Ever Feel Invisible?

 In a world where social media has all but taken over, we have more lonely people than any time in history. FaceBook, Twitter, and all the others, give people, and especially young people, the false idea that they have hundreds of friends.
Addiction is rising among our children, and starting younger than ever.  The average child has tried either an illegal drug or alcohol by the age of 10!
 Last summer my daughter was junior staff at a christian camp during a week for 4-5th graders. She was confronted head on with a camper who was cutting herself. As a mom, this rocks my very world. These girls are still so young.
As a christian woman, who loves young people, I know the message that Jesus loves you, is one that must get through to all of these breaking hearts.
These kids are feeling like they are invisible to the world and everyone around them.
We MUST point these precious souls to the ONE who can rescue them from their loneliness and despair!

And by the way, it is not just young people who feel invisible. We must reach the world with the love of Christ!

Our youth group did this video to help get out the message that there is One to whom you are never invisible. 


Glen Lyn Youth Group

Now, open your eyes and look for those who feel invisible and show them the reflection of Christ!

Chasing After Their Hearts,
Glenda Johnson

Trust What?

It was just a dictation.
My son's Language Arts curriculum uses a dictation exercise each week.
There is usually two from the novel he is reading and two from scriptures that apply to the theme currently going on in his novel.
Much to his dismay, his novel is Pride and Prejudice.

What can you expect, he is a 15yo guy!

The two scriptures were both familiar ones from Proverbs and 1Corinthians.
When I do a dictation, I read it completely through, then I read sentence by sentence, then I read it through one last time in its entirety.

It was on the second time through that I was Gibbs smacked upside my head by the Holy Spirit.

This was the passage:
1 Corinthians 13

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

It was here that the Holy Spirit Gibb slapped the back of my head:

always trusts

Really? ALWAYS? TRUSTS?
But always trusts WHAT?
Or better yet, WHO?

And what about those who have violated my trust.
How about that person who has cheated me and done me wrong?
Then there is that one person who is seeking to destroy me life.

Whew, surely God does not mean them after all, those people are my enemies.
I can get to where I can love and trust my friends, and MOST of my family, but those others, I should be ok not trusting them, because they have not earned my trust, or have lost it.

Right?

Matthew 5

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

OUCH! Gibbs slapped one more time!


Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.

I see the word LOVE. The Corinthians passage above says love always trusts.
The Matthew passage says to love your enemy.

As I look at these two passages, I will readily admit, I am struggling.
I can come up with numerous reasons to explain away the command to love and trust someone who has hurt me.
I can even find some Scripture, (Taken out of context) to back up my RIGHT to not trust someone.
But, I cannot get away from the fact I am called to love my enemies, and truly loving my enemies must include trust because , "Love always trusts".

I am wrestling with God on this one.

I understand what God wants me to do, now to trust that the Holy Spirit to teach my heart how to do this!

Chasing After Hearts,
Glenda Johnson

Always in a Hurry!

It started about 5am twenty-seven years ago.
A few contractions, the mucus plug, and then I knew.
Today would be the day.
Almost a month early, but today, never the less.
But, wait, I wasn't ready.
So, I got up, did all the laundry.
Then I went shopping for the things I still needed.
Took my 2 year old to the sitter, and I was almost ready.
My husband, who was a paramedic student at the time, stopped by his office at the ambulance company to let them know what was going on.
After convincing all the medics there I REALLY did not want them to deliver the baby, off to the hospital we went.
6pm. Contractions continued.
I went to the hospital before most people would because, I had my first baby, who was almost 10lbs in less than 2 hours and I did not want to deliver at home!
6:30pm, Nurse: "It is going to be awhile, I think I am going to send you out, go have dinner, go shopping, and come back later tonight."
Me and Hubby (In unison): "This baby will be born on the street!"
7pm Nurse: " I will let you stay for an hour and then I will insist that you go."
7:45pm Me: "Go get the nurse! I have to push!"
7:55pm  Nurse gloving up, (she did not think the doctor needed to be call yet): " Don't push! Don't push! The doctor isn't here yet!"
8pm (as the dr is walking into the room) Me: "I am pushing NOW!"
8:05pm William Ray Johnson was born.
My second son.
The doctor held him up and looked at him and promptly said,"The plumbing works!" As he went to change his scrubs that were just peed on!
Twenty-seven years.
They go by fast. Really fast.
Now that same little, red, born early boy, still amazes his mom.

