Suits of a Different Color

by Macy Johnson

“Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea.”

(Daniel 7:3 NIV)

Seated at the Bridge table I glanced down at thirteen playing cards fanned out in my left hand.

A roaming heart appeared in my diamond pile. I looked up at the players at my table and asked, “Why are there only two colors, red and black, in playing cards? I think each suit should have its own color.”

Afternoon Prayers

by Macy Johnson

“One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer – at three in the afternoon.”

(Acts 3:1 NIV)

Every afternoon at three o’clock assorted temptations, disguised as harmless distractions, knock on the door of my mind.

It started when I was a teenager. I jumped off the afternoon school bus and raced home to a much-anticipated snack. Mid-afternoon was my comfort time, my down time, and my time to relax and chill.

Cloudy Vision

by Macy Johnson

“The eye is the lamp of the body.

If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.”

(Matthew 6:22 NIV)

“You need to have your cataracts removed,” my optometrist said and referred me to an eye surgeon.

My vision blurred imperceptibly over the years. Driving at night on country roads between church and home was a nightmare. Approaching headlights became painful starbursts. Formerly colorful reflections faded into dismal blurs.

One-liners

by Macy Johnson

“The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”

(Psalm 119:130 NIV)

I remember the day I began a collection of one-liners.

The first of these simple phrases popped into my brain decades ago. They are now a growing, alphabetized assortment of artful aphorisms.

Crown of Splendor

by Macy Johnson

“Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.”

(Proverbs 16:31 NIV)

I recently read an article that described hairstyle discrimination in the late 1990’s. The author claimed a large majority of women felt compelled to straighten their unruly hair in order to be socially acceptable.

Be Fruitful and Multiply

by Macy Johnson

“God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’”

(Genesis 1:28 NIV)

One glance out my window reveals the marvel of God’s beauty.

My husband is blessed with talent to transform uncultivated land into a corner of paradise. Eighty-five tall trees of differing species were felled in order to build our house. While many stately, thriving trees remain, Jeff’s toil has successfully converted our landscape from a forgotten forest into an exotic garden.

Intercessory Prayer

by Macy Johnson

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”

(2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV)

A godly couple in my church sensed the nudge of the Holy Spirit to start an Intercessory Prayer Ministry. The number of participants grew exponentially in a few short years.

Prayer warriors commit to pray one hour every week in designated church classrooms. They read the Bible, pray, and write notes of encouragement to those on the provided list.