I Don't "Wanna"

That is a cry that we often hear from a small child when told to pick up toys, etc. Still, that is part of the process of training them.

Freedom

When childhood and the training phase have been left behind, then comes what you would think would be "your voice, your choice" time. No more being told to pick up toys, to take out the trash, to go to bed, etc. If you didn't wanna do it, you didn't have to. Remember when you got the first taste of being on your own and being able to do what you wanted to do? Nothing like that first taste of freedom, is it? Yeah, I know, been there and done that.

I'm Grown Now

Then comes the realization, sooner than later for some, that those rules that were made for you while you were a child had purpose.  If you did not get enough sleep, you suffered for it the next day. When you did not take out the trash, you lived in a pigsty. The place where you lived was your domicile, and no one else is going to come over and clean it up for you. So, you learned.

Uhm hmm

Just like that child that said, "I don't wanna," as Christians, we sometimes do the same thing. We may not whine at first; we just don't do it. But when life spanks our hands, so to speak, we may whine to ourselves. Uhm hmm, Biblical Jonah didn't want to do what he was told to do either. He flat out was not going to do it, or so he thought. But, when God's whale got through with him, he was running to do as he was told.

Hand Spanking or Whale Time

Several of us had to learn that when you were born to do a thing, that thing you will do. You can go willingly, or you can have a hand spanking or some time in the whale. But, when the spanking is over or the whale time is done, you are ready to do whatever. We have come to realize that this life is not about us and what we want.

Picked with a Purpose

If the Lord has determined that you are a vessel chosen for a given task, be reassured that you will carry out that task. I used to think that because I had been chosen for a particular task, that I would not have to be bothered with naysayers and enemies. Ha Ha, I laugh at my naivety now. I realize that my reasoning was faulty, now, but this is the way that I looked at it. Here I was doing something that I did not even want to do in the first place and having to contend with folks trying to stop me, too! I thought that that was a bit much. But, I tell you one thing. Ha, ha, I didn't want any more whale time, so I continued on with my task.

One Thing I Knew

I had learned from reading my Bible and from other situations in my life that I just needed to continue with my task. I knew what others would soon learn. When a person is on a mission appointed to him by the Lord, leave that person alone. Well, whatever you do, don't make that person's job hard to do. Because if you do, you may find yourself with some "whale time" or something worse.

Just Some Heartfelt Reflections this Morning as I Do What I Can, While I Can Because I Care,

Alma Carr-Jones

Poetic Thought for Today

When you show that you have learned a lesson

Shorten your "whale time" by a heartfelt confession.

Inner Stuff

I am just a nobody, and I am content to be me

Because I know Who has orchestrated

The life you know of as me.

 

If you do not understand, that's okay

But there are some that do, for

They walk a similar journey

But I will tell you a little bit in

Order to make you see

What I mean when I say

"The life you know of as me."

Once upon a time, maybe several years or so ago

When all that I knew was gone and

I was shoved down a new path

I went grudgingly with feet dug in all the way

But, alas, another voice was heard to say

"Stop fighting, I know what I am about, you

Just hold on to Me like you always have and

We will give your enemies something to

Try and figure out."

"I have never left one of My own  alone

And I do not plan to start with you

You will be better than fine when my

Plans for you are through.

You remember my servant Job, from Biblical days

How he became a byword for the folk to talk about

But he trusted in My care of him enough

To hold on to his faith and to wait and see

How things would turn out."

"He trusted me with all he had and was, and

Knew within his inner self that laughing, jealous

Scorners were a part of his life because

For me, he was so zealous.

So, don't give up on me, my little vessel of clay

I am the God of Hezekiah and I will

Shepherd you on your way and you will

Have a victorious laugh at the end of the day.

 

Now, I walk resolutely on knowing

Who shepherds my way

And when I falter with doubt my "inner stuff"

(The stuff that I carry within that makes me

Seem a giant among men) will say

"Remember Hezekiah, little vessel, you have

Not lost your way, you have been redirected

To where I want you to be, according to plans

Made before you were even a progeny."

 

Oh, the stuff that I carry within? That is simply what God placed there because He knew that I would one day, for the faith, have to contend.

Doing What I Can, While I Can Because I Care,

Alma Carr-Jones

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow

What lies around the corner of tomorrow

I can tell you that I do not know

And I am not worried about it now

Because dealing with the things of today

Are enough for this one brain anyhow.

********

Cyber Ghost

I had one of my greatest poems

Typed and ready to post

When I decided that I needed to add a picture

And don't you know that before I could get done

That poem got eaten by the cyber ghost.

 

To say that I was livid

Does not begin to cover how I felt

But the memory of that wonderful poem is not very vivid

Yet, I could labor through it and come up with

A version close enough to it

But I decided that since it vanished away

I'd leave the cyber ghost to it.

Thought for Today

Sometimes you just have to let overthinking be

And busy your hands with today while telling your

Inner self to wait for tomorrow, just to wait and see.

 

 

Telling My Story,

Alma Carr-Jones

 

Forgive Yourself and Learn to Love Again

Messed Up Again

Did you mess up again? And you feel like nobody believes in you anymore? Say what! Oh, so you don't even believe in yourself so why should anybody else, huh? Uhm hmm... Well, listen to Grammy Alma this morning.

Aw, don't despair. If you feel like what I wrote in the lines above, then recognize that you are at the bottom. You have heard people say, "He or she has to hit rock bottom before they come to themselves." So, you have hit and I am sure that you received a jarring jolt. Listen and learn a thing or two. First of all, don't you know that most us have hit rock bottom in some form or another? Yes, even Grammy Alma! Most of us know what it is to have our world shattered into a million pieces or to have our life reduced to the likeness of the finest sand. But, you know what? We didn't stay down. We didn't stop trying.

How Do You Start, You Ask?

