Comments

• 

  Lonnell Johnson August 10, 2009 at 6:25pm

  Shai,
  
  
  Today is the 35th anniversary of my ordination, and I have a special compilation on my Way Corps webpage. Check out the blog "Celebrate with Me."
  
  For all of us, the journey continues. Celebrate with me on my journey.
  
  
  Lonnell
  
  God bless,
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  Barbara Gluckin Tompary January 3, 2009 at 3:28pm

  Love the nametag. I think Victor took his with him when we were together last week...so cute! Love you, Barbara
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  Dominic Ross May 30, 2008 at 10:57am

  I am that Dominic. It's great to see you all grown up man. Beautiful wife, beautiful life and you look really happy. I'm just here in the desert making movies and loving my wife Stacy and my son Music. I moved my mom in with me so of course I'll need to get a bigger house.
  
  Hope your well. Give my love to those I know and those I hope to meet one day.
  
  Later,
  Dominic
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  Dominic Ross May 28, 2008 at 7:26pm

  You look exactly the same as you did in 1979 WOW year. Crazy! Hope you're well.
  
  Dominic
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  Lonnell Johnson February 21, 2008 at 6:53pm

  Shai,
  
  My Beloved Brother,
  
  I happened to think of you today when a couple of my students talked about a student who allegedly killed a number of students on the campus where I formerly taught. I reeled with disbelief and fought back the tears that started to overwhelm my soul. Though I was no longer a part of that college community, I was impacted by what supposedly had happened there. Upon further investigation, it was not Otterbein College at all, but the students were referring to the tragedy that occurred not long ago on the campus of Northern Illinois University, which is the campus where you and your wife met and later graduated from. From the experience today, I came to understand more fully the far-reaching impact of a tragedy such as that which occurred at NIU. As I was thinking about you and your wife and praying for you, I thought of a couple of poems in my repertoire that might minister to you at this time. Often when I wax reflective, I also wax poetic, as words of poetry--sometime my own, sometimes the works of others--come to mind. May these thoughts be a blessing to you, as we recall once more that "all things work together for the good, to them that love God, to them that are the called according to His purpose":
  
  If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
  
  In happy moments, praise God.
  In difficult moments, seek God.
  In quiet moments, worship God.
  In painful moments, trust God.
  In every moment, thank God.
  
  
  
  At All Times
  
  I will bless the Lord at all times,
  His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
  Psalm 34:1
  
  
  When I see God’s goodness and mercy follow me,
  As I savor the ecstasy of victory,
  When joy overflows and floods my soul, I will praise God.
  
  When gripped by the devices of this transient life
  And caught in the straits of rising conflict and strife,
  During these difficult moments, I will seek God.
  
  When I long to abide within a tranquil mood
  And linger in moments of sweetest quietude,
  From the depths of my soul, I will worship God.
  
  Despite raging seas, stormy winds and blinding rain,
  When protracted pain strikes like a knife and numbs my brain
  So that I can scarcely scream your name, I will trust God.
  
  All along life’s journey, no matter the season,
  Through every why and wherefore, for every reason
  Every moment I draw breath, I will thank God.
  
  I seek the Lord and ask myself, “What shall I do?”
  “Give thanks: it is God’s will in Christ concerning you.”
  “Give thanks: it is God’s will in Christ concerning you.”
  
  
  Lonnell E. Johnson
  January 21, 2007
  
  
  Shai, even though we are in the throws of a harsh winter season. Here in Ohio we are under a winter storm advisory with freezing rain and snow and sleet falling steadily. The winters in North Carolina are not nearly as severe, but nonetheless, we all know that though there are times of winter, we are assured that spring will follow. "Until Spring" was written following the Challenger tragedy, when a number of astronauts were accidentally killed in space a number of years ago. I praise God that we have a hope, and hope does not cause us to be ashamed, as we look for the Lord's return which is forthcoming, soon and very soon.
  
  Until Spring
  
  So when this corruptible has put on incorruption,
  and this mortal has put on immortality,
  then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written,
  “Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death,
  where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?
  I Corinthians 15:54-55
  
  Whether on earth or shuttled in the sky,
  Death snuffs out our candles in devious ways,
  For each man must learn to number his days,
  Although the soul still probes to fathom why.
  The mind made numb with pain can only try
  To make sense of the immense ache that stays.
  The answer sounds since Adam but still dismays:
  It is appointed unto man once to die.
  Though grief surrounds us, comfort can be shown.
  The sun melts frost with new life as surely
  As blossoms will flourish from seeds once sown.
  Until Spring, on tip-toe I yearn to see
  The day when I shall know as I am known,
  When death is swallowed up in victory.
  
  
  On that hopeful note I'll close for now. Be blessed, and know that you are in my prayers.
  
  Lonnell
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  steve perez January 28, 2008 at 8:29am

  Well you were mini corps when I was jr. corps so we weren't tight. I was Tiran Brown's room mate. Shawn Doran also l lived in that room. Great to see your face again all these years later!
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  steve perez January 28, 2008 at 7:31am

  Hey man, I am having a heck of a time remembering you but then it dawned on me. Did you play the piano?
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  Frank Baker January 28, 2008 at 2:53am

  Hi Shai,
  Great to hear from you. Wilma sends her love, too.
  
  Frank
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  Lonnell Johnson January 24, 2008 at 3:52pm

  Good Brother and Friend,
  
  Your remarks about our being able to do even greater works brought to mind a poem I had written some years ago when I taught New Testament History at the Way College of Emporia, where I first savored the sweetness of teaching on a college campus. This experience literally changed my life and ultimately led to my obtaining my doctorate and teaching on the university level.
  
  Since the third grade I have wanted to "make history", particularly within the context of African American culture. Of course I now recognize "a higher calling" and see all of life from a higher spiritual vantage point (at least I try to see life from that perspective). Here is the poem. I trust it will be a blessing.
  
  Yo' Bro',
  
  Lonnell
  
  The Living Gallery of the New Testament
  
  In the living gallery of the New Testament is reserved a special space:
  An empty canvas awaits each feature of your face.
  Each of us paints a self-portrait in minutest detail.
  To develop your life’s masterpiece, you can never fail
  When you follow Christ’s example, the Master of the Word,
  Beholding as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord.
  Each day abounds with potential for matchless artistry.
  Now is your golden moment—you are making “His Story.”
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  Gary King January 24, 2008 at 11:23am

  Hey Shai - it is coming out sometime this spring semester - haven't heard the exact date. I'm sure we will let you know when . . . for now you can hear one of the songs - go to my page and listen to the music . . .well you probably have . . . Love you brother.