tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63210787497726250782024-02-06T22:09:10.049-08:00You Are Worth ItJeff Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936161664671003182noreply@blogger.comBlogger123125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321078749772625078.post-39339031055548350782009-10-26T05:00:00.000-07:002009-10-14T22:53:11.715-07:0085 PILLS & COUNTING<span style="font-family:georgia;">"Round and round I go spinning until I fall on my knees. The room is still spinning, faster, no it is not the room spinning it is me, but I am on my knees and I am not moving. What is spinning, what is it that makes me </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JbqEITV7DZd874eTAxSx1L1VC7Gq8cfFoPrvnAswrLUqTb8iYA7IzHiXZOcX-Kl8AX36oTkqWm6CmrV99DDNgH11_t1tByrdJ2pChb4d_9uON89MPcf_nEBeNawzWGLpWLLLU_e1jd6B/s1600-h/colors-mirror-56e_small%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JbqEITV7DZd874eTAxSx1L1VC7Gq8cfFoPrvnAswrLUqTb8iYA7IzHiXZOcX-Kl8AX36oTkqWm6CmrV99DDNgH11_t1tByrdJ2pChb4d_9uON89MPcf_nEBeNawzWGLpWLLLU_e1jd6B/s320/colors-mirror-56e_small%5B1%5D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175473194826234434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">feel like this--I see straight again--I stand up--I walk--I see clearly what happened. I turn around and around and around and around again--I know what is going to happen--I will end up on my knees again. I stop, get on my knees, and think about how I am spinning---there is comfort on my knees. Relaxed, I bow my head and pray. I realize I do not have to spin to see I am dizzy or to get on my knees."</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Jeff Johnson March 2008</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Sometimes I wish I could just take a pill and I would be able to sing or think better or learn how to play an instrument. Not long ago I said, "I wish there was a pill to make the dog not bark so loud"--or so frequently--then my headache went away and I didn't care as much about the dog barking. Yes, I did take a pill to make my head stop hurting. Have you ever wanted to just take a pill and make something happen: like lose weight with just one pill, or gain weight, or walk faster, or not hurt, or make an "ex" be nicer:-), or make a teenager act--well not like a teenager? I have in my life asked for all of those things and more.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The other day I stopped and counted all of the pills I wish I could take to change or make things happen differently. I counted 85 pills then I got tired of counting. Just think of the time, money, and emotions that would be altered if this could happen. The other side of the coin is what if someone was taking a pill to change me--into something I would not like or want to be. In the end, I was glad I did not have pills to change all of the things I wished for in my magical world. I was glad I had choices, I was glad I could choose to become not 'morph' into something out of my control. I was glad changes in my life--good and bad came slowly at times, and fast at times. I was happy where I was today--but not that I have 85 and counting, things to change or be changed 'in my own likeness and wisdom.'</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Everyday is a day when we can make choices about how we want to live our day. We can, to a large degree control our outcomes and influence our environment. We all have past experiences with consequences called 'baggage'--both good consequences (baggage) and bad consequences (baggage) because of our choices. Some of the baggage we did not initiate, but it remains a part of life nonetheless. Focus on the future today, take steps away from the baggage that haunts us, measure the time and distance each day takes you toward another direction--focus on changing yourself. Maybe 1 minute at a time is all you can focus on changing yourself, maybe 15 minutes at a time or 30 minutes-whatever time it takes you to change--take it. Looking at all of the pill bottles filled with all of the change pills would not be as much fun as looking at all of the "pills" </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35pzNPJtUf3HkoTVxrSYiVBOVBYz4Y5Sk_ENunOcKY15KgO8_3innK9TAyQgZLJLGch77pEfTYRo2ijQegzwVPw_cuSa7ZZW6VtxT4-jfbVVtrrzdP4y88z6_s-NevsmdJfsHY-uAyz1_/s1600-h/haha%5B1%5D.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 30px; height: 37px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35pzNPJtUf3HkoTVxrSYiVBOVBYz4Y5Sk_ENunOcKY15KgO8_3innK9TAyQgZLJLGch77pEfTYRo2ijQegzwVPw_cuSa7ZZW6VtxT4-jfbVVtrrzdP4y88z6_s-NevsmdJfsHY-uAyz1_/s200/haha%5B1%5D.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175472258523363890" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I am leaving behind as I change my journey to be better. March forward today because</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">you are a forward stepper.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Jeff</span></span>Jeff Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936161664671003182noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321078749772625078.post-3761446508316262562009-10-25T05:00:00.000-07:002009-10-14T22:52:21.528-07:00PEACE BE STILL(Sea Of Galilee on Mt. of Beatitudes)<br /> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">“We seek a place to heal—to find peace—but when it comes we are in awe of the power displayed before us—should we not start there?”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Jeff Johnson June 2008</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p></o:p>LUKE 8:</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPei48HdDvtykuUKBr9gC9kICsccl-947-7B040L73D3uBYkIGV_6sjU9zedwj9Z5SjVsM0n5U4b2cZddAh19aQggdwy3_L3Y5a10gpqiDlk0ZeTZdwmvq2if7HFTKI03LCupsmzkxJwL/s1600-h/Mt_of_Beatitudes_and_Sea_of_Galilee_in_spring_75-36tb%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPei48HdDvtykuUKBr9gC9kICsccl-947-7B040L73D3uBYkIGV_6sjU9zedwj9Z5SjVsM0n5U4b2cZddAh19aQggdwy3_L3Y5a10gpqiDlk0ZeTZdwmvq2if7HFTKI03LCupsmzkxJwL/s320/Mt_of_Beatitudes_and_Sea_of_Galilee_in_spring_75-36tb%5B1%5D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209592944363916306" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><sup><span style="">24</span></sup></span><span style="font-size:130%;">The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!" He </span><span style="font-size:130%;">got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. <sup>25</sup>"Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him." <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The <st1:place st="on">Sea of Galilee</st1:place> is a Sea whereby storms can come upon it in a m</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDbx4oQp3XuMDiBLBFH5dRzfjTEpf5mOtdchNm_gHeCkEaPClhiIFH7gUCITApBWVAvMAzdbaLM3d3VqTYcTVtckiRdY95Nf1LZfUT65AG1-d9NnnTTLll9Mkv02-hRqLp_gJL3pMqoLW/s1600-h/Boat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDbx4oQp3XuMDiBLBFH5dRzfjTEpf5mOtdchNm_gHeCkEaPClhiIFH7gUCITApBWVAvMAzdbaLM3d3VqTYcTVtckiRdY95Nf1LZfUT65AG1-d9NnnTTLll9Mkv02-hRqLp_gJL3pMqoLW/s200/Boat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209593481704454034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">oment and disappear just as quickly.<span style=""> </span>Many a fisherman has been caught in one of these flash storms—some did not make it out alive.<span style=""> </span>The disciples were on a ship in the <st1:place st="on">Sea of Galilee</st1:place> with Jesus as explained in Luke.<span style=""> </span>For some of them this was not the first time they encountered this phenomenon.<span style=""> </span>They knew the risks of going to Sea and most likely have seen violent and catastrophic outcomes.<span style=""> </span>Now, according to Luke, the disciples called on Jesus to save them.<span style=""> </span>I like to look at this example in scripture of how Jesus reacted to the storm—HE was sleeping.<span style=""> </span>HIS trust level entering the storm was absolute.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The <st1:place st="on">Sea of Galilee</st1:place> is like life.<span style=""> </span>We can have calm one minute and rapid violent environments in the next minute.<span style=""> </span>But do we sleep or at least rest in the wake of knowing that JESUS has the power to heal us, save us, and allow us to be safe through all storms.<span style=""> </span>With two words from Jesus, “Be calm,” our problems are calm.<span style=""> </span>Do not be dismayed, start by knowing JESUS has brought peace, healing, and ended suffering by those same two words.<span style=""> </span>Today, we should follow Jesus and rest—knowing our faith will save us through Jesus Christ our LORD.<span style=""> </span>Rest! JESUS IS HERE.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I Believe in you because, YOU ARE WORTH IT,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style=""><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Jeff</span></span>Jeff Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936161664671003182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321078749772625078.post-91014195246397761392009-10-24T05:00:00.000-07:002009-10-14T22:51:28.465-07:00RAISING THE BAR<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:verdana;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Knowing how high you can go<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:verdana;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:verdana;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">allows you to raise the bar-----again.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:verdana;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:verdana;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Focus on how many times you raise the bar,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:verdana;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:verdana;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">not on how many times you try to c</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5Pabqe9DBxNau6oa0PKYorTwH0cmNCJHX0AtiIdY9mq5F773hFW5A6FSAdc0lWltmZVrwDmagrewVczW00qGjUgGfsS17gfkl1xyyN5qLI0auEalg5oe1plwYiw-kfVdVcAZLYILcArn/s1600-h/pole+vaulter.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 159px; height: 143px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5Pabqe9DBxNau6oa0PKYorTwH0cmNCJHX0AtiIdY9mq5F773hFW5A6FSAdc0lWltmZVrwDmagrewVczW00qGjUgGfsS17gfkl1xyyN5qLI0auEalg5oe1plwYiw-kfVdVcAZLYILcArn/s400/pole+vaulter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195843624116469314" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">lear it.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:verdana;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:verdana;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Prepare to jump again.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:verdana;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">I believe in you because, YOU ARE WORTH IT,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:verdana;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="">Jeff</span><br /></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span>Jeff Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936161664671003182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321078749772625078.post-81722134683176326102009-10-22T05:00:00.000-07:002009-10-14T22:50:26.417-07:00JOY--SHARED<span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">"We can feel happiness from the heart and from our heads. But JOY only comes from the heart."</span><br />Jeff Johnson April 2008<br /><br />This blog is motivational during the week and inspirituational on Sunday. Normally, I do not personalize it to much as the focus is on the subject and not me. Today, for the first time, I must break this pattern to explain</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjal6WLLwSQ3l3ZzgRE7PqXihoimaQ-Ot3NrnIekpEz5WxfJrR_YNLRbBVWJ03fQ-kYZW8ZG9VUA8gwtlzDCwhaPqjrmT0tTI5h0nBP6cHklTAQLSi6OZsRNXA8U2thBV2BRjwsEU5QJkot/s1600-h/Ibon+%26+I+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjal6WLLwSQ3l3ZzgRE7PqXihoimaQ-Ot3NrnIekpEz5WxfJrR_YNLRbBVWJ03fQ-kYZW8ZG9VUA8gwtlzDCwhaPqjrmT0tTI5h0nBP6cHklTAQLSi6OZsRNXA8U2thBV2BRjwsEU5QJkot/s320/Ibon+%26+I+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194899474340691490" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" > my joy.<br /><br />I love my daughter--she is 18 years old and I spoil her as much and as frequently as possible. Presently I am teaching her to drive. This is not the exciting part that brings joy--even though she is doing well at her driving practice, I am spending time with her. My daughter and I must spend 50 hours together as she learns to drive. These are hours when I have a captive audience to talk to her, have her talk to me, and I can give 'dad' life lessons. How much more could a dad ask for then to spend 50 hours of one-on-one time with the apple of his eye? My basketball watching buddy, my pool playing partner, my basketball playing opponent, and my PSII foe, but most of all my little girl.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoZF49Yig2iYebM1WZ92B5OBGdMhm7NJ5QwYbNErfyx7Ye5qGW-aSJIzkV5kCCZ0rZ6yrFDwpUiLYc5KXGzjtpRQnhW4uMcq77dUnyNUxxt8Tg6hsmN8nlhXnTgzfYXm1bs1t7Q4N4FTH/s1600-h/Ibon+%26+I.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoZF49Yig2iYebM1WZ92B5OBGdMhm7NJ5QwYbNErfyx7Ye5qGW-aSJIzkV5kCCZ0rZ6yrFDwpUiLYc5KXGzjtpRQnhW4uMcq77dUnyNUxxt8Tg6hsmN8nlhXnTgzfYXm1bs1t7Q4N4FTH/s320/Ibon+%26+I.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194899908132388402" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I have true joy in my heart every time we go out together to drive. We talk, we laugh, we spend time in discussion about all kinds of subjects, and most of all we don't share it with anyone else but us. It is our time. Happiness can come from the head--JOY always comes from the heart. My daughter is my JOY and I tell her many times--I LOVE YOU my precious little girl. What is your joy story? Think on these things today. Joy makes your heart a FORWARD STEPPER.<br /><br />I believe in you because, YOU ARE WORTH IT,<br />Jeff<br />PS--Sweetheart, I love the ring tones you downloaded on my phone--I am now TIGHT!!!