DAY AFTER MOTHERS DAY

Today is the day AFTER mother’s day. Many of us spent the day with our mothers, or out with family. I am leaving this day blank so we may read Sunday’s BLOG today.

I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,

Jeff

MOTHERS: ELEMENTS OF LOVE

“When we speak of a love received from our spouse, children, or sentimental things in our life, nothing surpasses the feeling generated by what we received from a mother’s love.” Jeff Johnson May 2008

On Mothers Day many of us have mixed emotions. Some of us have mothers who have passed on, some may have mothers where strained relationships exist, many of us have mothers we love and cherish (I can raise my hand here), and some of us have ‘mothers’ without blood ties. When we mention a mother’s love, the majority of us understand how special this love is compared to any other type of love. This special love, given to us by JESUS, has distinct elements which can give us a lesson on love during this mother’s day.

The first element of a mother’s love is it is full of comfort and compassion. GOD offers an explanation this element in Isaiah 66: 13, “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.” Compassion is the intrinsic ability to have a sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it. A mother to has a 6^th sense about her children and the ability to find just the right words, to touch and comfort perfectly, and a genuine way to allow us to feel loved deeply is part of a mothers love. The devotion mothers have towards their children is the same devotion Jesus has for us. HE is there waiting to comfort us, to alleviate our pain and sorrow, and to provide relief from distress. Without asking, Jesus, like a mother, knows when HIS children are in need of HIS care and comfort.

The second element is a mother’s love transcends all boundaries. To transcend is to rise above or go beyond the limits of something and to triumph over the negative or restrictive aspects. It also means to go above and beyond a normal call of duty rising above and extending notably beyond ordinary limits. Having a mothers love in your life is very important; so important GOD provided ‘like’ mothers to be in our lives. In Romans 16^: 13, we read, “Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too." In Matthew 12: 50, JESUS taught, ⁵⁰"For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." My belief is Jesus knew some issues would exist whereby biological mothers (and other family members too) would not be available in our lives, thus HE provided a mothers love to transcend through other people.

The third and last element I will cover is a mother passes her faith to her children so even eternal life is provided as a choice through example. We read in 2 Timothy 1: 5, “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” Today, churches are filled with mothers in over whelming numbers praying for their children.

Today is a day when we can see an example of how Jesus cared for HIS mother and copy it. Near death he spoke these words recorded in John 19 :26, When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," ²⁷and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.”

Care to our mothers and widows are a responsibility we all share. Take heed and expand the elements of a mothers love in your life. Be a FORWARD STEPPER into a new depth of love and service. HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!

I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,
Jeff

HONEY HANDLERS

“We wince at criticism against us when we have done our best and fall short, we hope for understanding when we try something new and fail, but we enjoy smile after smile when we do all of these things and get a positive response.”

Jeff Johnson May 2008

The other day I was in a restaurant and the server told me it was her first day when she could not answer a question and had to ask someone for the correct answer. She apologized for being a little slow on the service, and she told us she was trying as hard as she could and asked us if we would come back again as she forgot to bring the bill. I handed her an extra $2.00 over my cursory 20% tip. I told her, “I was a server while I was in college, I had my first day too—do not be discouraged as someone gave me an extra $2.00 on a day that seemed to be hard—so I am passing it on to you to expect a better day and enjoy praise for your learning.” The smile she gave was worth 10 times the amount I gave her. All I was doing was passing along a ‘good’ deed modeled to me when I did not deserve it or earn it. Honey was given to me instead of vinegar so I learned how to give honey back.

Many of us have been in positions where we fell short of our own expectations or just messed up royally. No one needed to bang us on the head, shout at us, or condemn the performance. Typically, our own self-condemnation far exceeds that of others. We have choices to make each time we see something that falls less than our standard. We can give honey or chastise.

If you have ever had honey on your hands it does not come off easily—unless you lick it—which is my first choice. This solution is not to say we should ignore things that fall short of expectations, but just like honey sticks to us, we should handle everything carefully knowing how we would feel if we had honey on our hands instead of something sour when we messed up. Hand out some kind words today to those things we see that are good and at a high standard, and too those things that are less than our standards. If we had our hands in honey all day we would both smile and have a good taste in our mouth. All honey handlers are FORWARD STEPPERS.

