It's Only a Hat

I saw this meme on Facebook and it triggered me.

I stand amazed at Democrats.  They use God only when its convenient, moreso those who claim to be Christians, standing behind them. They push every anti-Christian policy they can find.  They encourage women to murder the unborn, they push the mutilation of our children, and when it comes to the border, they stand up for the lawbreakers that break into our country to kill, steal and destroy.  

Meanwhile the Christian who is wearing the MAGA hat is worshipping a beast of Revelation?  This is a gross misrepresentation of the scriptures. Jesus said in Matthew 7:15-20

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

When I look at MAGA supporters I see love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness as described of the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5:22-23.  When I listen to Trump speak, I see a man who also displays kindness toward others.  Yes, he is a no nonsense person and sometimes has no filter when speaking of those that oppose him, but he is far from blasphemous.  Look at Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos.  They did not mince words when calling Israel out on her idolatry. Like Trump, they were austracized. I'm not saying Trump is a prophet, but  I am  saying he is in good company with them. 

This beast that we supposedly worship supports women's rights, specifically in the sporting industry.  He values human life, even life in the womb, and He honors God Almighty. He is not perfect, and there are some things he stands for that I do not agree with, but the beast of Revelation denies Jesus. Trump acknowledges Jesus.  Below is the actual scripture in Revelation 3:16-17

“16 It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, 17 so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.

18 This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man.[e] That number is 666.”

I have studied this to a certain extent, which is why someone posting a scripture without truly studying to show themselves approved really bothers me.  The beast is described in great detail in the previous verses.  Sadly, so many find what they want to find in the scriptures.  For example some have said the gunshot wound was the fatal wound that is described in the previous verses when Trump was shot.  In reality, they fail to read the entire scripture, which I believe is not regarding any one person but nations that have risen since the days of Judah’s captivity in Babylon when Daniel was given the prophesies of the nations that would rise in the time to come  I, however am not a scholar either, but common sense tells me this is a gross twisting of God's word to which is what the bible said would happen in the last day. 2 Timothy 4:3-4.

Be that what it may, putting a hat on is not something that we wear in order to buy or sell, as stated in Revelation 13. Nor is it something that has been forced on us, as the beast would also do according to Revelation 13. It is just a hat. The beast of revelation is an usurper to the throne and lastly the beast of revelation is not a person, if it was, there is a long list of democrats that would fit the bill

But we as conservative Christians are better than that. We don't resort to name calling or calling those on the left the names they call us.  We don't judge their hearts. We pray for them and hope beyond hope that God will turn their hearts. We pray the same prayer for ourselves with all humility.  Upon thinking about this, I wrote the following poem. 

It's only a Hat

It's only a hat that we some of us wear

These MAGA supporters whom you try to scare. 

As you shameful TV hosts spew your hate. 

Using your position to alter our state. 

Its only a hat, not a prophetic prediction.

As you post a meme, exposing your evil intention. 

I stand amazed at how far you will go.

Chaos and division are the seeds that you sow. 

It's only a hat with a famous acronym.

That means we want to make America great again.

Those of us that wear it remember the former glory 

When our leaders honored God and told His story. 

It's not the mark of the evil one or the beast.

Most of us worship the God and Father upon our knees. 

We support the leaders who want to bring God back again.

We wear this hat because we believe God has chosen Him

No, we don't worship him, as he is only a man

This hat is simply our way of taking a stand. 

We don't need to scream in the streets,

Spewing our hate to those who disagree. 

Its just a hat, not a violent protest or riot. 

Our views and beliefs are simply displayed by it. 

Go ahead call it the mark, it's just another lie. 

And I will pray for you to open your eyes. 

Its just a hat I wear an expression of my freedom

And you have the right too, posting your memes and many will read them.

But my prayer is the next time you see one of us. 

You will pause and rethink before you name call and cuss.

© 2025 Sandra C. Johnson

My Heart

 My Heart

God I look at my heart and realize you have a lot of work to do,

Before I will ever come close to being like you.

