IT AMAZES me what I consider trash and what I consider treasures. When I was a child I would be given something from someone special and I would either put it into a little box or an envelope. Some of these little treasures I still have because I still have one little box, that in my early twenties my brother Layton gave me. He gave me about 4 empty cigar boxes that he found in a junk store. I painted them black on the outside and the insides were already yellow. It was his idea and of course whatever he thought I should do, I did! That is how I began to see my husband Jim as a possibility for me; but then that is another story.
I SAVED letters from my brother Lynn, that I received from him while he was in the Air Force. Those I still have! I saved little gadget’s a man friend had given to me while working at my very first place of employment. Scraps of poems that I loved and some I had written myself. Little odds and ends of memories when my children were very small. Some of these treasures through the years became trash and I threw them away. They were no longer needed, because the person I became no longer had a need for them. Besides that, some of the boxes just fell apart from age.
WHILE going through my sister Jewel’s home after she passed away, I kept hearing the term “trash or Goodwill”. I didn’t like the idea of making such a decision for myself, let alone my beloved sister. Since then I have given away many of my treasures and will let the recipient make that decision.
RECENTLY I heard the term “trash or treasures” in a more relevant light. One I had never connected with. Perhaps you have but even so, we need to examine it once again. “What agreement has the temple of God, with idols? For we are the temple of the living God, as God said; I will live in them and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” 2 Corinthians 6:16 Paul defines the church as a temple to house God’s Spirit. He reveals the difference between unbelievers (the world) from those who have agreed to be set apart and become His people.
READING FURTHER in verse 17, we find the Church has made an agreement with God and must cleanse themselves from every defilement of body and spirit. The Church is to become mature, or perfect, in the fear of God. In reality we as individuals, have become a single light and joined together we can be seen from a hilltop for all the world to see.
“DO YOU NOT KNOW that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body!” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 When God’s people, who are called by His name, come together; we become one large body and are called the ‘Church.’ But as individuals we are the ones who bring the temple into the Church. We either come defiled or undefiled. Unless we have discarded the trash that we use to carry, we come tainted by the world.
HOW MANY times have we decided to make new years resolutions or to set up goals to help us start all over again. Perhaps it is to become financially savvy; lose weight, become more healthy; exercise more regularly; stop drinking; become faithful; and so on? Perhaps we need to dig a little deeper and clean the trash from within the temple. Perhaps we need to close the door to the little things that become bigger and monopolize our lives to the extent that we forget about our promise to become one, and be called by His name.
GOD HAS CALLED all to His throne but few answer the call, and many even after responding, allow the worldly things, to creep back in. With a new day tomorrow and the new year ahead, God is patient and willing for all to return. “If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy and you are that temple." 1 Corinthians 3:16. Do we house trash or treasures in our bodies? We are one with Jesus; think on these things!
By Jane Ann Crenshaw 12/28/12
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Saturday, December 22, 2012
TWO DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS! 12/23/12
CAN’T SLEEP, no worries; not uncomfortable; just can’t sleep. Have you had a night like that? The world was suppose to have come to an end on Friday. Yet the day came and went, a new day is on the horizon, and nothing has changed except I still can’t sleep. People have prepared all over the world for the end and I wonder what their thoughts are today. Let’s put our trust in Jesus because; “No one knows except the Father!”
JIM AND I talked about the end coming, but that was all we did, because Christmas is coming and we still have things to do. Can’t set around worrying about the end because the beginning of a new year is just ahead. Our major concern was that our computer was in the repair shop and we were not prepared for the worst; losing our ‘important’ stuff.
WHAT IF the world had come to an end? What if Jesus were to come today? What if I should die? I suppose we should think about the what if’s, but what good would it do for us to prepare or even worry, because if the end came, it would affect everyone at the same time, and we are all destined to die. But instead go look at the lights that sparkle on just about every street corner. Go experience the hustle and bustle of the stores. For the most part people are generous and kind. And to those who are not; just say; “Merry Christmas!”
