Captured

by Macy Johnson

“We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

(2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV)

Our neighbors adopted a black Labrador Retriever for their granddaughters.

Jake was a beautiful, playful, intelligent puppy. His sire appeared in our yard one weekend while our daughter and her family were visiting. We woke to a pair of black, male labs lounging on our porch.

Torrents

by Macy Johnson

“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said,

streams of living water will flow from within him.”

(John 7:38 NIV)

Our wedding was held on Flag Day in Houston during the 1980 Heat Wave.

Somewhere between the church and reception hall, the clutch on my husband’s Jeep broke. We, the bride and groom, dripping with sweat from-head-to-toe, rode high in a tow truck to the reception, already in progress. As expected, downtown, midday traffic contributed to the delay of our appearance.

Give, Give, Give

by Macy Johnson

“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”

(Proverbs 11:25 NIV)

The Holy Spirit says, “give, give, give - want nothing in return.”

My sister, Sandy, drove through the neighborhoods of San Francisco, taking me to see her daughter’s house. We stopped at a traffic light and noticed an elderly, bearded, bedraggled man nearby holding a sign. As if on cue, we both reached into our wallets and pulled out bills. I looked the grateful gentleman in the eye as I handed him the gift and said, “God bless you.” He returned the blessing.

Slow Down

by Macy Johnson

“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.”

(Psalm 46:10 NIV)

“If it comes too quick, I may not appreciate it,” wrote popular Christian singer, song-writer, Sara Groves.

I sat with my back against the window at gate A13 in the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. There I was, among the passengers waiting to board Delta Flight 1700 to Sacramento, California.

Doubting Disciples

by Macy Johnson

“So the other disciples told Thomas, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”

(John 20:25 NIV)

Are you ready to see Jesus?

Thomas was absent when others welcomed the resurrected Messiah. Poor Thomas. Where was he? What kept him away from those who mourned the loss of their beloved leader?

Illusion or Reality?

by Macy Johnson

“Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

(1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV)

Life is an illusion… or is it?

I drifted as in a dream, pictured myself the only “real” person. Everyone else was a shadow, a puff of smoke, a figment of my imagination. Do you ever feel that way?

Tuned to God

by Macy Johnson

“It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.”

(1 Corinthians 1:30 NIV)

Karisa followed me up the steep, polished, wooden steps to the sanctuary’s choir-loft behind the pulpit. She is a gifted flutist and Morgan County Middle School’s band director.