WHOSE TABLE DO YOU SIT AT? 4/29/12

ON OUR recent trip to celebrate with both our families, we were treated to breakfast at my sister Joetta’s home, which was prepared by her daughter Leslie. Swedish pancakes! After a lively discussion of “these are not crepes, these are Swedish pancakes; I felt inclined to write a blog! This happens often, and because this statement blind sided me, I knew I had to investigate. “Is there a difference?” Depends on what part of the world you come from. MY OTHER niece Jill, was there, and I knew she made “crepes!” I kept calling Leslie’s Swedish pancakes; crepes! I saw thin pancakes and my “know it all instinct”said crepes to me. I am willing to call them Swedish pancakes because they were oh so good! Very thin; with Lingolnberry jam spread on them and then rolled up; sprinkled on top with powdered sugar; very exotic. Oh my! OF COURSE I went on the internet and read all about them. Come to find out there are variations all over the world, but they all come down to one thing; they are very thin pancakes! However, no one can make them as much fun as Leslie. She has style; flair and uses the Lingolnberry jam. She has a story, but mostly what she has is her style! What is pictured on the plate and what happens in the mouth makes all the difference in the world, and it tells the tale. You can’t deny how good they look and taste. You can’t deny how personable the breakfast chef is! JIM AND I love our families! Our visits are always special! We hate to leave but always take with us the warmth and smells of the times spent together. God says we are to love one another within the church body but He also says we are to love and honor those within the family. The pastor of my youth, gave Jim and me a small blue book that I have used through the years in lessons taught. Beatitudes for the Family by Leland Foster Woods. I use two of them in this Morning Glory. THE MAIN AIMS! “Happy is the family whose members know what a home is for, and keep the main aims in view. Who give more thought to affection than to the shelter that houses it; and more attention to persons than to the things amid which they live. For a home is shelter for love and a setting for joy and growth, rather than a place to be kept up. It is a hallowed place, to which its member shall turn with a lifting of the heart.” GROWING up in such large families has given Jim and me an edge in family life. We know how to share and to help. We know how to care for and to love. We know the idiosyncracies and the desires of each heart. We laugh together, we cry together. We share in each others pains and joys. A family such as ours, keeps in touch with one another with support and concerns. So sad that the world does not know how family love helps one another to grow and bond in this life. THE CHURCH is taught to love one another; pretty much as a family is to love one another. The bond that holds the church together in love, is Jesus Christ. “O taste and see that the Lord is good! Happy is the man who takes refuge in Him!” When we put our trust in the Lord, we find that we can do all things through Him who strengthens us. In our earthly family our Mothers and Fathers were the glue that oozed out upon the family. When the Mother and Father are gone, which is the case for Jim and me; family becomes the bond that holds us in an embrace that should never break. UNLESS our family is grounded in the Church of our Lord, our embrace becomes fickle. We become insecure with all relationships. We flounder in the world of separation. “The Church, a Larger Family!” Happy is the church that is a larger family, whose members trust one another and share imperishable treasures. Who do not ignore, nor criticize one another, but seek the good together and find it in their midst. They shall know God better because they love one another and in vitality of fellowship, they shall find the depths of truth.” What is pictured at God’s table and what happens when we taste and see, makes all the difference in the world, and it tells the tale. By Jane Ann Crenshaw 4/25/12

AGAIN, I SAY REJOICE! 4/15/12

I HAVE HEARD many times how Paul must have disliked women. The Word doesn’t indicate he was ever married; or that he had a following of women. But I am here to tell you that he understood women almost as much as Jesus did! I love the position that Paul describes for a man and a woman. I love how he has taken the burden off of me and placed it upon Jim’s shoulders. It has not taken anything from me, but has given so much!

“I PERMIT no woman to teach or to have authority over men; she is to keep silent.” 1 Timothy 2:12 When the church was first beginning many conditions had to be put into place so there would be order. God placed men in authority, not only in submission to Christ as the head of the church, but over the women in his life and the women of the church. As the church began to move, women became more prominent, and Paul was there, as some women became teachers.

I SIT in many Bible Studies! Jim is usually there with me! Open discussion are always part of the program. Even though I have a verse on my office wall, that reads; “Set a guard over my mouth, O lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3; I still have a tendency, to need, to be heard. I want them to know that either I agree or I don’t. Jim is patient, Jim is kind, Jim is loving and I have to admit for the most part, he allows me, to be me! On occasion his hand says; enough!

