A Friend

I just read where one teacher asked her students, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” One student answered, “I want to be a friend.” 

     What an amazing answer! You don’t need a college degree to do that, and you don’t have to study hard. Just adhere to what scripture says. 

     

Proverbs 17:17a “A friend loves at all times.” 

 

Proverbs 22:11 “One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.” 

 

John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” 

I Rather Have Jesus

Below are lyrics to a song by Rhea Miller which I sing a lot in church as I was growing up. This song holds so much meaning for Jesus is who I need. He fills my heart. He gives me joy. He is my all. Without Him, I am lost. Nothing satisfies my empty longing except Jesus. Jesus fills!

 

… I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold
I'd rather be His than have riches untold
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or land
I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

… Than to be the king of a vast domain
And be held in sin's dread sway
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today

… I'd rather have Jesus than worldly applause
I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause
I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame
Yes, I'd rather be true to His holy name

… Than to be the king of a vast domain
And be held in sin's dread sway
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today

 

     I thought the following scriptures also tell more on the filling of the heart:

 

Psalm 42:1-2a, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” 

 

Psalm 62:1, “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him.”  

 

.

 

 

Putting God In His Place

I love my God and I need to put Him in His place more often: 

 

God is the Beginning and the End and everything in-between. 

God is my help, my strength, my hope, and my everything. 

God is my Father, my King, my Savior, and my Judge. 

God is who I fear; who I hold in awe and reverence.

God gives love, forgiveness, grace, and blessings. 

God is my Creator, Sustainer, and Friend. 

God is the Restorer of my soul.

In God, I depend.

In God, I believe. 

In God, I trust.  

Thank you, God for walking with me today and every day!

Breaking News

Often, we don’t enjoy the day’s news, but there has always been good news to tell.

 

Breaking News! 

 

There has always been Breaking News to tell;

It started with Creation before man fell....

God created all in the land,

Then He made man;

Both male and female, within His plan. 

Next came more Breaking News!

There was much in which to choose....

God established the family.

After the flood and after the land was dry,

God said to multiply.

He planned each child within the womb.

He wanted them to grow and bloom.

He dedicated marriage-

Baby and carriage!

Then God said, “Enjoy the wife of your youth

And train up your children in truth.”

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! 

Imagine this breaking news being given!

Jesus is coming to walk among the living.

He’s coming to save mankind

From the sin nature within their mind.

Then, Jesus will die for all.

To save man from death’s fall.

Breaking ...Breaking... Hear ye, Hear ye! 

Listen with glee!

Herein is the Ultimate Good News!

Spread it, make it clear, for people need to hear.

“If man believes in Jesus, he can be saved,

For with Jesus’ blood, the road to heaven’s gate is paved.”

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! 

Spread the news across the air waves.

Jesus Saves!  

 

Mary Crisp Jameson. 3/11/2026 

 

“The time has come,” He said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news.” Mark 1:15 NIV 

 

I Do No Know

As a mother and wife, I have been asked a million and one questions in my life time, and I have had to often answer, “I don’t know.” I still don’t know a lot, and I especially “do not know” God’s plans or what He has in store. I just look forward...  

I Do Not Know

 

God made it all, large and small.

Everything is knit to fit.

There is life,

Then there is death when we no longer have breath,

There is happiness,

Then there’s sorrow which no one wants to borrow.

There is celebrating,

Then there is mourning, either night or morning.

There is a gaining,

Or there’s a losing, which most aren’t choosing.

I can only quess at God’s plans or events,

And my guess is not worth two cents.

I cannot fathom what is in store

When, each morning, my feet hit the floor.

I do not know God’s plan within my day-

Of whether I’ll be happy and gay,

Whether I’ll clap and dance-

Life is just a passing chance.

I do not know

Whether I’ll laugh or cry,

Whether the day will be pleasant or go awry,

Or whether, tomorrow, I will see the sun or life will be done.

God does not, His plans, disclose,

But He knows!

Therefore, I do not worry so, about the day, blow-by-blow,

Or about how each event will flow.

It’s not hard to understand; 

I trust God, for He has it planned.

He’s in charge over the small and the large,

I simply trust in Him 

That my cup will overflow its brim.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson – 3/10/2026

 

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet, no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV 

I Know But I Do No Know

I pray for Godly wisdom, often. Some days I question what happened and where my wisdom went? I will say that some things I think I know or just quess at, but I simply do not know. This is when it would be wise to just say, “I do not know.”  

 

I Know, But I Do Not Know 

 

I do not know which way the wind will blow,

Or what will come my way on any given day,

I do not know expected expenses or consequences,

Yet, I know the work is mine within day’s time;

The result is God’s!

I do not know how man is formed or what it takes to be transformed,

Or even how children are created in the womb.

Yet, I know children were meant to grow and bloom.

I know men were created to be treated as my friends,

And when needed, to make amends.

The work is mine to do, but it takes being God led

And following what God has said.

The results are His in my making,

While mine is in the giving not the taking. 

I do not know the path the wind will blow,

Who will become my foe,

How my life will flow,

Who I will owe,

Whether I’ll cry or my face glow,

But God knows, though.

I just move ahead with the work I have to do,

Knowing that God is my strength and my glue.

He knows how the wind will blow.

He knows how my mind works and thinks,

And God never blinks.

I do not know, but God knows what He will bestow.

The results of my labor, through my days,

Are held in God’s gaze,

And I give Him my praise!

 

Mary Crisp Jameson  3/9/2026 

 

“As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.” Ecclesiastes 11:5 

 

“Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is God who knows, and by Him deeds are weighed.” 1 Samuel 2:3 

Mirror on the Wall

I look in the mirror every day, but my mirror does not show the whole picture. It’s just reflective glass of what I choose to see. 

 

Mirror, Mirror on The Wall

 

Mirror, mirror on the wall,

Tell me large and small-

What you see within the day?

Just what will come my way.

I cannot see what is ahead.

Do I rejoice or dread?

Do I stop-short or go the distance?

Do I run with resistance or persistence?

Mirror, mirror, be my looking glass-

Tell me what, this day, will come to pass.

Mirror, mirror on the wall,

You simply cannot tell me true

What I must face or what to do.

There is only One with twenty-twenty

Who directs my paths of many.

There is only One whose face to look and seek

There is only One who will truly speak.

Mirror, mirror on the wall,

You’re just reflective glass

Enclosed within a frame of brass.

You cannot see the heart or spirit.

There’s only One who sees my merit. 

When God’s face shines back and reflects on me,

He’ll help me overcome and truly see.

So, I must go some other place, 

Seek God’s face,

And ask, when upon my knee, in a different space,

“Heavenly Father, up above,

Give me vision true!

Tell me what to do.

Reflect it back to me

And help me, your direction, to see.” 

 

Mary Crisp Jameson   3/7/2026 

 

“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror, then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV 

 

My Identity

Who am I? Many ask this question, and I have to provide my ID to vote and to purchase prescriptions at the Pharmacy. I even admit, with some guilt, I have had to provide ID for a stop by police when I “accidently” drove a tad past the lawful speed limit. 

     But, who really am I? I may have risen to the office of Assistant Vice President during my working career, but that really is not who I am. I may be retired, but I am not a retiree. I have a daughter who made me a mother. I have a loving husband which makes me a wife. I have brothers and sisters so I am a sibling? I have joined a Church, so I am a Church member. I am be all of that, but really, really, who do I identify as?  

    I would have to answer that I am, first and foremost, a child of the Living God? Therefore, I have One living in me that is greater than I. 

 

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4  

 

Who I am has great meaning:

I am a Christian.

I am a Christian for whom Jesus died.

I am a Christian who has won the victory.

