The Holy Spirit's Team

 by Macy Johnson

“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit,

whom the Father will send in my name,

will teach you all things

and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

(John 14:26 NIV)

 

The Holy Spirit is a person, an awesome gift of God Himself to me. A recent study of the book by Francis Chan, Forgotten God, reminded me that I often do not treat the Holy Spirit as a person, but as an object. Jesus is God in human form, while the Holy Spirit is God in spirit form. He, like Jesus, emanates from the Father. Understanding the mystery of the Trinity includes understanding the Person of the Holy Spirit.

Divide and Multiply

by Macy Johnson

“Those who accepted Peter’s message were baptized,

and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”

(Acts 2:41 NIV)

 

There was a big elephant in the room, and no one wanted to talk about it. The Methodist church had divided and gone separate ways, or so it seemed. More than half of the local congregation became Global Methodists while the remainder stayed with the United Methodist Church.

God's Rainbow

 by Macy Johnson

“I have set my rainbow in the clouds,

and it will be the sign of the covenant

between me and the earth.”

(Genesis 9:13 NIV)

 

I was a local church’s pianist for eleven years, with a three year sabbatical in the middle. Near the end of my tenure I felt the Holy Spirit shift in my heart. I sensed a call to move on and allow God to do something new in the church and in me. Although anxious and afraid of slipping out of the center of His will, I was safely guided through the fog.

Acorns

 by Macy Johnson

“For as the soil makes the sprout come up

and a garden causes seeds to grow,

so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise

spring up before all nations.”

(Isaiah 61:11 NIV)

 

We had a bumper crop of acorns this year. As my husband, Jeff, and I sat on our porch and looked out over the beds of plants and flowers hugging massive trees, we noticed tiny oaks peeking out above the pine straw and mulch. The tiny saplings had sequestered the beds and provided an unwelcome blanket of ground cover.

Pumping Spiritual Iron

 by Macy Johnson

“We also rejoice in our sufferings,

because we know that suffering produces perseverance.”

(Romans 5:3 NIV)

 

In Jonathan Cahn’s The Book of Mysteries he provides insight into “The Resistance Secret.” He writes, “When you exercise the qualities of God against resistance, it causes you to grow stronger.”

GOAL

 by Macy Johnson

“This is what the Lord says to me:

‘Go, post a lookout and have him report what he sees.’”

(Isaiah 21:6 NIV)

 

GOAL is an acronym for Get Out And Look! This expression is used to remind drivers to get out of their truck and look before backing up. My husband, Jeff, and I have a list of procedures to help set up and take down our camper. On the set up list is written: “Pull trailer to site – GOAL – Get Out And Look! Take your time!”

Close Enemies

 by Macy Johnson

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.

Therefore be as shrewd as snakes

and as innocent as doves.”

(Matthew 10:16 NIV)

 

My husband and I watched an episode of Designated Survivor on Netflix. Enemies of the new President of the United States were coming out of the woodwork like roaches. I was surprised when the reluctant leader of the free world selected a new Chief of Staff. He chose the ringleader of politicians who made his life miserable! My thought was, “Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.” Then I realized the newly-appointed President probably made a very wise choice.

Changed Minds

 by Macy Johnson

“When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled,

Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them

and said, ‘What have we done?

We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!’”

(Exodus 14:5 NIV)

 

It happened again. My body is falling apart. Twice before I have had a medical procedure and hoped I was done with this issue. Not quite, though. It was time to decide whether to go through the painful process again or not.

God's GPS

 by Macy Johnson

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?

Yet not one of them will fall to the ground

apart from the will of your Father.”

(Matthew 10:29 NIV)

 

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a U.S.-owned utility that provides users with positioning, navigation, and timing services. This system in Google Maps allows my husband and me to track each other on our cell phones.

The Narrow Way

 by Macy Johnson

“Enter through the narrow gate.

For wide is the gate and broad is the road

that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

But small is the gate and narrow the road

that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

(Matthew 7:13-14 NIV)

 

I am the driver designated to pull our new camper trailer. Someone asked me if I preferred hauling the 5,000 pound box on interstates or back roads. I answered, “Interstate!” They were surprised, and my reasons are simple. Small highways are curvy, hilly, and a favorite place for animals to cross from their hiding places in the woods nearby. Low hanging tree branches reach out, grab at our camper, and knock off awning caps. I admit to love the scenery of country roads, but they are more difficult for me to navigate as I pull a twenty-four foot trailer.

 

Available or Not?

 by Macy Johnson

“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons.

He went to the first and said,

‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’”

(Matthew 21:28 NIV)

 

It was time to put our beloved popup camper on the market. We had purchased a new camper trailer and packed it for its maiden voyage. I filled out all the forms online on RVTrader.com to list the popup for sale, throw out the bait, and entice bites.

 

Benefit of the Doubt

 by Macy Johnson

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything,

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,

present your requests to God.”

(Philippians 4:6 NIV)

 

After a swim with my grandchildren in the lake, I hurried to the outside shower and turned it on. The pressure was low, but I continued to lather up my body in my swimsuit and rinse off. When I turned off the shower, I noticed a stream of water running down the length of our carport. I opened the door to the storage room behind the shower and discovered an inch of water on the floor.

Quality Time

 by Macy Johnson

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me;

he delivered me from all my fears.”

(Psalm 34:4 NIV)

 

As I stood on my balcony one sunny, Sunday morning, I heard a voice say to me, “Don’t try to do too much.” It came right after I raced through my mind and listed the things I planned to do the week my grandchildren were with me. I knew the voice in my heart was straight from my heavenly Father.

Rodeo Clown

by Macy Johnson

“But let all who take refuge in you be glad;

let them ever sing for joy.

Spread your protection over them,

that those who love your name may rejoice in you.”

(Psalm 5:11 NIV)

 

God sent a rodeo clown to help protect us.

 

While driving west on Interstate 10 from Tucson to Phoenix, a large rock flew up from an 18 wheeler rig’s tire and hit my windshield. It sounded like a gunshot! I called my insurance company. After several phone calls, I decided to wait until we were home in Georgia to have my car repaired.

Upside Down and Backwards

 by Macy Johnson

“Anyone who does not take his cross and follow me

is not worthy of me.”

(Matthew 10:38 NIV)

 

“I cannot get these sway bars off the brackets!” my husband exclaimed. We just arrived at home with our new camper trailer. Jeff and I had previously viewed many nightmarish scenes on YouTube of RV failures and installations gone wrong. Here we were, experiencing our first.

Weights of the Balance

 by Macy Johnson

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,

Who put darkness for light and light for darkness,

Who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.”

(Isaiah 5:20 NIV)

 

Jonathan Cahn, in his Book of Mysteries, describes weights used in ancient times to determine values. Altered weights made an item appear heavier or more valuable than it actually was. This reminds me of how differing weights are man’s way of twisting the Truth to conform to his desires. When a civilization redefines its values away from God and the created order, altering its measures of right and wrong, it is turning man into God. These are signs of corruption in society.

Forget

by Macy Johnson

“Forget the former things;

do not dwell on the past.”

(Isaiah 43:18 NIV)

 

Thomas Lambrecht wrote, “In this time of change, it is important to grasp the reality that God is working in all situations to do something new.” How do I get ready for new things? I need to release my focus on the past and look forward to what is coming. Lessons learned in the past can be applied to new experiences.

Something New

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.

Birth of a Story

 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.

Copperhead Crossing

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.

Trees

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.

Bucket List

 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.

GIGO

 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.

Wrong Address

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.

Quality Control

 by Macy Johnson

“His work will be shown for what it is,

because the Day will bring it to light.

It will be revealed with fire,

and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.”

(1 Corinthians 3:13 NIV)

 

I keep a collection of my God Sightings books on hand to give away as hostess or birthday gifts. My personal supply was running low, so I ordered a handful of each publication. The book copies rested on my desk waiting for me to autograph and put them with the others in a portable bin.

Assumptions

 by Macy Johnson

“They still did not understand from Scripture

that Jesus had to rise from the dead.”

(John 20:9 NIV)

 

An assumption is defined in the Cambridge English Dictionary as something that you accept as true without question or proof.

 

We patiently waited in my Tahoe in the lane to turn left onto Highway 11. It had been a fun morning at the library and adjacent park in Trussville, Alabama. With a Happy Meal, chicken nuggets, a burger, and milkshakes, my grandchildren and I were headed home.

Unsubscribe

 by Macy Johnson

“They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company.

Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.”

(Acts 15:39 NIV)

 

My email inbox was full, again, of information I no longer needed. In the past I purchased something from a different company, or inquired about a new service provider. They were no longer on my radar, but I was on theirs.

Cosmic Candy

 by Macy Johnson

“When you give it to them, they gather it up;

when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things.”

(Psalm 104:28 NIV)

 

My granddaughter, Dahlia, likes to pretend she owns and manages a restaurant when she visits us. She explores my refrigerator and pantry to find items for her menu. I am amazed at the beautiful list of options she creates on my computer with unique pictures and special fonts.

Hanging Out with Old People

 by Macy Johnson

“Rise in the presence of the aged,

show respect for the elderly and revere your God.