</span>Jeff Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936161664671003182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321078749772625078.post-38050086770131397882009-10-21T05:00:00.000-07:002009-10-14T22:48:41.977-07:00FOLLOWING LIGHT PATTERN<span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >"Light can travel infinitely--but headlights and flashlights only provide light to a specific point. Knowing you have unlimited potential and stopping at a particular point can teach us to lift our lights to another point---we have more </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Hj4CUITJIy46rr1RA0CF_kfvnsh0tShoivrfsgz_5qmZw96RvAlDMlrCi05jULvJVQszo6v4u1VwK_bOluzVJVgpvFhL47Ey_CeAMIBgRQurk_w00Own2EmSYZCD2xY0sigrS_5QCUfB/s1600-h/bridge.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Hj4CUITJIy46rr1RA0CF_kfvnsh0tShoivrfsgz_5qmZw96RvAlDMlrCi05jULvJVQszo6v4u1VwK_bOluzVJVgpvFhL47Ey_CeAMIBgRQurk_w00Own2EmSYZCD2xY0sigrS_5QCUfB/s320/bridge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227357982045700418" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >room to travel--stretch the lighted path."<br />Jeff Johnson March 2008<br /><br /><br />Ever plan a trip to a foreign place? Maybe not out of the country or far away, but a new place for you? When you planned the trip did you plan to go farther than the destination or to stop at the end of your plan? Many times we plan to go to a certain point and when we arrive we stop--like in the trip analogy. Sometimes we stay to long at one point and sometimes the original destination where we stop was never intended to be our final stop. We just became comfortable and stopped.<br /><br />I would like to share a story I heard from someone else--THIS IS NOT ORIGINAL MATERIAL-- I DO NOT KNOW THE AUTHOR--SO HERE IS MY CITATION--the best I can do.<br />"There was once an African American grandmother in the deep south. She had a large family and everything she made was from scratch. The families favorite item for her to bake were her homemade biscuits. So, one after noon grandma kneaded the dough, formed the biscuits by hand, and placed them in the oven while everyone watched. It was not long and the <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjsdbR7p-P_frUuhqwiL_4EjhAhDkCM3c0k96BHzcH3ss8BySVelcnJmSxATJkOX2f2wHNM0hRoHyy5FAAMda0ql4o_q5sm2S6_JYHtxmwhAEIIYXGTnosDdilJ7MvzY1WrPNnCoRYNOo/s1600-h/biscuits.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjsdbR7p-P_frUuhqwiL_4EjhAhDkCM3c0k96BHzcH3ss8BySVelcnJmSxATJkOX2f2wHNM0hRoHyy5FAAMda0ql4o_q5sm2S6_JYHtxmwhAEIIYXGTnosDdilJ7MvzY1WrPNnCoRYNOo/s200/biscuits.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180366643009507842" border="0" /></a>smell of homemade biscuits filled the house and raised anticipation to a frenzy. When the time came to pull them out of the oven grandma called everyone around. The tray was filled with biscuits, but instead of being high and full they were flat as pancakes. One of the children asked, "What happened to the fluffy biscuits grandma?" Grandma looked at the family and said, "Well the biscuits squatted to rise and then they ended up getting cooked in the squat."" Many times we are like the biscuits--we start out in a beginning position to get started, then just stop--even though our destination is within reach.<br /><br />We have reachable destinations within our potential. We are created to thrive and succeed. Do not look at where you are as the only place in life that will allow you to stay--look at your place in life as the step you are on now getting ready to move into something else. The stepping stones that lead <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjww1-Z4m01ZlZ1Nte_0scVJLkvDjutuz6fiGeQYA48LcugGC6A3vJG-zsz0paLXmSpqnjZmQTB2CzIyOMz78jVZsCoGu8v9ctUb6exUSIJUH3ScnSm6kFl9v4kjHblz9wzFniOCygMOWTw/s1600-h/light+on+path.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjww1-Z4m01ZlZ1Nte_0scVJLkvDjutuz6fiGeQYA48LcugGC6A3vJG-zsz0paLXmSpqnjZmQTB2CzIyOMz78jVZsCoGu8v9ctUb6exUSIJUH3ScnSm6kFl9v4kjHblz9wzFniOCygMOWTw/s320/light+on+path.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180364998037033458" border="0" /></a>upward sometimes have flat spots so we can sprint to the finish. Start reaching for new things with enthusiasm and willingness to make it. Set your goals a little higher and when you reach them--set new ones. If the path to making it to where you want to go is dull, boring, old, or covered in "I can't do it," find a kick start today.<br />Let your light shine in the farthest direction because even though you may not be able to see the end--it does come when we walk towards it long enough. Step out and up forward steppers.<br /><br />I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,<br />Jeff<br /><br /></span>Jeff Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936161664671003182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321078749772625078.post-85000871526973095712009-10-20T05:00:00.000-07:002009-10-14T22:47:45.370-07:00MISMATCH<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">"Our actions sometimes do not match our intentions."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Jeff Johnson March 2008<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2TMNVHRzK5Mz7axMiDMrHxmQCfL9K_bqksRdq9hGHElXmGrM9iLev-Qy3M0_63s1hyphenhyphenhL015Ih4G5Lkv7z-qwW2BxCjiFuYX1aEbzZwWTbU_rYW_HlMre5xhyphenhyphenywKEsAbO8-Qa1r-qUM6e/s1600-h/road-sign-blue_small%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2TMNVHRzK5Mz7axMiDMrHxmQCfL9K_bqksRdq9hGHElXmGrM9iLev-Qy3M0_63s1hyphenhyphenhL015Ih4G5Lkv7z-qwW2BxCjiFuYX1aEbzZwWTbU_rYW_HlMre5xhyphenhyphenywKEsAbO8-Qa1r-qUM6e/s320/road-sign-blue_small%5B1%5D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182414663804867266" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The other day I put on my socks and shoes and left for work in a hurry---YESSSSSS I was fully dressed otherwise LOL.<span style=""> </span>Once at work, I crossed my legs during a session and noticed my socks did not match.<span style=""> </span>I like to wear socks that have wild patterns, so the mismatch was very noticeable.<span style=""> </span>During the entire day I was uncomfortable and self-conscious about the conflict in my life.<span style=""> </span>What I should have done is to take both socks off so at least I felt more at ease with temporarily improved condition.<span style=""> </span>However, the degree of ill-at-ease was manageable so I lived with the status quo.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p>Many times we desire to move in one direction, but we take actions in another direction or stay stationary.<span style=""> </span>This inactivity or mismatch in direction makes us feel uncomfortable and self-conscious about our life.<span style=""> </span>In most circumstances of mismatched direction we doubt our original decision, our ability to move in the new direction or towards the new goal, until we change our ‘socks’ and totally match.<span style=""> </span>It is time now to not accept the status quo and make the necessary changes to improve our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p>Decide today to remove the resistance and barriers to feeling good and start getting your life back.<span style=""> </span>If we are tolerating the comfort level then the barrier can not be that severe.<span style=""> </span>Remove the ‘socks’ now as an acceptable temporary remedy.<span style=""> </span>Do not let the stationary position of trying to go in two directions at once allow you to doubt and stop forward movement.<span style=""> </span>Seek the help you need to move forward—move the obstacle before moving your desire.<span style=""> </span>You are a forward stepper—so continue stepping forward.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p>I believe in you because you are worth it,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Jeff</span></p>Jeff Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936161664671003182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321078749772625078.post-39412348169850015862009-10-19T05:00:00.000-07:002009-10-14T22:46:45.623-07:00WELCOME BACK<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0KCgT61ajJhLsk-IGzq6gmMc8x8QDzCv_tYAltLNODEyWTsDdkvJg1j5b84VKPLekUZMV4xoPX7tbjS3hT9fpgnrL39IpP1MdmM4t0c1TF8YHc-EG-JGxX1mDxw320Da9pLGXY5WZb_K/s1600-h/key+in+hand.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0KCgT61ajJhLsk-IGzq6gmMc8x8QDzCv_tYAltLNODEyWTsDdkvJg1j5b84VKPLekUZMV4xoPX7tbjS3hT9fpgnrL39IpP1MdmM4t0c1TF8YHc-EG-JGxX1mDxw320Da9pLGXY5WZb_K/s320/key+in+hand.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238268265310240738" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >"Welcome Back! What a greeting. When we hear this we smile, wait to feel a pat on the back, a hand shake, and maybe a hug—we are welcome—we are accepted.</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;"> "</span> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Jeff Johnson June 2008</span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p>It is to often when we can not accept ourselves for something we did in the past, something we are doing now, or even thinking we do not have hope to succeed in life issues being planned out now.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">What if we looked in the mirror every day and said, Welcome back you work horse you, or Welcome back you__________, and fill in the blank.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Maybe the door to our pathway would appear more inviting than the one we prepare now.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p>BE A FORWARD STEPPER and make the welcome mat to victory more acceptable to us instead of something we steer clear.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Pave a way to victory, plant the seed to succeed, and march forward to a smile from victory lane.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p>I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,<br />Jeff</span></p>Jeff Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936161664671003182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321078749772625078.post-55683971659963673352009-10-18T05:00:00.000-07:002009-10-14T22:42:30.736-07:00SEEK & FIND<p style="line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >"In or</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqMhiE_SSjGS3FEe50iD6YLihniH4LrXOrehWflvvN1GWnLOnhCuhReNqelZWYqKMk8af5kw-jve8CIBD-S3KpwpmHsQgRaU-LJNM0nCCjrRXBHpBAGrhLVNV0Q6Zx67g44potZCJxeIa/s1600-h/finding.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 98px; float: left; height: 147px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191341140502784994" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqMhiE_SSjGS3FEe50iD6YLihniH4LrXOrehWflvvN1GWnLOnhCuhReNqelZWYqKMk8af5kw-jve8CIBD-S3KpwpmHsQgRaU-LJNM0nCCjrRXBHpBAGrhLVNV0Q6Zx67g44potZCJxeIa/s200/finding.jpg" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">der to seek we must </span><b style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><i>find first</i></b><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">—</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">power</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> through the spirit of GOD."</span><br />Jeff Johnson April 2008<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">Hide-and-seek is a favorite game among children. We all have played it and understand the rules of the game. A group of children gather together, picks someone to be “it,” who then closes their eyes—through split fingers</span><span style="font-size:130%;">☺</span><span style="font-size:130%;">,</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> while everyone else in the group hides. The object is to find everyone and tag th</span><span style="font-size:130%;">em before they get to the safe place. However, as we get more experience in playing the game we go just far enough away from the safe place to tempt others to run toward the safe place.<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">The Bible is clear with many verses on how to seek, places to seek and to avoid (mediums), and assurances on finding. The lessons on seeking, like in hide-and-seek, give us a prompt go to a safe place—GOD’s loving arms so HE can lead us to our destination—our find. For the most part when we are seeking, we need answers to questions whereby we feel hopeless, and vulnerable. But the way to seek is first to find—let me explain.<br /><br /><i><span style="color:red;">"For e</span></i></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><i><span style="color:red;">veryone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. " </span></i>LUKE 11:10<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />The scriptures show us in Matt 6:33 <i><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">“seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you.” </span></i>Mark adds, <i><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">“The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."</span> </i>Mark 14:38 We need to ‘find’ a strong body first through GOD’s spirit, not our spirit and body. In 2 Tim 1:7 we are told, <i><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power.” </span></i></span><span style="font-size:130%;">So, how much power can the spirit give us? We learn this in Judges, <i><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">“The Spirit of the LORD came upon him in power so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat.” </span></i>Judges 14:6 I have never needed to do this, but it would be nice to have this much power in my hour of need.<br /><br />Here are the rules of seeking and finding: The <b>first thing</b> is to <b>find G</b></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><b>OD’s spirit</b> with all of HIS power to <b>then immediately seek HIS kingdom</b> in (RIGHT</span><span style="font-size:130%;">) and (WISDOM) which is righteousness. <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">By doing this we take our eyes off what we are seeking and concentrate on the ‘safe place’ in a powerful manner.</span> <i><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">“God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.”</span></i> ACTS 17:27 The <b>next </b>thing is within the power of GOD’s spirit, we need to <b>knock as if we want the door open</b> so w</span><span style="font-size:130%;">e<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0cQaQ4JeVnX8Kb5CbT9zeGg3gFHRkE93KQfEp52rwnuZrtsbNSc4bo6syP-vXLwK9FuwE-eHqGC53aHVoFzY-X0DF6nuziuaTCwHnCVJJe_g_iDXrbWUM_EX7Vqmq97aEoirVRRNvDav/s1600-h/knocking+on+door.