Penny J. Johnson's Blog, page 113
August 9, 2013
August 5, 2013
One Good Thing Every Day: August 5, 2013
“Make your mind like a still pool of water, ready to receive whatever thoughts I drop into it.” from Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence
Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him.
One Good Thing Every Day: August 3, 2013
“You must know [God's] voice in normality before you can recognize it in calamity.” from Jennifer Hatmaker’s Tune In: Hearing God’s Voice Through the Static
August 3, 2013
One Good Thing Every Day: August 2, 2013
“Bring Me the sacrifice of your time: a most precious commodity.” from Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence
Of course, I read this a day late. But, nevertheless, message received!
August 1, 2013
Books of the Month: July 2013
Books by Ralph Fletcher: As I am preparing for another year of home school, I have been reading many of Ralph Fletcher’s books of poetry for children. Have You Been to the Beach Lately? , Moving Day , Relatively Speaking are excellent examples of his storytelling through theme and poetry. I am looking forward to studying his poems and writing style with my kids this school year.
In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner by Elizabeth George
Another compelling crime story starring Inspector Lynley and Barbara Havers!
All Roads Lead to Austen by Amy Elizabeth Smith
Amy Elizabeth Smith’s memoir of her sabbatical provides insight into much-loved Jane Austen classics through several organized and ad hoc book clubs in six Latin American countries. Like the author, I had many assumptions about what her journey would be. No doubt, we are both glad we were wrong! I absolutely loved “traveling” these roads, especially with my own book club!
The Invisible Friend by Lois Walfrid Johnson
Bree’s story continues as she searches for a way to escape Norway and for an invisible friend.
One Good Thing Every Day: August 1, 2013
God spoke to my silent doubts this morning.
“Be assured that I never abandon any of My children, not even temporarily.” from Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence.
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
your walls are ever before me.
“In life, whenever you get to a wall, feel around. There is always a door.” from Life of Fred: Kidneys (our math curriculum)
They reminded me of melancholy Thomas, a kindred spirit to the side of me most people see.
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Jesus walked through my heart’s locked door when I was a child. He is the door in every life wall I face. When I hold to His truths, I feel the wounds of my salvation engraved on His palms. I abandon doubt and seek bright belief. He is the constant peace within me. He is my Lord and my God!
July 31, 2013
One Good Thing Every Day: July 23-31, 2013
Somehow organizing piles in one area results in piles accumulating in another. Such is the case as I realize the pile of days since my last blog. Rather than back track, I will stack one good day on top of another. Each day has revealed its own treasures lurking in dusty corners.
For instance, I discovered seven boxes of hand-me-downs my youngest son’s spurting limbs outgrew. I bagged these with the too-small items from his bursting dresser drawers and bestowed them on my appreciative neighbor.
Then, we began sorting his personal treasures. While we mourned the early demise of some members from his action figure army, others were reunited with their comrades, belongings, and amputated limbs. Some were dispatched to assignments in other children’s toy boxes. Others remain in their honorable ranks. Two of the five toy drawers await new troops. Mission accomplished!
Bookshelves came next. To my surprise, only a few went into the donation bag. Each boy filled one “Keep” box, and two boxes per child will be re-shelved after their rooms are repainted. Secret book-lovers revealed!
I downloaded Motivated Moms for my Android over the weekend. I have used their e-book for several years. But, I already love the app, especially for color-coding and assigning chores, moving and adding tasks, and “keeping house.” My oven is clean, my pantry is organized, and my closet is straightened. Highly recommended app!
Of course, I added “Update Blog” to my daily list. Check!
