There is a heaven to gain.

There is a hell to shun.

We need to show those in our communities a glimpse of heaven and make it hard for anyone to go to hell.

You can't go into the poverty stricken areas of your city and tell people, "accept Jesus in your heart or you are going to hell."

They don't understand that because they are already living in hell.

Instead, we should show them a glimpse of heaven with it's race, gender, health and economic equality for all.

"I resolve to endeavor to my utmost to act and think as if I had already seen the happiness of heaven and the torments of hell."

-- Jonathan Edwards

Heaven and Hell.

Let's always be reminded of their realities as specified in Scripture.

Souls are weighing in the balance.

Let's show them heaven.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

On November 7, 2010, I ran the Marshall University half marathon in honor of my sister, Ramona G. Runyon, and to raise funds for the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA).  I logged 420 training miles between July and November preparing for this one race and had to press through painful injury, but that is nothing compared to what my sister and others with lupus go through every day.  I want to thank those who have already donated to this vital cause. 

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys.  The Lupus Foundation of America estimates that 1.5 million Americans, and at least five million people worldwide, have a form of lupus.  

As of today, we have been able to raise $790 in donations to LFA in honor of Ramona.  We need continual research that will produce medical breakthroughs leading to lupus specific medications, treatments and eventually a cure.  I can’t thank those enough who are partnering with us in this endeavor.

Please know that this is just the beginning.    You can find more information on our website at http://LovingGodFellowship.org/lupus .  We will keep that page updated with our efforts.  I hope and pray that more will join us on this journey of love, hope and healing.

Thanks again to all those who have already donated to this vital cause.   As we all utilize our time, talent and treasure in making a difference in our day, many will be helped and we will fulfill our purpose on earth in loving God and people. 

Know that you are loved,
gaj

On November 16, 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Arthritis Advisory Committee voted overwhelmingly (13 to 2) to recommend BENLYSTA® for approval as a treatment for the autoimmune disease lupus. If FDA approved, BENLYSTA would become the first new treatment for lupus in 52 years. While today's vote is a positive step, the FDA still must make a final decision to approve BENLYSTA in the coming weeks.



You can view the video at http://youtu.be/gz6u4ethB6o

This is great news to those who suffer with lupus and their families.  It's not a cure, but it's a start after 52 years.

Let's pray for a cure.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

On November 16, 2010, an FDA Advisory Panel will review scientific data on two late-stage clinical studies of an investigational medicine for the treatment of lupus, known as BENLYSTA™. This is a historic day for lupus as BENLYSTA could be the first new treatment approved for lupus by the FDA in 52 years, when Dwight D. Eisenhower was President of the United States. In addition, BENLYSTA would be the first treatment ever developed specifically for lupus to be approved by the FDA for lupus. ~ Lupus Foundation of America



Watch the video.

I am running in honor of my sister, Ramona Runyon, to fight lupus and help raise funds for the Lupus Foundation of America.  Will you join us in the fight?

Know that you are loved,
gaj

Thanks to all who have prayed for my tendinitis and those who have supported the cause of running for lupus in honor of my sister Ramona Runyon.

We are raising funds for the Lupus Foundation of America. I expect more donations for the cause to come in the weeks ahead and after taking some time off and letting the tendinitis heal in my feet, I'll be hitting the pavement again for the cause of fighting lupus. It is a terrible disease that impacts many people. Many are suffering. We need a cure!

I was up at 3:45 AM to begin my pre race routine of eating, drinking and stretching.  My pre race breakfast consisted of 2 peanut butter and blackberry jam sandwiches, 2 cups of coffee, 1 banana and a tall glass of milk.

I finished the 13.1 miles in 2:19:23 which is slower than my best time for a half marathon which is 2:02, but I'm pleased with the time since I was running injured with tendinitis in both feet.

It was 25 degrees when I started at 7PM and 35 when I finished.  The Lord blessed us with sunny skies.