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191344529231981570" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0cQaQ4JeVnX8Kb5CbT9zeGg3gFHRkE93KQfEp52rwnuZrtsbNSc4bo6syP-vXLwK9FuwE-eHqGC53aHVoFzY-X0DF6nuziuaTCwHnCVJJe_g_iDXrbWUM_EX7Vqmq97aEoirVRRNvDav/s200/knocking+on+door.jpg" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> can sup with HIM. The main point here is GOD’s spirit gives us the power to not only knock, but to want to enter in and sup with HIM—to be close enough</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> to HIM to eat with HIM. The <b>last step</b> is <b>know</b>ing that <b>GOD’s spirit can and will allow us to ‘find’</b> gives us a powerful hope. “<i><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”</span></i> Rom 15:13. There is an additional power in having hope that allows our body to feel different and act anew—with a powerful intrinsic conviction.<br /><br />In the ad</span><span style="font-size:130%;">ult hide-and-seek game GOD’s spirit is walking close enough to us to prompt a run towards the ‘safe place’-- HIS loving arms—to lead us to that which we are seeking.<br /><br />I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,<br />Jeff<script src="http://l.yimg.com/us.js.yimg.com/lib/pim/r/medici/16_11/mail/mailcommonlib.js"> </script><br /><script type="text/javascript"> function OnLoad() { LHCol_Init(); } </script><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><table style="border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-bottom: 1pt solid; width: 100%;" class="MsoNormalTable" width="100%" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;" valign="top"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span>Jeff Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936161664671003182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321078749772625078.post-53758894005879155632009-10-17T05:00:00.000-07:002009-10-14T22:44:30.891-07:00PATHS<span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >"Light can travel infinitely--but headlights and flashlights only provide light to a specific point. Knowing you have unlimited potential and stopping at a particula</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVyJrFhM6ILOAdZAo6R-XFNB55w7wh2Hwa7eIv_zNVwSiUiSICwSjnORUMNSooavcvHWKDFCOn9nUqFRKQLDHfxudBZtnaTwtWGgmjZfTB3HEJH3Vvnqb55RbQpmBKd2MRjd_-rm7pXXTg/s1600-h/heaven+lt+on+path.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVyJrFhM6ILOAdZAo6R-XFNB55w7wh2Hwa7eIv_zNVwSiUiSICwSjnORUMNSooavcvHWKDFCOn9nUqFRKQLDHfxudBZtnaTwtWGgmjZfTB3HEJH3Vvnqb55RbQpmBKd2MRjd_-rm7pXXTg/s320/heaven+lt+on+path.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180363877050569186" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >r point can teach us to lift our lights to another point---we have more room to travel--stretch the lighted path."<br />Jeff Johnson March 2008<br /><br /></span><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Ever plan a trip to a foreign place? Maybe not out of the country or far away, but a new place for you? When you planned the trip did you plan to go farther than the destination or to stop at the end of your plan? Many times we plan to go to a certain point and when we arrive we stop--like in the trip analogy. Sometimes we stay to long at one point and sometimes the original destination where we stop was never intended to be our final stop. We just became comfortable and stopped.<br /><br />I would like to share a story I heard from someone else--THIS IS NOT ORIGINAL MATERIAL-- I DO NOT KNOW THE AUTHOR--SO HERE IS MY CITATION--the best I can do.<br />"There was once an African American grandmother in the deep south. She had a large family and everything she made was from scratch. The families favorite item for her to bake were her homemade biscuits. So, one after noon grandma kneaded the dough, formed the biscuits by hand, and placed them in the oven while everyone watched. It was not long and the <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjsdbR7p-P_frUuhqwiL_4EjhAhDkCM3c0k96BHzcH3ss8BySVelcnJmSxATJkOX2f2wHNM0hRoHyy5FAAMda0ql4o_q5sm2S6_JYHtxmwhAEIIYXGTnosDdilJ7MvzY1WrPNnCoRYNOo/s1600-h/biscuits.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjsdbR7p-P_frUuhqwiL_4EjhAhDkCM3c0k96BHzcH3ss8BySVelcnJmSxATJkOX2f2wHNM0hRoHyy5FAAMda0ql4o_q5sm2S6_JYHtxmwhAEIIYXGTnosDdilJ7MvzY1WrPNnCoRYNOo/s200/biscuits.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180366643009507842" border="0" /></a>smell of homemade biscuits filled the house and raised anticipation to a frenzy. When the time came to pull them out of the oven grandma called everyone around. The tray was filled with biscuits, but instead of being high and full they were flat as pancakes. One of the children asked, "What happened to the fluffy biscuits grandma?" Grandma looked at the family and said, "Well the biscuits squatted to rise and then they ended up getting cooked in the squat."" Many times we are like the biscuits--we start out in a beginning position to get started, then just stop--even though our destination is within reach.<br /><br />We have reachable destinations within our potential. We are created to thrive and succeed. Do not look at where you are as the only place in life that will allow you to stay--look at your place in life as the step you are on now getting ready to move into something else. The stepping stones that lead <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjww1-Z4m01ZlZ1Nte_0scVJLkvDjutuz6fiGeQYA48LcugGC6A3vJG-zsz0paLXmSpqnjZmQTB2CzIyOMz78jVZsCoGu8v9ctUb6exUSIJUH3ScnSm6kFl9v4kjHblz9wzFniOCygMOWTw/s1600-h/light+on+path.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjww1-Z4m01ZlZ1Nte_0scVJLkvDjutuz6fiGeQYA48LcugGC6A3vJG-zsz0paLXmSpqnjZmQTB2CzIyOMz78jVZsCoGu8v9ctUb6exUSIJUH3ScnSm6kFl9v4kjHblz9wzFniOCygMOWTw/s320/light+on+path.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180364998037033458" border="0" /></a>upward sometimes have flat spots so we can sprint to the finish. Start reaching for new things with enthusiasm and willingness to make it. Set your goals a little higher and when you reach them--set new ones. If the path to making it to where you want to go is dull, boring, old, or covered in "I can't do it," find a kick start today.<br />Let your light shine in the farthest direction because even though you may not be able to see the end--it does come when we walk towards it long enough. Step out and up forward steppers.<br /><br />I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,<br />Jeff<br /><br /><br /></span>Jeff Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936161664671003182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321078749772625078.post-13684117524435981752009-10-15T05:00:00.000-07:002009-10-14T22:43:36.760-07:00DO NOT STOP ON GO<span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >“Stopping on 3</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><sup style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">rd</sup></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" > base adds no more to the score than striking out.”</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">An anonymous client---May</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">2008</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvb4yJigYScwWnsurxonpaUXzeCx1jyMK5E4vf06_gbS34_15Knl9ip3HQ-6OrMzxWiClkQ1gkw4jTQO4uzMGcpod3e_s0G8N2QtDd2Or1rYagnI__QTbV1vRj9NXP_3vjG22qQFQTwVr/s1600-h/home+plate.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 103px; height: 99px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvb4yJigYScwWnsurxonpaUXzeCx1jyMK5E4vf06_gbS34_15Knl9ip3HQ-6OrMzxWiClkQ1gkw4jTQO4uzMGcpod3e_s0G8N2QtDd2Or1rYagnI__QTbV1vRj9NXP_3vjG22qQFQTwVr/s320/home+plate.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196622937342394018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Many of us have played the game Monopoly.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">We pass </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:130%;" >‘GO’</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> and collect $200, then proceed to give it to another player on the board on the next roll of the dice.—Oh, this is the way I play it LOL.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">No one stays on ‘GO’ forever because it does not pay again until we go around the board—we must move forward.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">The same concept applies to our lives.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Stopping during good times after a pay-off, or a big plus in our lives, or when concerns are under control is not what we do—we go for it again usually.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">When tough times come we sometimes stop short of getting to the good times again.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p>Looking back to review our path to present positions is healthy and should be part of our growth process.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Just stop long enough to catch a breath, find the appropriate assistance or encouragement to move forward again, and then be a FORWARD STEPPER.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Take the road to third base with the intent of scoring.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Look at the strike out like the Dodgers do—we have next year (I can’t believe I wrote that LOL).</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Take strike outs as a way to mark an area to improve and a place where we set a goal to learn how to score from this position next time. Stopping when things are bleak or we are down only lets us bask in this arena—bask in the sunshine of the new day a more positive place.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Savor the positive outcomes we encounter when moving forward. Find ways to score from many positions in life.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIE7h1ZIaVM_739HfSSVrgPknZVxMT2WFXihKNE-HqggQkpQ3mHR3yPtGOyQ_JWVHRfmIUyMhcrSXJlwz-fLd68ug4_-OTdmypWjxwWQA8hjDwU8efBRjTKUgOY0DlPlTlfZias2S2JByO/s1600-h/bat+swinging.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIE7h1ZIaVM_739HfSSVrgPknZVxMT2WFXihKNE-HqggQkpQ3mHR3yPtGOyQ_JWVHRfmIUyMhcrSXJlwz-fLd68ug4_-OTdmypWjxwWQA8hjDwU8efBRjTKUgOY0DlPlTlfZias2S2JByO/s200/bat+swinging.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196623422673698482" border="0" /></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p>Life will always give ups and downs.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">We will only know this if we are moving.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:130%;" >Use the attitude that the spirit of the next journey will bring us forward to a better place. We may have rough roads ahead of us, but smooth roads are just around the corner.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"> </span> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Complete the last leg of either a good journey or one that is heading to a better journey for us.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Find a way to reap rewards and look at the positive in everything.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">YOU ARE A FORWARD STEPPER!</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p>I believe in you because, YOU ARE WORTH IT,</span></p> <span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Jeff</span>Jeff Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936161664671003182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321078749772625078.post-1631835588319871312009-10-01T05:00:00.000-07:002009-09-26T08:01:29.236-07:00A ROAD WELL TRAVELED<span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">“We ravel familiar roads easier because we know the way.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">New roads to travel are easier when we have help to build familiarity.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">Giving and receiving help is a way of life.”</span></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Jeff </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUb5KrumPWIsNkJnmV6UvrVrwpQn7mR9NPTVmePwytJawfgWBqHs7hGWRVAfTtQqTNwMD_jaRx5LeD3f90gVWuqu3EAp7703VCFgNQP6K1BuziWMBz4ZA2oycOZl_irVBfnBO5aM1Ch3QK/s1600-h/peaceful+road.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUb5KrumPWIsNkJnmV6UvrVrwpQn7mR9NPTVmePwytJawfgWBqHs7hGWRVAfTtQqTNwMD_jaRx5LeD3f90gVWuqu3EAp7703VCFgNQP6K1BuziWMBz4ZA2oycOZl_irVBfnBO5aM1Ch3QK/s320/peaceful+road.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199134736616051026" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Johnson</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >May 2008 </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p>This is a story told to me by someone else.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">I am unsure of the author, but know it is not me.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Nonetheless, the message is the source of our motivational BLOG today.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">There was once a man in a deep hole.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">A pastor came upon the man in the hole and heard his cries for help.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">The pastor said I will pray for your safe return to the top and walked away.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">A while</span> later a doctor heard the man yelling for help.<span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">The doctor stopped and wrote out a prescription to the man saying, “Here is something that will help.”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">The doctor walked away.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Another man hearing the pleas for help walked to the edge of the hole and jumped in.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">The man in the hole stated, “Now we<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINhPRbvbp3fFMSGFB5prYiRP0qubGJS39rLsESj3pMthzzNOpkK_BCsPrfFqD48obETcJbEs3dpYREiBN6AdRa94TgngtNP6CRE9dFQE1edLtkilkVDCRsaob24P0rpfx81wB6n07Z3O0/s1600-h/reaching+out.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINhPRbvbp3fFMSGFB5prYiRP0qubGJS39rLsESj3pMthzzNOpkK_BCsPrfFqD48obETcJbEs3dpYREiBN6AdRa94TgngtNP6CRE9dFQE1edLtkilkVDCRsaob24P0rpfx81wB6n07Z3O0/s200/reaching+out.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199135526890033506" border="0" /></a> are both stuck in this hole.”