It’s time to deal with times when peace and grace are the most difficult in our lives. I’ve just received word that my number two sister is in the hospital yet again. This one is life threatening. She is 1800 miles away. And, last evening, we received word that one of our Covenant Group members died yesterday of renal failure and COVID which he contracted while in the hospital.

It’s a shock to the system, even for believers, where difficulties…..

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At our small Covenant group on Wednesday, we read several verses from Scripture that talk about hair. Actually, they’re all related. They show God’s providence through long lives when we trust in Him. The Bible says that he notes every sparrow’s fall and numbers the hairs on our heads. That means God has a conscious effort to care for and about us. what a comforting thing as we watch threatening news about rumors of war, man’s inhumanity to man, a…..

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I have written almost a hundred, (perhaps more, lost count) poems I call “My Psalms” after the pattern of Scripture. No, mine are not scripture, but through them I express my heartfelt prayers and hope they bless others’ lives as they read my books and blogs at www.bettyjackson.net. This one is called “Come.” It is “My Psalm 157

Psalm 65 says:

“O You who hear prayer, To You all men come.”

So, therefore, I come to You this day

Knowing…..

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Most days I begin my day with writing of some sort, either by posting my blog and Facebook entries, or working on my latest book or other project. Today was no exception. I have a monthly date with my author critique group where we each present pieces for editing. It’s scary, I suppose, since we are ruthless about commas and conventions, but we have become a close group as friends, as well.

We are a diverse bunch. Our life experiences…..

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Guess I’m having one of those days that attempts to steal my peace and grace. First, working on a contest entry piece at 5:00 a.m. . Wrote a piece I really liked, about 3500 words. Then I looked at the requirements (yes, should have done that first). Word limit 2500 words. UGH. Have no time today to start chopping the carefully chosen words…like ripping out the soul of the piece.

Then, instead of having a quick breakfast and getting to…..

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Oh, how we need the Sabbath to gather together with our brothers and sisters in praise, worship, fellowship, and the sacraments, gathered around the words of Scripture. Deuteronomy 31:8 says: “The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” These are trying times, but the fellowship of the saints can make all situations better, just because we understand this principle. If you…..

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Each time I see an opening ceremony for the Olympics, I wish the world could live in peace, with grace toward all. Of course, I know from my Christian perspective, that the Peaceable Kingdom one day will indeed come. It will not be as John Lennon saw it in “Imagine.” At the risk of copyright infringement, I ask you to look up the lyrics. His world is not the one I want to live in.

As I watched the innocence…..

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I think part of keeping vital, even at eighty-one, is having a project which keeps me thinking. I’ve been talking to a book editor friend of mine who tells me a book series means three books. I just finished the second book in my seashell saga “series,” and today will begin the third. I spent a considerable period of time today looking at photos, Bing and Shutterstock, trying to find the cover. That’s always my first step. I looked at…..

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Read Psalm 8 with me:

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!

You have set Your glory above the heavens.

From the lips of children and infants, you have ordained praise because of Your enemies, to silence the foes and the avenger.

when I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,

the moon and the stars which You have set in place,

what is man that You are mindful of him, and the…..

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One of the richest blessings of attending church, and there are many, is the benediction at the end of the service. The benediction is to carry us forward as we live our lives outside the sanctuary throughout the coming week.

Today, let us begin the day with this one. “Now, may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times, in every way. The Lord be with you all.”  This one is from 2 Thessalonians 3.

On a…..

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