New Mercies

~ Roxanne Jackson ~ 4 Comments

It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 (KJV)

There is something wonderful about waking up before the dawn. All is still and quiet, the house is dimly lit, and it’s pitch black outside. The best part is, I get a front row seat for the sunrise. I never know what it’s going to be, but I am never disappointed.

Misty mornings take my breath away as sunrays punch holes through the fog, shining like spotlights on the dew-kissed earth. Snowy mornings are spectacular. When the sun hits just the right spot, the field looks like a white cotton blanket sprinkled with diamonds. One Valentine’s Day, the sky was a lovely pink with gold and lavender streaks. I received that sunrise as a personal gift from the One who made it; and yes, I thanked Him. This morning, the eastern sky looked like a distant forest fire. There is no forest, and there was no fire, just Light piercing the darkness in a beautiful blaze of glory.

So, what’s up with the sunrises you ask? Mercy! Fresh, new, unadulterated, desperately needed mercy. It comes with every morning. I love that!

Fresh Mercy

If we are honest, we could all use a steady dose of mercy. Try as we might to do well and live well, we fail sometimes. Truth be told, we fail more than we dare admit to anyone, and occasionally in ways we hate to admit to ourselves. We remember that God is there but fear the divine scolding and keep going our way. The sad thing is, we forget the whole of who God is and how He is, so we forego the mercy. Here’s the deal, God’s compassion is as vast as the heavens and as varied as the sunrises He sends each morning. I’m thankful for that because I do some pretty stupid things and could use some of that creative mercy.

How About You

Could you use some mercy? Have you gone to places in your life you never thought you’d go, perhaps done some things you never thought you’d do? Are you running; too afraid to stop and too tired to keep going? Have you thought you’ve gone beyond the reach of mercy and wondered how or why God would want to extend it to you? His compassion is based on His love for you and He demonstrated it in a very profound way.   For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16  Perhaps you’re experiencing sorrow of heart and the pain of that sorrow has worn you out. Jesus made a pretty sweet offer.  Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Perhaps today is one of those messy days and you feel you’ve drained the mercy pool. Take heart, friend. The sun will rise tomorrow and will bring with it a whole new batch of mercy.

God bless you and keep you,

Roxanne

Unless otherwise noted, scripture references are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Pictures compliments of Pixabay Creative Commons

Hope

~ Roxanne Jackson ~ 7 Comments

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1(KJV)

Autumn is one of my favorite times of year and October the most beautiful, at least it is to me. I stood on the deck this morning; the air was cool and the view spectacular. I never intended to go there; I was just following the color. There’s an overgrown clump of trees surrounded by brush. I don’t know if it’s beautifully wild, or wildly beautiful but the messy mix of color intrigued me. No matter. The moment was eclipsed by a memory and the striking colors dimmed; muddied by overflowing tears and an upcoming anniversary that will forever be woven into the tapestry of my beautiful Octobers.

A Grim Reality

Early last October, my husband and I were at that thicket of trees, seeing what needed to be done. It was gray, gloomy and sprinkling. I recalled that my son planned to come out that month to help tidy up that area as well as other parts of the property, but his health made it impossible. Then it hit me; he would never be out here again. Suddenly, the raindrops felt like bricks and I could hardly stand it, or stand. My husband pointed out the sun behind me. It was brilliant and beautiful, but I didn’t care. It had no impact whatsoever on the dim valley I was standing in. I just wanted to go inside.

Hope to the Rescue

I couldn’t see it until I got to the top of the hill. The treetops in the distant field were golden, striking really. All below them was a dismal, gray-brown blah. I was reminded that where I was is not all there is, and I learned some things about hope that day.

Hope doesn’t alter the pale and painful valleys of life, nor does it remove them. Hope places a gentle arm around your shoulder, speaks peace to your wounded soul and redirects your gaze; from your terrible temporary to a sublime eternity where all things are made new. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:24-25 (NIV)

How About You

Have you been side-swiped by uncertainty? 2020 has provided a boatload of opportunities to doubt, worry, fear. Perhaps you have suffered the loss of a loved one, a job, financial security, physical freedom or some combination of all those things. I’m right there with you.

If there ever was a time for hope, now is that time. Hope is an anchor for the soul; but an anchor is only as good as that to which it is moored. Systems may have failed us, God has not. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil. Hebrews 6:19.  

The Psalmist did a little self-talk that might be of benefit to you. It’s a good question and a good answer.  Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God. Psalm 43:5.