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">The man who jumped in said, “No, I have been in this hole before and I know the way out.”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">In this instance, there was not a wrong method of help provided.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Everyone with a gift and talent gave their gift and talent unselfishly.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">It just was not the right combination for this situation.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">However, each person who stopped provided hope for recovery.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p>When we are looking for help, don’t despair, the right help is on its way.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">It may take several tries to get the right combination.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Look at help from individuals that do not go-all-the-way to completion as bringing relief and strength until the help that brings us out of the hole arrives.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">If we are providing the help and it just does not seem to be enough, do not become discouraged, your role has been met by being unselfish in giving the best of gifts and talents for the mom<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaL6zbFxcwAmGj_Z8nTle_gNLKfwoT_tt4nQk2bo-8Osm66o3AGuiuFnKP7u3qijuEQLdT4qk1T0MPXlcvSJQxnPvMZLcrABoJRIJ4t2yVoVwu8QZ9C9BsKNIUfO0IzWc9vLPo8O9BAvn/s1600-h/hand+in+dark.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaL6zbFxcwAmGj_Z8nTle_gNLKfwoT_tt4nQk2bo-8Osm66o3AGuiuFnKP7u3qijuEQLdT4qk1T0MPXlcvSJQxnPvMZLcrABoJRIJ4t2yVoVwu8QZ9C9BsKNIUfO0IzWc9vLPo8O9BAvn/s200/hand+in+dark.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199136093825716594" border="0" /></a>ent.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Some relief and strength have been provided to allow another intervention to accommodate this situation.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p>Fear not those in need of help and assistance; continue to seek answers for total relief because the correct combination is coming.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">The next time</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">it may be your time to offer gifts and talents.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Be a FORWARD STEPPER as a giver and at times a receiver.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Everyone has a turn at both.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">There is no harm in receiving just as there is no harm in giving even when the end result needs more work.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Keep STEPPING FORWARD givers and receivers alike.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p>I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,<br />Jeff</span></p><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Jeff Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936161664671003182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321078749772625078.post-37952212167330480142009-09-30T05:00:00.000-07:002009-09-26T07:59:25.338-07:00SOLUTIONS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPnLKj8twE790qwjBunLRAFik0A2CrF-pnyOe0l-i-sWrjRwnsI2-n9aj_lGMDflKc57wdAh2oTspLYGG_eybzQBrz8kKddcXLA9X373-pWSov5NU7YyfLpdkQfP_sYt0U-AUxkOpKgk1/s1600-h/believe.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPnLKj8twE790qwjBunLRAFik0A2CrF-pnyOe0l-i-sWrjRwnsI2-n9aj_lGMDflKc57wdAh2oTspLYGG_eybzQBrz8kKddcXLA9X373-pWSov5NU7YyfLpdkQfP_sYt0U-AUxkOpKgk1/s320/believe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243376893707574738" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >"When we look at our problems we believe they are crushing us to an end and we feel the pain--GREAT or small. Know in your heart and head there is a solution to every problem and feel hope and happiness with the same intensity.<br />Jeff Johnson--March 2008.<br /><br /><br />Things in our life, professional and personal will go wrong. Murphy'</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >s law says, "If there is a possibility of several things going wrong, the one that will cause the most damage will be the one to go wrong. Corollary: If there is a worse time for something to go wrong, it will happen then." Our lives are filled with stories that fit into a Murphy law category. The reality is we do not have to stay broken.<br /><br />Everyone must believe in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">something</span>--so why not believe that what is going on now 'sucks'--and also believe it can be fixed. We do have a choice here. When problems attack us, they come when we least expect it, when we can least afford it, and at a time when we feel it is impossible to deal with it. How much time do we spend looking for success stories that resemble our predicament? How much do we believe there is a solu</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBjGgMrpQWM8nK_OUZPGJYnRxD-7UN66LT_A2DgaQ50DsFZXVT07SXcQQlZyAOhimGTqb2bXorv66l08_FRYlP5dDh0X89JF9TU8V7EReBP0gEsbYetOGjeWpB-WYBo7MqJlyFEQW1Lg8x/s1600-h/faith.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBjGgMrpQWM8nK_OUZPGJYnRxD-7UN66LT_A2DgaQ50DsFZXVT07SXcQQlZyAOhimGTqb2bXorv66l08_FRYlP5dDh0X89JF9TU8V7EReBP0gEsbYetOGjeWpB-WYBo7MqJlyFEQW1Lg8x/s200/faith.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243377018014987106" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >tion out there for us, a predicament someone else faced that was this bad and ended up good? If we believe our situation is so bad, then we must believe there is a solution of equal value. Remember, everyone must believe in something--choose well. Make your sustained choice a positive choice.<br /><br />I believe in you--because YOU ARE WORTH IT,<br />Jeff</span><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Jeff Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936161664671003182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321078749772625078.post-25748525558075207692009-09-29T05:00:00.000-07:002009-09-26T07:58:54.436-07:00COURAGE<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">“In <leo_highlight style="border-bottom: 2px solid rgb(255, 255, 150); background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; display: inline; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" id="leoHighlights_Underline_0" onclick="leoHighlightsHandleClick('leoHighlights_Underline_0')" onmouseover="leoHighlightsHandleMouseOver('leoHighlights_Underline_0')" onmouseout="leoHighlightsHandleMouseOut('leoHighlights_Underline_0')" leohighlights_keywords="the wizard of oz" leohighlights_url="http%3A//thebrowserhighlighter.com/leonardo/highlights/keywords?keywords%3Dthe%20wizard%20of%20oz">the Wizard of Oz</leo_highlight>, the Lion wanted it, in life we desire more of it, but in reality, we are like the lion—we have it, we just need the ‘courage’ to learn how to exercise it more frequently.”</span><span style=""><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;"> </span> </span>Jeff Johnson<span style=""> </span>May 2008 <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >“Courage! What makes a King out of a slave?<span style=""> </span>Courage! What makes the flag on t</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >he mast to wave?<span style=""> </span>Courage! What makes the elephant charg</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-ueWc-s5O9KAiwq-nA5ukMCfjShBPMuJMeEQY0SAsNkG_0_TRvaV78L9UQq69JKBikNqg-S6Nmp3mXypqXpT-_t1boZ1SJ0k2lypIvLniP0mcw-J-ZW1NTVHdpmtBe0ZFwUH03Zeuvbh/s1600-h/yellow+brick+rd.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-ueWc-s5O9KAiwq-nA5ukMCfjShBPMuJMeEQY0SAsNkG_0_TRvaV78L9UQq69JKBikNqg-S6Nmp3mXypqXpT-_t1boZ1SJ0k2lypIvLniP0mcw-J-ZW1NTVHdpmtBe0ZFwUH03Zeuvbh/s200/yellow+brick+rd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204759274476701874" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >e his tusk, in the misty mist or the dusky dusk?<span style=""> </span>What makes the muskrat guard his musk? Courage! What makes the sphinx the seventh wonder? <span style=""> </span>Courage! What </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >makes the dawn come up like thunder?<span style=""> </span>Courage! What makes the Hottentot so hot? What puts the "ape" in apricot?<span style=""> </span>What have they got that I ain't got?<span style=""> </span>Courage!”<br /><strong><i style=""><span style="font-weight: normal;"><leo_highlight style="border-bottom: 2px solid rgb(255, 255, 150); background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; display: inline; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" id="leoHighlights_Underline_1" onclick="leoHighlightsHandleClick('leoHighlights_Underline_1')" onmouseover="leoHighlightsHandleMouseOver('leoHighlights_Underline_1')" onmouseout="leoHighlightsHandleMouseOut('leoHighlights_Underline_1')" leohighlights_keywords="the wizard of oz" leohighlights_url="http%3A//thebrowserhighlighter.com/leonardo/highlights/keywords?keywords%3Dthe%20wizard%20of%20oz">The Wizard of Oz</leo_highlight></span></i></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"> (1939) <i style=""><u>“Courage”<o:p></o:p></u></i></span></strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p>Courage is the inner strength and will to meet the demands facing us.<span style=""> </span>The moral standard to </span></strong></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">meet challenges face up and head strong, but most importantly, to look ourselves in the mirror each day and say</span></strong></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">, “I was able to sustain the good fight today and if not victory today then tomorrow.”<span style=""> </span>Courage gives us a </span></strong>firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty when it is us versus _______.<span style=""> </span>With this core value, we utilize our mental and moral strength to resist opposition, danger, or hardship without hesitation.<span style=""> </span>We are taking a leadership role towards the task</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTE_LWiQiHJCkR4ydu8leq99NZSFfRHw5M9ReEUq2nRBpy6Ng2LCQFDRxTshfDKRMeph2tTmXxKUtlncReFPXprkhVH_9yaoREbOKheHRIrsVcJ_r2L8CmKSQok2DP0eVNVsGDeIlXLfm1/s1600-h/spouses+courace.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTE_LWiQiHJCkR4ydu8leq99NZSFfRHw5M9ReEUq2nRBpy6Ng2LCQFDRxTshfDKRMeph2tTmXxKUtlncReFPXprkhVH_9yaoREbOKheHRIrsVcJ_r2L8CmKSQok2DP0eVNVsGDeIlXLfm1/s200/spouses+courace.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204759721153300674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> at hand with the mindset of charging towards victory.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p>Courage is an action looking to not cave in when things become difficult.<span style=""> </span>Many times it is raising the standard of performance during the crisis showing</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2vzrocF6eZ3EkZXMqBa5E8B4S70Er5bhsNx1r04S037CEEsUNygQn_RQ39hfj2NbNmfdeP_iO_h0ipz9yLTcSalae9L8SoXlQGYsTc05l0bkgGfOJJVYfj_wpE2qpNDMI9IpafBfS6z3/s1600-h/courage+pic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2vzrocF6eZ3EkZXMqBa5E8B4S70Er5bhsNx1r04S037CEEsUNygQn_RQ39hfj2NbNmfdeP_iO_h0ipz9yLTcSalae9L8SoXlQGYsTc05l0bkgGfOJJVYfj_wpE2qpNDMI9IpafBfS6z3/s200/courage+pic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204760116290291922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> a firm and resilient determination to achieve our goals and overcome adversity.<span style=""> </span>This is not an attempt to admit defeat but to never give up.<span style=""> </span>You are a FORWARD STEPPER by accepting the challenges each day with an “I will face my adversity and will overcome my opposition no matter what in a never give up attitude.”<span style=""> </span>We all have courage, the Lion in the Wizard was wrong when he asked—“ <i style="">What have they got that I ain't got?”</i><span style=""> </span>Well we all have it—Courage.<span style=""> </span>Stand true to yourself.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><o:p> </o:p>I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,<br />Jeff<br /></span><br /></p><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><span id="leoHighlights_iframe_modal_span_container"><div id="leoHighlights_iframe_modal_div_container" style="border: 1px solid black; position: absolute; visibility: hidden; display: none; width: 394px; height: 40px; z-index: 32768; 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</script></span>Jeff Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936161664671003182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321078749772625078.post-49365455899149703792009-09-28T05:00:00.000-07:002009-09-26T07:56:46.915-07:00WELCOME BACK<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhsOTlZSMYVA-fDPiLT_NOE4iqZgAwA13RH6Eos4RDW_htE49MXwqdLs7uW0S7ws2iK6H8PBPrUYHrbYu5_cXU8n3WwGzfTWW6l_IEnhb3ioDLSIYdAkeqH1BDFdopZOr3tTxnfsZ5WQe/s1600-h/light+house+n+storm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhsOTlZSMYVA-fDPiLT_NOE4iqZgAwA13RH6Eos4RDW_htE49MXwqdLs7uW0S7ws2iK6H8PBPrUYHrbYu5_cXU8n3WwGzfTWW6l_IEnhb3ioDLSIYdAkeqH1BDFdopZOr3tTxnfsZ5WQe/s320/light+house+n+storm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247893558728934882" border="0" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >"Welcome Back! What a greeting. When we hear this we smile, wait to feel a pat on the back, a hand shake, and maybe a hug—we are welcome—we are accepted.</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;"> "</span> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Jeff Johnson June 2008</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p>It is to often when we can not accept ourselves for something we did in the past, something we are doing now, or even thinking we do not have hope to succeed in life issues being planned out now.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">What if we looked in the mirror every day and said, Welcome back you work horse you, or Welcome back you__________, and fill in the blank.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Maybe the door to our pathway would appear more inviting than the one we prepare now.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p>BE A FORWARD STEPPER and make the welcome mat to victory more acceptable to us instead of something we steer clear.