Nascar

  Act 2:2 Suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.” 
     Does this verse remind you of the excitement of a Nascar race? The sound of hot rod engines roaring across the race track sends chills through the spines of many avid fans of Nascar, much like the sound of a might rushing wind, and Nascar fans love to keep up with the race all the way to the finish line. 
     The sport of Nascar has ushered in an era of racing that requires skill and control by the one under the wheel; it requires knowledge of what’s under the hood; it requires a team of experts to change out parts, motors, and tires in a matter of minutes; it requires speed in filling up the tank with its source of power.   Nothing takes the breathe out of the heart and soul of the driver than to be stranded in the dugout for more than a few seconds.  The driver must get back on the track to win the race.   
     In comparison,  the Christian life is much the same.  Just as in Nascar and the race to the finish, Christian lives are repeated over and over.  We get up, go to work, come home, do chores, care for family situations, and go to bed just to repeat the process all over again.  And we have to take care of our engines.  The best way to fill the tank and stay fit and charged is through prayer and Bible study.  Unlike Nascar, it only takes one expert behind the wheel and that is God.  True, we may have to practice the habit, but to truly win a perfect race, it comes back to who we let take control.  Then we need to take a look “under the hood.”  What is under your hood?  In Galatians we are told what should be found.  The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, faith, meekness, temperance….”    If we let go of any of these and take over on our own, we may end up like many of the drivers in Nascar- stranded and out of the race. 

      

The Voice

     As I sit under my "Friendly Shade" I long to know Jesus better.  But yet the ways of God are not the ways of man.  God is not so quick to judge. Even when man sins God continues to love and call his sheep back into His fold; whereas, man often just turns away.  David was a man after God’s own heart, but David sinned.  When Noah was building the Ark the people criticized and said he was crazy.  The people judged and mocked him and did not understand. 

     There are people in the midst of trouble and straying away from God today, yet Jesus continues to work in their hearts and calls them back into His fold.  Oh, if only people would think before turning their backs when the ways of other people do not conform to their ways. Continuous and unconditional love would help the grace of God shine through to the lives of others. 

     There is a voice that can be heard – a voice that feeds His sheep.  To know Jesus better we must conform to His ways! 

THE VOICE 

 I heard it in the whirlwind -

I heard it out-loud and within my mind.

Just what is that?

A voice! Quiet and softly flat.

I heard it again,

Across the meadow and the glen.

I heard it the thunder,

Just before I knuckled under.

Quiet but nudging-

Loving, yet not judging.

I heard the voice from deep inside-

Not me, not now,” I replied

I ignored it as I turned around,

But it persisted and was quiet profound.

I heard it through my distress;

Quiet but filled with tenderness.

The voice – It was one I knew;

Calling me from my worldly view.

The voice nudged at my selfish pride.

“I died for you,” it cried.

The voice was ringing loud and clear-

It resounded and brought a tumbling tear.

The voice! Do you hear it?

Small, quiet, and gentle - I must admit.

It takes you from despair -

Restores your life with gentle care.

The voice – I can hear it in the night-

Restoring me to a life of love and light.

It speaks to me,

And calms the raging sea.

                      Mary Crisp Jameson 

March On

All God's people have bad days from time to time. Even my Friendly Shade does not always offer a shade with the cool breeze I so desire.  Yet, we know who holds the future.  We know that God goes before us, and that is why we can claim His promise given in Isaiah 40:31 "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."  In claiming God's promises we can endure, we can get past our bad days, and we can march on to victory. 

Marching On

Marching On – I’m marching on

Till Dusk and before the Dawn!

There is no mountain too high to climb

With my God beside me all the time-

Though steep and troublesome,

His promises help me not succumb.

There is no burden too great to carry;

 God picks me up when I grow weary-

No matter how heavy the task,

He strengthens me whenever I ask. 

Marching On- I’m marching on

Till all my hours are gone!

 There is no storm too big to weather;

God pulls it all together-

Though the winds of trouble swirl about my feet,

He is the One that keeps me complete.

There is no seed I cannot plant;

His power He will grant-

God can get it done

Even if I’ve just begun.

Marching on –I’m marching on;

I’m in the race till it is won!

                                                                        Mary Nell Jameson- 2/25/2012

Procrastation

     It’s a Holiday!  and I have plans to get so much done outside.  I have already dressed for outside
work, but when I checked the temperature it registered below 40 degrees, much colder here in my Friendly Shade than I expected, or enjoy, when I am doing outside work.  However, the sun is shining and my rationale would be to put off the work until this afternoon when things warm up a bit.  Sounds logical to me, but it is also procrastinating, and my list to things to do will not get completed. 
     We all like to procrastinate.  We allow distractions to prevent us from accomplishing goals and plans.  If I think about and avoid any excuses, all I really need to do to complete my projects today is put on a coat.  There are all kinds of options available to overcome distractions so we can accomplish more for ourselves and for the Lord.  
      David did not allow the massive size of Goliath to distract him from winning a victory.  On the other hand, the Israelites allowed the giants in the promised land to distract them.  Because of their fear and lack of faith they wandered for forty years.   We can always overcome distractions by putting on the cloak of confidence and faith.  In other words, dress for the occasion knowing that God goes before us.  Do not be found saying, “I’ll do that when….”
     This all being said, I am about to put on a coat and get to work, hoping that I will warm up quickly and need a "Friendly Shade" soon. 

