Thoughts Along the Journey

I don't often use this blog for "hot button" issues.  This post has been burning in my heart for two months, though.   ___________________________________________________________________ Take a good look at my profile picture (but not too closely!), and you will immediately realize that I am white, and come from European lineage.  There's a bit of English, German, Scottish, Irish--and probably several other nationalities--blended into my DNA.  I have honestly never sat down and mused on what that means for me as a person.  It is just "what it is." Having said that, my interaction with those of other races was quite limited until after I graduated from high school.  (And honestly, I never really thought of any of my schoolmates as being anything other than that, no matter the color of their skin.)   One of my first memories of encountering an African American child was quite positive.  While visiting a church, the only girl who spoke to ...

The past month has been a busy one for our family.  During this time, our oldest son came home after his first year in college.  Other memorable events: Nine men were ordained as permanent deacons in the Diocese of Cleveland.  This is the first class in five years.  A very exciting milestone in our diocese! Four men were ordained priests as well.  We continue to pray for vocations to the priesthood. My husband's godson received his first Communion.  It seems like just yesterday he was baptized! A young man from our parish received his vestments, as he continues to discern a vocation as a Franciscan Friar Minor.   A young woman from our parish began her time as a postulant with the Children of Mary , a community of nuns near Columbus,  Ohio.   My husband finished his second year of formation as a deacon. Our youngest son is wrapping up his sophomore year of high school. I'm preparing my piano students for our first-ever recital....

Last night and today, our parish hosted a women's retreat.  Our speaker was Father Nathan Cromly , who is a priest in the order of the Community of St. John .  He also heads up Eagle Eye Ministries . The weekend's theme was "The Better Part," taken from the passage in Luke 10, where Jesus visited the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Without going into great detail, I had passed along the link to the music  of my "journey song."  Our retreat coordinator, Mary, quickly decided it should become the theme song of our retreat. And so, for the first time, I had the privilege of singing it with other women, and hearing their voices join with mine to call on Jesus...to take us, and shape us, as we sat at His feet. In 2006, I had no idea. Wow. Father Nathan Adoration Father Nathan and friends  :o)

If you have been following my blog over the years, we have an item of unfinished business. In this post  from 2006, I wrote a song called "At Your Feet."  The words were posted, but I did not have the technology to share the music. So, for better or for worse, here it is...! Mary's Song (At Your Feet) I walk into Your presence, Lord, I fall down on my face As I come before You, Lord, I marvel at Your love and grace. Refrain: At Your feet, I find a place of perfect peace At Your feet, I find a place of sweet release At Your feet, I've finally found that I am home So take me Lord; shape me, Lord While I sit at Your feet So many voices calling me Can cause my heart to stray But when I listen to Your voice I know You'll show the better way... (back to Refrain) Bridge: I come and lay my heart at Your feet I pour it out to You And as I gaze into Your eyes, You give me all of Your heart, too. (back to Refrain) © 2006.  Joni Renee Johnson.  All Rights Reserved....

For anyone who reads my blog with any regularity (and I hope there are at least a couple of people out there!), you may have noticed my lack of posts.  If you didn't, well, okay.  :o) Our church organist, who has faithfully played at daily Mass for the past 30 years or so, took a nasty fall a few weeks ago.  In the process, he broke a bone in one of his hips.  Though no surgery was required, complete immobilization has been prescribed for proper healing.  I am his substitute, so have been playing more frequently.  In the process of that, my hands have received quite a thorough work-over.  Typing hasn't been as easy as I'd like.  That's all. So, to make up for lost time, I have been pondering something over the past 24 hours.  Blowing the dust off the computer, warming up the joints, and away we go....! _________________________________________________ Things that amaze me... Sunrises - Over the Kansas plains, over the mountains of Co...

I've had to take a short recess from blogging.  I ran across this quote today, though, and wanted to share it. Take heart!  His love is greater than tomorrow's worries!

If you've never read our oldest son's blog--what?!  Surely you jest?  Never read it?  Well, today is your lucky day!  :o) http://djdaveydave.blogspot.com/2015/03/where-does-evangelizing-begin.html