Grown up, with a family of his own, making me proud everyday.
A preacher, teacher, lover of people, and passionate about the Kingdom of God.
He was in a hurry to born, and today, he is in a hurry to get people connected to Jesus.
I love you Billy.
Everyday you look less like me,
and more like Jesus!

Chasing After Their Hearts,
Glenda Johnson

"I'll Whisper It"

There is a Homecoming Dance tonight.
I asked a young woman if she was going.
After a resounding "NO!" I was a bit confused.

She has a boyfriend.
She is popular.
She has the ability to have a dress.

So I asked why.


She hesitated to give the reason for her skipping out on a very important event in the life of a high school. girl.

I did not push for her answer, but she said, "I could tell you the reason, but it is inappropriate. But, if you want, I could whisper it in your ear."

I said I would love to hear her reason for not going to the dance.
What I heard blew my mind.
And made my heart jump out of my chest.
It also caused me look at this young woman with a new found respect.

Her reason?

" I don't like to have sex with my clothes on."

WOW!
She chose to stay away from something that she knew would have behaviors that she as a Christian young woman would be uncomfortable with. This is not a statement against dancing. Or even going to this particular dance.

It is however, a statement on standing for WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU INDIVIDUALLY.

Praise God for her strong convictions and not being willing to give in to peer pressure!

And by the way, I informed her that her response was AWESOME not inappropriate!
I can't wait to tell her mom what a great job she has done instilling Godly values in her daughter.

Helps me remember that the time I invest in my own precious daughter is so important.

I challenge all the mommas out there to treasure and care for the beautiful gifts God has given them!

Chasing After Their Hearts,
Glenda Johnson

A Vessel of Grace

Tonight at our ladies Bible Study tonight we looked at the story of the "Prodigal Son" found in the book of Luke.
I was amazed at the openness of the beautiful ladies of our group. 
We all realized that we can be so much like the older brother in the story.
It boils down to lacking grace.
Grace.
The gift of God that cost Jesus His life.
Grace.
The gift God longs to lavish on us.
Grace.
You cannot say you understand and accept Grace, unless
Grace flows from God'
through you,
to others.
My beautiful, honest, authentic women came to the conclusion
that while we might be like the younger son and walk away from God sometimes,
and we might be like the older brother and be judgmental and unforgiving sometimes,
our heart's desire is to be like the father in the story.
To have grace flow from who we are in Christ to ALL we come in contact with.

I choose today to be a vessel of grace, and to pour grace out on everyone I come in contact with, so that I can be like my Father.

Chasing After Their Hearts,

Friends Across The Years

My mind was rewinding today and thinking about a special friend of mine. A friend I was reunited with a couple of years ago.

Here is the story.

I was waiting for my husband to be moved from the OR recovery room to his regular room at the hospital. He had just had surgery on his neck. We were in the recovery room for five and a half hours because there were no rooms available.

Then God showed up. A dear friend that I have known since 1987 walked by. She works at the hospital.  It was awesome because due to our travel with different ministries, I had not seen her in eight years and had not communicated with her in five years.

She and I looked up and caught each others eyes and immediately ran into each others arms. We stood there and hugged and cried for 5 minutes. Then we caught up for the next 20. We talked some more on her break when she came up to check on my husband.

The time we had spent apart, melted instantly. It was wonderful. We had shared life over the years, raising children, ups and downs of marriage, and Jesus. We were connected at the heart level. I asked for forgiveness for neglecting our friendship.

God brought back to my attention just how important it is to have women in our lives with whom we can share, trust for advice, and grow closer to Jesus with. God did not intend for us to be alone on the journey.

I have a few ladies that are close friends. We are close enough that we can be real, and bear our hearts to one another without having to wear a mask.

Tit 2:3  Tell older women to live their lives in a way that shows they are dedicated to God. Tell them not to be gossips or addicted to alcohol, but to be examples of virtue.
Tit 2:4  In this way they will teach young women to show love to their husbands and children,
Tit 2:5  to use good judgment, and to be morally pure. Also, tell them to teach young women to be homemakers, to be kind, and to place themselves under their husbands' authority. Then no one can speak evil of God's word.

God wants us women to grow together, and teach each other how to chase after our husband's heart and our children's heart. But most of all, Jesus' heart.

I have committed to invest back into this friend.  I am going to nurture this friendship and the other ones I have so that we can all grow together.

Is there a friendship you need to spend some time on? Is there a new that needs to be formed?