ONE OF MY favorite New Testament stories is about Priscilla and Aquila. Paul developed a relationship with these two. They shared the same business, tent making, and so they spent a lot of time together. When Apollos comes into the picture the scriptures say; “He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and explained to him the way of God more accurately.” Acts 18:26

PAUL DID NOT find this contrary to his teaching of a woman’s place in the church. For one thing she was acting under the authority of her husband. God had blessed her with boldness and proper instructions. She was confident and capable. I don’t line myself along with Priscilla but I have a need to do what I do. God is why I do and say the things I do and say. Jim has given me authority and restraint. And as long as God is willing, I will keep trying!

I HAVE A FRIEND, her name is Donna. I met her almost 6 or 7 years ago. I learned from her how to pray positively. It is so simple and yet refined! I was reminded of her as I read Philippians once again. “Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6 Pray with thanksgiving! Anticipate God’s answer; one way or another!

DONNA would end just about every prayer with; “And thank you God for what you are going to do!” God says to give thanks up front! God says make it personal today! God says when you pray in my will, my will, will be done. Believers are to pray with thanksgiving for the perfect answer,they know God will give them, in response to their petitions.

AN EFFECTIVE prayer must be accompanied by thanksgiving, which means that we thank God for the answer as soon as we have asked. This kind of prayer brings a peace which passes all understanding because it is independent of circumstances and rests upon the perfection and love of God Himself.

EVER since I began to take my time in prayer by walking and talking to God, my prayer life has taken on a new dimension. It is true that God is continuing a good work in everyone of us. However, we must pay attention! Paul says; “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:9 Having men in our lives who love the Lord, helps us to Rejoice in the Lord always! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 4/9/12

CAN IT BE TRUE? 4/8/12

I CANNOT count how many times I must have said that. I have
no idea how many times that thought, has floated around in my head. Can it be true! Why is it we just can’t believe something even while it is happening? When Jim asked me to marry him, I asked myself; can this be true? Jim wants to marry me? Why me? I can’t believe this! Can this really be true?

WHEN WE decided to buy a house I could hardly believe that we were going to own a home. When the Doctor said; I was pregnant, the first thing that entered my head was; “ really? “ And the second and third, oh my; I am a Mom! Usually when we think these things it is because it is a good thing that is happening to us.

I SUPPOSE if we ever bought a lottery ticket and won, the first thing we would say is; I can’t believe it! And then it would be; “ What do we do now!” It would be fun to know, what we would think or say; but then we will never know, because the first thing you have to do is buy a ticket!

WHEN JESUS began His earthly ministry, and called the twelve, they must have thought; “can this be the one; can it be true?” They weren’t sure, but they dropped everything they knew, and followed Him. What would you have done back in the day, if Jesus came your way and said; “follow me!” Would you have hesitated or wondered; “is this guy for real!”

WHEN MY brother Layton and then Larry died, I thought; “this can’t be happening!” But I knew it was true! No one tells you these kind of things unless it is true! When Jesus carried His cross up the via Dolorosa, while the crowds pushed and shoved, do you suppose they were thinking; “this just can’t be happening;” not to Jesus! Why Jesus! But then, they were there; they saw it all!

AS THE CROWD Shuddered at the scene before them, they were witnesses to the pounding of the nails. They witnessed His poor battered body being laid upon the old rugged cross and then it was stood up, and dropped into place in the middle of two guilty thieves. The crowd believed what they saw, but they couldn’t believe it was actually happening. They didn’t want to believe it!

WHEN the sun rose on the third day, the tomb was found empty. Jesus wasn’t there and again they wondered; “can this be true?” “Did some one take Him away?” The men said He was alive! Oh how they wanted to believe! “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 What the women and later on the men saw, was not a faith situation. What they witnessed was real; and because God had it written down, we read about it in God’s Word today. No one told them; they saw! We have not seen but we have read their witness.

MANY look about as the Christian world celebrates Easter and say; show me how the candy and bunny rabbits, the pretty clothes and shoes can bring me salvation? Show me how this man Jesus can save me! Show me where I can find the peace that shields from the catastrophic events of this world. Show me, make me believe, I want what you have, but make me believe! Show me! Show me!

