Tag Archives: Christian

Who Are You?

 

© Jeanne E Webster

~

“My name is Jeanne Webster,

Web…eb…ster, Web…eb…ster,

My name is Jeanne Webster…

Who are you?”

I remember singing this song in first grade.   As a way of getting to know each other, we’d go around the classroom and when it got to you, you’d sing this, using your name in place of the last student’s name.  It’s a good way to introduce yourself.

My name is Jeanne Webster.  I was born in western Massachusetts, grew up under the “Army brat” emblem, moved almost every three years, ending up graduating from high school in Germany. My early adulthood was spent as a soldier’s spouse and mother of four children; have seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. I’ve worked as a nurse’s aide, certified medical tech, veterinarian assistant, Home Health Care assistant, and freelance writer.

I have been writing since I learned to scribble my name and going non-stop ever since. Non-fiction is my first love but lately I have ventured into the fiction domain. As you can see from my offerings here, I love prose also. Curiosity draws me into new territories and techniques, as I believe challenges are excellent stimulants for the spirit.

I am a Christian and take my faith in Jesus Christ most seriously. He is the focus of all my endeavors and the reason I am who I am. I have been a member of numerous denominations, from Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, and back to Catholic. Presently I do not hold membership in any church. I feel there are too many man-made doctrines infused into religion and therefore I present myself to Christ alone. Christianity is not a religion but a way of life.

A never-bored character, I relish poking around in the corners of my days, seeking out the easily overlooked weeds of life for a rose or two.  I love books, books and more books.  I even read manuals that come with new things I buy!  Crafts are my constant companions, along with the need to set down in hard copy my imaginings.   My thoughts are a whole different world; it’s a Jeanne in Wonderland most days.  My one complaint in life, if it’s really a complaint, is that there isn’t enough time in the day to explore the caverns of the mind and the outside world that God has blessed us with.

I love people, care for people, make new friends, pamper the old friends, and do a heap of praying for people.  You’re my sister, my brother, my mom, my dad, my son, my daughter, and on and on.  In other words, you matter to me.

Sooo…who are you?  I’d like to know you too!

[A reblog to get acquainted with my new blogging friends.]

Come to Me

 `

© Jeanne E. Webster

` 

Out of the depths, I cry to Thee:

Come to me…come to me;

Dwell within my heart, dear One

Warm me as the noonday sun.

 `

Day and night, I long for Thee:

Come to me…come to me;

Whether you be near or far

Always be my rising Star.

 `

Through many a tear I cry to Thee:

Come to me…come to me;

Let me feel your eternal love

That is Spirit given from above.

 `

I shall always cry to Thee:

Come to me…come to me;

Til that day when I shall be

One with Thee, eternally.

 

`

(Written many years ago as a babe-in-Christ)

The “Eyes” Have It

 

The “Eyes” Have It

©  Jeanne E. Webster

 

Have you missed opportunities to present Christ to others?  I have and their names are forever etched upon my heart.

I’ll share with you a most difficult time I had projecting my Christian witness.   Shortly after I sold my house, I moved into a small apartment.  Pets were not allowed so I had to sell Jake, my cockatiel.  Advertising in the local paper brought only one phone inquiry.  The prospective buyer stopped by my home to inspect Jake, sharing a lot about his life as he petted Jake.  My heart became troubled at first by his revelations and soon turned to revulsion when I learned more details of his deviant, immoral lifestyle.  I became so perplexed and distraught over selling Jake to this person that I prayed he would not want to buy him.  Alas, he did, and what could I do except close the deal.

After Jake and the man left, I came to my senses as the message was hammered home in my heart:  You missed another one, Jeanne!  However, I did have some consolation.  I had begun to teach Jake to talk, and the only words he could say were “Praise the Lord!” Yes, I missed the opportunity, but Jake will be repeating that phrase until the day he dies.  Praise the Lord! 

Back to “seeing Jesus” in our fellow-man, I struggle at times to see Jesus in members of my family and close friends.   Does familiarity breed contempt?  Does familiarity blind us from seeing their needs? 

