Stuck

Have you ever been stuck? I got stuck one time in a mud hole. The car would not not go forward, and it would not go backward so matter how I gunned the engine. It took another truck to pull me out. What a relief that was!

     There are other ways of being stuck. Stuck in anger, stuck in resentment, stuck in the humdrum of life, stuck in loneliness...does this ring a bell? It often takes something or other to pull you out. Often that something can just be “you” or better yet, a relationship with God.

     It may take a change of “thinking”- or a change by getting out of “self” into someone else to get “unstuck.”

     When I find myself about to get stuck, I like to, first, pick up my Bible and talk to the One who is always there. God goes before! His guidance pulls me out of the mire. After that I like to “get busy,” and/or think about doing something for someone else.

     I like James 4:8, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” With God, there is peace, and there is no need to feel “stuck.” in life.

     

Take the Upper Road

Take the Upper Road

 

It’s hard to be humble

When faced with other people’s bitterness and wrath,

But stay on the upward path

And do not stumble.

Consider their smallness and insecurity.

Face it with a smile

And go the extra mile.

Take up your shield with scriptural maturity;

Things could be much, much worse.

The one standing there within your view

Could, in their misery, be you,

If the shoe was seen in reverse.

Being them could not be fun-

In their anger and in their fury.

So, be not their judge and jury.

Be kind, and God will say well-done.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 6/19/2026

 

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? Matthew 7:3 NIV 

 

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5 NIV  

 

“Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.” Ecclesiastes 7:9 NIV  

 

Daily Thought

 The following is an excerpt from a book I am in the process of finalizing.  Title to come...

September 22

Humor: The teenage girl was frantic as she called home to explain she would be late that night because of a flat tire. She said, "Please don't be mad Mom, it's not my fault."  Since the lady didn't have a daughter, she replied, “I'm sorry, but you've reached the wrong number.  I don't have a daughter."  The girl replied, "Gosh, Mom, I didn't think you'd be that mad.”

Daily Thought: It is so easy to get mad, but getting mad and staying that way only takes away our joy; whereas, laughter lightens the burden and uplifts the heart.  The next time we are tempted to become angry over a situation, stop and remember that we are the ones who we will be hurting if we allow the anger to remain and continue harbor those feelings.  Staying calm, on the other hand, will prevent the situation from become explosive.  It will provide time to ponder  the problem so we will be able to handle it gracefully, deal with it, and then ''let it go.''

Scripture: “Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.”

Proverbs 31:25

 

John Wayne Quotes - Day 2

  I believe it was in the movie, In Harm's Way, John Wayne said, "All battles are fought by scared men who'd rather be somewhere else."

     How many times in Scripture were battles fought or God's commands followed by men who had rather be somewhere else?  Moses argued with God when he was told to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.  Jonah ran from God and ended up in the belly of a whale until he agreed to follow God's command.  Exodus 3:11, "And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?"   
     There are many today who struggle with where they are being led in order to win others to Christ.  The one thing I have to remember is that if God calls me, He is prepared to help me win the battle.  Proverbs 21:31 "The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord."

     I recently saw a poster with John Wayne as the author, "Talk low, talk slow, and don't say too much."  Many of us would be better off taking his advice.  I might add to that, "Watch your words for they reveal your character."  Proverbs 15:1  "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."

     Just for fun, I will do one more John Wayne quote today.  "Tomorrow hopes we have learned something from yesterday."  If we are wise we will, indeed, learn from our mistakes of yesterday; we will learn from our troubles and grow stronger because of them.  2 Corinthians 12:10, "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."

More to come....

Anger

     The Holiday Season is a time for joy, yet I see so many people becoming angry and anxious with the shopping rush and the time it takes to get things done.  One thing I look for at checkout counters is whether the one waiting on me is smiling - a smile that radiates from the heart.  If I don't see it, instead of being just another impatient shopper, I pray that I stop my own busy pace in order to take a moment and say something nice or offer a friendly smile in an effort to make their day just a little brighter and more joyful. 

    So, what can be done about anger in order to weaken its power over thoughts and actions?

A sk!  Is my anger worth it?  Do I want to become its victim?
N ever let it control you.  Remember: "He who angers you controls you."
G ive it away.  Give it to God.  Pray about it. 
E experience it, but quickly let it go.
R ecognize it, but release it so it will weaken its power and neutralize it.