Sin

There is a reason the Son of God, Jesus, came to earth. It was because of the sin of man. Scripture tells us there is a sin that leads to death and there is a sin that does not lead to death. It is found in 1 John 5. We must believe in Jesus to overcome death for “all have sinned and all short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) 

 

Sin

 

It didn’t matter the plagues, the parted sea, or the pillar of fire-

Sin climber higher-

In the show was the hot, hot furnace and the lion’s den-

But it really didn’t change the hearts of men.

There was the belly of the whale;

It brought obedience but stubbornness was still there to tell.

The flood wiped all away when it came,

But sinful ways were reclaimed.

Defeat was in battle’s play

When men turned away and didn’t pray.

That was all in the Old Testament’s day,

And still here today and in play.

Sin just climbs higher

‘cause man’s hearts don’t listen to what came prior.

It just continues to transpire.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 6/10/2026

Life Happens In A Sentence

It takes a village to make life happen, but true life happens with God in it. Within this, I challenged myself to put Life into one sentence? 

 

L iving one day at a time by Letting go and Letting God

I n work, play, or social time, In illness or In health,

F acing troubles, Facing victory; Feeling it all and  

E mitting goodness, gladness, calm, along the way, but always Eager  Every second, minute, and hour throughout the days and years. 

                

Weary

Life has its ups and downs; its cycles of life; some good, some bad.  I rejoice because I live in the midst of a godly world. I complain, “Woe is me,” because I live in the midst of an ungodly world. Yet, even in my weariness and the “woe is me” moments, I have endurance because I God. 

Weary 

 In life’s weariness

I am:

Willing through Your instilling,

Earnest though tarnished,

Able and stable,

Ready and steady,

Yearning and still learning.

Mary Crisp Jameson 9/5/2024 

 

“Woe to me…” Psalm 120:5a

 

Life

When I obtained breath, I obtained life. When I believed I obtained eternal life. I became a child of God when He created me. I became an eternal child of God when I accepted Jesus as my Savior.  

God’s Child  

 

I was made and created

To be loved- not hated.

In His image I was molded;

By His hand I was knit and folded;

Each finger and toe-

Unique from out of the dough.

Before birth, I was made for Him to cherish,

With no thought I should perish.

I was not formed for human hand to abort

As in a wishful, gruesome sport. 

I was created to be loved as a child-

One undefiled,

Protected-

Not family rejected.

I was wonderfully made;

Even weighed.

I was formed and perfected

To be connected-

The Father and I;

You know- 

The Big Guy in the sky!

He is the One who watches over me,

For He knows all, and all He can see.

In His time, 

Not yours or mine,

He’ll carry me away- 

A Lamb, of His, one day.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 8/12/2024 

 

“For You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:13-14 NIV 

 

Trust vs Fear

Life can be overwhelming, but is it too overwhelming to have faith in God, as well? I have to ask myself, “Do I want to be like Thomas, who said, ‘Unless I see in His hand the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe?’”

     Over and over we are told in scripture, “Do not fear.” God does not want us to fear which leads to worry. He wants us to release our cares to Him with complete trust. He wants us to let Him do the job so we can live a truly carefree life in our walk with Him.  I admit that "seeing is believing", but I want to believe without seeing first.

    

Life's A Story

      With the Thanksgiving holiday over, the Christmas season is upon us.  Soon it will be a new year; a year to continue our the story of our life; a story in which we will be remembered or a story in which we fulfilled our purpose. 

Life's A Story 

All have a story with a beginning and end

Along the way, there is an enemy and a friend.

From young to old, we are weak, and we are bold.

We either follow or we lead.

We plant a seed or we plant a weed.

There is always a need. 

At times, we are weak or we are strong;

Often, right or wrong. 

We host feelings and thoughts,

Struggling with should or shouldn’t oughts.

From young to white-haired in age, 

We turn each page.  

Our hearts are warm or cold.  

We remain infants or sprout and grow;

There is much to show.

From the old, down to the young, 

We speak when we should hold the tongue, 

We are either meek or high-strung.

From beginning to end, life’ a stage;

Every day a new age,

A play to be written;

A life that is fittin,

And a God in which to be smitten.

From beginning to end God transcends, 

Giving life by His power in His hour.

The path in the middle, our riddle.

What do we build?

A house of frills or one God-filled? 

A purpose to tell or a path to hell? 

A house in which God can dwell 

Or one, corrupt, and messed up?

From beginning to end, life’s a story

In which to give God His glory. 

 

Mary Crisp Jameson  11/28/2021

 

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:  Fear God and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.  For God will bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”  Ecclesiastes 12: 13-14

 

A Picture

     "A picture is worth a thousand words!"  This is an English idiom referring to the notion that an image is very effective in grabbing your attention in order to portray an idea which is probably why a Facebook posting grabbed my attention long enough for me to listen to a sales pitch for a product.  It was about a life change promising free information.  The salesperson was rapidly drawing images to go along with "free" information; however, at the end there was a cost involved in order to obtain the product which would provide this new healthy life change.
     Images do have a way of grabbing our attention even though we quickly get turned off when the price of the product is finally revealed.   Yet, I have experienced and do know about a life change which comes at no cost!
     Close your eyes for a moment and imagine a child born and laying in a dirty animal crib.  The scene takes place in a barn filled with smelly animals.  It was cold and the only warmth was a bed of dusty hay and a small thin blanket. 
     Now envision this child all grown up.  He chose to leave a home where he was nurtured with love to travel the countryside sharing about hope for a life changing event.   His only mode of transportation was by foot with maybe an occasional donkey ride or in a fishing boat. 
     Was this simply a sales pitch that would end up with a cost to the crowd which followed Him?  No!  This life changing event was free to all except Himself.  He was the One going to pay the cost.  Many chose to listen, while others scoffed and spit in his face. 
     Finally, picture a cross.  Upon that cross is a man with nails hammered through his hands and his feet.  Blood runs down his body.  His head is hung in agonizing pain.  This is the cost the man paid.  In the end, as he had foretold, there was no cost to anyone.  It is truly a life changing event with no cost if you choose to accept Jesus as your hope and Savior of the world.   This is a package deal providing hope, peace, joy, and life. 

John 3:16  "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.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."

      

Life

     Our pastor has been preaching on Adversity the last few weeks.  Emphasis has been placed on how we should cope with adversity while realizing that life is all about Jesus.  So here’s where his message interwoven with my thoughts led me as I took the opportunity to enjoy a few moments in “A Friendly Shade.”   

Life

 

It’s not about me,  

 Apology from a neighbor,

A best friend;

From beginning to end,

It’s all about Jesus!

About trusting Him;

Allowing love to fill me to the brim.

It’s not about what I want,

What I wish for,

What I need.

It’s about the blood He bled!

About doing His pleasure;

Glorifying Him in good measure.

 

It’s not about trials,

my troubles,

heartache, or woe.

It’s about how I live as I go,

the Christ-like deeds I show;

About enduring, keeping on,

Remembering the love He’s shown. 

It’s not about worldly status,

Postion, or the clothes I wear.

It’s about prayer; how I share,

And Him!

It’s about His Word,

His death which occurred.

 

It’s not about my setbacks,

But a comeback for Jesus,

The cross,

The blood He gave,

Spreading the gospel to save.

It’s about my Defender,

Protector, and Friend.

From beginning to end-

“It’s all about Jesus!”

                                         Mary Crisp Jameson