Pencil in His Hand: A Mother's Journal of Stories, Thoughts, and Poems.

  Photo: Jussara Romão. Unsplash Salvation Song I woke up on that new, clear day and wondered what might be different. The previous evening had been a watershed moment in my relatively short life. I was sure that I'd turned the proverbial corner and couldn't wait to discover each sparkling discovery. My eyes widened.   He would be with me. I didn't know much, but I knew this. My energy levels were higher than they'd been in a long time. I got up, and quickly finished my morning routine. I could feel His presence; it was as though He was right beside me whilst I got myself, then my two little sleepyheads ready for the day. Morning Jesus. You see, just a few hours before, I had poured out my heart to Jesus, listed my horrible sins, and asked Him to forgive me; to save me. And He had! I was a new Alyssa now. The old Alyssa was gone. I laughed quietly to myself. Would anyone I knew even recognize me? Would Kyle. and Gabriel and Everlee? Would I even recognize myself? *** I ...

  Photo: Aaron Burden. Unsplash How Can I Become A Christian? Dearest Reader, I am very glad that you are asking this question. And If you are not, I pray that you will. I will, with God's help do my best to answer it. Becoming a Christian, or as I like to say, a Jesus' follower, is not about joining a religion, or becoming a religious person. No, it is all about relationship, about becoming a member of God's family. No one can force their way into God's family or into Heaven. Many have tried to do this by observing the Law or by doing good works. But as Romans 3:23 tells us, we have all sinned. No one is good. We are all sinners in need of a Saviour. Now for the Good News!  Jesus is God. And He is good. He offers us the free gift of salvation. He achieved this by taking on human flesh, and dying on the cross. It was there, during that agonizing death that He took all of our sin on Himself. His blood was shed at the cross as a payment for our sin. Basically, Jesus took ...

  Pray! So many people need our prayers: They need to feel that someone cares They need to know Lord Jesus too, be healed and drawn, be made brand new I think of all the suffering ones, held hostage, hurt by men with guns Some are being unfairly kept, marched away whilst mothers wept all while hungry children groan: we see their tears, we hear their moans our hearts sink low with their despair, we trust that Jesus truly cares and though we live so far away, He calls us daily, come now, pray! Listen, for He calls soon, go! Share the Gospel, ease their woe! Never ceasing in our prayers, take all to Him, the One who cares. *** Copyright: pencil in  His Hand. *** 🙏🙏🙏🙏

  Mom with V in V's memory corner Dearest Lord, Here I am again Lord. Thank You for always listening and caring for me. I am so aware today of your constant presence within me. I am never alone, never abandoned, never unheard. Whether I write my prayers down, or whether I say them out loud or breathe them within, You take time to listen. Thank You. I love You. Thank You for saving me; for dying for me; for all of us, on the cross. As You know, Mom has been very much on our minds these past days, it having been her very special birthday on the 29th of February. V and I love to put little mementoes and flowers on that day. Will You please tell her we love her? I was thinking about the cats today. I remember how the three of them would sit in a half circle in front of the oven waiting for Mom's famous scones to come out. They would get a little taste. I'm sure that V remembers the cozy scene too. And of coming home from school to a pot of tea and scones or something else. The ...