I Can Only Imagine!

 We have all been given an imagination. Some have a better ability of forming mental images than others; yet, I believe everyone who knows Christ can project a mental image of what happened with Christ on the cross, His nail-scarred hands, His ascension, and what is to come.

I Can Only Imagine

 

Can you imagine the clouds so high

Too high for the reach of man and too unclear for the human eye!

There was a man standing beneath them on the ground 

While people stood around-

They had already seen a miracle and a foretelling,

Though they never understood the indwelling.

They had witnessed this man’s death and burial-

They had experienced His resurrection

And preformed a nail-scarred hand inspection.

What miracle was coming next?

The man, before them, had them all perplexed! 

And then He started to ascend-

A cloud came down to cover their friend.

I can only imagine 

This man rising into the clouds and then out of sight

With me standing there watching His powerful might.

I can only imagine the breath being held-

How each man’s chest swelled. 

I can only imagine 

The tears that fell from faces looking upward that day

And the memory being stored away.

I can only imagine!

The wonder, being there and turning, to see 2 strangers in white

Suddenly appearing within their sight,

And saying, “Why look up and sigh?

That is Jesus ascending on high.

But He will come again in the sky

And be seen by every eye.

I’ve read about what this all has meant.

And my chest swells with joy for this great event.

I can only imagine!

 

Mary Crisp Jameson - 2/10/2026

 

“And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight.” Acts 1:9 KJV

 

Jonah's Rebellion

Every Bible reader knows the story of Jonah, in his rebellion, who ran from what the Lord wanted of him, and Jonah got swallowed by a large fish that we like to call a whale. 

     In Jonah 2b, Jonah told the Lord why he ran. “I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and One who relents concerning calamity.”

     My prayer is that:  Lord, I am so glad you are a gracious and compassionate God. I thank You for being slow to anger and for loving me with a desire that no calamity should come my way because of my sin. You always reach out Your arms and bring me back to you and are compassionate in forgiving me. Should troubles arise because of what I have done or said, You help me through in ways only You know. I praise You for continually caring, forgiving, and loving.  Amen!

A Work in Nature

There are many scriptures about nature. I have quoted a few and used them to assist in writing the following: 

 

A Work in Nature 

 

God counted and named the stars,

And He knows my memoirs.

He knows every bird and insect in the field,

And He know the deeds, I yield.

God clothe the flowers,

And He knows my remaining minutes and hours.

So, as the deer pants to quinch its thirst,

May I, too, pant for the Living Water, placing God first.

Like the tree planted by water’s edge,

May I be made strong by God with His protective hedge.

Like the fig tree’s tender twigs announcing summer’s beginning,

Let me announce my Christian life within my living.

As the eagle soars up in the sky so high,

May I soar, run and not be weary, as with God, I draw nigh.

Like the ant,

May I endure and not be faint.

Consider the strength of the lion and how hard it is to control,

Let me, for God,  be so bold.

He counted the stars and knows their name,

And He knows mine too, even in my shame.

God knows the name of all in His creation

So, in my summation,

The heavens, creatures, and all the things He made

Declare His glory, and it will not fade.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson. 2/7/2026

 

“He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.” Psalm 147:4 

“I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine.” Psalm 50:11

“And do not worry about clothes: See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.”  Matthew 6: 28-29 

 

 “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, My God.” Psalm 42:1 

 “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 17:8

“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.” Matthew 24:32 

 “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 

 “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!” Proverbs 6:6 

“The wicked flee through no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.”  Proverbs 28:1

 “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” Psalm 19:1 

 “Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths...wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds.” Psalm 148:7,10

 

Another Day of Opportunity

Today, I have another day of opportunity. Another day to keep my eyes focused straight ahead on Jesus. Another day to be grateful for all God has done and will do. Another day to store up treasure in heaven. Another day to be productive. Another day to seek God first and to pray. Who knows when God will come “like a thief”- when I least expect? 

     Let me prepare today!

     Let me produce the fruit of God’s spirit today!

 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control...” Galatians 5:22-23a  NIV

 

“Listen! I will come at a time you don’t expect, like a thief. Great blessings belong to those who stay awake and keep their clothes with them. They will not have to go without clothes and be ashamed for people to see them.” Revelation 16:15 ESV

 

The "I" in Idolatry

Idolatry is defined as extreme admiration, love, or reverence for something or someone. Also, I read in a devotional several days ago that the “I” in Idolatry could be just that, I. 

     In other words, am I just looking out for “me” and what only pleases “me” or daily thinking, “What’s in it for me?” 