We present a softer heart towards strangers, as judgment does not surface to the forefront.  The prejudices are not at work; it’s as if the slate is wiped clean and charity comes forth swiftly and easily.  The contact is usually a one-time encounter…charity given, and life goes on to the next encounter. 

However, family members and friends we interact with daily or frequently are a different matter.  We know all their foibles, we’ve been around the bend with them, misunderstandings are rife, and it takes all we can muster in the spirit to see Jesus in them.  It is a very humbling experience, to say the least.  The monster within is still lurking inside the body, waiting to be let loose on their poor souls. 

Thanks to Almighty God, His strength is greater than our weaknesses, and charity reigns eternal.  After one of these experiences, one becomes stronger and wiser in their faith and of a much humbler spirit.

Who Do You Think You Are?

Who do You Think You Are?

 ©Jeanne E. Webster

The cost of following Jesus has a steep price tag, in particular, family relationships.

Luke 12:51-53 “Do you think that I have come to bring peace on earth? I tell you, No, rather division. From now on there will be five in one household divided, three against two and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

A daughter accepts Christ as her Savior and her life changes. She begins to exhibit characteristics of a Christian, and her family is taken aback. Before long, her family is estranged and the costs begin to mount up for the girl. She suffers hateful accusations meant to prompt a change in her faithfulness to Christ.

“You think you’re Miss Goody Two shoes!”

“Who do you think you are?”

“You’re not fun anymore.”

“How come you don’t like our jokes anymore?”

“You’ve stopped swearing.”

“How come you’ve changed?”

“You’re not my daughter anymore!”

“We don’t want to hear from you anymore.”

“You’re not welcome here till you change back to your old self.”

“You can go to hell for all we care!”

We pay a steep price for our fellowship with Jesus. Our Lord warned us that we would be scorned, hated and abused, but our reward is heavenly.

Luke 9: 26 “If any man will follow me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily. Whoever will save his life shall lose it, but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, will save it. What’s your reward if you gain the whole world and lose your soul?”

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;

I’d rather be His than have riches untold;

I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands;

I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

Refrain:

Than to be the king of a vast domain

And be held in sin’s dread sway;

I’d rather have Jesus than anything

This world affords today. 

 

I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;

I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;

I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame;

I’d rather be true to His holy name.

 

He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;

He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb;

He’s all that my hungering spirit needs;

I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead.

~Rhea F. Miller, 1922

About Me

Jeanne @ 70

Born in central Massachusetts of blue-blood ancestry, I grew up under the low-end middle class umbrella, where you didn’t starve to death but wore lots of hand-me-down clothes.  I joined the Army early on as an Army brat , moved almost every three years, ended up graduating from high school in Germany.  My early adulthood was spent as a soldier’s spouse and mother of four children; the marriage dissolved after severe conflicts that emanated from Vietnam deployment.  God has blessed me with seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

I’ve worked as a nurse’s aide, certified medical tech, veterinarian assistant, Home Health Care assistant, and freelance writer.  I’ve had my share of ups-and-downs, marital flops, severe domestic abuse, and growing up finally at the age of 59.  Melons mellow out after a while, and I must say I have also.  I’m 70 now, happily married and growing older kickin’ and screamin’ all the way!

I learned  to write my name in kindergarten with that old song, “My name is Jeanne Webster…” and  have been writing non-stop ever since.  Non-fiction is my first love but lately I have ventured into the fiction domain.  As you can see from my offerings here, I love prose also.  Curiosity draws me into new territories and techniques, as I believe challenges are excellent stimulants for the spirit.

My third “I” is that I am a Christian and take my faith in Jesus Christ most seriously.  He is the focus of all my endeavors and the reason I am who I am.  My trust in Him is absolute, having learned early on that people will fail you.  He won’t, never has,  and never will.   I have studied many a doctrine, been a member of numerous denominations  (from Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, and back to Catholic.)  Presently I do not hold membership in any church.  I feel there are too many man-made doctrines infused into the church’s religion and therefore I present myself to Christ alone.  Christianity is not a religion but a way of life.  Praise the Lord!  Shalom

~ Jeanne E. Webster