SOLUTIONS

"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.
Jeff Johnson--March 2008.


Things in our life, professional and personal will go wrong. Murphy'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.

Everyone must believe in something--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 solution 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.

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

COURAGE

“In the Wizard of Oz, 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.” Jeff Johnson May 2008

“Courage! What makes a King out of a slave? Courage! What makes the flag on the mast to wave? Courage! What makes the elephant charge his tusk, in the misty mist or the dusky dusk? What makes the muskrat guard his musk? Courage! What makes the sphinx the seventh wonder? Courage! What makes the dawn come up like thunder? Courage! What makes the Hottentot so hot? What puts the "ape" in apricot? What have they got that I ain't got? Courage!”
The Wizard of Oz (1939) “Courage”

Courage is the inner strength and will to meet the demands facing us. The moral standard to meet challenges face up and head strong, but most importantly, to look ourselves in the mirror each day and say, “I was able to sustain the good fight today and if not victory today then tomorrow.” Courage gives us a firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty when it is us versus _______. With this core value, we utilize our mental and moral strength to resist opposition, danger, or hardship without hesitation. We are taking a leadership role towards the task at hand with the mindset of charging towards victory.

Courage is an action looking to not cave in when things become difficult. Many times it is raising the standard of performance during the crisis showing a firm and resilient determination to achieve our goals and overcome adversity. This is not an attempt to admit defeat but to never give up. 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.” We all have courage, the Lion in the Wizard was wrong when he asked—“ What have they got that I ain't got?” Well we all have it—Courage. Stand true to yourself.

I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,
Jeff

WELCOME BACK

"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. " Jeff Johnson June 2008

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. 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. Maybe the door to our pathway would appear more inviting than the one we prepare now.

BE A FORWARD STEPPER and make the welcome mat to victory more acceptable to us instead of something we steer clear. Pave a way to victory, plant the seed to succeed, and march forward to a smile from victory lane.

I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,
Jeff

SAFETY NET

“Understanding there is a safety net to protect us should end some fears right away”

Jeff Johnson April 2008

IN STICKING WITH MY PROMISE TO GOD, SUNDAY’S BLOG IS DEDICATED TO HONOR HIM AND WORSHIP HIM WHO CREATED ME.

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. When we do new things for the first time or adjust to new changes, and even become sick, we have fear. So, how can we manage our fears? Many of us have an inner strength we call GOD that comforts us. 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. Gaps on this point need a bridge, so how does it work if there is belief and yet fear still exists? 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? We must now change our views to look at how GOD challenges fears in our life.

GOD can heal everything without exception—even today in 2008. I find it very interesting that HE has not ‘removed’ fear, but he pointed us—again—to HIM through rescue from the life event. In Exodus 3:11 Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"12 And God said, "I will be with you.” GOD is providing this relief of fear through RESCUE. Look at the prophet Jeremiah 1:6 "Ah, Sovereign LORD, I do not know how to speak; I am only a child." 8 GOD said, “Do not be afraid …, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD. In Isaiah 41:10 we read, “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.” In each one of these instances, a designed plan was presented to Moses, Jeremiah, and Isaiah, as each one expressed in a kind way—REMOVE THE FEAR! However, GOD responded by saying I will rescue you by: supporting you, strengthening your weaknesses, and helping you—ALL forms of rescue.

We all have gifts to use for GOD’s glory and service. Many life circumstances cause us to fear. We fear moving forward, we fear rejection, we fear things that are new, and you can add your own fears here. GOD will rescue you by just turning to HIM. Rest in the loving arms that want to strengthen, comfort, heal, and yes---rescue you. Step up FORWARD STEPPERS into the life GOD has for you—by preparing to be rescued instead of stifled inside of fear.

I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,

Jeff

LOOKING AT CHALLENGES

“Many times we are defeated inside our own heads before we even get started.”

Jeff Johnson March 2008

The story is not original when we speak of the 90 pound weakling getting sand kicked in his face from the beach bully. The 90 pound weakling starts a super conditioning program (all without steroids of course) and becomes this super strong man. Then the showdown with the beach bully is immanent. The once picked on 90 pound weakling approaches the bully and draws a line in the sand daring him to cross it—a challenge is created.

Life brings us challenges. Not all challenges are bad, some are positive, but require us to push beyond reasonable limits. But to often we draw headlines—the same lines that are carved in the sand only mentally 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 headlines our human nature 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.

We are wired by millions of years of evolution in development to overcome challenges. In the face of death, in the heart of war, through the most perilous times imaginable---we are designed to OVERCOME! Looking at challenges causes us to place a value on our inner and outer strengths as WE perceive them in a given moment. However, The most significant factors in overcoming challenges are identifying the 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?

Life has presented us challenges in the past and we have defeated them. Our previous experiences with success are tools to use to sharpen the weapons we need now. 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.