Splits:

• mile 1 - 9:56 - I ran this first mile faster than I planned to get warm quick.
• 2 - 10:29 - Warmed up good and had a pretty good sweat going.
• 3 - 10:33 - Tendinitis pain started in left foot.
• 4 - 10:18
• 5 - 11:08
• 6 - 10:24
• 7 - 11:11 - Tendinitis pain in both feet now and extreme in left foot.
• 8 - 10:43
• 9 - 10:33
• 10 - 10:55
• 11 - 10:43
• 12 - 10:32
• 13 - 9:32 - My fastest mile as I didn't want to leave anything in the tank at the end.

I'm thankful to God and the support of my family and friends.  I'm blessed to be surrounded with such precious people.

Keep pressing toward the finish line!

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb 12:1-2 ESV)

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

Beloved, in the world there is sin, sickness, disease and disability.  As Christ followers, we have citizenship in God’s Kingdom that Christ is ruling over. 

Our citizenship is not of this world and we are to utilize our remaining days on earth putting our faith in action so that those in need can have opportunity to experience Jesus’ forgiveness of sins while seeing the Kingdom in action and desiring to be a part of it.  In God’s Kingdom there is love, grace, peace and freedom with race, gender, health and economic equality for all.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your bed and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"--he said to the paralytic-- "I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home." And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"
(Mark 2:6-12 ESV)

Jesus’ message of the Kingdom and demonstration of it was attracting large crowds of people, including the religionists of His day.  We can’t help but notice that the religionists had seats in the crowded house and did not give them up for those who were in obvious need, such as this paralytic.  Could this mimic our houses of worship today?  Are the needy being taken care of or are they being crowded out? 

May we in our day take note that Jesus treated all people equal. 

Know that you are loved,
gaj

And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."  (Mark 2:1-5 ESV)

In this paragraph of Scripture, we see four friends of a paralytic believe in health equality for all.  Their friend can’t walk and they desire that he can walk like they do.  This desire compels them to go out of their way to make sure this friend gets to Jesus because they see through Jesus’ actions health equality.  So they believe the message that Christ is preaching – the Kingdom is at hand, repent and believe.  In their actions, Jesus see’s faith, but His next words are rather starting as he looks at the man on the mat and says “your sins are forgiven”.  Jesus knows that the greatest need in this man’s life is the forgiveness of sins that follows repentance and belief.  Jesus takes care of this greatest need and as God Himself, He forgives sins.

Beloved, our greatest need in life is the forgiveness of sin and only God can do that in our life.  We can not do it, the church can not do it, denominations can not do it, church leadership can not do it and people can not do it.  Only God can forgive sins as we repent and believe in Christ and His message acknowledging that He is ruling over His Kingdom that we desire to be participants in.  1 John 1:9 says “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (ESV)”

More to come tomorrow...  Your comments are encouraged!

Know that you are loved,
gaj

And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."
(Mark 2:1-5 ESV)

Mark is very explicit in pointing out that Jesus was there “preaching the word.”  Taking care of people’s needs was important, but preaching the word was priority in Jesus’ life and ministry.  The “word” that Jesus preached is defined in Mark 1:14-15 which reads “… Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel. (ESV)"

Needs being met attracted the crowds, but Jesus constantly brings attention back to the preaching of the Kingdom which is His priority.  Near the conclusion of chapter one Jesus tells His followers "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out. (Mark 1:38 ESV)”

In the kingdom that Jesus is ruling over there is love, grace, peace and freedom with race, gender, health and economic equality for all.  That message must take priority over all else in our day.  Taking care of the needs of people is vital and is to be the result of preaching Christ and His Kingdom which must be priority.  Actions must follow words. The result will be a realization of the Kingdom and participation in it.

More to come tomorrow...  Your comments are encouraged!

Know that you are loved,
gaj

And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, "If you will, you can make me clean." Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, "I will; be clean." And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them." But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.
(Mark 1:40-45 ESV)

What Jesus does in this paragraph of Scripture is startling to the people watching, but Jesus was not focused on the watching people.  He was not interested in attracting crowds and that was not why He did the miracles that He did.  He was focused on an individual who had lost his health, his dignity, his ability to earn income, his social status, his family and his friends.  Jesus responded with a touch and the words “I will; be clean”.  The crowds gasped when Jesus touched the leper, but the leper was filled with healing warmth that flooded His being as he was healed of leprosy and was made clean.  It was love that moved Jesus to act to make this man’s life better.  Jesus did not just feel sorry for him.  Jesus helped him.  Jesus responded with compassion – a love that compels one to act.