I am a Christian with the Holy Spirit living inside

I am a Christian with eternal salvation through Jesus. 

I am a Christian with the Father walking beside every minute.

I am a Christian given courage and strength through the Father. 

I am a Christian who receives daily guidance through the Holy Spirit.

I am a Child of God.

I am a part of God’s flock of sheep.. 

 

Identifying as God’s child, I can “Put my trust in Him. In God, whose word I praise- in the God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me.” Psalm 56:3-4

 

 

 

God's Will In The Day

Before Jesus’s arrest and as He was knowingly facing the cross, Jesus prayed, “Not my will, but Yours be done.”

     I just prayed this prayer, for I believe it is the first thing I should pray each morning. “Father, not my will but Yours, today.”

     I also have to remind myself what are some things this day that would be within God’s will for me? 

         To love others as myself

         To be humble

         To be forgiving

         To be kind

         To seek to live as Jesus did

     These are just a few...and then “let go” of my own will and allow God to work it out and “believe” that all will be well in God’s way. In other words, “Trust” and “Let God navigate!”

Painting A Picture

It is hard to laugh when tragedy strikes. Few can do it.  I have to remember what Ecclesiastes 10:8 stated, “Whoever digs a pit may fall into it.” My Bible Study author put it this way, “It is foolish to step back and say, “I’m pressing on to higher ground, when we just dug ourselves a pit and fell into it.” Then again, I have to remind myself about the gift of life I am given; a gift meant to be enjoyed, and as I think about the gift God has endowed upon me, I wonder what kind of picture He would like for me to paint that tells the story of my life. I already know how He paints. I need look no further than my backyard to see His creative beauty. I need look no further than scripture to see how God painted a picture in the lives of others or how Jesus painted His picture of healing, teaching, and death upon a cross meant for me. 

 

Painting A Picture

 

I know the picture of being a saint, I cannot paint,

But I can paint a life of rejoicing

In the face of grief, through my belief.

I can paint a picture of pressing on before I’m gone.

I can paint a picture of unwavering hope, ‘cause God helps me to cope.

In the face of trials and worrisome miles,

I can create a master piece of endurance before I cease.

I’m just an artist at work

Enjoying my life, whether a captain of many or just a lowly clerk.

The picture I paint is one of preparation

And of building a Godly foundation.

I do it by skipping along, singing a song, ‘cause God is on His throne.

I do it ‘cause, God said, “This is the day the Lord hath made.”

So, I will not let my joy fade.

God gave me the gift of time

And said, “Be glad in it.”

So, I must paint joy through the hours that tick.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 3/5/2026 

 

“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”  Psalm 118:24 KJV

 

“Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 KJV

I Do What I Do Not Wanna

 Woe to me when I do things I regret. Woe to is all, for we all have regrets. However, there is hope in our "Woe!" God forgives! 

This Thing I Do but Not Wanna Do 

 

This thing I do but do not want to do-

This thing I do not, but want to-

I do not understand this state of sin, 

But I know God can change me from within. 

He changes my want to.

He changes me through and through.

He can clean up what I do not want to do-

Like, 

I don’t want my wayward deeds to sprout like weeds.

I don’t want to take what will addict and cause conflict. 

I don’t want to get stoned with my problems just postponed. 

I don’t want to do what will cause harm or offend in the end.

I don’t want drugs to take that, my character, would re-make.

I don’t want to visit bars and drive fast cars just for temporary applause.

I don’t want my tongue to, gossip, spread or Satan’s voice get in my head. 

I don’t want to be involved in selfish plunder and be caught in my stupid blunder.

All the things I could do, but do not want to do only lead to a phony thrill.

They are against God’s nature and His will.

They lead to a temporary kick and leave me feeling unfit.

They anchor the bars of Satan’s prison cell and cast his spell. 

If I should do what I do not want to do, shame on me, for God can free.

The things I do not want to do-

Lead to embarrassment, guilt, and shame!

