MEET THE AUTHOR
Hey, how are you doing?
Do you have a cup of coffee for this chat? Someday we may get a chance to do this in person, wouldn’t that be great. Until that time when I get to learn more about you, I guess you’re stuck learning more about me.
Early history
I married a girl who stole my heart at fifteen years of age. We had some tumultuous adventures, like going out to see her on their farmstead after a bachelor's party. It was later than we planned, and the house was dark except for her bedroom. So, I climbed up the TV antenna beside her room and rapped on her window. She hadn’t seen my headlights and screamed bloody murder!
Her mom went running up the stairs to my future wife’s bedroom and was knocked on her rear by her daughter who was in emergency mode. While her dad went running out the door and smacked into yours truly. Fortunately, he hadn’t gotten his shotgun, but his initial response was, “Oh, it’s YOU!” As I imagined him terminating the engagement, his blood pressure subsided, and he began to laugh. I was invited in for a short but amazingly pleasant visit.
Raised Catholic, I’d served as an altar boy and believed in both God and Jesus. We even had to learn the mass in Latin and weather instruction from a crusty ancient priest. But I didn’t have a relationship with Jesus.
Yet God protected me. While working a summer job for my hometown, Britton, SD, I was run over by a truck. Oh yes, it was a garbage truck. The point is, during the accident the rear dual tires were rolling directly towards my face. I escaped being killed with a wrestling move I learned at a FOOTBALL summer camp. God’s ways are clearly above our ways. He also has a sense of humor because I thought it was a stupid wrestling move.
Meeting Jesus!
My journey as a Christian began in the summer of 1982, I’ve written about the details in the section Musings of a Fellow Traveler: From the brink of hell to child of God! Jesus met me and changed my life.
We need fellow travelers for this journey, God didn’t intend for us to do this trip solo. I implore you to find a church or Bible study group where you can grow with others. Jesus called us to make disciples, we are to mentor and be mentored. For me the biggest influence has been through Bible Study Fellowship, International. There are other Bible studies which take a “high view” of the Bible—find one. Study the Word for yourself, be a good Berean (see Acts 17:11).
That day when I met Jesus is the best day of my life, followed closely by my wedding day. And equally important as a life event was welcoming our daughter into our lives. Family brings responsibility, as a man we are called to be the spiritual head of our family. We are called to love our family as Jesus loved us and raise them to have a relationship with Him.
Putting God first.
After twenty years in corporate America, we lived in Minneapolis, MN, Sioux Falls, SD, Austin, Texas, Cleveland, Ohio and Colorado Springs. Wanting to give our daughter roots, I left corporate America to run my own business, in Woodland Park, CO and Northern Colorado. During this time there were seasons where my walk with the Lord was solid, but there were times when my walk was in the desert.
Realizing the many challenges we face to seeking first the Kingdom of God, I want to help others on this path to abiding in Christ. When I first heard we were to put our relationship with Him ahead of all others, I wondered how does this make sense? I can touch and hold my wife, there was an innate love for my daughter as I held her when she was born. How can I put an invisible God ahead of these dear people?
Who gave me that innate love for this sweet but needy baby? A couple of months before she was born, we got a greeting card from a friend. The card read, “Before your baby is out of diapers you will change 2,786 pounds of dirty diapers.” We looked at each other, my wife was at least seven months pregnant, and asked, “What did we do?” Could we handle this call to diaper duty?
Once we held this precious life in our hands the question evaporated. Replaced by the intense desire to clean up our dear child. God has this same view of us. He loves us where we are but won’t let us stay there.
In God’s economy, love becomes multiplied.
What I found was that instead of taking love from my family, loving God more created an exponentially greater love for my family. It was also a deeper love, not to just make them happy but to make them better. Sometimes we need to be the parent God has called us to be, rather than a friend. The desire to be the “cool parent” never crossed either of our minds.
The Journey to Abide in Christ!
What do we have available for you? The only planned items currently available is the 30 Days to Abide, a FREE Meditation, and blog posts Musings of a Fellow Traveler. We will be launching a novel about a family struggling to Abide, please see the teaser and we will let you know when we launch. I believe with all my heart Jesus wants us to Abide in Him, to have a deep, intimate relationship. We will be exploring this and other elements of discipleship.
A friend in the industry keeps pushing me to add podcasts, etc. We may if the Boss says we should, but I don’t want to get ahead of the Boss (God). So, we will start here. But we will be growing from here as we add value to your journey in discipleship by learning to Abide in Christ. Help us to grow resources as we do this journey together.
Blessings my new friends,
Steve Johnson