For our family right now, both our sons have moved out of our house and are living independently; one is five years into a career working with computer code, the other is a third-year medical student currently in rotations at a regional medical center three hours from Columbus. Both sons are still single and therefore living in that “in between time” between becoming independent and getting married. My wife and I are also in the ‘in between time’ of being empty-nesters and possibly welcoming daughters-in-law and eventually grandchildren into our home.

The question I have been asking myself these days is, “Am I just as enthusiastically pursuing Christ,seeking His will and being in awe in His presence, when I find myself in the ‘in between seasons’ of life, as when I experience the high points of spectacular answers to personal prayers or see God do miracles in someone’s life that I am close to?”

In the Scriptures I read these words: ” Bless the Lord O my soul. O Lord my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty, wrapped in light as with a garment. You stretch out the heavens like a tent, you set the beams of your chambers on the waters, you make the clouds your chariot, you ride on the wings of the wind, you make the winds your messengers, fire and flame your ministers.” Psalm 104:1-4 (The Wesley Study Bible)

From time to time, I catch myself sliding into “waiting mode” until the next “revelation” from God’s hand. I do not believe I am alone in this weakness. So my constant prayer during what seems to be the “in between seasons”, whether they last a few days or sometimes longer, is: “Lord help me to stand on what I KNOW of You from Your inspired Word and to keep Your praise continually on my lips and in my heart for Your promises and Your faithfulness ‘in season and out of season’.”

Isn’t it ironic that those who carry a full load of ministry can so easily become unwitting victims of accepting a heart and a spirit that live in “waiting mode” for God’s next big appearance in their lives or ministry? May you who take the time to read this stay alert to those “in between seasons” of life and take the measures you know best to make sure that you don’t slide into waiting mode either!

For those of you who live in the mid-west and mid-atlantic regions of the United States, this past weekend was one to remember weather-wise!

Millions of us lost power as wind gusts of up to 80 miles an hour or more swept through the region. Many of our congregations lost power and had to cancel Sunday services because they had no power to turn the lights on or run the airconditioning….which got me to thinking (as a pastor), is there a sermon theme in this experience? I think there is. I would probably title the message; What happens to your spiritual life when the storms of life rush through and bring damage and destruction to the things you take for granted or hold dear to your heart? Do you lose spiritual power ? Do you live in spiritual limbo until those things are restored to your life, or do you find that God is your refuge in the  storm and in its aftermath? Psalm 107 verses 29 through 32 give us the possible outcome when we openly and actively trust the Lord in a public as well as private testimony to those around us who are  living through their own personal storms.

In response to suggestions made by several pastors on our district, I have committed to sharing some thoughts and some vision casting through this section entitled “Johnston’s Jottings.”

As we move into the summer months of 2012 it is hard to believe that Mary and I have been home from missionary service in France for six and a half years already. Those years have flown by and we have witnessed so many changes across the district and across the world, that it is hard to actually keep it all on one time line! Pastors have changed assignments; some to other districts , some to other churches within our district family. Some of the saints have changed their home addresses too, and have moved into God’s presence to gain their heavenly reward. We miss them, but we continue on the journey God has prepared for each of us as we stay faithful to His Call on our lives as individuals and as church families.

Here in South Central Ohio, the month of June brings with it preparations for Camp Meeting next month, and Vacation Bible Schools and Summer Youth Camp!  Schools are on vacation and families are anticipating spending more time together over cook-outs and time away at the beach or in the mountains, or at grandma’s house. This is also the time when pastoral families with school-age children often find it the bast time to move to new assignments while the kids are between school years….and so the changes continue…and will always continue, because that is the rythme of life here on Earth.

Change isn’t always welcome…even when it comes from the hand of God as we find in Pater’s vision in Acts chapter 10 during his visit to Joppa.When God interrupts our rhythme with a new direction, how do we react? Does He need to keep reinforcing it as He did with Peter on the rooftop until we get it? ( the sheet came down three times!)

When we do get it, and choose to obey and follow it, we very often experience what it’s like to see His holy power at work in others in ways that are unique to the new set of circumstances our obedience has brought about. Acts chapter 10 recounts what Bible scholars often refer to as the Gentile Pentecost. The first time that a crowd of people of non-jewish heritage heard and accepted the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

What new things does God want to do in the lives of those around us this week? Let’s listen carefully, obey fully, and let the changes begin!

STORMS AND POWER OUTAGES  July1, 2012

For those of you who live in the mid-west and mid-atlantic regions of the United States, this past weekend was one to remember weather-wise!

Millions of us lost power as wind gusts of up to 80 miles an hour or more swept through the region. Many of our congregations lost power and had to cancel Sunday services because they had no power to turn the lights on or run the airconditioning….which got me to thinking (as a pastor), is there a sermon theme in this experience? I think there is. I would probably title the message; What happens to your spiritual life when the storms of life rush through and bring damage and destruction to the things you take for granted or hold dear to your heart? Do you lose spiritual power ? Do you live in spiritual limbo until those things are restored to your life, or do you find that God is your refuge in the  storm and in its aftermath? Psalm 107 verses 29 through 32 give us the possible outcome when we openly and actively trust the Lord in a public as well as private testimony to those around us who are  living through their own personal storms.

In