any of my earthly possessions. 

   

 

 

     

    

 

 

 

After God's Own Heart

I desire to be special- that is set apart! However, to be set apart, I need to mature and grow in the ways and purpose in which God planned for me in order to one day hear, “Mary, you are a woman after God’s own heart.” 

 

After God's Own Heart

 

God said of David,

“He is a man after my own heart.”

This set David apart,

For God was in the depth of David’s love

Though there was still sin to speak of.

God wants the same for me-

An abiding relationship;

His story upon my lip.

God wants a bond – a passion for him;

Devoted action, not reaction on a whim.

God wants me in His word;

He wants me, ministry, stirred.

He wants my voice, in Godly love, heard.

God wants my dependance, faithfulness, and trust,

That’s a must. 

Maybe, then, I will hear from God,

“Mary, you are a woman after God’s own heart.”

That would be a start;

And like David,

Being set apart.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 12/11/2025 

 

“And when He had removed him, He raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also He gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all My will.” Acts 13:22 

 

“But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart…” 1 Samuel 13:14a  

 

 

Bad and Mad

There are a few words which are often turned into slang and used to mean the exact opposite. Two that come to mind are “bad” and “mad,” for example: “That is a “bad car” or “He is “mad” about you. 

     I believe I can accurately say that Jesus is “mad” about me. He loves me so much and is so "mad" (crazy in love) about me that He actually left His Father, left His heavenly throng, left His deity position to become flesh, came to live among sinful people, and He chose to die for me. How “bad” (good) is that!

Hold My Hand and Don't Let Go

Sometimes, I have to remind myself that after I became a child of God's, He will never let go. Romans 8:38-39 reassures me of that though I still ask God never to let me go.

 

Hold my hand, Lord, hold my hand, across the flats, valleys, and mountain land. 

Don’t let go, Lord, and I’ll get through this life’s preview.

I’ve put my hand into Yours. Hold it tight, Lord, through the years.

If I should squirm and attempt to shake free, don’t let go or let me flee.

Hold my hand, Lord, hold it tight, through my days and through my nights. 

I pray Your love, for me, will never end because of my great sin.

But when I do, I pray for Your loving hug and powerful tug.

I praise You for the circle of Your arms and sustaining me through life's harms.

Lord, I know that when times get tough You are enough!

So, I pray You hold me tight within Your might. 

                                                                   Amen!

 

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

Romans 8:38-39 

Angels Unaware

Angels are spoken of often in scripture. I especially am fond of Hebrews 1:13-14, “But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”  This assures me that we do have angels sent forth to minister in various ways. 

     I do love a good angel movie or a good angel story, and what better time than Christmas to talk about angels! It was an angel who announced the good news of the Christ Child's birth to the shepherds saying, "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."( Luke 2:11) 

     I recently had a friend share her angel stories with me and, she has allowed me to write about them as follows:

 

This is my friend’s angel story…

     My husband and I had been given some heavy pipe from a porch and needed to get it moved. The pipes were still semi-welded together, and we had to roll each section in just the right position onto a trailer for moving. They were much too heavy to be handled by just a few strong men. 

     At first, we had some helpers who assisted with the loading. All seemed to be going well as the pipe was rolled into the right direction for traveling; however, after our helpers left, we had a heavy one remaining. It had to go on top of the others. We thought the two of us would give it a try. This proved to be a mistake. We had planned well, but when we finally rolled it, it did not land on top but rather rolled over and off the trailer side rail. There was no way this heavy pipe was going to be manually lifted.  

     As I was walking around the trailer, a van came driving down the road and stopped. A black man wearing a white shirt, white pants, white socks, white shoes, and a head band with white beads hanging around it got out and asked, “Do you all need some help?” I immediately said, “Yes” and proceeded to explain the situation. He walked around to the side of the trailer to access it himself. Without saying anything more, he bent down and physically lifted that pipe up and onto the trailer and proceeded to get back into his van. In disbelief at what I had just seen him do, I excitedly exclaimed, “You are an angel. You are my angel!” He responded, “I am just passing through.” Whereby, I stated, “That’s what we are all doing. Just passing through.” As he was driving away, all I and my husband could do was just look at each other in astonishment.

     I believe he was truly an angel! They do exist!

 

This is my friend’s story about her Mother and Grandmother’s Angel…

     The grandmother had already been through two house fires with all their possessions lost. It is true, the houses were not much as there were spaces between the boards and living conditions were not the best but it was a home. Yet, once again a fire was about to consume their third home. Her grandmother had managed to get the children out of the house and across the road with instructions for the oldest child (my friend’s mother) to stay with the youngest children and keep them safe while the grandmother went back inside to try and retrieve a few of their possessions.  

     Just as the children had gotten settled outside, an old beat-up truck came driving up and three men got out to help. They managed to get most all the furniture out of the house before it was consumed by the fire. Once the possessions were outside, the men returned to the truck and drove away. However, the direction they drove was down a dead-end road with no other way out. The truck never re-appeared.  

 

I end this with Hebrews 13:2, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

A Good Day

I read a good quote this morning.

 

“Every day may not be good,

but there is something good in every day.”

No matter how bad the day seems, I am sure if it is looked for, there is something good to be found. On top of that, be happy someone else is having a good day somewhere. In other words, “Be Happy For Others, and Show Love.” That, in itself, will make for a good day. 

In Advance

Faith is thanking God in advance...Faith is knowing God is there...Faith is believing...

Lord, 

I thank You for my today in advance;

For Your guidance as I walk in this worldly expanse.

I know not what I will face,

The places I will pace, 

Nor the ones entering my space.

I only know, Lord, You are there,

And my burdens You will bear.  

So, I thank You in advance 

For being in every circumstance.  

                               Amen!

Vision

My vision is important, although without glasses mine is very poor. Yet, I still need to use my eyes properly in order to keep my pathway righteous and straight and my feet firmly planted in God’s Word. That means no letting my eyes feast on the things of this world.

 

Consider Proverbs 4:25-27  

“Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”