Hey I am gone to Haiti for a week or so. Please be praying for the team while we are there. There are 10 of us going. I'll update when I get back with pictures and info.

I can't remember where I have heard this before....turn the compass of your heart north. I like it though. It's a bit cheesy, ok maybe a lot cheesy, but I think we all have times in our lives that we need to look north to the cold and wildneress that is there to find who we are.

I'm reading some books right now I would recommend. I'm not a huge Rob Bell fan, but his new book Jesus want's to save Christians is worth a read. Also, Jesus for President by Shane Claiborn is pretty good. They both talk about the kingdom we live in vs. the kingdom we should live in. They are very thought provoking for those who want to be apart of the kingdom of God.

I am leaving for Haiti in about a week to spend Christmas down there. There is a team of about ten of us going. I am pretty excited about this trip, maybe more than others. Not sure why, I just think this will be good.

I am getting back into photography again. It's kind of cool. I miss taking pictures. I miss writing too, but I can't seem to find the groove. I want to write a book.

I am toying with New Year's Resolutions. One is to not lie. Everyone lies. I wonder what total honesty looks like. The other is to meet one new person a week and hear their story (whatever such things may be.) Just some thoughts.

Hope all of you are doing well. I know I am not around much, but I do try to keep up with everyone on here. See you soon.

Johnny

PS. Did I tell you I am going to be an uncle in February?

It seems as though recently I have been faced with some challenges. We all have challenges that we face all the time. If we didn't, life would be boring. They cause us to grow. It's part of the process of becoming who we will be. Sometimes the challenges I face I have faced before. Sometimes the thought process, the beliefs, the values, and the goals that I have need to be re-examined for authenticity. If you hang a priceless painting in a gallery and a thief replaces it with a copy, you would never know it unless an expert examines. But who is the expert in life?
There are a lot of answers to this question, but the one I come to tells me about a kingdom that isn't of any earthly origin. It's kingdom is found in the hearts of people who have experience Love in a way few do, who have come face to face with the Creator. Why do I need to make a stance on politcal issues if I choose to love. Real love does not force itself on anyone, nor does it force is ways or beliefs. Real love gives a choice.
I wonder what the world would look like if the church chose to live in this different kingdom. What would happen if we abandoned the things of this world for the hope of another way of living. What radical way of living could allow people to experience love in it's truest form.
Maybe the words "this is eternal life, that they may know You, the one true God, and the Son that you sent" can best be summarized like this....this is eternal life, that we know love, and we love. My challenge is to love. I face it everyday.

...and see what may come out.

Life goes on. It's been a rocky few months and things may be getting better. But maybe I should look at things as good or bad, as right or wrong, but as a gift of the present that will help me to my future.

I am in Florida still for those who keep up with this. I am working at a school/church as a facility manager right now. I am taking classes at one of the local colleges. I am involved with the youth.

My sister is pregnant. She is 17 weeks along. My girlfriend and I broke up a little while back. I am planning a trip to Haiti in December.

Life comes at us from all different ways, but as always it is meant to be lived. God's plans for our lives are Soveriegn. His love for us is immeasurable. We can find joy even if the world is against us.

Life is not the circumstances that we are given, but what we choose to do with them. I may not still be in Atlanta, but a part of me is always there. We always leave a mark were we have been. And when we look back, it may just point us to where we are going.

Life has a circular way of being ezperienced. It seems that you always find yourself back where you started, facing the things that you thought you had already learned.

I'm at Rescue Atlanta for the moment getting ready to head to Miami for the week. It'll be fun to hang out with everyone for a few days. I miss them all.

Life has been pretty crazy as of late. I went to Macedonia in March. I started dating a girl in April. Something happened in May that I am not allowed to talk about (or they could kill me). I turned 27 in June. I started college again. I shaved my head. I've been to the beach a few times. Life continues.

As I was reading through some of the post people have left over the last few months I found how much I miss the Xanga community, and how the last 11 months of my life have been different in a lot of ways.  It has been almost a year since I left Rescue Atlanta, and I wonder if I have grown at all or just kind of killed some time while I am still hanging around this rock. Have I helped anyone at all?

Well there is work to be done so I am off. Peace and love to all.

Hey Everyone,

Just wanted to give you a few quick updates to let you know what was going on. I am down in New Orleans a the Mardi Gras outreach with Rescue Atlanta. It's going pretty good. I ran into Humble1 on the streets while we were out the other night which was pretty cool. It's warmer this year and there is some stirring in my spirit about stuff, but thats for another time.
I was in Haiti for Christmas and Africa for Thanksgiving. Both trips were pretty incredible and on opposite ends of the spectrum. I will try and get some pictures up for you to see in the near future. I am learning a lot lately, and enjoying the practice of being in the presence.
I will be in Macedonia in March and back hanging out with people for some outreaches coming up in the spring and summer. I miss talking to you guys, and hope you all are well. I'll try and update you again soon. Love you.

It's been a while.....Here is a brief update.

I'm living in Florida right now, staying at the parents while they are living elsewhere in this great country. I started working at my old job here, doing a lot of what my old boss was doing. It is somewhat temporary, which is fine by me since most everything in this life is. He has lukemia, and will be out for about a year.

I leave for Africa in 27 days. I am pretty excited about that. It's me and Jamie going, which could be really good, or really bad, depending on what we find over there . I have my passport, plane ticket, and an appointment to get my shots. Almost there.

I may be going to Texas next week. My grandpa is in the hospital. He has complete dementia, and they don't have a lot of hope for him right now to pull through. I think I am leaving on a Tuesday.

Other than that, there are not a lot of earth shattering things going on. Next years plans include Macedonia, a little cash in the pocket, and going back to school. For now, I am happy with being in this year.

Peace to all the xanganites still around. Love you guys. Really. You all rock.

Hey, just to let everyone know, my grandpa passed away last night. I won't be going to Texas after all. Tentatively we have a graveside planned for next Wednesday here in Florida. Thanks for all your prayers.

Dear Friends,

    Today is my last day living in Atlanta. I have grown to love this place over the last 3 years. I will truly miss it. Perhaps Providence will see fit to bring me here again. For now I will be leaving for Florida for a little while. In the near future I hope to be in Texas, Colorado, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and everywhere inbetween to see family and friends. After, I am planning to be in Africa and Europe a little this fall. Granted these are my plans, and subject to change at any time. I covet your prayers and hope to be able to connect with you all at some point along the way. Blessings to you, and if you need anything please let me know. I will do my best to keep you updated about what is happening. Love you all,

Charlie Brown, Mr. 4, Denzel, Johnny......

Well I am only a few days from leaving Atlanta. It has been a fun 3 years, albeit long, tired and stressful. I am glad I have been here, and who knows, maybe I will come back again some day. It's a special place, and if you have been to Rescue Atlanta you know what I mean.

Yesterday the staff took me out to lunch after church. During service, they had me come up on stage, said some nice things, and then prayed for me. That was really cool.

I leave out Friday morning. Tonight we had a prayer service. That was really good. There are going to be some incredible things happening. I am sure of it.