Significance of A Friendly Shade

     Thinking of the significance of a friendly shade, I am reminded of a large, beautiful oak tree that grew in the midst of a forty acre field.  That oak tree did not appeal to me in the least during January or February when daddy had me cutting persimmon sprouts out of the field.  It really did not mean much to me when we planted cotton or the early plowing of the cotton.  But when the sun began to heat up the air and burn the skin, then I developed an entirely different perspective of the tree.  It became a refuge in which I found comfort from the broiling sun.

     In the frozen wastelands of northern Alaska or Canada you won't be hearing conversations about the need for a friendly shade.  Those conversations only come about when the situation arises that would cause the desire or need for the friendly shade.

     A person's path may take him/her into a variety of situations in which there is no need nor thought about a friendly shade.  But the statement about the possibility of rain falling into your life is true for, "Into each life some rain must fall."  So you can be sure that into each life there will come the time for the need of a friendly shade in which one can escape the problems of life.  Jesus Christ wants to be the friendly shade for each of us.  Perhaps, today, He does not look as if He is beckoning to you, yet he still says, "come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest".  Just be aware there is a shade to be found, and you will find it to be "a friendly shade".

Christian Devotional from the words of Robert G. Lee

     Robert G Lee was a pulpit giant and proclaimed  “a legend in his time.”  He was noted for his chuckles, the way he brought forth the word of God, and the impact he made for the cause of Christ.  Today's writing in A Friendly Shade does not include any of his humor but it ends with one of his poems and applies to the lives of all people. 
     As I was reading his memoirs in the book, Payday Everyday, Dr. Lee wrote, “It is not how long people live, but how much they live that matters most.  Life Is not measured or evaluated by birth-dates but by deeds.
   We live in deeds, not years,
   In thoughts, not breaths,
   In feelings, not in figures on a dial.
   We should count time by heartthrobs.
   He lives longest who lives the noblest,
   Acts the best-
   Lives more in weeks than in years
   Do some whose fat blood sleeps
   As it creeps along their veins.
                         Robert Greene Lee

Christian Thoughts and Truth

I enjoy tossing my writing ideas around with Charles, my co-author, and as I was sharing what I was trying to do with a children's book about Joseph and forgiveness, Charles began to give me a comparison between Jesus and Joseph.  It was one he had researched and presented during one of his sermons several years ago.  I had never heard this comparison, but found it interesting and worthy of sharing.   So here it is.

Both were dearly loved by their father

Both were sent by their fathers to their brethren

Both were rejected by their brethren

Joseph was stripped of his coat and put in a pit; Jesus was stripped of his robe and put in a grave

Both were taken down into Egypt

Both were betrayed into the hands of the Gentiles

Both were accused by false witnesses

Both were silent in their own defense

Both were betrayed for silver

Both were placed in judgment with two others

Of those in judgment with them – one was saved and one was not

Joseph was imprisoned three years- Jesus was entombed three days

Joseph took a Gentile bride after prison – Jesus took a Gentile bride (church) after the grave

Both provided salvation for their people

The brothers of Joseph recovered his bones and took them to the promised land – God resurrected the body of Jesus and took it to Heaven

Humorous True Story

May is truly the month for weddings, and as I rest beneath my friendly shade today I thought about a humorous true story Charles and I wrote in A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Morgue and decided to share the story with you.  Laughter is where you find it, and if you enjoy laugh-out-loud short stories click on the book.  It will take you to Amazon for a quick review; it is one of the many websites that sells it either as a paperback or a Kindle edition.    


     There comes the first time in every preacher’s life when it becomes his honor, privilege, or task to officiate at his first wedding.  This first time officiating at a wedding sometimes leaves the minister more nervous than either the bride or the groom. 

     So my friend, Coy, it is rumored, was doing just that, conducting his first wedding.  And also as predicted he was more nervous than any of the others who had a part in the ceremony.  When Coy came to the part where he pronounces the couple as being joined together in marriage, he said, “I now pronounce you male and female.”

         

The title is "Clarifying The Gender"

Christian Water -Poetry Under A Friendly Shade

     Last Sunday our pastor talked about water; how the “the water keeps rolling along!”  He talked about how catastrophe the flood in Noah’s day was. Then he turned it around and talked more about water; how refreshing the rain can be on a hot summer day and how nourishing a cool drink of water can be. 

     The very next morning I opened up my devotional with Joel Osteen and there was a comment, of all things, about water.  Joel said, “Just as a seed needs water daily to grow, your spirit needs the Word of God daily.  Your faith needs to watered by His Word.”

     “Well,” I thought, “wonder what I can write about water?”  The following are my inspirational thoughts about water. 

Water – Medicine For The Soul 

It was the Red Sea water that opened up as the Israelites fled,

It was directed by God who led the way and kept them fed. 

Water! Drink hardy, drink long;

Nourish your body with a Christian song.

It was water that flooded the land,

But it was God who rescued Noah with a foretold plan.

Water! Drink to your health;

Follow Jesus and He will give you wealth.

It is water that nourishes the body and keeps you whole,

But it is the Word of God that nourishes the soul.

Water! Drink up;

Let God’s Word fill your cup. 

It is water that’s needed for the seeds to grow,

But it is a walk with God that helps faith to overflow.