Yes I was made in your image and I know that in time,

You will transform this carnal and sinful heart of mine.

People may look at me and think I'm a kind generous person.

Fortunately they don't see all of my thoughts and the secret cursing.

I struggle not to judge another after we disagree,

Even when at times, it could be done justifiably.

It's those little things that I need you to help me overcome.

The pride of my heart rears its ugly head before the day is even done.

Someone makes a comment that offends me to the core,

And I just can't seem to stop dwelling on it once more.

I tell myself next time I will have more faith because I know you've got this.

But next time comes and I fail once again and the mark I miss.

God it's those things that I let consume my mind.

I fall on my face because it happens every time.

Then you come and put your hand on my shoulder and smile.

And remind me that it's not me, but you, that will walk the last mile.

It's your faithfulness that gets me through each struggle with sin.

And it's you who is writing your law on my heart once again.

It doesn't mean I won't struggle until the day that I die

Because each day is a reminder of how I need you in my life.

So when I catch myself thinking things I shouldn't think,

I will stop and thank you for allowing me to get to the brink.

Because it's when we fall on our face and only then that we find

You holding us in the deepest hour in our shame every time.

And we realize it's not about us anymore, we gave our life to you

So we can rest in your promises and watch what you're going to do.

God I look at my heart and I realize so much has changed.

I'm not perfect but I see so much that you have arranged.

Each day you are making me more like you.

And I'm thankful for your work in my life and showing me what is true. 

© Sandra C. Johnson 2025

14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.  Romans 7:14-20

Toxicity

Toxicity is a term I have heard more in the last 10 years than ever.  Want to get out of a relationship, call them toxic.   I am not saying that there are not toxic people in the world, but the term has been overused and misrepresented more and more over the years. Thinking on this inspired the following:

Toxicity

Toxicity is a name that is used

When people stand and point fingers and accuse.

When they don't want people to see

That they are the one full of toxicity.

Society has labels to put people to shame.

Toxic, homophobic anti vaxxer are some of their names.

Conspiracy theorists, misinformation and other terms are used. 

To spread their own toxic message and their thwarted views.

And when you are at the receiving end of their toxic hate. 

You search your heart looking for your mistake. 

But you won't find it there because you see. 

It's the accuser that is full of toxicity. 

We all make mistakes and sometimes say things out of hand. 

But there is a difference between being  toxic and taking a stand,

Whether it's cancel culture or someone who's woke,

Being truthful is what the prophets of old always spoke. 

We could say they were accused the same way. 

Of being toxic as they spoke against idolatry. 

Not much has changed in the last few hundred years. 

People react to truth with open heart or incite our fears. 

Society wants to erase what they are offended by

So they call it toxic and continue to live a lie 

Calling us judgmental and self righteous too. 

Angered by our message because they know it's true. 

We as Christians are expected to always be kind. 

We are the sweet loving people who agree and stay in line

But the bible has a different message that I have read. 

And it's to hear God's voice and live how I am led. 

Of course we are to love but without truth, that love is void. 

God's love restores the sinner and sometimes He makes noise. 

But at the end of the day we come to understand.

That our restoration is part of His master plan.

© 2025 Sandra C. Johnson

Not Everyone Will Like You

I remember coming home from school when I was in one of the early grades first or second grade, and I was crying to my mom because my friend that I played with all the time just came up and said "I don't like you anymore." I was so broken-hearted.

Rejection is hard and when there's no reason for it it's even harder but it happens to all of us at one point or another. I was thinking about this when I wrote the poem below.

Not everyone will like you

Ever since I was little I remember coming home

And telling my mom “she doesn't like me anymore” and feeling all alone.

Acceptance by friends is something we long for from the start.

And it's hard when people don't like us and break our hearts.

But not everyone will like you and sometimes there's not a reason why.

We can hate them back or we can pray for them to God on high.

Acceptance has never been a guarantee in fact, God warned us long ago

That we would be rejected by the world and  have foes.