     In studying about Solomon, he stated that with all his riches, he denied himself nothing. He had everything. So, you might say he lived in “I”dolatry. In the end, even with all Solomon had acquired, Solomon in his wisdom expressed that life was meaningless without God in it.  

     Comparing Solomon’s life to Paul’s life, they were completely different, yet Paul had learned to be content without luxury. After Paul's conversion experience, he lived only for God and sharing the ministry. In 2 Corinthians Paul tell us: 

1.     5 times I received 39 lashes from the Jews

2.    3 times I was beaten with rods

3.    Once I was stoned

4.    3 times I was shipwrecked 

5.    A night and a day I have spent in the deep

6.    I have been on frequent journeys in dangers from rivers, robbers, countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on sea, and dangers among false brethren.

7.    I have been in labor and hardship

8.    I have had many sleepless nights

9.    I have had hunger and thirst, often without food

10. I have been in cold and exposure

11.  I have had daily pressure over concern for all the churches

I have to take note of Paul’s last comment in item #11. His concern was not over the hardships he listed in numbers 1-10, his concern with for the churches and His work for God. He certainly was not into the “I” factor. 

     Both Solomon and Paul, in different ways, gave me the final analysis. I, like everyone else, will have an earthy death -earthly riches cannot be taken with me - my earthly deeds will be forgotten by man. The only thing I have is my hope in Jesus Christ who has gone before me to make an eternal home for me if I only believe in the Son of God. It is really very simple. Believe and gain joy in my earthy walk with God. 

     

 

Women of the Bible

In a Barbie world, 

  Be an Esther, 

  Be a Hannah,

  Be a Ruth,

  Be a Deborah,

  Be a Mary

 

Romans 12:1-2 KJV “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service, and be not transformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” 

 

     After seeing the above quote and scripture someone posted, I decided to look up these women and provide a more detailed observation about their character. I can always learn a lesson by studying about the faithful women in scripture. Below is a short description for how and why they are mostly remembered.  

 

Hannah was the woman seen praying to God for a child. Her tears were great, and she vowed to dedicate her child to God if only He would answer her prayer.  God heard and saw Hannah’s distress. He answered her prayer, and Hannah fulfilled her promise. Hannah was dependable and faithful.

 

Esther was an orphan raised by her cousin. Because of her beauty, she was taken into the king’s harem, not realizing that she was a Jew. Esther had to reveal this to the king in order to petition him to save her people; although, it could have meant death for her. She was courageous and faithful. 

 

Ruth was a widow who chose to follow her mother-in-law back to her homeland, thus leaving her own parents and country she knew. She became the great-grandmother of David through her marriage to Boaz. Ruth was loyal and steadfast.

 

Deborah was the only female judge and prophet described in scripture in Israel’s history. She was a decisive figure in the defeat of the Canaanites, a judge, and a prophetess in Israel. She wrote the Song of Deborah to give God glory.  Deborah was wise, dependable, and a leader.

 

Mary was selected by God to be the mother of Jesus. She willingly obeyed God even if it meant being stoned to death. She was obedient, had endurance, and was faithful.

 

They all loved God!

Delilah was not mentioned in the quote above, but I suppose the Barbie could be her. Delilah was the one who used her beauty for deceit, all for a bag of coins. She was the one who betrayed Samson.

Why Am I Doing This?

There are some days I get a feeling and stop! I ask God, “Lord, what am I missing? Is there something I need to be doing that is escaping my attention?” I may not get an answer. I may not, still, see beyond my own plans. However, I have stopped long enough to realize God is working on me in His season, so I relax and just trust in Him. 

 

Why Am I Doing This?

 

What is there to life? 

I mow the grass, it grows, and I mow again.

What is there to gain.?

I clean the house, it gets dirty, and I clean once more.

From all my labor, what is there in store? 

I go to work, return home, sleep and repeat;

My life seems set into columns within a spreadsheet.

I draw a paycheck which seems to disappear within my hand;

I work for another, but it never goes toward what I planned.

What do I achieve? 

What in life do I weave? 

What is the aim if all stays the same?

Mowing, working, cleaning, cooking-

For something more, I am constantly looking.

What do I gain from my toil as I walk this earthly soil? 

These are only questions I ask about life’s task,

For I cannot fathom all that God has in store with every chore.

But I know within it all, God has a plan within my lifespan.

So, I’ll rejoice and enjoy my life-

its God gift to me;

I’ll just do my work, love God, and be carefree. 

