Author: John Johnson

Hello, My name is John Johnson, and I do stuff. I’m a Follower for Jesus, a Pastor, a Husband, a Father, an Artist, a Designer, a Punk, a movie and music enthusiast and more. I live in Columbia Missouri with my beautiful wife Haley who does photography (shameless plug www.haleyjohnsonphotography.com) and my three kids Savannah Rose (5), Oliver Leon (2), and the newest Ivy Mae. I help pastor CenterPoint Church (another shameless plug www.cp-church.com) I teach youth 6-12 grade and help oversee the website, social media and tech.

Hat Tip For You

April 1, 2019June 25, 2020 ~ John Johnson ~ 23 Comments

This morning I was listening to a sermon titled Confident Humility from Woodland Hills Church, while I was working. The preacher Dan Kent really caught my attention with this quote.

“The better you become at sumo wrestling, the less effective you will be at competitive swimming” – Dan Kent

The sermon was all-around good, but I’m going to segue into something that is not really tied to that sermon. This quote got me thinking about all the hats I try to fill in life. Sometimes I stretch myself a little thin trying to wear multiple hats, that I probably shouldn’t be wearing. Some hats I gladly choose to wear and would be terrible to take off, like the “husband” hat or the “father” hat. I would also say shedding the “follower of Jesus” hat is also a non-negotiable for me.

I feel that God has called me to be a husband to my wife, and I believe that he has called me to fatherhood, and even though I’ve wrestled with God on this in the past, and lost (luckily without hip damage, sorry Jacob. Genesis 32:22–32 ), I’m called to teach and share His word and love, people, the way Jesus did.

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How an anarchic punk rock spirit led me to the Holy Spirit: How it still fights!

March 30, 2019June 25, 2020 ~ John Johnson ~ 19 Comments

I’m like any other punk rock dude right now, I grew up, got married, had some kids and have found that the things I learned through punk rock music still continue to inform my thinking, and help me make sense of the world. I want to share this with my kids, my friends, and my family what I have learned from both my faith and punk ethics daily. The two of these intertwined have assisted in helping me come to several conclusions about my spirituality that are presumably far outside of the norm of contemporary Christian culture.

This probably isn’t all too surprising, but what may be, is that I am convinced that the combination of these ideas informing my head, heart and hands has led me back to the heart of Scripture. I mean, the way of Jesus is pretty punk rock! Several punk bands, now and then, have several points worth reflecting on if you are a follower of Jesus Christ in the Western world.

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His Legacy

March 28, 2019June 25, 2020 ~ John Johnson ~ Leave a comment

So this song has been in and out of my head for a few weeks now.

There is tons of Christian music out there, and I’m not necessarily a fan of Casting Crowns, but this song has been making me think a lot. (Please don’t read to much into that. I don’t hate them, but there is so much music out there that I listen to a different style, and I’m not the biggest on K Love. Again, not bad, but not my tea)

It’s catchy for sure, and I may have been thinking about the purpose of the church, which has gotten me thinking, what is my purpose as a pastor, and such. Good thoughts for sure! The lyrics popping into my head on repeat are:

“And I, I don’t want to leave a legacy
I don’t care if they remember me
Only Jesus
And I, I’ve only got one life to live
I’ll let every second point to Him
Only Jesus”

Not to get into details, because the pastoral team I’m on have been doing some of the same thinking, so I don’t want to spoiler that, but as I ponder this question for myself, I ask that my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ reflect on this with me.

Are we trying to build an empire for ourselves, or are we directing people to the Kingdom?

Does my daily life reflect that of Jesus? Do my co-workers see this without me being all preachy? Do my students really feel I practice what I preach? Do my kids and wife see it behind closed doors and in private?

I want to say yes and vehemently hope that this points people to the hope of what Jesus can do. Before Him, I was foolish and a legacy I leave behind, without Him is just a man in his foolish ways.

Thoughts are running extra-strong tonight. Lord, thank you for this life!

*Originally my Facebook post from February 18th, 2018

Like the song? Support the artist that you love! buy the single form Amazon!
Only Jesus – Casting Crowns

Atheist to Jesus: My “Born Again” Story

March 28, 2019June 25, 2020 ~ John Johnson ~ 28 Comments

This is a new blog, and I’m in the process of rediscovering myself, Easter is around the corner and it always makes me remember my “Born Again” story, (My Christian walk started on Easter, when I was 15 years old) so it is fitting that I start this journey with you with this post.

It’s a necessity to give you a quick recap of my life before I was a follower of Christ for you to understand the power of this story. I’ll go in more details in other blog posts, but for this one, that background is needed.

I did not grow up in a Christian household, but was familiar with it. From time to time my dad will feel guilty in life and try to get squared off with God, before going right back to his ways. God’s timing is funny sometimes as he always put someone in his path. For a few years it was a man named Larry that did house visit bible studies weekly for two years. My dad grew up in a church environment, and did the bible studies and talking the talk…at times. Behind closed doors he used scripture incorrectly and out of context to control people and do whatever he wants (wife submit, children obey, I can be forgiven of my sins) An abusive father preaching about God is not appealing. I grew to hate him and God. (NOTE: To this day I have forgiven my father, and love him. We do not have a relationship, but I do not wish anything ill towards him and still pray for him)

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