WE CAN show and tell, till we are blue in the face. But according to Paul, “Faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ.” Romans 10:17 Paul continues with; “But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have heard!” their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” Romans 10:18

WE HAVE a story to tell. What we have heard through the teaching of the Word; what we read for ourselves in God’s Word; and however it is conveyed to us, the Word of God is indispensable to salvation. In Christ’s day, the people believed because they saw! He is alive they said! Jesus is alive! They ate with Him, they talked with Him, they walked with Him and the people became alive!

JESUS said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” John 20:29 Can it be true? Yes, it is true! His miracles are still evident and the power of His love is yours! Jesus says; “come!” By Jane Ann Crenshaw 4/2/12 HAVE A HAPPY EASTER!

THIS IS NO APRIL FOOLS! 4/1/12

ALL MY LIFE April 1st has been called April Fool’s Day. In France during the 1500's All Fools Day began, and eventually spread to other countries. Personally I never did like the antics of April Fools Day; nor did I play major tricks on others. Needless to say, I was always embarrassed when I was the brunt of these foolish jokes.

NOT EVERYONEhas that inner desire to make someone else feel like a fool. But a few are still hanging around, just waiting for that certain person, to either degrade or make a fool. Wasn’t it Orson Wells reading a dooms day proclamation over the radio that caused a great deal of confusion and later it was determined that it was a deception? I assume there are still some out there who remember that! I bet they remember how they felt and how angry they were when it was confirmed not true.

I CHALLENGE the avid reader of the Bible to look at Proverbs and see just how many times the word ‘fool’ is mentioned. It might surprise you! God was aware of the fool. He must have been, to address the fool is so many different aspects of foolery. I began a Ladies Sunday School lesson by asking them to search Proverbs for some ‘fool’ scriptures. It didn’t take long and it was easy. The question that morning was; “Can you identify with one or more of these fools?”

A FOOL is one who can be defined as “one who speaks and acts contrary to reason.” God applied this title to many in the Bible. We talk about the foolishness of man but God tells us that to call a man a fool can be dangerous. “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother, shall be guilty before the court; and whoever shall say to his brother Raca shall be guilty before the supreme court and whoever shall say; ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.” Matthew 5:22 Raca means scoundrel; stupid; the Jews used it as a word of contempt. This scripture says that you are guilty before the court when you are angry with your brother and even when you say raca. But to call someone a fool, we will be guilty enough, that we could end up in the fiery hell.

“THE FOOL says in his heart, ‘there is no God.’ They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none that does good.” Psalms 14:1 This fool denies the existence of God! “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” Proverbs 18:2 This is someone who refuses to reason and believes only in what he thinks.

THIS APRIL FIRST the Christian world calls it, Palm Sunday. This is when Jesus makes His triumphal entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. He comes in among the shouts of Hosanna, and the waving of palm branches, laying them on the road so His trusty steed would walk upon them. The people were paying homage to their expected king, although the peoples kingdom was earthly, while Jesus’ plans were heavenly. “And when He drew near and saw the city He wept over it, saying; “Would that even today, you knew the things that make for peace! But now they are hid from your eyes. For the days shall come upon you, when your enemies will cast up a bank about you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another in you; because you did not know the time of your visitation.” Luke 19:41-44 In Matthew 13 Jesus says; “How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!”

THE ROMAN’s did come into Jerusalem and slaughtered the people just as Jesus said. They were not prepared for such a time. “Professing to be wise, they became fools.” Romans 1:22 In Revelation God says we are to stand firm and be ready! We are not sufficient unto ourselves. We need the Savior! Today is Palm Sunday. Today is the day we remember Jesus’ last visit to Jerusalem; His last week before His death on the cross. And upon the eight day Jesus arose from the grave. This is fact! A non Christian, Jewish Historian, Josephus writes; “Although condemned to the cross, He appeared alive on the third day!” This is no April Fools! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 3/29/12

PLANTING SEASON! 3/25/12

LET’S LOOK at some questions that only those who lived back in the day, can answer. Why do we have spring break? Who started it? On the internet it says; look instead for Easter vacation, because that is what it used to be called. Actually it was a spring necessity in the mid west, and later on was adopted in other states and was referred to as Easter vacation. It was to allow families to travel and be together for the Easter festivities. Somewhere in the 60 and 70's it became spring break, which has spelled disaster in most of the highly popular spring break resorts.