Well, you have to recognize that you have a problem or that you are in need. Then you have to realize that you are not by yourself. Some people and circumstances may make you think that you are alone but you are not. How do I know this? I have been a minister's wife for over 40 years and taught middle school for thirty of those years. If you know anything at all about working with church folks or dealing with other folks children, you know what I mean by the following statement.  By virtue of experience and because of love, I am talking with you today. Here is what you do after you pray for deliverance from your problem:

1. Realize that you are not alone (Alcoholics Anonymous, Drug Rehab Facilities, Christian Counselors, etc.) If you are worried about someone knowing your business, then go to one who does not know you.


2. Don't think, "Why me?" Instead think, "When I rise above this thing then I can help someone else up because I know the devastating effects that losing hope can have on a person." Think this to yourself,  "I did it and you can, too."


3. If you do not work, then do some type of volunteer work. (Reading at the nursing home, addressing cards for the church or nursing home, helping out at the homeless shelter or local food kitchen, etc.)


4. Stay busy, busy, busy. Begin and end every day with prayer.


5. If you slip and fall again, hop right back up and start over again. Keep a diary of how you feel, of how many days you have been sober, clean, etc.


6. Never give up on yourself. Somebody out there believes in and loves you and I do, too. How can I say that I love you? Easy, I reached out to you this morning, didn't I? You think that it was just a coincidence that I happened to write this blog on this subject on this particular morning? And it just happened to catch your eye today? I think not!

Doing What I Can, While I Can Because I Care,

Alma L. Stepping On Jones

The Gift

How excited we get when we receive a gift, especially one that we have been wanting for a long time. We get so joyous that we squeal and often hug the neck of the person who gave it to us. Think about all of the gifts that you have been given throughout your lifetime... Uhm hmm, for most of us it makes an impressive list, doesn't it? Yes, it does.

But what did your mind lean toward in your choice of the remembrance of your gifts? Most people would lean toward the tangible. But when I think about my most cherished gifts that I have received, I think about my family.  But, more important than that, I think about the "Ultimate Gift," Jesus Christ, Who God gave as a propitiation for my sins.  (John 2:2; 4:10 KJV)  That is the one gift that means more than all of the others combined. Why? By this gift, I have a life now and then again later in a glorious place that is too wonderful to describe.

Just Think

I get to dwell in that wonderful place where Jesus is and I won't have to worry about any kind of stress, strife nor trouble.  The tree of life is growing in the midst of the city just like pears and peaches grow during their season down here. Oh, but unlike the pears and peaches, the fruit of the tree of life is always in season. Can you even imagine being allowed to go up to a tree and pick a piece of fruit from it that makes one live forever? I cannot. Now, I may have taken some liberties with my imaginings, but that is only a what-if scenario.

I can tell you one thing, the joy that will be ours will surpass anything that I could conceivably come up with in my limited imagination! Jesus, the Gift that keeps on giving. My! My! My! What a wonderful time it will be!

Happily Doing What I Can, While I Can Because I Care,

Alma L. Stepping On Jones

Yes, I did get the vitamins and am on the mend. Thank you for asking.

Well, Well, Well

With each day there may come another introduction to something else in this phase of my life. Ran out of my vitamin and had not bothered to replenish them. I had decided that that was an added expense that I could do without. Well, let me tell you one thing! Not today! And tomorrow either! Do you know why? It turns out that the vitamin was helping a medical condition of mine to be held at bay. Ha! Who knew that, not me. But that is okay; I know it now and hear me when I say to you that this household is going to be vitamin poor from now on. I have always been a fast learner and today is no exception. As soon as I get this blog off to you, I am on my way to Walmart for an early trip to the vitamin and vegetable aisle.

By the Way

If your body has been hankering for a particular vegetable and you cannot get enough of it, do yourself and your body a favor and eat it. You will save yourself some trouble later, probably. I am going to put this new discovery of mine in my new book that I am writing. It is an inspirational book but it is going to have a few self-help tidbits, too.

Well, vitamins call! See you on the blog tomorrow, if the Lord wills.

Doing What I Can, While I Can Because I Care,

Alma L. (On Her Way to Walmart) Stepping On Jones

Yes, I still have my sense of humor, some anyway. :)

 

It's All Over

I imagine that is what the Israelites felt like saying when their time down in Egypt came to an end when they were delivered from bondage and saved from sure death by the blood that the Lord had instructed them to place over their doorposts. Because of their obedience to the command, they were saved from death. That is something to think about, isn't it? Just think, saved by the mark of the blood, wow! The W.O.W. (WORKER OF WONDERS) did it again.

Why Did He Save Them?

He saved them because He had taken them as His own. That is saying quite a bit. No, it actually says it all. Here's the thing. They were His children and He is faithful. All they had to do was place the blood over the doorpost and stay in the house. Sound familiar?

It Should

It should sound familiar because we have been taken as His own if we have become His child by putting on the blood of His Son, Jesus. Where am I going with this? It is simple, really. If you have been baptized in the blood of Jesus, all you need to do is stay in the "house." Remain faithful to Him and do as you are told. Then one day you can say, "It's all over."

In Conclusion

• If you have trouble - doesn't matter


• if you have some sickness - doesn't matter


• if you have financial trouble - doesn't matter


• if you have a negative whatever - it just doesn't matter. You stay with Jesus and one day you will be able to smile and sing, "It's all over."

Because of You

The Praise Goes to You

Because of You, I made it. You did not look

Upon me as just a piece of dust

To me, it seemed that You celebrated my

Life and about me made a fuss.

Never had a birthday party to celebrate the day that I was born

But I have You, loving Father, Who, made me know that

Upon my birth, there was a mission handed down

That meant that I was to talk and write about Your glory

And Your love anyplace I happen to be and mankind can be found.

I don't do the things that I happen to do just because I am me

For I do what I do because of a heaven-sent decree

And this little speck of dust is thankful that You blew within

This body of mine words of comfort and encouragement for all men.

