Penny J. Johnson's Blog, page 135
January 4, 2013
One Good Thing Every Day: January 4, 2013
After finishing my first Goodread for the year (The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton), I found it correlated with my devotional readings this morning. Today’s selection in A Jane Austen Devotional focuses on unhealthy relationships through the conversation between Mr. Knightly and Mrs. Weston about Emma and Harriet’s friendship in Emma. Morton’s novel also delves into the complicated, often disturbing, relationships between her characters. Then I read Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young and It’s a Wonderful Imperfect Life by Joan C. Webb. Young’s entry for January 4 starts with “I [God] want you to learn a new habit.” It ends with “Your continual assertion of trusting Me will strengthen our relationship and keep you close to Me.” Webb’s chapter “To Be or Not to Be” similarly reflects on the concept of belief and of being. She encourages the reader to “hit the pause button on…over-doing…to acknowledge…growing faith.”
Each of these readings emphasized for me the need to invest in healthy relationships with others, but more importantly remain steadfast in my relationship with Christ. Webb’s question “Who are you becoming?” challenges me. Who am I becoming through my belief and trust in God? Who am I becoming through my interactions with family and friends? Am I being the same person with God as I am with others?
Young references Psalm 139:7-10.
“Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.”
These verses are a sober reminder that God sees my treatment of others. But, He also sees their treatment of me. He promises to go with me, not just to keep me accountable to our relationship, but to protect me in my daily encounters and life-changing moments.
Steffany Woolsey chooses Proverbs 13:20 to emphasize her point about relationships.
“Walk with the wise and become wise,
for a companion of fools suffers harm.”
Now that is a new habit worth learning!
January 3, 2013
One Good Thing Every Day: January 3, 2013
Finishing a good book always makes for a good day! I will not soon forget The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. Her storytelling captures endearing characters and intriguing plot twists. 5 stars
January 2, 2013
One Good Thing Every Day: January 2, 2013
“Which one should I write in first?” I asked my ten-year-old as I set out three new journals.
“That one,” he said, pointing to the one with a wood-carved cover bearing the names of Christ.
“Why that one?”
“Because it looks most like a Bible. If a robber comes, he won’t steal that one.”
Smiling at his logic, I began writing in the journal. But, I was unable to derail myself from his train of thought. I asked myself, “What robs the day?” My motives? My lack of motivation? My insistence? My indecision? How do I secure myself against…myself? What is my defense? Then came the answer.
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
With those words safely locked in my mind and my heart, I entered my day, knowing “If a robber comes, he won’t steal this one.”
January 1, 2013
One Good Thing Every Day: January 1, 2013
The blank page–clean and crisp as after a fresh fallen snow. Running haphazard across its plane is tempting, but so is wanting the landscape to remain unchanged. Rather than diving into the day as if careening down a sledding hill, I ease my feet into wool socks, tracking across my day’s blank page one step at a time.
365-Day or 52-Week Project for 2013: One Good Thing Every Day
“Mom, how could you write this?” I exclaimed.
After asking my mom if I could read my baby book, I stomped down to the kitchen, the pages flapping against the book cover in protest.
“How could you write my seventh birthday party was fun?”
I recounted my version of the party’s events, which included my verbal frustration with my seven-year-old party guests–some of whom persuaded me to invite them when I should have checked with my mom first–who thought jumping on my sister’s bed with her in it was a wonderful party game. When apologies expressed to these “friends” the next day were not accepted with the same enthusiasm as their self-imposed party invitations, I learned a few valuable lessons!
But, I was about to learn another one.
Mom calmly explained to me she knew the party was one neither of us had enjoyed. Still, she did not want our negative feelings recorded forever in my baby book. She wanted us to remember the good parts about it, few as they may have been.
I remained skeptical.
I remember an entirely different occasion ten years later when my mom shared this insight in a new way. For many reasons, I was not a fun person at that time. Mom told me as much, but encouraged me to break this cycle.
“Every day, think of one good thing that happened.”
Again I was skeptical. But, I tried it. Eventually, focusing on the “one good thing every day” helped allay my tendency to ruminate on my not-so-fun experiences.