Water! Wet those seeds of kindness in you;

For that’s what Jesus wants you to do. 

It is water that washes away the dirt and grime,

But it is Jesus who washes away your sins and your crime.

Water! Wash until you’re clean;

Let Jesus, in you, be seen.

 It is water from a shower rain that refreshes the land,

But it is prayer time with God that transforms and helps you withstand.

Water! Drink and be strong;

Listen to what He says and avoid all wrong. 

It is water from the waves of the ocean tide that brings tranquility,

But it is our willingness to follow God that brings humility.

Water!  Soak it up and fill your body with love and peace;

Then your worries will all decrease.

It is water that sustains as you go out each day,

And it is Jesus who watches over you in every way, 

Water! Before ye labor, drink it first;

For Jesus promises you will never thirst.

                                                     Mary Crisp Jameson 5/23/2011 

Scripture (John 4:14)  But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

  

Memorable Christian Salvation Experience

     I had every intention of writing a humorous story from one of our books today, but that all changed as I listened to a true inspirational mission story this morning.  This story is a devotional in itself.  It does not begin with a humorous story or a joke.  It starts with a desire to do God’s work.  It ends with what reminds me of the words found in The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson; it is a part of the prayer which asks God, “Oh that you would enlarge my territory.”  That is just what has happened in the following true story.  Our Sunday school teacher and his wife had just returned from a mission trip in the Philippines, and he told one of the most memorable endearing salvation story I have ever heard. 
     Upon his arrival in the Philippines he instructed the children to call him Pops.  They loved that! It was easy to say, and they became attached to him quickly.  During one day on this trip a young girl, about the age of eight, hung onto Pops’ arm.  As he talked and visited with the girl, he found out her name was Marjorie, but it wasn’t until her brother joined them that he discovered their dad had died about three weeks before.  Before long Marjorie looked up at him and said, “Pops, I love you.”  After that she exclaimed, “I will be right back.” Upon her return, she was carrying a small book which she asked him to read to her.  Pops read about Adam and Eve, among other Bible character stories, which included the story of Noah and the promise God made when he provided the rainbow.  Afterwards, Pops looked down at the girl and asked if she wanted to know Jesus and if she wanted to ask Him into her heart.  She did!  So they prayed, and Marjorie asked God into her heart.  About that time Pops looked over to his right, and, through his tears, saw that Marjorie’s brother was leaning in over his shoulder clinging onto every word.  Next, Pops asked the girl’s brother if he also wanted to know the Lord.  He did!  They bowed their heads again, and the boy asked God into his life.  Within minutes after that there appeared, across the sky, a beautiful rainbow!
     What else can be said?  Doubts can be removed in the blink of an eye for God is in all things.   With their acceptance of God as their Savior, God gave those two children a sign of his promise to be with them.   
     From that one experience, “Pops” and his wife, Marilyn, left the Philippines with a much greater blessing.  They will always remember these two children anytime they see a rainbow, and those two children will always remember them, as well, along with God’s promise of His enduring spirit living within them.
    I look forward to the many other stories of their witness for the Lord and how their “territory has been enlarged” because of this mission trip.  This is my post today from "A Friendly Shade."  If you enjoyed it please pass it on.  It is a true story of how God will use people to do his work and what a blessing He will bestow upon them if they are only willing to take up His cross and and share His amazing grace.   

Inspirational Christian Poem

This comes a week after Mother's Day, but, as I rest underneath my "friendly shade," I think of my Mom and what she meant to me.  I often wish I could just pick up the phone and give her a call. but I know she is resting in God's embrace, and that means all the world to me.  The next best thing I can do is honor her with the following poem. 

In My Mother’s Eyes   

In my mother’s eyes I was a blessing to be unwrapped;

In my eyes she was the one who gave me life and helped me adapt.

 She is no longer with me these days,

But my mother left a special gift.

 She raised me to know Jesus and His mighty ways;

She taught me where to look when I need a lift.

My mother and I had special ties; 

In her eyes I was an extraordinary child.

That’s the way I am in God’s eyes,

For when I was born, I believe, He smiled.

In my mother's eyes I was the rose that held no thorn;

In my eyes she was the one I ought to adorn.

She watched over me through my growing phase.

I remember how she taught me right from wrong;

How she read and studied her Bible throughout her days;

  How it helped through trials to make her strong.

Although I tested her patience; she kept her calm.

That was my mom!

She never thought, “Why bother?”

My mother still loved me in her heart.

I share this same knowledge with my Heavenly Father;

He’s always willing to give me a fresh new start.

 In my mother’s eyes I was the one who stood apart; 

In my eyes she was a complicated work of art.

My mother is no longer with me this day.

When I miss and long to hear her voice,

I hear my Lord say, “Talk to me. I’m here to stay.”

Like Mom, He listens, gives hope and helps me rejoice.

 In my mother’s eyes she saw a child of Christ;

In my eyes I saw a mother’s sacrifice.

  She left me a legacy, a gift, to carry throughout my days. 

It didn’t come wrapped in fancy ribbons and bows;

It was the simply act of her worship and praise,

For the Lord who died for me. And then, He arose! 

                                                       Mary Crisp Jameson

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.” 

Proverbs 31:30