********

 

You Do All Things Well

I am so glad that when You numbered the hairs of the heads of Your children, You did not stop when You came to me. You did not run out of patience when You came to this little piece of clay. You did not run out of lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness. I'm so glad that You took the time and measured in a little more grace and mercy. I'm so glad that You remembered that this little piece of clay is willing to serve You and that You remember still, the desire that I have to work for You. You remembered me in my youth and you continue to remember me now. I'm so glad that You still allow me to feel productive as I attempt to ready the next generation for service in Your kingdom. I am so glad that in all You do, You continue to remember, even me.

A Prayer Offering this Thanksgiving Day

Lord, I have allowed my blog readers to join me in a prayer of thanksgiving to You this morning.

 

Humbly we all bow and ask you to hear this prayer as if it is from the most sincere place in each of our hearts. We ask that you receive our thanks and praise this day.Father, the Creator of all things, we want to say, "Thank You." Thank You for every blessing, mountain, hill, and storm that we have had in our lives. Thank You for giving us the understanding that when You said that You were faithful, that You really meant that You would never leave us floundering in this world alone. Thank You for the patience in teaching us that. Thank You for extending the hospitality and availability of your throne to us. Thank You for allowing us to even serve you. Thank You for continuing to remember that we are but dust, even me.

We trust you to bless us individually according to the needs in our lives as we continue to live for You.In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen

********

 

Thank You for preparing a place

That I will one day get to see

Thank You for being mindful

Of this speck of dust

Even me.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Alma L. Stepping On Jones

 

 

 

 

Unto the Least of Them

Unawares

Have you ever wondered if you have ever entertained angels unawares? (Heb. 13:2) That is a thought, isn't it? It makes one think, "When where and how."

"Unto the Least of Them..."

All of His children...so precious. (Matthew 25:35) This also makes you think, "When, where, and how."

Holiday Season

This is the time when most of us want to bring out the best in us. Let's take this further and let the best in us override the worst in us for all of the time given to us, not just the holiday season.

Be Blessed," is what I say to you as you allow the spirit of the holiday season to cloak you.

Doing What I Can, While I Can Because I Care,

Alma L. Stepping On Jones

Season of Anticipation

Temporal

It's the holiday season. Ah-h, the joy of it, no? We start as children thinking of the toys and trinkets that we will get on Christmas Day. But there is another holiday that comes about a month before then and that is Thanksgiving Day. That is a day that man has set aside for giving the Lord thanks for all of the blessings that He has given. We get together with family and friends and stuff ourselves with turkey, dressing, pie, cranberry sauce and many other fixings. And we enjoy it don't we? Uhm, hmm.

Eternal

We start as children thinking of the joys and blessings that we will get when we get to heaven. On that day all of the trouble and trials of this life will be wiped away. That is the day that the Lord has set aside for the rewards of living for Him during our temporal time. When we get there, we will know as we are known and enjoy the things that the Lord has prepared for us because we loved Him.

Poetry Application

I don't wait for a special day to thank God for His goodness to me

I do that with every day that I am blessed to see

And scholars say that they don't really know the day of Jesus' birth

So I celebrate His life every day with joy and mirth

Because on the day that He died, He told me of my worth to Him

He picked me up from the miry clay of sin and cleaned me

And polished me like I was a treasured gem

Oh, the joy of Christmas, yessiree

The ultimate gift from my God to me

Thanking Him for each moment that He

Has allowed a penitent sinner such as I to see

And thanking Him for the chance to

Tell of His love to all humanity.

Thanking my way all the way to glory

As I live for Jesus and tell my story

Living for the time that I get to stay

With my God through all eternity.

Ah, the joy of anticipation

It's gonna be great, don't you see

The untold joys that He has prepared

For you and for me.

Doing What I Can, While I Can Because I Care,

Alma L. Stepping On Jones

I Don't Get It

People often say, "I don't understand," when situations don't turn out the way they thought they would or when people don't react the way they thought they should. There are times that I say to myself and to certain others, "That does not compute." That is my way of saying, "But that does not make sense." What I really mean is that a given reaction is beyond my comprehension.  And it is certainly not something that I would entertain doing. But, you know, there are things in everyone's life that, at some point, fall into a similar light.

Think about It

I had a friend who used to use the phrase, "I don't get it," anytime somebody did something without thinking it through (or even thought about doing it).  She considered all such thoughts and actions as foolhardy. This was her way of saying that every negative thing done has a negative reaction. She was a big proponent of think before you act.

Serving the Lord might fall into that light, according to some people's thinking. You don't think so? Well, we all know the story of Abraham. He was told to take His son to a place of sacrifice and offer him to the Lord. Abraham had to act on faith without doubting. Most of us would have been thinking "I don't understand or that does not compute." But Abraham did what he was bid and made a place for himself in biblical history. He is known as the father of the faithful to this day.

So, Too

So, too, must we in this Christian walk of faith. We must remember that the Lord says in Isaiah 55:8, "My thoughts are not your thoughts. neither are your ways my ways." We just have to walk by faith in the paths that the Lord leads us to and secure our blessings. So, the next time that you get ready to say, "But, I don't understand or it doesn't make sense, remember that by man's way of thinking:

• It didn't make sense to take an already outnumbered army (Israel's enemies 135,000 to 32,000 Gideon's men) and whittle them down to three hundred men


• It didn't make sense for a little boy to think that he was going to take down a well-trained, battle-hardened soldier of over 6.6 to 9 feet tall (I used that measurement because scholars can not agree as to what his actual height was.)

God Does

There are accounts too numerous to name of such instances in the Bible. So let us all just remember that we don't have to get it, God does.

Doing What I Can, While I Can Because I Care,

Alma L. Stepping On Jones

Not as the Publican

 

[caption id="attachment_646" align="alignnone" width="178"] Each of Us Is Covered by His Cross[/caption]

Often, we see people with a self-righteous attitude of, "I am glad that I am not as you." That brings to mind the beam and the mote from Jesus' parable in Matthew 7, verses 1-5. What Jesus basically said was that we should not be so quick to censor someone else for their small shortcomings while ignoring our much larger ones. It means to clean up your own life first, then you can see clearly to help someone else clean up theirs.

