Betty Whitaker Jackson

Yesterday, I was suggesting it would be a blessing to attend church, even if it was inconvenient, even if it was raining (yes) or worse, and even when we could just as easily stay in jammies and livestream the service.

I was on guest services yesterday at our church. We set up our welcome table inside (it was windy and rainy) and set up an umbrella garden so people didn’t take dripping umbrellas  inside, making floors slippery.

The service was…..

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Those of you who regularly read my blogs know that my theme “Just Do It in Twenty-Two” refers to sowing grace and peace to others in a world which is chaotic, where politics is divisive, where prices are soaring and fear of pandemic consequences dominate our conversations. I offer an alternative, especially on the Sabbath. The church, wherever you choose to affiliate, has answers to the dominant questions and trials facing us. When we gather, we find the warmth of…..

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When you’re tired, or fighting a cold (or worse) or having a selfish moment, it’s harder to sow peace and grace to others. Those are the times when we need to say to ourselves, “Double down and look for the good anywhere you can find it.” I’m thinking about a woman I saw recently on TV following the devastating fire which destroyed her neighborhood in Colorado. She had lost everything the week after Christmas. If I were in that position,…..

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We have peace and gladness when we read God’s word. Zephaniah 3:17 says, and I need this today after watching yesterday’s news. Not sure where our government leaders are leading us. Not sure they’re leading us at all. But sovereign God says, and He knows the ultimate outcome: “The Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love He will calm all your fears. He will…..

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Remember that books a few years ago: “All I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten”?  In my year’s attempt to sow peace and grace in 2022,, a time when we need  these by the bushel load, I think we need to get back to basics.

Considering the fact that courtesy and consideration seem to be in short supply these days, I’m suggesting we remember our early teaching and apply it every day to friends, family (we tend to let…..

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The beginning of a new year is an opportunity to assess where we are and where we’re going. Let me recommend two sites you might enjoy exploring: iBelieve.com and Proverbs 31.com. Both include devotional materials, encouragement, Bible studies, prayer prompts, and the encouragement we need after the two year isolation we’ve all experienced. I’m at a crossroads right now, completing one book and planning another. Both these sites are important to me today. I’ve sent for a Bible study with…..

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Psalms 105:4 says: “Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.” I have had three spiritual encounters in the last two days, clearly out of the blue, unexpected, what I call Godincidences. One was the inspiration of beautiful music (I’m being led to write my next devotional book on the topic of music as a gift of God for His pleasure) so I’m tuned into that topic right now. I heard the legendary, but oh, so real,…..

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I am calling this blog “Truth We Can Count on, Peace and Grace.” It would be impossible to offer peace and grace to others, especially those who demean us and reject the gospel message, were it not for Paul’s strong reminder in Romans 8:1-2. So here are those verses to bolster us through difficult days. Because we are Christ’s heirs, we need nothing but to remember our eternal, not temporary status the world gives. While others treasure their popularity, wealth,…..

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Only in thanksliving can we share grace and peace with others. Only when we recognize that God loves us and cares for us and cares about us can we translate that thanksliving into acts of peace, grace, mercy, and love.

I choose to look upward to God, thanking Him for His provision, His gift of salvation, and His mercy. Others may look to wealth, status, politics, and the world’s allure to give them joy. These are fleeting, and all too…..

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One of the greatest means of expressing peace and grace is through music. Zephaniah 3:17 says: “The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing.”

This weekend, a warrior of the faith, Whitney Phipps, will sing his way into our hearts at two concerts. Come and be inspired. As you know, our three children (yes, I…..

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