They smear my name. 

They leave me feeling cheap but, with God, newness I reap. 

He takes my despair and gives me the breath of clean air,

He helps me grow and my joy overflow.

He helps me do what I wanna do,

Instead of what I do not wanna. 

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 3/4/2026

 

“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do – this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.” Romans 7:15-20 NIV  

Conversation

My Daily Hope Devotional used the GNT version of Proverbs 20:5 today, “A person’s thoughts are like water in a deep well, but someone with insight can draw them out.” The NIV version put it like, “The purposes of a person’s heart are deep water, but one who has insight draws them out.”

     The author applied the verse to conversation. Since I am not a great conversationist I found his views interesting. He said in order to draw thoughts out of someone, “engage and ask open-ended questions and then when they stop, ask for them to ‘tell me more.’” He further stated that “not only does this show you care about their thoughts, but it also improves your listening skills and conversation level.” 

     I have to say “Amen” to his points, and will take some of the examples he gave in order to strive to improve my conversation skills and really get to know someonoe’s heart. 

     I have to add another scripture to this which comes from Proverbs 1:5 niv, “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.” 

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we behold His glory!"

     John 1:14 NJKV

The God Of It All

There is nothing better each and every morning when I wake than to acknowledge to God that He is the God of the day and to praise Him for it. God is truly the God of it all! 

 The God Of It All 

 The God of my soul

Is the God of the whole;

He’s the God of the mountains

And the God of all fountains.

My God is the God of the storms

And of all that forms.

He’s the God of the ice and the snow;

The God of the winds that stay calm or blow.

My God is the God of the rains

And the drought across the plains.

He’s the God of the waters, streams, and seas; 

The God of the animals, birds, and bees.

God is the God of all weather during the year,

He’s the God of all I breathe, see, smell, or hear.

He’s the God of the heavens and the stars.

He’s the God of all that is ours.

He’s the God of the whole,

And it’s to Him we need to glorify and extol.

God is the God of it all,

Whether great or small.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 2/26/2026

 

“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh, Is there anything too hard for Me?” Jeremiah 32:27 KJV

 

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything. Rather, He himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.” Act 17:24-25 NIV

 

BE HAPPY -continued...

When I talk about the bad, I am talking about God being in control over the bad. Since Adam and Eve, man has created bad with their schemes, but God uses the bad for good; He can use it to grab attention, to create growth, or even to turn it toward His preplanned works. However, through the bad, God stands ready to help.  He has already helped by sending His Son to save us and allow for forgiveness. He has already sent the Holy Spirit to His people (believers) in order to give them courage and guide them. God stands ready at any given moment to hear, forgive, and walk u through the bad. Through the bad, faith that God is in control can keep me “happy.” 

Be Happy

 

Whatever the Lord designs is within His plan

And not for man to understand.

He made the one, and He made the other; 

Both the good and the bad,

And said, “Be happy and glad!”

For if God makes the road straight,

Who can undo their fate?

Therefore, be happy!

Move forward or wait. 

If God makes the road to twist and bend,

Who can question what God will send?

It cannot be undone-

So be happy instead,

Walking through it with the Living Bread.

He knows what is to come

And what the end is from the beginning,

And declares, “Be happy, not glum.”

The Lord says His purpose will stand

With the might of His hand;

His plans are sure and pure-

Man cannot know how the wind will blow.

Man cannot know coming events or its contents.

Man cannot straighten the road, but God carries the load,

And gives good measure within His pleasure.

He makes the one and He makes the other;

The good and the bad-

And says, “Be happy, not mad.”

We experience them both-

They are made for grown.

So, rejoice in God’s choice!

For with the stroke of His hand, He spoke, 

“Be happy!”

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 2/22/2026

 

“Consider what God has done; Who can straighten what He has made crooked? When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God had made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.” Ecclesiastes 7:13-14  

“‘I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’” Isaiah 46:10 

BE HAPPY

Being content and happy can be a mindset in that I need to stay focused on God. The following helps me do this. 

