www.GAJohnson.org | Hebrews Twelve Two

Tell Congress to Act Now to Lower Energy Costs

The oil price bubble is unfairly taxing American families and restricting our nation's economic potential. I sent a message to Congress asking them to adopt common-sense solutions, and I urge you to take a moment to send a message, too. Congress can dramatically reduce the price of oil and gas, providing immediate relief for businesses and hard working Americans, and your letter will help make our elected officials be more aware how high energy prices are hurting hard working Americans.

Click on this URL to send your message to Congress
http://capwiz.com/sosnow/utr/2/?a=11571321&i=88331150&c=

do you care about america?

On this July 4th as we celebrate our freedom in America, I want to share with you a poem written by friend and missionary to Jamaica, Brenda Lantz.

Do You Care About America
written by BJ Lantz - June 30, 2008

Do you care about American
Do you really Care
Then treat her more gently
As if she were really there

Remember America the beautiful
The country we adore and behold
Treat her with kindness and pride
Let God’s stories  naturally unfold

Be only kind and friendly
Stop all the unnaturalness and strife
Only honor and cherish America
And bring her back to life

Please stop all the worldly games
Let God rule your hearts
Set aside all bitterness
Sing only joy as a meadow lark

Let us be busy in God’s things
Only in Him should we trust
Do we love Him like we should
In order to build America back up

God gave us this free land
To enjoy as we should
Don’t take God out of America
Or we will wander in the woods

Our lives will always be dark
No light to shine as day
If  we do not love America enough
To let God show us the way

Are you understanding this
Do you have a willing heart
To want to bring her back to life
Like she was at the start

Then repent of all your inner darkness
Get rid of all that isn’t right
Tell God all your troubles
And begin to take on a new route

Show the world your bright side
And always keep it in site
Do all that is good for America
And live a full rich and free life

Have a great and safe 4th!

gaj

gender discrimination in the church

I received the following email:

What are your thoughts, and what does the Bible say regarding:

1.  Can a church position such as Music Director be filled by a female?

2.  Can women fill Chair and other Director positions within the church?

My response:

Jesus came to earth and showed us the heart of God.  One thing Jesus showed us is that God does not discriminate concerning gender.  God will use whoever is willing to be used and after all, it is God that gives people specific skills and talents to be used of Him.  Who is man to suppress one’s calling or talents based on gender?

I’m reminded that the first evangelist was a woman that had been married 5 times and living with a guy when she met Jesus.  After having an encounter with Jesus, she went back to her city and proclaimed Christ and a revival took place in that city.  Read John chapter 4.

The first to be called to preach about the risen Christ were women that went to the tomb to minister to the body of Jesus as the men were hiding behind locked doors in fear.  The angel at the tomb told the women to go back and tell about the risen Christ.

For centuries, some churches and men have used the teachings of the Apostle Paul out of culture and out of context to suppress the callings of women.  This is discriminating and anti-Christ.  Those churches and men who continue this heresy today will lose all effectiveness in these last days to make an impact in their cities.  The up and coming generation (29’s and under, mosaics and busters) will not tolerate any discrimination like previous generations have.  I personally would not be a part of any church or organization that discriminates in any form or fashion.  It’s not the heart of God.

Check out the following blog posts on the subject:

Women in Leadership

Thank God some people leave the church

In our day, we need to stop following the teachings of man and denominations and follow Christ.  That's my thoughts.  What are yours?

gaj

gas prices and my two cents

The Wall Street Journal today reported that "Americans drove 4.3% less in March compared with last year, the first time driving has fallen in March since 1979."

Some notes from the article:

• March was the largest year-to-year driving drop in the Federal Highway Administration's history, going back to 1942.
• The average price of gas is hovering around $3.87 / gallon.
• Things may become worse as prices continue to rise for the summer driving season
• U.S. gasoline demand is down .6% this year.
• Year to date, driving is almost at 2004 levels.

I've watched and read about what some of the oil execs have had to say about the price of gas in the midst of their record setting salaries and profits.  They say that price is controlled by U.S. demand and that there is not enough refinery capacity to meet America's thirst for oil.  I have a couple of questions for the execs.  1) why don't you use your record setting profits to increase refinery capacity?  2) since the numbers are now showing that demand is decreasing, why are the prices going up? 

Mr. and Mrs. Oil company exec, please be reminded that God's Word says (Proverbs 22:16 NIV)  "He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich--both come to poverty."  

Well, that's my two cents.... 

Me and my fam are trying to drive less and trying to consolidate trips.  We stayed home for the memorial day weekend.  I'm interested in knowing what others are doing.  Are you driving less?  Any tips you can give others?  Any questions you would like to ask the oil execs?  Just want to vent?  Click "COMMENTS" below and sound off.

gaj

becky and I met senator and michelle obama today

Becky and I went out for a sandwich in our town in Keizer, Oregon.  Senator and Michelle Obama’s motorcade pulled up in Keizer for an unannounced visit.  We got to meet them.

Becky told Senator Obama ”God called you for a time such as this and as long as you are obedient to what God calls you to do, whether or not you are elected, you will be successful.  If you are disobedient, you will fail.”  He responded by saying “I believe what God says and that is very good advice” and than he gave her a hug. 

I told Senator Obama that we came from back east and planted a church here.  He asked me what the name of the church was and I told him www.LovingGodFellowship.org .  He said “we need good churches”.  I told Michelle that we were praying for them and she gave me a hug and said that they really appreciated prayer. 

I don’t think meetings like this are by chance. Do you?

gaj

cyclones, earthquakes, tornados and war

Please pray for the thousands that are being impacted by cyclones, earthquakes, tornados and war.

The devil is active in our day and along with all of this death and destruction, many are falling for a different gospel than what Christ and the Apostles lived and proclaimed.  It is as Jesus said “(John 10:10 NIV)  "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy”.

I’m reminded today of a conversation between Jesus and His first followers: 

(Matthew 24:1-13 NIV)  "Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. {2} "Do you see all these things?" he asked. "I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down." {3} As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" {4} Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. {5} For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ, ' and will deceive many. {6} You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. {7} Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. {8} All these are the beginning of birth pains. {9} "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. {10} At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, {11} and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. {12} Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, {13} but he who stands firm to the end will be saved."

In the midst of death, destruction and deception in our day, we can stand firm on Jesus Christ and He will save us.

gaj

Hillary Clinton and me

Senator Hillary Clinton has raised $10,000,000 (that is 10 million dollars!) in the last 24 hours for her campaign to try and get her elected to be President of the United States.  All by the Internet and small donations from 60,000 new donors she claims.  I've raised $2,095 in the last six months for critical research to save lives from heart disease.  I've tried to raise the money for the American Heart Association through bringing awareness and by running 5 races including 3 marathons in 9 weeks.  Let me see... $10,000,000 to try get someone elected...  $2,095 to save lives from the number one killer...  What's up with that? 

I would rather use my time, talent and treasure saving lives!

Click Here to Donate

Just a thought....

gaj

hunger crisis

The world hunger crisis is all over the news this week. In just three years, the price of staple foods like wheat, corn and rice has almost doubled. If we don't do something soon, hundreds of thousands of people face starvation and a hundred million more could fall into extreme poverty.

I just took action with the ONE Campaign and you can too, here:

http://www.one.org/hungercrisis?rc=hctaf

gaj

World Autism Awareness Day

Check out the details on Steph's blog. <----------Click Here

gaj

Too Blessed to be Stressed

We had Easter again today at the LGF Salem Campus. 

I talked about being too blessed to be stressed.

Listen in <-------------- Click here

Or use mini player below.

 gaj