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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!

Kick his @$$

Parents, always be careful what you say...especially around your kids!

iPhones

I always wondered what the hype was about iPhones. When they first came out, it seemed to me the only real tool it had (as a phone) was the internet, and I figured everyone already had laptops the size of a book, so I didn't think that was all that revolutionary. Definitely not worth the price.
Music always persuades me though, and this app changed it all. How cool would it be to just be walking to work, listening to some music, AND playing along with it? I've always wanted to play the guitar, and since apparently I'm not good at teaching myself, I now know I just didn't buy the right instrument! I think I want an iPhone now!

You Needtobreathe

Last night I had the pleasure of seeing Needtobreathe play at IS Venue! I started listening to them a couple years ago when Perry Noble suggested one of their songs, and although I liked them, I was at best a lukewarm listener. Last night I became a following fan. That means I've bookmarked the band's website and know their favorite movies and eye color :) Creepy? Maybe a little bit. That's what they choose to share on their website though!

Anyways, they only played for about 45 minutes last night, but it'd been a while since my last concert and I'd forgotten how much fun they are. Isn't it weird how on a CD you may only like 2-3 songs, but you always seem to enjoy EVERY song when it's live? I mean, every song they played had you either tapping your foot, singing along, or leaning ever so slightly forward, begging for more.

If you haven't heard of them, you should check them out. They have great styles. Yes, that's right...they have many different sounds. From country/folksy (they did grow up in Possum Kingdom, SC) to rock and roll. They are very good at what they do though! On top of that, I had to compare them to Switchfoot when Jordan and I were talking about them. They aren't officially a Christian band, but a lot of their songs contain Christian ideas, theology, and languange. That alone kicked me onto their bandwagon. They were able to sing about grace, baptism, and sin at a BAR last night. And they didn't get trampled. Apparently, according to Bear, we were even "rowdy" for a Wednesday night. I wouldn't imagine many Christian bands could get away with something like that. I think it truly is a ministry (whether the band intends it to be or not). Here is just one of their songs, sung live and, of course, it is acoustic because they are just sittin' in a radio station. Man they can make some music...



P.S. If any NC people read this, they are coming to Greenville, Charlotte, and Winston-Salem in early October, it would be well worth a trip, and I'd be jealous!

Premature

I don't think I'm going to vent, maybe just complain. Several months ago I explained my iTunes ritual of surveying the free, weekly music. This week brought an unexpected treasure. Well, I guess you could call it that. Aside from a 15 year old (albeit he looks 9) singing about love and "spending every last dime" (I remember those regrettable days) for some equally young woman, it does have a catchy tune. If you do choose to follow the link, maybe listen to the song without watching the video first. Should you choose to watch the video, you will be immediately transported back to the melodrama of a high school party and most likely recall some situation in which you thought the world turned around you and if you didn't get this one girl of your dreams, life would be over. It also ticks me off, just a little bit, that they've disabled the embed feature on youtube. Whatever. If you want to watch it, go HERE!

I'm a Doubting Thomas

My wife blogged about this song the other day, but I can't help but mention it myself! I first heard this song when cHOOSe performed it two years ago, but I had no idea that Nickel Creek wrote it, and that the original was soo incredible! I've been trying to get the guitar down ever since I got back from Germany and I think I finally have it, albeit a bit slower than the recording. Anyways, I've been playing Doubting Thomas by Nickel Creek, repeatedly, for 4 days. OK, maybe not 24 hours a day, but I wouldn't doubt if it is in my top-10 of all time on my iPOD now :)

I think I love the song so much because it addresses the conflict within my own heart. Trust. Which has a powerful neighbor known as Faith. Who kind of has a stick-in-the-mud neighbor who goes by OBEDIENCE. I want physical sustenance and security to ensure my plans won't be thwarted. Before I get a little risky, I want to know, and I mean KNOW, that there is some type of pre-nup or plan B that can serve as my emergency eject button to salvage some value. In science, we like to know the result and have the data before we even do the experiment (aka, grant writing). But I think we both know that when Abraham was walking up that mountain with Isaac, they were alone. Moses went to Pharoah with nothing but his bumbling-tongue. Such faith is easy to stare at and watch, maybe even stir our own hearts, but hard to shoulder.
The chorus is on FIRE. I took a promise, I get to be friends with my maker, and Christ saved me so that I can have as much or as little relationship with God as I want. Yet my actions show my desires to be south of heaven. I choose to play games with 'what-ifs' rather than give Him my heart and hands. The song goes on to ask for forgiveness for wasted timed mulling around. I hate to think I've wasted what little time God has granted me. All this being said, check out the song. The video is random, but the song is...

