Author: Jemmie Jems

Under the name Francis Lee, I write interracial Christian romantic suspense. My stories are about finding enduring love when hope and redemption seem unattainable as danger lurks around every corner. My characters learn that where there is darkness, "joy will always come in the morning".

For The Moment…56

Betrayal is an unsavory dish. Something that turns the heart to stone.

We never see it coming, too caught up in the sweet words of a friend.

We break bread together, we drink, we make merry, and yet that  person disguised like a friend continues to plot our demise.

Yes, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

Psalm 41 verse 9.

As true followers of Jesus Christ, we must never have two faces. The Lord was betrayed by a friend, and that so called friend’s end was eternal doom.

We must always have the mind of Christ and show love and compassion.

Yes and No but Yes

Do you believe in fate/destiny?

I believe everyone has a purpose to fulfill. We do not have control of our destiny. We can manipulate some events or circumstances thinking we are in control, but  the end results will remain the same.

The old story about a guy who tried to run away from death. He went to the ends of the earth but in the end, death still met him there.

My God is in control of my life. I try to do things that are right. I try to please Him and live right before Him. Some things may not work out the way I plan. My plan is not right. Then the Lord steps in, and I receive my desire but not in the way I designed.

His ways are not my ways.

I am learning that all things work out for good to those who love the Lord.

My Mom always said, “Whatever is for you, you will have.”

For The Moment…55

Compassion is at the forefront of being a true believer and follower of Jesus Christ.

When Jesus walked this earth,

He was moved with compassion for so many who came to Him for help that He helped them. He helped them and asked for nothing for Himself.

To be like Christ, we have to behave like Him, then we will be His deciples in thought, word, and deed.

Blessed is he that considers the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.

Psalm 41 verse 1.

For The Moment…54

In my distress, I cried unto the Lord, and He heard me. Psalm 120 verse 1.

It is good to know that the Lord is only a call away. He hears all we say and sees all we do. He will never forsake us. We have the confidence and assurance of being in His constant presence.

In the presence of God, we are secure. He keeps us safe. He carries us through our challenges or guides us around them. His presence is our blanket of protection. It is our comfort and our light in this present evil world.

There is nothing better than the knowledge and his promise of security. Nothing can separate us from our Lord.

Just call his name, and he will take your hand.

For The most part

Do you enjoy your job?

I don’t know if any job is perfect. My  job is great. I do a variety of tasks. People come in with real problems, and I try to fix them. Figuring things out can be challenging, but then finding the solution is the best.

However, when the solution does not fit the client’s expectations, I become the bad guy, and they call me incompetent and storm off. Bad news isn’t good news. 

Nevertheless, I like my job. I help a lot of people, and some are grateful while others are not. I cannot win them all. 

Also, making a job a great job can be who you work with and who you work for.

Teenage days

Describe a phase in life that was difficult to say goodbye to.

I loved being a teenager. I had no worries about, well anything but to wear on Sunday morning, when the entire family dressed up for church.

I loved weekends with my parents and sisters.

I loved exploring at the local library for the latest Phyllis A. Whitney romantic suspense i. The summer.I am such a book Nerd.

I was happy.

I am still happy taking one day at a time and counting my blessings.

My life does not come without challenges at work or in my health, but I give thanks to the Lord daily for what I have.

For The Moment…53

Wait and pray or pray and wait.

Things do not happen in our time, but with God, everything is on time.

We can not rush God. His ways are not our ways, and our times are in His hands.

He is perfect. If we trust Him, He will bring it all to pass in the right time.

I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

Psalm 40 verse 1.

Twins

If you could be someone else for a day, who would you be, and why?

I do not envy another person’s life. I like me and how I live but…

I would love a twin. A perfect twin to be me for a day.

She could go to work and do my work. Meet with clients while I stay home and relax.

I love that. ❤️

For The Moment…52

The tongue is a fire no one can tame. (Adapted from James 3 verses 6 and 8)

Sometimes jumping in and speaking your mind is not always  a good idea. As an old Arabian proverb says, there are four things you can not get back once they are sent out. One is the spoken word. Words are powerful.

Words spoken in hast or out of season can cause strife and not good. It is best always to check your words before you speak. Depending on the situation, they can do more harm than good.

Be aware.

Whoever keeps his mouth and his  tongue keeps his soul from trouble. (Adapted from Proverbs 21 verse 23)

Psalm 39 verse 1. I said, “I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.”

I built a raised planter

Describe the most ambitious DIY project you’ve ever taken on.

I like gardening sometimes. OK, I like it most of the time. Mom used to do all the planting. Everything she put her hands to grew in abundance and with great beauty.

My sister and I took over. She works on the front, and I work on the back. I think I got the short end of the stick.

Mom would  bend and pull and bend and work the earth. How that little lady did it, i have no clue. My back would ache after a long day in the garden, which isn’t that much to do. The backyard isn’t big, but It is hard work . I decided to build a raised bed so I don’t get to bend too much.

Looked online and found a site that was easy to do. I went to local hardware store and had them cut the cedar planks. Then, I mapped the design, which is so simple. Tools were challenging cause I have no idea what Dad had. He bought some stuff but never used them. We would keep them in the house for the local handy man to use. Dad was born wearing a suit and tie. I say that with great respect.

I went back to the local hardware store and got what I needed.

It took me most of the morning , but I did it.

It was satisfying.

The dog loved jumping in and out of the bed while I filled with soil.

Would I do it again?

No.

I liked it but not that much.