God

Crossing the River

/ Gail Johnson / 2 Comments

In the book of Joshua, the priests were commanded to stand in the river, and the Bible said the flood waters of the Jordan rose upon a heap and they passed over on dry ground. Afterward, the Lord commanded that stones be taken and set as a memorial, a testimony to coming generation.

window2I have a memorial. It’s a sixty-year-old window hanging on my dining room wall—a—reminder of character building years. During those five years, we were stripped of everything but the absolute necessities.

It was “through” that time, I learned how to “to trust in Him” and “pour out my heart before Him” as Psalms 62:8 tells me to do. And when I became overwhelmed and felt as if the flood waters would overtake me, He comforted me. He whispered hope and encouraged me amid my troubles. He didn’t remove me from the situation, but He gave me the strength to cross to the other side.

It wasn’t an easy journey, by no means. But I came to understand that all seasons are necessary if I’m to grow. Something else I learned was seasons change. I will not stay in the place I’m in at the moment, for He promised I’d cross the river and take new ground.

Maybe you’re in transition. Maybe you’ve been stripped of everything but the necessities. Maybe you’re on a Spaghetti-O budget. Or maybe you’re without a car—pennies have become precious to you. Maybe you’re in a new field, uncertain and feeling vulnerable. Maybe you’re wondering if you’ll ever see the other side of the river.

Trust in the Lord. He never fails. Just as Joshua and the children of Israel crossed to the other side to claim the promised land, you will cross to the other side, too.

And when you do, I encourage you to write it down, or as I did, take part of that which helped mold you and hang it somewhere as a reminder. Then, when hard times come knocking again, and they will, remind yourself of the past victories and stand assured of this one thing: He is with you.

Fear not. Take courage. You’re not alone. Someone is praying!

Blessings

Gail

 

 

 

Music Is A Heart Thang

/ Gail Johnson / 2 Comments

From my earliest memories, music was, and is, an important part of my life. From listening to the radio to singing in church, music shaped my world.

It defines my mood. You can tell exactly what’s on my mind by listening to the music playing in my truck, on my computer, or inside my head. Music says it all. Music is a heart thang!

Every singer, if they are to connect with their audience, must get in touch with something inside them. They will have to own the song. Writers, on the other hand, are different. They live the song. You hear it in their voice. You see it in their eyes. You believe what they’re saying. You can agree, or disagree, but you will feel something.

There is nothing like listening to someone belt out a song of celebration, heartache, defiance, or determination with every ounce of their being.

I grew up listening to different genres of music and watching the artist perform. Each one taught me different things. As I read the stories behind the songs, I grew to admire the person.

One such woman was Dottie Rambo. To see her on stage, you would never know her heartaches in this life. But you definitely could hear them in her music!

Just a few facts about her life:

  • She was eight when she heard the lyrics of her first song.
  • Began singing on country radio when she was ten.
  • Gave her heart to Jesus when she was twelve.
  • Her father demanded she give up her faith or leave home. Dottie left home.
  • Her mom placed an address tag around her neck, in case she got lost, and kissed her good-bye.
  • She sang in churches, making little money.
  • She suffered excruciating pain from a ruptured disc in her back.

While on stage, she wasn’t sad. She refused to back down from her walk with God. She gave God the glory for all He did in her life. She sang of wanting to see Him. At the end of your life, her voice weak, she still sang of His goodness.

I think it is sad when we sing these songs without ever knowing the story behind the song. The story behind the song is why the song was written in the first place.

Songs

“Too Much to Gain to Lose”
“He Looked Beyond My Faults and Saw My Need”
“Mama’s Teaching Angels How to Sing”
“Remind Me, Dear Lord”
“Shelter in the Arms of God”
“If That Isn’t Love”
“Build My Mansion Next Door To Jesus”
“Tears Will Never Stain”
“I Go to the Rock”
“We Shall Behold Him”
“I Will Glory in the Cross”

Artists who have recorded her songs include:

Elvis Presley
Vince Gill
Barbara Mandrell
Johnny Cash
Dottie West
Pat Boone
Sandi Patti
Bill Monroe
The Isaacs
The Oak Ridge Boys
Whitney Houston

 

Keep Pressing On

/ Gail Johnson

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14 KJV).

In the Bible, we read of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

A few of my favorites are Joshua and Caleb, Gideon, Elijah, and Paul.

I have others, but when “pressing time” comes, I look to certain ones who stood against the odds and overcame the obstacles.

Keep Pressing On

In the Old Testament, they fought against flesh and blood enemies. But, in the New Testament, our weapons and enemies are not of this world.

Paul fought the enemy of his soul and was victorious. He told Timothy, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.

Through His death and resurrection, to those who believe, Jesus gives the power to become sons and daughters, power over the enemy, and the armor of God. He did not leave us defenseless. We can be victorious!

Faith:

Fervent—we must be passionate in our pursuit of God

Aggressive—we must be bold and active

Insistent—declare the promises of God, never back down from the devil

Thrust—moving forward is necessary if we are to gain new ground

Heavenward—every action should move us toward Heaven

 

Scripture References

Luke 10:19; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; John 1:12; Ephesians 6:10-18; Revelation 3:16