The Prescription Plan

     I recently had a prescription refilled and the dosage or milligrams per pill was increased.  I have the choice to take the whole unit or split it, depending on how strong I prefer my medication.

     With God, He gives us just the right dosage in blessings and in trials, and as the Doctor, He is always there to substance us.  As I thought more on this, I wondered if everyone understands the pros and cons of their prescription so I decided to review mine as follows:

P –romise- that is what God gives; He promises to always be with us

R- est –God wants us to rest upon His promises; he established a day of rest to allow us to re-energize  

E-verlasting Life- Jesus went to prepare an eternal home for His children and He continues to intercede for our sins daily
S-aving Grace-Jesus died for us and He took our sins upon Himself; through his death we are healed and saved by faith through grace.
C- ountless blessing are heaped upon us every day. Some days we may have to look for them, but they are there.  He is our C-onstant  source of peace and joy
R- eassurance – is given by His promises, and by knowing that He lives within the heart and soul of believers
I – Am – He is the great I AM.  He knows every hair, every thought, and every need.  He stands ready to listen and guide us to complete healing
P- ower – God provides power if we will take our medicine and have complete faith. He is ever Present
T- emptations, trials, and troubles  entrap us all, but God is the Doctor that will guide us over the cliffs of the mountains and the storms of life
I – n quietness and prayer is where we can listen and hear the quiet, small voice that gives us healing and strength.  In quietness we can show our faith and receive the hope He has promised
O- nly God- He is the Omnipotent; the Only One who holds the power over all things- the earth, the heavens, and all things therein.  Only He can provide eternal healing.
N-o man – has to go through sickness alone- No man has to ever walk alone.
     
  It is my prayer that everyone will look to the Great Healer for the best prescription to good health and life. 

The Right Mix

     After sitting inside for several weekends I decided, regardless of the cold, I just had to get outside and absorb some sun.  After digging around transplanting some daffodils, I headed to my garden of straggly turnip greens with intensions of pulling up what few small turnips I had.  To my amazement I had some rather large turnips, larger than I had ever grown.  That was probably due, in part, to my adding compost and additional topsoil this past fall.  I may have finally gotten just the right mix to grow vegetables. 

    The right mix- that is exactly what we need for America.  We need a mix of people who love God and are willing to take a stand.  We need a mix of people who want to develop respect and good character; those who are willing to study hard, to learn, to work, and to love America and the God who created it.  We need a mix of people who have a passion to keep America strong, to keep America clean from pollution and liter, to keep America productive by developing businesses and their own oil production, a mix of people and governmental agencies who unite to support American schools and the English language and to allow the teachers to teach more than just passing a test.  We need a mix of governmental people who will unite as one unit to do what America needs to make it “one nation under God”  with American values.  We need a mix of people who are willing to bend the knee to find answers, strength, and courage to accept and carry out the direction provided.
     The right mix will make America the nation it once was. 
    

    

    

Defeating Your Giants

     My friendly shade is located on a dead-end road surrounded by forest and trees.  This, often, allows me to observe wildlife, and especially deer as they ease through the back side of my property.  This morning there was one lonely doe.  She was crippled.  Actually she was limping through the trees on three legs; the back leg, which was away from my viewing range, dangled  loosely and was unable to touch the ground.  More than likely, this was the result of a shot, gone wrong, during hunting season. 
     I do hunt from time to time and am not opposed to it, but this poor limping deer did leave me sad and feeling sorry for her and her future as she strives to survive nature.    
     I was pondering on how a human’s aim, as he missed his target, had caused the injury which was going to leave this doe crippled when it dawned on me about how our words and deeds can  leave those we come in contact with crippled, as well.
     When David’s brother admonished him and told him he was just a little boy trying to show out, and that he was no one to think he could defeat Goliath, David ignored him.  David had enough faith in his God that he went ahead and did what he proposed in his heart to accomplish.  Yet, there are those who are weaker in their faith than David was.  They let what others think about them interfere with what they really want to do in life.  Those same words from David’s brother could have been what it took to make him turn away and not follow God’s calling.  Our words do affect people.  Our words can build up or they can tear down; they can leave a person crippled.  In Proverbs 18 it says, “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” 
     To those who speak too quickly, watch your words and build up your friend.  Encourage them face their giants. 
     To those who listen and try to please, remember it is your life, and scripture tells us to “Attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.”   The wise have God’s word in their hearts, and they have the strength and courage to follow their hearts.   You will defeat your giants.