Remodel
Over the past few months, we have begun the process of updating our house one slow step at a time! Our living room and hallway had wood paneling half way up the wall topped off with a chair rail. For the past year in which we have lived in this house, we would often discuss and wonder what lurked underneath the brown panels. We brought in “experts” to scope it out, and they told us if we take the paneling down, we would most likely need to retexture everything because 99% of the time the paneling is glued to non-textured sheet rock and it is almost impossible to match the existing texture on the upper portion of the walls. This news was, in our minds, the worst-case scenario. We expected the worst causing us to sit back and avoid taking action because we didn’t know where to start. This project was going to be way beyond what we could accomplish.
Daily, we would sit in the house and look at the walls and just discuss our options. “What do you think? Is it glued? Is it textured? Is it just nailed in? Can we even do this?” These debates continued until I finally gathered enough nerve to remove a tiny piece of the paneling. As I began to pry, the chair rail popped off easily. Then I began to peel the wood paneling, and to my shock, it was just nailed in. Removing the full piece, we discovered the whole wall was textured!! We could not believe it! Courtney and I both started jumping up and down hollering in excitement. The removal turned out to be one of the easiest things so far in our remodeling project.
In our project, we spent countless hours worrying and planning when all we had to do was take action. Sometimes in our lives, we look at our relationship with God like I looked at the paneling. We are afraid to go to Him because our lives are filled with pain and hurts. We are afraid for Him and for others to see what is underneath. God wants to peel away the layers of darkness and filth so that our lives can be full of His goodness and His beauty. We shouldn’t delay by sitting around just talking about it. We need to take action and bring ourselves before our Heavenly Father. He can remove the pain and hurts from our lives if we will just come to Him! Take time today and spend with the Father. He is waiting and loves you no matter what.

Jeremy

I love this song! So I thought I would share.

Our students completed many different jobs from sorting clothes to childcare.  On the first day, our students started work at 7:00am and finished at 8:30pm.  They helped over 5000 families that day.  It was extremely over-whelming to see that many people in need. While the adults went through and got Christmas presents, their children played under the care of half of our group, which allowed the parents an opportunity to “shop” in peace.  At one point, there were over a 150 children in our little building.  Our students did not complain once.  They just continued to work.  The other half of our students sorted and bagged clothes and other supplies, enough to fill two tractor trailers full. It was a lot of work, but it was well worth it.

For the remainder of the weekend, we cleaned the medical clinic, dentist office, and the childcare building.  What I loved about the three days of working was seeing my students serve, not just because it feels good but because they wanted to honor Christ with their service.

1 John 3:16-17 sums up our weekend of service.  It says, 16 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?”  We understand that we have plenty, so it was good to go and give to those who don’t have anything.  I pray that we will continue to serve here in Weatherford.  Thank you to all who prayed and remembered us while we were there serving.  It was definitely felt!

Jeremy

A Life Lesson in JELL-O
During a long trip in the car over the Thanksgiving holiday, Courtney and I were talking about our girls. We were amazed at all the ways God uses our children to teach us little life lessons. One such lesson occurred the day we first brought Merritt home from the hospital.

With a new baby in the house, Logann, of course, wanted to help out and show how she was the Big Sister!! If you don’t know by now, she is a very hands-on “helper!” During this first full day at home with our new family, Courtney went to make lunch for Logann, so she put Baby Merritt in her swing. While Courtney was in the kitchen she heard Logann say, “Uh oh!!!” Courtney came running in to find Logann standing by the swing with a spoon in one hand and an empty Jell-o carton in the other. The baby had orange jello smudged on her cheek and smears of Jell-o running down her arms, clothes, and swing. In her calmest, motherly voice Courtney asked, “What did you do?” Logann’s simple reply, “I thought she might be hungry.”

Being new to the “Big Sister” scene, Logann thought she was giving Merritt something she needed. After a little talk, Logann now understands that babies only NEED milk. Jell-o will come much later!

