Like A Rock!!

Babysitting

2011-02-09T04:50:00.000-08:00

so, I've. been here all night and it's been pretty uneventful. Not at all like I expected. I did get a little sleep. More than I expected which is none :-)

Something that happened last shift

2011-02-07T18:06:00.000-08:00

So there I was, just minding my own business, and.........that's how it always starts. We had a "rider" at the fire station last shift. To clarify the riders we get are usually young kids in the explorer program getting to see what it's like first hand to be a firefighter.

He came up to me and said "hey, you're religious aren't you?" Wow! The conversation that ensued was cool and exciting, it was neat to get to share my faith in such a profound way! But that got me to thinking. It takes a lot to get up the nerve to talk to someone about struggles you're having. We didn't get to finish our conversation, but I couldn't help but think. How long had this person been watching me? And, what was it that I did that warranted him coming and talking to me? Is it possible I could have slipped and missed this whole opportunity to share with him by giving in to temptation in the workplace? Only by God's Grace! It gave me a real sense of how much people are watching you. And, how important it is to "keep the Faith" as Paul said. I hope to get to share with this individual again, but most of all, I am grate full to God for teaching me something through this.

note to self

2011-01-29T17:22:00.001-08:00

Who gets off standing up at someones funeral and saying "I knew her better than any of y'all" and tooting your own horn! wow.
Sent from my LG phone

2010-08-30T07:54:00.001-07:00

Well, today I set up my cell phone so I can post from it! I can't get on blogger at work, because it is blocked on the computers there. I hope to post more soon

When the Bomb shells are flying, DUCK!

2010-02-25T14:35:00.000-08:00

Duck is right, I have made a lot of mistakes in my life, Most of which I'm not proud of......That came out wrong. :) What I mean is......I've done a lot of stupid things that make me look bad.......Duh, That came out wrong too :) Well, Let's see if I can relate something on this page that in some way let's a "reader" know how I feel. Some way I can type out emotion!! My favorite is the Exclamation Point!!!!!!. Sometimes we read into things that aren't really there. For example. I might say "that is a cool, That truck is on fire! Now....What a morbid thought, someones truck is on "Fire" even if you know me that could have more than one meaning. It could mean, (because I am a fireman) that I had a good experience putting someones truck, that was on fire literally, OUT! It could also mean, that I went to the Drag Strip and saw someone put down some really good times on the race track......No, They Didn't put someones "good times" down........and they weren't on the race track when they did it......Have I got you confused yet? Sometimes all we need is a little context to clear things up. Sometimes.....People can misinterpret us and we don't know why. At yet other times we Don't give someone the information they seek and the Bomb shells start flying. When that Happens.......Don't stand up in pride.....DUCK! Praise the Lord that some messes I make He allows me the opportunity to clean up. Others are like my preacher used to say, "you made your stew, and now you have to eat it" I am reminded of a sermon I once heard on Taking up offenses, and how God gives grace to the one offended to forgive. But when we "take up" another's offences, we don't have the Grace to forgive. And that fester boils, er that boil festers...however that goes. I hope y'all know, I love y'all, and wish the best for ya, and the next time I offend you, to talk to me about it. Who knows I may be able to explain it better over the phone, or in person, which is my Favorite. Although, there's nothing like apologizing in person. :) It's tough. Now, to study for the fire I and II test I take Thurday evening! :)

Aaahhh! Life! Why?

2009-11-16T10:41:00.000-08:00

What in the world is going on? It's been a while since my last post. thought I would write something even though I don't really have time! :) As I prepare for the birth of our fourth child (Andrew Nathanial) I am overwhelmed at how much "stuff" I have to get done and how little of that Pays the bills. Ya know what I mean? I mean I've been busy, but it doesn't pay. I need to finish remodeling a house that we will move into next week, Study so that I don't fail the classes I've been taking for Fire I and II, and do the work that I have lined out for Johnson Electric. All the while I'm still going to classes Three nights a week and every other sat, and trying to see my wife and kids before they go to bed. AAAHHH! well, there you have it I need help, but at least I feel better now that I have blogged something for 2009 and have gotten all that off my chest! :) Y'all take care!