WE WILL be attending our son’s Christmas Pageant this Sunday. He has written the dialogue and is directing the actors and choir. Today we went to the Choir rehearsal at the church we attend, because we don’t want to miss anything! This is Christmas and so much excitement is in the air. Christmas tree lots have lowered their prices and their lots have become sparse. The snow came and covered everything with a blanket of white and we sing; “Its beginning to look at lot like Christmas!”
JIM AND I do 12 days of Christmas. We take some goodies and go visit homes of those who attend our church. We have been doing this for many years now and it never gets tiresome. We visit un-expectantly. They do not expect us and we don’t expect them to prepare for our visit. We are family. The family of Christ!
BAKING is just about finished. It seems like Jennifer and I have been baking for months. It has come down to Church on Sunday, preparation for the Candle light service on Christmas Eve and getting our table ready for our little family to come to our home afterwards. The Clam Chowder will be ready and hot. Many memories flood my thoughts like; my family always had Oyster Stew!
“AND WHILE THEY were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” Luke 2: 6-7 I never tire of reading this passage nor seeing it acted out at the Christmas program. God had set the stage, and used the props that were available at the time. He organized the ones He wanted to show up at the proper time. Quirinius; Caesar Agustus; King Herod; the shepherds and later on, the wise men. Even the angels appeared to shine on them all.
THE LAST SONG in the mini musical the Choir was practicing today, is called “This is Christmas!” It was written by Travis Cottrell, Sue C. Smith and David Moffitt. A line in it explains what Christmas is all about. “This is everlasting peace; this is never ending joy; this is love eternal and this is Christmas.” The busyness of Christmas does not reveal the meaning of Christmas!
IT IS UP TO US to take time out of busyness and reflect on what it is all about. It is about a Father who lives in heaven. He has many children that are estranged from Him. So He sends His son to the place where His children live so that they can learn first hand about their Father’s love. His son comes as a baby so that He can live and grow and dwell amongst them. As they learn of Him they begin to know the Father. The Father is waiting and waiting for His children to come home. He watches; He listens; He is saddened and many times He rejoices along with the angels. Don’t disappoint the Father because if you do, you will be sorry! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 12/22/12
JIM AND I talked about the end coming, but that was all we did, because Christmas is coming and we still have things to do. Can’t set around worrying about the end because the beginning of a new year is just ahead. Our major concern was that our computer was in the repair shop and we were not prepared for the worst; losing our ‘important’ stuff.
WHAT IF the world had come to an end? What if Jesus were to come today? What if I should die? I suppose we should think about the what if’s, but what good would it do for us to prepare or even worry, because if the end came, it would affect everyone at the same time, and we are all destined to die. But instead go look at the lights that sparkle on just about every street corner. Go experience the hustle and bustle of the stores. For the most part people are generous and kind. And to those who are not; just say; “Merry Christmas!”
WE WILL be attending our son’s Christmas Pageant this Sunday. He has written the dialogue and is directing the actors and choir. Today we went to the Choir rehearsal at the church we attend, because we don’t want to miss anything! This is Christmas and so much excitement is in the air. Christmas tree lots have lowered their prices and their lots have become sparse. The snow came and covered everything with a blanket of white and we sing; “Its beginning to look at lot like Christmas!”
JIM AND I do 12 days of Christmas. We take some goodies and go visit homes of those who attend our church. We have been doing this for many years now and it never gets tiresome. We visit un-expectantly. They do not expect us and we don’t expect them to prepare for our visit. We are family. The family of Christ!
BAKING is just about finished. It seems like Jennifer and I have been baking for months. It has come down to Church on Sunday, preparation for the Candle light service on Christmas Eve and getting our table ready for our little family to come to our home afterwards. The Clam Chowder will be ready and hot. Many memories flood my thoughts like; my family always had Oyster Stew!
“AND WHILE THEY were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” Luke 2: 6-7 I never tire of reading this passage nor seeing it acted out at the Christmas program. God had set the stage, and used the props that were available at the time. He organized the ones He wanted to show up at the proper time. Quirinius; Caesar Agustus; King Herod; the shepherds and later on, the wise men. Even the angels appeared to shine on them all.
