Cross

The cross is not just a place where a man went to die.  It is an everlasting reminder of what should have become of us.  It is a reminder of when God stepped out of eternity and into time.  He wrapped himself in human flesh and became a living sacrifice.  Such a courageous and majestic act that displays God's goodness and his compassion.  An expression of his love for all of us, even though we turn away from him because it is easier to conform than it is to transform.  We have selective memory, in that we only remember God when its convenient.  When we look at the cross we should feel hope, we should feel peace, but most importantly we should feel a strong sense of love that empowers us to not only turn from evil, but to flee from it.

Jesus Christ shed his blood to atone for our shortcomings, and forever solidified that we have salvation.  I think that is worthy of seeking a relationship with God.  Don't you?

Love you guys,

Mr. Johnson

Blessings

Sometimes, I sit around and just dwell on negative things. I fall victim to my thoughts as they consume me, and suffocate me. When doubt sets in, I easily lose sight of the things that I have truly been blessed with. It took me 25 years on this earth to figure it out, but I finally understand that everything does happen for a reason. God has used and will continue to use the things that I went through early in life as sandpaper to polish and complete me. I realize that the struggles haven't gone unseen by God, and that he had his hand on my life, guiding me where I need to be. I just turned my back on him. God is so good, and gracious to never give up on us.

I started a new job recently at a homeless shelter/rehabilitation center. When I first heard about the job, I figured it would be some easy money for the summer and then I could quit and finish what I hope to be my last year of school. God had a different plan. I have only been working here for a couple of weeks, but this place is affecting me. It is very humbling and rewarding to see some people that have not been afforded the same opportunities as some of us, or that have suffered great loss and misfortune trying to change their lives. I feel like it was yesterday that I was in the same situation, but my pride wouldn't let me seek out help like some of these people. And because I know the feeling, I am grateful for everything that I have in my life. My troubles started with a rocky relationship with my mother, and that caused a chain reaction of bad things for me. I have had some friends take my kindness for weakness, and have experienced a lot of things in this world. I used to sit around and dwell on these things, but the only thing that gets me, is depressed. Then I started looking deeper into things, and start to find meaning in life and realize that God has been building me for something big. Everyday I am able to create new relationships that provide me with a chance to share what God has done in my life, as well as love on people who truly need it. Just by smiling, remaining upbeat, and treating people politely despite their appearance or attitude towards life, I raise the spirits of people all around me. And that is a gift from God. Since coming to Christ and acknowledging his role in my life, I have been blessed with a wonderful relationship with my mother now, and I have everything that I need. I have a big place reserved in my heart for the less fortunate. That is probably a large part of why I want to adopt a child. To remove a child from what could be a miserable adolescence and present them with the opportunity to grow up with parents who love them unconditionally. To give direction in a way that I wish I had been directed. That is something worth living for. This job is opening my eyes and has reiterated to me that a simple gesture of kindness can go along way.

I am very grateful to have friends that have kept me afloat through all of the troublesome times, and new friends that tolerate me, as I continue to grow from who I was, to who I am, to who I will ultimately be.

With love,

Mr. Johnson

P.S- Always remember: Write your sorrows in sand, and your blessings in stone.

Forgiveness

Forgiveness. The concept seems simple, and you would think that it would be easier to grasp and accept. I know that we are forgiven so that we can forgive. However, sometimes the idea of forgiveness escapes me. I look back on my life and I see the things that I have done to people, and I know that there are people who have forgiven me for some of those things. Its just not something that I am capable of and I don't understand why. When I read my bible, I see examples of people who did some despicable things, and were still used by the Lord to accomplish great things. People who have done far worse than I, but they still served a purpose. When I share my past with people, it seems like they really get something out of it, and it makes me feel good to serve as an example of both what to do, and what not to do. While I'm sometimes bitter about the things that have shaped me, I'm also happy about them, because without them, I wouldn't be the man that I am today, and though sometimes I don't seem very content with that, I love who I am. Almost as much as who I'm going to be. As God continues to work on me, I pray that he softens my heart, and makes it more like his. As I have been listening to this song, "A Heart that Forgives", by Kevin LeVar, I am realizing that I hold onto grudges for far too long, and trying to take vengeance into my own hands, and while I know that this is the wrong thing to do, its the only way that I know. The song is a reflection of the love that God has for us, and the forgiveness that he bestows upon us. I know that I want a heart like that of God.

I hope to let my pride subside, and forgive those around me who have hurt me, or that simply disgust me by their behavior. I know the heart that lets go is the heart that will know true freedom. As I feel like a prisoner to the hatred and disgruntled feelings that accompany an unforgiving heart, I try to accept that its not my place to judge, but it is my place to love people with all that I am.

Just whats on my mind tonight,

Love you guys.

Mr. Johnson