THE ORIGINAL plan was for the whole family to plant, because of the short amount of time to seed the field for the best harvest, which kept the family in food and income. But school age children had double duty. They had to get up very early, plant and leave for school and return shortly before dinner and work until sundown. Today, I don’t see that as being equal opportunity and neither did they back in the day. Hence, two weeks in March the schools were closed for planting season.

I REMEMBER Easter vacation. It always came the week before Easter Sunday. It was a beautiful time of the year. A new dress, new shoes and a stinky perm on Saturday night. Easter sunrise service in Palos Verdes with the wind and waves for our musical background as we sang “Up from the grave He arose!” We had such great celebrations back in the day!

TODAY most families plan an outing, of sorts, for the last week in March. Sometimes it comes before Easter but most of the time; not! High Schooler’s and college students find this is a time to sow their wild oats instead of planting seeds to grow a harvest to eat, along with income. Most of the designated spring break resorts, would rather board up their stores and shops with a sign out front that says; detour to the right or left, but do not stop here. But money is to be made! So the welcome signs fly high and so do the vacationers.

GOD IS MINDFUL of the time to plant and the time to harvest. God is mindful of the importance of the time we need to replenish ourselves. In Matthew 13 Jesus teaches with parables. These are earthly stories with life changing meanings. In one, Jesus teaches about the sower. When one hears the word of God and does not understand it, it is because the evil one (Satan) has come and snatched it away. The word is sown on rocky ground; or among thorns in which one has no root and the other gets choked and is unfruitful. Ah, but then there is the good soil; where he who hears the word and understands it, can bear fruit and yield a harvest.

WHEN JESUS talks about the wheat and the tares, we begin to understand that He is talking about the kingdom of heaven. When a man sowed good seed in his field, and when no one was watching, another comes along and sows weeds in among his wheat. As they begin to grow together it is hard to separate one without damaging the other. So they let them grow together until the harvest. At that time the reapers will gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but the wheat is gathered and put into the barns.

“THE FIELD is the world, and the good seed means the sons of the kingdom; the weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the close of the age, and the reapers are angels. Matthew 13:38-39 The parable of the sower was understood by the listeners back in the day, because they knew about the rocky ground and the thorns. This parable teaches us that there are always true and false believers within the fellowship of those who profess to belong to God. Will it be the company we keep and the secrets we hide that will define us, or the fruit that we bear. By Jane Ann Crenshaw 3/21/12

LET US CONSIDER! 3/18/12

SO I WOKE UP at 12:30 am! Why was I awake so early? I hadn’t been asleep for very long! I thought about my day; remembered those I spoke to about their days being numbered. My heart ached for the path they were on! I began to seek God’s face and just as He promised, I found Him. I lifted my two friends up, who are on the threshold of heaven; I lifted up my children and grandsons to be encouraged to stay on the path of faithfulness. I thanked the Lord for Jim and then wondered again, just why am I awake so early?

IT SEEMS the older I get the less sleep I require. But then, as you get older it becomes more apparent that you need less of a lot of things. However, the one thing that I need more of is quiet time with my Lord. I need Him more in the quiet hours of the night to find peace and relaxation; I need Him more in the morning sun where I can feel His warmth surround me; I need Him more in the moonlight that gives me ample light in the dark. But most of all I need Him more, to just see my way clear, when the shadows obstruct my view.

WHEN I was much younger I just wanted to be, but today I want purpose and no regrets. Everything I do, I want it to matter. When I hear of someone suffering and they feel that God is far away, I think He is sending me to them. What can I do that others couldn’t? I have no idea but something in me says; you need to be there. Perhaps it is more for me than it is the one who I see.

SOMETIMES I am overwhelmed with urgency. Not anxiety, or depression but the feeling that time is short and if I am going to do something or share something I had better get busy and do it. I am always surprised that God will continue to use me no matter how old I get. “My dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

IT IS EASY to stop, watch, listen and appreciate a child during one of their temper tantrums, or silly little antics. We laugh and applaud because it makes us remember when our children were young and playful, even though we didn’t always take the time to appreciate their childish ways. Stopping to smile, touch or talk with an elderly person isn’t always as easy; is it? You know that their story can be full of sorrow, remorse, or even a little bitterness. Something in me says, stop, anyway!

