Copyright 2016 Theresa Harvard Johnson
Play on nursery rhyme: The House That Jack Built
Reflecting on the Story of Rahab from the Bible
This is the ribbon,
that hangs out the window
in the house that God built.
This is the woman
who owned the ribbon
that hung out the window
in the house that God built.
Copyright 2016 Theresa Harvard Johnson
In the course of our lives, it’s easy to focus on the big things that seem to set us back or get us off-course. This year, however, I am challenged in my own life to recognize some of the little things that go unnoticed – especially in the midst of busy, complicated lives filled with family, ministry and entrepreneurial activities.
I heard this, “Make it a point Theresa to be at rest in everything you do.” Listen, I’m not going to bog you down with Scripture. I’ll simply say that rest is a state of being – even in the midst of a busy, complicated life. I’ve allowed people, false obligations and commitments and all forms of self to steal my peace over the years. Listen, we control our atmosphere. Period. And you – right here and now – can choose to leave three critical things behind and place yourself on a path of intimately knowing and experiencing rest.
It’s good to be able to let go without self-inflicted condemnation and guilt!
Copyright 2016 Theresa Harvard Johnson
There are five things I wish young men and women would consider or take to heart when conidering marriage:
(1) Desire a spouse who has big dreams and visions — and can make solid choices and clear goals to pursue them. You may watch them struggle and fail before they succeed, but you will find a passion in them that “won’t settle” for anything less than what they SEE ahead of them. This could be an indication that they will never settle for mediocre, ordinary or ever get comfortable with life as it is. When submitted to the Lord, you will live the life of a “wise” dreamer — always in search for more, better. This is invaluable in the life you will share!
Copyright 2016 Theresa Harvard Johnson
Learning from Bird’s Blog | Image is Public Domain
There are all kinds of people, congregational communities and obscure groups in scripture. The scripture also speaks about all kinds of birds. I believe birds represent some aspect or form of the people of God today, and truly we can gain untold wisdom by observing them. Sometimes, the best lessons in life can be shared through analogies and metaphorical teachings… with Holy Spirit leading. I pray that the insight here is a blessing to you.
Job 35:11, “Who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens?”
The familiar pigeons that populate our city streets and marketplaces enjoying the company of passersby and other scavengers migrated to North America from Europe, Asia and Africa sometime in the 1600s. They are known as gentle, wise, monogamous, wary and clever birds. Many men have studied them throughout history and been amazed by what they have learned. Among their most unique and astounding traits is that some breeds have a unique, extraordinary ability and contribution to the world: They are the most excellent navigators on earth. They are able to find their way back to any point of origin over hundreds of miles with sheer ease. This may not seem like a big deal to most people, but among living and breathing creations – they can do this over distances that would cause most people and animals to be extremely disoriented and confused.
Copyright 2016 Theresa Harvard Johnson
Opportunism is a raging problem impacting the congregation in this hour. While it is a well-known phenomenon – even expected and accepted – in the corporate arena and market place, it often takes individuals and congregations by surprise. The behavior can be so subtle and disarming that it goes unidentified by some believers until long after earned and legitimate opportunities and relationships have been lost.
In using the phrase “earned opportunities,” I am referring to those open doors that a person has legitimately been presented or that they have earned the authority or been given the permission to walk through.
