The new year seems to be a time when most of us focus on making some changes in our lives. Remember that as we embark on our journey to make these changes, that it is important to get still and quiet often. One of our greatest down falls as people is our refusal to get alone with ourselves. We know that when this happens, all of the loud less important voices are silenced, and we will then be able to see clearly some of the mess in our lives. I know that looking at ourselves at times can be unpleasant, but to make resolutions and avoid getting still and quiet is counter productive.

Rhon Johnson

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Scripture Reference:

Mark 6:46

And after he had taken leave of them, he departed into the mountain to pray.

A new year with new opportunities. Take it one day at a time my friends.

Rhon Johnson

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Scripture Reference:

James 1:4

And let patience have [its] perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.

As we determine to make changes going into the new year, lets make sure that what we resolve to do is not to much to chew. Many of us fail before we get started because we bite off more than we can handle when it comes to making changes in our personal lives. Take little steps and just keep moving in the right direction.

Rhon Johnson

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Scripture Reference:

Genesis 11:6(b)

and now nothing will be withheld from them, which they purpose to do.

The gift we have been given to appropriately impact the lives of others.

Rhon Johnson

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Scripture Reference:

Matthew 5:15

Neither do [men] light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shines unto all that are in the house.

Sometime, I feel like I’m never going to really grow up. Every time I address one issue in my life, it seems like another one pops up. The truth to the matter is this; growing up is a life time process. The longer we live, the more we should grow. That is unless we decide that we don’t want to grow anymore. Don’t be fooled by this, if we are not growing then we are moving in the opposite direction. Concerning this issue, there is no gray area. Therefore my friends, choose to grow daily.

Rhon Johnson

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Scripture Reference:

II Corinthians 3:18

But we all, with unveiled faces seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory(one level), to glory(the next level), even as from the Lord the Spirit 

Are you uptight about everything? When you get bad news , do you immediately go into panic mode? I know when I get bad news, the first thing that tries to rise up in me is fear. We can not afford to allow anything to cause us to go into panic mode. No matter what it is, it is never as bad as it first appears. We need to step back and gathers ourselves so that we can give the appropriate response for the situation.

Rhon Johnson

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Scripture Reference:

Proverbs 3:25

Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes:

Have you ever stopped  to think about the power of your words. Words have the power to destroy or build, wound or heal, bring about clarity or confusion. We must learn to take responsibility for our words. I often have the opportunity to work with people that are struggling with their self image. Once I was talking to a group about how to use words to help create the future that they want for their lives. As I was speaking, I used this one young lady as an example. I told her that this was just an example. I went on to say that when I first meet her, I thought she was one of the ugliest most unattractive girls  I had ever seen. Knowing that what I said was not true and simply role play, her whole countenance changed and she dropped her head and was no longer able to give me eye contact. I immediately reminded her that this is just an example, and that I actually thought the exact opposite of her. At that very moment her head lifted, a smile came to her face, and she turned away because she was blushing. One sentence of words began to destroy her self image even more, and another set of words began to build up and repair it. Our words are like missiles shot out of our mouths, and they will hit their target and produce according to their nature.

Rhon Johnson

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Scripture Reference:

Isaiah 55:11

So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing where I sent it to.    

Today, celebrate the birth of mankind’s greatest gift with those closest to you.

Rhon Johnson

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Scripture Reference:

Matthew 2:11

And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and opening their treasures, they offered unto him gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

During this Christmas time and the rest of the Holiday Season, let’s make extra efforts to have and keep a merry heart. As you do, it will bless others.

Rhon Johnson

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Scripture Reference:

Proverbs 17:22

A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.

I have lived long enough to agree that there are no short cuts to success. Every time I have tried to cut corners or half do something, I always ended up quitting or starting over from scratch. You can’t multiply your way to the top of anything. One step at a time please! If you are going to get to third base, you must step on first and then second, which is the long way around when you start at home plate. Most importantly, you need all that you’ll learn as you take the long right way around to be able to stay at the place you are headed to. Don’t short cut your self, you’re worth more than that.

Rhon Johnson

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Scripture Reference:

Isaiah 28:10

For it is precept upon precept, (and) precept upon precept, line upon line, (and) line upon line; here a little, there a little.