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Pave a way to victory, plant the seed to succeed, and march forward to a smile from victory lane.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p>I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,<br />Jeff</span></p><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Jeff Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936161664671003182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321078749772625078.post-48842506806448590502009-09-27T05:00:00.000-07:002009-09-26T07:58:04.806-07:00SAFETY NET<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >“Understanding there is a safety net to protect us should end some fears right away”</span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Jeff</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Johnson</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">April</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">2008<br /><o:p></o:p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bZdWYtt0ELrf-jdVHpMEkPXIzQrXPS6dGroWZj4otj1F1OuswXP96OsmdpgUD4azNjqQjhqQuPaLJKIO0YbwZksZKlcaW-y3dJRqug7FhEve8XJg8xFKL8dAbGsOU0jNaUr6EK1SyT0N/s1600-h/safety+net.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bZdWYtt0ELrf-jdVHpMEkPXIzQrXPS6dGroWZj4otj1F1OuswXP96OsmdpgUD4azNjqQjhqQuPaLJKIO0YbwZksZKlcaW-y3dJRqug7FhEve8XJg8xFKL8dAbGsOU0jNaUr6EK1SyT0N/s320/safety+net.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188742218190824002" border="0" /></a><br /></span> <span style="font-size:130%;">IN STICKING WITH MY PROMISE TO GOD, SUNDAY’S BLOG IS DEDICATED TO HONOR HIM AND WORSHIP HIM WHO CREATED ME.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p>When the lights go off at night some children become afraid; when we pray for career choice decisions in school or job changes we have a fear. W</span><span style="font-size:130%;">hen we do new things for the first time or adjust to new changes, and even become sick, we have fear.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">So, how can we manage our fears?</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Many of us have an inner strength we call GOD that comforts us.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Many of us have an inner strength we call GOD and do not believe HIM enough to understand what HE wants us to do with our fear.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Gaps on this point need a bridge, so how does it work if there is belief and yet fear still exists?</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">The answer starts by observing that we are raised in fear e.g. “The ‘ole’ saying, “wait until your_______gets home,” or perhaps, “the new job will include these NEW duties and skill sets,” —so why expect anything else when our life events become more complicated?</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">We must now change our views to look at how GOD</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> challenges fears in our life.</span></p> <p style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p>GOD can heal everything without exception—even today in 2008.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">I find it very interesting that HE has not ‘removed’ fear, but he pointed us—again—to HIM through rescue from the life event.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">In <b style=""><span style="color:black;">Exodus 3:</span></b></span><span class="sup1" style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:black;">11</span></span><span style=";font-size:130%;color:black;" > </span><span style=";font-size:130%;color:black;" >Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>?"</span><span class="sup1" style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:black;">12</span></span><span style=";font-size:130%;color:black;" > And God said, "</span><span style=";font-size:130%;color:red;" >I will be with you</span><span style=";font-size:130%;color:black;" >.”<span style=""> </span>GOD is providing this relief of fear through RESCUE.<span style=""> </span>Look at</span><span style=";font-size:130%;color:black;" > </span><span style=";font-size:130%;color:black;" >the prophet</span><span style=";font-size:130%;color:black;" > </span><span style=";font-size:130%;color:black;" >Jeremiah 1:</span><span class="sup1" style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;color:black;" >6</span></span><span style=";font-size:130%;color:black;" > "Ah, Sovereign LORD, I do not know how to speak; I am only a child." <span style=""> </span></span><span class="sup1" style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;color:black;" >8</span></span><span style=";font-size:130%;color:black;" > GOD said, </span><span style=";font-size:130%;color:red;" >“Do not be afraid …, for I am with you and will rescue you,"</span><span style=";font-size:130%;color:black;" > declares the LORD.</span><span style=";font-size:130%;color:black;" > </span><span style=";font-size:130%;color:black;" >In</span><span style=";font-size:130%;color:black;" > </span><span style=";font-size:130%;color:black;" >Isaiah 41</span><span style=";font-size:130%;color:black;" >:10 we read, </span><span style=";font-size:130%;color:red;" >“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.”<span style=""> </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;">In each one of these instances, a designed plan was presented to Moses, Jeremiah, and Isaiah, as each one expressed in a kind<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWFCCG3zNxSP01QftNp2jAGJXQCI21uONcIxKoFUdOsyl3bhMTqP8qCmdN_u_VLkytnG2ku3ehk6x30Y08KdauiV4ghHFbDc3SG7fHKZaiByKwGIQOMoL6Fvw6VT0PQeoL-ZxpbDpxye_/s1600-h/rescue+ring.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWFCCG3zNxSP01QftNp2jAGJXQCI21uONcIxKoFUdOsyl3bhMTqP8qCmdN_u_VLkytnG2ku3ehk6x30Y08KdauiV4ghHFbDc3SG7fHKZaiByKwGIQOMoL6Fvw6VT0PQeoL-ZxpbDpxye_/s200/rescue+ring.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188743395011863122" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> way—REMOVE THE FEAR!</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" >However, GOD responded by saying I will rescue you by: supporting you,</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" > strengthening your weaknesses, and</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" > helping you—ALL forms of rescue.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p> <p style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">We all have gifts to use for GOD’s glory and service.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Many life circumstances cause us to fear.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">We fear moving forward, we fear rejection, we fear things that are new, and you can add your own fears here.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">GOD will rescue you by just turning to HIM.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Rest in the loving arms that want to strengthen, comfort, heal, and yes---rescue you.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Step up FORWARD STEPPERS into the life GOD has for you—by preparing to be rescued instead of stifled inside of fear.</span></p> <p style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,</span></p> <p style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Jeff</span></p><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Jeff Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936161664671003182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321078749772625078.post-86652851133724063302009-09-26T07:00:00.000-07:002009-09-26T08:03:24.118-07:00LOOKING AT CHALLENGES<p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">“Many times we are defea</span><span style="font-size:130%;">ted inside our own heads before we even get started.</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Jeff Johns<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBO2Hr5dAXX7mLOkYha2B6ShsDBCVUzQiQnSkWVGxymBvytJM3dH1ZtP1wB48dlMfPaHryOb6NAVBCoJG-Rs4ncEKRIkEhs48XyO4EPXsQpH1fU9YoqgCKM7IAN5imStzvocubugjCCyyk/s1600-h/headlines.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 132px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBO2Hr5dAXX7mLOkYha2B6ShsDBCVUzQiQnSkWVGxymBvytJM3dH1ZtP1wB48dlMfPaHryOb6NAVBCoJG-Rs4ncEKRIkEhs48XyO4EPXsQpH1fU9YoqgCKM7IAN5imStzvocubugjCCyyk/s320/headlines.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181911770379145858" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;">on</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">March</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">20</span><span style="font-size:130%;">08</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The story</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> is not original when we speak of the 90 pound weakling getting sa</span><span style="font-size:130%;">nd kicked in his face from the beach bully.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">The 90 pound weakling starts a super conditioning program (all without steroids of course) and becomes this super strong man.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Then the showdown with the beach bully is immanent.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">The once picked on 90 pound weakling approaches the bully and draws a line in the sa</span><span style="font-size:130%;">nd </span><span style="font-size:130%;">daring him to cross it—a challenge is created.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dTUlUUq0m4f2iuK1fPV-ptEQtTOakkSGYaEL9mbJc3hGNUKQgom7fPnLA3Xl1IXlz_SHwUZy1cacImNvSzzkL3x-ilWVK4iQ-PxpTfWGkVlqMLwUem4t4gCw6FxnmaqUDOfZ-tJIFSfR/s1600-h/line+in+sand.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dTUlUUq0m4f2iuK1fPV-ptEQtTOakkSGYaEL9mbJc3hGNUKQgom7fPnLA3Xl1IXlz_SHwUZy1cacImNvSzzkL3x-ilWVK4iQ-PxpTfWGkVlqMLwUem4t4gCw6FxnmaqUDOfZ-tJIFSfR/s200/line+in+sand.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181912186990973586" border="0" /></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Life brings us challenges.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Not all challenges are bad, some are positive, but require us to push beyond reasonable limits.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">But to often we draw headlines—the same lines that are carved in the sand only <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">mentally</span> placed. Some common 'Headlines' are: "It is to hard," I am not __________(you fill in the blank i.e. tall enough, smart enough, pretty enough, just not enough etc.), and my favorite--I just can't do it." When we make the <span style="font-style: italic;">headlines</span> our human nat</span><span style="font-size:130%;">u</span><span style="font-size:130%;">re shuts us down and we stop. In other words, the fight is over, the game reads 'tilt,' and we lose our quarter. Conversely, when things are going well or when we reach a major goal--we stop with, "I have gone as far as I can go." We create our own internal battle before the fight. Now we face the life challenge and our own challenge--two against one.<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> We are wired by millions of years of evolution in development to overcome challenges. In the face of de</o:p></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p>ath, in the heart of war, through the most perilous times imaginable---we are designed to OVERCOME! </o:p><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">Looking at challenges causes us to place a value on o</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">ur inner and outer strengths</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivb8JzwOuY7CHP58_1shc_WHu5PalBz5G-mXYlRE2l77AHSzt4FqxVTGx2qhPqUBvDgsTqs111gawQncsUU1JXAiUeNxwdIT-spS8goOVV-g5UJQFTJcuWBTplJqQdbrtMlJqbLykLEnBs/s1600-h/mirror+pic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivb8JzwOuY7CHP58_1shc_WHu5PalBz5G-mXYlRE2l77AHSzt4FqxVTGx2qhPqUBvDgsTqs111gawQncsUU1JXAiUeNxwdIT-spS8goOVV-g5UJQFTJcuWBTplJqQdbrtMlJqbLykLEnBs/s200/mirror+pic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181913265027764914" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> as WE pe</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">rceive them in a given moment. </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Howe</span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">ver,</span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;">The most significant factors in ov</span><span style="font-size:130%;">ercoming challenges are identifying th</span><span style="font-size:130%;">e fear we have with the challenge, developing a sense of control over the feared environment mentally, and envisioning alternatives to the anticipated negative outcomes. Instead of looking at the challenge as a welcome mat to fear--why not look at the challenge as a doorway to a new hope, a new dream to obtain, a new path that may lead others to avoid, or to follow out of their fear in a similar situation, or to grow stronger. Instead of stopping at the top of a mountain--why not seek a bigger mountain to climb?<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Life has presented us challenges in the past and we have defeated them. <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-style: italic;">Our previous experiences with success are tools to use to sharpen the weapons we need now.</span> STEP FORWARD FORWARD STEPPERS--sharpen your weapons necessary to defeat the present challenge---forgetting the headlines. Besides, headlines are just as soft as the lines in the sand--one small wave and it is just sand.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,</span></p><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Jeff</span><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Jeff Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936161664671003182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321078749772625078.post-17219356339484486312009-09-15T05:00:00.000-07:002009-09-14T22:32:24.313-07:00DESIRE<span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >"We see desire everyday as we watch the sun rise--desiring to have a good day, and every night when we watch the moon appear we desire to have a good nights rest. Each of us has a desire--something we long for, somethin</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRNjmy88sLLbpKdzxWUxKnCwQ9ygvUjPHCK7QVsXnZvCb8xOu6J6CApYqgBLKyQ3X0_namkE_NXjhwlzAwZ7Sx78_G_YXSFH3dn_ffC5XOaoH31xZ69t0W0qJPJ5aInzO55ivz_Ho56p7/s1600-h/canoe_lake_small%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 153px; height: 114px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRNjmy88sLLbpKdzxWUxKnCwQ9ygvUjPHCK7QVsXnZvCb8xOu6J6CApYqgBLKyQ3X0_namkE_NXjhwlzAwZ7Sx78_G_YXSFH3dn_ffC5XOaoH31xZ69t0W0qJPJ5aInzO55ivz_Ho56p7/s320/canoe_lake_small%5B1%5D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176163434725407394" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >g we want, something we reach for in our hearts, o</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >ur minds, and our dreams. All dreams start with desire--start yours today."