Oh Deer!

by Macy Johnson

“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” (Psalm 91:11-12 NIV)

Driving home from choir practice one dark Wednesday night several years ago, I was startled by a large doe standing perfectly still in the middle of the deserted two-lane highway. I quickly tried to mentally shove her off the path of my car. Bang! Into the ditch she landed! Thankfully, my car limped home and to the shop the next day to be repaired. Wish I could say the same for the poor deer.

Angel Choirs

by Macy Johnson

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel,

praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’”

(Luke 2:13-14 NIV)

With the Christmas season comes concerts, lots of them, for an accompanist. My first was a Sunday afternoon Community Christmas program, playing for small groups and a soloist. Each selection sounded like heavenly choirs.

Playing the piano for school choruses is a special treat. I block out an entire day to rehearse at the middle school with assigned time slots for each song. At the beginning of the semester I recorded all the accompaniments for the director to use in class. But now it was time to appear in person for live rehearsals, just days before the performance.

Precious Jewels

by Macy Johnson

“He carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high,

and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, 

coming down out of heaven from God. 

It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that

of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.”

(Revelation 21:10-11 NIV)

Words are jewels, tools that God uses to touch our hearts through our minds. They encourage us and others through us. Words are blessings, gifts from God, a lavish pouring of His presence, jewels from our Father’s hand.

Guarded Gates

by Macy Johnson

“They and their descendants were in charge of guarding the gates

of the house of the Lord – the house called the Tent.”

(1 Chronicles 9:23 NIV)

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”

(Proverbs 4:23 NIV)

There is a lot of discussion these days about gates, borders and boundaries. It takes me back to biblical times. Old Jerusalem’s gates were named for their specific functions: the Fish Gate, the Fountain Gate, and the Horse Gate, just to name a few. Upon their return, after decades in captivity, the Jews posted guards around the clock at each gate during the rebuilding of the city wall. There were four gates opening into the temple courtyard in Ezekiel’s vision: North, South, East, and West.

Contagious Obedience

by Macy Johnson

“A man with leprosy came and knelt before Him and said,

“Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man.

“I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!”

(Matthew 8:2-3 NIV)

People near Jesus refused to touch the leper, afraid of contracting his disease. Jesus boldly pushed past their reluctance. Allowing himself to come in contact with the man’s leprosy, Jesus pressed His healing love into the sick beggar’s darkness. He obeyed his Father’s command to bring life from death.

Sunrise Reflections

by Macy Johnson

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”

(Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV)

As the sun rises over the water through my office window it brings good-morning kisses from my heavenly Father. Like walking into an art exhibition, I find myself face to face with the artist and his newest masterpiece. The wonder and beauty leave me breathless, stunned.

Memory Bridges

by Macy Johnson

“I will make every effort to see that after my departure 

you will always be able to remember these things.”

(2 Peter 1:15 NIV)

I love the sound of a fishing boat speeding across the lake past our dock, or a cruising pontoon filled with laughter enjoying the summer sunset. It reminds me of when I visited my Nanny and Granddaddy as a little girl at their home in Gulf Breeze, Florida.