 

Mary Crisp Jameson  2/1/2026

 

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV 

 

 

A Heartbeat Away

Time is just a heartbeat away. At the end of the day, I may say, “This has been the longest day,” or I could say, “I can’t believe the day is already over.” It’s the same within a year, it moves so slow or so fast, yet, it is all, just, a heartbeat away. 

 

A Heartbeat Away 

 

My heart beats today,

Which means another one, on earth, to stay.

From the day I was born, I was being prepared

By the God who created me and cared.

Numbered is every hair. 

Who else could do something so rare?

God made it all 

In order to respond to His call. 

Even the flower has its power.

The stars are not the same;

He gave each one a name.

There is a purpose to every season,

And I have life for a reason.

Every day comes into play;

Rather I sweep a floor or paint a door;

Rather I attend a meeting or express a happy greeting;

Rather I go to the store and more.

It’s really up to me, within every heartbeat,

Who I let direct my feet,

And the source of who I let navigate my course.

Within the beat of my chest

I have another grace-filled day to be blessed-

Another day to live and a purpose to find-

A reason to exist among mankind. 

I won’t find it in a self-help book;

There’s a better place for me to look. 

I won’t find it on a TV screen.

I won’t accomplish it by being selfish or mean.

Like the flower, 

It’s in Christ I have my staying power.

One day my heart will stop

And from earth to heaven’s home, I will swap.

You see, I was really made to last forever,

And wasn’t God clever?

He made a way, in death, for me,

‘Cause I accepted Christ, you see.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson  1/31/2026

 

“He telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names.” Psalm 147:4 KJV

 

Chasing the Wind

Solomon was given great wisdom, yet even he pursued pleasures. Later he set a course to test or examine all he had gained and determined it was all vanity without God in it. Studying about Solomon’s experiments led to the following: 

 

Chasing the Wind

 

I was chasing after the wind,

Deep in sin,

Living in the fast-lane,

But there was no pleasure to gain. 

I filled my closets full

With silks and worsted wool,

Diamonds and jewels,

And attended the best of schools.

Yet, there was a void

Which left me empty and annoyed.

I bought the best of trucks and cars

In my wishful, lustful pause.

Their shiny luster did not last-

My joy soon was past.

Meaningless! Meaningless!

All was chasing after the wind

With a hopeless sting.

I was employed by the best;

With work, I was obsessed

And achieved financial riches untold,

But my heart was left chilled and cold.

My mind did not rest upon my bed

For who would gain when I was dead?

There was no satisfaction in it all

Until God came to call.

My laughter, my riches, my gain

Held no joy without the One who was slain-

Without the One who removed my sin-filled stain.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson – 1/30/2026 

 

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 

1 Corinthians 10:31 KJV 

Good

I have been iced in for a few days from the ice storm that swept through. During this time, I had two different neighbors text asking if I needed anything. My response was, “Thank you, but I am good,” and I was. I had plenty of food, warmth, and all was well or good in my soul. It reminded me of the song written titled, “It Is Well With My Soul.” The author could just as easily said “good instead of well”. 

     In Genesis after God completed creation, He saw that it was “good.”

     In Romans, it says that, “All things work together for “good” to them that love God.”  

     Good is used in scripture many, many times to describe God and His goodness, for God is “good.” In fact, it is good with my soul ‘cause, “God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.”

Keeping Up With the Jones

“Keeping up with the Jones” is something I have heard all my life. Some do it quite well, financially, while others only thrive to do it and, in so doing, stay in financial debt. What is it about wanting to do and have the same as others? Truly, we are all the same in some ways:

1.     We all struggle with fleshy desires. 

2.    We all wake up and then go to sleep. 

3.    We all have hurts and get ill from time to time.

4.    We all have cheerful moments and sad moments.

So, what make a person really, really different in a special way? 

1.     Some make wise decisions while others make foolish ones.

2.    Some choose Jesus’ thoughts and ways over Satan’s.  

3.    Some have been given the Holy Spirit while others have not.

4.    Some have the hope of eternal life while others do not. 

I think I would rather “keep up with the Christians” than “keep up with the Jones.’” I found that to keep up with the Christians, all I had to do was to “Believe” and I became financially rich. It has never put me in financial distress. 

 

“For where you treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Luke 12:34 KJV

 

     

    

Sillent But Heard

When I observe nature, I often find truth as found in Psalm 19 where it says, "The heavens declare the glory of God...they have no speech, they use no words, no sound is heard from them."  Take for instance, the snow we just received. It could not be heard. The sun, shining bright across the snow-capped ground, certainly made me squint my eyes, yet there was no sound. The air is quiet yet peaceful but cold and with no sound, but it stirs me to wrap my arms tightly around myself trying to stay warm. Even consider the rainbow! Its wondrous colors announce its arrival; there is no sound.