 

But you know what

I take from that passage of scripture, "Alma you have faults, too." This means that "All of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23 KJV) So, living with this knowledge, I keep striving to do as I ought and asking for forgiveness when I don't. When I fall, I get back up and continue on my journey because I know that there is a home to which I am going. And you know what else, I see my fellowman as a fellow traveler to eternity who has to struggle just as I do. I see him through the eyes of compassion, that same compassion that Jesus extends to me.

So, if there are things that you need to get forgiveness for, then ask. If it is a public sin, then ask for forgiveness before the saints of God, if not then ask the Lord privately. Either way, don't stay down on yourself for whatever it is that you have done. The forgiveness is yours because Jesus died a long time ago. All you have to do is ask for it in order to avail yourself of it. It is as simple as that, y'all.

With All that I Know

With all that I know, I will not let sin stand between me and the Lord. No siree!  I have worked too long and too hard.

On that Note

On that note, I am on my way to worship and I hope that you are, too. Be blessed.

Doing What I Can, While I Can Because I Care,

Alma L. Stepping On Jones

Uh, Yes I Do

[caption id="attachment_655" align="alignnone" width="202"] From the Tallest Mountain in My World, Telling the Story of Your Love for Your Glory.[/caption]

Say What!

"Do you mean to tell me that if they ask for a volunteer, you are going to go up there? In front of all these people?" My friend was incredulous when she uttered the words above at a national ladies retreat that we attended. There were hundreds of ladies there and I guess the fact that I was willing to go up front and give a two-minute unrehearsed talk before of all those ladies was somewhat mind boggling to her. When I thought about it later, it was a bit incredulous to me, too.

I mean, think about it. Here are some of the mind-boggling points that I thought of later:

• The ladies in that auditorium represented some of the best speaking ladies in the entire country or had traveled to the retreat for many years and had heard many great speakers


• I, as an unknown, was being asked to speak on a grander scale than ever before


• What if I had gotten up there, turned and looked at the audience and all coherent thought about what I thought I was going to say had flown?

Uhn, Uhn!

But you know, folks, even as I think back on the retreat now, I would do the same thing. When people were asked to give a two-minute talk about the goodness of God, I was on my feet before I knew what I had done. I remember thinking, "Uh, Oh! You have gone and done it now,"  as I walked down the aisle toward the front.  Ha, Ha, let me tell you, folks,  my legs wanted to shake and my hands started to sweat. I told myself, "Uhn, uhn! You told the Lord in prayer that you would stand on the tallest mountain in the world and proclaim your love for Him and His goodness to man." So go to it.

And That

And that is just what I did. When I finished, some of the ladies were asking, "Who is she?" "Where is she from?"

Who Am I?

Just a nobody from West Tennessee who is willing to walk past nervousness to tell the world of my love for the Lord and His love for mankind.

Doing What I Can, While I Can Because I Care,

Alma L. Stepping On  Jones

Every Now and Then

Every Now And then It Helps Us to Be Reminded of...

Hi, there. Just fixing myself a spot of tea. Be right back to you in a few minutes, okay?...

I have had my spot of tea, and I am back. But before I had my tea, I had my time with Jesus, so I am ready now. And while I was talking to Him, I thanked Him for His saving grace and blessings. I asked for forgiveness of my sins. And then I acknowledged my dependence on Him as I made my request known. I told Him that I realized that by His will I had traveled to where I am now.

Yes, y'all, I talked to my Father this morning as I do every morning, Yet this morning, I spent more time with Him, and I want to tell you that I came away satisfied. You see, I was burdened when I went to Him, but now I have relief. As I talked to Him, I realized that I have what I have and have come where I have come, by His will. I understood that His will has been propelling me all of my life, that it didn't just start now, that I realize and recognize that He is.

I'm Ready Now

Y'all, I had me an inspiring, good time while praising Him for His will. I told Him that I knew that by His will, mountains had been moved and storms had been stilled.

I made the acknowledgment to the Lord that in His will, I place my trust. That means that since, by His will,  I have come thus far and I like the outcome, then by His will I am willing to be led and I trust in the ultimate outcome of it in my present situation, as well. I'm ready now.

Guiding Hand

When youth allowed me to skip with alacrity

You were there watching me as I, with glee

Noticed all the things there were for me to see.

You pulled me back from things that I didn't need

And shook me with gentleness when wayward I would be

You allowed me to appease my curiosity

While lessons of insight, you did me feed.

Like the beneficent Father that you are

You guided this little one on toward the

Place that You had determined I would be

With gentle hands, oh God, who formed me.

There is that within me that yearns to get out

The praise that you deserve so much

For the omniscience that is You, Lord

Whose hands guide me with Your gentle touch.

Supped from the table prepared by Your hand

Great Father, God, Savior of man

Thank You for allowing the girl I used to be 

To have grown into a lady who, with insight, can stand

To gaze into Your glory, oh God of my homeland

And work as I wait to be gathered back again

For I have remembered Whose I am and I trust You

To work everything out for me.

Yes, Yes, Yes

Yes, every now and then it helps us to be reminded of who we are and Who we belong to. When that is done, there are no more worries and cares. We just keep taking our faith walk and shining for Him as we step. That's why, as I told you yesterday, "I won't stop."

Doing  What I Can, While I Can Because I Care,

Alma L. Stepping On Jones

Growing Old Gracefully

[caption id="attachment_725" align="alignnone" width="116"] One Day[/caption]

I Always Thought

You know, I had always thought that when it was my time to get old, I would do it gracefully. And I thought I was managing it pretty well until one day it hit me, "I can't say what the old folks say anymore because they are gone and I am in their place now." I have crossed the threshold from middleaged to old.  Aw righty then!

