SOME OF OUR favorite greetings are; “How are you?” “How are you feeling?” I remember as a girl my brother Lloyd had responses for “What’s new?” “What’s up?” And then there was “What’s the good news!?” His response for; What’s new, was; “York, Jersey and the 13th letter of the Greek alphabet!” For; What’s up, was; “The moon, sun and stars!” I loved the one, for what’s the good news. “Do you really want me to tell you?” I usually just by-pass Lloyd’s question, and went right to the answer; “Jesus loves you!”
FEELING’S are a big part of who we were before Christ came into our lives, but because of our flesh, feelings still play around with our emotions. When we think about things, our emotions become conflicted. Instead of allowing God’s Word to encourage our decisions, we let our feelings direct our paths. We ask the questions; “should I or shouldn’t I“, when we already know what the answer should be. We play around with how we feel, instead of what we know.
OFF AND ON I question whether to continue with blogging Morning Glory, or just stop. That question has come up again because I am feeling at a loss as to what to write about. I leave it to the last minute more than I use to, and then I feel pressured to complete it and to get it posted. Lately, Google wants me to assign a new password, just about every week! I realize this is a process to protect my interests but it is a bother! Why? I think being computer illiterate plays with my feelings!
WHAT do you feel when I send you a reminder to click on Morning Glory or reading any devotional book you have chosen? You don’t have to respond to that question, but let me ask you that question, this way. What do you feel after you have decided to read through the Bible again, and it’s time to pick it up and start reading? Do the words, “don’t feel like it today; I’m too tired; I’ll read more tomorrow; or what did I do with my reading schedule? Oh well, maybe next year?
SO FAR so good, in my reading through the Bible in 2014! Of course I have only begun, but the older I get, the more God reveals to me His truths, that I have missed before. For instance, Moses knew that he was chosen by God to lead His people, even while living in the lap of Egypt’s luxury! I’m sure I knew that, but it didn’t make an impression until this time! I love it! God’s Word is amazing!
“ALL SCRIPTURE is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work!”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 We often quote Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” This was said to the captives in Babylon. They were to be in captivity for a long time but God’s plan was for them to return to Him when they would seek His face. God’s plan was for their future with hope!
GOD’S WORD brings us face to face with God and He still has a plan for the future and hope of His people. That is the Church! Those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ and are obedient to His commandments have been promised this future and this hope! “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4 Do you get as excited as I do when I am being led by the Spirit while reading God’s Word?
THIS YEAR we are jumping around! So far I have been in Matthew; Acts, Psalms and Genesis. I am having a good time! If God’s Word has the power to change a man’s heart it also has the power to lift us up with love, peace and encouragement. “For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing a soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart!” Hebrews 4:12 Amazing!
OUR PERFECTION will not come in our life time, but God has promised us a life full of His love, assurance, the peace that passes all understanding, rest for our weary souls and even comfort for our aching hearts. However, we will never know our Lord the way He wants to be known, unless we read His letters. It is full of stories, love and His grace! WOW! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 1/25/14
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Saturday, January 18, 2014
A TIME TO PONDER! 1/19/14
MANY THINGS have happened the last few days. Gives me cause to ponder! My eating habits need to change again; a newcomer has joined our household and a friend’s daughter is not doing well. Life is always a challenge! The Doctors have changed their mind about my having Pancretitis and instead my stomach trouble is maybe from Fructose Intolerance. All I can say is PRAISE THE LORD! I can change my diet, but even the Doctor’s don’t want to touch the pancreas!
RD (rainy day) is a very small Yorkshire Terrier mix that we officially adopted yesterday from the animal shelter. They guess, he is about one and a half years old. He acts like a puppy! He follows each one of us everywhere we go so that when we sit down, he can sit in our laps. He cuddles like no other dog, I know. He is responding already to his name, and NO is not his favorite word! But my blood pressure has come down even in the Doctor’s office yesterday. All I can say is PRAISE THE LORD!
WE VISITED with our friend this morning and her heart is aching! Her daughter is in the hospital and not doing very well. My heart ached just knowing what her heart was feeling; and when we arrived at her house, my arms ached to hold her! God says that we are to love one another and these are the times when I find it the hardest, because God’s love abounds within us when someone we love hurts. Jesus says that we are to put our trust in Him at all times. All I can say today is; our God is Lord of all; PRAISE HIS NAME! by Jane Ann Crenshaw 1/18/14
RD (rainy day) is a very small Yorkshire Terrier mix that we officially adopted yesterday from the animal shelter. They guess, he is about one and a half years old. He acts like a puppy! He follows each one of us everywhere we go so that when we sit down, he can sit in our laps. He cuddles like no other dog, I know. He is responding already to his name, and NO is not his favorite word! But my blood pressure has come down even in the Doctor’s office yesterday. All I can say is PRAISE THE LORD!