God bless you and keep you,

Roxanne

Unless otherwise noted, Scriptures taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Pictures compliments of Pixabay Creative Commons

Memorial Day Tribute

~ Roxanne Jackson ~ 2 Comments

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 (KJV)

flowers-14207_960_720 pixToday we honor those who gave their lives in sacrifice for our freedom. The legacy of those honored dead, who paid freedom’s price with their final breath; to secure, establish and defend the principles of liberty; set on fire a torch that burns brightly to this very day.

How shall we honor those who gave that last full measure of devotion, except that we are likewise devoted to the same great cause for which they gave that last measure. We must carry the torch set ablaze by their lives. We must live our lives worthy of their dying. We too must fight for the righteous cause of freedom.

Should we be faced with tyranny, standing toe to toe with the despots of our day; let us stand firm, never flinching in the facing. And, let us be resolved to enjoy the blessings of our freedom and to never sacrifice that freedom on the altar of peace-at-any-price.

How About You
Friend, if you have lost a loved one in the service of this great country, may I say on behalf of a grateful nation, thank you for your sacrifice.

God bless you and keep you… and God bless America.

Roxanne

 

Blind Faith

~ Roxanne Jackson ~ 6 Comments

pearl-district-2207346_960_720 pixAfter my aunt’s accident, Portland Oregon became my home away from home. I traveled there so much that I went from being one of the ‘huddled-masses’ passengers to a Skymiles® Elite member. Ok, so nobody asked for my autograph. But I did get to board the plane early and had a comfortable seat with a beverage waiting for me. Did this weary traveler appreciate it? You bet I did.

Portland is an interesting place. It’s kind of funky; not dirty sock funky but cool funky. It’s weird, beautiful, weird and busy. Did I mention weird? Yep, it’s weird. That’s ok though, they like it that way. It’s a thing. One of the weird things there is navigating the streets.

GPS
I asked someone where the nearest hardware store was, and I got weird directions. These folks know the lay of the land and are comfortable with the quirks of their streets. Me? Not even a little bit. I turned to my GPS for help. It was bossy and very specific; telling me where to turn, when to turn and when to start merging to turn. We almost came to blows a time or two when I missed a turn. I expected ‘GPS woman’ to call me an idiot when, with raised hands, I yelled, “There is no street!” As it turns out, there was a street. It was masquerading as a driveway. I found it on attempt number three.

auto-3086257_960_720 pixA Bad Rap
After getting off a bridge I was never supposed to be on, my nerves calmed a bit and a question came to mind. “Why does faith get such a bad rap?” It’s a good question. Regardless of what side of the religious fence we’re on, we exercise simple faith every day. We drive in lock-step obedience to a robotic voice in the GPS, trusting it will direct us to our desired destination. We climb onto dentist chairs, into taxis and board airplanes, never fearing our demise. Yet when it comes to moral and spiritual matters, especially eternal ones, we’d rather chart our own course and live and do as we please. Essentially, we presume God to have no right to tell us what to do.

God’s positioning system is well able to navigate us through life and beyond. He knows where we are, where we need to be and how to get us there safely. Many follow for a while, then veer into unwanted territory and lose their way. Circling back time and again until frustrated, angry, fearful, you throw hands to the heavens shouting, “There is no way!” But there is a way. Many are familiar with it; but it’s narrow and offers no semblance of safe passage, so most move on. By faith, some dare pass through that gate only to find it leads to the road they’d been searching for all along.

How About You
Are you on the outside of the Christian faith; watching it work for others but not sure if it will work for you? What about you Christian? Have you been caught up in the flow of life’s traffic and gone so far out of the way you’re not sure if you can make it back this time? You know God can forgive you but not sure if He will. This simple prayer might be of help to you both. Mark 9:24 “Lord I believe, help my unbelief.” Many have prayed it and found that God is willing to do just that.

God bless you and keep you,

Roxanne

Scriptures taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Pictures compliments of Pixabay Creative Commons

Lessons in the Storm

~ Roxanne Jackson ~ 10 Comments

hands-2906458_960_720 pix2018 was quite a year. I’d say bittersweet is an appropriate descriptor. My first post was a New Year’s Wish List. The wishes were for you and I meant every single one of them. I never thought they’d all come true for me; well except excellence. I don’t know what happened there.

My elderly aunt had an accident in her home and wasn’t found for a couple days. It was traumatic and debilitating. I flew out to visit as soon as I could. Since she was alone and I was the only one in communication with her, I became her advocate. I didn’t know what to do and the cross-country trek complicated things. Wisdom was my answered prayer and grace a soothing balm in my hurts and failures. This dear lady became my friend and I developed a deeper love for her and a commitment to her protection. We spent much time together in her final months and seeing her go was a sorrow that I hadn’t expected. I still miss her.

Revelations
Many things were revealed during this time. I saw who I was and what I wasn’t. There were temptations I hadn’t anticipated and provision made for a way out of them. I felt the strong arm and soft shoulder of my God and was blessed to walk this uncommon path. It’s not an easy thing to step into the suffering of others but there is an unexplainable beauty when you do, and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

Some days I made sound decisions and sometimes failed to be decisive. But it was in the backward glance that hindsight revealed the truth. I wasn’t walking this path alone but was being guided by the unseen hand of the Sovereign. With Him there is no oops or accidents. His plan is perfect and His purpose is perfecting His people through service. That was a privilege for which I am grateful.

ship-117013__340 Sailing pixabay (2)Life’s Lessons
The mettle of my faith was tested beyond expectation and strong winds beat hard against this small ship of my life. I found that…

  • Faith is a sea-worthy vessel, well able to navigate life’s storms.
  • My blessed Savior is both the Captain of my ship and the solid Rock upon which my anchor is moored. 
  • He is well seasoned in matters of tempests; for He once shushed the raucous wind and waves with three small words, “Peace be still.” And, for want of a boat, He tiptoed atop the treacherous sea to save his frightened disciples; with all the ease of one walking on solid ground. This storm of mine wasn’t His first.

How About You
Are your skies blue, seas calm and a comfortable breeze filling your sails? I hope so. Perhaps that’s not where you are now.  Maybe your small bark is sailing in different waters; navigating dark skies and gale force winds? You needn’t fear. There is an anchor upon which you can cast your hope. Hebrews 6:19– “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil.”  Let me tell you, THIS ANCHOR HOLDS. Turn over the helm of your life’s ship to Jesus and let Him speak peace to your storm.

God bless you and keep you,

Roxanne

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Pictures compliments of Pixabay Creative Commons

Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad

~ Roxanne Jackson ~ Leave a comment

birth-of-jesus-1150128_960_720 Pixabay

On a night so long ago, the Majesty and the Mystery of the ages was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. He came for a purpose and that purpose was you. The greatest gifts do come in the smallest packages!

In all your getting and giving, take time to rejoice in The Gift… Jesus.

Luke 2:11 – For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Merry Christmas!

 

New Year’s Wishes

~ Roxanne Jackson ~ 4 Comments

candle-2992645_960_720 PixabayIt’s hard to believe we’re nearing the end of January 2018. While the year is no longer brand new, it’s new-ish. So Happy New Year! I have a wish list for you this year. But first, I must express my gratitude.

Thank you for being there. Your faithful presence amazes me, especially when there are large gaps between posts. Your words of encouragement have been much appreciated as well. You have allowed me to ‘be real’ even when my ‘real’ was ridiculous; and you’ve thanked me for it. So, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you.

New Year’s Wish List

Here are the promised wishes and I pray they will come true for you this year. I wish you…

  • Wisdom; that pure, peaceable, gentle stuff of heaven that judges rightly and without partiality or hypocrisy.
  • Excellence in all your endeavors. Not that excellence itself would be your god but rather your goal, and the manner with which you serve your God.
  • Grace- That it would be extended to you in your failures and would be extended when others fail you.
  • Passion– That you would live, love and serve with passion; because life is too short and the cause too great to merely go through the motions.
  • Friendship– That your friendships would be deeply rooted and widely spread and that there would always be room in your heart for just one more.
  • A Good Fight– There are hurting, helpless, hopeless, homeless and voiceless people. Find your courage, take up the gauntlet and stand up, pray up, pay up and speak up. Fight the good fight of faith.
  • Love– Love one another with pure hearts, fervently. Above all, love the One who first loved us and gave the last full measure of devotion to prove that love. This is the banner we take into the world and by this will all men know we are His disciples indeed.

I pray that 2018 will be a fabulous year. But if it’s to be our final year, I pray it be our finest year.

God bless you and keep you,

Roxanne

Picture compliments of Pixabay, Creative Commons CC0

No Ordinary Baby

~ Roxanne Jackson ~ 2 Comments

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Their eyes were fixed on the screen.  It seemed like forever but it was just a few minutes.  The room was still and quiet except for the occasional click of the monitor. The young couple sat watching, waiting for a sign that the test results were true. A couple more minutes would tell the story. In a moment they moved from wondering to wonder as they became eyewitnesses to a miracle. There on the screen was life; tiny, eight-week old heart-pounding life. It was too soon to tell what the child would be. His gender would be revealed soon enough but it would take a lifetime to know what he would become.

No Common Baby

Over 2000 years ago, another couple waited. Mary and Joseph had no ultrasound to confirm the child’s existence. They didn’t question the gender nor did they wonder what he would do with life. His coming and purpose was proclaimed by an angel and foretold by prophets. This would be no common birth. He would be no common baby.

