Don Johnson

Denny Mog in Touched by an E-mail, pp. 121-122, has some interesting insights for our New Year. He says, “There are two days in every week about which we need not worry.

One of these days is yesterday with its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control. All the money in the world cannot bring back yesterday. We cannot undo a single act we performed. We cannot erase a single word we said. Yesterday is gone!

The other day we should not worry about is tomorrow, with its possible adversities, its burdens, its large promise and poor performance. Tomorrow is beyond our immediate control. Tomorrow’s sun will rise, whether in splendor or behind a mask of clouds. But it will rise. Until it does we have no stake in tomorrow for it is as yet unborn.

This leaves only one day: today. Any person can fight the battles of just one day. It is when you add the burdens of two awful eternities – yesterday and tomorrow – that we break down. It is not necessarily the experience of today that disturbs one’s peace of mind. It is often the bitterness of something that has happened yesterday and the dread of what tomorrow may bring.”

Truly said! Unchangeable moments of the past and unknown probabilities of the future can paralyze us into incomprehensible inactions in the present. Dare we afford to allow what has happened or what might happen to strap us into frustrating failure in the present? Now is the time. Today is the day. This is our choice. We truly only have this moment. Whatever the Old Year may have presented or the New Year offer, we have a new start as our present moments unfold. Someone said the past is gone, the future not yet happening. Now is a gift. That’s why we call it the “present.” Let’s ask God to keep us and it in the palm of His hand and give us strength to use it wisely.

One great thing that transcends it all is mentioned in the text of Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ…the same yesterday, today and forever.”

Till next time, Don Johnson, Kirby Pines Chaplain

“O Holy Night”, a favorite carol of Christmas, was the creation of Placide Clappeau, the mayor of Roquemaure, France. Clappeau, a winemaker, also wrote poetry, mostly for his own enjoyment. His minister asked him to write something special for the Christmas celebration. While riding in a carriage to Paris Clappeau penned his lyrics. He asked Adolphe-Charles Adam, a classical composer of music mostly presented in secular venues and ballets, to create the melody for his poem, “O Holy Night.” Clappeau’s powerful lyrics so greatly impressed the French composer that he created the deeply stirring music for the song. No one can question that the lyrics and music make a perfect combination for one of the all-time great songs of the season.

In 1847 this song was first presented. It became an overnight success. Later, when the French church discovered Clappeau had left Christianity to follow the social movement of his day, and also learned the music composer, Charles Adams, was Jewish, the hymn was banned. Because it was so popular with the people, who continued to sing it outside the church, “O Holy Night” grew in public acceptance and was reinstated. John Sullivan Dwight later translated the lyrics into English and it became an American Christmas carol favorite. Around the world this song has provided praise and inspiration and has uplifted Christmas celebrants everywhere.

On Christmas Eve, 1906, a Canadian –born inventor named Reginald Fessenden transmitted the first radio broadcast in history from an experimental tower in Massachusetts. Fessenden, who is sometimes referred to as the “Father of Radio Broadcasting,” read passages from the Bible and then on his violin played “O Holy Night.” When he did, he made it the first song ever transmitted over radio waves.

This beautiful carol of the season gives us many lessons. God is able to use those we may consider most unlikely to bring Him praise and honor. God can put together a team that can create something so special it will inspire and bless others globally. God can take something that some would discredit and throw away and keep it lasting and enriching.

The lyrics of “O Holy Night” present that Christmas 2000 years ago as “Divine.” It tells us what lay beyond the manger…darkness dispelled by light…despair pushed away by deliverance…sadness replaced by joy… emptiness filled with abundance…and so much more.

May you discover such a night for yourself. May this inwardly be your greatest Christmas!

Till next time, Don Johnson, Kirby Pines Chaplain

John Griffin, an Oklahoman in his early twenties, newly married and blessed with a beautiful baby was deeply shattered in the 1929 Great Stock Market Crash. Brokenhearted and sad, John packed up his few possessions and headed East with his family. John found a job tending one of the great railroad bridges across the mighty Mississippi.