I believe in you because, YOU ARE WORTH IT,
Jeff

PS I will be off on Friday, but will have a Saturday BLOG. Be sure to read Sunday’s Inspirational BLOG.

NEW LANGUAGE

“Understanding each other is just as hard as understanding ourselves—we just don’t see I2I.” Jeff Johnson May 2008

?:-), %:-s, *^.^* HCIT , RWF2T

Baffled; dizzy, embarrassed, How cool is that?, Are we free to talk?

In this day and age of cell phones, Blue Tooth, and Text Messaging, our communication styles have been altered. Many people text message as part of their everyday communication routine. Some cell phone analyst cite over 8 billion text messages are sent each month in the U.S. and 89 billion text messages are sent each month world wide. I think my brother and my daughter contribute to the U.S. number in dramatic fashion. Whereby for me, I have been a late bloomer—using hands free the majority of the time. However, recently I joined the list of text users by adding this dimension to my phone service options. The purpose of this BLOG is not to tout the pros and cons of text messaging, but how we communicate with ourselves.

Text messaging has a language of its own. A separate code for sequencing words and phrases with characters or symbols—short cuts so-to-speak. We can learn a lot from text vocabulary. By reviewing the opening example we read closely the symbol and match it to the word—kind of like trying to figure out license plate messages while tailgating :-D (Laughter). The beauty of text messages is this makes us slow down and really focus on what we are saying, how we say it, and we study the meaning in a real way. How many times do we do this to our own emotions?

Taking a close look at how many negative messages we send ourselves can be scary. We say, I don’t do it right, or It will never be for me, things like that are for someone else etc. Take a look at those subtle little messages that are short and to the point. Consider a more positive approach to the same negative comment. Text messaging vocabulary is a new language, learn a new life language for yourself. Place a positive symbol next to it to remind yourself of this change in direction. YOU ARE A FORWARD STEPPER.

I believe in you because, YOU ARE WORTH IT,

Jeff

GA HVA G8T LF ( Go ahead have a great life).12x--->----@ (1 dozen roses)

DO NOT STOP ON GO

“Stopping on 3^rd base adds no more to the score than striking out.”

An anonymous client---May 2008

Many of us have played the game Monopoly. We pass ‘GO’ 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. No one stays on ‘GO’ forever because it does not pay again until we go around the board—we must move forward. The same concept applies to our lives. 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. When tough times come we sometimes stop short of getting to the good times again.

Looking back to review our path to present positions is healthy and should be part of our growth process. Just stop long enough to catch a breath, find the appropriate assistance or encouragement to move forward again, and then be a FORWARD STEPPER. Take the road to third base with the intent of scoring. Look at the strike out like the Dodgers do—we have next year (I can’t believe I wrote that LOL). 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. Savor the positive outcomes we encounter when moving forward. Find ways to score from many positions in life.

Life will always give ups and downs. We will only know this if we are moving. 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. Complete the last leg of either a good journey or one that is heading to a better journey for us. Find a way to reap rewards and look at the positive in everything. YOU ARE A FORWARD STEPPER!

I believe in you because, YOU ARE WORTH IT,

Jeff

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

“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 down—everything rebuilt is stronger because we do learn from history.”

Jeff Johnson May 2008

The other day I was driving (SEE Wednesday’s BLOG) and noticed a sign ‘Under Construction.’ I noticed the sign previously and wondered what construction was being completed. The roadway area looked very nice and my first impression was the sign was left from a completed job. Today, the sign was in a new place farther down the road. It just seems construction is never complete—there is always something to improve, areas to enlarge or shape, and issues about us we would like improved. Our lives are the same-always under construction.

When we look at things that cause us concern—think I am under construction here—the finished product will be NEW and IMPROVED. 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.” Do not be afraid to move the construction sign to another place in your life. STEP FORWARD to help in areas of strength and accept assistance in those areas under construction. Everyone is under construction in some area of life—we love improvement. You are a FORWARD STEPPER for keeping the under construction signs busy and always looking for new things to re-build or build better.