THE LAST SONG in the mini musical the Choir was practicing today, is called “This is Christmas!” It was written by Travis Cottrell, Sue C. Smith and David Moffitt. A line in it explains what Christmas is all about. “This is everlasting peace; this is never ending joy; this is love eternal and this is Christmas.” The busyness of Christmas does not reveal the meaning of Christmas!
IT IS UP TO US to take time out of busyness and reflect on what it is all about. It is about a Father who lives in heaven. He has many children that are estranged from Him. So He sends His son to the place where His children live so that they can learn first hand about their Father’s love. His son comes as a baby so that He can live and grow and dwell amongst them. As they learn of Him they begin to know the Father. The Father is waiting and waiting for His children to come home. He watches; He listens; He is saddened and many times He rejoices along with the angels. Don’t disappoint the Father because if you do, you will be sorry! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 12/22/12
Sunday, December 9, 2012
"GABRIEL CAME TO VISIT!" 12/9/12
“GABRIEL SAID; do not be afraid!” It is easy for Gabriel to say; “do not be afraid;” but another thing for Mary to not be afraid. But when the Angel Gabriel said; “Mary, you have found favor with God;” Oh my! God revealed to her the truth of the situation, because she finally finds her voice and says; “How shall this be, since I have not known a man; I have no husband?” The scriptures do not indicate her being agitated or even perplexed when she said this.
LET’S THINK about this. Young girl; alone; her thoughts interrupted by a person she had never seen before, let alone could have imagined. He tells her things and after being frightened, she calms down and is able to speak to this stranger with complete control. God chose wisely didn’t he? God chose her and didn’t leave her out on a limb to handle this situation alone. You can read this story in Luke chapter 1 beginning with the 26th verse. Amazing story about a young girl and her God!
“THEN MARY said, Let me be the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be done to me according to what you have said; and the angel left her.” With Mary’s mind whirling around with what just happened and with what she must do, she makes arrangements to visit her relative Elizabeth who was also pregnant with special circumstances. While visiting Elizabeth and discussing both their conditions, Mary becomes filled with the Holy Ghost and sings a song.
“AND MARY says, My soul magnifies the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for He has looked upon the low station and humiliation of His handmaiden. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed and declare me happy and to be envied! For He who is almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name, to be venerated in His purity , majesty and glory! And His mercy, His compassion and kindness toward the miserable and afflicted is on those who fear Him with godly reverence, from generation to generation and age to age. He has shown strength and made might with His arm; He has scattered the proud and haughty in and by the imagination and purpose and designs of their hearts; He has put down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of low degree. He has filled and satisfied the hungry with good things and the rich He has sent away empty handed without a gift. He has laid hold on His servant Israel (to help Him) in remembrance of His mercy. Even as He promised to our forefathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” Luke 1:46-55 You can tell by Mary’s song that the Holy Spirit was giving her these words so that we could read them again and again through the ages.
EVERY woman experiences her own pregnancy. Some have morning sickness and keeps it under control eating crackers. Some go to the hospital and some are given bed rest somewhere along the way. For me, I just got bigger and bigger until I looked like one of the balloons in the Macy’s Thanksgiving day parade. Just before I was fully done and ready to deliver, if you had stuck a pin in the bottom of my foot, I would have floated off into the heavens. But that didn’t happen! Instead I gave birth to a baby boy. The second time around I gave birth to a baby girl! God’s plan is amazing!
LOOKING BACK pregnancy was a great adventure, because the outcome, out weighs all of the suffering. Mary saw that and those of us who became mothers by giving birth, know that. Mary is indeed blessed of all women because the child she gave birth to, came to save us. He came that we might have life and have it more abundantly!
I LOVE THIS STORY and never tire of reading it and hearing it. A story of love, adventure, mystery and it comes to life within you the minute you believe “that Jesus is the son of God!” I can imagine Mary holding her newborn child against her breast as He looks intently into her face; memorizing it, loving it just as she is whispering, ever so softly; “you are my son;” and all the while God smiles from the heavens and says; “yes, I chose wisely!” By Jane Ann Crenshaw 12/8/12
LET’S THINK about this. Young girl; alone; her thoughts interrupted by a person she had never seen before, let alone could have imagined. He tells her things and after being frightened, she calms down and is able to speak to this stranger with complete control. God chose wisely didn’t he? God chose her and didn’t leave her out on a limb to handle this situation alone. You can read this story in Luke chapter 1 beginning with the 26th verse. Amazing story about a young girl and her God!