WE VISITED with our friend this morning and her heart is aching! Her daughter is in the hospital and not doing very well. My heart ached just knowing what her heart was feeling; and when we arrived at her house, my arms ached to hold her! God says that we are to love one another and these are the times when I find it the hardest, because God’s love abounds within us when someone we love hurts. Jesus says that we are to put our trust in Him at all times. All I can say today is; our God is Lord of all; PRAISE HIS NAME! by Jane Ann Crenshaw 1/18/14
Saturday, January 11, 2014
"GIVE ME LIBERTY OR FREEDOM!" 1/12/14
THE WORDS liberty and freedom have been the cry of America since the beginning of it’s existence. Patrick Henry went down in the history books by saying; “Give me liberty or give me death!” It was serious business!
THE WORDS let freedom ring is still being heard today, but many shut their ears and turn their heads when the people gather together and begin chanting these phases of old! Even though this country came about because of the want of freedom from oppression and freedom of religion, today you would have thought that those ideas are passe’ and no longer viable for this country’s existence.
IT AMAZES me, and many others, how we are able to vote into office those who oppose what America stands for and even declares their allegiance, by posing as good guys when their agenda is just the opposite. We leave our doors wide open for the enemy to enter and then we shake our heads when things like Pearl Harbor and 9/11 ushers in calamities in a big way!
RECENTLY the daily question that was asked on a local news station, got caught up in my creative writing juices. The question was; “When was a hamburger called a ‘liberty’ sandwich?” At first, I thought; I have never heard of a ‘liberty’ sandwich! The answer tickled my funny bone!
IN WORLD WAR I, the soldiers on the front lines didn’t want to eat a sandwich named after the Germans. I suppose that is understandable! A hamburger during that time could be somewhat offensive. What tickled me, was shortly after 9/11 when France wasn’t available to give assistance
to America in that part of the world, caused many to change the name of French Fries to ‘freedom’ fries! So during this last decade or so, when we say; “give me liberty and freedom”, we are really asking for a “hamburger with fries!” Go figure!
THE DICTIONARY says that freedom is lack of restraints and liberty is freedom from previous restraint. I like a little bit more info on these two words because in God’s Word they are used for the same thought in different translations. 1) Liberty is freedom; right or power to do as one likes. Privileges enjoyed by permission. 2) Freedom is the state of being free, independent, or at liberty.
THE WORDS from the Bible gives me goose bumps. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Galatians 5:1 We have freedom in Christ, no matter what our circumstances are, remember we are free in Christ. Let your yes be yes and your no be no! Here is another one that should give us pause. “As for you, my brothers, you were called to be free. But do not let this freedom become an excuse for letting your physical desires rule you. Instead, let love make you serve one another." Galatians 5;13
IN THE KJV the word freedom is used as liberty. “Live as free men, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.” 1 Peter 2:16 The Jew’s always thought they were freemen because they were governed by the law. But as a Christian we are not to use our liberties in Christ, as a cover up for our rebellions. Instead we should be the best citizen of all in everything and not be contrary to the Spirit, nor the letter of God’s word!
“THEY PROMISE them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of destructive habits. For a man is a slave of anything that has conquered him.” 2 Peter 2:19 This passage is talking about those who are preaching freedom to the undecided inquirers, when they themselves were slaves of corruption, in absolute bondage to sin. Paul warns against the false teachers. They claim that in being free in Christ, they can do anything and everything they pleased. In John 8:34 “Jesus said to them, I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” So these false teachers were slaves to sin!
BECAUSE we are responsible for what takes place in our voting booth, we should be circumspect about the persons we contemplate voting for. When catastrophic events happen don’t cop out by just changing words to fit your position, instead remember to declare the Lord as the one where our freedoms and liberties come from. No one can take that from you!
By Jane Ann Crenshaw 1/10/14
THE WORDS let freedom ring is still being heard today, but many shut their ears and turn their heads when the people gather together and begin chanting these phases of old! Even though this country came about because of the want of freedom from oppression and freedom of religion, today you would have thought that those ideas are passe’ and no longer viable for this country’s existence.
