Penny J. Johnson's Blog, page 15
October 23, 2020
Content: In Addition
The beauty of the word content is that it has more than one meaning and more than one pronunciation. So, it was an added bonus that this was my One Word for 2019 as I continued working on my upcoming release. (I will be posting more information on this publication soon as it is still […]
October 21, 2020
Content: In All Circumstances
Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. Philippians 4:11 NASB In 2019, God lead me to study the word content and by extension I found myself back in Philippians 4 and specifically in verse 11. I considered myself to be blessed. But, there was a nagging […]
October 16, 2020
Focus: Remembering to Refocus
Now that I have a little more time on my hands since retiring from home education, I find that I am more distracted. As a person of routine and goal-setting, it is a bit disconcerting. I have an idea every day of what needs to get done, but I don’t always have the drive to […]
October 13, 2020
Focus: Decluttering the Mind
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8 NASB About the time I sensed that God was leading me to focus on Philippians 4:8 in 2018, I […]
October 9, 2020
Peace: Beyond Comprehension
In September, the theme for my art journal group was Seeking Solace. While the group chose to develop their art around mandalas, I chose to reflect on words and songs that have provided peace and solace my entire life. Below is a poem I wrote last year based on Psalm 42 that will appear in […]
October 7, 2020
Being a Writer: Question 15
In April, I was asked by a friend who teaches at a private school to answer her high school seniors’ questions about what it means to be a writer. While these answers were provided for a specific audience, I hope everyone viewing my video responses will learn more about the writing life. Thanks to my […]
October 6, 2020
Peace: Beyond Understanding
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 ESV Peace is often elusive. We say we want it for the world, but that idealism […]
October 3, 2020
Books of the Month: September 6-October 3
Even though summer has come to an end and the autumnal season has begun, I am still turning the leaves of books. Here are my books for this month. The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan: Five Stars. This was one of the best books I have read this year. I could not have […]
October 2, 2020
Rejoice: Anyway!
When I wrote the poem below, I had no idea what sorrows were coming into our daily lives, our communities, and the world. Certainly, the strain has been great, and we are still wondering if and when life will return to what we consider to be “normal.” Perhaps it helps to know those who have […]
September 30, 2020
Rejoice: Always?
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4 NASB Really, Paul? Always? If only Paul could travel to our time and understand what we’re going through right now, maybe he would get why we just don’t feel like rejoicing all the time. A pandemic, racial tensions, protests, riots, forest fires, hurricanes, […]