I was talking to a friend of mine yesterday and we were commenting on the seemingly high number of deaths that have taken place in our geographical area. Then she pointed out that of the four deaths that had occurred within the last month, three of them were younger than we are. That was a sobering thought for us but we talked about the fact that the Lord has already told us that death is coming, once in  "And as it is appointed unto men once to die..." (Heb. 9:27 KJV) and again in (Ecclesiastes 3:2 KJV).

Poetry Offering to Complete the Thought

I said that I would grow old gracefully

When my time had come

But the time has moved so swiftly that I

Did not realize that the process had already begun.

 

Should have realized it when silver

Sprinkles came to rest in my hair

Or when the silver became predominant and

The black was sprinkled there.

And let's not forget about that first twinge of knee pain

That at first came and went, but now

Makes you mind how you step because it remains

Or the windows of the soul that have gone

From needing reading glasses to full-blown bifocals.

I'm not a dunce and I do realize that I began to

Grow old on the day that I was born

I just did not expect the truths of old age to creep upon

Me so fast that I had scarce gotten used to the last one

 Before the next one had begun.

 

I used to hear the "old folks" talk about checking

The obituaries of a given morn

To realize that their name was not there, so

They knew that they had been given more time

To accomplish whatever they were sent to do

That's a jolting thought for me, fellowman

Does it grab you that way, too?

No, not jolting because we are going to die

But jolting to think about reading the obituaries

To determine whether one's name is there

That is a jolting thought, I do declare

I mean if you have left this life, don't you know it

Or am I being naive and in my ignorance daring to show it?

Well, at any rate, it is what it is and will be what it will be

But I have to make sure that I have done all of the tasks

That were assigned to me

And that I can answer in the affirmative when asked

About it by some afterlife attendee.

So, you get tired of hearing me talk about Jesus and His love

Well, fellowman I won't apologize to you because I want a home above

And my time here may be getting short

So this mission I have been sent on

Grammy Alma will not abort.

Doing What I Can, While I Can Because I Care,

Alma L. Stepping On Jones

 

 

And the Beat Goes On

Just Keep Stepping

Just like the little drummer boy marching and marching, just like the bunny that beats his drum, so goes a Christian's walk for Christ. We have to be recharged from time to time or rewound periodically, but we keep stepping on in our walk for the kingdom.

I told you several blogs back about the need to refuel so as to keep our tanks of "faith" full. This is the same principle here, just a new play on words. We have to remember to stop by the church house on Sundays and during the week for mid-week prayer service or Bible class.

Anyhow

I remember when I was a little girl and we had just gotten a new windup toy that the incessant movement of the toy fascinated us. And we would go into peals of laughter and shouts of glee when that windup toy would walk into the wall and keep stepping in place. We would turn it around and wait for it to walk into some else. But that toy was just an automaton with no feelings. It did not hurt it to keep repeatedly stepping into a wall.

We, as Christians, keep bumping our heads against the wall of resistance that the world has put up, but we don't stop trying. Why? Just like the toys that are mentioned above, brought joy to children, we bring the joy of our Savior's love to a world that is busy, busy, busy.

Hold Up; Wait a Minute

In this busy rat race of life, we must not forget that one day there will be no more stopping by the church house for recharging or rewinding. One of those Sundays or Wednesdays will be our last. One day we will cease to march to the tune of this world. One of these days we will be called from labor to reward. For some, the reward will be the gift of eternal life with the Lord and for others, the reward will be eternal life in torment.

Never Too Busy

Busy, busy, busy, busy doing what is the question. We must not forget that while we are being so busy with the affairs of this life that our bodies are busy dying. We must remember that we are making preparations for an appointment that we all will keep in the afterlife.

So, I will keep butting my head against the wall

And I will keep telling mankind about the gospel's call

Because one day we all

Are going to stand in line in God's judgment hall

And each one of us wants to hear, "Well done"

When the books are opened and our name is called

BOOM! BOOM! BOOMPETY -boom, BOOM!

********

Yes, you see me marching in the Christian line

Uhn hmmm, and when my name is called

Over yonder, I'm gonna be just fine

Because the joys of glory will, at last, be mine.

Doing What I Can, While I Can Because I Care,

Alma L. Stepping On Jones

 

The Art of Perseverance

Generational Teaching

I saw my Momma's faith

As I was growing up

I saw my Momma's tears

As she drank from the bitter cup.

I learned from watching her, the art of perseverance

And being resilient through my pain

I learned to love the Lord

And to His cause, true to remain.

1 Peter 4:13-16

*******

 

My son watched me bow on bended knee

And heard my words to God about my family

He heard me mention his name in my talks

With the Lord and he finally came to understand

And he learned to lean on Jesus when he became a man

And the molding of his own son was placed in his hands.

2 Timothy 1:5

Each day that we live, let us leave the next generation something to keep their faith strong. Yes, this next generation is going to need an extraordinary amount of faith and determination to make their calling and election sure.

Doing What I Can While I Can

Alma L. Stepping On Jones

Blessed and Favored

The bazaar that was held on Saturday was a great success. The ladies at McCabe did an outstanding job in putting it on. I am thankful that I was asked to have a booth there to display my latest book. The sales of the book went way past what I had hoped. I had hoped to have pictures for you, but they did not turn out. Oh well, it was a successful day.

After the bazaar, went to one of my favorite restaurants for a carryout meal and sold another book while there and had several promises for online orders. Was I amazed by the book being received as well as it was? Yes, I was, but I should not have been because when you have God's favor, He blesses you in ways that you had not even thought of.

Oh Yeah

The picture that is shown at the beginning of this article is my new car magnet. Isn't it beautiful? Yes, I displayed that at my booth Saturday.  To God be the glory!

Ha Ha This post has been a mess to get posted today. Typed almost 1000 words and pushed the publish button. Ha Ha It not only did not publish, but it erased all that I had typed except five lines. And get this, I could not get the picture that I wanted to use for this article to upload. I tried and tried and just gave up. When I went there to see how bad it looked, Voile, the picture there, but upside down. That's it. I give up. It is almost comical if you really sit down and think about it. Almost...