Sometimes we act in this same manner. We think we NEED certain things or we think God needs to give us what we want. Just like Courtney tried to protect Merritt from Logann feeding her what she didn’t need, God protects us, even when it means keeping us away from the things we (or others) think we need. Ask Him what you need! God always gives us what is beneficial for us at every stage in our lives!

PS-Day 2 with Baby Merritt: Logann thought she might LIKE some gum. But this time, she just placed the package on the swing instead of aiming for her mouth. Progress is one small step at a time!

Over the past two weeks my daughter, Logann, has really grown up! She has started cleaning her room by herself, making her bed every morning, and dusting the house once in a while. I am so proud of the little lady she is becoming!

As a dad, I experienced one of the coolest things this week. Logann came running into the house saying, “DAD! DAD! Let’s go hit some baseballs!” My mouth almost hit the floor! You see, my daughter is ALL girl.  She loves rings, make-up, necklaces, playing dress up, and wearing fancy shoes.  What a big deal to have her come and ask to play baseball!!  Of course I ran to do it. We went outside with her bat (PINK of course), and we began to play ball together. That first day she could not hit the ball very well. After a few days, she was hitting it all over the front yard and running around saying, “I hit a HOMERUN! I hit a HOMERUN!” Now, everyday when I come home from work, she is waiting for me with her pink bat asking, “Dad wanna go hit some baseballs?”

I love that we can spend time doing fun things together. Even if she never liked baseball, I still would love spending time with her because she is my daughter and I love her!  I value my time with her watching her grow into the lady God wants her to be. God loves us the same way. This week, find time to spend with your Heavenly Father!  He loves you and He enjoys spending time with you!

Jeremy

Faith Like a Child
This past Friday afternoon, my family and I went out to pick up some things to use in order to clean our fireplace and get it ready for the winter. Our first stop on the trip took us to Tractor Supply. My plan was to run in quickly, but my daughter, Logann, decided she wanted to run in with me, making our mad-dash take a little longer. As we walked into the store, her eyes lit up. “WOW, Dad! This store is awesome! Look at ALL this cool stuff. Do you think we need some new boots? How about a new shovel?” The list went on and on.
As I listened to her excitement, we hurried on to the section where all the fireplace materials are. We found what we needed and continued on to the check out. I did my best to hurry because Courtney and Merritt remained in the car, and I didn’t want to make them wait longer than needed. As we began to check out, I placed the items on the counter, when unexpectedly, my daughter leaned up to the counter and said, “Excuse me, but where do you go to church?” The lady at the counter, with wide eyes looked back at my little, blonde helper and said, “ Well, I go to a small, Baptist church pretty far away.” Logann said, “Well that is good because we all need to go to church to learn about Jesus.”
In that moment, I was blown away! My daughter, without the slightest ounce of fear in her voice, just shared the gospel in her own little way. As we began to walk off, Logann looked back and said, ”I go THE BAPTIST CHURCH OF OKLAHOMA!!!” The lady at the counter just laughed as we proceeded out to the car with our purchases. I was so proud of my daughter who took the time at the age of 4 to tell one person about how awesome Jesus is. I pray that her heart will always tell others about Jesus!
What a good reminder and lesson I learned from my little sidekick that day. Sometimes we need to slow down and remember why we are here: to point others to Christ. Thank you Logie Bear for reminding me of that today!

Wrigley Field

 As I am writing this article for the messenger I am also preparing for the trip of my life-time!  When most people dream about going somewhere they imagine a fancy resort or a top 100 vacation destination.  But not me!!  My dream has always been to see Wrigley Field in Chicago. 

Back in 1996, my father and I began to really love the Chicago Cubs. Why you might ask? Because they had their own television network, WGN, we could watch them play on TV all the time.  We spent many late nights watching Cubs baseball together.  In 1998, Sammy Sosa, a Cubs player, battled Mark McGuire in a homerun chase.   Although we lived in different towns, my dad and I would watch each night to see who led the chase for the day by hitting the most homeruns. It was awesome to get a phone call from my Dad every night.  He would always say, “Are you watching this?  Did you see Sammy go yard?”   I still remember those days just like it was yesterday. 

