by Macy Johnson
“Is there anything of which one can
say,
“Look! This is something new”?
It was here already, long ago;
it was here before our time.”
(Ecclesiastes 1:10 NIV)
There is
nothing new under the sun. My husband, Jeff, reminds me of this in short history
lessons. I have much to learn from former leaders. The stories remind me that human
nature reaches for power and control. But it is God’s nature to give and not
take – a new way of thinking for some.
by Macy Johnson
“Flesh gives birth to flesh,
but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”
(John 3:6 NIV)
One
morning while considering upcoming devotions, the Lord revealed to me that each
of the blogs He has given me has a life of its own. He gives me the thoughts,
the words, and the story which is born when it is posted online. Some may view
the “baby” on its birthday, but others are touched by its “life” days, months, even
years later.
by Macy Johnson
“Then the Lord sent venomous snakes
among them;
they bit the people and many
Israelites died.”
(Number 21:6 NIV)
On one of
my recent walks in my neighborhood I came across an injured copperhead snake.
It was curled up on the centerline of the road. I had passed that way four
times earlier during my walk, but didn’t notice it until now. Was I so focused
or distracted that I didn’t see it? The snake reared its head and looked at me
as if to say, “Help!” I noticed a deep cut in its side, but no other injuries.
by Macy Johnson
“Let the fields be jubilant, and
everything in them,
then all the trees of the forest will
sing for joy.”
(Psalm 96:12 NIV)
Our
property is snuggled in the middle of the Oconee National Forest. When a storm
blows through, we expect several limbs and possibly entire trees to be felled.
My husband keeps a tree surgeon’s phone number close at hand.
by Macy Johnson
“He performs wonders that cannot be
fathomed,
miracles that cannot be counted.”
(Job 5:9 NIV)
In a few
short weeks my husband, Jeff, and I will embark on a Magical Mystery Tour - a
road trip to the Grand Canyon. I have never visited the national park, and it
has been sitting on my bucket list for a long, long time. I sense an urgency to
seize opportunities, to make things happen.
by Macy Johnson
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true,
whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable – if anything is
excellent or praiseworthy –
think about such things.”
(Philippians 4:8 NIV)
GIGO is an
acronym for Garbage In, Garbage Out. It is a term I kept in my mind’s forefront
as I wrote computer programs in COBOL (Common Business Oriented Language) in
the 1980’s.
by Macy Johnson
“In his heart a man plans his course,
but the Lord determines his steps.”
(Proverbs 16:9 NIV)
My
grandson would be celebrating his birthday soon. We lived too far away to join
in the festivities, so I ordered a gift for him on Amazon to be delivered to
his home. A few days later, as I was addressing his birthday card, I noticed a
discrepancy in the addresses. “Oh no!” I thought. Noah’s old address was in
Amazon, because I had sent him a gift in the past. His new address was staring
me in the face.
