Meet Holly J. Compton

Let me introduce today's guest blogger, Holly J. Compton.

Holly is a wife, mother of three, author, teacher, and missionary at heart. You can find all things Holly at her website, Holly J. Compton

Holly and I have the same publisher, and we have met multiple times in Zoom meetings. I've been impressed with her heart for missions and her passion for sharing truths with new believers just starting out on their journey.

Holly has written a book, "Choosing True Life: 30 Foundational Choices for a Life Transformed," that will release next Tuesday, June 2, but is available for preorder now! Click on the link. 

What I love about this book is that it is not a self-help book, It is a Savior-help book. Holly does a great job of sharing what scripture says about the choices we make, and poses the intriguing question, do you want a "water-life," or a "wine-life"?

Recently, here on the Journey, we talked about God's timing. Holly is sharing an excerpt of her book, Choice #8, that speaks to that subject.


Listen in:

Excerpt from “Choice #8 – Listen AND Obey?”

A heart that loves the Lord and stands surrendered to His instructions is an important prerequisite to hearing His voice. Patience and persistence also open our spiritual ears. He may not answer our prayers immediately, but He has promised that we will find the answers in some way. Matthew 5:4 (TPT) says, “What delight comes to you when you wait upon the Lord! For you will find what you long for.” Throughout our lives, we discover that waiting on Him is the most demanding but most meaningful, even monumental task God asks of us, but He promises us that He’s big enough, sees enough, knows more than enough, to answer at the perfect time and in the perfect manner.

In seasons of waiting, when my faith feels thin, I cling to a poem by J.J. Lynch, called “Say Not, My Soul”:

Say not, my soul, ‘From whence

Can God relieve my care?’

Remember that Omnipotence

Hath servants everywhere.

His help is always sure,

His methods seldom guessed;

Delay will make our pleasure pure;

Surprise will give it zest.

His wisdom is sublime,

His heart profoundly kind;

God never is before His time,

and never is behind.

Hast thou assumed a load

Which none will bear with thee?

And art thou bearing it for God,

And shall He fail to see?[1]

That third stanza speaks volumes to the importance of trusting God’s wisdom and kindness in the midst of anxious impatience. As He grows our patience, He prepares us to receive His answers. He may speak through a Scripture, a circumstance, another person, a poem, a song, or countless other possibilities, as long as we have our hands and ears open to receive what He offers.

In Revelation 3:20 (TPT), Jesus says: “Behold, I’m standing at the door, knocking. If your heart is open to hear my voice and you open the door within, I will come in to you and feast with you, and you will feast with me.” Jesus has a sweet and humble voice, and His loving demeanor is not a mystical or mythical thing—He is truly before us with open arms to receive us into His embrace. We may still struggle to do as He asks, when He asks, but the possibility alone of obedience is how we invite Jesus in to lead us. This is where we humble ourselves in surrender and trust that His will is best. This is when we choose Life.


[1] Lynch, Thomas T. “Say Not, My Soul.” The Disciplines of Life. World Wide Publications, 1948.

It's not too late - you could join Holly's launch team and spread the word about this wonderful resource. Click here for the details. (Launch team members get free resources!)

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Sharing at Remember Me Monday, and InstaEncouragements Link-Up, Let's Have Coffee

It Would Have Been Enough

 

If Jesus died on the cross for my sins; but did not spare my life when I was 14, it would have been enough.

 

If Jesus spared my life when I was 14; but didn’t light a fire in my heart at Youth Camp to give Him my best, it would have been enough.

 

If Jesus lit a fire in my heart when I went to Youth Camp; but didn’t answer my prayer about finding the right person to marry, it would have been enough.

 

If Jesus answered my prayer about finding the right person to marry; but didn’t answer my prayer to have a child, it would have been enough.

 

If Jesus answered my prayer and sent me a child, but didn’t send another child, it would have been enough.

 

If Jesus answered my prayer and sent the second and the third babies; but didn’t answer the prayer about healing my husband, it would have been enough.

 

If Jesus began healing in my husband; and did not provide for us with income and a calling as a ministry assistant for me, it would have been enough.

 

If Jesus provided an income and a calling as a ministry assistant for me; but did not answer when I prayed the prayer of Jabez to enlarge my territory, it would have been enough.

 

If He enlarged my territory by giving me two churches and a ministry of teaching; but did not answer our prayers for help when our house flooded, it would have been enough.