Get busy Chasing Their Hearts!

By the way, the time difference between my husband getting a room and me finding my friend, 3 minutes.
God always has a plan!


Chasing Their Hearts,
Glenda Johnson
http://www.twitter.GlendaJohnson63
womanaftergod@gmail.com

In Between Pain and Relief

My husband is the senior minister for a church. One of the lovely benefits of this position is the home we are blessed to live in that is right across the lawn of the church.
As I sit here tonight my heart is heavy. On the other side of me is a home that has a man that hurting deeply. His mother and sister were brutally murdered by his step father. The trial is coming up soon, and he is hurting.
I realize I live between a person who is hurting and needs compassion, and a building that represents to the world the ONE who can heal the hurt and bring hope.
Today I commit my home to being the bridge between the two.

Chasing After Their Hearts,
Glenda Johnson

Time Is Ticking

Last week I blogged on my husband's uncle that left us way to early. A victim of cancer.
Tonight, the world is rocking with the news of the passing of Steve Jobs, another victim of cancer.
Sunday evening an elder in a church we previously attended was brutally robbed and stabbed. Praise God he is recovering.

I am once again reminded:
I do not have a guarantee of tomorrow.
Money cannot fix the most important things.
People are what matters.
People are NOT the problem, sin and separation from God is the problem.

Love God. Love people. Like there is no tomorrow.
Because there just might not be...

Chasing After Their Hearts,
Glenda Johnson

Lifting My Hands

I saw her long before she saw me. 

As she approached, her eighty-something year old eyes locked onto mine.

As she moved quickly toward me, 

moving as quickly as her braced legs would allow,

her smile grew and overtook her face.

She called my name, enveloped me in a hug, 

and my mind tumbled backward to the first day I ever met her.

"My name is Clifford and this is my wife Dot. Our last name is Hawley. 

H-A-W-L-E-Y. We live in Abingdon, if you're ever in the area and need a place to stay, look us us up in the phone book we have plenty of bedrooms and you are always welcome to stay with us."

And I fell in love. 

About a year later this beautiful woman was forever sealed in my heart.

She was in the ladies Bible study that I was teaching.

Sometime during the discussion that day, styles of worship began to be discussed.

I began to share that I was accustomed to raising my hands when I sang during praise and worship, but since coming to this congregation I felt uncomfortable doing so.

I went on to explain that since I was the Preacher's wife,

sitting on the second pew,

being observed by a very traditional congregation,

I did not want to cause anyone to be uncomfortable and distract from their personal worship.

This loving woman, who was then in her seventies, looked at me and quoted this verse,

"Do not quench the Spirit;" 1 Thessalonians 5:19

She then proceeded to say that since the Spirit leads us in our worship to God, and I was working so hard to keep from worshipping openly and honestly,

I really needed to ask myself if I was in danger of quenching the Holy Spirit.

The very next Sunday as I began singing I heard a voice whisper in my ear,

"It's ok to raise your hands."

She had placed herself in a position to encourage me to worship.

As we unfolded out of our embrace tonight, I looked into her eyes and told her how good it was to see her.

My soul was truly refreshed and revived tonight, 

simply by being in the presence of this wonderful woman of God. 

In this wonderful new congregation that my husband and I are serving in,

I am looking for my "Dot."

I am also looking to be "Dot" wherever I can.

Chasing after their hearts,

Glenda Johnson

A Walk Through Time

I just journeyed thirty-four years in four hours

Walking through time was wonderful and kinda scary.

My best friend from high school, whom I haven't seen in twenty years, just came over and we ran through thirty -four years.

As we talked and reminisced, something occurred to me.

I shouldn't be alive today.

We made some crazy choices.
We made some crazy choices with friends, strangers, and even in a foreign country where even our parents did not know our location. (Two teenage girls in Mexico without permission)


I am very thankful for the Grace of God!!

Although we haven't seen each other in twenty years or even spoken, the time just melted away.
We did life together back then. Even after we were both married, for a few years we did life together.
Then, we just drifted out of each other's lives.
I am thankful for a friend who still after all of these years loves me and receives my love.
We have made a promise to not let another twenty years go by.

All of this comes after the funeral this morning of my husband's uncle who died way too soon.

People are important.

We may not have twenty years to get around to getting in touch with someone.
Today is a reminder that I need to make a better effort with my relationships.

Who do you need to contact?
You may not have tomorrow.