Heat on My Feet

When it starts getting a little cold with a nip of coming winter in the air, we like to feel the enveloping warmth of a heater to knock the chill off of our feet. I do, at any rate. However, when we get too much heat, we need to have the heat turned down or off. That's called being pampered with a central heating and air unit. Did not even realize that I was spoiled until life gave me a dose of reality. Here is what happened to make me count my blessings even more.

My heating unit went out and such as life can do sometimes, it just was not convenient for us to replace it to the tune of several thousand dollars. That meant getting up, bathing, etc. in less than desirable temperatures for several days. It meant having to adjust to standing close to the temporary heater in the mornings. The type of heat that we had was equipped with a thermostat. Yet, it still did not heat the entire living space with uniformity. (There again, I was reminded of how spoiled I had gotten to central heat.)

I was reminded of my charcoal bucket days from my youth and I thanked the Lord that I did not have to contend with that now. We got the unit replaced for quite a bit less than we had dared hope for and I am back to being spoiled with uniform temperatures throughout my house. But, you know folks, being inconvenienced and cold for those few days made me think more than usual about people who are homeless or people who have no heat at all, especially children.

The holiday season is soon to be upon us and I have been pondering in my mind what I can do to help alleviate the problem of shelter and the lack of heat in my area. So, I am going to look into what is being done for the homeless and less fortunate in my town. We may not have any homeless, I am not sure, I am ashamed to say. But I will find out. I am also going to look into local efforts for the needy and/or homeless.

Having the inconvenience of doing without a heating unit made me have cold feet. But, I will tell you this. I won't take the heating unit for granted anymore and I will help others during the cold months to come.

In Conclusion

It took losing heat for my house to wake me up to people who may have that need for months on end. Don't know, but gonna find out and help to alleviate the problem. You be thoughtful and blessed.

Continuing to Do What I Can, While I Can Because I Care,

Alma L. Stepping On Jones

 

The Passage of Time

In His Hand

Time is in Jesus' hand

And upon that premise

I will continue to stand.

Though the river of life moves steadily on, it's about how we spend our time that we will be judged. I like to think that my living has brightened some folks days and helped others in a myriad of ways. You know that old spiritual song that goes:

If I can help somebody as I pass along

If I can cheer somevody with a word or song

If I can show somebody that he is traveling wrong

Then my living shall not be in vain."

Additionally, I want to live my life so that this world will know that I am proud to be the Lord's child and as such, He is my friend.

In Conclusion

A river is much like life, ever moving on.  Sometimes it is turbulent, at other times it is tranquil, but even when it looks like it is still, it is steadily moving toward its end. And you know, it still provides water for those along its route.

River of Life

 

The river of life keeps

 Flowing along,

Through good times, bad times,

 Through right and wrong;

I don’t understand all of

 Life’s ups and downs,

I just keep plodding on,

 In hopes of a crown.

I’ve shed some tears,

 Endured some pain,

Had time in the sunshine

 And time in the rain;

I smile when I can and

 Cry when I must,

But in the GOD of Heaven,

 I put all of my trust.

So when my earthly sojourn

 Comes to an end,

And the river of life flows

 Around that final bend;

I pray sweet guidance to

 My eternal home above,

Where I can rest from my labor

Of building an influence that becomes a legacy

That makes others want to follow me

To the land past time of peace, joy, and love.

(excerpt from "DEI Sub Numine Viget" with italics representing additions)

Doing What I Can, While I Can Because I Care,

Alma L. Stepping On Jones

One Year

Prognosis Given

A lot can happen in a year and yet we don't often think about it until life forces us to. Yesterday, I went to the doctor with a family member.  And the prognosis was about one year with scans every three months. I determined within myself to make life as comfortable as I could for the family member. I am thankful that though the quality of life has suffered from other ailments, this latest diagnosis did not come as a total shock for anyone. There had been the earlier diagnosis, the cough that never quite went away, etc.

When the prognosis was given, the family member began to softly sing an old spiritual song that we heard when we were children. There was a bit of startled silence in the room and I, for one, had to focus so that I could continue to listen to the doctor. The singing of the spiritual song surprised me because there had been another family member to react in the same way years earlier...

And Now...

Since it was determined that there was nothing to be gained by further treatment and quite a bit of quality of life to be lost by it, the determination was made to opt for quality of life.

No one knows when the final call will be made. So, I will be, as I  always tell you, "Doing What I Can While I Can."

All that You Can Do

Make sure that you love your family and do all that you can do to help them and to show your love to them. Then in the event that you are called in to receive unwelcome news, you can rest upon your faith in the Lord and "step on" as you remember that all things are in His hands.

When you have done all that you could do, there is nothing else but to remember the words from Ecclesiastes that read,

1 There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven -  2 A time to give birth and a time..." (NASV)

 

All that You Can Do

When you do that fellowman

You will have done your best

And then you leave it to God

For He has already made

Plans to do the rest.

********

Another Day

Another day, another hour, another year or ten

Alma Jones is going to  continue to do what she can

While she can to help herself and her fellowman.

Renewal of Joy

Need a pick me up? Who doesn't from time to time? Offering just the thing, a free ebook that is comprised of devotionals and some poems. You get this free ebook when you become a part of my email community. You will receive the start-up set of 5 emails and after that, only once a quarter, unless I have a major announcement.

Hoping that this ebook brings you a renewal of joy and/or serves to remind you that we are our Father's children and as such, we have His everlasting love and care.

Reminder

On Saturday the 11th of November (10-2), I will be in Martin at the McCabe United Methodist Church (Hyndsver Rd.) for their Fall Bazaar. I will have my latest book, Chopping My Row with me. This book has been termed "one to watch." It is also being referred to as, "that book." One west Tennessee church has already adopted it for their ladies' class. So, come by and get a copy. This book is proving to be hard to keep. I thank all of you for your support and patronage and I thank God for His favor.