 

If He answered our prayers with funds and willing workers when our house flooded; but did not give me sons-in-laws and grandchildren, it would have been enough.

 

If He gave me a family of daughters, sons-in-laws and grandchildren; but did not give me the love of writing, it would have been enough.

 

If He gave me the love of writing; but didn’t make a way for me to share it, it would have been enough.

 

If He gave me opportunities to share my writing; but didn’t give me the assurance that goodness and mercy were chasing me down, it would have been enough.

 

If He gave me the message of goodness and mercy chasing down believers; but didn’t give me the courage to share biblical truth and the faith to believe it, it would have been enough.

 

If He gave me the courage and the faith to share biblical truth; but didn’t give me anything else, it would be enough.

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The above was written as my personal dayenu. What is a dayenu? According to Wikipedia, "The word "dayenu" means approximately "it would have been enough," "it would have been sufficient," or "it would have sufficed" (day- in Hebrew is "enough," and -ēnu the first person plural suffix, "to us")."

I first heard about a dayenu from Maryleigh Bucher who writes the wonderful inspiring blog, Blue Cotton Memory, and shared about the traditional Passover Dayenu. She wrote her own personal dayenu and encouraged others to do the same. 

You might want to try it, too. It was so encouraging to look back over my life and count the blessings. After I was finished writing mine, I looked up some more info about what a traditional dayenu looked like. I learned a traditional dayenu has 15 stanzas. I went back and counted mine - 15 stanzas! I felt the Holy Spirit led me in the things I shared.

He's good like that!

Adapted from a previous post. All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Sharing at Remember Me Monday, InstaEncouragements Link-Up, Let's Have Coffee

How to Live in Harmony

 

The bible has much to say about living in harmony with each other. Today, I’m honing in on Romans 12.

 

¹⁶ Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! ¹⁷ Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. ¹⁸ Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Romans 12:16-18 New Living Translation

 

GO

 

I think the secret of living in harmony is to practice courtesy. I once heard courtesy described like this: doing what you think will make the other person comfortable.

 

Courtesy is the grease that oils the rusty hinges of everyday living. Like a screen door that squeaks every time someone goes in or out, living with only you in mind can grate on everyone’s last nerve.

 

The truth is we don’t always know best; we are wrong some of the time, and acting like everything should go our way can just be plain irritating!

 

Showing love by treating each other with respect is for your own good. After all, you want to be the one everyone is glad to see arrive at a gathering. It’s disheartening if everyone scatters when you join a group!

 

It boils down to the golden rule: treat others as you would want to be treated.

 

If the golden rule prevailed in gatherings – and on social media! – life would be so much sweeter.

 

STOP

 

I did a deep dive on what some of the different bible translations had to say about verse 16:

 

AMP -           Do not overestimate yourself.

CJB  -           Be sensitive to each other’s needs

ERV -            Don’t think of yourself as smarter than everyone else.

GW -             Don’t think that you are smarter than you really are.

PHILLIPS -   Don’t become snobbish but take a real interest in ordinary people. Don’t become set in your own opinions.

MSG             Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.

 

This post was written in response to Five Minute Friday's prompt, "harmony." The post was written in 5 minutes, but looking up scriptures and adding a graphic took longer.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

I always want to be sure every visitor to the Journey knows how to make heaven their home. Read my post, A Ticket Home. It describes exactly what you need to do.

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey!

Sharing at Five Minute Friday  Remember Me Monday, InstaEncouragements Link-Up, Let's Have Coffee

I am blessed

Let's begin the week knowing we are blessed.The world around us seems dark and chaotic; but believers, who have put their trust in the One True God, know there will be blessing no matter the situation. We might go through struggles but we will make it Home.

What a blessing to be able to lay down your head each night knowing you are one step closer to eternal joy with the One we love!

⁷ “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord.
⁸ For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 New King James Version

 

Abba,

 

I want to be like that man who trusts, hopes and is rooted in You, never anxious and always fruitful.

It’s my heart’s desire to be that person; but Lord, You know how hard it is to keep that desire at the forefront of my mind when I’m overwhelmed by the pressures of life.

 

I ask You to send the Holy Spirit to remind me where my hope and trust is during those times. It’s not in me, but it’s in You. On my own, I can accomplish nothing; but You and I together can plant seed in every situation.

 

Be with me and my friends as we start our week. May we keep our focus on You and Your Word, standing on the promises You have given. Direct us to where the Living Water is so we can put down deep roots  and drink in all You have for us.

