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Thanks,
Terry Johnson
Terry's Thoughts
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Daddy
Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. — Exodus 20:12
Daddy:
I stand here looking down at this piece of granite with your name etched on it – Harrison Benjamin Johnson. You gave me 2/3 of your name – carrying on the tradition of the name Benjamin in our family. I am honored that you chose to send forth that name with me. I’ve been thinking alot about you Daddy – how you raised us kids, how you worked hard at the factory, how you disciplined us, how you provided. I cannot imagine having 9 kids, especially on your income, but you did and we never went without the things we needed. I remember how Thursdays were always paydays, which meant grocery shopping day, which meant more “stuff” in our house on that particular day. We were never hungry, but having potato chips and cookies on Thursdays was always a treat so we tore into them like a pack of dogs. They were gone by Friday.I remember Sunday mornings when Mother would get up early and make a big pan of gravy and some of her delicious biscuits – the house would be full of us all and we would all dig in until our bellies were about to explode. Then we would get ourselves ready and go to the church and hear an awesome sermon from Rev Allen. Often I would sit beside Mother on the pew and would lay my head on her shoulder and fall asleep. I know you never liked that but you did allow me to have a good nap here and there.
I remember those huge console TVs that we had over the years that was attached to an antenna that we had to turn by hand. Don’t know how you afforded that either, but somehow you did manage. Daddy, I remember how very hard you worked and how you would come home at the end of the day all dirty, greasy and tired. But you would come home and begin to work on that list of chores – always involved around trying to fix up the leaky, drafty house we lived in. I told somebody the other day how I learned HONESTY from you, Daddy. I don’t know that you ever said that word to me, but you lived it and set a fine example. I want you to know that I speak of you kindly, even if you did whip me awfully hard with that belt of yours way too often. I deserved them all.
“Any man can be a Father but it takes someone special to be a dad.” -Anne Geddes
Daddy, there are some words that I am pretty sure that I never spoke to you. I want to speak them to you now. You know, growing up we never hugged as a family, never showed much affection. But it was felt by us all. We saw the sacrifices you made. So even if you never said those words to me either, I knew how you felt about me. I love you Daddy – there I said it. I love you. It’s OK for a son to say that to his daddy, right? You provided, you instructed, you disciplined…..you loved me Daddy.
OK, so you never encouraged me to play Little League Baseball, so you never pushed me to play football. You saw us play those games with the neighborhood kids and you were content with that….and I was too. You didn’t take me to Boy Scouts. We went camping as a family each summer – I certainly remember those times in that big canvas tent. And I remember the smell of bacon cooking in that big iron skillet by the campsite and how Mother loved that. I guess that was Boy Scouts for me, huh Daddy? I don’t have any merit badges to show off, but I have something better – those memories that will dwell in my mind and in my heart as long as I am breathing. Oh, how I wish I was camping in the mountains by that stream with you now, Daddy.
So here I stand, looking at that piece of granite with your name etched on it and the years 1915 – 1997. I am standing here and I am remembering, I am reliving. Daddy, in my mind right now I am giving you a big hug, then shaking your hand like gentlemen do and I am saying…”I love you, Daddy“. My heart is full of many things now, notably love and gratitude. I am sorry I never adequately expressed those things to you before 1997. But I am now and I know you can hear these words being spoken from my soul to yours. You did good by me, Daddy. I will do my best to carry on the legacy that you entrusted to me.
Love,
Your youngest son.
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. — Proverbs 1:8
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. — Proverbs 1:8
Monday, October 18, 2010
Elected
We're gonna win this one, take the country by storm,
We're gonna be elected,
You and me together, young and strong,
We're gonna be elected, elected, elected,
Respected, selected, call collected,
I wanna be elected, elected.
-----from Elected, by Alice Cooper
This morning I had a beautiful drive in - the air was cool, the sky was mostly clear, the sunrise was gorgeous, but the signs that littered the streets were hideous. I can't wait for this election to be over. With mutliple signs on every street corner, billboards, TV ads, mailouts - I just want it to end. And many of the TV ads don't tell you who TO vote for...many of them just tell you who NOT to vote for. Mud slinging, BBQ eating, baby kissing----it makes me want to throw up. Early voting has started today - maybe I will go vote for the people who have NOT littered my landscapes and airwaves.
