The Lion

I have always thought it would be adventurous to take a Safari into the jungle and see all the wild animals. The lion comes to mind as one of the fiercest with it muscular, broad-chested body, hairy mane, and mighty roar. I certainly would not want to meet up with one on foot. 

     I might be more comfortable if I were traveling with Samson. In scripture, when the Spirit of the Lord came upon him in power, he tore the lion apart with his bare hand as he might have torn a young goat. 

     I might not have minded being around a lion if I had been with Daniel in the lions’ den, because God protected him. 

     Yet, I am warned in 1 Peter 5:8 to watch out for lions, “to be alert and of sober mind for my enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

     I take great comfort in knowing that the lion grows weary, and I have the ability just as Samson did to grow strong. Psalm 34 tells me that. “The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” 

Confessions

Yesterday, I posted Stories of Old from the Bible. They were stories about men living bold for God. Today, I am going to take a different approach. The characters from Bible stories all had flaws but God used them in a mighty way and was ready to forgive them when they admitted their wrong doings although there were consequences.                                                                                                                                                  

Confession

Lord!

I have confessions to make

And seek forgiveness in my mistake.

I’ve made many a bad decision 

And had to live with your division.

I’m like Eve who had to grieve. 

She chose to eat the apple; 

It was sweet and a lovely-looking treat,

But a forbidden fruit.

Her life was changed, and it was acute.

I see myself as Esau who had a flaw.

He chose to give up his birthright;

His hunger pains were too much to fight.

A single appetizing meal came to steal.

Then, there’s Samson in whom I am much alike.

He used no wisdom to foresee what’s down the pike.

You gave him strength,

But he held you at arm’s length;

 Lacking proper choices,

And not listening to right voices.

I relate to Peter, burdened over denial;

Regretful in my trial.

You gave so many Biblical stories

In which to consider life’s inventories;

The potential effects upon my actions-my attractions;

They invade my senses and lead to unblessed consequences.

Woo to the wrongs within me,

For You, Lord, readily see!

Through all my lack of insight,

I shout with joy and delight,

Knowing you see my obsessions

And accept my confessions.

Glory to God!

You hear 

While forgivingly staying near.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 10/31/2023 

 

"...because it is by faith you stand firm." 2 Corinthians 1:24b

 

 

The How and the Way

      Goliath was a mighty giant, but he was a cruel bully that even a small boy defeated.  Samson had the strength of many men, but his pride and lack of wisdom led to his early death.  These men could have accomplished so much more had they fully taken  advantage of the spiritual gifts which were distributed to them by God. They did not know how to come together with others. 

     We, as Christians, also have the ability to accomplish small and large tasks for God.  It may require forming a “network of shoulders”, supporting others to accomplish God’s purpose.  We just need to remember that God directs the “How” and the “Way”.     

Letter to God

Letter to God

Dear God,

     I am weak and lacking in so many ways, yet you are the great Creator of my days.  

     Strength of character was molded into Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego.  Help me too, in faith, to grow.  As you protected Daniel in the fiery furnace, thank you for protecting me, showing your love, full and earnest.  As you closed the mouth of the lion when Daniel was thrown into the lion's den, thank you for my protected predestined fate as I walk, selfish-hearted, here among men.

     Lord, I am in some ways like Jonah, not instantly obedient as was Noah.  But Lord, Jonah received, from you, second chances.  So please rescue me from the sinful weight of my circumstances.   As Noah was obedient, bestow in me that same ingredient. 

     Like Samson, I have serious flaws, enough I am sure to give you pause.  Strengthen me Lord.  Make me confident in your provision, as was Abraham; knowing that you will provide, as only you can, for this poor straying lamb.

     Lord!  Give me endurance as strong as Job's, sustaining me in your blood-stained robe.  I fear to ask for Job's patience, but let it replace my complacence, giving action to your Word and persevering with shield and sword. 
    Please give me even more perseverance like Paul's as he traveled for your cause, always humble without self-applause.  Help me remain a loyal servant, as did Paul, though he was confined to prison but always preaching, teaching that you, the great I Am, is risen.  Thank you that I am, as Paul was, loved and forgiven.