 

In Jesus’ holy name I pray; may many come to You today. So be it, amen.

Want to know more? Read my post, A Ticket Home. It describes how you can arrive at Home.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey!

Sharing at Remember Me Monday, InstaEncouragements Link-Up, Let's Have Coffee

Nurtured by The Shepherd

This week's prompt provided for the free writers at Five Minute Friday is the word, "nurture."

Nurture means to care for, feed, protect, and foster the growth or development of someone or something. One of nurture's synonyms is tend. (Merriam -Webster)

Tend? Now, there is a word I can talk about! 

GO

I first thought of the Lord comissioning Peter after his denial of Christ during the crucifixion. The Lord forgave Peter but challenged him three times about his love for Christ to counter the three times Peter denied Him.

Every time Peter admitted that he loved Jesus; then Christ gave him the directive to feed my lambs, then tend my sheep and finally, feed my sheep. (see John 21:15-17) Doing so would prove Peter's sincerity in his love for the Lord.

I find it so interesting we prove our love for God in how we treat our brothers and sisters in Christ.

I especially love that Peter was told to tend the sheep, or in other words nurture them. He was to help them grow both physically and spiritually.

Of course, any discussion of sheep and shepherds immediately draws us to the beauful imagery of Psalm 23.

STOP (My five minutes are up, but wait! I have more!)

You see, tending is much more than just feeding the physical body. Look at the action words I highlighted in green contained in Psalm 23:

The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
    he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3     He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
    bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
    for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
    protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
    My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
    forever. - Psalm 23, NL

I think the Shepherd described in Psalm 23 is the very essence of a Nurturer.

Who is this Nurturer? The Lord Jesus Christ! And I'm thankful to proclaim, to publish, the news that He is my Shepherd.

He can be yours, too.

Want to know more? Read my post, A Ticket Home. It describes the way Home.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey!

Sharing at Five Minute Friday, Remember Me Monday, Sweet Tea & Friends

A Prayer to Start Your Week

Today, we are focusing on one of the names of God, the Sun of Righteousness. May each believer start the week remembering how great it was to be set free from our old lives.

“But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture. Malachi 4:2 New Living Translation

 
Father,
 
The sun rises every morning. It has always been so. Thank You for the assurance that the Sun of Righteousness will also always rise to the occasion, healing and setting free those of us who reverence Your name.
 
I love that last part about rejoicing in our freedom, all excited and leaping about like someone who has been released from being penned up. This makes me think about how a lot of us were stuck inside during the recent snowstorm and were longing to be able to be out and about, enjoying Your world.
 
Life just seems good again when you are free to come and go.
 
Spiritually speaking, life feels great when you are not bound by strongholds and habits that led us onto a dark path.
 
Abba, let us feel joy like set-free calves again! Let us remember how wonderful it was to realize we don’t have to do what the carnal man would normally do. We want to be like our Elder Brother, Jesus, and please You with everything we do.
 
In Jesus’ name we pray, may many come to You today. So be it, amen.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home. That is the best news I could ever share!

Sharing at Remember Me Monday, InstaEncouragement Link-Up

Longing for God to Show Up

Sometimes, you just need to know God sees the situation you are in. Here's a story from long ago ...

I had driven a long way to put my husband in the hospital. It was late when we got there. By the time the paperwork was done and he was tucked up in bed, it was near midnight.

I went out to the parking lot to start up our gas-hog of a van to go home ... but it wouldn't start. It was not a dead battery, it just wouldn't kick in no matter how many times I turned the key.

Great. Just great.

I trudged back into the hospital and wearily rang the buzzer to ask if I could come back inside and use their phone. (This was back before I had a cell phone.)

Who could I call at midnight for help so far from home?

I decided to call my Pastor.  I told him not to come then, for the hospital said I could lay down in their guest waiting room. He said he would come in the morning.

So, using a borrowed pillow and blanket, I bunked on a couch. I fit on the couch as long as I kept my knees bent. and waited for morning.

"God, how could you let this happen? Don't you care? This is like the worst day of my life. I can't even ask Jim what to do because they don't let anyone have any contact with him for 72 hours."

There's no doubt about it, I was feeling very sorry for myself.

STOP

(This post was written in response to the prompt "LONGING" given to the writers at the Five Minute Friday Community. My five minutes are up; but, wait! I have more!)