The Good News - I have already been elected. Almighty God has elected me as a "citizen in waiting" of His amazing Kingdom. No signs will be there, no airwave pollution. I do hope to eat some pig though - man I hope I don't have to give that up for eternity! God has elected me - he gave me this beautiful gift all wrapped up with a big bow on it. All I had to do was accept the gift, which I have. I have been called, I have been respected, I have been selected....I have been elected. Thank you God.
Join me this year in voting early.....and often! Let's vote Almighty God as our King. Let's vote for Jesus Christ as our Savior. Let's vote for The Holy Spirit as our Counselor. They are on my ballot and I am about to pull the lever strong and hard. Don't want any hanging chads. I want my vote to be loud and clear and I want it to be counted. I want them all, Father, Son, Spirit - to be Elected.
My name is Terry Johnson.....and I approved this message.
We're gonna be elected,
You and me together, young and strong,
We're gonna be elected, elected, elected,
Respected, selected, call collected,
I wanna be elected, elected.
-----from Elected, by Alice Cooper
This morning I had a beautiful drive in - the air was cool, the sky was mostly clear, the sunrise was gorgeous, but the signs that littered the streets were hideous. I can't wait for this election to be over. With mutliple signs on every street corner, billboards, TV ads, mailouts - I just want it to end. And many of the TV ads don't tell you who TO vote for...many of them just tell you who NOT to vote for. Mud slinging, BBQ eating, baby kissing----it makes me want to throw up. Early voting has started today - maybe I will go vote for the people who have NOT littered my landscapes and airwaves.
The Good News - I have already been elected. Almighty God has elected me as a "citizen in waiting" of His amazing Kingdom. No signs will be there, no airwave pollution. I do hope to eat some pig though - man I hope I don't have to give that up for eternity! God has elected me - he gave me this beautiful gift all wrapped up with a big bow on it. All I had to do was accept the gift, which I have. I have been called, I have been respected, I have been selected....I have been elected. Thank you God.
Join me this year in voting early.....and often! Let's vote Almighty God as our King. Let's vote for Jesus Christ as our Savior. Let's vote for The Holy Spirit as our Counselor. They are on my ballot and I am about to pull the lever strong and hard. Don't want any hanging chads. I want my vote to be loud and clear and I want it to be counted. I want them all, Father, Son, Spirit - to be Elected.
My name is Terry Johnson.....and I approved this message.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Rainbow Connection
This morning while driving in to work in a slow, unsteady rain I had the pleasure of seeing an awesome rainbow. I could see about 1/2 of the rainbow - it began at the dark, imposing clouds and streamed almost straight down - apparently touching the mountains in the distance. The view from my windshield was awesome. On the radio these words were being sung:
Its all Yours, God,
Yours, God
Everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky
To the depths of the ocean floor
And its all Yours, God,
Everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky
To the depths of the ocean floor
And its all Yours, God,
Yours, God
Everything is Yours
You're the Maker and Keeper,
Everything is Yours
You're the Maker and Keeper,
Father and Ruler of everything
It's all Yours
It's all Yours
----lyrics by Steven Curtis Chapman
Wow! This morning I was treated to an awesome display of nature, a powerful visual of God's hand in this world. The rainbow, the mountains, the rain, the clouds, the Earth.....me. It's All yours, God. We are all Yours, God. Through drops of water and a rainbow I had a connection with my Creator.
I gotta feelin'.....
Terry
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Reign O'er Me
Love Reign O'er Me Clip
LOVE.....reign o'er me! ---- The Who
Good Wednesday Morning JJFG:
Last night our run was highlighted by some awesome lightning - thank God it was away in the distance a bit and wasn't ever a threat to us. It was a beautiful and awesome display of God's power in this universe. Streaks ran horizontally across the sky and then forked off this way and that. A few drops of rain fell here and there during our run - mostly there. It has been rather dry here lately - save for a few occasional showers. The local news said yesterday morning that we are officially in a drought. My car is dusty, my lawn is dry, so far the changing leaves just don't have that wow factor. The drought is showing it's ugly head all around - including my spiritual life.
