The Johnson's: January 2011

Monday, January 31, 2011

Did that really happen?

Yesterday in church Pastor Johnny preached on James 5:7-12. His sermon title was "Difficult Times: God's Promise Based on Hope." I'm sure this wasn't an easy thing to preach or may have trouble understanding if you haven't gone through a difficult time or aren't living it presently. Pastor Johnny said that James uses words that cause us to look in every direction for answers:

1. Look Upward. 7
2. Look Inward. 8-9
3. Look Backward. 10-11
4. Look Forward. 12

Then he gave us 4 Don‘ts as we deal with what to "be" during difficult challenges:
1. Don‘t focus on the situation, or you will be filled with anger.
2. Don‘t focus on yourself, or you will be filled with self-pity.
3. Don‘t focus on someone to blame, or you will begin complaining.
4. Don‘t focus on the present, or you will miss the point of what God is wishing to achieve in your life.

Next Pastor Johnny did something he had never done before. At the end of the sermon Pastor Johnny, asks those who have fallen on hard times (lost their job, their house, sickness, whatever) to stand. He then asks the rest of us to encircle each of these people as we pray for them. Then he did something I still can't believe. He asked all those people to come forward that have needs to tell the church and the church would meet that need. What?! You mean we can do something more for them than just pray? We pray for people many a time that God would meet their needs never thinking that we the church could be part of His answer. I am proud of Pastor Johnny for having the faith to obey God. He didn't get bogged down in the details of how will this flesh out - how will the church do this - nope he just did it. And let me say it wasn't just a hand full of people that stood for prayer and that went forward it was over a hundred probably more like 200. I'm sure you are thinking, well sure your church has the means to do this but not all churches have the means to meet these peoples greatest financial need. Your right, but I'm sure Pastor Johnny wasn't sure where the money would come from or how it would all come together. But God answered during the invitation. The church asked (not Pastor Johnny) to give a second offering. What?!!! in a baptist church! Two offerings in one service! YES! it happened! I was a witness! Wow! Did that really happen? Not just the second offering but the church meeting the needs of it's own? Yes. I am thinking of my friend, who is without a job, a single mom of two, who was blessed by her church yesterday. Pastor Johnny says "We can go to church or we can BE the church." Thank you God for using us yesterday to help meet the needs of our brothers and sisters. Praise God! Praise God! Praise God!

You can go here to see the service. You can also click here to check out the sermon notes.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Lovin' on Daddy

The other night Billy came home from work and Jack was so excited to see him. He just kept loving on him, giving him hugs and kisses. It was so sweet. I just had to get my camera out and take a picture or two of the sweetness!

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This is what happens...

when you let your four year old feed your 1 year old - grits all over the face! I normally do not let Bailey feed Jack but for some reason this day, (I don't remember the reason) I let her help while I did something else like drink my coffee! Haha! Not really, but then I don't remember so maybe. Anyway, it was cute but a total mess to clean up! Bailey also feed Jesse when he was about this age when I stepped out of the room she decided to help mommy. Such a sweet girl.

grits are not the easiest thing to clean up

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this was another time she helped me

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Here is she helping me with Jesse when she was 2 and he was about 8 months

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Saturday, January 15, 2011

Jack's walking, well sorta

Jack has been cruising furniture for a few months now but that is about it until last week. He started taking a few steps in between me and Billy or between pieces of furniture. But while we were at our friends, Kelli and Eric's house he just started flat out walking. He just took off! I thought he would be walking circles around this house by now but no. He still takes a step or two every now and then but for the most part scooting his still his preferred mode of transportation. He will be 15 months next week so it's time for him to start walking! I did get a video of his first steps. I just happen to be videoing him "loving" on Caroline when he took off. So here it is and a few pictures of sweet baby Caroline.

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Bailey and Jesse playing with Eric

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Friday, January 14, 2011

Snow Week

Well our snow day on Monday has turned into a snow week. We got six inches of snow on Sunday night and then some ice on top of that on Monday and it has shut everything down. The kids have loved playing in the snow. I enjoyed staying in and having Billy home for a couple of days but now it is time to get back to a routine. School has been out all week so we have just done almost nothing everyday. Here are a few pictures of our week.

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Scrappy in the snow

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walking over to the neighbors house to play

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Bailey and our neighbor, Kylie

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Jack didn't like be stuck in the snow

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Saturday, January 01, 2011

Christmas

Better late than never. Here is some pictures from Christmas.

Jesse on his Thomas big wheel or "bike" as he calls it.

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Jack and his lute.

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This one was too cute not to post with his little hand on his chin.

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Bailey was so excited about her Barbie town house. She kept asking if she was bigger now and how I knew she wanted it!