How I longed to be back home with my children and in my own bed! How I longed to have my husband whole again!

When morning came, Bro. Hester was there to pick me up, earlier than I expected. But he didn't come alone! He brought a mechanic with him from our home town to help get the van going. (I'd figured we'd have to leave it there and worry about it later.) 

Bro. Hester took me home in time for me to get my girls off the school bus that afternoon.

The mechanic knew just what to do, and once he had the van  running, he drove it home for me. 

My church family helped us pay for the parts.

I longed for God to speak audibly to me in my hour of distress; He chose to use His servants to get me back on the road.

I'm forever grateful for both the kindness of God and the kindness of Bro. Hester.

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A Prayer for When You are Longing for God to Show Up

When you seek me in prayer and worship, you will find me available to you. If you seek me with all your heart and soul, Jeremiah 29:13 New English Translation

 

And,

 

I will behave wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. Psalm 101:2 New King James Version

 

Father,

 

Some of us might be feeling pretty low today. We feel we have been seeking You. You are on our mind constantly. Yet we are still longing to hear Your voice, to experience Your presence.

 

We cry like David, “When will You come to me?”

 

Yet, we know You are Wonderful and glorious and a good, good Father. We also know that sometimes You choose to come to us in the form of one of Your children's kindness to us.

 

Abba, Daddy … please lift us up, in whatever way You see best.

 

In Jesus’ name we pray, may many come to You today, so be it, amen.

 (adapted from a Prayer from 09/24/24)

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home. That is the best news I could ever share!

Sharing at Five Minute Friday and Remember Me Monday, Let's Have Coffee

I've Got a Good Thing Going

Have you ever woke up with clarity and direction from the Lord? If so, you've been visited in the night with the Lord's instruction!

The wise counsel God gives when I’m awake is confirmed by my sleeping heart.
Day and night I’ll stick with God;
I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go.
Psalm 16:7-8 The Message

PS: The best way to get that Holy Spirit inspiration is to be thinking about Him as you fall asleep.

Father,
 
So thankful You give us counsel and confirmation. Please, Holy Spirit, give us good discernment, and let us act on the counsel You give us.
 
Where is there a God like You? There is no Rock to hold onto but You. We will cling with all our might to You. Protect us and guide us. We are also grateful that You have said You would never leave us nor forsake us. (See Hebrews 13:5)
 
Therefore, as we begin this new year, we will not be shaken by the negativity around us. We know You got this!
 
We love You with all our hearts. In Jesus’ name, so be it, amen.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

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 Happy New Year to all!

Could you take a small break and enter in the comments what types of posts you would like to see on the Journey in 2026? More biblical insights? More essays and thoughts of daily life? Or, more scripture-based prayers? Let me know if there is a topic on your heart. I'm here to serve you.

Sharing at Sweet Tea & Friends, Remember Me Monday InstaEncouragements Link Up Let's Have Coffee

The Advent Collection Giveaway

Hello readers!

I'm excited to announce a giveaway for The Advent Collection, a project I participated in, published by Hope*Books. This beautiful collection features 78 authors who share their thoughts on what the coming of Christ means to them.

The book is divided into four topics: hope, peace, joy and love. My piece is in the peace section. My premise is we can have peace with God because the coming of Christ changed the way we relate to God.

Fun fact: in the hope section of the book, there is a daughter, a father and a granddaughter from the same family that contributes what the hope of Christ did for them.

You may ask why focus on Advent when Christ already came as a baby two thousand years ago. We celebrate Advent because we honor a God who keeps His word. There were numerous prophecies about the coming of Christ and they were all fulfilled in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.

Just as Jesus came all those years ago, there are prophecies concerning His second coming. Advent gives us hope the second coming will be fulfilled. God kept His Word the first time, He will surely keep His Word the second time!

I would love for you to have a copy of this beautiful book. It's printed on premium paper with a lovely hard cover that will last for years. You will want to revisit this book year after year.

To win a copy for your personal library, just leave a comment telling what the coming of Christ means to you. The contest will be open for a week. Next Monday, December 15, I will draw a name from all the comments and an autographed copy will be on its way to the winner.

Best wishes to everyone who enters! If you can't wait to get your own copy, or want to gift it to someone for this Christmas, you can order your copy here from Amazon. 

Or if you live near me, you can get an autographed copy from me in person. Just leave a comment and we will connect to make it happen.

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

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