For some reason lately I have found myself in a spiritual drought. I don't know why - is it because I am not praying as often or as fervently as I could be? Is it because I am not cracking open a Bible, except to prepare for a Sunday School lesson? I am reading a daily devotion which includes Scripture. I am praying rather long prayers, usually on my drive in to work each morning. I have, for the most part, been in church every Sunday. So why am I in this spiritual drought? Well after reading what I just wrote, the answer is painfully clear. You see, sometimes I need to organize my thoughts in written form before I can truly see the truth.
"Nobody puts Baby in a corner" - Johnny Castle (played by Patrick Swayze) from Dirty Dancing
Dirty Dancing Clip
I have placed Almighty God in a corner. I go to that corner when I need something, whenever I am driving and have nothing better to do. I read His words to me when I need to prepare for a lesson. I have taken my relationship with my Creator and have neatly shoved Him over into a corner of my life. I go to visit him in that corner often but it's for a quick visit - hey, how 'ya doing, what's new, see 'ya later. He wants me to sit with Him. To slow down and talk. He wants me to prove to Him that my love is real. He doesn't want a quick prayer while driving at 55 MPH. He wants me down on my knees bowing before Him. He doesn't want a Twitter existence - where I am only reading 140 characters of His Word to me at a time. He wants me to go deeper.
LOVE.....reign o'er me! ---- The Who
Good Wednesday Morning JJFG:
Last night our run was highlighted by some awesome lightning - thank God it was away in the distance a bit and wasn't ever a threat to us. It was a beautiful and awesome display of God's power in this universe. Streaks ran horizontally across the sky and then forked off this way and that. A few drops of rain fell here and there during our run - mostly there. It has been rather dry here lately - save for a few occasional showers. The local news said yesterday morning that we are officially in a drought. My car is dusty, my lawn is dry, so far the changing leaves just don't have that wow factor. The drought is showing it's ugly head all around - including my spiritual life.
For some reason lately I have found myself in a spiritual drought. I don't know why - is it because I am not praying as often or as fervently as I could be? Is it because I am not cracking open a Bible, except to prepare for a Sunday School lesson? I am reading a daily devotion which includes Scripture. I am praying rather long prayers, usually on my drive in to work each morning. I have, for the most part, been in church every Sunday. So why am I in this spiritual drought? Well after reading what I just wrote, the answer is painfully clear. You see, sometimes I need to organize my thoughts in written form before I can truly see the truth.
"Nobody puts Baby in a corner" - Johnny Castle (played by Patrick Swayze) from Dirty Dancing
Dirty Dancing Clip
I have placed Almighty God in a corner. I go to that corner when I need something, whenever I am driving and have nothing better to do. I read His words to me when I need to prepare for a lesson. I have taken my relationship with my Creator and have neatly shoved Him over into a corner of my life. I go to visit him in that corner often but it's for a quick visit - hey, how 'ya doing, what's new, see 'ya later. He wants me to sit with Him. To slow down and talk. He wants me to prove to Him that my love is real. He doesn't want a quick prayer while driving at 55 MPH. He wants me down on my knees bowing before Him. He doesn't want a Twitter existence - where I am only reading 140 characters of His Word to me at a time. He wants me to go deeper.
The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. -- Psalm 97:1
Challenge: God deserves more than a corner of our lives. He deserves our First Fruits. We need to bring our A-Game out for Him. He deserves our BEST. Let's commit to placing our God center stage in our life.
Only love,
Can bring the rain,
That makes you yearn to the sky.
Only love,
Can bring the rain,
That falls like tears from on high.
Can bring the rain,
That makes you yearn to the sky.
Only love,
Can bring the rain,
That falls like tears from on high.
-----from Love Reign O'er Me, by The Who
Guys, I am reminded of one of my favorite movies, The Shawshank Redemption where Andy has been planning and preparing for his escape from prison for years. Then he consumates that plan one stormy night and gains his freedom through a sewer pipe. Once he washes out into freedom, he takes off his shirt, lifts his hands into the air - the lightning flashes, the rain pours down over him. Freedom. Today I am lifting up my hands to my Creator and I am feeling his amazing Love as it reigns o'er me. I have been cleansed, I have been forgiven, I have been set Free. And with you as my witnesses, I am placing Almighty God back where He belongs - front and center. The drought is over. Join me, will you?