<br />Jeff Johnson March 2008<br /><br />Desire is that tug at your heart--the feeling in the middle of your chest when something is truly an intrinsic want--or maybe a need. The feeling of desire can be lustful in nature, cognitive by design, and ever present in time and space--without limits. Desires can be things that we once had and 'want again' or pursuits. Desires can create smiles, laughter, heartache and longings never to be realized or achieved--desires are the things dreams surround. But they must exist to move us forward. They must be identified and conceptualized to a point we can place them in a priority order so as to make sense of them when we search for them to become reality. I like to think of desires as possible realities 'In Vivo,' that which takes place inside a living organism. In science, 'in vivo' refers to experimentation done in a living tissue.<br /><br />This is the exciting part--we must be alive to have desire--DUH! Not only outside, but inside: emotionally, cognitively, hopeful, dreaming, feeling, growing, reaching out mentally, letting our hearts feel again and again--communicating with our brains to our emotions. The power of desire lifts us up and controls the passions held captive by environment. How powerful is this desire? Nations have been built because of desires, homes and lives have been restored because of desires, communities have attained goals because of desires. Desire is where it all starts--desire allows us to live--to realize we are alive inside. To have desire means we are starting something passionately.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXpUMD3FYUI25M3IUTq2LJqZ3zjvlVMlAsnWZBX9Tbz1-2dRf7sMNDBNKbxs7w5uzMjC1ZFQbzvvsGk8dIKuyG15SHTJorZTkjGolAeGCEeeMJW4VQmsNm6mJ7vbHIU5n7NcAL6IrD-nj0/s1600-h/forest_wood%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 163px; height: 86px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXpUMD3FYUI25M3IUTq2LJqZ3zjvlVMlAsnWZBX9Tbz1-2dRf7sMNDBNKbxs7w5uzMjC1ZFQbzvvsGk8dIKuyG15SHTJorZTkjGolAeGCEeeMJW4VQmsNm6mJ7vbHIU5n7NcAL6IrD-nj0/s200/forest_wood%5B1%5D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176163980186254002" border="0" /></a>Wen we have desire we can change the world. When we have desire we can change our life. When we have desire we can transform this into a hope, that develops into a reality. Yes, if you have just one desire that is enough. Desire starts the dream, dreams start the plan, plans start the......you fill in the rest. Maybe life has dealt the cards wrong THIS TIME, but nothing is forever if we have a desire to change it. Do you feel the desire tug, can you </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >desire</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" > see the other picture--the way you want it? Look, feel, think about the desires you have---this is the power of new life. This is your power through desire. Enjoy the power of desire--it is LIFE because it comes within a life. Now step forward and appreciate something good in your life that has come true because it started with desire. You are a forward stepper. </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><br />Vita Abundans Semper</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >--Life Abundant Always.<br /><br />I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,<br />Jeff</span>Jeff Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936161664671003182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321078749772625078.post-48310903864486030282009-08-21T05:00:00.000-07:002009-08-21T09:34:20.477-07:00MERRY-GO-ROUND<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">"The life we lead or want to lead is determined by the changes we make in our life. If we are like the merry-go-round ride we will always have the same outcomes--and </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="FONT-FAMILY: verdana" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOaDHL7eFLzfA-15o4vZ40bBDZ2G3-0pBHwo-_3bKJVNLF0KEssZ4KhFz6vPBtrXD_M_dY-XjA_nJkseo9hByymM_WrGNrAUiEhD_w8fcEXfO_93ciKCgRm-lw6EksnYbmag7phbnu7Ww/s1600-h/78352-46ap%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; FLOAT: left; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176731100552919746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOaDHL7eFLzfA-15o4vZ40bBDZ2G3-0pBHwo-_3bKJVNLF0KEssZ4KhFz6vPBtrXD_M_dY-XjA_nJkseo9hByymM_WrGNrAUiEhD_w8fcEXfO_93ciKCgRm-lw6EksnYbmag7phbnu7Ww/s320/78352-46ap%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a></span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">may get lost among the choices of colorful animals--all with the same ride pattern, but that look new. To change outcomes--we must change rides not just what we are riding."<br />Jeff Johnson March 2008<br /><br />"Getting crazy," that is what he said to me starting the conversation. He continued, "Man, don't you ever want to just 'get crazy'?" The answer was 'yes,' more than you will ever know. In fact, looking at change for many is 'crazy.' More truthfully, looking at staying where we are is crazy. So, do we really want to </span><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >stay</span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;"> crazy may be the better question.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2YWAXlXGOqMCK-q24DOq7-QA2Awrbj9slLA85ZkWhmRvS2NALUye7MHK30EOyIlB0IOpqsvZfufMZXreIWvoc0R9qh7TixABGh1NYlOAZbtCY_BQ603OOgIi98AbAABNnV9h1fy486cI/s1600-h/LS016018%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 120px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 80px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176731435560368850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2YWAXlXGOqMCK-q24DOq7-QA2Awrbj9slLA85ZkWhmRvS2NALUye7MHK30EOyIlB0IOpqsvZfufMZXreIWvoc0R9qh7TixABGh1NYlOAZbtCY_BQ603OOgIi98AbAABNnV9h1fy486cI/s200/LS016018%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a>In order to have changes in our 'crazy' world we must be willing to change our ability to accept new things. It is more than changing the color of horse on the merry-go-round ride. For example, looking for new ways to escape from the craziness of our situation can be a challenge. All views of scenery look the same--and the faster we try to turn it around the more blurry the surroundings. What a weird and crazy way to learn lessons in life. I am reminded of a story here to make my point. There was a doctor watching a mechanic fix his car. The mechanic looked at the doctor and said, "Doc, you and I are a lot alike, we both go inside something and fix it." The doctor smiled and responded, "yes, but I do it while the engine is running." This is how life treats us--we must fix things while going full speed ahead. How crazy is this?<br /><br /><br />We all can make the necessary changes to improve our life if we only stop long enough to see there are other rides. The pauses in life can be brief, medium in duration, or long--but my gosh man--breathe a little before the next move forward. Take some time to explore options, seek<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlXHBtEWeu_1SJTR0C3655nTVq1ouYKfc9Vhr4lTLDxWGvgNN65GFBcH3lpu9mqLPJvL6liapCtvcgG5q5waGbyMx3Z3U3HqRHxR7ExLclPZ8tWPlFd6G3xkkrxc0kN891mDK8VuBOL2V/s1600-h/354263-006%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; FLOAT: right; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176731826402392802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlXHBtEWeu_1SJTR0C3655nTVq1ouYKfc9Vhr4lTLDxWGvgNN65GFBcH3lpu9mqLPJvL6liapCtvcgG5q5waGbyMx3Z3U3HqRHxR7ExLclPZ8tWPlFd6G3xkkrxc0kN891mDK8VuBOL2V/s200/354263-006%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a> advice, and look for something different than what you are doing now. The options are available. The choices surrounding us are blurry because of our speed of life we travel. What an exciting crazy thought that just as we have situations that confound us--the choices to solve the problem can also confound us---Stop it now---really! Just stop, look, and listen to your heart long enough to feel that change is possible if we change rides in life. Take a time out--as crazy as this seems, and choose how and what your next ride will be. The part that would be crazy is if the ride we were on was the only choice---there are many positive choices available.<br /><br />So, do we really want to </span><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >stay</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> crazy may just be our answer--YES, crazy about making changes that are positive in my life, crazy for taking a time out to choose a new direction, crazy to even think for one moment longer that I need to ride this same horse to the same conclusion again. Step forward with me you forward steppers.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Jeff</span><br /></span>Jeff Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936161664671003182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321078749772625078.post-45302197471215994912008-09-28T05:00:00.000-07:002008-12-12T14:15:49.867-08:00PATHWAYS<span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >“What do we see when we walk down everyday life paths, people and things to ignore because ‘they deserve it’ or chances to show mercy?</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >What did Jesus mean when he said, “Go and do likewise?””<br /></span><p style="font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOOMbbE0vkqWpadXSekF-6NGkh5s43WcbSSiU8kS_luXpmsw9w4jDXhsNgziN-mcbKxlC3w7ycv4Kr3rboynbRD1zLt5PFliVBsbtsXBacLQZa13YRHdfWeSTgAuq6C-Q5ijYKH8xkTO2/s1600-h/pathways.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOOMbbE0vkqWpadXSekF-6NGkh5s43WcbSSiU8kS_luXpmsw9w4jDXhsNgziN-mcbKxlC3w7ycv4Kr3rboynbRD1zLt5PFliVBsbtsXBacLQZa13YRHdfWeSTgAuq6C-Q5ijYKH8xkTO2/s320/pathways.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186393762026050386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Jeff Johnson</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">April</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">2008</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Jews and Samaritans were not the best of friends during New Testament times. While the actual reasons for the hatred between the two groups is not known, it is kno</span><span style="font-size:130%;">wn that the Jews believed the Samaritans were not pure from a religious viewpoint.<o:p></o:p><br />LUKE 10:<o:p></o:p><br /><sup>30</sup>In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from <st1:city st="on">Jerusalem</st1:city> to <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Jericho</st1:city></st1:place>, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. <sup>31</sup>A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other s</span><span style="font-size:130%;">ide. <sup>32</sup>So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. <sup>33</sup>But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. <sup>34</sup>He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn a</span><span style="font-size:130%;">nd took care of him. <sup>35</sup>The next day he took out two silver coins<sup>[<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6321078749772625078&postID=6579538520848455498#fen-NIV-25391a" title="Go to"><span style="color:blue;">a</span></a>]</sup> and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' <sup>36</sup>"Which of thes</span><span style="font-size:130%;">e three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" <sup>37</sup>The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."<br />Jesus told him, <span style="color:red;">"Go and do likewise."</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">This story has been told a million times.<span style=""> </span>Sometimes the story brings up conjectures of prejudice, but I have a different slant.<span style=""> </span>I want to look at what it took to walk by this man.<span style=""> </span>Remember, this was not an age of 70 MPH freeway driving.<span style=""> </span>I will not diminish the human nature of rubbernecking at whatever speed, but in this historical setting it would be at 2 ‘Mule Speed per Hour.’<span style=""> </span>Let’s look</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> at the lesson here.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWVwho8BslO6_CqAVSlHgHHIJP6k31cTEi5jzw8wLC1TRrHnlCQrrol3RZB7wBEkAcGsV_VAwpnsJSdMhcduQyNwIZsB1UQfx1u-C5TBA2dfDtjZcrZBAOp9a-jRUX87AkFqiQB9OLvJ9/s1600-h/mules.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWVwho8BslO6_CqAVSlHgHHIJP6k31cTEi5jzw8wLC1TRrHnlCQrrol3RZB7wBEkAcGsV_VAwpnsJSdMhcduQyNwIZsB1UQfx1u-C5TBA2dfDtjZcrZBAOp9a-jRUX87AkFqiQB9OLvJ9/s200/mules.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186395359753884546" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">During this period in time the body was covered completely from head to ankle.<span style=""> </span>Here is a man who is stripped naked—I am not sure anyone could ignore this.<span style=""> </span>Maybe on some <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">California</st1:place></st1:state> beaches today we would ignore it, but not then.<span style=""> </span>The man was beaten half to death.<span style=""> </span>If you are anything like me, when I get a sore throat I am complaining to anyone who will listen—and even to those who will not listen.<span style=""> </span>Being broken an</span><span style="font-size:130%;">d bleeding one could infer a lot of pain, moaning and groaning, with sounds that could be heard at a distance.<span style=""> </span>A person traveling at 2 ‘mule speed per hour,’ without an iPod, cell phone, or CD, will listen to the sounds around them for a long time before arriving at the scene.<span style=""> </span>Once the scene is behind people will listen to the same sounds for a long time, only now it is associated with a face to the story.