I believe in you because, YOU ARE WORTH IT,

Jeff

VIVA! el CINCO DE MAYO!!

ABUNDANCE

"Filling our lives with things does not fix a thing. Having our daily needs met provides the best comfort"

Jeff Johnson May 2008

If we look at the definition of the word abundance in the Webster dictionary we see it described as, “an ample quantity, a relative degree of plentifulness.” The word abundance leads us to search the word wealth which is defined as, “abundance of valuable material possessions or resources.” Our mindset is to have plenty, a little extra stored away for a rainy day, or a storm in some cases, and to be wealthy—well we each have a mental and physical definition of rich. The definitions on abundance from Webster limit who can claim ‘ample quantity, which of us can be rich with material resources, and pushes the edge of the envelope to constantly and consistently achieve satisfaction. In fact, we are faced with a certain failure if we do not meet the standards.

Let us look closer at another definition and application of abundance. In Matthew 6: 11 Jesus says, “Give us today our daily bread.” We have abundance if we have today’s needs met. There is wealth if we have enough for today. We have all we need if we are in a position to keep our EYES on HIM for ALL things. The key to abundance is our ability to depend on HIM to MEET all of our NEEDS since HE knows them before we ask. The greatest wealth is to be satisfied with only our daily bread. Jesus will supply all of our needs in abundance.

I believe in you because, YOU ARE WORTH IT,

Jeff

POWER FULL THOUGHTS

Knowing how high you can go

allows you to raise the bar-----again.

Focus on how many times you raise the bar,

not on how many times you try to clear it.

Prepare to jump again.

I believe in you because, YOU ARE WORTH IT,

Jeff

PS: I will be off Saturday, but please read Sunday's inspirational BLOG: "Abundance"

JOY

"We can feel happiness from the heart and from our heads. But JOY only comes from the heart."
Jeff Johnson April 2008

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 my joy.

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.

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.

I believe in you because, YOU ARE WORTH IT,
Jeff
PS--Sweetheart, I love the ring tones you downloaded on my phone--I am now TIGHT!!!

ENJOYMENT

"1.Wake up; 2. Go to work; 3. Pay bills; 3A. Most bills anyway; 4. Go to sleep; 5. Repeat as necessary---Enjoyment by the numbers."

Jeff Johnson April 2008

If you are not enjoying yourself at all, you will quickly lose motivation, slack off, stop caring about your goals, and ultimately abandon your journey toward success. If you are not enjoying yourself, it does not mean you need to switch goals. Perhaps you need to look for the fun in your tasks, think of what new skills you can learn in the process of completing your task. James Dean once said, "Dream as if you'll live forever, and live as if you'll die today." Do you take time to pursue your passions or are you a slave to the daily grind? Many of us call it habit, or necessity, or just life.

If you are continually demonstrating negative or pessimistic attitudes, even if you think it is a way to remain realistic, you will drain yourself of energy, which could potentially lead to losing motivation and giving up. Instead practice positive thinking and maintaining the kind of attitude that you know successful people need to succeed. Envision yourself reaching goals, even if they are only for the end of the day. As Henry Ford once said, “If you think you can or think you can not—you are probably right.” A positive attitude almost always breeds positive results, but a negative attitude will do just the opposite. Happy thoughts breed happy people—even in the face of adversity.

For the next week let’s take one positive thought and think about it all day long. The next day add one to the first one; now continue to think about both of them. Keep this up until the end of the week and see if you do not feel better. We can STEP IT UP FORWARD STEPPERS.