Paul said, “For I have learned to be content in whatever the circumstance.” Philippians 4:11b

HOW!

 

“I can do this through Him who gives me strength” Philippians 4:13

(Resting in God)

 

“His kingdom (sovereignty) rules over all (me).” Psalm 103:19b

(The Lord is in charge)

 

“God works for the good of (me) those who Him.” Romans 8:28a

 

“His divine power has given us (me) everything we (I) need.” 2 Peter 1:3a

(God’s power covers my needs)

 

“In Christ you (I) have been brought to fullness (made complete).” Colossians 2:10a

 

SO! 

 

“When times are good be happy, but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other.” Ecclesiastes 7:14a

 

“May the righteous be glad and rejoice ...be happy and joyful. Psalm 68:3 

AND...

Be thankful with praise, for "When God gives someone (me) wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their (my) lot and be happy in their (my) toil- this is a gift of God." Ecclesiastes 5:19

 

 

Known and Unknown

I just checked my calendar to plan my week, but there is just so much I can plan, for I do not know what will occur to change any plans I make. I can only be happy in the moment, knowing that what comes this week, God walks through it with me. 

The Known and the Unknown

 

I do not know

How the wind will blow.

I do not know what life on earth will bring-

What will occur with my off-spring,

What will come tomorrow,

Whether I will have joy or sorrow, 

Whether I will have pain or gain.

I do not know of sin’s cost, misfortune, or loss.

I do not know about the following day

Or what will cross my pathway. 

I can only pray. 

The present and future are not in my hands,

For God is in control of all plans.

Only one thing is certain

As I peep through future’s curtain-

Earth’s death will come with no warning;

It could be tonight or the morning.

It could come a year or more from now,

And there’s no way to know how.

Only one thing I do know-

Only One will help me grow,

Only One will get me through.

Life is unknown 

Except by the One upon His throne.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson  2/23/2026

 

“By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” 

Genesis 3:19

 

A New Heaven and A New Earth

I often like to take scripture and turn it into a conversation with God using verse. It just seems to bring me closer to God within my Bible study. Revelation 21: 1-5 inspired the following: 

 

A New Heaven and A New Earth 

 

I am clothe in white,

Washed clean and bright,

With no lingering sin left in sight.

That’s what I see in this new heaven and earth,

After God has established my merit and worth.

I now stand in God’s Holy City among the righteous and equal.

But there is a sequel!

There are no tears-

There are no fears.

There are no rich or poor

Wanting what’s yours.

I cry no more.

I’m given no heavy chore.

There is no more pain;

Only joy is my gain. 

God dwells with me here.

On His throne is where I see Him appear.

He is robed in glory and might.

I see no darkness, only light.

God has made all things new;

Given everyone their due.

He sits on His throne,

And I glory in how He rules over His own.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson   2/22/2026 

“Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:1-5 NIV 

 

I Believe

We all believe in something, and no matter how hard someone tries, there is no way to change your mind. I, too, have a belief, and no one can change my mind. I believe in the One true and righteous King of the Universe. 

I Believe 

 

Lord! I believe!

I believe You are the Son of God;

That You died for me.

I believe Your arms are open wide-

You are always by my side.

There is nothing more I must decide-

Only to believe!

I believe in Your grace

And the promise of my permanent resting place.

I believe You forgive me in my wrath,

You forgive my wayward deeds,

You forgive my unfruitful seeds.

I believe I am saved-

No longer lost,

And it was You who paid the cost.

Lord!

I believe every scripture verse;

You are the King of the Universe, 

The Bread of Life,

The Light of the World,

The Beginning and the End.

Lord! I believe!

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 2/20/2026

 

“Do not let your hearts be troubles. You believe in God; believe also in me." John 14:1 

 

“But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” John 20:31