“IF YOU try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.” Matthew 16:25 My regret is when I fail to stop and listen. My regret is when I rush about being busy that I don’t notice. My regret is in not taking the time. The Lord says; “I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.” Ezekiel 36:26

WHEN I first began teaching a ladies Sunday School class, they were mostly elderly women. When Jim and I retired we moved 70 plus miles away from our church family of over 30 years. However, We returned the following few years to participate in memorial services for some of these dear souls. I was playing the piano for Janice’s service, and when the service was over I walked over to the family and something caught my eye towards the back. I saw Dorothy in her pretty pink blouse and our eyes met momentarily. Someone grabbed my arm and I turned my head. When I looked back she was gone. The next service we attended was Dorothy’s. I still have that picture in my mind when our eyes locked, and I have always felt regret that I didn’t asked to be excused or motioned to her to wait.

“DON’T COPY the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 I know that even though I didn’t get to talk with Dorothy, she was prepared to enter the gates of heaven. These women, gave me purpose and I knew that God had placed me among them, to lead them gently to the place where He was waiting. By Jane Ann Crenshaw 3/12/12

LOOK FOR DANGER SIGNS! 3/11/12

FOR THE past few months I have been beginning my morning with Joyce Meyer, I have even got Jim watching her with me. This passed week she had a couple who talked about “Guardrails”; a book the man had written. Wonderful counseling for married couples! Jim and I have not read their book but God’s Word has the same instructions and we have applied them to our lives. However this book, Guardrails, can be a help in learning just how we should protect ourselves. Jim and I have practiced these guardrails for years, because we chose to be together.

MANY believe, they don’t have to worry about places, people and things because God will protect them. I believe that God does promise us protection, but we must be obedient to His Word. When I was in Jr. high my Sunday School teacher taught me that I should be careful where I go and who I am with and what I am doing. The question is; “If Jesus should come, do I want Him to find me in shady company is this place and doing that?”

WHILE WORKING as a secretary to the Executive Director of a Goodwill facility, the Kiwanis Club was hosting a lunch for Secretaries Day. My boss had tickets and asked me to go with him. I said no! He was shocked and asked why. I said I don’t feel right going to lunch with you. He said; “What do you think I’m going to do; rape you?” I said I would be glad to go with you if my husband could come also. Needless to say, I didn’t go!

BOUNDARIES sound confining but can be a good thing. It is setting limits so that you do not stray across the line. As a child we are given limits set by our parents. In school we were taught to stay in our seats, another limit that felt confining, but kept the room in order and not in confusion. In sports, it comes down to team work and keeping the fouls at bay.

AS AN ADULT setting safe guards keeps us out of trouble and above reproach. Being married says that he belongs to me, and I belong to him. Don’t let anything or anybody come between what God has made to be become one. Protect yourself by paying attention to the spider webs that surround us. The dangers and the pitfalls! In other words, what may look innocent at the beginning can turn into a mess with a capital “S”; (sin).. Don’t let ignorance cause you to fall. Be fully aware of circumstances and not your feeling of good intentions.

“A PRUDENT man (or woman) sees danger and hides himself; but the simple go on, and suffer for it.” Proverbs 27:12 Jim and I have always felt that we got married because we wanted to be together all the time. Occasionally he goes to functions that are for men and I go to those for women only. He does not have a man cave and I don’t make it a habit of going out with the girls. He holds my hand and kisses me in public. I belong to him! I look for him when we are in a public place and feel secure when I see him. He belongs to me!

WE ARE TO PROTECT ourselves! When we drive our car off the road and into the gravel we can run into trouble. With Jim’s Subaru it is easy to come out of it, but on occasion it can turn the car over. When our husband or wife is out of the loop of our activities, it can only come back to haunt you. It can destroy you! Think before you come near to the guard rail.

“LET MARRIAGE be held in honor among all and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for God will judge the immoral and adulterous.” Hebrews 13:4 Honesty and the desire to love, honor and obey (yes I said obey), should be well established in your marriage to keep you undefiled. Your mind never goes into dark places, when you set your mind on things above.

DO YOU have a favorite person in your life? I do! Jim is my favorite person to be with and I know I am his. How do I know?, because he always wants to be with me. Life is good when you can put your trust in God, and in your spouse! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 3/2/12