I believe in you because, YOU ARE WORTH IT,

Jeff

BELONGING TO SOMETHING

"Looking at both sides of the coin makes us question which one to pick--but how often do we wish we had chosen the other side once we commit to heads or tails--is this what belonging looks like?" Jeff Johnson April 2008

Seeking is a term that is used in various circles to describe someone who is looking around, trying to decide, or just visiting. Everyone is a seeker in something. It could be a career move, a new location to live, a church to join, a religion, or a GOD to trust. Seeking periods are both healthy and necessary, however, commitments to joining must be the end result of seeking. Joining something is the first step in belonging. Let's look at some modern day examples of belonging.In 1981, when the decapitated head of his abducted 6-year-old son Adam was discovered, John Walsh pledged to turn his grief into action. More than two decades later, Walsh is a well-known victims' rights advocate and host of the long-running TV show "America's Most Wanted." "America's Most Wanted," is a television show that has aided law enforcement in the capture of more than 1000 fugitives around the world. It's the fifth longest-running show in television history. Walsh said recently, "I didn't want to be on television ... didn't want to hunt men down, but you know what, as my wife always said to me, 'Let's make sure Adam didn't die in vain,' "
In 1980 Candy Lightner’s 13-year-old daughter Cari was killed by a drunken hit-and-run driver as she walked down a suburban street in California. The 4 time convicted drunk driver received a 2 year sentence served in a work camp for this murder. Candy Lightner responded, "I promised myself on the day of Cari’s death that I would fight to make this needless homicide count for something positive in the years ahead." Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) soon grew into a nationwide organization with almost two million members and supporters and with more than 600 affiliates in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Great Britain. Since MADD was founded, traffic deaths have dropped by 44 percent and helped save over 300,000 lives, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. These stories and your favorite stories bring home Matt 6:21 which says simply, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Can you see the heart in these organizations founders? If you were asked does John Walsh belong to catching criminals? or does Candy Lightner belong to stopping drunk drivers ? The answers are unquestionable. This is what belonging looks like. In 1John 2:19, he writes, "They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us."
When we look at the Bible Rev 3:15-16 15 tells us, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth." Everyone wants to be accepted. Many of us struggle with wanting to join something, but fearing rejection we hesitate--sometimes for 30-40 years. Jesus has died for you, in whatever sin, in whatever lifestyle, in whatever----PERIOD. Jesus will not reject your request to forgive ALL sin, accept YOU completely and absolutely if repentance is true. This makes joining to HIM easy. The understanding that Jesus died for YOU, gives reason greater than John Walsh's story and Candy Lightner's examples go from joining to belonging. The question now is do I belong to something? Is there a 'standout' part of my life that could give an unquestionable 'YES' I belong? Jesus made a belonging statement on the cross by dying for YOU and I and RISING FROM DEATH so that we may live forever. Be a FORWARD STEPPER from joining Jesus to belonging to Jesus.

I believe in you because, YOU ARE WORTH IT,
jeff
PS If you enjoy the daily motivational BLOG's and the SUNDAY Inspirational BLOG tell your friends, e-mail them, and spread the word--THANK YOU.

TIMING

“Right times are filled with millions of times looking for it.”
Jeff Johnson April 2008

Trying to fit things in—squeeze schedules, negotiate priorities in our heads—when do we have time to just do what we really need to do? Our time is precious, there is never enough of it, and what needs to be done now should have been completed yesterday---I think, or was it due the week before? Time---what would we do without it—and what would we do with more of it? We can control it, we do own it, we do accept almost everything we put into it, and yes there is more of it than we think.

The problem is not with the amount of time we have, but in our comfort level with rest. Try this test—stay BOTH still and quiet—eyes closed for five minutes. Look at your watch and note the time and second hand----close your eyes. Next, open your eyes when you think it feels like five minutes are up OR when you can not stand it anymore. Note the time spent in still and quiet. Do you feel guilty or relaxed or both? Many times we feel guilty with idle time—unless we have to much of it.

Everyday we should have a quiet time, and alone time to reflect. Squished time and crowded schedules does not allow for the balance in life necessary to enjoy who we are and what we are doing for ourselves. We all have the time to rest—because the test proved it! Life is beautiful; rest is wonderful, taking a ‘breather’ is necessary to enjoy the busy. Think of the last five minutes—repeat daily—feel better—take time to enjoy life—to enjoy being free—FORWARD STEPPERS—STEP into relaxation.

I believe in you because, YOU ARE WORTH IT,

Jeff

PS READ MY SUNDAY BLOG, ' Belonging To Something.'

