Today, I’m finishing my first half century hoping the second half goes a lot slower, while still allowing me to contribute. 

I’m thankful for God, family, and friends who love me in spite of all my imperfections. 

I’m still realizing, day by day, how truly amazing God’s grace is.

I’m sure that I have hurt many, as sometimes my youthful ambitions and shortage of wisdom blinded me from seeing clearly, that it is all about people and nothing else. 

I can only hope that I have helped some. 

For the remainder of this marathon called life, I desire to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus who will lead me to the finish line, where the celebration of life, and the race that is run, truly begins.

Until that day, I will continue to run the race to receive the prize, receiving the needed endurance along the way from Him.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

Started training in July.

Logged 420 training miles.

Battled hot and humid conditions with over 40 days above 90 degrees.

Developed tendinitis in left foot.

But, now it's time to get it done.

Sunday morning, 11/7/2010, at 7 AM.

Running 13.1 miles.

A half marathon.

To fight lupus.

In honor of my sister.

Will you join me in the cause to stop lupus?

Together, we can make a difference!

Know that you are loved,
gaj

I am running in honor of my sister, Ramona Runyon who has battled lupus for 26 years.  In July of this year I started training to run the Marshall University Marathon on November 7, 2010 to raise funds for the American Lupus Foundation in her honor.

I have not ran a marathon since the fall of 2007 when I completed three marathons in 9 weeks in raising funds for the American Heart Association in honor of my dad, Elmer Johnson and in memory of my good friend Cat Cavazos.  Needless to say, I have had my work cut out for me in getting back into running shape. 

I have battled running in the heat and humidity of central Kentucky all summer and developed tendinitis in my foot just a couple of weeks ago.  The tendinitis will keep me from running the full marathon, but not the half marathon!  I’m going to get out there and press toward the finish line as my temporary pain is nothing compared to the pain that lupus victims go through day by day in their battle against this disease.

Please go to http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org/Lupus and read more about this disease and how you can join me in making a difference.  Always remember that you can do things that I can not do.  I can do things that you can not do.  Together we can do great things!

Know that you are loved,
gaj

I’m so thankful for medical professionals.  They minister at the point of need.  Sure, many do not realize it and some are in it just for the monetary rewards, but God uses them nevertheless to bring the healing needed.

I’m fortunate to have a sister-in-law, Shelia, who has been a nurse taking care of the ill and ministering at their point of need for over 20 years.  She now teaches nursing.  The beautiful part is that her daughter Kristen was one of her students and is following her mother’s steps in using her life to help others.  It thrills my heart.  I’m also fortunate to have a cousin, David, who is a surgeon.  I’m sure that you also have friends and family in the medical profession.  God is using each of these to bring much healing and ease of suffering.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

My sister, Ramona has been battling Lupus for over two decades.  There is no cure and the disease has caused so much damage to every part of her body.  She has had multiple strokes in her young life and has trouble getting around, but she doesn’t have trouble meeting the felt needs of others.  She ministers the love of Christ to everyone she comes in contact with.  She cooks meals and she and her husband Chuck takes food to people.  They have provided my family with manna many times and God has used them to sustain us in ministry over and over again.  These are Christ followers who get it and they are revealing the Kingdom of God to so many through taking care of their felt needs.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

I was fortunate to be raised by Christ following parents who used their God given abilities to minister at the point of need and take care of felt needs just as Jesus did.  I grew up seeing them do without and give of their time, talent and treasure so that the needs of others would be taken care of.  I’m glad that they did not teach me to leave the needs of others in the sovereign hands of God.  I am glad that Jesus did not teach us to leave the needs of others in the sovereign hands of God.  I am glad that so many people get it and are continuing the point of need ministry of Jesus and not just merely attending a church service expecting God to take care of people.

Mom and Dad are now in their senior years of life and I will take care of them and their needs.  I will do it out of my love for them and in obedience to Scripture, just as they taught me by example.

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
(1 Timothy 5:8 ESV)

Know that you are loved,
gaj

He taught me how to fish.

He taught me how to hunt.

He went to all of my basketball games.

He taught me what it meant to follow Jesus.

He was my best man at my wedding.

He is my dad and today is his 79th birthday.

Living 2,500 miles away being in ministry, I have not been able to spend his birthday with him in over six years.

Today, I'm spending the day with him.

He served on a hospital ship, the USS Haven, during the Korean War.

We gave him a book today on the history of the Korean War.

And Becky baked him 4 dozen of oatmeal cookies using his mothers recipe.

I'm glad we live close to my parents now.

It's a good day.

 Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder, www.LovingGodFellowship.org