Life Is What You Bake It

In mid-September, I decided to bake up a new recipe. It has taken a while to decide to share it, mainly because I did not know if I had the ingredients right. Then I read Philippians 4:6-7 and knew the final ingredient I had forgotten was truly the missing link. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts, and your minds in Christ Jesus." 

Life is What You Bake It 

 

Upon a shelf sat a mix I had made up,

And it was time to get rid of it, cup-by-cup.

So, into a bowl, 

I stirred in a cup of sin, yellowed with age. 

Next, I added a cup each of bitterness, anger, and rage.

This needed to be cooked today-

Gotten rid of without delay.

Next, I added milk, eggs, and flour. 

This was not my finest hour,

For the batter was not as expected;

Something needed to be corrected. 

That this recipe was going to fail,

was among my fears, 

So, I added in a cup of liquid tears. 

I considered for a moment 

What I may have skipped?

A quick taste, I dipped. 

Maybe, if I added a cup of prayerful flavor, 

This cake would be something to savor.

But it needed more

To remove the bitter taste of the sin.

I quickly reached for a nearby tin

To sprinkle in some peace, love, and joy. 

I surmised, 

This would help the cake to rise. 

 I mixed, stirred, and beat- 

Hoping for the perfect treat. 

Finally, I coated a pan with oil of repentance,

And baked the batter at 350 degrees 

And waited in unease. 

Standing in place, 

A smile lite my face.

It was rising before my eyes,

To the perfect height and size.

But something was bothering me

And wouldn’t let me be.

As the cake sat within my gaze,

I remembered, 

I had forgotten to add-in the praise. 

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 10/15/2025

 

     “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every 

form of malice.” Philippians 4:31 NIV

A Sinner

I wish I could say that I am not a sinner, but that would be a lie. I hate my sinful ways because I love my Lord and want to live better to show His glory. However, because I am a sinner, I am so much more thankful to God for His forgiveness. 

O Lord, 

I am a sinner, but I am comforted. 

I am consoled 

   because of the forgiveness You do not withhold.

You did not scold the woman caught in adultery. 

You simply said, “Go, and sin no more,”

   though she had the Pharisees in an uproar.

You did not reject the man on the cross. 

You said, “Today, you will be with me in paradise,” 

   though you were the one paying the price. 

You did not destroy Nineveh for their wicked ways;

   for, with compassion, you lengthened their days. 

You did not admonish Jonah when he wished he was dead;

   You sent a shade to cover his head.

Then you sent a worm to cut it down;

   And, in love, explained about the town;

   of how, with compassion and pity, 

   You wanted to save that sinful city. 

O Lord, 

Your forgiveness and love are my comforting hope

   when I view my sin through a microscope.

Your mercy and grace are my comfort, warmth, and peace.

   as I dwell on my sin that seems to never cease. 

 

                        Mary Crisp Jameson 9/11/2025 

 

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26 KJV

 

 

 

5 Days Until Thanksgiving

     Today, and everyday, I am thankful for my daughter.  She is a gift which I have always cherished.  From the very first day God formed her, and I realized she was growing in me, a bond was formed.  Scripture tells us to "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."  I know I was not always the best example as a parent, but I am thankful that my daughter knows the Lord for He is her constant companion. 
     I am thankful that God knows all about my daughter.  As scripture tells us, "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered."   This lets me know that God hears and understands her needs and supplies them.  She is His child, as well. 
     I am thankful that when I am troubled for her, I know God holds her in the mighty palms of His hands.  When God molded her, he instilled within her the best of her dad, his quick instincts and vocal voice, and the best of her mom, her tender heart.  Then God gave my daughter some very unique personalities of her own.  I am thankful she is independent and her own unique person.  She blesses me everyday.
     In my thankfulness, I pray blessings upon the precious, beautiful daughter for whom God graced me.   I pray, God, you bring true friends into her life every day.  I am thankful you have always sent friends her way at the time she needed them.  I continue to pray for financial blessings, healing blessings in every area of her body, and I pray for career blessings with doors of opportunity along her journey as she walks with you, Lord, by her side.   I trust, claim, and receive these wonderful blessings for her, and I thank you Lord for your sheltering grace upon her. 

 

19 Day Countdown To Thanksgiving

     My mom and dad are both deceased and, not only am I thankful they are in heaven with the Lord, but I am thankful God allowed me to have such good, hard-working parents who feared Him and raised me in His word.  When I think of my parents, I cannot help but consider the forgiveness of the father to the son found in Luke 15 when the prodical son returned home.  His father ran to meet him, kissed him, and called for a celebration.
     No matter how mean, selfish, or rebellious I was growing up, my parents always showed me love, just as I know my heavenly Father does the same, and so much more.  When I earnestly pray and humbly ask forgiveness, I know my heavenly Father wraps me in His arms and forgives me just as my parents did. 
     I was taught to love others, my family, and God.  For this, I am so thankful, and am reminded of Hebrews 13:1-2  "Let brotherly love continue.  Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

21 days to Thanksgiving

    This is a continuation of my thankfulness through Thanksgiving...
     I have a habit of coming up with all kinds of projects here in "A Friendly Shade."  So today, I'm so thankful for a spouse who is not only kind, thoughtful, and considerate, but who willingly assists me in getting my projects completed.  When he tells me, "No more projects,"  I have no doubt that he will remain supportive when another one develops and will be busy helping me develop the best method to get the project completed properly.          
     My husband truly practices the love given in 1st Corinthians 13:5-7 "Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered.  It keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."  I am so thankful for his loving ways.

22 Days Until Thanksgiving

With it being 22 Days Until Thanksgiving, I am continuing my challenge to do the Thanksgiving countdown by providing at least one thing I have to be thankful for every day. 

Today, I am thankful for teachers who are willing to work and give more time to their jobs than most people ever realize in order to educate our children; children who will be the future leaders of America.  Hopefully we will always be "one nation under God."  It is my prayer that God will be returned to the classroom and to the family home and dinner table.  
 

Leviticus 10:11  "And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the Lord hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses."

Thanksgiving Day

     When we think of Thanksgiving Day, most of us remember it as a national day of celebration first proclaimed by President, George Washington.   Yet, our thankfulness should be expressed every single day, and this was first proclaimed by the Almighty God.    Philippians 4:6 tells us “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”   We are also told in Colossians 4:2 to “Continue earnestly in pray, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.”   
     All that we have and all that we ever will have comes from God.  Therefore, we need to do as Psalm 69:30 and Psalm 95:2 says, “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving.”  “Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.”

     I believe when we thank God every morning for whatever is going to happen during the day, joy will fill our hearts and whatever occurs will be easier to handle. 
     Though members of my family or close friends may “step on my toes” from time to time, I am thankful for them.  Though there are changes at work I may not like, I am so very thankful for my job.  I am so thankful for the loving people I am privileged to work with.  I am so very thankful that God covers me with His love and walks beside me through it all. 
    When we dread going to work, it may be time to say, “Thank you God for my job.”  When we are going through what some would call a “pity party”, then it is time to say, “Thank you God for my blessings.”   When we are offended by others, it is time to say, “Thank you God that these same people can love me in spite of my own faults.”  
     Every day is truly a day of Thanksgiving as we remember the words in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "In every thing give thanks..."