Day after day John would sit in the control room and direct the enormous gears of the immense bridge over the river. He would watch as the bulky barges and splendid ships glided gracefully under his elevated bridge.

In 1937 John had a new dream in his heart. His young son, Greg, now eight years old developed great interest in his father’s work. To John this brought hope that Greg would follow his father in a future bridge operation career.

One day they packed their lunches and headed toward the immense crossing. Greg looked in wide-eyed amazement as his Dad pressed down the huge lever that raised the vast bridge. His father must surely be the greatest man alive to control the movements of such a stupendous structure.

When noontime arrived John elevated the bridge to allow some scheduled ships to pass through. Then he and his son left the control room and found a place to have lunch.

John told Greg stories of his work at the bridge until a startling reality took place. It was the shrieking whistle of a distant train. The bridge was still raised and the Memphis Express would be at the bridge in minutes.

John calmly instructed Greg to “stay put.” He quickly leaped to his feet, jumped on the catwalk and ran toward the ladder leading to the control house. Once there he searched the river to make sure no ships were in sight. Then, as he was trained, he looked down to be sure everything was all right below the control house. What John saw was devastating. His son had attempted to follow his Dad but fell off the catwalk, wedging his leg between the teeth of two main cogs in the gearbox.

John was faced with an unbelievable decision—to save his son or save the passengers on the approaching train. He thought of how he might get to his son and pull him free. But there was not enough time. The 400 passenger train would soon emerge from the trees and speed across the bridge. Burying his face under his left arm John plunged down the lever. The cries of his son were quickly drowned out by the noise of the bridge grinding into place. In a matter of seconds, the Memphis Express rolled over the bridge.

John lifted up his tear-stained face and looked into the windows of the passing train. He saw a businessman reading the morning newspaper, a uniformed conductor glancing at his vest pocket watch, ladies sipping afternoon tea, a small boy, looking strangely like his son, enjoying a dish of ice cream and many others engaged in idle conversation or careless laughter.

No one even looked John’s way. No one cast a glance at his gigantic gearbox that contained the mangled remains of his son.

In anguish John pounded the glass in the control room. He cried out, “What’s the matter with you people? Don’t you know? Don’t you care? Don’t you know I’ve sacrificed my son for you? What’s wrong with you?”

No one answered. No one heard. No one even looked. Not one of them seemed to care. The train moved rapidly over the waters and disappeared. – Christianity in Crisis-21st Century, vol. 4

This remarkable story deeply moves me. It is a faint glimpse of what God the Father did in sacrificing the Son of His love, Jesus. His sovereign will and purpose and His great love made it all possible. Like those in John’s story we just don’t notice the sacrifice that was made. We just push on with our lives, not really caring at all what God has done for us.

Consider these special truths:

“All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned everyone unto his own way. And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isiah 53:6

But He was wounded for our transgression, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.” I Peter 3:18

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

The question is “Would God save His Son or redeem the world?” The Lord’s crucifixion and resurrection was not to save 400 passengers on the Memphis Express. It was to change the whole world, millions upon millions. Such an unbelievable choice allows us to avoid terrible disaster and safely cross to our heavenly destination.