“THEN MARY said, Let me be the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be done to me according to what you have said; and the angel left her.” With Mary’s mind whirling around with what just happened and with what she must do, she makes arrangements to visit her relative Elizabeth who was also pregnant with special circumstances. While visiting Elizabeth and discussing both their conditions, Mary becomes filled with the Holy Ghost and sings a song.
“AND MARY says, My soul magnifies the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for He has looked upon the low station and humiliation of His handmaiden. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed and declare me happy and to be envied! For He who is almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name, to be venerated in His purity , majesty and glory! And His mercy, His compassion and kindness toward the miserable and afflicted is on those who fear Him with godly reverence, from generation to generation and age to age. He has shown strength and made might with His arm; He has scattered the proud and haughty in and by the imagination and purpose and designs of their hearts; He has put down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of low degree. He has filled and satisfied the hungry with good things and the rich He has sent away empty handed without a gift. He has laid hold on His servant Israel (to help Him) in remembrance of His mercy. Even as He promised to our forefathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” Luke 1:46-55 You can tell by Mary’s song that the Holy Spirit was giving her these words so that we could read them again and again through the ages.
EVERY woman experiences her own pregnancy. Some have morning sickness and keeps it under control eating crackers. Some go to the hospital and some are given bed rest somewhere along the way. For me, I just got bigger and bigger until I looked like one of the balloons in the Macy’s Thanksgiving day parade. Just before I was fully done and ready to deliver, if you had stuck a pin in the bottom of my foot, I would have floated off into the heavens. But that didn’t happen! Instead I gave birth to a baby boy. The second time around I gave birth to a baby girl! God’s plan is amazing!
LOOKING BACK pregnancy was a great adventure, because the outcome, out weighs all of the suffering. Mary saw that and those of us who became mothers by giving birth, know that. Mary is indeed blessed of all women because the child she gave birth to, came to save us. He came that we might have life and have it more abundantly!
I LOVE THIS STORY and never tire of reading it and hearing it. A story of love, adventure, mystery and it comes to life within you the minute you believe “that Jesus is the son of God!” I can imagine Mary holding her newborn child against her breast as He looks intently into her face; memorizing it, loving it just as she is whispering, ever so softly; “you are my son;” and all the while God smiles from the heavens and says; “yes, I chose wisely!” By Jane Ann Crenshaw 12/8/12
Sunday, December 2, 2012
WHAT'S BEHIND DOOR'S #1, 2 OR 3? 12/2/12
AS FAR as I am concerned doors are a good thing. I like having doors on the rooms in my home. I like being able to close a door and be in a room by myself. I like opening the front door to welcome guests into my home and being able to close it when they leave. It is fashionable now days, to not have a door on your bathroom. But then I have never considered myself to be fashionable.
IN THE 60's, my sister-in-law Eleanor went dressed in costume, in hopes she would be chosen to be one of the contestants on “The Price is Right” with Monty Hall. I never did get to see the show but she was chosen and she was asked all the questions and was willing to give up what she won for what was behind curtains #1, #2 or #3. I don’t remember which one she chose but she was thrilled with what she won. A 16ft speed boat! She loved to fish and in her mind this boat was going to take her out fishing. And it did, for a time!
HAVE YOU ever wondered what was on the other side of the door? Have you ever cautiously opened a door, not knowing what would be on the other side? Were you relieved, puzzled or even frightened? Sometimes we use the word door as a metaphor; transferring its meaning to infer a different directional sense. For instance Jesus said; ”Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.” John 10:7 In other words Jesus is the Good Shepherd and the door!
IN MY life time I have seen and heard about many doors. I visited a very large church in Los Angeles that was called “The Church of the Open Door!” It wasn’t until I was much older did I understand that it wasn’t just opened on Saturday nights for everyone to come and hear great Christian artists, but it was talking about Jesus.
