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Mission

“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” (John 1:4 ESV)

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Southpaws

 by Macy Johnson


“Among all these soldiers there were seven hundred

chosen men who were left-handed,

each of whom could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.”

(Judges 20:16 NIV)

 

Amy, our church’s music director, was seated at the piano bench with me one night before choir rehearsal. We practiced a four-hand piano duet together. I suggested I turn a particular page, so she wrote my name at the bottom of the sheet in her music book with her left hand.

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Selective Hearing

 by Macy Johnson


“Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people.

They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear

but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people.”

(Ezekiel 12:2 NIV)

 

My next-door neighbor, Susan, and I belong to a small choral group that sings at a local nursing home. We gather every Wednesday afternoon for the shut-in residents there. During one of the songs I leaned over to her, held the open hymn book up to my face and whispered, “See the lady in the back of the room in the blue shirt? She sticks her fingers in her ears when we sing.”

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

In or Out

 by Macy Johnson


“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,

the world and all who live in it.”

(Psalm 24:1 NIV)

 

As a child I often heard the phrase, “In or Out!” It usually occurred when I lingered in the doorway and allowed precious heat or cool air to escape.

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Daffodils

 by Macy Johnson


“Abraham answered, ‘God himself will provide

the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.’

And the two of them went on together.”

(Genesis 22:8 NIV)

 

Friday afternoons I enjoy “Tea at 3” with my neighbor. We talk about how God has worked in our lives the past week over a cup of hot tea in my kitchen. Susan and I discuss hopes and dreams for our families as we share our hearts. I walked outside with her and she commented on the abundance of daffodils in our yard. My husband, Jeff, planted them to pop before our eyes in early spring.

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Fiery Furnaces

 by Macy Johnson


“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace,

the God we serve is able to save us from it,

and He will rescue us from your hand.”

(Daniel 3:17 NIV)

 

I firmly believe when I am taught a new lesson from scripture, I can expect a test along those lines pretty soon after.

 

The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel chapter 3 is one of my favorite Bible truths. Paige Brown of West End Community Church recently brought it to life for me in her online study in the book of Daniel. Although the three men were bound with ropes when thrown into the furnace, they walked around with a visitor. The blaze burned off their ropes, but did not singe a single hair on their heads. They were free!

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Adopt-A-Shelf

 by Macy Johnson


“Dominion and awe belong to God;

He establishes order in the heights of heaven.”

(Job 25:2 NIV)

 

Benjamin Franklin is credited with the quote “A place for everything, everything in its place.” According to BookBrowse.com, “the first known use of the exact expression appears in The Naughty Girl Won, a story published by the Religious Tract Society in 1799.”

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Ping!

 by Macy Johnson


“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart O God, you will not despise.”

(Psalm 51:17 NIV)

 

I sat quietly and read through my weekly Bible Study on the book of Ephesians while my piano received its annual tuning. The sporadic sounds of notes played repeatedly were a distraction. Ping! A sudden “crack” reverberated through the house.