Till Next Time, Don Johnson, Kirby Pines Chaplain

David Jordan has some intriguing thoughts to share. He says, “The world stands aside to let anyone pass who knows where he is going.” This applies to those who learn where they are going late in life as well as for the young. At age 53, Margaret Thatcher became Britain’s first female Prime Minister. At 64, Francis Chichester sailed alone around the world in a 53 foot yacht. At 65, Winston Churchill became British Prime Minister for the first time and started the epic struggle against Hitler. At 72, Golda Meir became Prime Minister of Israel. At 75, Ed Delano of California bicycled 3100 miles in 33 days to attend his 50th college reunion in Worchester, Massachusetts. At 76, Cardinal Angelo Roncalli became Pope John XXIII and started changes in his church. At 80, Grandma Moses, who started painting in her late 70’s, had her first one-woman exhibit. At 81, Benjamin Franklin skillfully mediated between disagreeing factions at the U. S. Constitutional Convention. At 80, Winston Churchill returned to the House of Commons as a member of Parliament and also exhibited 62 of his paintings. At 99, CD Madsen scored his very first hole-in-one from 108 yards at Marin Country Club in Novato, California. On his 100th birthday, ragtime pianist Eubie Blake exclaimed, ‘If I had known I was going to live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself.”

How inspiring to so many of us who are living long and looking for where we are going with the remaining years. If it seems you know where you’re going the world will step aside to let you pass to your goal.

In an interview with Fox News, Wink Martindale, now 85, former Memphis radio and TV star who became known and successful nationally, was asked what motivated him to pursue a lifetime in Television and Media said, “It was what I heard Art Linkletter say when asked when he was going to retire. Linkletter answered, “Retire…from what. I’m not tired.” That should motivate us too.

I’ve know where I was going since my early youth. I know where I’m ultimately going, just as many of you do. My goal in these later years of my life is expressed in II Corinthians 5:9, “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.” It keeps getting better!

Till next time,
Don Johnson, Chaplain of Kirby Pines

Dr. Russell Conwell who founded what is now Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, repeated a story told to him by a tour guide during a trip to Nineveh and Babylon in 1870. Here’s his story.

There was a wealthy Persian farmer named Ali Hafed, owner of a very large farm with orchards, grain fields, and gardens. Hafed was happy and contented. A Buddhist priest visited him and spoke of diamonds with beauty and value beyond belief. He said if Hafed had a handful of diamonds he could purchase a whole country, and with a mine of diamonds, he could place his children upon thrones because of the influence of their vast wealth.

That night Hafed, who had considered himself wealthy and happy, became discontented. He now felt he was poor and needy. Where could he find these diamonds?

The priest told him to look for a river running through white sands between high mountains. There he would find the diamonds.

Hafed sold his farm, left his family in the charge of a neighbor and began the search for his desired treasure. Into Palestine and all through Europe Hafed wandered and searched. At last with his money was gone and failing to find his long-sought diamonds he was in poverty. Standing on the seashore at Barcelona, Hafed, having lost all, cast himself into an outgoing wave and was never seen again.

The man who had bought Hafed’s farm discovered in a stream in his garden a large stone having a light within. He placed it on the mantel inside the farm home.

The priest who had originally spoken to Hafed about diamonds paid a visit to the new owner. He noticed the stone on the mantel and said, “Here is a diamond! Has Hafed returned?” “No,” replied the owner. “I found the stone in a creek running through my land.” Together they went to the garden stream and discovered more stones, “diamonds” bigger than the first one. This discovery led to the establishment of Golconda, one of the richest diamond mines in the world.

In desperation to satisfy his discontent, Ali Hafed had tragically searched the world for what was already in his own back yard. He failed to realize that on his own farm were “acres of diamonds.” This story, repeated hundreds of times in a message Russell Conwell delivered, became a book entitled “Acres Of Diamonds.” Its message is insightful and probing.

Too many times we have discounted our own present wealth and happiness and allowed discontent to upset life. We sell the treasures we own in a vain effort to acquire more. There is never enough! Never!

Priceless diamonds of opportunity are all around us, where we are, now! There may be a diamond of a friendship we can cultivate… or an open door through which we may walk…or a love we can deepen…or a life we could influence.

It’s time we stopped looking for satisfaction somewhere else and start searching our own back yards. If we don’t, sometime someone else will.

Let’s look closely at our acres. Let’s consider carefully who we are, where we are and what we have. As we pick up each diamond we can enrich our lives. Matthew 6:19-21 should be our guide: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:33 can also be a challenge: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Let’s start searching our “acres of diamonds” today!