I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,

Jeff

DESIRE

"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, something we want, something we reach for in our hearts, our minds, and our dreams. All dreams start with desire--start yours today."
Jeff Johnson March 2008

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.

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.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 desire 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.
Vita Abundans Semper--Life Abundant Always.

I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,
Jeff

MERRY-GO-ROUND

"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 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."
Jeff Johnson March 2008

"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 stay crazy may be the better question.
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?


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 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.

So, do we really want to stay 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.

I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,
Jeff

PATHWAYS

“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? What did Jesus mean when he said, “Go and do likewise?””

Jeff Johnson April 2008

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 known that the Jews believed the Samaritans were not pure from a religious viewpoint.
LUKE 10:
³⁰In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. ³¹A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. ³²So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. ³⁴He 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 and took care of him. ³⁵The next day he took out two silver coins^[a] 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.' ³⁶"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" ³⁷The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

This story has been told a million times. Sometimes the story brings up conjectures of prejudice, but I have a different slant. I want to look at what it took to walk by this man. Remember, this was not an age of 70 MPH freeway driving. 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.’ Let’s look at the lesson here.

During this period in time the body was covered completely from head to ankle. Here is a man who is stripped naked—I am not sure anyone could ignore this. Maybe on some California beaches today we would ignore it, but not then. The man was beaten half to death. 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. Being broken and bleeding one could infer a lot of pain, moaning and groaning, with sounds that could be heard at a distance. 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. 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. 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?” 2) How much would a person’s heart weigh after walking away from this situation? 3) When would the cries for help, the moans, the look of terror or blood and dirt caked skin leave the thoughts of anyone? So, let’s 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. We surely could not use today’s excuse of, ‘I am in a hurry.’ So what is the point here! We all have a purpose in life; we just need to learn how to grow into helpers.

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. What if someone would have tossed the wounded man a blanket? 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? The person with the donkey was a ‘full fledged helper,’ but the ‘helper growers’ could offer relief through their level of comfort. Jesus command of, “Go and do likewise,” is easier said than done with most of us. But, what if today we said, “Jesus, I am going to be a ‘helper grower’ and take a FORWARD STEP toward filling this command. I will do a little on my path today to help someone in need. Here are some steps to becoming a ‘helper grower:’ 1) Take a look at your heart, feel the weight of a person that you have walked away from just because…2) Think about your level of comfort in giving to this person, 3) Thank Jesus for allowing you to have the capacity to give ANYTHING to someone in need. 4) Now do it. You are now an official ‘helper grower!’ I have always wondered if the Samaritan had a ‘been there done that’ experience and that was his path of ‘helper growing?’ Maybe you are an Inn 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.’ We have the pathway.

I believe in you BECAUSE YOU ARE WORTH IT,

Jeff

KIDS SPEAK ON MARRIAGE???

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!

How do you decide who to marry? (written by kids)
(1) You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you

like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she
should keep the chips and dip coming.
- Alan, age 10
(2) No person really decides before they grow up who they're going
to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out
later who you're stuck with.
- Kristen, age 10
WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?
(1) Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person
FOREVER by then.
- Camille, age 10
(2) No age is good to get married at. You got to be a fool to get
married.
- Freddie, age 6 (very wise for his age)
HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
(1) You might have to guess, based on whether
they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
- Derrick, age 8
WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MUM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
(1) Both don't want any more kids.
- Lori, age 8
WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?
(1) Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to
know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long
enough.
- Lynnette, age 8 (isn't she a treasure)
(2) On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that
usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.
- Martin, age 10 (who says boys do not have brains)
WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE THAT WAS TURNING SOUR?
(1) I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the
newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.
-Craig, age 9
WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
(1) When they're rich- Pam, age 7
(2) The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to
mess with that.
- Curt, age 7 (good point)
(3) The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should
marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do.
- Howard, age 8
IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?
(1) It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need
someone to clean up after them.
- Anita, age 9 (bless you child)
HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?
(1) There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?
- Kelvin, age 8
HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?
(1) Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a
truck.
- Ricky, age 10

THREE MEALS

"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." Jeff Johnson March 2008

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.
The first meal--the last supper in the upper room. Luke 22: 19"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." 20In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." 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 "Do this in remembrance of me"--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.

The second meal is with Thomas. John 20: 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, 27"Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."28Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"29Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." 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, "In remembrance of me," but in which direction are we going with Jesus as we remember? Both Thomas and Judas had purpose in their direction--do you or I have purpose in our direction with Jesus?

The third meal is found in Revelations 3:
20"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."
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! I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT, Jeff

WILLINGNESS

"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. "
Jeff Johnson March 2008

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! :-)

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.

Willingness is a combination of either needing to or wanting to do something versus the fight with the inner voice that softly says <<<identifying and owning" (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. 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 identifying and owning together. When these two components are together, this builds our bridge to willingness.

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.

I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,
Jeff