Penny J. Johnson's Blog, page 127
March 23, 2013
One Good Thing Every Day: March 22, 2013
“Focus on who God created you to be–not your neighbor, or your friend, or your competition. He gave you glorious identity in Him; let Him transform your thinking with this knowledge!” from A Jane Austen Devotional
“…admitting my anger is the first step to dealing constructively with this repressed emotion that once made me sick.” from Joan C. Webb’s It’s a Wonderful Imperfect Life
One of the biggest breakthroughs in the life of our son with Spectrum Disorder was when he learned to name his emotions. Today, he became discouraged, thinking about dreams seemingly beyond his grasp. Once I helped him put the name “jealous” to that feeling and read the above passages to him, his frustration eased significantly. Naming emotions provides clarity to cluttered, overwhelmed moments. If they cloud our identity in Christ, they can be discarded and replaced with God’s benevolent ones, especially His love.
One Good Thing Every Day: March 21, 2013
To one who listens, valid criticism
is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.
I spent many moments this week providing valid criticism for my sons’ writing assignments. I have learned over the years that balancing criticism with encouragement is essential. In my mind, I am presenting them with golden gifts of wisdom and experience. Too often I have watched them ignore my comments as if they stuffed heirloom jewelry in the bottom of their sock drawer. This week, I glimpsed gems shimmering between their words. Stunning!
One Good Thing Every Day: March 20, 2013
The first day of spring in Minnesota is under the snow. Tulips greeted me a year ago, but they sleep soundly today. I heard a bird or two last week when a year ago we bird-watched daily. The grass greened early. I wonder if I will see green again.
But, I am not jealous for last year. It was an anomaly. I live for these days of hibernation in the land of the cold sun. We need our winter repose to appreciate the humidity of July. I don’t believe in groundhog shadows because each day Minnesota’s weather surprises me. Where else can the sun blind me as it reflects off the snowbanks? Where else can I abate a hot flash by opening my backdoor? Where else can spring sound like the gentle melting trickle down my window pane? Where else can the lone tone of a robin bring such hope?
March 22, 2013
One Good Thing Every Day: March 19, 2013
“Since God was caused by our thinking Him, then He must only be thought and not a reality, a mere subjective projection of our own ego. Since He is not real, then He does not stand against whatever we desire to do with the machine of nature, especially the machinery of the human body. We are free to manipulate it at will, and remake human nature according to our own plans, so that we can really say in a far deeper way that Descartes, ‘I think, therefore I am.’ Rather than taking ourselves to be made in the image of God with all the moral limitations that entails, we believe that we are self-creators with no limit but our own ever-increasing power.” from Benjamin Wiker’s 10 Books that Screwed Up the World referring to Rene Descartes’ Discourse on Method
Because I am not particularly familiar with Descartes–except for his famous mantra–I appreciate Wiker’s analysis of how Discourse on Method continues to infiltrate our psyche and society.
Even more, I appreciate immediately afterwards encountering the following scriptures within my other readings.
“Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker,
those who are nothing but potsherds
among the potsherds on the ground.
Does the clay say to the potter,
‘What are you making?’
Does your work say,
‘The potter has no hands’?
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts,God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.
“Woe,” indeed, to our intellectual ignorance and audacity. “Wow” to God’s incomprehensible wisdom and grace!
March 18, 2013
One Good Thing Every Day: March 17, 2013
“Resolve today to be a friend who loves with a Christlike love, but seek your deepest soul comfort in the one true Source. He will never let you down.” from A Jane Austen Devotional
“When no one else seems to understand you, simply draw closer to Me Rejoice in the One who understands you completely and loves you perfectly. As I fill you with My Love, you become a reservoir of love, overflowing into the lives of other people.” from Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence
As I was watching The Bible on the History Channel tonight, I was reminding of Daniel’s steadfast friendship to his fellow captives, his resolve to remain faithful to God’s commands, and his ability to befriend and gain the trust of the kings he served. I can only hope to emulate such determination!
One Good Thing Every Day: March 18, 2013
Lord, be gracious to us;
we long for you.
Be our strength every morning,
our salvation in time of distress.
“Trust Me one day at a time. This keeps you close to Me, responsive to My will. Trust is not a natural response, especially for those who have been deeply wounded. My Spirit within you is your resident Tutor, helping you in this supernatural endeavor. Yield to His gentle touch; be sensitive to His prompting.” from Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence
“Dr. David Stoop, author of Living with a Perfectionist, suggests facing the lifelong challenge of accepting my humanness ‘one day at a time. This means that each day is the only part of the process [I] can see and affect, so [I'm] satisfied with growth that comes in small steps.’ So, just for today, I’ll release what cannot be, breathing deeply and appreciating what I have. Just for today.” from Joan C. Webb’s It’s a Wonderful Imperfect Life
Many times I confided in my maternal grandmother about stressful situations I faced. Among her common adages of “This too shall pass” and “Busy people are happy people,” she often told me “Take one day at a time.” I am convinced by her pleasant countenance while battling Alzheimer’s that she repeated these phrases when she could not find the words to say them to me. Her supernatural trust in her “resident Tutor” never waned.
March 16, 2013
One Good Thing Every Day: March 16, 2013
My son asked me if the mosquitos will be as bad at the camper this year as they were last season. I gazed at the new layer of March snow, recalling our walk in swirling flakes the day before. I enjoyed that early spring, but I will not wish away this winter. Decidedly, I prefer the melting bites of snow to the stinging welts of mosquito swarms.
One Good Thing Every Day: March 15, 2013
“A fond mother…in pursuit of praise for her children, the most rapacious of human beings, is likewise the most credulous; her demands are exorbitant; but she will swallow anything.” from Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility
“A correct view on godly discipline is not raising perfect children; rather in loving them enough to train them in godliness and with an eternal perspective.
“When we exemplify godly submission in our own lives, we get to see their attitudes change, little by little. They become a joy to be around, not for their perfect performance, but for the privilege of witnessing their heart’s response to His shepherding.” from A Jane Austen Devotional
If you correct your children,
they will bring you peace
and happiness.
“I’m hungry,” whined my son.
“You can wait until lunch.”
“Just a few crackers?”
“No.”
“Please?”
I sighed. Had we been home, I would have let him have a few crackers. But, we were guests, and it had been decided we would forego snack so close to lunch.
“Please, Mom!”
With another sigh of chagrin, I asked my hostess for a handful of Cheerios.
A few paltry Cheerios may not seem much. But, it bothered me I gave in to a whining ten-year-old. After we left, I corrected his behavior. Today, as I read this passage, I was reminded I need to correct my own in the future. A cheerful life is worth more than a handful of Cheerios!
One Good Thing Every Day: March 14, 2013
Calmness can lay great offenses to rest.
“Be still, and know that I am God….”
“Learn to take minibreaks from the world, finding a place to be still in My Presence and listen to my voice.” from Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence
The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
“When the storms of life overtake us, we often respond as if God does not exist or does not care. Jesus rebuked the disciples for their failure to recognize His presence, protection, and power, not for their human tendency to fear.” from Henry T. Blackaby’s Experiencing God
It is easy to judge the disciples for their lack of faith. Afterall, Jesus sat in their boat! How could He be more present?
Yet, why do I panic in the middle of life-storms? Afterall, the Holy Spirit sits within my soul! How could He be more present?
March 13, 2013
One Good Thing Every Day: March 13, 2013
Lord, in the morning you will hear me;
in the morning I will present my case to you and then wait expectantly for an answer.
Psalm 139:23 NET
Examine me, and probe my thoughts!
Test me, and know my concerns!