Doing What I Can, While I Can Because I Care,

Alma L. Stepping On Jones

A Time for All Seasons

[caption id="attachment_484" align="alignnone" width="300"] Waiting for the Ferry[/caption]

Once Appointed Unto Man

Once there was a rooster and a hen

Who had three little chicks (children)

The rooster flew off to parts unknown

And the strong little hen had

To rear the three chicks on her own.

Though it was not the custom for chickens

To follow one another in a line

The hen taught her little chicks to walk like

The ducks, in a straight line

And the rest of the barnyard told the little hen

That she was raising her chicks just fine.

Time passed, which is what time was given to do

And the little chicks had broods of their own

And the old hen was all alone.

Her chicks gathered at her coop when they could

And remembered her on special days

Just like good little chickens should.

Then came the day that the old hen walked no more

And the little chicks with their broods came

To see her off to that other shore.

Time passed, which is what time was given to do

And the oldest chick who used to walk right behind his mother

Crossed the river to go and stay with the little hen

And the two chicks left, each went their own way

Though the youngest tried to walk

Like it had been taught to do.

The day came when the youngest chick saw

That the chick that she used to walk behind

Was gazing across the river to where the hen

And the oldest chick did now reside

And one day soon, the youngest chick knew

That the chick that she used to walk behind

Would cross that river, too.

Three little chicks used to walk in a line

One has departed and another most gone

Following a well-laid out henpecked line.

Have courage, little chick, you will be just fine

If the day comes that you are left all alone

Just you follow the henpecked line.

 

Doing What I Can, While I Can Because I Care,

Alma L. Stepping On Jones

A Praisin' Good Time!

Refueling Time

When your car gets low on fuel, you have to stop by the gas station and refuel, don't you? Uhm hmm, and when life takes much of the wind out of your sails, your vehicle of faith needs refueling as well. You know that I told you in the blog post from yesterday that I would be attending worship. I told you that I was going for the purpose of singing praises to God as I worshiped Him in spirit and in truth.

Love Met Me in the Parking Lot

We got to the church building early and I was adding a final touch to my make-up. I was sitting in the car when I looked up to see a sister approaching my vehicle. She said, when she opened the door, that she just came out to "check on me." She and another sister had been discussing whether or not I was okay or even there because I did not come in when my husband did. I assured her that I was fine and went on in the building with her. To me, folks, that was the Lord's way of letting me know that I was never alone. It was His way of assuring me that He always has angels on the job of taking care of His children.

Met Me in the Assembly

I knew that if I sang with all of my heart and prayed along with the person leading the prayer that Jesus would meet me in the assembly. How did I know that? I knew because like I told you on yesterday, He said, "Where two or three are gathered in my name there I will be in the midst." And sure enough, the words of the songs that were sang swelled around me to envelop me in a cocoon of love and care. I opened my mouth, closed my eyes, and thanked my God for His goodness, lovingkindness, mercy, justice, and righteousness. It seemed that my voice reached out to other voices in the sanctuary and blended in hallelujah praise and joy.  That was the way it seemed to me, at least.

And I got confirmation of that fact after worship was over. One member of the congregation commented on the singing and the joyous spirit that could be felt and others agreed wholeheartedly. Somebody quipped out that it was like old times. I said a quick prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord. And I had a buoyancy to my step for the rest of the day. That buoyancy is still with me now as I pen this blog post to you. You see, I got my vehicle of faith refueled and I can step on a few more miles.

In Conclusion

As I said in yesterday's blog, no matter what it is time for in your life, just know that God is ever faithful and is always near. So, venture forth into your day with the assurance that Jesus is looking and working things out according to His will for your good. I tell you folks, God is good. Can I get a witness?

Doing What I Can, While I Can Because I Care,

Alma L. Stepping On Jones

Shored Up

 

His lovingkindness shored me up when
It seemed that I was destined to fall
Like He did for Joseph, David, and others
Of my Biblical sisters and brothers
He heard and answered my plaintive call.

What Time Is It?

This Sunday morning I got to sleep an hour later, so I got up with a bit more spring in my step.  And I am thankful for that.

I am going through a myriad of adverse things at this juncture in my life. But I am being shored up by my God's love. Whatever, it is time for in my life, He is there for me and with me. I can't thank Him enough for the enveloping presence of His guiding love. He is so good, and I wanted to tell you that. I realize that most of you know that, but allow Alma to add her voice to the hallelujah chorus, and we all can sing to/of His glory.

Gonna Be Sending Up Some Praise.

When I get to the worship service and the song service starts, I close my eyes as I open my mouth and emit praises to my God. I like to sing it so loudly that the people around me sing with just as much fervor. He said, "Where two or three are gathered in My name, I will be in the midst."

And I love it when the songs almost take a singing of their own and seem to flit from corner to corner, light to light and heart to heart. Sometimes it reminds me of a roller coaster that has gotten up to full speed. And then we coast around the turns and up and down the bars of the songs. If you don't know what I am talking about, then when you get to worship this morning, involve yourself more than you usually do. You will be surprised as you pray along with whoever is praying and sing along with whoever is singing at the joyous peace that will be yours.

Just try this, close your eyes when you sing and imagine that you are talking to our Father only. Your song will be sweeter than it has ever been before and more fulfilling. And you will go on with your life with the added assurance that He sees, knows, and cares about all things that are happening to you in your life. Why, because you are His.

Have a blessed day in the name of our Good Lord.

Doing What I Can, While I Can Because I Care,

Alma L. Stepping On Jones

"Do You Not Know? Have You Not Heard?"

Despair

Life gets rough sometimes doesn't it? Uhm hmm, and we get tired, in fact so tired that we often despair. Sure we do. We despair to the extent that we apply the negative to our situation and to any who might be privy to it. In other words, we can get so despondent that we think to ourselves and sometimes aloud that nobody can help us. Then we take it a step further and think and sometimes speak aloud that the Lord has forgotten about us or has forsaken us. Have you ever been in a situation such as the one that I just described? Most of us have at some point or another.