BLOCKS

“Blocks, we can either walk on them to where we want to go, or see our shadow grow on them.” Jeff Johnson April 2008

Fill in the blanks _____________BLOCKS, or ___________BLOCKS. We can put “building” blocks or “stumbling” blocks as answers. Each answer has a protocol for dealing with those things that block our progress. However, each answer is right, each answer is appropriate; each answer has a place for us to grow forward. YES, GROW FORWARD.

When we are on a growth path and something gets in our way or slows us down we must make a choice. We can either use them as motivators to say, ‘nothing is going to stop me now,’ and climb over them or we can use them as deterrents to stymie our progress. The reason both answers listed above are correct is if the blocks are motivators then this is correct, but if we are stopped, then maybe it is a time to check our energy level and re-charge. The problem is not in being stopped, having problems, being discouraged, or even changing plans, but in the re-starting. It is only a problem if we do not begin again.

When we stop, evaluate why we stopped and most important when are we going to start again. We should NEVER quit, just rest for a bigger growth period when we start again. Look to the brighter side of beginning again, measure successes accomplished and savor them. We all have growth—even little steps allow us to cross a room—look at all the ways you are a FORWARD STEPPER and a GROWTH PATH MAKER. March on!

I believe in you because, YOU ARE WORTH IT,

Jeff

I am off on Friday, but will have a Saturday BLOG. Please read Sunday’s BLOG—‘BELONGING TO SOMETHING.’

LABELS

“We tear labels off our clothes in some cases and we ‘forget’ to tear them off our clothes at other times, if only we could shed them or display them about ourselves as easily.”

Jeff Johnson April 2008

Labels stick to us and either controls us by how we wear them or we control them by how we shed them—either way, they define us. When we hear certain names in public, even if it is not about us directly, it causes ire, happiness, or mixed emotions. We can be called Republicans, Democrats, Communist or you name the political party name and a certain emotion is stirred. If we are called pretty, young looking when we are---well--- not young (I’m not going there), or told we have a nice build when---well---we ---you get the point—a certain emotion is stimulated. Even when it is not exactly true we have the emotion. Recently, someone asked me how much I weighed—O.K. it was my doctor. I told him and he told me the truth—it hurt. Later in the day I met some friends for dinner and they told me I looked real nice and it looked as if I had lost weight (NOT TRUE). I experienced two separate emotions with the same comment.
So, let’s look at how labels control our life---Yes, I still ordered chocolate cake! See, this label is still controlling my life and defining me—because I don’t LOVE chocolate.

Some labels have very hard lessons associated with them. I am not discussing these today. I am looking at the labels that stop us from reaching our full potential. Some examples are, “You are not __________, “ or “_________,” or you need/should be like_________! Get the picture—my bet is you are like me—I filled in all the blanks and my mind was still saying, ‘Hey, you missed one ______! The words that fill these blanks are stumbling stones. I use the word stone because blocks are to—well the label makes them feel hard to step over. The labels are actually made to allow us to step higher, see farther, and become stronger—WE ARE FORWARD STEPPERS.

Take the labels that are causing the most harm in fulfilling our full potential. Change the way we look at them from negative in my case, ‘Jeff, you are heavy for your height,’ which made me feel bad, but I am on my way down, this is just the place where I am today—wait until tomorrow. When we hear those labels—cut them off in our head and think I am stepping on them to raise myself up, to make myself stronger, this is just a temporary holding spot and watch me move forward. All of the labels I have cut off now make the stones I am walking on feel softer. The labels that stick to me---allow me to enjoy chocolate---not really! STEP FORWARD----FORWARD STEPPERS—

I believe in you because, YOU ARE WORTH IT,

Jeff

SEEKING & FINDING

"In order to seek we must find first—power through the spirit of GOD."
Jeff Johnson April 2008

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☺, while everyone else in the group hides. The object is to find everyone and tag them 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.

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.

"For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. " LUKE 11:10

The scriptures show us in Matt 6:33 “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you.” Mark adds, “The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." 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, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power.” So, how much power can the spirit give us? We learn this in Judges, “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.” 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.