The first touch this man felt for probably many years was the touch of Jesus.  He would never be the same.  Why did Jesus touch him?  He did not have to do so.  In all of the recorded exorcisms, Jesus spoke a word and freed the individuals.  He never once laid a hand on a demoniac.  He would speak a word and the winds and waves would obey Him, so why did He touch this leper?  Maybe, he touched the leper to be our example; a pattern for us to follow.

Who are the social outcasts of our day?  Is it the diseased?  Is it those living in poverty?  Is it the homeless?  Is it the incarcerated?  Is it the shut-in?  Is it those living alternate lifestyles?  Is it those of a different race?  Is it those of a different faith?

Who are the social outcasts in your city?  Who in your city is financially and socially isolated?  Who is shut-in?  What would happen in your city if each person makes it a point every day to do an act of compassion, reaching out to touch one that is in need?  I believe more people would realize the Kingdom of God and want to be a part of it.

Beloved, we live in a day where there is an overabundance of armchair theologians and armchair politicians.  We don’t need any more of those.  What we need in our day are people who will follow Jesus and get their hands dirty in point of need ministry revealing that in the Kingdom that Jesus is ruling over there is love, grace, peace and freedom with race, gender, health and economic equality for all. 

Touch people beloved.  Touch people.  Be Jesus’ hand extended.   

Know that you are loved,
gaj

The first chapter of the Gospel of Mark closes with a startling paragraph of Scripture that displays both human despair and the love of God.  Jesus comes into our world proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God that is established in Him.  He victoriously combated evil and it’s captivity of people.  Along the way, He left His followers a wonderful pattern; an example to follow.  Let’s look at the last paragraph of Scripture in Mark chapter one.  

And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, "If you will, you can make me clean." Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, "I will; be clean." And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them." But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.
(Mark 1:40-45 ESV)

Take a look at the one in need in this paragraph of Scripture.  His name and past is not given, but his present situation is and it is not pleasant.  This man has leprosy, an incurable disease.  Leprosy is described in Leviticus chapter 13 of God’s Word.  To have leprosy in the days of Jesus meant that you were separated from your friends and family.  No longer could you be touched as your would be considered “unclean” under the Mosaic Law.  You would be separated from family and friends being forced to live on the outskirts of the city with other lepers.  When you walked through the city, you were to keep your upper lip covered and have to declare yourself unclean as you walked shouting “leper, leper, unclean.”  You watched the crowds divide and stay far from you as you walk through.  Being shunned by all, you were financially and socially isolated, unable to work and dependent on charity.  That was the life of this leper. 

I wonder what life was like for this man prior to being declared “unclean” with leprosy.  Did he have a wife?  If so, how long had it been since he felt her loving touch?  How long had it been since her lips touched his? 

Did He have children?  How long had it been since he felt the loving embrace of his child’s arms around his neck?  How long since he had held his children in his lap.

I’m sure that he longed once again to just be touched and to touch his family and his friends.  He could no longer associate with them.  Their touches were now just a part of his memory and he stayed secluded for their well being.  He would never want any of them to go through what he was experiencing.  He loved them too much.

Then one day, he heard about Jesus being in His city.  He had heard of the exorcisms and miracles that were happening, but would Jesus be willing to associate with a social outcast who was “unclean” and incurable?  In his total desperation, he goes to Jesus and says “if you will, you can make me clean.”  This leper did not doubt Jesus’ ability to heal him.  He doubted Jesus’ willingness to heal him.

Beloved, we know that Jesus can help us, but do we sometimes doubt His willingness?  May we always remember that Jesus is not only able, but He is willing to help.  His help may come when we least expect it and in ways that we never imagined, but He will help us.  He will help us from earth to glory as we follow Him.  It will be a wonderful and victorious journey.

Know that you are loved,
gaj