Penny J. Johnson's Blog, page 125
April 11, 2013
One Good Thing Every Day: April 9, 2013
“Each moment you can choose to practice My Presence or to practice the presence of problems.” from Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence
April 8, 2013
One Good Thing Every Day: April 8, 2013
If you woke up on this dreary Monday feeling like Solomon, take heart!
I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;
I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my labor,
and this was the reward for all my toil.
Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done
and what I had toiled to achieve,
everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;
nothing was gained under the sun.
“It is not wrong to seek glory; the question is whether you’re looking for it from others or from the Lord. One does not even compare to the other!” from A Jane Austen Devotional
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
One Good Thing Every Day: April 7, 2013
Our sermon this morning was filled with spiritual fortitude through the following scriptures. What great words to carry along into the week ahead!
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in humans.
Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
One Good Thing Every Day: April 6, 2013
Saturday mornings usually find me with two hours of sweet solace. Instead, I found myself going from one place to another, physically and mentally. But, I take comfort in the words below because, if the literal places of my world teem with distraction, my soul stills at the thought of Him.
“Stillness of soul is increasingly rare in this world addicted to speed and noise. I am pleased with your desire to create a quiet space where you and I can meet. Don’t be discouraged by the difficulty of achieving this goal. I monitor your efforts and am blessed by each of your attempts to seek My Face.” from Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence
Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.”
April 6, 2013
One Good Thing Every Day: April 5, 2013
Children are a heritage from the Lord,
offspring a reward from him.
“Too little governance, it turns out, leads to willfulness and rebellion….It’s a sobering reminder that as parents, we have to live out the gospel for our children. In order to do this, we first must have a sound personal relationship with Christ. In other words, we must willingly follow Him with our whole hearts before we can begin to lead our children successfully.” from A Jane Austen Devotional
One Good Thing Every Day: April 4, 2013
“Satan will always find something for you to do when you ought to be occupied about ['regular, prayerful Bible Study'], if it is only arranging a window blind.” Hudson Taylor, from Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret by Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor
April 3, 2013
One Good Thing Every Day: April 3, 2013
Several memorized scriptures crossed my path today. They mark the in-roads of God’s voice in my life at critical junctions. They are like the main street of my hometown, familiar and comfortable. I rarely swerve beyond these central lines. But, when I am in a rush or in dazed auto-pilot mode, I miss their landmarks, their cautions, their directions. I face confusion, discipline, loss, or worse. Let these verses stop you before the next turn as they did me. Appreciate in a fresh way their meaning for this season in your life.
One Good Thing Every Day: April 2, 2013
Motivation is melting with the snow. The sun feigns warmth as a daunting chill still steals our breath. But, refusing any further hibernation, my husband and I secure our winter garb and walk against the wind. In our steps will be the Spring so slow in springing.
April 1, 2013
Books of the Month: March 2013
Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton: This book was recommended by our home school curriculum as an alternative to reading Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. While I chose to assign Heart of Darkness in addition to this selection, I am glad my son read the two side-by-side. While both books take place in Africa and reflect on the tragic decisions of their characters, Paton’s story is one of redemption and forgiveness. I highly recommend it!
Main Street by Sinclair Lewis: My literary book club is discussing this book, which has been on my must-read list since my mother read it for her book club. While this book takes place in the World War I era, it resonates with my grandmother’s stories about moving to several Minnesota small towns after marrying my grandfather while he was a World War II Air Force lieutenant. Facebook is akin to listening in on the party line, and politics still battle across grocery counters and on street corners. Women still vacillate between having a career and keeping the house. Men and women continue to look across the kitchen table and wonder who that person is reading the daily news and whose distorted reflection peers through murky morning coffee. Sinclair’s story transcends the century, reminding the reader of the Main Street within all of us and of characters real enough to be our neighbors.
One Good Thing Every Day: April 1, 2013
“The only way to prevent discontent from taking hold in our lives is to actively, daily profess thanks for everything we do have–and to assign this gratitude to its Source, the Giver of all good gifts.” from A Jane Austen Devotional
“Basic training includes learning to live above your circumstances, even while interacting on that cluttered plan of life….Accept each day just as it comes, and find Me in the midst of it all….A successful day is one in which you have stayed in touch with Me, even f many things remain undone at the end of the day. Do not let your to-do list (written or mental) become an idol directing your life. Instead, ask My Spirit to guide you moment by moment. He will keep you close to Me.” from Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence
