Author Archives: Jo Ann Alo

Yesterday I spent hours writing, reflecting on the birth of my firstborn daughter. She was two weeks late. I gave up on her ever leaving my aching middle. She’s 40 now and the ache never went away—because when children are given to us all our brokenness comes to the surface. We knew it right away,ContinueContinue reading ““She brought forth her firstborn son.” ~Luke 2:7 (Grace for Mother’s Day)”

It’s hard to believe, easy to forget—God made Himself man, born to us. We must discipline ourselves to turn to the Lord Jesus if we are to win the war against our purposes in God. It will not come easily. We were born bent on ourselves. The enemy hates us, seeks to destroy everyone weContinueContinue reading ““Born to you.” ~Luke 2:11″

This fascinates me. There was no room for Jesus on earth. God, who literally made heaven and earth had no place to lay His own head.  Why didn’t God land here in glory? Wouldn’t the world be more inclined to believe Jesus if He had come like Michael Jordan or Fred Rogers? His brothers whined about the veryContinueContinue reading ““No room for them in the inn.” ~Luke 2:7″

It can seem there be no end to our losses. From our very birth we lose the nourishment, protection, warmth of a mother’s womb. Looking back in the wake of life a steady stream of endings follow. Friendships, security, trust, dreams, hopes, the very lives of the people we’ve loved so dearly. All these lossesContinueContinue reading ““Of His kingdom there will be no end.” Luke 1:33 “

Do you know Peace? Not like peace and quiet. Not the peace we get when the house is clean, work is through, kids go to school. I’m not talking about when wars end and peace is declared. Not the peace we ordinarily think—the peace that sinks where no man can reach. Jesus is peace like sunContinueContinue reading ““My peace I give to you.” ~John 14:27″

Like king David, our soul has serious enemies.  The pangs of death surround us. In our darkest hours—even lay hold of us. Trouble and sorrow pursue like ravenous wolves. Yet, when our cries arrive in the ears of our Lord our soul’s enemies run in fear. Has death left? Did trouble and sorrow cease? NotContinueContinue reading ““I called upon the name of the Lord.” ~Psalm 116:4”

The Pharisees came up with laws of their own. What they believed God would want. Have you ever done that? Changed the rules of trust to justify talking behind someone’s back? Rearranged the wording on generosity to build bigger barns? Made exceptions for yourself and condemned another for the very same thing? Raised your expectationsContinueContinue reading ““According to our law.” ~John 19:7”

My shoulders let go reading it this morning. Already the day barging in, binding me hand & foot. Freedom like this need never be missed. The voice of the Lord calling to us, the ones He loves. For He Himself is our peace, strength, our defense, our exceedingly great reward. By the power of HisContinueContinue reading ““Loose him and let him go.” ~John 11:44″

In this section of scripture Jesus keeps repeating: abide in My love, fruit will come—and I heard this like the big finale…your joy will be full. Here’s where it falls apart in my ears: I’m focused, not on abiding in Jesus’s love—but filling up on joy. My motivation is all screwed up. I want cake,ContinueContinue reading ““Be full.” ~John 15:11″

Don’t you just love when Jesus uses props you can see & touch? Trees, vines, branches, bread, rivers, mustard seeds, pearls, rivers, treasures…fruit. He uses all our senses to bring us to our senses.  We won’t bear fruit without being pruned. It’s simple, straightforward. Too much stuff crowds out the sun. We need airflow toContinueContinue reading ““He prunes.” ~John 15:2″

Many times we need the Holy Spirit to explain.  I’m reading the words and they make sense but not impacting my heart. It’s like knowing you need to eat vegetables but can’t understand how something so bland could actually make you happy.  We need salt. This is how Eugene Peterson interprets this passage of scripture, andContinueContinue reading ““Not as the world gives do I give to you.” -John 14:27 “

Like a know-it-all kid I challenged God on His promise. “You said You’d do whatever I asked!”—door slam, silent treatment. Selective hearing is the kingpin of every teenager’s tumultuous existence.  I heard it this morning. Written in red. It’s been there since Jesus said it. Since the day I was born again, I read rightContinueContinue reading ““ I will do it.” ~John 15:14 “

Feeling tired of feeling today. It’s been an emotional couple of days. Praying, reading but my eyes are sagging, begging to stay closed. As much as the Lord commands us to love—He loves us a million times more. We have permission, as John did, to rest our heads on His bosom.  In fact, without thisContinueContinue reading ““I will come to you.” ~John 14:17 “

We need never take it into our own hands what others need to hear from Jesus. God speaks for Himself. Our mouth, lips belong to Him. Jesus said, “I listen, then I decide.” He spoke as He heard from the Father…not as He felt compelled by His flesh, or pressed by friends. Oh, this isContinueContinue reading ““I do not speak concerning all of you.” ~John 13:18″

Thinking of all the ways I’ve been unwilling to heal. Holding fast to my own desires like broken glass. God’s ways are  n o t h i n g  like our ways. There’s not a single thing coming our way that we know how to respond to today. Our reasoning doesn’t work that way. WhatContinueContinue reading ““I should heal them.” ~John 12:40″

What a self-destructive love. One driven by performance you can’t keep up. Based on appearances that fizzle in trouble, personal gain you can’t take with you. A love without a future, devoid of any comfort, like a child without its mother. Which is more valuable to you…the world’s approval or the Lord’s delight? Whichever weContinueContinue reading ““They loved the praise of men.” ~John 12:43″

Voices shout for our attention. Anything to grab from the Shepherd’s intention. To care, guide, protect the sheep. The voice of the Shepherd is also the door. The exit of an unkept pasture. Where light is shut up and showers are not welcome. Where abundance is forbidden. The sheep know the uniqueness of the Shepherd’sContinueContinue reading ““They know his voice.” ~John 10:4″

Why does Jesus go through this process of spitting, making clay, anointing the eyes, and sending the blind man to wash? Why not speak it, and make it so? Why not touch and heal this time? Why 4 steps? Spitting, making, anointing, sending. I don’t get it. Here’s where the Holy Spirit reveals. Right hereContinueContinue reading ““Go, wash in the pool of Siloam.” ~John 9:7″

I couldn’t move from this line in scripture. Froze like a deer in bright lights. Imagine…the Creator, man-Maker, sky painter, mountain remover sitting…with you. All the things we think God needs to do, and He chose you. Jesus didn’t come to build skyscrapers, engineer the smartest phone. He wasn’t interested in land, houses, first impressions.ContinueContinue reading ““He sat down and taught them.” ~John 8:2″

Thirst is something we may not be aware of before it’s too late. Our inner organs straining to keep up without sufficient water. We tire, lose sleep, grow agitated, become susceptible to illness and disease. The Holy Spirit is springs of water to our inner being. We needn’t walk this life plagued with uncertainty, doubt,ContinueContinue reading ““But this He spoke concerning the Spirit.” ~John 7:39″

The bible speaks of two lives. One sustained by blood flow, another resurrected by Blood that flowed. It’s a struggle, to say the least—following the Spirit. Feeling conviction this morning for my salty attitude last night toward my best friend. (The man I want to love.) I get lost in the word “flesh”—as if myContinueContinue reading ““It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing.” ~John 6:63″

Jesus says heavy things to people. “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.” How’s that for weighty words? The first manna was coriander & honey. The second, blood & water. The first manna was given to sustain the body. The second wasContinueContinue reading ““I am the bread of life.” ~John 6:35″