I am the Lord.”

(Leviticus 19:32 NIV)

 

My daughter, son-in-law, and their children left too soon after a fun weekend with my husband and me. Our granddaughter commented that our visits are too short. I looked at her Momma and said, “One day they won’t want to be with their old grandparents. They will be busy with friends and activities. I want to spend every moment I can with them now.”

In the Zone

 by Macy Johnson

“That everyone may eat and drink,

and find satisfaction in all his toil –

this is the gift of God.”

(Ecclesiastes 3:13 NIV)

 

I get lost in time and space when I write. I seem to float into a new dimension, a time warp. It is a peaceful, hopeful place where everything seems to relax. When something jars my attention and brings me back into the present, I am surprised at how much time has passed. I think this is what happens when we enjoy life in our “sweet spot,” in the center of God’s will. He allows time to stand still for us, all fears and worries gone, so we can delight in being in His presence.

Keys

by Macy Johnson

“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:

These are the words of him who is holy and true,

who holds the key of David.

What he opens no one can shut,

and what he shuts no one can open.”

(Revelation 3:7 NIV)

 

I exited through the back door of the church with other choir members. The Ash Wednesday service, followed by choir rehearsal, was moving and inspirational. As I closed the door to my car, I realized my ignition key had fallen off my keyring.

Arise and Shine

by Macy Johnson

“Arise, shine, for your light has come,

and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”

(Isaiah 60:1 NIV)

 

A warm, tingling sensation emerged on my upper lip. It had been a long time since I’d had one of those dreaded fever blisters. I quickly downed two Acyclovir tablets and a large glass of water. The white pills helped to calm the heated chemical reaction below the skin. Ice cubes applied to my lip’s surface helped to alleviate the pain.

A Thousand Years a Day

by Macy Johnson

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends:

With the Lord a day is like a thousand years,

and a thousand years are like a day.”

(2 Peter 3:8 NIV)

 

I can imagine a thousand years being as short as a day in God’s mind. But I never imagined a day to be as long as a thousand years.

 

Then one day I was given a new perspective. My husband and I watched the movie Groundhog Day on Groundhog Day. It is one of my favorite movies, because it delves into the mystery of lapsed time. The main character, Phil, was forced to experience the same day for hundreds, maybe thousands of times in order to become the person he wanted to be. What he originally viewed as a curse became a blessing to him and many others.

New Well

 by Macy Johnson

“Drink water from your own cistern,

running water from your own well.”

(Proverbs 5:15 NIV)

 

We live on top of an abundant water supply, next to one of Georgia’s beautiful lakes. Our cabin was built in the 1980’s with a bored well. When we purchased the property in 2014, we were required to install an ultraviolet light to kill waterborne pathogens. Otherwise we might have microbial contamination. The bored well was 30 feet deep.

To Infinity and Beyond

 by Macy Johnson

“How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!

How vast is the sum of them!”

(Psalm 139:17 NIV)

 

What is the biggest thing you can think of? Now push the limits of your mind and think bigger! God is even beyond that! He created infinity!

 

Frogs

 by Macy Johnson

“Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs;

they came out of the mouth of the dragon,

out of the mouth of the beast,

and out of the mouth of the false prophet.”

(Revelation 16:13 NIV)

 

I walked to the top of our driveway to get the mail. There was a loud croaking coming from the water-filled ditch across the road. I stealthily crossed the street to investigate. Frogs croaked from several directions, but I couldn’t see them. Sudden silence. They sensed a predator nearby. I poked a stick into the long, small pond of wet leaves, hoping to spot a frog jump to safety. No response.

What's Your Story?

by Macy Johnson

“Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story –

those He redeemed from the hand of the foe.”

(Psalm 107:2 NIV)

 

The parking lot was dark and deserted. I grabbed my music bag from the back seat of my car and headed for the church building. A nicely-dressed, tall, young man wearing a backpack crossed the street in front of me. We glanced at each other and slightly nodded. I hurried across the street, then glimpsed over my shoulder to see which direction he was headed. I thought, “What’s your story?”

Freedom

by Macy Johnson

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves

be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

(Galatians 5:1 NIV)

 

A new year was right around the corner. It was time to take the quiz to discover what my word for the year would be. This past year my word was Redeemed. I was encouraged to see that word on my desk and know Jesus had purchased me and rescued me from myself. What could I look forward to in the new year?

River of Time

 by Macy Johnson

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life,

as clear as crystal,

flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.”

(Revelation 22:1 NIV)

 

I have always been interested in time travel and the concept of space and my place in it. Ann Tatlock’s book, “Once Beyond a Time” reveals a unique twist on time from God’s perspective.