Here are the rules of seeking and finding: The first thing is to find GOD’s spirit with all of HIS power to then immediately seek HIS kingdom in (RIGHT) and (WISDOM) which is righteousness. By doing this we take our eyes off what we are seeking and concentrate on the ‘safe place’ in a powerful manner. “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.” ACTS 17:27 The next thing is within the power of GOD’s spirit, we need to knock as if we want the door open so we 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 to HIM to eat with HIM. The last step is knowing that GOD’s spirit can and will allow us to ‘find’ gives us a powerful hope. “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” 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.

In the adult 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.

I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,
Jeff

SEEKING & FINDING

"In order to seek we must find first—power through the spirit of GOD."
Jeff Johnson April 2008

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☺, while everyone else in the group hides. The object is to find everyone and tag them 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.

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.

"For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. " LUKE 11:10

The scriptures show us in Matt 6:33 “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you.” Mark adds, “The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." 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, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power.” So, how much power can the spirit give us? We learn this in Judges, “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.” 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.

Here are the rules of seeking and finding: The first thing is to find GOD’s spirit with all of HIS power to then immediately seek HIS kingdom in (RIGHT) and (WISDOM) which is righteousness. By doing this we take our eyes off what we are seeking and concentrate on the ‘safe place’ in a powerful manner. “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.” ACTS 17:27 The next thing is within the power of GOD’s spirit, we need to knock as if we want the door open so we 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 to HIM to eat with HIM. The last step is knowing that GOD’s spirit can and will allow us to ‘find’ gives us a powerful hope. “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” 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.

In the adult 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.

I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,
Jeff

A ROAD TO PEACE

"There are many roads to peace. Peace be with you, peace be within you, peace be your desire........shhhhh........... peace comes in silence. "

Jeff Johnson April 2008

It is quiet in the night. Only the moon light fills the room casting shadows.
I can feel my body relax—silence fills the room. I allow it to cover me.
My arms are limp, my hands are relaxed, my feet and legs are still—I close my eyes.
Touching the covers I can feel the threads inside my fingers.
Thoughts leave slowly, my mind is slowing down.
I am not trying to sleep I am searching for an inner contentment; serenity; a state of tranquility.
Serene; away from quarrels and disagreement, absent of deadlines, removed from cell phones, my mind is almost empty—I am searching for a safe place.
No strife, no conflict, harmony within myself—removing myself from mental involvement---totally relaxed.

Peace.

Try to spend some time here—see how you feel in the AM. Best served with sweet dreams .

I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,

Jeff

PS—I am off on Friday, but I will have a Saturday blog.
Sunday’s Topic: Seeking & Finding--CHECK IT OUT

GROWING PAINS?

“Growing, regenerating, becoming new again, reviving, refreshing, all words that make you smile and feel good inside. Come join me as we do them all.”

Jeff Johnson April 2008

The only way you can have growing pains is to offer resistance—or exercise. I hope my doctor doesn’t read this sentence. To many times we feel a need to grow, or expand (not our waistline) but emotionally, internally, spiritually, or professionally. Soon the search is on to fill this need in our life. There needs that are not being fulfilled, something is amiss, or maybe we just need a change. All of these emotions are natural and healthy. But sometimes we don’t have the desire to change; in fact, change scares us or causes emotions that are hard to predict. Some of us have become ‘stuck’ in a rut and the hole is becoming bigger. There is hope for both cases.

RENEW YOUR SELF!! Yes, ‘make yourself new, restore yourself, reaffirm what it is or was that brought you to the point in life whereby you were happy to be there. Take time to REALLY sort this out inside. Sometimes, many more times than we can count, we need to stop and figure out just how fast we are moving. Recharging takes time, it takes a planned opportunity to focus on us—no one else. Think of what it would take to build a small house out of wooden matches. It takes this much focus to change direction and restore the physical and or mental vigor desired. The end result of taking a time out is we can start over, we can become new again, and we can bring into being again, and resume those behaviors when we were once happy.

Step up FORWARD STEPPERS; find that cause to reappear in new form, replenish yourself, repeat those old familiar steps that were once full of life and desire—they are there, list them, walk them again and again, and start over-- regenerate. We can fill our new needs, we can satisfy our yearnings, and just the thought excites us. Instituo-ui-utum reparo—“begin now to renew.”

I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,

Jeff