Not Perfect

I don't live in a perfect world, yet. I am also not perfect. God is perfect and Heaven will be perfect. In the meantime- God has sent help!

Not Perfect

 

God is perfect, 

And I am not.

But I needn’t be fraught.

For a plan was in God’s forethought.

He sent His Son into a sinful place

To give me grace.

You see, Jesus came to atone for me-

To make me washed clean-

Made snow white

In His Father’s sight.

I cannot look upon God’s face,

But He gives me grace.

He sent His Son to set me free.

Then, He sent the Spirit to speak to me.

God is perfect, 

And I am not.

That’s why it takes all three-

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!

 

Mary Crisp Jameson  5/31/2026 

 

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God ...But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ...For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” Ephesians 2:8,13,18

Cinderella and Superman

Growing up I imagined a Cinderella story, but even as a girl, I also wanted Superman strength; power to exert a force that would allow me to defeat enemies, move massive objects and withstand extreme impacts.

     I have gained the Cinderella story because I know from my salvation experience, I will be rescued to live forever in a glorious dwelling place with my Savior. 

     During the wait, I also have a Superman experience. When I was saved, I was given a permanent indwelling Holy Spirit. He helps me defeat troubles and heartache. He works to lift my burdens to give me peace and joy. He helps me move mountains. He is the power to keep me from sin and give me supernatural strength.

 

My Cinderella promise: John 14:2 NIV “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?” 

 

My Superman indwelling: 1 Corinthians 6:19 “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You, are not your own.”    

Hebrews 13:5 NIV “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”    

 

The Senses

Our five senses are sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell, but Christians have another sense which comes from the heart- the Holy Spirit living within who speaks to us. We are constantly talking to God (usually asking or telling), but how often do we just sat and listen, letting Him speak through the Spirit? 

     To hear we need time to focus. We need quiet time-free from distractions, and we need His Word at hand. We also need an attitude of responsiveness. It’s not easy, and it takes committed practice.

Book Review

     I just finished reading a book entitled The Cross and The Switch Blade, by David Wilkerson, first published in 1962.  It was a profound, powerful, true story of a preacher who went to New York to work among the street gangs and addicts. If there is ever a doubt that God works, this story will change your mind.   

     In one of the final chapters, a converted street gang member, turned minister, gave a talk about ten spiritual gifts received when a person turns their life over to Christ. I list them here for my own reference:

 

Power-Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…”

Comforter – John 14:26 “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

Protection – Acts 16:6 “Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.”

No longer hounded by the mind of the flesh-Ephesians 2:3-6 “All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts…But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ…by grace you have been saved…”

Have Life- 2 Corinthians 3:6 “…the Spirit gives life.”

Living with Spirit of Truth- John 16:13 “But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth…”

Access to the Father- Ephesians 2:18 “For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.”

Hope- Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Liberty- 2 Corinthians 3:17 “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

Overpowering Experience- Acts 10:44 “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.”

 

 

 

A New Life

     How many of us have often thought, "I wish I could go back and do it again," or simply wish we could change our lives?  Well, in fact, it is possible.  We have all been given a chance to develop a new life.   When Jesus died and was raised from the dead, we were given a brand new life.  All we have to do is accept the sacrifice Jesus made for us.
     In developing a new life, we often fail to accomplish our righteous desires.  However, if we fail in our choices, His forgiveness gives us another chance to do it right.  There is always a new day with our Lord!  Through our faith in God and through guidance from the Holy Spirit, we can rid our lives of grievances.  We can develop beauty from within.  We can learn to love others and treat them with respectful dignity even though they say bad things about us.  We can be forgiving without anyone asking us to forgive them.  In 1st Peter we are told to "be holy in all manner of conversation."   Let's face it, our life is a journey, and a journey is a process.  However, the ending to a good journey is one in which we traveled with God at the wheel.
   

