Betty Whitaker Jackson

With flaming tongues You anointed them

Your disciples, witnesses, that Pentecost day.

Like sheep abandoned, with no shepherd, no hope

They huddled, discouraged, in a hidden room

Wondering, bewildered, feeling so alone

After Christ’s ascension to His heavenly home

He promised a Comforter would come one day

They needed that miracle You brought, as do we.

Like a wind, fresh-blowing, You catch their attention

Again signs and wonders they’re blessed to observe

Perhaps there’s a new way to…..

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from my new book, in progress, My Psalm 201

O Lord, Master of the Universe, Creator of all,

I worship Your Holy Name

And thank You for Your provision, Your protection,

For giving me life and breath.

I worship You in Spirit and in Truth,

And place my heart in Your hands

That I may serve You and dwell with You

All the days of my life, here and in Your Kingdom.

I thank You for creating…..

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Bless you on this Lord’s Day. This hymn from Psalm 104 and set to poetry by Robert Grant in 1833 is one of my favorites.

“O worship the King all glorious above, O gratefully sing His power and His love;

Our shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days, Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.

O tell of His might, O sing of His grace, Whose robe is the light and canopy space.

His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds…..

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MY PSALM 153:

O Lord of the Universe,

I come with humble heart before Your throne,

Knowing that in Your mercy, You hear my pleas,

Prepare my paths, provide for my every need.

You created the heavens and the earth

And pronounced them good

And I echo that,

Admiring the light that shines by night

And the sun that warms the day.

I thank you for Jesus, the Light of the World

And the Light of eternity,

For without You…..

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Continuing our thoughts from my book, “Beyond Easter: Pentecost to Ascension” we think about the wonderful news God shared with the world that Christ’s resurrection, a miracle, is one of many. Today I rejoice in a miracle occurring right this very minute in the life of friends from Covenant Church in Palm Bay, Florida.

Our dear Brian Corey suffered a massive heart attack on Easter Sunday morning. Today, there are signs of progress in his recovery. His sweet wife heard…..

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Easter brings us hope. We have the joy of knowing that God answers Prayer.

My Psalm 167

O Lord, Healer of our bodies and souls,

We come to You this day in prayer

For Your saints who suffer illness in this life.

You have called on us to lift others in prayer

And we have seen evidence of Your healing Presence.

Today we lift up those dear ones we love

Who are suffering illnesses only You can heal.

…..

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The empty tomb symbolizes hope in all its glory. Without a doubt, this day in history is His Story. God created the world in perfect order. Man sinned. Restitution was necessary. God provided the perfect sacrifice. Christ died and rose again! Hallelujah. We are redeemed. Thank God!

Resurrection hope extends to our loved ones who love the Lord. This week has been difficult. The father of a dear friend was buried yesterday. A close friend we’ve worked with and admired…..

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My very favorite spring poem for the first day of spring, 2017: BY e.e. cummings: in Just- spring          when the world is mud- luscious the little lame balloonman whistles          far          and wee and eddieandbill come running from marbles and piracies and it’s spring when the world is puddle-wonderful the queer old balloonman whistles far          and             wee and bettyandisbel come dancing from hop-scotch and jump-rope and it’s spring and          the                   goat-footed balloonMan          whistles far and wee

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eecummings is one of my favorite poets. When he wanted to show close alliances, or quick action, he would often write words without spaces, without capital letters or “correct” punctuation.  On this day when we celebrate Leon’s life, I cannot think of him without his life-partner, Emily, and it will take me some time before I can put my mind around the divide that now exists. Hence, the title. May this piece be a blessing to all who love them,…..

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