IT AMAZES me, and many others, how we are able to vote into office those who oppose what America stands for and even declares their allegiance, by posing as good guys when their agenda is just the opposite. We leave our doors wide open for the enemy to enter and then we shake our heads when things like Pearl Harbor and 9/11 ushers in calamities in a big way!
RECENTLY the daily question that was asked on a local news station, got caught up in my creative writing juices. The question was; “When was a hamburger called a ‘liberty’ sandwich?” At first, I thought; I have never heard of a ‘liberty’ sandwich! The answer tickled my funny bone!
IN WORLD WAR I, the soldiers on the front lines didn’t want to eat a sandwich named after the Germans. I suppose that is understandable! A hamburger during that time could be somewhat offensive. What tickled me, was shortly after 9/11 when France wasn’t available to give assistance
to America in that part of the world, caused many to change the name of French Fries to ‘freedom’ fries! So during this last decade or so, when we say; “give me liberty and freedom”, we are really asking for a “hamburger with fries!” Go figure!
THE DICTIONARY says that freedom is lack of restraints and liberty is freedom from previous restraint. I like a little bit more info on these two words because in God’s Word they are used for the same thought in different translations. 1) Liberty is freedom; right or power to do as one likes. Privileges enjoyed by permission. 2) Freedom is the state of being free, independent, or at liberty.
THE WORDS from the Bible gives me goose bumps. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Galatians 5:1 We have freedom in Christ, no matter what our circumstances are, remember we are free in Christ. Let your yes be yes and your no be no! Here is another one that should give us pause. “As for you, my brothers, you were called to be free. But do not let this freedom become an excuse for letting your physical desires rule you. Instead, let love make you serve one another." Galatians 5;13
IN THE KJV the word freedom is used as liberty. “Live as free men, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.” 1 Peter 2:16 The Jew’s always thought they were freemen because they were governed by the law. But as a Christian we are not to use our liberties in Christ, as a cover up for our rebellions. Instead we should be the best citizen of all in everything and not be contrary to the Spirit, nor the letter of God’s word!
“THEY PROMISE them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of destructive habits. For a man is a slave of anything that has conquered him.” 2 Peter 2:19 This passage is talking about those who are preaching freedom to the undecided inquirers, when they themselves were slaves of corruption, in absolute bondage to sin. Paul warns against the false teachers. They claim that in being free in Christ, they can do anything and everything they pleased. In John 8:34 “Jesus said to them, I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” So these false teachers were slaves to sin!
BECAUSE we are responsible for what takes place in our voting booth, we should be circumspect about the persons we contemplate voting for. When catastrophic events happen don’t cop out by just changing words to fit your position, instead remember to declare the Lord as the one where our freedoms and liberties come from. No one can take that from you!
By Jane Ann Crenshaw 1/10/14
Saturday, January 4, 2014
WHAT DO YOU THINK? 1/5/14
RECENTLY, I came across another note of my Mother’s. Since she passed, I have found many of her notes! Notes from sermons she had heard; notes from books and magazines and notes of thoughts she wanted to remember. I love reading her notes. I love reading what was apparently important to her at the time and I just love looking at her penmanship! She had beautiful penmanship; very distinctive and anyone in the family would recognize it as hers!
AS A TEEN and into my early twenties when I was asked to go somewhere or to do something with friends, I would ask my mother if I should or could. Early on she would pause and look me in the eye and say; “What do you think?” How was I to know what she thought, but when she would say, what do you think; I felt that meant NO! And so I didn’t go or do! My Mother and I didn’t always see eye to eye. When she said something was white, I automatically responded with black! Very seldom did I let myself agree with her. However, I never wanted her to be disappointed in me, so I was more obedient in my actions than with my mouth!
MY MOTHER was a reader! Many times when I got up in the night, I would find her in the living room reading. She loved to read! I don’t know what kind of books she read but then she had a huge library of books to choose from; hard backs and paper backs! I remember as she walked home from her job, she would carry a sack of groceries in her left arm and in her right hand she would have a small paper back book. How she kept her foot sure, as she walked, is beyond me!
THE LAST note Jennifer, my daughter found, was about communion! She writes; “We
re-affirm our acceptance of Christ into our lives each time we take communion. That in it’s self, makes the preparation of communion and the communion service a sacred act. It is also carrying out the last words of our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus, before His death!” Do this in remembrance of me!