Pick up the phone.
Send the email.
Facebook.
Just do it!

You will be glad you did!

Chasing After Their Hearts,
Glenda Johnson

How I Can Fix The Problem

I am a problem-solver by nature.
My personality is one that never sees a problem I don't think I can solve.
While I might be willing to admit, grudgingly, that there are some things out there beyond my control, it is hard to accept.

I am a mom. Moms fix things. Mom can do anything.
I am a wife. I can make the problems of the day disappear for my husband.
I am a preacher's wife. I can teach any class, that no one else wants to that is. I can settle down a disgruntled member. I can help a hurting person see the solution to a problem.
 I can fix lots of things.

Sometimes, I feel like all I am doing is problem solving. Fighting battles, some that are not mine. Using my energy to handle things that simply put, I am not called by God to fix.

What am I called to do?  There are many things, but as I was meditating on scripture this morning and really asking for wisdom, this is what I found.

Rom 12:16  Live in harmony with each other. Don't be arrogant, but be friendly to humble people. Don't think that you are smarter than you really are.
Rom 12:17  Don't pay people back with evil for the evil they do to you. Focus your thoughts on those things that are considered noble.
Rom 12:18  As much as it is possible, live in peace with everyone.
Rom 12:19  Don't take revenge, dear friends. Instead, let God's anger take care of it. After all, Scripture says, "I alone have the right to take revenge. I will pay back, says the Lord."
Rom 12:20  But, "If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink. If you do this, you will make him feel guilty and ashamed."
Rom 12:21  Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil with good. 

There are somethings I think I need to fix or battle for, when in reality, God is calling me to
Live in harmony with others. (vs 16) I am to live in peace with EVERYONE. (vs 18).

Most importantly, and I must admit, this is where I really get hung up,
God is telling me NOT to take revenge or try to handle wrongs done. (vs 19)
God alone will handle it! It is HIS church. It can protect it, defend it and see that wrongs against her are avenged.

He actually asks me to love and care for those who are wronging it. (vs 20) This is how God is asking ME to FIX a problem.

Wow, who would have thought, that care, love and living peacefully was an answer to so much?

God.
That's why He gave us His Word.
To see His heart,
so we could chase after it.

Chasing Their Hearts,
Glenda Johnson

The Darkness Of Depression

 

Darkness.
Falling, falling, falling down a dark shaft, unable to see the bottom, unable to stop.
Profound loneliness but afraid to be with people.
Unable to get out of bed some days, other nights unable to sleep at all.
Finding no joy anywhere you look, no activity worth the effort, and yet, so desiring to have a purpose.

The above statements are just some of the ways people describe depression.  There are many, many more, too many to list on this, or any other blog.

My heart breaks for people suffering from the illness of depression. Their illness many times is very misunderstood.
They are told:
"Just get up and brush it off!"
" Look on the bright side."
"Things will get better."
"You could get better if you REALLY wanted to."
"If you loved God, you wouldn't be this way."

All of these statements are untruth. A clinically depressed person can no more, "Brush it off", than a person with appendicitis can take a warm shower to make the problem go away.

I have been touched by depression on a personal level, within my own family, and had many friends who have been affected by this ugly, relentless stalker.

I blog this today to really only say two things:
1. If you are depressed, GET HELP from a health care provider or qualified faith based counselor. Depression is an illness just like high blood pressure, a urinary tract infection or a heart attack! Please, please, please have the courage to ask for help. And know, there are people, like me, who love you.
2. Pay attention to those around you. If someone is depressed, treat them with love, support and respect. Don't judge. The last thing they need is to be rejected by someone who thinks they can cure depression with a simple change of mind. Help walk the person through whatever it takes to get them to the right person for the care they need.

Love like Jesus. Someone's life could depend on it!

Chasing After Their Hearts,
Glenda Johnson

Sisters

I am thinking a lot about my sister today. Not because I am really jealous because she is sitting under an umbrella in Hawaii, but because today is her birthday.
So today, I honor Lara.
I was five years old when she was born. I still remember her coming home from the hospital. It was actually really beneficial for me. You see, I had been an only child for so long, my parents wanted to make me still feel special. So, every time my sister got a gift, well by golly, I did too! It was AWESOME!!

It was interesting, as we grew up, we actually grew apart. The years that separated us made a huge difference, especially during the adolescent years. I was out of our family home at the age of 17, and she was only 12. We had already really drifted apart because I was an outdoors, animal person and, well, she wasn't. We were as different as any sisters could be.