I have shared my mother’s wisdom with my sons when I see them struggling with past experiences. One of my goals for them this year is to focus on one good thing every day. I plan to do the same. Obviously, the seven-year-old and seventeen-year-old in me still needs an occasional refocus! My record of One Good Thing Every Day will appear on my blog weekly if not daily in the coming year.
December 28, 2012
Focus On: Blogs for 365 Days, 52 Weeks, and More
Reblogged from The Daily Post:
We discover bloggers on WordPress.com exploring different passions and interests, immersed in unique industries, fields, and worlds. At the Daily Post, we’ll highlight these niche blogs and the various communities within WordPress.com. We hope these spotlights introduce you to new communities and ideas, and inspire you to find — and create — your own cozy corner in the blogging world.
My 365-Days-52-Weeks Project for 2013 Coming Soon!
December 25, 2012
Advent 2012: Go in Peace
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
I am compelled to share the insights I discovered during my word study on “peace.” While reading Luke 2:14 with my family, I noticed the order of the words in the NIV translation.
“On earth peace….”:
Perhaps, like me, you grew up hearing “peace on earth, good will to men.” The different order of this familiar phrase struck me. After searching several translations, I noticed some modern ones, such as HCSB and NLT, use “peace on earth.” But, the KJV–the version I hear most often read during this time of the year–the NIV, the Message, and the NASB use the phrase “on earth peace.” I suspect, although I am not certain, that this turn-of-phrase comes from the juxtapose seen in “Christmas Bells,” the poem Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote on Christmas Day 1863 after he learned his son had been wounded in the Civil War and his wife died in a fire. We know this poem as the song “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.”
But, it occurs to me reversing these words causes more pain. Since sin entered the world, “peace on earth” ceased to exist. Our striving for “peace on earth,” ironically, leads us into further conflict. We convince ourselves we can make peace happen. In our best interest, we must admit we cannot.
“On earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Continuing the phrase, variances also occur. Here are a few.
“on earth peace, good will toward men.” (KJV)
“and peace on earth to people He favors!” (HCSB)
“Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.” (MSG)
“and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” (NLT)
“in earth peace be to men of good will. [in earth peace to men of good will.]” (WYC)
“on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” (NASB)
What does “good will” mean in this passage? According to Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary, the term “well pleased” refers to the “good will” of God. In other words, what pleases God most is when we act according to His good will. He bestows on us His good will because He is pleased with us. While our acts of “good will” toward others bring Him pleasure, the greater meaning is His good will precedes ours. He finds favor in us where little exists. Our returning His favor is a direct result of the grace we do not deserve.
“Glory to God in the highest”
“Glory” in The Strongest NASB Exhaustive Concordance refers to “opinion, praise, honor, glory.” It is synonymous with “approval, brightness, majesties” as well. So, the context of this verse is that under the brightest star the world had ever seen, the angels appeared to shepherds to tell them of the Christ Child’s birth. They gloried in God who is the highest and assured the shepherds God had found them favorable by calming their fears and giving them peace. It becomes a command to glorify God as well.
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (NIV)
Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to people He favors! (HCSB)
“Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” (NLT)
“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” (NASB)
Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him. (MSG)
If there is any peace within us or any peace on earth, it is because God gives it. The glory belongs to Him alone! As the shepherds eagerly went to see the Christ Child, may we glorify God by going with His peace and good will in the coming year.
December 24, 2012
Advent 2012: Love
Today we reflect on love.
Luke 2:1-20: Re-read the account of Jesus’ Birth
Poetic Reading: “Father and Son”
Family Reading: Bartholomew’s Passage –Week Four: Sunday (Parts 6-7)
December 22, 2012
Advent 2012: Joy
Today we reflect on joy.
Luke 2:1-20: Re-read the account of Jesus’ Birth
Poetic Reading: “The Giver and the Gift”
Family Reading: Bartholomew’s Passage –Week Three: Saturday
December 20, 2012
Advent 2012: Joy
Today we reflect on joy.
Luke 2:25-35: Simeon
Poetic Reading: “While Bethlehem Sleeps” (Old Simeon…)
Family Reading: Bartholomew’s Passage –Week Three: Thursday
