God's Empire

 by Macy Johnson

“Let us consider how we may spur one another on

toward love and good deeds.”

(Hebrews 10:24 NIV)

 

My husband, Jeff, and I enjoyed Chimp Empire, a documentary series on Netflix. Filmed in the remote Ngogo rainforest of Uganda, this film recorded the daily lives of chimpanzee communities.

 

I was enthralled with the nurturing gestures displayed among the family groups of chimps. The most important sign of affection and acceptance was to groom each other. Those chimpanzees who were not groomed by another chimp were considered outcasts. One large community split into two when the oldest male chimp was challenged, and battles often ensued between the two factions.   

Holy Experiments

by Macy Johnson

“I pray also that the eyes of your heart

may be enlightened in order that you may know

the hope to which He has called you,

the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.”

(Ephesians 1:18 NIV)

 

Oswald Chambers wrote, “If you will give God your right to yourself, He will make a holy experiment out of you. God’s experiments always succeed!”

 

Our yard is my husband’s laboratory. As the descendent of a long line of New Jersey farmers, he has dirt in his blood. When he retired from manipulating inventory data for many years, he was trained to become a Master Gardener. Now he can organize and rearrange plants instead.

Not Heaven

by Macy Johnson

“Record my lament;

list my tears on your scroll –

are they not in your record?”

(Psalm 56:8 NIV)

 

Sunday morning I glanced out my window to catch an exquisite pre-sunrise. Shades of pink and purple splashed across the sky and announced the sun’s arrival. I walked out on my balcony to thank my heavenly Father for such a brilliant display of His glory. Hummingbirds whirred below me in the salvia bush while purple martins swooped over the water by the dock.

God's Gift Gallery

 by Macy Johnson

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”

(2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV)

 

I was scheduled to volunteer at my local hospital’s gift shop. Mary Ellen opened the door for me and we visited for a while before she disappeared into the storage room. I moved around the displays with the help of my cane and inspected new items. A customer walked in and I noticed her employee badge.