No not everyone will like you and that is a fact of life.

It's easier to hate another sometimes then make our pride a sacrifice.

We all want acknowledgment and sometimes we do it at the cost of others.

But that's not the way God's people act toward their sisters and their brothers.

So next time you're in a situation and you don't know why this person hates you so,

Pray for them and give it to God, walk away and let It go.

Be his light to all men and show that you love them even if

They betray you and try to get you in a tiff.

At the end of the day that kind of toxicity hurts them more than you.

So just pray for them to be freed from their negative point of view.

We are God's people and we have a higher call.

So just give your heart’s hurt to him and He will take care of it all.

© 2025 Sandra C Johnson 

Job's Friends

JOB’S FRIENDS

"Then Job answered the Lord and said: I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You." Job 42:1-2

 Many times I have talked with people online and off who are struggling and every time I talk to them, it seems like things are no better.  I never know what to say to them...I can pray, but how can I encourage their hearts?  They've heard all the frank advice from others who have their "best interest" in mind.  What could I possibly say to make it all better?  Job's friends were also in that predicament.  They found him in his darkest hour, and wanted to help him find the answers.  WE all have read Job, and we think of this book when we struggle, especially then, for we realize that none of us have gone through such hard times....How many times have I heard it said, I feel like Job.  Job was a righteous man.  He learned a powerful lesson of God's sovereignty.  Oh we all do in these times.  How many times do we need a listening ear, instead get the advice from others like Job received?  We forget that God is in control of every detail of our lives as well as those of our friends.  Only they can hear from God, and only we can hear from Him in our darkest hour.  It's in the quiet time, when we are hurting, that we seek His face, and He makes Himself known to us in the most powerful way, and then as James says....."My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."  James 1:2-4  

Job’s Friends

Job's friends had a word to give him in his darkest time.
To encourage him, and try to give him peace of mind.
Showed him that he needed to repent, he must have sinned.
Accusation upon accusation they piled upon him.

But Job still stood His ground, and held on to God's hand.
He wouldn't accept just any word that came from the mouth of man.
He had to know what God would have him do, though it was hard to see.
Job's friends continually rebuked him for his arrogance and hypocrisy.

We all have friends who come to us in our heartache and despair.
Those who give their frank advice and truly seem to care.
Sometimes, though, they are only opinions of what they understand.
Only we can hear from God and accept all from His hand.

His discipline is there to help us walk closer to Him.
To understand His sovereignty in the earth, so in His Word we will depend.
It's not always as a punishment, but to force us to choose.
To listen to His voice, and not our friends' polished point of view.

Our friends have our best interest at the heart of their words.
They feel it their duty to share with us what they think we've never heard.
So they give advice and try to help us see.
When all the time, God is in control, and in His own time will set us free.

We all come to those times, when we fail to understand why.
We lay in the mire, and simply want to die.
What did we do...and our friends are so quick to judge us then,
And if we are weak, it's ourselves we start to condemn.

But Job knew nothing in Himself could make Him right with God.
No goods he owned or service he performed in the path he trod.  
He kept seeking the father, and hung on him so very tight,
Until God showed Himself to this man, who never failed to live in the light.

Yes, Job had his comforters, do you have them as well?
Those who have good intentions to advise you where you dwell.
Only God can give the answers and lead you through the mire.
And in time, He will pick you up and give you your heart's desire.

Seek ye first His Kingdom and His righteousness,
Amidst the storm in life every day, simply Let Jesus lift you up.
And He will carry you to a place that's safe and warm.
And deliver you from the turmoil of the present storm.

Yes, Job had comforters, but the one that comforted him the most.
Is the one that comforts us today...He's called the Holy Ghost.
Jesus promised to send Him a very long time ago.
He guides us, teaches us through every heartache and woe.

Job's friends had a word to give him in his heartache and his woe.
To point out his sin, so he would know which way to go.
He chose to wait on God, and trust Him in His plan.
We too can do the same, in our lives while trudging through this land.

God controls our destiny and our lives are in His hands.
Though things don't look easy and we may fail to understand.
Just like Job we too will be led on a clearer path.
To trust in God's sovereignty into His rest at last.

© Copyright 1998 Sandra C. Johnson

The Notebook

The Notebook

I found an old notebook the other day. 

Words from a young girl in a time far away.

Prayers for loved ones recorded in time,

And her heart recorded in rhyme. 

I found a notebook and started to read.

And as I heard myself, I couldn't believe. 

I was looking in the mirror at a younger me.

Who had faith and many dreams yet to be. 

I found a notebook and read the words. 

Many of them God alone heard. 

Some were poems and some were prayers. 

Some were silly stories I forgot were there. 

The moments written within came to light

And took me back to another place and time.

This notebook has forever embellished my past

The good, the bad and the feelings I had. 

I found this notebook out of the blue,

With words from my heart steadfast and true.

But even if I had never found this precious gem,

There is a notebook written in the hearts of all men.

Our memories and secrets are recorded there. 

Every act of faith and times we despair. 

Some memories we cherish with adoration. 

Some we hope to forget with consternation. 

But that notebook is there and we have the pen. 

Through each choice we make, we write them within. 

And at the end of our lives it's all on display.  

Every word and action every time we pray. 

This notebook holds our successes, failures and pride. 

Our hurts, fear and love that was denied. 

It chronicles the hope and faith we have too.

It records everything in plain view

But one thing this notebook is unable to record

Are the sins that were covered by Jesus our Lord.

The sins that were once in this notebook of our lives

Are miraculously deleted because of His sacrifice. 

I found a notebook which made me ponder.

On the value of life, the things we do to make life harder. 

Opportunities missed and choices we made. 

What's written within can determine our fate. 

© Sandra C. Johnson 2025

This poem was adapted into a song and can be viewed on my YouTube channel here:

Sarah Laughed

We read in Genesis 18:9-15 

9 Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him.

“There, in the tent,” he said

10 Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.”

Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. 11 Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?”

13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

15 Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.”But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”

Sarah Laughed

Sarah laughed when she heard the angel say. 

It won't be long and you will have a baby.

Sure enough she gave birth to a son. 

Sarah learned what it means to overcome.

I can imagine those around her laughing too. 

They must have thought her silly, none of it was true. 

But I am astonished when I think about how she laughed back then. 

A woman such as her questioning God's 

Sovereignty again and again. 

We think of Sarah as resilient and strong. 

But she too struggled with her own doubts all along. 

You see the mark of an overcomer is not someone perfectly righteous

Nor is it that person who feeds the poor and can be pious. 

No, the overcomer is the one who is aware of their sin. 

And clings to their Savior for grace from what has been. 

Sarah laughed but is proclaimed as our mother above who is free. 

She stands for the new covenant and the law of liberty. 

Though she laughed and may have struggled with fear. 

She overcame and understood as the time to give birth came near 

And so with us too, we may wonder why me. 

And question the promises He spoke setting us free.

And as we fail again and again we cannot understand. 

That God is the one to lift us up by His mighty hand. 

Just like Sarah we may laugh when God tells us to write a book. 

Or run for an office or go to school and we may take a second look. 

Meanwhile God is patiently waiting while we second guess His plan.

Because we forget it is not in our strength but in His that we stand. 

But in the end, we soon realize how futile we were to doubt. 

Just as Sarah was soon to find out. 

But Sarah represents us all as overcomers. 

And we are in good company with her and so many others. 

Yes Sarah laughed and sometimes we do too. 

But God will soon fulfill His plan as only He can do. 

© Sandra C. Johnson 2025

26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written:

“Be glad, barren woman,

    you who never bore a child;

shout for joy and cry aloud,

    you who were never in labor;

because more are the children of the desolate woman

    than of her who has a husband.”[e]

28 Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. 30 But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”[f] 31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman. Galatians 4:28-31

This poem was adapted into a song and can be viewed on my YouTube channel here: