Author Archives: Shelley Johnson

Israel Day 4 – Old City Jerusalem Do you remember I told you how surprised I was at the size of Jerusalem? I think part of me expected that today’s Jerusalem would still be within the walls it’s always been in. Silly, I know. But that’s my brain sometimes. One of my ah-ha’s yesterday wasContinue reading “Old City Jerusalem”

Day 3 – Continued – Bethlehem The second half of our first day in Jerusalem had us cross a mere five miles to Jesus’ birthplace, Bethlehem. Though short on miles, this trek required us to pass through a heavily gated border into Palestinian territory. Because we were part of a tourist group, our tour guideContinue reading “Bethlehem”

Israel Trip Day 3 – First Day in Jerusalem – June 4, 2014 Let me pick up where we left off because I just loved our journey into this very holy city, Jerusalem. Ariel explained that Jerusalem is most unique because it is the center for three major religions: Muslim, Judaism, and Christianity. And sinceContinue reading “First Day in Jerusalem”

Israel Trip, Days 1-2 (June 2, 2014—June 3, 2014) For a girl who hasn’t spent much time in airports, it was a day full of them! Four, in fact. Each one different from the other in so many ways. Oklahoma was quiet. It was early morning. And, believe it or not, OKC is pretty smallContinue reading “Traveling to Israel”

Anticipation. We plan. We wait. We feel like we JUST CAN’T WAIT… And then it’s here. The day we’ve been waiting for has finally arrived. Whether it’s Christmas or a big trip, the Eve before the Big Day is filled with anticipation, excitement, and usually a long list of “to do’s.” Tonight is no different forContinue reading “Twas the Night Before Israel”

Cross Carry — The Final Chapter Funny how we can do a small thing faithfully over time till we realize we’ve accomplished much — like this book! We’ve met here once a week for thirteen weeks. We’ve been faithful to do a chapter a week; we’ve done well to do every part and now weContinue reading “Girls with Swords Chapter 14”

Sword of Forgiveness and Restoration The Sword of Silence we yield, keeping it in its scabbard but at the ready. The Sword of Forgiveness and Restoration we lay aside altogether. It is one thing to have a sword and refuse to draw it, and quite another to have no sword at all. (Fencing Manual, p. 169)Continue reading “Girls with Swords Chapter 13”

Sword of Silence Seated around the table, books opened, we all laughed that uncomfortable snicker as we looked at the title of this chapter. Sword. Of. Silence. Maybe we already knew this sword would be one of the hardest to wield. Turns out…we don’t wield it all. Yup. This is going to be hard! TheContinue reading “Girls with Swords Chapter 12”

Sword of Light This week we pick up two more swords. The first is the Sword of Light. Our challenge and promise: Our Jesus is the light at the end of a very long and dark tunnel, and when we see Him, we will be like Him. (Fencing Manual, p. 132) The dark tunnel isContinue reading “Girls with Swords Chapters 10 & 11”

Sword of the Harvest Girls with swords, we are armed! And the first sword we’re to learn about is the Sword of the Harvest. It’s important to think a bit on what “harvest” means so that we can apply that to this week’s weapon. Harvest. The gathering of crops. A supply of anything gathered atContinue reading “Girls with Swords Chapter 9”