♪A Note of Thanks ♪
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:12-13 (NIV)
Outside of my salvation and relationship with God, my family as well as my church family, there’s nothing more precious to me than friends. Last evening I received a return phone call from my dear friend Charlotte, whom I had emailed last week (didn’t know her computer was on the blink) and left a message on her home voice mail. I had become concerned because I thought something might be wrong. It was so good to hear the phone ring and to speak with her. After we caught up on family, health and our churches, we decided to think about meeting next week to share a meal. She said, “Why don’t we have a picnic at the river on the boat?” She and her husband Don have a beautiful bungalow river home. They are both retired and love to have get togethers with friends Jane, Larry and Sara to have fun laughing and enjoying each other’s company. As we were winding down the conversation, I said, “You know Charlotte, I may not be rich in this life with things that money can buy, but I don’t mind being rich with friends.” She agreed whole heartedly.
Then, here it is approaching the middle of the week, so I thought about going to see about plants at Oak Street Garden Shop in Crestline, my favorite place to purchase flowers. While trying to decide how this plant would go there and this plant would mix with this group of plants, and how this plant would fit in this particular pot, I heard a lady say, “Are you Mark?” I said, “Yes I am,” removed the shades off my glasses, looked at this sweet smiling familiar face and tried my best to place exactly from where we knew each other. I said, “Didn’t we grow up together?” She said, “Don’t you remember my brothers, Rick and Ron,” whereupon a light turned on back in the recesses of my mind and a flood of memories washed over me. I said, “Diane!” (Ramsey). We hugged with tears in our eyes, for you see, we grew up together, she the same age as my sister, Judi, and her older brother, Ricky, the same age as me…elementary school, Scouts with her brother, Ruhama Baptist Church, Youth Choir, Banks High School, retreats, Youth Bible studies; her mother, Peggy, singing solos in The Messiah; her wonderful grandparents who were the most loving, caring and giving friends to many people. Her grandmother Delene was an excellent seamstress, who fashioned sleeves on my choir robe with big buttons to match. Her grandfather, Grover Williams, who played tennis on the Howard College tennis team in East Lake, and still played tennis until his late 70s, staying active as a deacon and singing in the Sanctuary choir. Wow, what wonderful cherished memories.
So, you see, we can count our blessings when we see and remember our friends. We don’t have to be sad, but glad! Join me today, right now and count your blessings.
Count Your Blessings Words by Rev. Johnson Oatman, Jr. - Music by Edwin O. Excell When upon life's billows you are tempest-tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done. CHORUS Count your blessings, Name them one by one; Count your blessings, See what God has done; Count your blessings, Name them one by one; Count your many blessings, See what God has done. Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings, ev'ry doubt will fly, And you will be singing as the days go by. So, amid the conflict, whether great or small, Do not be discouraged, God is over all; Count your many blessings, angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.
Thank you God for precious friends who encourage us, listen to us and are there for us. Amen.
As we serve along-side each other, I remain…Your friend, Mark David Jackson
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Devotion on Psalm 23
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23 (KJV)
I don’t know about you, but Psalm 23 is a great comfort to me. When I was a little boy attending Barrett Elementary School in the East Lake section of Birmingham, we were still allowed to read the Bible, pray and say the pledge of allegiance each day. Many times a fellow classmate would read Psalm 23. We even memorized it or as we sometimes say in the South, ‘say it by heart.’
As I have grown older, this Psalm is a great comfort to many people, especially at memorial services. Recently I have friends that I work with and those at church that have lost loved ones.
These precious saints of God have passed from this life, now completely healed and are in Heaven with our Lord. The scripture says:
“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15 (NIV)
While many times we can’t help but be saddened here on earth by the loss of our family and friends, we also can rejoice because they are now free from pain and suffering and with other loved ones who’ve gone before. There has been a reunion in Heaven. I can just hear the Lord saying, “Welcome home my child.” There has been a banquet table prepared. The angels of Heaven are singing and rejoicing:
Hallelujah, praise the Lamb,
Hallelujah, praise the Lamb,
My heart sings this song again,
Hallelujah, praise the Lamb.
So today, take hold of God’s precious promises. Hold them close to your heart. Cherish the memories that still live on. Remember your loved one’s influence on your life.
Remember Psalm 23: Sit and rest beside the still waters and let the Lord restore your soul. Even as you go through life’s valleys, the Lord will be with you and not forsake you. You are His child and greatly loved. Take great comfort in these thoughts.
Precious Savior, come to us this day and wrap Your arms of Love around us. Grant to us Your Grace and Peace that will sustain us through the difficulties and losses that we face in life. Fill us with your Holy Spirit to guide us in the valleys we experience. In Jesus precious and Holy Name. Amen.
It is a joy to serve along-side you week by week.
Your friend,
Mark David Jackson
I don’t know about you, but Psalm 23 is a great comfort to me. When I was a little boy attending Barrett Elementary School in the East Lake section of Birmingham, we were still allowed to read the Bible, pray and say the pledge of allegiance each day. Many times a fellow classmate would read Psalm 23. We even memorized it or as we sometimes say in the South, ‘say it by heart.’
As I have grown older, this Psalm is a great comfort to many people, especially at memorial services. Recently I have friends that I work with and those at church that have lost loved ones.
These precious saints of God have passed from this life, now completely healed and are in Heaven with our Lord. The scripture says:
“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15 (NIV)
While many times we can’t help but be saddened here on earth by the loss of our family and friends, we also can rejoice because they are now free from pain and suffering and with other loved ones who’ve gone before. There has been a reunion in Heaven. I can just hear the Lord saying, “Welcome home my child.” There has been a banquet table prepared. The angels of Heaven are singing and rejoicing:
Hallelujah, praise the Lamb,
Hallelujah, praise the Lamb,
My heart sings this song again,
Hallelujah, praise the Lamb.
So today, take hold of God’s precious promises. Hold them close to your heart. Cherish the memories that still live on. Remember your loved one’s influence on your life.
Remember Psalm 23: Sit and rest beside the still waters and let the Lord restore your soul. Even as you go through life’s valleys, the Lord will be with you and not forsake you. You are His child and greatly loved. Take great comfort in these thoughts.
Precious Savior, come to us this day and wrap Your arms of Love around us. Grant to us Your Grace and Peace that will sustain us through the difficulties and losses that we face in life. Fill us with your Holy Spirit to guide us in the valleys we experience. In Jesus precious and Holy Name. Amen.
It is a joy to serve along-side you week by week.
Your friend,
Mark David Jackson
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Mothers
♪A Note of Thanks ♪
“I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” 2 Timothy 1:5
This Sunday thousands of people across the United States will celebrate Mother’s Day by sending cards, taking loved ones to church and lunch, sending gifts and making calls home. In an article that Susan V. Bosak wrote she explains: “Many people may believe Mother’s Day was developed as a commercial holiday by Hallmark or some other company to sell cards, candy, and flowers, but the story of modern Mother’s Day begins in the peace movement and as a day recognizing women’s social action. In the United States, Julia Ward Howe (1819-1910), a Boston writer and author of the words to the Battle Hymn of the Republic, first suggested a Mother’s Day in 1872, as a day dedicated to peace.
The official observance of Mother’s Day in its present form is credited to Anna Jarvis (1864-1948) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She wanted to honor the memory of her mother, Mrs. Ann Marie Reeves Jarvis, who died in 1905. The elder Mrs. Jarvis had organized several “Mothers Day Work Clubs” in the 1850s in the West Virginia area. At the beginning of the Civil War, Mrs. Jarvis called together four of her clubs and asked them to make a pledge that friendship and goodwill would not be a victim of the conflict between the states. In a display of compassion, courage, and friendship, the members of these clubs nursed soldiers from both sides and saved many lives. After the Civil War, Mrs. Jarvis worked as a peacemaker encouraging families to set aside differences created by the polarization of the war. Up until her own death, Anna continually referred to her mother as the real originator of Mother’s Day, despite the fact that it was Anna herself who worked tirelessly over several years to make it a national reality. It began in 1907 when Anna had a small gathering of friends in her home to commemorate her mother’s life. She announced the idea of a national day to honor mothers. It was a day to honor all mothers, and also a day to remember the work of peacemaking, reconciliation, and social action against poverty started by her mother.
Of course, long before our modern Mother’s Day, the apostle Paul noted the importance of mothers and grandmothers in his letter to his young disciple, Timothy. Paul notes that Timothy’s grandmother Lois and mother Eunice had influenced Timothy’s sincere faith.
Perhaps it is time we take back the original understanding of Mother’s Day by honoring mothers who have influenced our faith and life, forgiving our mothers who have not been able to be the loving mothers we had hoped for, remembering mothers who have gone before us and now live eternally with God in the church triumphant. Let us use this day to call all people to action, to become peacemakers in our own day, bringing an end to enmity, illness and poverty. May it one day be written on us that because of the influence of our mothers, our sincere faith, our children, and our world are all the better.
One of my very dear friends, Jackie George, a mother of deep faith, who quietly and lovingly encourages others, recently mentioned to me a special tune, Londonderry Air. At first, I couldn’t think of the way the tune sounded, but then I remembered the song “O Danny Boy” and further as I pondered the tune, I remembered that Dottie Rambo had written words to this tune and named the song He Looked Beyond My Fault. For so many people who are facing difficulties in your lives, may the words of this song bless and enrich your life today and in the days to come.
He Looked Beyond My Fault
Amazing grace shall always be my song of praise,
For it was grace that brought my liberty;
I do not know just why He came to love me so,
He looked beyond my fault and saw my need.
Chorus
I shall forever lift mine eyes to Calvary,
To view the cross where Jesus died for me,
How marvelous the grace that caught my falling soul;
He looked beyond my fault and saw my need.
-Dottie Rambo
Holy God, come to us this day and remind us that we, too, can be people who change the world, by sharing Your Grace, working for justice and creating peace, one act of love at a time. Amen.
Happy Mother’s Day!
I remain your friend…Mark David Jackson
“I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” 2 Timothy 1:5
This Sunday thousands of people across the United States will celebrate Mother’s Day by sending cards, taking loved ones to church and lunch, sending gifts and making calls home. In an article that Susan V. Bosak wrote she explains: “Many people may believe Mother’s Day was developed as a commercial holiday by Hallmark or some other company to sell cards, candy, and flowers, but the story of modern Mother’s Day begins in the peace movement and as a day recognizing women’s social action. In the United States, Julia Ward Howe (1819-1910), a Boston writer and author of the words to the Battle Hymn of the Republic, first suggested a Mother’s Day in 1872, as a day dedicated to peace.
The official observance of Mother’s Day in its present form is credited to Anna Jarvis (1864-1948) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She wanted to honor the memory of her mother, Mrs. Ann Marie Reeves Jarvis, who died in 1905. The elder Mrs. Jarvis had organized several “Mothers Day Work Clubs” in the 1850s in the West Virginia area. At the beginning of the Civil War, Mrs. Jarvis called together four of her clubs and asked them to make a pledge that friendship and goodwill would not be a victim of the conflict between the states. In a display of compassion, courage, and friendship, the members of these clubs nursed soldiers from both sides and saved many lives. After the Civil War, Mrs. Jarvis worked as a peacemaker encouraging families to set aside differences created by the polarization of the war. Up until her own death, Anna continually referred to her mother as the real originator of Mother’s Day, despite the fact that it was Anna herself who worked tirelessly over several years to make it a national reality. It began in 1907 when Anna had a small gathering of friends in her home to commemorate her mother’s life. She announced the idea of a national day to honor mothers. It was a day to honor all mothers, and also a day to remember the work of peacemaking, reconciliation, and social action against poverty started by her mother.
Of course, long before our modern Mother’s Day, the apostle Paul noted the importance of mothers and grandmothers in his letter to his young disciple, Timothy. Paul notes that Timothy’s grandmother Lois and mother Eunice had influenced Timothy’s sincere faith.
Perhaps it is time we take back the original understanding of Mother’s Day by honoring mothers who have influenced our faith and life, forgiving our mothers who have not been able to be the loving mothers we had hoped for, remembering mothers who have gone before us and now live eternally with God in the church triumphant. Let us use this day to call all people to action, to become peacemakers in our own day, bringing an end to enmity, illness and poverty. May it one day be written on us that because of the influence of our mothers, our sincere faith, our children, and our world are all the better.
One of my very dear friends, Jackie George, a mother of deep faith, who quietly and lovingly encourages others, recently mentioned to me a special tune, Londonderry Air. At first, I couldn’t think of the way the tune sounded, but then I remembered the song “O Danny Boy” and further as I pondered the tune, I remembered that Dottie Rambo had written words to this tune and named the song He Looked Beyond My Fault. For so many people who are facing difficulties in your lives, may the words of this song bless and enrich your life today and in the days to come.
He Looked Beyond My Fault
Amazing grace shall always be my song of praise,
For it was grace that brought my liberty;
I do not know just why He came to love me so,
He looked beyond my fault and saw my need.
Chorus
I shall forever lift mine eyes to Calvary,
To view the cross where Jesus died for me,
How marvelous the grace that caught my falling soul;
He looked beyond my fault and saw my need.
-Dottie Rambo
Holy God, come to us this day and remind us that we, too, can be people who change the world, by sharing Your Grace, working for justice and creating peace, one act of love at a time. Amen.
Happy Mother’s Day!
I remain your friend…Mark David Jackson
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