"I'm a doubting thomas,
I took a promise,
But I do not feel safe,
Oh me of little faith..."

I've missed you...

It's been a while, no?
From getting ready for the Ribosome Synthesis conference, to the beach, to the conference, I've been really busy over the last several weeks. But the fall semester has officially started and I'm here to stay (for at least a while). That means finding time to write here might be a easier, or at least not as hard!

So last week I had the privilege of attending the 8th conference of Ribosome Biosynthesis in Regensburg, Germany. Now some of you may thinking, SWEET...Germany, what the heck is a Ribosome? But I think most anyone would agree, a trip to Europe is a trip to Europe, who cares what it is for!? The plane ride was incredibly long but once we got over there, plenty of great food, science, and beer made it all worthwhile!

I haven't decided how much to blog about the trip, but I have to share a little. Regensburg is probably one of the coolest cities I've ever been to. For it's relatively modest size (150k), it has a butt-ton of history! The Romans founded it in like, 139, and it managed to survive WWII bombing raids (of which there weren't many due to Regensburg declining economy ever since the Reformation and founding of the Americas). I mean, the stone bridge in the heart of the city carried foot soldiers of the 2nd and 3rd Crusades over the Danube. I stood where Crusaders stood!! I posed in front of a wall that Roman soldiers leaned against while they consumed their rationed one liter of wine and cup of olive oil! How cool is that?! As I walked through the city and visit the buildings, I started to feel like everything was really antiquated and things are just falling apart. But they aren't- it is really cool how they've built around the history and preserved so much of it's history right into its present. It just hit me, my Dad would probably LOVE Regensburg. He is the kind who likes to read every (yes, EVERY) sign at a museum. Of course, these are in German- but I bet he would love it!



It is good to be back in the states though, I hate I had to miss a bunch of the kids at church going back to school and trying to make sure everyone was as happy as possible :) I also missed my wife after about an hour on the plane and then I really, REALLY missed being at work. Oh wait, NO I DIDN'T.


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Now playing: Nickel Creek - Doubting Thomas
via FoxyTunes

The Deception Trap

I love this video! This is probably my favorite out of all of them just because I could SOOO see myself doing some of this to joke around on a fun day outside (keeping in mind I would never cheat like that seriously)....in fact, I have taken very similar "practice swings." And I am definitely going to remember to pull out my 'hand wedge' next time I'm looking to crawl out of a steep bunker :) I have no idea why we (men) feel the need to be good at everything, but man do we try our darndest to make everyone think we are!

Golfisode - Episode 2: The Deception Trap from Granger Community on Vimeo.

Tomorrow's Weather Forecast

Are you ready?

Golf Lessons

I mentioned back in June that I've picked-up another 'sport.' I only put quotes around it because it is more a skill sport than anything else, and it doesn't require much physical effort. Although I like to think I am a quick learner and athletically, I can do anything....it's apparent that golf is NOT one of those sports you can just grab a club and just swing. For several months now I've considered going for some golf lessons at the club down the street, but I'm yet to go cough up the $80/hour that it costs to learn from a Pro. Maybe I should though....apparently there is a lot to learn from golf.

From the same guys who brought most of the videos I've posted here (GCC), over the next couple of days I am going to post their Golfisodes. I think they used these videos to open discussion/sermon on communication. This video opened discussion on timeliness and how proper timing can heavily impact the weight that your words carry. Just in the several months I've read Mark's blog (the Sr. Pastor of GCC) I've noticed he has scripture for just about anything and everything he posts, so this is just like another one of his seemingly random but surprisingly appropriate posts (aside from the fairly crude mention of younger women).

Golfisode - Episode 1: The Timing Trap from Granger Community on Vimeo.

Check back tomorrow for Golfisode 2 and the potential deceptions of communication in the golf game!



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Now playing: Hillsong - Glow
via FoxyTunes

Sunday School

During Sunday School yesterday, Courtney led a short discussion of the future and our plans versus God plans. It was really fun to hear the evolution of some of the girls' career ideas. I hope you can enjoy these excerpts from the conversation...it was certainly fun to listen in!


Taylor: I think I'd want to be a professional soccer player.
Elizabeth: Did that change between childhood and now?
Morgan: Yes, she WANTED to be a Power Ranger! (the pink one, just FYI)

Courtney: I don't want to be stuck in one place, I want a career that will allow me to travel a lot.
Taylor: If you're a soccer player, you get to travel a lot...
Katherine: Well, if you're a power ranger, you get to FLY!