I married and moved across the country. I saw her very occasionally. But, as I grew and matured, I knew family was important. When she was expecting my beautiful niece, who turned 22 three days ago,  and contracted preeclampsia, I got on a plane and took care of her. It was an awesome day when my niece was born beautiful and healthy. Although my sister was not the best labor and delivery patient! Hence, Alicia being an only child!

After Alicia was born we had more in common. I had three children and now that she was a mom, we had lots to bond over. Then something happened. I still am unsure exactly what caused it, maybe lack of communication, or a hurt feeling, but once again, we drifted apart. Barely speaking to one another. For years this went on.

Then as quickly as it happened, one day we were once again sharing life. And it has been beautiful ever since. My sister and I are VERY different. We look at life differently. We live life differently. And yet, we are so similar, sometimes it is scary.

We tend to get together a couple times a year just to have fun. I live in the southeast and she lives in the southwest, so we really have to sacrifice to make this happen.
People can always tell when we are getting ready for a meeting. Thing 1 (ME) and Thing 2 (LARA) appear on our Face Book profile pics. We also begin to talk in Dr. Seuss rhyme.  It is worth everything we have to do to make it happen. 

I love my sister very much. I will do ANYTHING to protect our relationship.
After all, who else would I go the beach with and entertain the idea of yelling  "Help!" simply because there is a new class of (very young) life guards training just yards away.

Or, who else would go with her to help celebrate my niece turning 21, and being able to embarrass my niece beyond anything Thing 2 could do alone.

Or who would she call when she is missing her husband who is in the Navy and stationed over seas?

Or who would I call when my husband is diagnosed with cancer and I am feeling scared.

As everyone knows there is no Thing 1 without a Thing 2.
I would say to any out there with a sister. It is a special relationship. Take care of it. Get over the little things. Love one another. It is so worth it!

I love you Lara, and I am glad you are my sister!

Chasing After Their Hearts,
Glenda Johnson

Betrayal Returns

 
Betrayal.

It seemed to permeate everything I read this morning. It shouldn't surprise me. Betrayal is everywhere.

I talk to women everyday that feel betrayed. By husbands. By children. By friends. By employers. By the church. Some betrayals are deeper than others, but betrayal is still, just that, betrayal.

So what do you do when your husband betrays you?
When a child betrays your trust?
When the church, that is supposed to show God's love and truth, betrays you?

Run to Jesus. He has been there.

Mar 14:18  While they were at the table eating, Jesus said, "I can guarantee this truth: One of you is going to betray me, one who is eating with me!"
Mar 14:19  Feeling hurt, they asked him one by one, "You don't mean me, do you?"
Mar 14:20  He said to them, "It's one of you twelve, someone dipping his hand into the bowl with me.


A close friend, one that Jesus hand picked, one he has shared three years of his life with. Betrayed him. And for all those three years, Jesus knew the betrayal was coming.
He loved him anyway.

Ok, Ok, so Judas HAD to betray Jesus for the plan. Maybe, maybe not. But just in case you need something else.

Mar 14:29  Peter said to him, "Even if everyone else abandons you, I won't."
Mar 14:30  Jesus said to Peter, "I can guarantee this truth: Tonight, before a rooster crows twice, you will say three times that you don't know me."
Mar 14:31  But Peter said very strongly, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never say that I don't know you." All the other disciples said the same thing.

But Peter did just that. Betrayed Jesus that very night. All the other disciples ran away. In his darkest hour, those closest to him, left him alone and betrayed.

So what does this mean for you?

When you are betrayed by those closest to you, you get one step closer to being like Jesus.
That's what the purpose of life is to be, right? Become more like Jesus and point others to him.

So what do you do when you are betrayed? Let's let's see what Jesus' last words were after his betrayal:

Luk 23:34  Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them. They don't know what they're doing."

It all lies in forgiveness.

Who do you need to forgive in your heart today? Talk with the One who has been there, then do it. There is a new day waiting for you free from the bondage betrayal puts on us.

You can beat betrayal with love and forgiveness.

Jesus did.

Chasing Their Hearts,

Glenda Johnson
twitter.com/GlendaJohnson63

Have You Told Someone They Are Beautiful Today?

