by Macy Johnson
“Do not judge,
or you too will be judged.”
(Matthew 7:1 NIV)
I pulled
our camper into the perfect site at Hard Labor Creek State Park, near Rutledge,
Georgia. We were thrilled to have booked four nights at a promising campsite
with sewer hookup and a charming view. I reserved it one year earlier to secure
this particular site for our fifth camping trip to this park.
by Macy Johnson
“Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.”
(Psalm 119:105 NIV)
I might be
on a slippery slope if I think I know the best way and am not willing to see
things from God’s perspective. I dare not shield my eyes from His Light.
Our
neighbor’s driveway is a steep downhill drop to their cabin at water level on
the lake. Over the years my husband and I watched cars and trucks slip and
slide up and down their driveway with squealing tires. The spectacle was more
prevalent during rainy, autumn days, when the cement was covered with wet
leaves.
by Macy Johnson
“Turn my eyes away from worthless
things;
preserve my life according to your word.”
(Psalm 119:37 NIV)
There at
the large, round, wooden breakfast table, my mother, Ruby Martin, sat with her
Living Bible and various commentaries spread out before her. The padded green
cover was torn and worn, and notes were scribbled on the pages of scripture in
her unique penmanship.
by Macy Johnson
“Although Joseph recognized his
brothers,
they did not recognize him.”
(Genesis 42:8 NIV)
My
husband, Jeff, and I offered the use of our cabin to our church for visiting
missionaries. Our guests were scheduled to arrive one Saturday afternoon. Their
home church was in Georgia, and they served in Latvia.
by Macy Johnson
“Here I am! I stand at the door and
knock.
If anyone hears my voice and opens the
door,
I will come in and eat with him, and he
with me.”
(Revelation 3:20 NIV)
One Sunday
morning I was the substitute pianist at my church and presented Mark Hayes’
arrangement of “People Need the Lord” for the anthem. Steve Green recorded Greg
Nelson and Phill Mchugh’s song in 1984. The lyrics gracefully express the story
of our need to help those in need like us:
by Macy Johnson
“He has shown kindness by giving you
rain from heaven
and crops in their seasons;
He provides you with plenty of food
and fills your hearts with joy.”
(Acts 14:17 NIV)
My husband
and I piled into my car for our monthly trip to Athens, forty-five minutes
away. Toilet paper was on my list, because we were almost out. I was concerned
that Costco might be hectic with additional customers after the horrendous
damage of Hurricane Helene.
by Macy Johnson
“Praise Him for His acts of power;
praise Him for His surpassing greatness.”
(Psalm 150:2 NIV)
During
choir practice we rehearsed a new song written from Psalm 150. The keyboard accompaniment
for the choir was sketchy, with just a few chords and minimal chord changes. I
prefer to play only published notations, but soon realized what was written was
boring and mundane. The director felt the same way, so she asked me to fill in
the blanks and play more notes.