<span style=""> </span>Three questions come to mind: 1) How many times could someone say to themselves without a ‘conscious’ heart weight being added, “I am not going to help this person no matter what?”<span style=""> </span>2) How much would a person’s heart weigh after walking away from this situation?<span style=""> </span>3)<span style=""> </span>When would the cries for help, the moans, the look of terror or blood and dirt caked skin leave the thoughts of anyone?<span style=""> </span>So, let’s</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> rationalize this—I am not trained to help, I am not sure what I am getting myself into—Is it safe—and my all time favorite=The next person will assist.<span style=""> </span>We surely could not use today’s excuse of, ‘I am in a hurry.’<span style=""> </span>So what is the point here!<span style=""> </span>We all have a purpose in life; we just need to learn how to grow into helpers.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Every person lives their life on a pathway whereby we can be a Good Samaritan. ‘Helper growing’ is a skill we all have to develop and have already started developing in many areas.<span style=""> </span>What if someone would have tossed the wounded man a blanket?<span style=""> </span>What if someone else tossed the man a flask of wine or water or vinegar, and maybe someone else a few coins or a robe—see the point?<span style=""> </span>The person with the donkey was a ‘full fledged helper,’ but the ‘helper growers’ could offer relief through their level of comfort.<span style=""> </span>Jesus command of, “Go and do likewise,” is easier said than done with m</span><span style="font-size:130%;">ost of us.<span style=""> </span>But, what if today we said, “Jesus, I am going to be a ‘helper grower’ and take a FORWARD STEP toward filling this command.<span style=""> </span>I will do a little on my path today to help someone in need.<span style=""> </span>Here are some steps to becoming a ‘helper grower:’<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>1)<span style=""> </span>Take a look at your heart, feel the weight of a person that you have walked away from just because…2)<span style=""> </span>Think about your level of comfort in giving to this person, 3)<span style=""> </span>Tha</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6ihtiLoLJ_pNIaxTFq0dVGC8tEHle375-BPARQEIhf-hmfn_DdJIb6EvMlaKlL9Zit6a_myo6VbO64ek2fsfUzU_iwUDznyu9XQd7ITHYbHrVP8imQhVOIFpqC6odphHHuPlb-YEsv7a/s1600-h/horse+blanket.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6ihtiLoLJ_pNIaxTFq0dVGC8tEHle375-BPARQEIhf-hmfn_DdJIb6EvMlaKlL9Zit6a_myo6VbO64ek2fsfUzU_iwUDznyu9XQd7ITHYbHrVP8imQhVOIFpqC6odphHHuPlb-YEsv7a/s200/horse+blanket.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186394642494346098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">nk Jesus for allowing you to have the capacity to give</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> ANYTHING to someone in need.<span style=""> </span>4)<span style=""> </span>Now do it.<span style=""> </span>You are now an official ‘helper grower!’<span style=""> </span>I have always wondered if the Samaritan had a ‘been there done that’ experience and that was his path of ‘helper growing?’<span style=""> </span>Maybe you are an <st1:place st="on">Inn</st1:place> keeper, a neighbor, or maybe you are a traveler on the other side of the road—become a FORWARD STEPPER towards becoming a ‘helper grower.’<span style=""> </span>We have the pathway.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I believe in you BECAUSE YOU ARE WORTH IT,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:12;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Jeff</span></span></span>Jeff Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936161664671003182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321078749772625078.post-42981896261508224112008-09-20T05:00:00.000-07:002008-09-20T05:00:00.866-07:00KIDS SPEAK ON MARRIAGE???<span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Everyone knows I get a huge kick about kids comments. It not only makes me very happy, but I usually smile all week over these comments--ENJOY!<b><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:10;color:black;" ><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br />How do you decide who to marry? (written by kids)</span></span></b><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><br />(1) You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you<br /></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;color:black;" > like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she<br />should keep the chips and dip coming.<br />- Alan, age 10<br />(2) No person really decides before they grow up who they're going<br />to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out<br />later who you're stuck with.<br />- Kristen, age 10<br /><b>WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?</b><br />(1) Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person<br />FOREVER by then.<br />- Camille, age 10<br />(2) No age is good to get married at. You got to be a fool to get<br />married.<br />- Freddie, age 6 (very wise for his age)<br /><b>HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?</b><br />(1) You might have to guess, based on whether<br />they seem to be yelling at the same kids.<br />- Derrick, age 8<br /><b>WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MUM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?</b><br />(1) Both don't want any more kids.<br />- Lori, age 8<br /><b>WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?</b><br />(1) Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to<br />know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long<br />enough.<br />- Lynnette, age 8 (isn't she a treasure)<br />(2) On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that<br />usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.<br />- Martin, age 10 (who says boys do not have brains)<br /><b>WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE THAT WAS TURNING SOUR?</b><br />(1) I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the<br />newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.<br />-Craig, age 9<br /><b>WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?</b><br />(1) When they're rich- Pam, age 7<br />(2) The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to<br />mess with that.<br />- Curt, age 7 (good point)<br />(3) The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should<br />marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do.<br />- Howard, age 8<br /><b>IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?</b><br />(1) It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need<br />someone to clean up after them.<br />- Anita, age 9 (bless you child)<br /><b>HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?</b><br />(1) There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?<br />- Kelvin, age 8<br /><b>HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?</b><br />(1) Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a<br />truck.<br />- Ricky, age 10</span></span></p>Jeff Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936161664671003182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321078749772625078.post-813767407514837572008-09-14T04:00:00.000-07:002008-12-12T14:15:52.574-08:00THREE MEALS<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">"The bread was broken and passed around--silence filled the room--everyone had their own idea of what this event would mean to them, but in the end--all except Jesus got it right."</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">Jeff Johnson March 2008</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />Easter, the death of Jesus on the cross, the resurrection, all of this is so very important to us. But today, this HOLY DAY, I want to discuss three very important meals and their roles.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />The first meal--the last supper in the upper room.</span> </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Luke 22:</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">19</span>"And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" class="sup" id="en-NIV-25876" > <span style="font-style: italic;">20</span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >In the same way, after the supper he too</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0HTf1DDvY4vU8JCHv3GoCYQxhXv8iUB5tn4JmbwcPGpjU1UuhEaOJUm6WgcIWH0slwJO0z7LmwJf_a7kqisgTEtHScNN4tZcA2MSSja8Gfc3Gcz2rFj1uBNZxwX5b41ODwJnZYzYmP_P/s1600-h/communion+bread+pic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0HTf1DDvY4vU8JCHv3GoCYQxhXv8iUB5tn4JmbwcPGpjU1UuhEaOJUm6WgcIWH0slwJO0z7LmwJf_a7kqisgTEtHScNN4tZcA2MSSja8Gfc3Gcz2rFj1uBNZxwX5b41ODwJnZYzYmP_P/s200/communion+bread+pic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180644901055713826" border="0" /></a></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >k the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, wh</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >ich is poured out for you."</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> Missing in the room was Thomas, one of the disciples and Judas. Oh yes, Judas was there in body, but missing in spirit and mind. He had his own agenda, bought and paid for! Judas was there to see his own plan through already leaving Jesus with money in hand. Thomas, was absent in body, but present in mind and spirit--wondering about the entire experience--living in fear of what it would mean in the long term message--scared to participate. Which one of these disciples resemble you and I. Are we on this HOLY DAY looking in our hearts and knowing Jesus is there, knowing Jesus is real, having HIM near us feeding us and we are either absent in mind and spirit because we are scared to participate in association with HIM, or absent in mind and spirit because we are participating in our own agenda? During the first of the three meals Jesus mentions </span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >"Do this in remembrance of me"</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">--where are you as you remember HIM? The disciples, humans just like you and I, coming to Jesus, remembering HIM, following scripture, just like you and I in more ways than meets the eye.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />The second meal is with Thomas. John 20:</span> </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" class="sup" id="en-NIV-26881" >Thomas is explaining to the other disciples about how he must see the risen SAVIOR before he believes. Thomas and the disciples are eating together in a locked room and Jesus just appears, </span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" class="sup" id="en-NIV-26884" >27</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >"Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Re</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >ach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" class="sup" id="en-NIV-26885" >28</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" class="sup" id="en-NIV-26886" >29</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="font-family:verdana;">Talk about just passing through a neighborhood and dropping by--Thomas is face to face with Jesus. Jesus offers Thomas exactly what he needs to believe--all doubts are eliminated--all fear is gone now--conviction on which I stand was transformed from loose sand to solid steel and concrete. The problem with being skeptical is you must consider both sides. On one hand Thomas had to consider his friends view--the other disciples would not have a reason to lie about the resurrection, but on the other hand--he doubts. Where are we at this meal--HOLY DAY after JUST DAY BY DAY we walk the same walk-- we consider during life circumstances how Jesus fits in--is HE real or is there room to doubt. If we believe one word of the Bible--like Jesus died and rose again, then we must take Thoma's story and believe. Jesus said, <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">"In remembrance of me,"</span> but in which direction are we going with Jesus as we remember? <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Both Thomas and Judas had purpose in their direction--do you or I have purpose in our direction with Jesus?</span></span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />The third meal is found in Revelations 3:</span> </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" class="sup" id="en-NIV-30751" ><br />20</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyo</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >ne hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">This verse is not time dated--it does not expire, and this meal would be worthless without the other two. This meal has no value without the cross and the resurrection--but with those two events IT IS THE MEANING. Jesus wants to sup with you and I--in our hearts--forever. The food is unlimited and filling to overflow. During the three meals--where are you and I with Jesus--near HIM but absent in some way because of agendas; doubting issues but considering both sides equally; or ready to sup with HIM, accepting HIS open invitation for a meal already paid in full? Just knock on the door--Ask HIM into your heart today--WALK 'TOTALLY' BESIDE HIM---YOU ARE A FORWARD STEPPER--do not walk alone anymore, Jesus is there waiting. Come--this year--this day--lets share a meal together!