Commitment? Michael Phelps!

2008-08-16T21:35:00.000-07:00

Wow, After just Watching Michael Phelps win his Eighth Gold medal in a single Olympics, I am Awed. To do Something that has never been done in the 100+ years of Olympic History Requires a great deal of Commitment. We live in a world where It is not uncommon to hear of someone getting married and shortly thereafter getting a divorce. I am saddened to say that even good Friends of mine who have made "Commitments" to each other have gotten divorced and not thought anything of it. This Happens on a regular basis in the world we live in. If you want to get out of a contract all you have to do is just think of some piddly little reason to get out and you can just walk away. Sadly, We see this in the church as well. Well meaning believers have let this lack of commitment seep into their lives. If something happens at church we don't like we'll just go find another church that does something we do like. Whatever happened to the Commitment of a handshake and the meaning of a mans word. Now If you decide you don't want to pay for something just don't pay, If it means that much to the person of company you didn't pay, They'll get around to suing you after a while and chances are you could settle with them for pennies on the Dollar before it gets to that point. To See the Kind of commitment that Michael Phelps has to the sport of swimming is indeed inspiring. Even for a guy like me who normally won't watch any sporting event unless it says NASCAR in the title. Did you know that Michael Phelps was quoted as saying that he just eats sleeps and swims? And that he trains 12 hours a day!? TWELVE HOURS!? It's rare for me to put in a workday that long. And this guy does that everyday? This guy has to eat 12000 Calories a day just to keep up with his slim physique. To put that in perspective the FDA says that a normal healthy male needs only 2500-3000 cals a day. This guy is committed to what he's doing. He's done almost everything he set out to do at this Olympics. We could learn a lot from him. But there's another Man who's more Committed than Michael Phelps. My Savior Jesus Christ Died on the Cross for My sins and the sins of the whole world, He first lived a sinless life! Was Crucified on the cross of Calvary, was buried. But he didn't stay dead. On the third day he Rose from the dead! Now that's Commitment!............... One day he's coming back for me and my fellow believers. On this Day We'll meet him in the air! The dead in Christ shall rise first and then they which remain shall be caught up together with him in the air! I so look forward to that day!

Waiting !

2008-04-30T14:14:00.001-07:00

Sometimes we think we are pretty sure what it is that God wants done in our lives. We don't do it and then later try to fix it. We ask "So Lord, I know this is how to fix this, why isn't it happening?" It's then that we realize that God wants to make sure it sticks the second time around. So if there's something in our life that you're sure God wants to do. Just Wait. It may be that He has one more thing to teach you before he lets you out of the mess you made. Just Wait!

In the Father's will (camping in the back yard)

2008-03-15T22:33:00.001-07:00

Here in are the words and thoughts of a man. They are no more nor less than just the thoughts and opinions of a mere man.
I've been anxious about going camping for some time now. Waiting for the day when I could again get out the camper and make preparations to spend time with the fam cuddled inside a place that nestles inside the bed of my pickup. Not a lot of space but, oh what fun we have! I've had to wait because alas it is just too cold outside, and nobody wants to go camping when it's too cold. Not even me! Oh man did that warm weather this week sure make it even more desireable to go camping.
I've been saying for the last couple of weeks that I just can't wait to go camping. Well, when I said that on wed afternoon, my son Isaiah, said "yeah Daddy, lest go CAMPIN!!" I can't tell you how excited I was to hear my son say those words. The very thing I've wanted to do with him for weeks, he now wanted to do with me! And It was just the perfect timing too! It was nice and warm outside and promised to be an equaly warm evening. Of course I got right to work preparing the camper for that evening. We slept in the camper that night just him and me. He woke up one time early morning and was so excited. He said "we're campin!" and fell back asleep.

