Mary G. Jackson, Author

My Blog & Writings

PRESENCE: The Book is Moving Forward!
Mary Jackson Mary Jackson

PRESENCE: The Book is Moving Forward!

PRESENCE is in the hands of the publisher! There are multiple phases a book goes through before being ready for market. That process has begun. Editing is the process of taking what you have written and making it clearer, cleaner, smoother, and more able to reach the reader. Read More

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The "G" in Guilt doesn't stand for God
Mary Jackson Mary Jackson

The "G" in Guilt doesn't stand for God

Some religions speak of guilt (and its accompanying partner, shame) as if it is the primary motivator to do God's will. That has always felt icky to me, and doesn't at all reflect the relationship with the Divine that I have known. Read More

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How Can We Be More Receptive to the Presence of the Divine?
Mary Jackson Mary Jackson

How Can We Be More Receptive to the Presence of the Divine?

What can I do? That's a question so often asked when we are trying to go from one place to another in our lives. There are many answers that can be checked off an organized list. But “how can we be more receptive to the presence of the Divine” is a question that is not about "doing" but about "being." That's a mindful experience. Read More

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Why isn't It the Same God for Everyone? Or is it?
Mary Jackson Mary Jackson

Why isn't It the Same God for Everyone? Or is it?

If I described the form and characteristics of the God of my understanding, I would expect there to be some differences with the description you might have. If we took a look at the God written about in different parts of the Bible, we also would likely have many ways of experiencing the Divine. So how do we reconcile these different accounts of the Spirit with our often main theme of being people who believe in One God? Read More

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What Does God Look Like?
Mary Jackson Mary Jackson

What Does God Look Like?

I cannot shake that image from the Sistine Chapel in Rome -- of God reaching out to touch Mankind. It is a fresco painting formally known as The Creation of Adam by Italian artist Michelangelo created in about 1508-1512. Read More

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Everyday Gifts from God
Mary Jackson Mary Jackson

Everyday Gifts from God

When you are out and about, do you ever see something that someone you love would love? It could be an item in a special color, a food that will be a treat for that person, a shirt with a meaningful saying. You think, "that person would really love this, and I'd love to bring back a surprise just because that special person is so important to me. It would make me happy to give that kind of happiness. Read More

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How Do You Recognize the Divine?
Mary Jackson Mary Jackson

How Do You Recognize the Divine?

We mostly accept that two people who witness the same event will describe it differently. We are aware that siblings may describe their parents differently. But when many religions teach of ONE God, does it cross your mind that perhaps that "knowing" may be unique to each and every child of God? Read More

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Original Blessing—     The Starter for Your Spiritual Path
Mary Jackson Mary Jackson

Original Blessing— The Starter for Your Spiritual Path

Do you remember having a teacher in school who started the first day of class by telling all the students they already had a starting grade of "F"--failing -- and for the rest of the semester they had to dig themselves out of that hole to earn a passing, above average, or superior grade? Read More

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How I Pray
Mary Jackson Mary Jackson

How I Pray

When I was really little, I was taught a prayer to say on bended knee at my bedside. It was a little poem-like prayer. I think it was the "Now I lay me down to sleep" one, but I can't be entirely sure. Read More

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Can You Recognize Divine Persistence?
Mary Jackson Mary Jackson

Can You Recognize Divine Persistence?

Sometimes I keep trying for an outcome that I have deemed important to me, and no matter what I do, I cannot make it happen. It feels as though I am making my way down a path which seems to be open to me, and suddenly I come upon a brick wall. It is as if I am being told, "No, don't go any farther, don't go the way you have been heading, and just stop." Has the Divine abandoned me on my path? Read More

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The Divine in Discouragement
Mary Jackson Mary Jackson

The Divine in Discouragement

Last week, after the Capitol building had been invaded, someone asked me how things were for me, and before I could engage my brain, my mouth replied that I was fearful and sad. Although there are many wonderful aspects of my life for which I am grateful, there is this deep sense of emptiness and despair that has been building for a long time. The January 6, 2021 event of national violence and hatred have taken me to an even more tender place of hurt. Read More

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Abundance
Kelly Sundsvold Kelly Sundsvold

Abundance

This got me thinking about abundance. I'm pretty sure the Divine likes abundance, since we have been given so much of so many things -- all those repeating sunrises and sunsets, uncountable stars, animal and plant species that fill our every need, Read More

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