We have all made choices and decisions that didn’t give us what we thought should happen. Sometimes this has been our fault, sometimes it has been the fault of others, sometimes its simply been the fault of circumstances. But one thing can always be counted on! When we are allowing God to be our source of direction we can surely know it is the right choice.

Rebekah Nolt has illustrated this beautifully in a special way:

The will of God will never take you,
Where the grace of God cannot keep you,
Where the arms of God cannot support you,
Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs,
Where the power of God cannot endow you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the spirit of God cannot work through you,
Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you,
Where the army of God cannot protect you,
Where the hands of God cannot mold you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the love of God cannot enfold you,
Where the mercies of God cannot sustain you,
Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears,
Where the authority of God cannot overrule you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears,
Where the Word of God cannot feed you,
Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,
Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you.

I have found this true in so many ways in my life.
Here are some scriptures that can truly inspire us to know
how God wants us to live, not only in our senior moments, but
always:

“I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living”
– Psalm 116:9

“This is the way, walk in it”
– Isaiah 30:21

“What does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love
mercy, and to walk humbly with your God”
– Micah 6:8

“Just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to
please God”
– I Thessalonians 4:1

“Walk in love”
– Ephesians 5:2

“Walk in the Spirit”
– Galatians 5:16

Never question God or His Will. It will be fabulously great for
all of us, all the time.

The National Day of Prayer is an annual day of observance held on the first Thursday in May, designated by the US Congress to encourage people to turn to God in prayer and meditation. This years employment of this day is Thursday, May 2, 2019. For all at Kirby Pines two prayer services will be held. Chaplain Don Johnson will host the first session at 11:00 am in the Chapel. Dr. Buck Morton will host an evening prayer session at 6:30 pm in the PAC.

Father, thank You,
especially for letting me fly this flight.
Thank You for the privilege of being able to be
in this position; to be up in this wondrous place, seeing all these many startling,
wonderful things that You have created. Help guide and direct all of us that we may shape our lives to be much better Christians, trying to help one another, and work with one another rather than fighting and bickering. Help us to complete this mission successfully. Help us in our future space endeavors
that we may show the world that
a democracy really can compete… Be with all our families.
Give them guidance and encouragement
and let them know that everything will be okay. We ask in Thy name. Amen.

May 15-16, 1963, Major Gordan Cooper, USAF, stirred the world with his 22nd orbit in space. To Major Cooper, the experience was more than scientific. As he circled the earth he composed the following prayer, which he later read before a joint session of Congress. This Week Magazine, then the National Sunday Magazine with a circulation of over 14 ½ million, printed the words of Cooper on December 29, 1963, as “Prayer of the Year” What a wonderful way to express God’s greatness and man’s need for clinging to the Creator wherever we might be. This could be the prayer for us today. The Lord is still here though trouble is everywhere. Truly Psalm 19:1 rings true: “The heavens declare the glory of God: and the firmament shows His handiwork.” Till next time, Don Johnson, Kirby Pines Chaplain

Have you ever wished you had been one of Jesus’ original disciples? Ever thought about what it was like in those days when Christ walked and talked with His close circle of followers? If we knew what the early beginnings were we might come to different conclusions.

Jesus called four fishermen—Peter, Andrew, James and John. He called two brothers—James and John. He called a corrupt government employee—Matthew. He called a political zealot— Simon. It didn’t seem like such a grand group.

Peter Marshall, renowned Minister and Chaplain of the Senate, said: “Thomas was a dogged unbeliever until the last minute. Judas sought redemption through revolution instead of revolution through redemption. James and John wanted to get rid of people who differed with them, instead of getting rid of the differences so they could get the people.”