 The earthquake of January 12, 2010,  had totally wiped out anything standing in this already poverty stricken area of Haiti. We were at a school there that served these very poor children. One of the Pastor's wife teaches there on a daily basis. She loves these kids, points them to Jesus, and helps them to learn to read and write. We came there to do what is called the "Popcorn Ministry".  We brought a plastic contractor's trash bag FULL of popcorn to this school.

We then went out through the village and handed out food and other needed items to the people and invited all the kids to come to the school for some fun.

We easily had 70 kids in a big circle. They were led in songs by their teacher and one of the other local pastors. Then one of our preachers, through a translator told the story of Daniel and the lions den. Charles did a great job. Then we handed out popcorn to the kids. They all had a great time.

As the kids were hanging out still in this big circle, I took picture of the kids. I always ask before I take anyone's picture, simply out of common courtesy. These kids LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to have their picture taken. They also LOVE to have you show them the picture on your camera.

Then I met Melinda. She was a little girl who was about 8 or 9 years old. She shied away from me and hid her face. As I looked closer I could see she had some kind of issue with her skin. When asked if I could take her picture she said no and pointed to her face. I saw a young girl who was in pain from  being made fun of, and feeling ugly. As I looked at her, I told her she was, "bel" which is beautiful in Haitian Creole. She relied with no! No Bel!

Then she ran and hid behind some other children. My heart was breaking for this precious little girl. As I watched her, she never smiled. I kept feeling the prompting of the Holy Spirit to go and speak to her again. I took the young preacher there with me so he could interpret.

I knelt down in front of this image bearer of God, and with help from the interpreter, I told her,
"Jesus made you. He only makes beautiful things. He wanted me to tell you, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. He loves you very much. I love you too, because you are such a beautiful creation of His!" And then I walked away.

A few minutes later she returned to me, and had a smile on her face and was speaking very fast. I could not figure out what she was saying. The preachers wife standing close by said,"She is saying she loves you very, very much." Then Melinda said something I understood very well, "Photo!" and pulled me close indicating she wanted a picture taken with me!

A very simple thing. Telling a young woman she was beautiful. It made all the difference to her. Forever.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecc 3:11a (ESV)

Is there someone that needs to hear they are beautiful today? Seek them out. Share with them. They will never be the same.
Neither will you.
Melinda and her smile is forever part of my heart.

Chasing After Their Hearts,
Glenda Johnson
 

1983, A Very Good Year

 1983

A Very Good Year

Twenty eight years ago, it was 1983.
It was a very interesting time. Let's take a peek at what was going on twenty eight years ago:

Lotus 1-2-3 (spreadsheet program) is released for IBM-PC compatible computers.

M*A*S*H (TV series) ends after 11 years and 251 episodes on CBS. The series finale, Goodbye, Farewell and Amen, becomes the highest rated episode in TV history.

Swatch introduces their first watches. 

The U.S. Embassy is bombed in Beirut, killing 63 people. 

Strategic Defense Initiative: U.S. President Ronald Reagan makes his initial proposal to develop technology to intercept enemy missiles. The media dub this plan "Star Wars."


Sally Ride becomes the first American woman in space, on the Space Shuttle Challenger.

Tom Brokaw becomes lead anchor for NBC Nightly News. 

Vanessa Williams becomes the first African-American to be crowned Miss America, in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Microsoft Word is first released. 

McDonald's introduces the McNugget.



There are a few of you who are reading this list and these have always been a part of your life, because you were born AFTER 1983.
Now for some, like me, you remember these things. And are probably thinking, "Wow,  I didn't realize it has only been twenty eight years!"

That is what I wake up thinking this morning. "Wow! It has only been twenty eight years!"

You see, as I look over at the man sitting next to me, watching the waves crash on the beach, I am reminded of what happened on 4/1/1983.
Twenty eight years ago, I was blessed to marry Larry Johnson. And for today, it seems like it was just yesterday.
It hasn't always been easy, but I can tell you, it has always been worth the effort of remaining committed to the covenant I made to God, and to my husband!

Here is to twenty eight more years of serving God side by side with the most awesome husband God could bless a woman with! As we begin a new chapter of ministry, wherever God leads, I will remain by his side, serving the King of Kings.
I love you Larry!



Chasing After Their Hearts,
Glenda Johnson

SHH! Hear The Whisper?

Hello! It has been 46 days since I have blogged.
I have missed writing.
Thank you to those who have written, commented and sent me messages saying you have missed the blog as well.

I have learned that sometimes, you have to be real quiet. (For those that know me, NOT AN EASY TASK!)
I have only rarely posted on Face Book and Twitter the last month and a half as well.

