It’s a quiet Saturday late afternoon at home. Other than the occasional traffic noise from the street or the clip-clop of footsteps up or down the stairs my home is serene. I sat for a few moments wondering if this is my new normal. The old normal, when Carrie was here, is gone….and with it, … Continue reading Today or Tomorrow?
Hope Afresh
(The Dakota Baptist Connections published my article a while back.) Throughout the winter months I look out my window at the trees which appear to be nothing more than the skeletal remains of something that once was. Often my mind remembers the relief of last summer’s shade on a hot day or the vibrant hues of … Continue reading Hope Afresh
Evaluating Life…again.
I spent some time evaluating life this weekend. Everyone should take stock every so often but I think it is vitally important when life seems to be in constant flux, constantly adapting. That is the way I feel the last three years have been. The reality is that everyone has to make adaptations throughout life … Continue reading Evaluating Life…again.
Grief: States not Stages
It has been said that grief from the death of a loved one is very individualized and personal. If it hasn’t been said then I just said it! While it is true that grief is individualized there is enough similarity in everyone’s grief to be able to understand most grief journeys. I said able, not easy. My … Continue reading Grief: States not Stages
Long Live Romantic Love
I know this is a big secret but I thought I should divulge my bias.... I'm a big fan of romance. I have seen first hand the powerful positive impact life-long romance can have on a marriage. With all of this bias in mind, along with some insight from relationship science, I recently wrote the … Continue reading Long Live Romantic Love
Lessons Learned Loving Carrie into Heaven
Lessons Learned Loving Carrie into Heaven Sermon Audio Sermon January 26 & 27, 2013 Introduction: Good evening/morning. Some of you here today may not know me. Around the Cedar Street Church family I’m known as Pastor Jeff Johnson. I’m also known as dad to three young men, uncle to two of the cutest nieces, and … Continue reading Lessons Learned Loving Carrie into Heaven
Spiritual Battlefield Resiliency
I am battle wounded. It’s not the first time but it is the most serious wound to date. I was not wounded on some distant battlefield; my wounds occurred right here in my hometown. What war is being waged in Mid-Michigan? The war against sin, of course. My wound is serious, the death of a … Continue reading Spiritual Battlefield Resiliency
THE Anniversary and An Afirmation of Life
The day has finally arrived: the one year anniversary of Carrie’s death. Together, me, the boys, and all who have been part of our life have experienced every anniversary during the last twelve months. There was mother’s day, the birthdays, wedding anniversary, the holidays, and many private anniversaries. Each met with warm, wonderful memories as … Continue reading THE Anniversary and An Afirmation of Life
A Year Ago: Remembered
A year ago today, January 7, I was in a hospital room with Carrie as her body was steadily failing. The prognosis had gone from a fair chance of surgery which would heal her to maintenance of the spreading cancer to a few more months of life then, finally, to imminent death within a day or … Continue reading A Year Ago: Remembered
Spiritual Milestones for Youth
Several years ago the Supreme Court of Michigan made a monumental ruling declaring, in essence, that parents are responsible for the education of their children. Although the court case was primarily about the rights of parents to educate at home, the ruling gave notice to all parents to take responsibility for the process of how children are educated and what they are … Continue reading Spiritual Milestones for Youth
think relationally... 