Betty Whitaker Jackson

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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Those of you who are looking for answers in this time of chaos, COVID, and distress, I have a place where you can seek peace, grace, mercy, and truth. Psalm 105: 4-5, 7-8 says: “Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He uttered. …He is the Lord our God’ His judgments are in all the earth. He remembers His covenant forever, that word that…..

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A few years ago I wrote a devotional book called “Life-Changing Water: from Chaos to Glory” about how God uses water imagery in the Bible as a metaphor for stages in our lives. An absence of water is life-threatening. So is the absence of God in our lives, in the eternal sense. But God is a God of abundance. Witness the snowfall this weekend. While it is a temporary threat, it is nevertheless a bounty when the summer comes. We…..

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Well, the first month of 2022 has passed. We’ve seen threats of war, more fentanyl deaths than COVID ones, slain police officers, and last night, a freeze in Florida, of all places.

Here’s what God says, and if you’d like to know more about grace, peace, and mercy, go to church today. You’ll hear this message at www.covenantpalmbay.org either in person or online. “As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for…..

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