In my quietness, I have been listening.
Unfortunately, at times, I have been listening to the wrong voices.
I needed to quiet all the voices except One.

Like Elijah, I needed to here what God had to say to me. I needed desperately to hear God's voice above all the others that were shouting at me.

1 Kings 19:11-12  And he said, "Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.  And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.


In that low whisper was God. I found I could only hear it when I stopped trying to listen and respond to all the other voices. I needed to quiet me.

And I did. And I listened.

God was there speaking all time. I had just chosen to allow myself to turn His volume down, so I couldn't hear Him as well.

Today, I am listening to the whisper. It is powerful. It will silence the untruths. It will bring peace.

If you are having a hard time hearing God over the roar of others, be silent. Don't answer. Don't fight. Just listen. See, you hear it now?
He is telling you He loves you. He wants the best for you. He will always protect you.
He alone, is the holder of your future.
Keep listening. He has a lot He has been waiting to tell you!

Chasing After Their Hearts,
Glenda Johnson

Where Are You Standing?

^{Ever had a time in your life when you knew nothing for sure?}

^{Unknown job.}

^{Unknown home.}

^{Unknown future plans, beyond this very moment?}

^{Me too.}

^{I am there right now.}

^{But I am at peace.} 

^{This scripture is why;} 

^{Psalm 77:18-20}

¹⁸ Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
   your lightning lit up the world;
   the earth trembled and quaked.
¹⁹ Your path led through the sea,
   your way through the mighty waters,
   though your footprints were not seen.

 ²⁰ You led your people like a flock
   by the hand of Moses and Aaron. 

A path.

It is leading through a storm.

Lightening and thunder all around.

But it is lighting my path.

The path is leading through the mighty waters.

SO to stay on the path, I have to walk where only God can take me, 

in faith,

that He will protect me like a shepherd protects the flock.

It doesn't matter if I can see God's footprints. 

It doesn't matter that I don't know God's plan.

What matters is I am following His path.

Where do you need to follow today to stay on the path?

God is there.

He will never leave you alone!

Follow. Have faith. See the dry ground under your feet.

Chasing After Their Hearts,

Glenda Johnson

How I Know Today Is Going To Be A Great Day!

^{Psalm 118:1-6}

¹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
      His faithful love endures forever.

 ² Let all Israel repeat:
      “His faithful love endures forever.”
 ³ Let Aaron’s descendants, the priests, repeat:
      “His faithful love endures forever.”
 ⁴ Let all who fear the Lord repeat:
      “His faithful love endures forever.”

 ⁵ In my distress I prayed to the Lord,
      and the Lord answered me and set me free.

⁶ The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear.
      What can mere people do to me?

Lord as I read this portion of Your Word this morning I am drinking up Your refreshment. You have reminded me:

You are good!

You are faithful!

You have set me free!

You are for me!

You have taken away my reason for fear!

SO, today I will sing

"His faithful love endures forever."
"Your faithful love endures forever"!

Today is going to be a great day!
Because,
His Love endures forever!

Chasing After Their Hearts,
Glenda Johnson

A Very Unpolitically Correct View of a Wife-Eve

Genesis 2:15-25

 ¹⁵ The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. ¹⁶ And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; ¹⁷ but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

 ¹⁸ The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

 ¹⁹ Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. ²⁰ So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals.

   But for Adam no suitable helper was found. ²¹ So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. ²² Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

 ²³ The man said,

   “This is now bone of my bones
   and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called ‘woman,’
   for she was taken out of man.”

 ²⁴ That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.

 ²⁵ Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.

 

Lord, help me to remember that Eve was created to fill a need for Adam that You knew he had. As I meditate on this, I must know that that I was created for my husband. The world would tell me that my husband is created to do my bidding and what ever I desire. This passage today reminds me very clearly, that I was created to be a helper for him. He was not created to be a filler of voids in my life.
Lord, show me how I can be a better helper to my husband. Show me how I can be who You have created me to be, and help me to tune out the world's view of who I am and what I should be.

 

Today:

I will remember that it is NOT all about me.
I will look for ways to better meet my husband's needs.
I will NOT listen to the propaganda that the world is selling concerning what a wife and woman should be.
I will listen to God.

 

Is there anything you need to view differently to be more like the woman God has created you to be?

 

I will chase after the heart of my husband. It was exactly what I was created to do!

 

Chasing After Their Hearts,

Glenda Johnson