THE MOST profound thought in these notes is; “But it all goes back to communion. Communion brings each one partaking together, as one! This special service ties everything together. Those who prepare it; those who meditate and pray over it; those who serve it and those who are partaking of it, are submitting to God’s will be done; obeying, by living it, in preparing toward the time our duties on this earth are fulfilled!”
I READ these things written by my Mother and my heart swells with joy! In retrospect, I wish I had listened and paid more attention to the woman she was, and not just because she was my Mother. Often we misread those around us! We overlook the things that they do in secret, things that arn’t apparent to our naked eye! We think to ourselves; “oh that is just my Mother; or that’s my sister or he is my husband!” Do we respond to God’s Word in the same way?
“YOUR WORD have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against you!” Psalms 119:11
Why do believers say the Bible is the Word of God? In The Old Testament “Thus says the Lord,” or an equivalent, is found more than 2000 times. Jesus Christ unqualifiedly endorsed the Scriptures as the inspired Word of God. Archaeology confirms the accuracy of Scriptures. Even in our own human experiences we respond to God’s Word in faith, and it changes us!
“BE BLESSED; God, train me in your ways of wise living. I’ll transfer to my lips all the counsel that comes from your mouth; I delight far more in what you tell me about living than in gathering a pile of riches. I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you, I attentively watch how you’ve done it. I relish everything you’ve told me of life, I won’t forget a word of it!” Psalms 119: 12-16
I NEVER wanted to disappoint my Mother, and I never want to disappoint my Savior! My Mother’s words are a joy to me of affirmation. God’s Word is life to me, and full of Love! When Jesus says; “my Word keeps you from sin” what do you think? By Jane Ann Crenshaw 1/3/14
AS A TEEN and into my early twenties when I was asked to go somewhere or to do something with friends, I would ask my mother if I should or could. Early on she would pause and look me in the eye and say; “What do you think?” How was I to know what she thought, but when she would say, what do you think; I felt that meant NO! And so I didn’t go or do! My Mother and I didn’t always see eye to eye. When she said something was white, I automatically responded with black! Very seldom did I let myself agree with her. However, I never wanted her to be disappointed in me, so I was more obedient in my actions than with my mouth!
MY MOTHER was a reader! Many times when I got up in the night, I would find her in the living room reading. She loved to read! I don’t know what kind of books she read but then she had a huge library of books to choose from; hard backs and paper backs! I remember as she walked home from her job, she would carry a sack of groceries in her left arm and in her right hand she would have a small paper back book. How she kept her foot sure, as she walked, is beyond me!
THE LAST note Jennifer, my daughter found, was about communion! She writes; “We
re-affirm our acceptance of Christ into our lives each time we take communion. That in it’s self, makes the preparation of communion and the communion service a sacred act. It is also carrying out the last words of our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus, before His death!” Do this in remembrance of me!
THE MOST profound thought in these notes is; “But it all goes back to communion. Communion brings each one partaking together, as one! This special service ties everything together. Those who prepare it; those who meditate and pray over it; those who serve it and those who are partaking of it, are submitting to God’s will be done; obeying, by living it, in preparing toward the time our duties on this earth are fulfilled!”
I READ these things written by my Mother and my heart swells with joy! In retrospect, I wish I had listened and paid more attention to the woman she was, and not just because she was my Mother. Often we misread those around us! We overlook the things that they do in secret, things that arn’t apparent to our naked eye! We think to ourselves; “oh that is just my Mother; or that’s my sister or he is my husband!” Do we respond to God’s Word in the same way?
“YOUR WORD have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against you!” Psalms 119:11
Why do believers say the Bible is the Word of God? In The Old Testament “Thus says the Lord,” or an equivalent, is found more than 2000 times. Jesus Christ unqualifiedly endorsed the Scriptures as the inspired Word of God. Archaeology confirms the accuracy of Scriptures. Even in our own human experiences we respond to God’s Word in faith, and it changes us!
“BE BLESSED; God, train me in your ways of wise living. I’ll transfer to my lips all the counsel that comes from your mouth; I delight far more in what you tell me about living than in gathering a pile of riches. I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you, I attentively watch how you’ve done it. I relish everything you’ve told me of life, I won’t forget a word of it!” Psalms 119: 12-16
I NEVER wanted to disappoint my Mother, and I never want to disappoint my Savior! My Mother’s words are a joy to me of affirmation. God’s Word is life to me, and full of Love! When Jesus says; “my Word keeps you from sin” what do you think? By Jane Ann Crenshaw 1/3/14
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