Betty Whitaker Jackson

MY PSALM 337 STRENGTH FOR NEW CHALLENGES

Heavenly Father, Lord and Master, Is there a Balm in Gilead where the sin-sick And world-weary can go to find succor, healing and rest?[1] And beside those still waters, will You lead me still To restoration and revelation of Your mercy and grace?[2]

And perhaps, when my weary feet can gain the altitude, You’ll lead me once again to the hills From whence comes my strength.[3]…..

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This begins traditional Holy Week. I wrote “Three Triumphal Entries” for my book “Beyond Easter: Ascension and Pentecost” showing the festive nature of Christ’s final entry into Jerusalem. All over the world this day we celebrate Hosannas to the Son of David. Predidcted from the first words of scripture, this was a mini-version of the finality which will occur: every knee shall bow to Jesus Christ, either in worship or the terror of defeat. It is up to the hearts…..

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The Christian message is one of freedom, not restriction. Christ broke the chains of legalism, of the weight of sin, and changed cultural mores forever, especially for women. In a day when cancel culture is the byword, Jesus was indeed a waymaker, a force of change, and indeed brought us into a relationship with the King of the universe in a very personal relationship way. We are no longer slaves to sin, but are free, free indeed, with an abundant…..

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Mass murder is again in the news. This  My Psalm was written when the Parkland High School shooting occurred, but once more we hear of two others committed this month. I’m currently reading Old Testament stories when 12,000 were killed in a single battle, that one authorized by God to clear the land for Joshua and the Israelites. Life is precious. We can ask the question, “Why?” but we can balance that with God’s sovereignty and knowledge of man’s sinful…..

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The gospel of John says is so well: “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)  If you look up the word Glory in a concordance, and then the offshoots such as glorious, glorified, etc., you will find hundreds of references in the Bible, cover to cover. Indeed, the Bible, cover to cover, tells…..

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Although this psalm was written well before the COVID year we’ve endured, people today seem to be overwhelmed by that circumstance more than any other. What we need to remember is that God is sovereign, He is in control, He listens to our prayers, and He is the infinite problem solver and waymaker. He is, scripture tells us, our very present help in times of trouble.

MY PSALM 333   OVERWHELMED

Lord God, Almighty to Save, We come into Your Presence…..

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Amazing story of God’s grace. My Psalm 333 You Love Even Me

MY PSALM 332   YOU LOVE EVEN ME

Almighty Lord, Creator, Sustainer, You govern the Universe, things seen and unseen You count, name each star, and connect every sinew, Spin planets, make atoms, yet call me by name, The rocks, hills, the mountains, the rivers, the flowers Bring praise, adoration, and worship You, Lord Each bird song is part of the harmony of spheres I praise Your Great Name,…..

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Yesterday was the Fifth Sunday of Lent. We have nine more days of Lent, if you’re counting. Today’s Psalm poem is one of my favorites, titled Hope. Who doesn’t need to reflect on Hope, especially after the COVID year seemed it’s opposite, a year of concern about our future.

There will always be something clouding hope. Remember the ancient story of Pandora’s box? After every evil and negative thing escaped from her box, what, alone, was left in her keeping?…..

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Happy Spring! Sorry for the few days’ hiatus. During this week I have submitted contest entries, bought a new car, enjoyed time with my sister and brother-in-love, received COVID shot number one, spent time with our family during teachers’ week off, entertained eleven forSt. Patrick’s Day, and outlined a new book idea. Here is a Spring poem I submitted to Scribblers Anthology for publication if they choose to use it. It uses mythology and traditional symbols for spring:

SPRING’S SERENADE

…..

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No one will “earn” his or her way to heaven by “being good,” “doing good things,” “serving others,” or “being famous as a philanthropist, leader, or paragon of virtue.” Only by belief in Jesus as personal Savior is God’s way. Scripture supports this, and no amount of prosperity gospel preaching or thoughts of “cheap grace,” saying it once and then living as if this mortal earth’s pleasures are fine, is supported in the Bible. That being said, why do people…..

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