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WoW. So that's discipleship

Quotes

Anyone that knows me, knows that there are several pastors that I really respect and admire for their wisdom, communication gifts, and just plain 'ole personality. Don't get me wrong, I respect every pastor that has ever lived. I think leading a congregation of rag-tag sinners and know-it-alls is probably the hardest job on the market. That's not to mention that every Sunday they have to present a thesis! Anyhow, I've begun to write down quotes that really move me and/or challenge me. Periodically I will share them here and hope that you appreciate them too!

"We only believe the parts of the Bible we do." -Rick Warren

Hmmmm

Our kids are gifted with randomness. It's nothing new. But every once in a while, right in the middle of a fairly serious conversation, it comes out. An explosion of chaotic word vomit sprayed on the wall. The middle-school universe must be balanced out and out of nowhere, someone who was only a moment ago holding silent for probably ten minutes says,

"I've been chewing on my finger just for the last two minutes and I already have teeth marks!"

Followed by:

"I went to the dentist today and I don't need to break a bracket..."

Now, I've never had braces, but how much finger chewing is healthy?

I love our group, and I wouldn't change a thing. They make the middle of my week so much fun :)

When David Heard

So I don't listen to that much choral music. In fact, if you ran down the list of most-listened-to music on my iPod, you'd probably find my Jubilate music on the bottom. However, every once in a while you come across a piece of music that completely redefines a genre. Well, I don't even know what genre to classify this under, other than "Incredible." If there isn't such a category, there is now!
I ran by this Eric Whitacre piece a couple years ago and loved it. Since then I'd rediscover it every couple months and just now, I've discovered this group on youtube who does it the best I've ever heard. I think they're even better than the iTunes recording!
The lyrics from the song are straight out of the Bible.
2 Samuel 18:33

When David heard that Absalom was slain he went up into his chamber over the gate and wept, my son, my son, O Absalom my son, would God I had died for thee!

I'm not even a Father and I can't help but imagine the anguish David felt. It's even harder to grasp David's grief when you consider all the family history- Amnon's relation with Tamar, and then Absalom's revenge by killing his oldest brother resulting in exile. The fact that Absalom attempted to overthrow David and become king himself doesn't even cross David's mind. In fact, Absalom pursued David's blood while David ordered his troops to be gentle with Absalom. David wept, and mourned the separation from his son, and now he lost him. He pursued his son's affection until he couldn't any longer, leaving him tired and broken.

This songs emotion is virtually tangible. The cords are so intense that you get uncontrollable goosebumps. Or, I do at least. SERIOUSLY! I feel like the music set to these lyrics really captures David gnashing his teeth and sweating from all the weeping. I love the first couple minutes most especially, but if you listen to the entire song you'll hear a novel of grief. From talking himself through it, to screaming out to God. WOW. So, turn up the volume, and let the music invade your space!

Delicious Dinner

Last night Jordan prepared one of the best meals I've ever tasted. The fun company and extra thoughtfulness made it all the more enjoyable. About a month ago Jordan and I visited Mellow Mushroom, our old lunch-date locale. We hadn't been there in a while because we could only handle so much grease, and they had reformatted their menus (and raised the prices!), but also made a few additions. We chose "The Caesar!"! We've been back several times since then just to get this one pizza.
Well, because we began April with the news that we owed the government a couple thousand dollars, we decided we would try to not eat out as much and pinch pennies (albeit, we are pretty stingy as it is!). In fact, our pantry is running empty on anything that you could actually throw together to make a meal, and there isn't any meat in the fridge other than some leftover Easter ham. But about 3:30 yesterday afternoon, per usual, Jordan G-chatted me and said she was going to be leaving at her regular time and had a dinner surprise for me. Long story short, IT WAS! She looked up how to make my current favorite pizza and put it all together nice and pretty. It was actually a little better in my opinion because I didn't feel guilty about eating all the grease hidden under the caesar salad (there wasn't any grease!) AND it was a wheat crust! Most of all though, she identified something that I really enjoy and found a way to make it for me. I am so blessed to have a wife that wants to know me, that pays attention to me, and is willing to serve me and I hope I can be found as faithful when it comes time to clean the apartment!

