A health club can be great place to meet people and get in shape. You may find friendly rivalry and competition. Your morale can get a boost.  We also meet plenty of insecure people at gyms. Gyms are a lot like churches.

We go to Church because we know we are not in the condition we want to be in. We know we ought to be pushing or pulling on something. We also want to have fulfilling relationships. Insecure people are at church. What better place?  

At the gym some of the guys, and yes, even the gals, are comparing themselves to others. “Are his arms thicker than mine?” “Is her waist trimmer than mine?” “Who is stronger?” It’s so much like church!  

We look at the world through our individual insecurities. “Am I superior or inferior to you?” It’s silly, isn’t it!

Team sports are a way to move our eyes from “me” to “we.”   What if we engaged everyone in the gym, or in the church, in a team task to bring corporate achievement?  

How about getting everyone on a long rope – with the other end tied to a noble cause?  

Let’s pull together!  

Steven C Johnson

landingstripenterprises.com

We scanned through journal entries for 2014. How grateful and thankful we are!

At the end of most days I take 5 to 10 minutes to chronicle the day’s activities, news or thoughts. As I re-read the entries my appreciation for God’s goodness increases. When I scan a year’s worth of journaling, of watering roses, replacing wiper blades and visiting dear ones I reflect with appreciation.

Our memories are such frail things. How quickly we may forget! 2014 included little things like moving to Abilene, TX and big things like loading a shipping container with relief supplies for Africa.

By keeping a daily journal I can revisit the blessings of a good tax return, moving furniture at Camp Barkeley or prophetic words of encouragement.

Moses kept a journal. The priests and kings of Israel did the same. It was good that King Ahasuerus kept one. Esther and the Jews of Persia were saved because of it.

I encourage you to preserve the blessings of God by keeping a daily journal. You may do it on paper or on computer (backed up). It takes only a few moments each day but preserves a lifetime of perspective for you, and perhaps for your generations.

So, record the dream of the night, what was for breakfast, the answer to prayer, the surprise visitor, the grief or joy of the day. This little investment will bring big returns.

“The weakest ink is better than the strongest memory.” – Chinese Proverb.

Steven C Johnson

https://landingstripenterprises.com/ 

“…the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed.” (1 Thessalonians 1:10)

There will be no disappointment among the saints at the appearing of Jesus. No one will say, “The advertisements and trailers made it look great but the movie was a bust.”

Spielberg and Lucas have produced incredible stuff but nothing will compare with this wide-screen production! Only a few shepherds saw it the first time but everyone will see the panoramic sequel. You won’t miss it, wherever you stand on the planet. In fact every eye will see His glorious coming with heaven’s epic entourage! The cast will be so immense that Christ’s escorts will seem like water droplets making up an all-encompassing cloud.

There are times when we are with family and friends and there is an immediate weather report. “Hey guys! Come quick, you need to see this. We are amazed as we come to the patio and see the glorious sunrise, torrential monsoon rains, a double rainbow or baseball sized hail. We will need a new word to replace “awesome” when Christ returns.

We look forward to vacations, birthdays, graduations, weddings and births of babies. This event is the Christian’s blessed hope and eager expectation. We are, “awaiting the blessed hope, even the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13).  Whatever our age or circumstances, lovers of Jesus have something to look forward to!

Those who have stiff-armed Jesus are in for dreadful, calamitous ruin. They will hide in caves and call on the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” (Rev 6:16-17)

We must not be pretenders but true believers. Too many think of the Second Coming of Jesus as a doctrine rather than a young woman’s hope for the perfect wedding to the perfect man.

The crown is not for those who “believe” that Jesus is returning. It is for those who “long for” His returning. “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2 Tim 4:8)

Watchmen, Stand tall! Heads up! Our redemption is drawing near!

“My soul waits for the Lord

More than watchmen wait for the morning,

More than watchmen wait for the morning.”  (Ps 130:6)

Steven C Johnson

landingstripenterprises.com

Here is something for a change of pace. Do you ever swap dreams to discover mysteries? Perhaps there is a Joseph or Daniel who might like to interpret a pair of dreams I’ve had recently.

In the first dream Pam was driving a truck pulling an older twin engine plane. It was in decent condition but needed a little touch-up. I was excited about working on it. In the second dream I was driving our car with Pam and realized we were pulling a small jet plane behind us. I thought it would be wonderful to fly the plane but we would need to find a pilot or learn to fly.

It would be fun to get your thoughts. If you have a dream you’d like help understanding I’d be curious to look into the mystery with you.

“We both had dreams,” they answered, “but there is no one to interpret them.”

Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.” (Gen 40:8)

Steven C Johnson

Landingstripenterprises.com