The Shawshank Redemption Clip
The Shawshank Redemption Clip
And in the morning I will be making my escape on over to Java Journey. I will be sitting in a corner all by myself - that is until you join me there. Come share your experience and together we can allow LOVE to reign o'er us! C U there.
Terry
"We also assume responsibility for bringing to the house of the LORD each year the firstfruits of our crops and of every fruit tree." -- Nehemiah 10:35
Monday, October 11, 2010
Age
Terry is 53 years of age.
He looks like he is......well, you decide.
He acts like he is 25 on a good day.
What's wrong with him?
On Saturday a good friend of his called him a "freak". The friend said it with a smile on his face, but he DID call Terry a freak. Hmmmmm. [Reminds me of a scene from "The Lion King" when young Simba tells his uncle Scar that he is "weird" Scar answers with "Oh....you have no idea!"]
The Lion King Clip
So Terry is a 53 year old freak who acted on Saturday like he was maybe 15.
==================================
Last night I had these dreams - my dreams usually last about 5 seconds, but last nights were much longer. I was in a house and some guy was trying to get me - he had a gun in a sock. I was able to get it from him and I ran outside and buried it in some sand. While coming back in the house, the place where the gun was buried "exploded" - I looked back and saw several aliens coming after me with flame throwers. I eventually woke up and was tired from fighting with the aliens. Freak-ish.
Terry, the 53 year old freak who dreams of aliens and watches "The Lion King" found himself asleep on a bus Saturday night about 11:15 pm on I-40. He woke with a start, not sure where he was and looked out the window and saw a sign - it said EXIT 128. Freaky.
Terry, the 53 year old freak, who dreams of aliens, watches "The Lion King" and sleeps on buses......is done with this post.
Purpose: identity, life, friends.
Terry
aka: Super Freak
He looks like he is......well, you decide.
He acts like he is 25 on a good day.
What's wrong with him?
On Saturday a good friend of his called him a "freak". The friend said it with a smile on his face, but he DID call Terry a freak. Hmmmmm. [Reminds me of a scene from "The Lion King" when young Simba tells his uncle Scar that he is "weird" Scar answers with "Oh....you have no idea!"]
The Lion King Clip
So Terry is a 53 year old freak who acted on Saturday like he was maybe 15.
==================================
Last night I had these dreams - my dreams usually last about 5 seconds, but last nights were much longer. I was in a house and some guy was trying to get me - he had a gun in a sock. I was able to get it from him and I ran outside and buried it in some sand. While coming back in the house, the place where the gun was buried "exploded" - I looked back and saw several aliens coming after me with flame throwers. I eventually woke up and was tired from fighting with the aliens. Freak-ish.
Terry, the 53 year old freak who dreams of aliens and watches "The Lion King" found himself asleep on a bus Saturday night about 11:15 pm on I-40. He woke with a start, not sure where he was and looked out the window and saw a sign - it said EXIT 128. Freaky.
Terry, the 53 year old freak, who dreams of aliens, watches "The Lion King" and sleeps on buses......is done with this post.
Purpose: identity, life, friends.
Terry
aka: Super Freak
Friday, October 8, 2010
Friday
This is Fantastic Friday - I have deemed it so myself earlier this morning. Part of my Friday routine involves going by McDonald's on my way in to work and getting me one of their awesome Yogurt and Fruit Parfaits and a Large Coffee - Black. I thought I left the house this morning at a good time to arrive at the Mickey D's in Lenoir to avoid the Fantastic Friday rush, but I was sadly mistaken. The cars were out into the street - so I avoided the drive thru and went inside. The line in there was just as long and patience is not a virtue that comes easily for me. But within a few short minutes I walked out the door, parfait and coffee in hand. My treat for Fantastic Friday. And now I am sitting in my office in downtown Lenoir, someone has the heat on HIGH, my window is open and I am hearing the church bells play hymns from FBC Lenoir across the street. Life is Good.
Terry
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