Sometimes I think it must be that way with God. When we align ourselves with the will of the Father, we find joy in the things we can take part in with Him. If we ask too soon we may get a no because it's just too cold to go camping right now and that just makes it and me misirable. But if and when we ask at just the right time. In God's Time, we have joy.

I think of my own courship experience and how I may have asked my heavenly Father when it was just not the right time for me and Him to go "campin" so to speak. I asked about five years too early. But, rest assured when the right time came along there I was asking again. I find that when we wait and align ourselves with the will of the Father that we don't spend a miserable night in the cold dark camper. We end up waking up in the middle of where we are say "Daddy, WE'RE CAMPIN!". I love my wife and feel like I'm waking up in the middle of a wonderful life. May I continue to rest in Him.

Vain Things

2008-03-03T21:35:00.001-08:00

There's an old hymn I remember, one of the lines says "all the vain things that charm me most". I was thinking of that tonight while working out with my brother Joe. One of the other guys there was bragging about having 18 inch arms. Not that that's not impressive it's just that we were not impressed by that. To top it off the guy was small and it was obvious that he didn't have 18's but he kept insisting. Another guy sugested that there was no way. Well they just so hapened to have a tape measure at the Y. Upon measureing this guy who swore he had 18 inch arms in fact only had 15 inch arms. Not that it mattered to us... It was just funny to me that the guy thought he was going to impress us. Intead he ended up just making a fool of himself. I do that sometimes. I think man sombody by telling them what vain thing I'm impressed by and all I end up doing is making a fool of myself. I hope this time I've learned my lesson.

New Pictures!!

2008-02-29T12:23:00.001-08:00

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

2008-02-21T17:47:00.000-08:00

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

Are you in the Shadows?

2008-02-20T20:07:00.000-08:00

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

2008-02-19T10:52:00.001-08:00

What a good lookin' Boy

It's a BOY!

2008-02-19T10:21:00.000-08:00

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!!

2008-02-18T16:52:00.001-08:00

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.

2008-02-14T08:42:00.000-08:00

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!

2008-02-13T19:18:00.001-08:00

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

2008-02-13T17:47:00.000-08:00

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?

2008-02-13T11:33:00.001-08:00

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

Depending On the Father.

2008-02-13T10:26:00.001-08:00

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!"

Time is precious.

2006-01-12T15:19:00.000-08:00

I know it's been a long time since I've posted, But what is a long time anyway?
Time is a resource we have been given by our Creator. I heard a preacher on the radio today, and he said, "you know when you think about it out time is not a renewable resource. Once you spend it you can't ever get it back." That is why it's so important that we spend our time on things that are worth something. How did you spend your time today?

p.s. Cherish the time I spent on this post it may be a while before I post again. As I told my sister today, "I don't need a blog, I'm ALREADY MARRIED!!"

Waterton Park Canada

2005-12-13T18:37:00.000-08:00

Like a "Rock"

2005-12-11T17:34:00.000-08:00

Like a rock, a phrase so popularly used by chevy enthusiasts everywhere. How did it come to be on this blog? Why would I chose to name a journal after a marketing slogan that has its flaws? Well, first It's catchy. Second, It's not because I'm an avid Chevy lover (even if I am). To me Like a Rock signifies the importance of having a good foundation, one that is built on the Rock that is Jesus Christ. I have seen friends that seem to have "life" all figured out and yet fall into the trap of being worldly. Grasping for things that don't satisfy. I am grateful for the foundation that my parents gave me and grateful to God for all that he has done for me! Without God I too would be "grasping at things that don't satisfy".

It is for this reason I name my blog "Like a Rock" Capital "R". In Acts it says They were first called Christians in Antioch. The word Christian means to be Christ like or little Christ's. If I am to be like Christ, I want to be like the Rock I know Him to be.