A Lesson for Us Via Israel

The thing is, we need to recognize it for what it is, "a pity party," and move on. I like what I read in Isaiah 40: 21, 27-28 this morning. In this scripture, it seems that Israel was having a pity party because of their hard taskmasters and living situation. You remember that I often tell you that the Lord sees, knows and cares about us. Well, He had Isaiah to remind Isreal about Who He is with these words: "Do you not now? Have you not heard?" It is like He is saying to them, "How can you even think that I, Who, invented knowledge and made you, can forget about you or anything else?" He had Isaiah to have them to understand, wait on the Lord.

Another Lesson

That sentence reminds me of Jesus' words to His disciples when they were afraid of the storm and He said, "Oh ye of little faith."  (Matthew 8:26 KJV) After He said that, what did He do? He stilled the storm.  And y'all know what the disciples did don't you? Yes, they feared and marveled among themselves wondering, "What manner of Man is this that even the wind and the sea obey Him?" "Stick a pin" in that thought and learn a lesson from it.

A Time for All Things

Then, too, I was reading from Ecclesiastes 33 yesterday and read the passage that says, "There is a  time for everything on earth." That means that during our living down here on this earth there will be the various times that are mentioned in this chapter. But, as the chapter says, none of it and not even us, will last always. Have learned to apply that maxim to any given unpleasant circumstance. And I remind myself, Who does last always and is always faithful? God. It is as simple as that.

In Conclusion

So, you keep telling yourself that He is faithful until He resolves your particular situation. I have learned not to even question, "Why?" I know that whatever I am going through, there is a reason for it. My walk with the Lord has taught me to trust Him. Thus, I leave you with these words, "Wait on God,' for 'Do you not know? Have you not heard?" He is good!

Doing What I Can, While I Can Because I Care,

Alma L. Stepping On Jones

Quick Pondering Before the Storm

3:45 in the A.M.

As the storm approaches in this early hour

Thought I would get this poem out before the loss of power

Wanted to discuss with you a bit about my time

No, I am not wasting it because it is

What has been given me to do

Therefore, I spend quite a bit of it

Writing encouraging things to you.

(Ecclesiastes 3:10, 12, 22 NASV)

You See...

Yesterday, I was greeted by a lady with a hug. And her words to me were, "This book is so inspirational that I want to get three more copies, one for my daughter, one for my daughter-in-law and one for my niece. You are such an inspirational writer." Yes, the book that she was referring to is "Chopping My Row," the one that has been dubbed as, "that book."

Kid You Not...

Cannot keep copies of it for long. What a wonderfully blessed problem to have. All glory and thanksgiving go to the God of Glory, my Father for this thing that He has given me to do. And yes, I do enjoy it very much. Do take the time to read the verses mentioned from the book of Ecclesiastes. I begin to understand further why I have this push to write and why I love it so much...

Doing What I Can, While I Can Because I Care,

Alma L. Stepping On Jones

Let's Celebrate!

[caption id="attachment_753" align="alignnone" width="222"] Waves Crash Against the Rock, but It Still Stands.[/caption]

God is good! That is something that is undeniable, but when we are beset with problems and cares, sometimes we neglect to tell others about the goodness of the God that we serve. But you know, even with the problems that we may be having at a particular time in the present, that doesn't change the reality of all that He did for us in our yesterdays.

Anyhow

I did a blog and a Ladies' Day lesson on checking and remembering the track record of God's love and deliverance. When you take the time to read back over certain passages in your Bible and certain things that you have written in your journal, you will rejoice at how He brought you back during some of the times that were particularly chaotic. You will start to think, "I remember how I felt when that happened to me and I remember thinking that I would never smile again. But, oh I remember how joyous and relieved I felt when He sent me deliverance. I thanked Him and thanked Him."  You remember the times that I am talking about whether you wrote them down or not, don't you? Sure you do.

Well, get your praise on for what He did for you back then. And I guarantee you that you will start to praise Him for deliverance from your present situation, too. And you will be praising Him beforehand for your deliverance because you have given it all to him and you know that He knows what to do with it.  You will be praising Him in faith. What an awesome testimony.

Then Peace

Then that peace that surpasseth all understanding will steal upon your soul and you will be grinning and humming so much that your family and associates will start to take notice. And guess what? Think about this. The Lord will see your humming, grinning and praising Him and bless you because of it.

Don't Be Surprised.

Don't be surprised when someone approaches you in wonder and expresses their admiration for you and your strong faith. Just have an answer prepared about your God so that you can continue to give Him glory when they do ask you about your faith.

"Aw Righty Then"

Ever had a time in your life when one thing after another went wrong? Uhm hmm-m, well experiencing such a time as that now. But, when I think about the things that could be going wrong, I say thank You Lord for one more day, and I press on. I may grit my teeth, but I step on. May have to shed a tear or two of frustration, but I step on.

When

• the heating unit went out


• lung biopsy was done on brother


• commode overflowed with sewage


• at the beginning of my blogging session, the internet went down

Arrwrrg!

I threw my hands up, thought, "Aw righty then!" said a prayer and kept on stepping. Sometimes, you have to do just that. And you can do it if you have given your all to the Lord. You just keep walking by the faith that you have in God while remembering Romans 8:31.

1. Internet came back up after being reset from the main box.


2. Blog Post was still intact, thankfully.


3. Will know the results of the biopsy done on brother by Friday.


4. Commode fixed, and a thorough cleaning was done.


5. Getting bids for heating unit today.

In Conclusion

Keep your head up in all types of situations and remember, no matter how low you get, God still knows your name, where you are and the level of your faith. So, whatever you do, keep at least, a mustard seed amount of it and you, my friend, will smile at the end of the day.

Doing What I Can, While I Can Because I Care,

Alma L. Stepping On Jones