During this time, my Dad and I planned a trip to Wrigley to see the Cubs play in person, but around this same time, my Dad was diagnosed with cancer. The doctors would not allow him to travel that far.   Because of his health, we put our trip on hold.  Within the year, my father passed away.  Before we spent our final day together, he made me promise that someday I would make the trip and see the Cubs play at Wrigley.

                A few months ago Joe Ridley asked me if I wanted to go to Wrigley.  Of course I said, “YEAHHHH!”  So here we are 3 days from our trip.  To top it all off, the day we walk into ballpark would have been my father’s 59^th birthday!  What a special treat to have the opportunity to fulfill my promise to my dad on his birthday!  Someday Jesus is going to fulfill the promise He made in John 14:3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am”.  He will come back for us and take us HOME! What an amazing promise! As excited as I am to take this trip to Chicago I can’t even fathom the day Christ returns and takes me home.  I promise you it will be way better than eating a hotdog at Wrigley field. 

Have a blessed week,

 Jeremy

“WHEN THE TEARS FALL”

This is a song Tim Hughes wrote! It is one of my all time favorite worship songs! Last night @ church I stayed and listened to Pete our College Minister Preach. He spoke about “Who do you say I am”! This song came flooding back to my heart! If you get a chance pick this song up on itunes it will encourage your heart as you walk this life! Here are the lyrics!

God is good no matter what you go through! Worship Him! Not with words only but with your life!

I’ve had questions, without answers
I’ve known sorrow, i have known pain
but theres one thing, that i’ll cling to
you are faithful, Jesus your true

when hope is lost, i’ll call you saviour
when pain surrounds, i’ll call you healer
when silence falls, you’ll be the song within my heart

in the lone hour, of my sorrow
through the darkest night of my soul
you surround me, and sustain me
my defender, forever more

when hope is lost, i’ll call you saviour
when pain surrounds, i’ll call you healer
when silence falls, you’ll be the song within my heart

I will praise you, i will praise you
when the tears fall, still i will sing to you
i will praise you, Jesus praise you
Through the suffereing still i will sing

when hope is lost, i’ll call you saviour
when pain surrounds, i’ll call you healer
when silence falls, you’ll be the song within my heart

I’ve had questions, without answers
I’ve known sorrow, i have known pain
but theres one thing, that i’ll cling to
you are faithful, Jesus your true

when hope is lost, i’ll call you saviour
when pain surrounds, i’ll call you healer
when silence falls, you’ll be the song within my heart

I will praise you, i will praise you
when the tears fall, still i will sing to you
i will praise you, Jesus praise you
Through the suffereing still i will sing X2

when hope is lost, i’ll call you saviour
when pain surrounds, i’ll call you healer
when silence falls, you’ll be the song within my heart

Do you really care?

A few days ago, I stopped into a restaurant to enjoy a cup of coffee.  As I observed some people from a distance, it broke my heart to see a young man sharing his heart with two ladies who acted as if they had genuine interested in what he was saying.  Sadly, he had no sooner said his goodbye and walked away when both girls looked at each other and said in unison, “He is so weird! Couldn’t he see we had things to do?”

This situation shook me, and it also pierced my heart because so often I do the same thing. If you are like me, we get so focused on self and what we have to do that sometimes we forget to care… especially for the ones who interrupt the plans we have for ourselves.  Living as the ultimate example, Jesus demonstrated genuine love for the people He encountered.  He didn’t just act as though He cared for them.  He truly cared!  As we go through our days, as we encounter interruptions, genuine concern for others should overflow from our hearts, just as it did with Jesus.

Lord, teach us to have a heart like You, one that does not judge but shows genuine concern for others, especially when it doesn’t fit into our plans.

Have a great week,

Jeremy ‘Worm” Johnson