New Pictures!!

Life is so precious!

This one (below) is mommy's favorite!

Though challenging to get them all in a photo -it was WORTH it!

Please don't copy these photos. For copies or to order prints contact my sister, Heather - heather@bigjphotography.com

New Account @ Smug Mug

Come Check out Our new Account At Smug Mug!  Lots of neat Pictures.

Are you in the Shadows?

The other day I was walking beside the house. It had snowed a couple of days before and the snow was finishing it's melting. It struck me how that right beside the house the snow had not melted away yet. In fact there was a nice line where the sun had been just hours earlier. You see it was still very cold outside and although, in the sun, the snow had been able to melt, while in the shadows, the snow beside the house had not.
I thought how that's like my life sometimes. It's a cold cruel world out there. :) and when I'm not taking the time to let the sunshine of the Lord pierce through my heart, even when the Ice cold snow of the world around me melts away I'm still frozen just a little longer. I need to get out of the shadows so to speak and expose myself to the Lord and let the sunlight of his grace warm my heart and soul.
Here's hoping the sunshine of the Lord melts away the cold stuff in your life today.

Zachary Thomas Johnson

What a good lookin' Boy

It's a BOY!

Born on a brisk snow covered lawn day. My third born son born this morning at 10:09am 7pounds 12 ounces and 22 1/2 inches long. A fine looking big boy!!

Dinner at the Thomas's!!

Man I love free food! And there's nothing better than having free food with good company! Tonight, we as a family, had dinner at the Thomas's. It was so good! We had ham, potatoes, and gravy, with green beans seasoned with bacon. Mmmmm yaaaa goooood!! The company was good too. Mom, Dad, Janet, Lisa, Joe, Andrea, and Becca, were all there. I sure have fun getting together as a family. They make me feel right at home. I love those guys.

Well, it's Valentine's day.

Yesterday I was trying my hardest to think of something original for my wife to know just how much I love her. I also being on the Dave Ramsey plan decided not to spend money I don't have. Honey...Baby.... I love you soooo much. I thought I would take pictures that might remind you (and me) how much I love you and how much we love each other.

Happy Valentines Day,
Your Hubby

Victory Breeds More Victory!

Here's a thought. As I look forward to the birth of my third child I contemplate the impact I have on their lives. I know that whether I want to or not I'm an example to them.
I also know that God has gifted me with some Godly parents and inlaws,(my folks) and they, whether they want to or not, have had a tremendous impact on my life and the way I live. I've found when I see "my folks" have real victory in their lives, that it creates in me the desire to have real victory in my life and strive to live my life in victory!
Now, I know when I fail whether my kids see me fail or not that I'm living a defeated life. If I'm living a defeated life you can't tell me that the people that are the closest to me, mainly my wife and my kids, don't notice. And if the person who is supposed to be their spiritual leader (that's the way that God intended it) is living in failure, then there is a huge impact in their life in the negative. If on the other hand I live in the Victory that CHRIST established on the cross of Calvary. That victory over sin and death. That Victory will Breed more Victory!!

May God allow you to live your life in victory today!

Dave Ramsey

I've been watching Dave Ramsey's home study course: financial peace university. I really like what he has to say and we are starting to impliment it. Last night I canceled three of my four credit cards. I plan to cancel the last one next month.

Does this thing work?

I just started blogging from my phone today. Gotta go.

Depending On the Father.

I'm trying something new. A new idea in and old way. Blogging on and old account so as to hide my thoughts. Not really :)
I was struck this week by my relationship to those around me. In my line of work I get to receive the phone calls (sometimes), go do the work, write the invoice, and sometimes even go collect on past due accounts. This is something that has become the norm for me for the past three years. It has also at times become a sore spot or shall we say a source of irritation when it comes to people that don't pay their bills, because this is an increase in responsibility for me.
Recently I was calling a gentleman about a job we had done as a result of his company's employees damaging my work. I called as a courtesy to make sure I was supposed to send the bill to him. He as I'm sure any business man would do began to contest the bill. While it is not the first time this has happened to me , it is rare and it is rather unpleasant when it does happen. Through the conversation I had to try to reassure him that we were not overcharging him and in fact I was cutting him a deal. I ended the conversation feeling verbally beat up and bullied, but let me tell you I put up a good fight. It wore me out talking to this guy. I can't tell you what a relief it was when the conversation was finally over.
As soon as I was done talking to Mr. Gentleman I called my dad. My dad always has the right things to say, and he is my boss and the owner of the company! It was great to just be able to talk to him about the whole thing, and calm down. As we talked he said, that he knew the guy and he knew his tactics. This was just one of the ways this "gentleman" was trying to grow his business. By trying to get out of paying something and make me feel bad for charging him in the process. You just put on his invoice that if he has any other questions to just contact me personally.
This is how it needs to be with our Heavenly Father as well. As Christians we work directly for the Father doing His bidding and enjoying his blessings everyday. Sometimes in the "work" it can get mundane, and downright unpleasant. When that happens we need to call on the Father. He hears us and knows what we're going through. He's been there himself. He knows the enemy's tactics and the way he tries to make you feel bad for doing the Fathers bidding. We need though to just rest in Him. and when we do He'll take care of everything, and when the enemy tries to talk to us again all we have to say is "Talk to the Father!"