Calming Anxiety

     Mark 4:39  "And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Hush, be still." And the wind died down and it became calm."
     What do you do when you have anxious moments?  It does not matter whether it is a physical, financial, relational, or any simple issue in life.  We all have anxious moments.  As Christians, we have a Holy Spirit living inside of us.  We have the power to use that force to quiet the soul.
     "Hush, be still."  God, the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit are three in one protecting, leading, sheltering.  Seek Him first.   He can calm the waves, the sea, and the storm building within us.
    

Fruit of the Spirit

       My desire, though I fell, is to become more Christ-like.  When I was saved, the Holy Spirit entered my life and set about leading and guiding me.  I have to make choices every day on what fruit I am to produce, and Galatians 5:22-23 plainly teaches me, while the Holy Spirit works within helping me to yield and turn from my stubborn ways. 
     After looking at several biblical versions of Galatians, I found no differences in interpretations and can make no excuses for poor behavior.

  The King James Version says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, .. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

 The New International Version says it almost the same, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.


I found in the Living Bible, "But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  ²³ gentleness and self-control; and here there is no conflict with Jewish laws.


The New Living Translations writes, "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!


Finally in the American Standard Version I am told, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ meekness, self-control; against such there is no law.
    
    My prayer is that I will become more productive, grow better fruit, and reap the harvest.    I pray that all people across this land will accept Jesus and become more Christ-like.  I pray that prayers will return to the classroom, that people will seek to live by the fruit of the Spirit. I pray for our newly elected President, Donald Trump and Vice President, Mike Pence.  I pray they will be led by the Spirit so that they will lead our great nation according to the will of our Almighty God. 
     Only by living by the fruit of the Spirit will our nation heal itself, come together in love, and our current divisions be resolved.   

6 Days Until Thanksgving

     With my countdown to Thanksgiving, yesterday I talked about being thankful for my five traditionally recognized senses; hearing, sight, touch, smell, and taste.   
     On this sixth day before Thanksgiving, I would like to be thankful for a sixth sense which I have.  However, this is not only an uplifting feeling, but a firm knowledge and awareness that there is an actual living, indwelling presence in my heart extending from my very soul.  This presence is the Holy Spirit which I, as a Christian believer, have been given.  
     When I accepted Jesus as my Savior, God took action by taking up permanent residence within my body.   I am so thankful that I never walk alone. 

John 14: 17 "Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him; but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."

10 MORE DAYS TO THANKSGIVING

    As we were reading Jeremiah 31:32 today in Sunday School, one part in it claimed my attention.  "Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:"     It can't be overlooked!  The Lord "took them by the hand."   He was their true faithful guide and deliverer until He was rejected by them.  Is that what we do in our daily walk?  We don't trust enough to let God lead us by His hand.
     So what am I thankful for today?  It is the fact that God's mighty powerful hand is extended to me 24/7 if I will just trust Him more, place my hand in His, and let Him lead the way.
     On top of that, verse 33 goes on to tell us, "But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people."   Isn't this telling me also that not only is His hand extended to help me, but His covenant promises me the  Holy Spirit living in my heart, and I am truly one of God's people because I have accepted Him as my Savior.
    

Father's Day

     Father's Day is everyday. 
     It's about the Father! 
     It's about the Father's love!
     As the Father's child I remain human, weak, and sinful;
     Yet, I am loved no less.
     I am not as good as others, not as talented as others;
     Yet, I am loved no less.
     My Father fills my need. 
     He sent His only Son to die and give me grace.
     He sent the Holy Spirit to fill my soul; to lead, guide, and teach.
     Life's instructions are set in His Word;
     He presents the way to live to be free from bondage;
     His discipline strengthens.
     His love is felt;
     Found through the peace within my heart and mind.
     My Father daily walks and talks with me.
     He embraces me for just who I am,
     For He created me.
     I believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
     Oh yes, everyday is Father's Day;
     It's about the Father's love!

   
  Romans 5:5   "And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."