Penny J. Johnson's Blog, page 122
May 8, 2013
May 7, 2013
May 6, 2013
One Good Thing Every Day: May 6, 2013
“Instead of scrutinizing your checklist, focus you attention on My Presence with you…I will help you sort out what is important and what is not, what needs to be done now and what does not.” from Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence
The wise woman builds her house,
but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
May 4, 2013
One Good Thing Every Day: May 4, 2013
“Perfectionists minimize their moral and ethical plus-side and magnify their failings.” from Miriam Elliot and Susan Meltsner’s The Perfectionist Predicament
“It’s like we set up unrealistic spiritual expectations and then worry that God is disappointed in us….God doesn’t withdraw His grace, compassion or support when we fall short in our own eyes. Once we accept the invitation to be His child, He’ll never change his mind.” from Joan C. Webb’s It’s a Wonderful Imperfect Life
For God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.
Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name;
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
May 3, 2013
Books of the Month: April 2013
Interrogations at Noon by Dana Gioia: I heard about Dana Gioia through Mars Hill Network. His poetry books exude tenacious attention to word choice, rhyme, rhythm, and themes. While not overt, there exists an undercurrent of spiritual depth that draws the reader into the author’s experience and toward self-reflection. I am currently reading Gioia’s compilation of essays titled Can Poetry Matter? and his most recent poetry collection, Pity the Beauty. More on those in coming months. 4 stars
Animal Farm by George Orwell: This slim, unassuming novel contains a full-bodied analysis of communism in post-World War II Russia. Through the anthropomorphism of farm animals, Orwell’s allegory engages the reader with its simple truths and challenges idealism with deep, often troubling, realism. This book is a must-read as our country adopts more and more socialistic ideas. 5 stars
The House at Riverton by Kate Morton: Morton’s first novel captures the World War I era and the Roaring 20s through the memories of her aging main character. She weaves the story by showing only pieces at a time with a final twist at completion. I highly recommend reading this book as well as The Forgotten Garden. 4 stars
Your Child’s Writing Life by Pam Allyn: Although I am an author, I needed Allyn’s insight when encouraging my own children to write. She provides practical hints and writing prompts to develop a child’s writing life from preschool and beyond. Although my children are well into their education, I realized it is never too late to apply advice like Allyn’s. I checked this book out at our local library, but have since added it to our home library and intend to use it for future encouragement in our family’s writing life. 5 stars
Experiencing God: Youth Edition by Henry T. Blackaby and Claude V. King: At times the repetition and simplicity of this devotional seemed overdone, but at its completion I realize the importance of remembering basic precepts. The true benefit of this study was discussing it with my high schooler. I recommend it for parents looking for a study to share with their teens. 4 stars
One Good Thing Every Day: May 3, 2013
For the second time this week, God placed this scripture in my path.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
“You cannot serve two masters. If I am truly your Master, you will desire to please Me above all others.” from Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence
“At the end of the day, week or year, we’re just really tired. Yet God offers us relief from the striving-too-hard-to-learn-and-do-more approach. He longs for us–whether young, middle-aged or older–to thrive as the [people] He designed us to be.” from Joan C. Webb’s It’s a Wonderful Imperfect Life; my insertion
May 2, 2013
One Good Thing Every Day: May 2, 2013
“I need to do my devotions before I go crazy,” I say more to myself than to my ten-year-old.
“Why?” he asks.
“Because my perspective changes.”
Opening my journal and devotionals shuts out the overwhelming clutter of rearranged schedules and ransacked well-being. God soothes away knots of unresolved tension when I succumb to His gentle touch and calm direction. His strength seeps into my weakened resolve, and I am ready to resume my day with clarity of sight, mind, and heart.
“When you feel tired, you remember that I am your strength; you take pleasure in leaning on Me. I am pleased by your tendency to turn to Me more and more frequently, especially when you are alone.
“When you are with other people, you often lose sight of My Presence. Your fear of displeasing people puts you in bondage to them, and they become your primary focus. When you realize this has happened, whisper My Name; this tiny act of trust brings Me to the forefront of your consciousness where I belong.” from Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence
Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
“We don’t become women of strength, honor, and wisdom overnight; it requires self-discipline and godly surrender.” from A Jane Austen Devotional
May 1, 2013
One Good Thing Every Day: May 1, 2013
“Our culture pushes the limits as far as possible and then pushes again. Even our churches seem to adopt the viewpoint that perfection (and boundlessness) is mandatory and attainable….The truth is that spiritual leaders in churches, families, and communities not only have human needs, limitations and imperfections (like their followers), but some have unexamined emotional wounds and conditioned misbeliefs that compel them to treat others (and themselves) poorly, sometimes shamefully…What helps me right now is Jesus’ gracious invitation to come to Him and rest.” from Joan C. Webb’s It’s a Wonderful Imperfect Life
“There is no randomness about your life.” from Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence
April 30, 2013
One Good Thing Every Day: April 30, 2013
“If we don’t consistently and deliberately empty ourselves of pride and confess our sins to God and one another, seeds of bitterness may take root. Left untended, they hold the potential to choke out God’s joy in our lives.” from A Jane Austen Devotional
