Penny J. Johnson's Blog, page 76
April 29, 2016
From Either Side
One day my high school basketball coach asks me if I am left-handed. He probably knows the answer. Although centers are not the greatest of ball-handlers, I think he wonders why I always drop the ball to my left. Most right-handed people don’t start out dribbling on their weakest side. So I explain. I […]
April 18, 2016
More than One Reason
Recently, I decided to loan my middle son one of my cherished books, a leather-bound edition of Mark Twain novels. I charged him to take special care of it and not leave it lying around on the floor as I have seen so many of the other books in our home. This book is special […]
April 13, 2016
Fixity
Fixity: the state or quality of not changing “Do not fix your mind on things that frustrate you or break your heart. Fix your eyes on the Author and Finisher of your faith, who will complete what he started!” “God’s story has a beginning and an end that never ends, and if you’re […]
April 9, 2016
The End Zone
I have been a Minnesota Vikings fan my whole life. But, I didn’t watch much of the 2009-2010 season. I couldn’t. I just couldn’t. I forbade my children from speaking that year’s quarterback’s name in our house. Even as the Vikings headed toward the Super Bowl, I watched few of the regular season games because […]
April 7, 2016
Anyway
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love… I finish reading Romans 12:10-13 and ask Myself, “What does it mean to ‘be devoted to one another in brotherly love’? How do I remain devoted to loving others who are unloving towards Me? How do I refrain from becoming unloving towards them?” “Love them anyway,” Myself replies. […]
April 6, 2016
All at Once
The other day, latent intermittent snowflakes dallied down upon the spring-green lawn. Last fall’s crumpled leaves lay along the graying fence, and the promise of summer sunshine glowed behind the shadows. Viewing the seasons all at once happens only in certain places. Such a moment of colliding conditions is a fact of living here. It […]
April 2, 2016
All for One
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6 NIV
The Life of the Party
“Mom, why did you write this in my baby book?” I demanded, pointing to her description of my seventh birthday party. “How could you say that it was a fun party?” It had been bad enough Mom was not happy when I told her I had casually mentioned my upcoming birthday, and suddenly seven girls […]
March 26, 2016
TGIF
As I drove to my church’s Good Friday service yesterday, four letters popped into my weary mind. TGIF I contemplated this acronym affiliated with happy hour and a restaurant chain. How it disguises blasphemy, depending on the word identified by “G.” That inserting goodness softens the original meaning. Yet, only enough to announce relief that […]
March 24, 2016
Beyond Measures
Once upon a time, not so long ago, two sisters journeyed with their mother to visit their great-aunt. The two girls entered the house, prepared to be as polite as their mother had trained them. Yet, one’s eyes widened, and the other one’s mouth gaped. Only later did they dare exclaim, “Mama, we didn’t believe […]