A Savior is Born

After a slow, tiring journey, the young couple arrived into a crowded city with no comfortable place for them to lodge. It didn’t matter. They took shelter in stable behind an overbooked inn. And there, in the sleepy town of Bethlehem, Mary delivered God’s Son. Deity took on humanity when this child was born and the trappings of His royalty were exchanged for swaddling clothes and a manger. As far as the world knew, He was just another baby. But in that manger was life; tiny, heart-pounding, soul-saving life. That life was born so that death would die, and we are the beneficiaries.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

As we celebrate this Christmas, let us remember that God gave us the greatest gift of all. He gave us Life. He gave us Jesus. Merry Christmas!

God bless you and keep you,

Roxanne

Picture compliments of Pixabay Creative Commons.

Post adapted from a newsletter article from Pregnancy Help Center, Richmond KY.

Love Letters

~ Roxanne Jackson ~ 6 Comments

rose-1894760_960_720 PixabayI’ve asked my husband many times about his love for me. You know the questions I’m talking about, the kind that make a man want to bang his head against the wall. I found a letter on my pillow not long ago that answered my questions. Seven pages detailed his love, admiration and respect.

He recalled our first meeting when I was 19, even remembering the sweater I wore. Our big date in Hollywood made the list, as did the ice cream running down my arm on the Walk of Fame (not my finest hour). He mentioned the walk on the pier; the walk that changed everything, sparking his desire to protect and care for me forever. Our life’s highlights were noted; along with things I didn’t think he remembered or cared about.

I revisit my letter time and again, re-reading my favorite lines. I love the one that speaks of his desire to spend the rest of his life loving me.

Timeless Love
bible-1031288_960_720 PixabayI have another letter, timeless and treasured. It speaks of a higher love, a greater love. This love transcends time and space and was declared long before this ‘lover of my soul’ ever spoke the words, “Let there be…” The letter is lengthy; its message deep.

It’s hard to fathom that so great a One as He would condescend to reach someone like me, and yet for love He did just that. At my worst, He gave His best and declared as He has to His people for centuries, Jeremiah 31:3 “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” I’ve had times when my thoughts of Him were few and fearful yet His thoughts of me are many and precious. Psalm 139:17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!

I revisit His letter time and again, re-reading my favorite lines. I love the part where He talks about my future and life beyond this one; Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

How About You?
Are you searching for love? Have you sought it in places that proved to be empty? Do you long for a love that runs deep, goes the distance, counts the cost and finds the high price for your heart worth paying. You will find that love in a person. His name is Jesus and the letter of His love is written in red.

God bless you and keep you,

Roxanne

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. ® Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Finding Contentment

~ Roxanne Jackson ~ Leave a comment

20170329_215155 (3)I like new things. If they’re shiny, that’s even better. If red, well, that ‘is’ my signature color. So you’d think a shiny, new red kettle would make me happy. I had the perfect kettle. It was a lovely ‘blue-red’. I forgot about it one morning and burned out the water, cracking the coating inside. It was ruined. I looked for something similar but the best I could find was this ‘orangey-red’ one.

I struggled with keeping the new kettle or holding out for ‘the perfect’ one. In frustration I set the new one on the stove. I was sad. Miserably, pathetically sad. Oddly enough, it looks quite nice in the kitchen. Why couldn’t I see it?

Holding On
It seems God’s people shared similar feelings, albeit on a much grander and less humiliating scale. After 70 years of Babylonian captivity, some of the Jews returned to Jerusalem to rebuild their lives, their city and their temple. Under the leadership of Zerubbabel, workers assembled to begin the temple’s rebuilding. Many praised God when the foundation was laid. However, some were not so happy. Ezra 3:12 But many of the priests and Levites and heads of the fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this temple was laid before their eyes. Yet many shouted aloud for joy. Those that saw the glory of the original temple viewed the new one as nothing.

Letting Go
Why is it that things grip us so? Whether tea kettles, temples or something in between; pining for what we once had undermines contentment; leaving us bereft of joy and prohibiting us from enjoying life and moving on to greater things.

This happens in our spiritual lives as well. The apostle Paul was well educated and held a distinguished position as a Pharisee. Yet, to embrace all that God had for him, he had to release what he once held dear. Philippians 3:7-8 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.

How About You
Is your heart set on former things; a position you once held, item you once had or relationship you once enjoyed? Are you struggling to find contentment with what is by mentally basking in the glory of what was? It’s a common struggle. Playing the dangerous game of comparison renders us casualties of mental-wars of our own making. Paul had the right perspective. He counted his losses as nothing in light of all he’d gain. Ready to move on to contentment? The answer is simple. You must first let go.

God bless you and keep you,

Roxanne

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. ® Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.