30hr Famine

I can't wait for tonight! This morning we, as in everyone at UBC under the age of 26 and above the age of 12, began a 30 hour famine. And yes, I am, personally, the upper limit to that age specification...I know you were thinking it :) I love the 30hr famine because it isn't just a lesson that Jordan and I are teaching. Really, I love Bible Study and a good discussion is almost irreplaceable, but to spend 30 hours denying nourishment forcing myself to realize that food plays the role of a WANT and not a NEED, is awesome and changes me.
I can't remember where it was written or who said it, but I definitely think sometimes I accidentally fall into an attitude that elevates my stomach into a god. If I don't eat what I want, when I want it, I get irritable and make it happen. Sometimes I'll even talk myself into spending an outrageous amount of money on something that really isn't anything more than a fleeeting craving. Today, all of that is different.
Not only am I not eating today though, my labmates have been soo generous. Out of the eight people I work with, five have donated enough money to feed two kids for a month (that is over $60)! I always hate asking people for money, but I am really glad I did this year. I'd like to think I would support them too :) We've set a goal to raise $500 this year (twice that of any other year), and I'm excited to see what support others have gotten so far! Either way, coming together tonight will be encouraging and fun!
8:00pm - we are spending the night at UBC with 8 other starving kids reflecting on just how good God is. We've planned several outlined games which promise to be fun! We are taking on the identity of kids in specific tribes in Ethiopia and then performing routine tasks that indigenous people do daily in an effort to simply survive. I hope the games are as fun and powerful in life as they are in my head!
Most importantly, we are breaking the fast together tomorrow morning with a big breakfast of pancakes, sausage and eggs! I can't wait, my stomach has been talking terrible trouble to me for the past 3 hours!

Sing my Love

Great song! Kim Walker can really capture an idea with just her voice. I think anyone that knows me at all realizes how much I love music. Also, I've always thought the majority of love songs could double as spiritual songs (or love songs to God), and vice versa- that is pretty much what this song is too!

Sometimes is so hard for me to believe that God wants me. I mean, sometimes I can totally imagine how He is soo happy with how Billy Graham, Rick Warren, or Perry Noble, because I look at all things they've accomplished in His name, and I am impressed. It's not hard to believe that others are better at being than I am. I'll be the first to admit that I haven't accomplished much during my life. But I then can take a step back and realize that I am the BEST at being me. Even in the beginning when God saw it was good, he saw me, Joseph Johnson, making all the wrong decisions and choosing everything but Him, but declared it was good just so He could know me and experience me. What do I think about all this? I am incredibly blessed and how can I not sing my love? I hope you enjoy this song as much as I do, and perhaps leads you to worship as well. She really gets raw in the second half of the song and expresses her pure, unadulterated wonder toward God our Father.

I'm a scientist!

Tonight Jordan sat down to write out the invitations to Jessica's shower, and like any trained husband, I offered to help. I mean, I don't have to stare unblinkingly at the TV for the entire basketball game! You know, I was thinking maybe I could begin this Lenten season with actions of kindness to my wife and instead of watching her write out all 25 invitations, I could help cut time in half and fill-in-the-blank myself....

Instead, she looked at me with that wicked smile of hers and says, "Maybe you can help put invitations in the envelopes."

WHAT? I'm sorry, am I not worthy to be a part of this for my sister? Should I refrain from drinking around them as well? Is the air safe to breathe? I mean, I know I'm a scientist, but I didn't think my handwriting had deteriorated into chicken-scratch yet, I think that happens after the PhD :)

Ah well, I can't complain too much, now I get to kick back and watch the game without any disturbance!

Great Music Video

Just in case you haven't heard this song on the radio or watched the video on iTunes (it's been number one until recently), I thought I'd post it and hopefully give you a treat for the day. This song is about EVERYONE. It's about me and you. It's my story, and if it isn't your story, hopefully it will be. Be blessed.



What a great song and video!

I'm back!

In my first post back into the blogging world it might be appropriate to reference one of the distractions and a large reason for my absence. In a fine exhibition of what it means to be a Hokie, last Thursday night my boys in maroon and orange traveled back into town to remind some pretty boys in Charlottesville who's boss. Not that I think anyone had forgotten about what happened in November, but I think it was about time to get a good show in the JPJ Arena- it has been a while since we last played basketball there.

In all seriousness though, I hope BOTH teams do really well. I was excited to see the new coach, Tony Bennett, had led the team to a fine mid-season record of 12-4ish, and Tech was sitting pretty high at something around there too. I can't wait to see what the rest of the ACC season has in store! Tech looks as good as ever playing our (which happens to be my) style of basketball- good defense, and hard work. It isn't pretty, and it ain't easy, but it is tough to play against! I think Seth is pulling the guys together behind Malcolm Delaney and we have a good shot at getting to the tournament- once we take care of those darned Tar Heels this Thursday. Speaking of the Tar Heels, go CAVS! Beat UNC (or at least take out a couple guys and help the Hokies out)! UVA takes them on tonight in Chapel Hill! Go Hoos!