When we look 50 years after Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection and return to Heaven we can see not only the outcome of those early Christians but the deep cost of their discipleship. Someone has written:

1. John died of extreme old age exiled to the island of Patmos.
2. Judas Iscariot, after betraying his Lord, hanged himself.
3. Peter was crucified, head downward, during the persecution of Nero.
4. Andrew died on a cross at Patrae, a Grecian Colony.
5. James, the younger, son of Alphaeus, was thrown from a
6. pinnacle of the Temple, and then beaten to death with a club.
7. Bartholomew was flayed (skin removed) alive in Albanopolis, Armenia.
8. James, the older son of Zebedee, was beheaded in Jerusalem.
9. Thomas, the doubter, was run through the body with a lance
10. at Coromandel, in the East Indies.
11. Philip was hanged against a pillar at Heropolis.
12. Thaddeus was shot to death with arrows.
13. Simon died on a cross in Persia (what we now call Iran).
14. Matthew was first stoned and then beheaded.
15. Paul was killed after imprisonment in Rome by Emperor Nero.

Could we stand challenges like they did? Could we pay such a high cost to follow Christ? This was not only needed 20 Centuries ago, it is required today! Will we embrace the loving and perhaps deadly commitment the original Christians had?

2 Timothy 3:12, “…everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

I say “yes” to this call for commitment. What will you say… today?

Till next time, Don Johnson, KP Chaplain

When I was in my teens I came across some thoughts by Lois Kendall Blanchard that powerfully presented God moving into our hearts and lives and being exposed to all our plans and actions.

Here’s what she said:

“If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or two—
If He came unexpectedly, I wonder what you’d do.
Oh, I know you’d give your nicest room to such an honored Guest,
And all the food you’d serve to Him would be the very best,
And you would keep assuring Him you’re glad to have Him there—
That serving Him in your own home is joy beyond compare.

But—when you saw Him coming, would you meet Him at the door
With arms outstretched in welcome to your heavenly Visitor?
Or would you have to change your clothes before you let Him in?
Or hide some magazines and put the Bible where they’d been?
Would you turn off the radio and hope He hadn’t heard?
And wish you hadn’t uttered that last, loud, hasty word?

Would you hide your worldly music and put some hymn books out?
Could you let Jesus walk right in, or would you rush about?
And I wonder—if the Savior spent a day or two with you,
Would you go right on saying the things you always say?
Would life for you continue as it does from day to day?

Would your family conversation keep at its usual pace?
And would you find it hard each meal to say a table grace?
Would you sing the songs you always sing, and read the books you read,
And let Him know the things on which your mind and spirit feed?
Would you take Jesus with you everywhere you’d planned to go?
Or would you, maybe, change you plans for just a day or so?

Would you be glad to have Him meet your very closest friends?
Or would you hope they’d stay away until His visit ends?
Would you be glad to have Him stay forever on and on?
Or would you sigh with great relief when He at last was gone?
It might be interesting to know the things that you would do
If Jesus Christ in person came to spend some time with you”.
– Lois Kendall Blanchard

This too often describes us. God would not be comfortable with
most of our everyday experiences? Major changes would have to
come both on the inside and outside? He probably would not want
to stay on and on.

Robert Boyd Munger wrote a classic story about this titled, My
Heart, Christ’s Home. He divided the house of his heart into distinct
rooms: the Study, the Dining Room, the Living Room, the Work
Room, the Rec Room, and the Hall Closet. As he walked through
each room separately he noticed they all needed to be carefully
evaluated, changed and given to the Lord for His control. Munger
had given God the deed to the house of his heart, but then realized he
had not surrendered possession of each room specifically. When he
did that the Lord became not only a Guest in his heart but the Master
of his life.

In light of the “ifs” of our lives, we must meticulously commit
everything to Him. He has promised to always be with us (Hebrews
13:5). Personally, powerfully and daily He gives strength, insight, and
wisdom so each step is in His path (Proverbs 3:5-6). He continues
to ask us to give Him not most but all. This really makes all the
difference in the world.

Till next time, Don Johnson, KP Chaplain