MARIJUANA is a door to drugs. Hard work is a door to satisfaction. A good cook is a door to good eats. Perseverance is a door to success. Alcohol is a door to a life of sadness and a bad liver. Thievery is a door to deceit and a room behind bars. Going the way of the world is a door to destruction. Paul says the church is a door to declare the mystery of Christ. Many use facebook on their computers, as a door to vent their frustrations and misguided ideas.
AS JESUS went about teaching, he was asked; “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” Jesus answered and said; “Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” Luke 13:23-24 Another time Jesus said; “Not every one who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21 The world offers big doors with big promises but as you look back over your choices those promises were full of deceit and calamity.
BEFORE the church began, you and I would have been considered gentiles. We would have been considered heathens; idol worshipers. Paul was a Jew who had been sent to the Gentiles. He returned to Antioch; “And when they arrived, they gathered the church together and declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.” Acts 14:27 That door has been opened to us! A door of faith! A door that leads to Jesus Christ!
WE HAVE choices! Sometimes we make good ones and sometimes bad ones. Recently I have been looking at forgiveness. I have discovered that life is so much better when I choose to forgive! God said that we must forgive, if we expect Him to forgive us. Those are not just words, they are a door unto salvation. “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men, your Father will not forgive you.” Matthew 6:14-15
I AM THE DOOR; if any one enters by me, He will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” John 10:9 I choose the door that is Jesus Christ! I choose to forgive! Is this path, easy? Can I stay on track? I don’t have to guess which door to choose because Jesus said; “I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except by me!” By Jane Ann Crenshaw 12/1/12
IN THE 60's, my sister-in-law Eleanor went dressed in costume, in hopes she would be chosen to be one of the contestants on “The Price is Right” with Monty Hall. I never did get to see the show but she was chosen and she was asked all the questions and was willing to give up what she won for what was behind curtains #1, #2 or #3. I don’t remember which one she chose but she was thrilled with what she won. A 16ft speed boat! She loved to fish and in her mind this boat was going to take her out fishing. And it did, for a time!
HAVE YOU ever wondered what was on the other side of the door? Have you ever cautiously opened a door, not knowing what would be on the other side? Were you relieved, puzzled or even frightened? Sometimes we use the word door as a metaphor; transferring its meaning to infer a different directional sense. For instance Jesus said; ”Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.” John 10:7 In other words Jesus is the Good Shepherd and the door!
IN MY life time I have seen and heard about many doors. I visited a very large church in Los Angeles that was called “The Church of the Open Door!” It wasn’t until I was much older did I understand that it wasn’t just opened on Saturday nights for everyone to come and hear great Christian artists, but it was talking about Jesus.
MARIJUANA is a door to drugs. Hard work is a door to satisfaction. A good cook is a door to good eats. Perseverance is a door to success. Alcohol is a door to a life of sadness and a bad liver. Thievery is a door to deceit and a room behind bars. Going the way of the world is a door to destruction. Paul says the church is a door to declare the mystery of Christ. Many use facebook on their computers, as a door to vent their frustrations and misguided ideas.
AS JESUS went about teaching, he was asked; “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” Jesus answered and said; “Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” Luke 13:23-24 Another time Jesus said; “Not every one who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21 The world offers big doors with big promises but as you look back over your choices those promises were full of deceit and calamity.
BEFORE the church began, you and I would have been considered gentiles. We would have been considered heathens; idol worshipers. Paul was a Jew who had been sent to the Gentiles. He returned to Antioch; “And when they arrived, they gathered the church together and declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.” Acts 14:27 That door has been opened to us! A door of faith! A door that leads to Jesus Christ!
WE HAVE choices! Sometimes we make good ones and sometimes bad ones. Recently I have been looking at forgiveness. I have discovered that life is so much better when I choose to forgive! God said that we must forgive, if we expect Him to forgive us. Those are not just words, they are a door unto salvation. “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men, your Father will not forgive you.” Matthew 6:14-15
I AM THE DOOR; if any one enters by me, He will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” John 10:9 I choose the door that is Jesus Christ! I choose to forgive! Is this path, easy? Can I stay on track? I don’t have to guess which door to choose because Jesus said; “I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except by me!” By Jane Ann Crenshaw 12/1/12
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)