Several years ago, I wrote a post to honor my dad Vernon. I shared the story of his time in Korea. I did my best to share his heroism with my readers. I wanted the world to know what an amazing man the simple farmer from Kansas truly was. I wanted to honor my hero. This past week, I lost my "other" dad. My father-in-law, Keith, passed from this life to the next. It has been a difficult time, to say the least. Let me introduce the man who became Dad Johnson to me almost 36 years ago. I briefly met my husband's family on our college campus. Little did I know that two years later, I would again be introduced to them, but this time as their son's girl friend. Keith (my husband) and I were traveling to Michigan to begin our summer internships. His family graciously met us in Terre Haute, as we had left Springfield, MO, in the wee hours of the morning. From the moment we made acquaintance, I was wrapped in their love and joy. T...
Over the past few weeks, I have been reading a forum which deals with issues in the church with which we were formerly affiliated. I won't go into detail. What I will say though, is that there are a lot of hurting people out there who need your prayers. What does this have to do with me personally? A lot of those people are my friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ. There is this "thing" inside me that can't stand it when those I care about are mistreated, lied to, or in some other way wronged. It's that part of me that wants vengeance . Wow. Did I use that word? But it's true. I want the erring party to repent, yes. But I also want to see them do some groveling and major "making of things right". And that thing inside me is like a mother bear protecting her young: you hurt someone I love, and I will attack! Shocking, isn't it? Most people who know me think I'm this gentle, meek person. I've been accused of being a "goody two s...
Have you ever noticed that God's path for our journey is not the one we would have chosen for ourselves? I'm not just talking about the "big" things, either (jobs, locations, church affiliations, etc.). I'm talking about the journey : the day-to-day places of our lives. Still confused? Let me illustrate. Several years ago, while on my lunch break from work, I chose a booth away from the lunch crowd. I had been around crowds enough at work. I just needed some quiet for a few minutes. As I was finishing up the last of my fries, the Holy Spirit spoke very clearly to me: See that woman over there? The one carrying her tray away from the front counter? You need to go pray for her. My immediate reaction was: NO WAY! God, You know what a crazy morning it has been at the store. I am not going over there, disturbing some complete stranger's lunch, invading her privacy, only to look like a fool! And why does it matter what anyone in this place thinks of you? You w...
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