Silent But Heard 

 

When I look at the heavens in display

whether at night or in the day,

They speak, though there is no sound,

but God is there to be found.

He paints a picture in the sky

and I, in His glory, sigh! 

For God’s power formed the clouds

sailing over the crowds.

He named the overhead stars

and established the planets like Jupiter and Mars.

God paints the sunsets in glorious hues  

of reds, purples, and blues. 

I glory in the early morning dawn 

with the sun rising in bronze.

Even when the sky turns gray,

I see hope within the day,

and I pray. 

I see the beauty for what it is;

The work of the Creator’s hand across the land;

Silent but loud and proud!

They declare His glory- 

A magnificent gift from God!

 

Mary Crisp Jameson  1/27/2026

 

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” 

Psalm 19:1-4

 

 

Come To The Father

Our roads and streets are covered in ice this Sunday morning, and most all churches have been dismissed for safety purposes. That still does not mean there will not be services given on social media and television. Witnessing for the Lord continues. God said, “Go ye therefore and tell all nations.” That is what I seek to do today during this cold, icy day. Please read and share: 

Come To The Father 

 

Belief in God’s Son is the only way

To see the Father in death’s day;

For to the Father, no man cometh, except through Christ

Who paid the price.

So, believe in the One God sent for all mankind-

Be not blind!

For heaven’s gate will be closed tight

In the unbeliever’s plight.

Come today!

Jesus is the way!

God says, “Whoever believes will be saved,”

So, be not Satan enslaved-

Everlasting life can be obtained; 

Just believe on the Cross that was blood-stained.

The Bible gives the true word

Which is more powerful than a two-edged sword.

Believe what the scripture saith,

And accept in unquestioned faith. 

Why knock at Satan’s door,

When the Father offers more?

Believe today!

Don’t throw life away!

For God so loved the world that He made a path

To be washed in a snow-white bath.

There’s forgiveness in salvation’s plan

For every child, woman, and man.

So, I plea to thee, 

Come to the Father, through His Son,

Before death is done.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson  1/25/2026 

 

“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” John 7:38 KJV

“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.” John 3:16 KJV

Meaningless or Meaningful

In Solomon’s search, within his wisdom, he said that nothing on earth will last. In death, nothing earned or done will be taken with a person. In time, deeds will not be remembered. In Ecclesiastes we are told, “Nothing is new under the sun.” Yet, God makes all things new. That is where my treasure lies and where I need to place my focus. Below is my take according to what I am studying in Ecclesiastes. 

 

Meaningless or Meaningful 

 

When all is said and done

Everything is meaningless under the sun.

What goes around, comes around.

In death’s time, my life will not be found;

My accomplishments not brought to mind-

Deeds not remembered through age-old time.

What has been will be again,

Either now or then.

Yet, I press on before my life is gone.

For with God there is something new to gain-

Something meaningful to attain.

It’s what God put there within my soul;

A love that fills my empty hole.

There is a grace to gain within earth’s place.

With God’s hand there is newness in this land-

A new song which keeps me strong-

A new earth within my Christian birth-

A new Heaven to win from where I’ve been.

A meaningful life is 

A work for God’s glory-telling His story!

 

Mary Crisp Jameson – 1/24/2026 

 

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14 NIV 

 

 

What is Success?

 

Success is viewed many ways. Personally, I have two different views. One is the fleshy view and the other is the spiritual one. Within my fleshly view, I believe I did pretty well. I had a good career, moving upward with several promotions. I am not rich but live comfortably. However, my spiritual view of success is totally different and this is the view that counts. 

What is Success 

Success is not about gaining wealth

Or living in good health.

It’s not about a successful career, 

Partying with the elite with a beer,

Or dressed in the finely wherever you appear.

Success is not about gaining financial power,

Climbing the highest mountain tower, 

Or achieving your finest hour. 

Success is not about how much you own, 

Never being alone,

Never having to worry about paying off a loan,

Or never, in poverty, bemoan.

It’s not about gaining fame

And people recognizing your name. 

Success does not require grandeur. 

It can be had by both rich or poor,

By any color or race,

By the beautiful or ugly in face,

And in any place.

That’s God’s grace!

Success is being armed with the Word.

Daily, taking up God’s sword,

Following God’s commands,

And walking in righteous strength within His lands.

Success is recognizing God’s presence

And His Omnipresence.

When, the voice of God, you can heard, 

And know He is your Lord-

That’s success!

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 1/22/2026 

 

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7 NIV