Betty Whitaker Jackson

Jerry Klemm’s sermon yesterday on facing trials, which we all are during this period of time and always, I suppose, is very timely. After a wonderful worship time and a tremendously welcome live concert by the Space Coast Symphony, I cam to home the message my younger sister, Dottie was in crisis. She fell sometime during the night on Saturday, remained on the floor all night until she remembered to press her med-alert button to call the paramedics, and was…..

Read more

From my book, “Life-Changing Water,” “What is amazing about the Power of God is that He, unlike us, is so willing to share His control, knowing that we sinful children, will mess up. He knows we value ourselves more highly than we ought to do. He knows we will make poor choices. He knows we cam be tempted by evil, even by good things, which become sinful idols in our lives. Why would He do that? We should remain astonished,…..

Read more

From “My Psalms Devotional Guide,” My Psalm 153, may this bless and guide you this day:

“I thank You, for Jesus, the Light of the world/And the Light of eternity,/For without You in my life,/I would know darkness and despair./Precious Holy Spirit/ I ask you to be part of every conversation in this day,/To guide me in pathways of Your choosing/To provide a barrier/Against sin of thought, of motive, of speech, of action,/Keeping my mind, body, soul, and spirit pure…..

Read more

Prayer for today from my book: “Life-Changing Water: Chaos to Glory: A Metaphor Study.”  As things change in the news, as COVID infections soar, as the stroke of a pen changes our culture, remember God is good, God is eternal, and we are in His care. “Almighty Father, Abba, Father, strong to save, we pray for your deliverance from anything which gets in the way of our total worship of You in this day. Clear our minds of lesser thought…..

Read more

Celebrate ’21, Everyone! God’s Got This!  In Matthew 11:28 we find great advice for a weary world, discouraged by COVID, cultural changes that keep us awake at night, the dreariness of winter, and few signs of peace, harmony, cooperation, and kindness. Jesus says: “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”

Those of us who worshipped yesterday found a time of sanctuary, a time of recalibrating. A chance to glimpse once…..

Read more

These days, tempering my temper, few things get me riled, but yesterday’s treatment of the National Guard troops in Washington, DC made me seethe. Beneath it all is my dismay at seeing our nation’s capital looking like, no, actually, a militarized zone. But to take our husbands, fathers, sons away from their businesses, studies, and homes and force them to sleep crowded together, during COVID, and then to dismiss them to a parking garage in 38 degree weather without adequate…..

Read more

This is my mom’s birthday. In heaven she is one-hundred-four years old. She overcame many challenges here but left a legacy of accomplishments and an unquenchable “I can do anything through Christ Who strengthens me” attitude. Hebrews 1:6 says: “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists, and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” I just completed her memoir, including many writing pieces she left behind, published…..

Read more

After all the pomp and circumstance, albeit rather subdued this year, of the Inauguration, let’s put everything into perspective. We heard promises, plans, and platitudes. In the long run, Shakespeare said we are all actors on the stage with our entrances and exits, and generations and legacy legends aside, we are parts of the panoply of history, here but for a short time. God is sovereign. God is eternal. And whether Garth Brooks sings it, or today’s hymn reminds us,…..

Read more

On this Inauguration Day, let us rejoice that as Americans we can add to history and celebrate our freedom to elect our leaders, to thank those who have loyally served us well, to bury past burdens, and to understand that the work of the Republic is never done. Let us pray for  understanding, and God’s guidance for all whose emotions are running high today. Let us put rancor, anger, distrust, disappointment, and emotions aside, recognizing that in God’s sovereign plan,…..

Read more

If you are mocked for your faith, take heart. Your faith in God’s promises transcends anything on earth, for God has called us to believe what He says, to live in that truth, and to stay strong. Here’s what Matthew 5:10-12 says: “God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God, for the Kingdom of heaven is theirs. God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are My followers. Be happy about…..

Read more