The Swamp

In 2000, my husband took his first located ministry in Roper, NC. It was right in the middle of the swamp and had mosquitos so big they could carry off a mini van. There were bears, water mocassins, and did I mention the mosquitos?

I would return in a New York minute!

Not for any of the reasons that are listed above, definitely NOT the mosquitos, but for the people. 

There in that little swamp of North Carolina, are some of the most amazing people I have ever met. I was loved there in that little town. And I could love the people there as well. 

Of all the people that I fell in love with, one stands out just a little more than others.  He is Norman Furlough. I loved him like a father. He loved me like a daughter. He made me laugh and he made me cry.

My favorite memory of living there was when we were roofing the parsonage. It was really cold outside and many men came and went working on the roof. Norman was there EVERY day. One day I looked out of my window, and saw a sign that said, "Will work for coffee!", written on cardboard. Norman's face peeked around from behind the sign and smiled. 

There are many others there I love too. I get to go back and visit occasionally. I always say if I ever have a crisis in my life, Roper, North Carolina is the first place I want to run to. 

The sad part is, I have to wait until heaven to get to see Norman again. You see, Jesus came to take him home a couple of years ago. I miss him, but returning to see him one day on the streets of gold instead of the streets of Roper, is something I am anxiously awaiting!

Chasing After Their Hearts,

Glenda Johnson

I CAN Find My Way Home!

Don't be afraid. Don't be worried!
If we can just believe what Jesus has said.
There is a place that has been prepared for us.
Jesus would not lie. He could not lie about that!
How can we find it to that place?
Jesus has made the way.



John 14:1-7
14:1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” (ESV)

Why do I let my heart become troubled? I need to rejoice in the fact that I believe in Jesus. He has never lied, never not kept a promise, and He is preparing a place right now for me! And for you! I read today something I had just glossed over before;

4 "And you know the way to where I am going"

Jesus says I need not worry about how to get to my final destination. I KNOW the way. It is through Him. He is The way. He has always been the way. He will always continue to be the way right up until that moment when He comes as my personal escort to lead me to the eternal home He has prepared. 


Today:

I will rejoice that I KNOW THE WAY!
I will be thankful I have seen God, because I have seen Jesus.
I will be aware of those who DON'T know the way, and point them to the ONE who can help them find their way home.

Chasing Their Hearts,

 Glenda Johnson

(The Picture today is from Gressier, Haiti taken in April 2011 by me!)