     Let me be, Lord, a woman dedicated and loyal as in the example of Ruth.  Always let me show forth honesty and truth.  When in harm's way or striving to make a decision, let me do as Ester, seeking your face morning, noon, and night so you may guide me into the light. 

     I bow before you, Lord, thanking you for your love in spite of what's I've done, for only you know my work and, though flawed and marred, it has only, daily, just begun. 

                                                Your Child, 
                                                 Mary  

Achilles' heel

     Ever since Adam and Eve, there have been flaws and weaknesses in the human race.  So easily, we succumb to our own personal ones.  I often have to stop and talk with God to ask Him, "Please forgive my thoughts and change my heart and my mind."  I so want to keep the clutter and litter away from A Friendly Shade and out of my life.   
     Thinking through the Bible characters, I see Samson, who was blessed from birth, but his Achilles' heel was his uncontrolled lust which led to his destruction.  Joseph's brothers had a problem with jealously, which lead to a life of guilt and shame over what they had done to Joseph and their father.  Not only in scripture but in life today, there are so many who do not strive to overcome their weaknesses and self-destruct.
    I pray that I will stop and talk with God more often.  The choice is mine to seek strength to overcome the sin which infiltrates my life; sin which will destroy my blessings and my walk with God.   I pray that I seek strength to overcome my Achilles' heel.  The choice is mine!
          
    
    

Win! Place! Show!

     Win! Place! Show! What does it take? The right bet on the right thoroughbred horse in the right race.

      According to one article I read, a thoroughbred has a small yet elegant head with a high chest. Their profile is straight and the neck long with well-sloped shoulders. It is handsome, alert, and spirited with boundless courage and immense stamina. The breed is known for endurance, agility, and a big heart.

     When I occasionally attend the Oaklawn horse races, excitement runs high as I watch the thoroughbreds enter the track. I look at their coloring, the way they hold their head, and the spirit of their gait. I have to admit, some are just better looking than others. I listen to the gasp in the crowd when a jockey has a problem getting his horse in the gate. However, the horses are all soon off and running with breakneck speed only to either lag behind, overcome another, or stretch out their legs, running neck to neck, through the finish line. As always, in the game of racing, the favorites nor the best looking ones, do not always win.
     I wonder if that is why Jesus did not always select the most upstanding, handsome, or the most favored people to do His work. Maybe they had to learn to run with endurance, agility, and heart to become thoroughbreds.
     Jonah was afraid, lacked faith, and was stubborn. He ran from God’s call, but after being swallowed by the whale and given a second chance, he learned not to defy God and became a thoroughbred. Moses had murdered a man and escaped to the wilderness when he was called. He argued with God that he could not do what God was asking, but in the end Moses became strong, obedient, and ran with stamina. He faltered at times but God gave him courage, faith, and endurance. Samson was given supernatural strength, but he allowed his weakness toward an untruthworthy woman to rob him of that strength. At the end of his life he turned to God, regained his strength, and showed great courage. David was short in statute and just a boy when he killed Goliath. The people did not see him as a strong and mighty soldier for the king’s army, but God gave David the strength to kill a giant with only a slingshot and a small stone. Zacchaeus was a wee little man who could not see above the crowd, yet Jesus offered him a special invitation. Zacchaeus was converted and became a thoroughbred.
     I believe thoroughbreds are formed through a strong and daily relationship with God. Jesus provides so many examples of endurance, heart, courage, and stamina. Being a thoroughbred does not necessarily mean being a favorite among men, but becoming a thoroughbred does make a difference on whether you win, place, or show in life.
     I have a long way to go, but I pray, as I sit here in "A Friendly Shade" that although I falter at times, God will mold me into a thoroughbred for Christ.