</span><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYN4QtFSmDiSv1loHbvxGuuxTMEOIFR95kgecSpDXYpphk0RbTiWZl-DrPZNwdfFRxy9-M1kfSXtA1yv4OMP5NnYpedixt2u9LblLSlHsDQVlaCILod3CazcShmV5zGKidSHNHNcfE2oW/s1600-h/unlimited+bread+pic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYN4QtFSmDiSv1loHbvxGuuxTMEOIFR95kgecSpDXYpphk0RbTiWZl-DrPZNwdfFRxy9-M1kfSXtA1yv4OMP5NnYpedixt2u9LblLSlHsDQVlaCILod3CazcShmV5zGKidSHNHNcfE2oW/s200/unlimited+bread+pic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180645240358130226" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:verdana;">I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">Jeff</span> </span>Jeff Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936161664671003182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321078749772625078.post-36393913494826605052008-09-10T05:00:00.000-07:002008-12-12T14:15:53.594-08:00WILLINGNESS<span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >"It is not always the easiest thing to do when we look at any change. Maybe, it is not even the right time in our lives for change to happen, but change happens, change is necessary, and changes make us stronger. "<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAaCDKbW5zEzDDorAiOfYn2rlsQFTLGHVbfa7fiaffaNj6FuoJczHMXRYTdnYFw8quWgHxF1u8gBVD5X15oZEfxyPj6kfBSWD64euqPaw1INePD0EKBQmP5gBuNbCYRqaQ5hyphenhyphenRc01sUkN_/s1600-h/chess-kj7g_small%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAaCDKbW5zEzDDorAiOfYn2rlsQFTLGHVbfa7fiaffaNj6FuoJczHMXRYTdnYFw8quWgHxF1u8gBVD5X15oZEfxyPj6kfBSWD64euqPaw1INePD0EKBQmP5gBuNbCYRqaQ5hyphenhyphenRc01sUkN_/s320/chess-kj7g_small%5B1%5D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179878597285728690" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Jeff Johnson March 2008<br /><br />I am sorry this week has been light on postings---events have occurred preventing my keyboard time--however, I have had a lot of reflection time---It is all good! :-)<br /><br />It is not hard to identify changes that we need to make in our lives. When we miss identifying some of the changes we need to make, others identify them for us--always with the right amount of tact. When changes are truly identified, plans are made to initiate steps in a new direction so the change happens, but what are we really willing to do? Willingness makes or breaks our plans for change.<br /><br />Willingness is a combination of either needing to or wanting to do something versus the fight with the inner voice that softly says <<<<just measure="" level="" willingness="" by="" number="" years="" put="" things="" off="" stopped="" doing="" for="" favorite="" i="" will="" do="" voluntary="" component="" stop="" because="" have="" wrapped="" arms="" around="" yet="" human="" don="" t="" own="" it="" when="" we="" something="" inside="" us="" does="" see="" value="" continuing="" with="" toward="" many="" barriers="" can="" quell="" motion="" in="" our="" fear="" lack="" of="" knowledge="" about="" change="" or="" the="" steps="" leading="" to="" and="" not=""><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">identifying and owning"</span> (must be together) the value of the change once competed. So let's put barriers in perspective---THEY EXIST! LOL O.K. now for the more subtle--Have you ever considered that the reason we are changing something has become a barrier in our life for some reason. I like to call barriers stepping stones of unfamiliarity. Becoming familiar with these stones makes them foundations to daily living.</just><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxzFbF7QNl89rQu0KTi4dHwTYs5K8BAE0FkKy2IZJAca1ePrup9eLe6ZzfM3wi3T7kbPYdxCGAkG2oqBBI6TU3VIjyGQKxwWOXjCX2vxIELTTPRj7O-qzeCnifzACL86z9ZQftV_LVyZI/s1600-h/bridge.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 104px; height: 89px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxzFbF7QNl89rQu0KTi4dHwTYs5K8BAE0FkKy2IZJAca1ePrup9eLe6ZzfM3wi3T7kbPYdxCGAkG2oqBBI6TU3VIjyGQKxwWOXjCX2vxIELTTPRj7O-qzeCnifzACL86z9ZQftV_LVyZI/s200/bridge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179879224350953922" border="0" /></a><just measure="" level="" willingness="" by="" number="" years="" put="" things="" off="" stopped="" doing="" for="" favorite="" i="" will="" do="" voluntary="" component="" stop="" because="" have="" wrapped="" arms="" around="" yet="" human="" don="" t="" own="" it="" when="" we="" something="" inside="" us="" does="" see="" value="" continuing="" with="" toward="" many="" barriers="" can="" quell="" motion="" in="" our="" fear="" lack="" of="" knowledge="" about="" change="" or="" the="" steps="" leading="" to="" and="" not=""> Becoming more familiar with something leads to a comfort level that allows us to feel safe and secure--thus we can or want to own it something safe and secure--now we have <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">identifying and owning</span> toge</just></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >ther. </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);"><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >When these two components are together, this builds our bridge to willingness.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Find the stepping stones of unfamiliarity in your life and stand on them for awhile--slowly and softly at first. Get to know them by observation, touch, feeling them, and exploring their components--then walk on them until you are comfortable. Knowing the stones that lead to the changes you want--increases familiarity and with increased familiarity comes increased willingness. Step out forward steppers--build some foundations toward change today.<br /><br />I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,<br />Jeff</span></span></span>Jeff Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936161664671003182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321078749772625078.post-49430212473868884822008-08-29T05:00:00.000-07:002008-08-29T05:00:00.260-07:00OFF ON FRIDAYI will be off on Friday, but will resume on Saturday.<br />JeffJeff Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936161664671003182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321078749772625078.post-51005249010161675202008-08-23T05:00:00.000-07:002008-12-12T14:15:58.385-08:00UNDER CONSTRUCTION<span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >“We tear things down then rebuild them stronger, we cut flowers and trees back and let them grow out again bigger, we encounter things that bring us dow</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizzE7ybcyZ9No929QuI6LW1AvdQWGr1pGPSYv3fdF01ruMTHpsI6KqZ2vAov1Q-MZcWLP2fL_cJHSyERTILAjx4Sj9Bn1gPDBzcrm45E7tPimH18gaMasX-RB1bcTC_YAD6_DLZbvkILQP/s1600-h/pruning+flowers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizzE7ybcyZ9No929QuI6LW1AvdQWGr1pGPSYv3fdF01ruMTHpsI6KqZ2vAov1Q-MZcWLP2fL_cJHSyERTILAjx4Sj9Bn1gPDBzcrm45E7tPimH18gaMasX-RB1bcTC_YAD6_DLZbvkILQP/s320/pruning+flowers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196620360362016370" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >n—everything rebuilt is stronger because we do learn from history.”</span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Jeff Johnson</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">May</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">2008</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p>The other day I was driving (SEE Wednesday’s BLOG) and noticed a sign ‘Under Construction.’</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">I noticed the sign previously and wondered what construction was being completed.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">The roadway area looked very nice and my first impression was the sign was left from a completed job.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Today, the sign was in a new place farther down the road.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">It just seems construction is never complete—there is always some<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jKu4XWOsuAdaO0SrmzYY36gluOt-f75pHBDple6m6mriRgqmGX1Z073c-rpp5_x27QSnARAlVYuIGXAmOYIc-RFTUNQuInE05PuCJw0R3AIq_aPaNsCUheLh3JvGGfqXAdKKPHgqA1g7/s1600-h/under+construction.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jKu4XWOsuAdaO0SrmzYY36gluOt-f75pHBDple6m6mriRgqmGX1Z073c-rpp5_x27QSnARAlVYuIGXAmOYIc-RFTUNQuInE05PuCJw0R3AIq_aPaNsCUheLh3JvGGfqXAdKKPHgqA1g7/s200/under+construction.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196621210765541010" border="0" /></a>thing to improve, areas to enlarge or shape, and issues about us we would like improved.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Our lives are the same-always under construction.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p>When we look at things that cause us concern—think I am under construction here—the fin<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OXGcYqjC_nagUGpBxYlcujqLq4Ntx6khiIzqB3TjH753OT0pfO-nqmBLIlwLsj6hOEjHOd6sab-LxA3eEo6Rd-GUIRtaF8aHThPyoCOv55EmTpuj3P0m28WwEq38xoBv0hmgWMyWGNcE/s1600-h/new+%26+improved.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OXGcYqjC_nagUGpBxYlcujqLq4Ntx6khiIzqB3TjH753OT0pfO-nqmBLIlwLsj6hOEjHOd6sab-LxA3eEo6Rd-GUIRtaF8aHThPyoCOv55EmTpuj3P0m28WwEq38xoBv0hmgWMyWGNcE/s200/new+%26+improved.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196620807038615170" border="0" /></a>ished product will be NEW and IMPROVED.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">When we have areas we are ‘not so proud of in our personality’ tell yourself, “I am under construction and will have a beautiful product when this construction project is complete.”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Do not be afraid to move the construction sign to another place in your life.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">STEP FORWARD to help in areas of strength and accept assistance in those areas under construction.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Everyone is under construction in some area of life—we love improvement.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">You are a FORWARD STEPPER for keeping the under construction signs busy and always looking for new things to re-build or build better.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p>I believe in you because, YOU ARE WORTH IT,</span></p> <span lang="ES-MX" style="font-size:130%;">Jeff</span>Jeff Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936161664671003182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321078749772625078.post-3716459350860991522008-08-21T09:07:00.000-07:002008-12-12T14:15:58.539-08:00DO NOT STOP ON GO<span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >“Stopping on 3</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvb4yJigYScwWnsurxonpaUXzeCx1jyMK5E4vf06_gbS34_15Knl9ip3HQ-6OrMzxWiClkQ1gkw4jTQO4uzMGcpod3e_s0G8N2QtDd2Or1rYagnI__QTbV1vRj9NXP_3vjG22qQFQTwVr/s1600-h/home+plate.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvb4yJigYScwWnsurxonpaUXzeCx1jyMK5E4vf06_gbS34_15Knl9ip3HQ-6OrMzxWiClkQ1gkw4jTQO4uzMGcpod3e_s0G8N2QtDd2Or1rYagnI__QTbV1vRj9NXP_3vjG22qQFQTwVr/s320/home+plate.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196622937342394018" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><sup style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">rd</sup></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" > base adds no more to the score than striking out.”</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">An anonymous client---May</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">2008</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p>Many of us have played the game Monopoly.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">We pass </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:130%;" >‘GO’</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> and collect $200, then proceed to give it to another player on the board on the next roll of the dice.—Oh, this is the way I play it LOL.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">No one stays on ‘GO’ forever because it does not pay again until we go around the board—we must move forward.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">The same concept applies to our lives.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Stopping during good times after a pay-off, or a big plus in our lives, or when concerns are under control is not what we do—we go for it again usually.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">When tough times come we sometimes stop short of getting to the good times again.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p>Looking back to review our path to present positions is healthy and should be part of our growth process.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Just stop long enough to catch a breath, find the appropriate assistance or encouragement to move forward again, and then be a FORWARD STEPPER.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Take the road to third base with the intent of scoring.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Look at the strike out like the Dodgers do—we have next year (I can’t believe I wrote that LOL).</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Take strike outs as a way to mark an area to improve and a place where we set a goal to learn how to score from this position next time. Stopping when things are bleak or we are down only lets us bask in this arena—bask in the sunshine of the new day a more positive place.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Savor the positive outcomes we encounter when moving forward. Find ways to score from many positions in life.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIE7h1ZIaVM_739HfSSVrgPknZVxMT2WFXihKNE-HqggQkpQ3mHR3yPtGOyQ_JWVHRfmIUyMhcrSXJlwz-fLd68ug4_-OTdmypWjxwWQA8hjDwU8efBRjTKUgOY0DlPlTlfZias2S2JByO/s1600-h/bat+swinging.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIE7h1ZIaVM_739HfSSVrgPknZVxMT2WFXihKNE-HqggQkpQ3mHR3yPtGOyQ_JWVHRfmIUyMhcrSXJlwz-fLd68ug4_-OTdmypWjxwWQA8hjDwU8efBRjTKUgOY0DlPlTlfZias2S2JByO/s200/bat+swinging.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196623422673698482" border="0" /></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p>Life will always give ups and downs.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">We will only know this if we are moving.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:130%;" >Use the attitude that the spirit of the next journey will bring us forward to a better place. We may have rough roads ahead of us, but smooth roads are just around the corner.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"> </span> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Complete the last leg of either a good journey or one that is heading to a better journey for us.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Find a way to reap rewards and look at the positive in everything.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">YOU ARE A FORWARD STEPPER!</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p>I believe in you because, YOU ARE WORTH IT,</span></p> <span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Jeff<br />PS: I am off on Friday to spend it with my family--SEE Ya Saturday!<br /></span>Jeff Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936161664671003182noreply@blogger.com0