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.

The Solid Rock

by Macy Johnson

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

(Matthew 7:24 NIV)

“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness,” is the first stanza of my favorite hymn, “The Solid Rock.”

I sing this beloved anthem when I walk in my neighborhood, clean bathrooms, drift off to sleep, and prepare for stressful situations. The tune and lyrics lighten the load and remind me I am never alone.

Calm Before the Storm

by Macy Johnson

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

(Exodus 14:14 NIV)

All was calm….

Our Tennessee family steered their packed SUV up our driveway early one Sunday morning for their eight-hour trip home. Everything, including the weather, had cooperated during their stay.

Be Brave!

by Macy Johnson

“The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?”

(Psalm 27:1 NIV)

In fear and trepidation I pen a weekly collection of devotionals - the Holy Spirit’s call to “be brave” encourages me. One blog at a time is posted to the world-wide-web, like a lone balloon released into the air, set free to glorify God.

My mother urged me as a child to “be brave” when faced with stressful, difficult situations. I was discouraged to turn and flee from a challenge to meet new people, enter a competition, or jump off the high diving-board. Everything and everyone intimidated me when I was young, but I gradually learned to take risks and leave fears behind.

Smells and Sounds

by Macy Johnson

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.”

(2 Corinthians 2:14 NIV)

My husband, Jeff, delivered a basket of home-grown tomatoes to Madison’s Senior Center. The director told him she opened the front door to the center that morning and smelled something burning. The acrid aroma drew her to the kitchen where a freezer plug had shorted. That faint smell, sensed in the nick of time, assuredly saved the building from a disastrous fire.

God created us with the senses of smell and hearing to help us be more aware of our surroundings.