A Birthday Blog from Dr. J

[Lonnell Johnson]

I am rejoicing with an overwhelming sense of gratitude to God for another year of life. To say that I have been blessed, not just this past year, but over the past 67 years, is quite the understatement. How grateful I am for all that God has done for me. At such a time as this I recall the refrain to a hymn that speaks of the Love of God. These words mean so much to me:Could we with ink the ocean fill,And were the skies of parchment made,Were every stalk on earth a quill,And every man a scribe by trade,To write the love of God above,Would drain the ocean dry.Nor could the scroll contain the whole,Though stretched from sky to sky.To know the love of Christ which passes knowledge . . . such knowledge is too wonderful for me . . . it is high. I cannot attain unto it. Yet I can and do experientially know that God loves me, and that is more than I can bear at times. Nonetheless, I am truly grateful for all that He has done for me.For the past several years, I have composed a poem on my birthday, generally a reflective piece written in celebration of God’s goodness over the past year. From time to time, I think of the words of Saint Augustine: “To contemplate the truth and to share the fruits of that contemplation.” Here are some of my thoughts on this very special occasion:Accounting RecordsAn Apostolic Sonnet composedin celebration of my 67th BirthdayJune 17, 2009“Yes, the old account was settled long ago.”Traditional Gospel Song“. . . for your account in heaven is paid in full.”Dennis Cramer to Lonnell E. JohnsonAnd [so] the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed in(adhered to, trusted in, and relied on) God, and thiswas accounted to him as righteousness (as conformity to God's will in thought and deed), and he was called God's friend.James 2:23 [Amplified Bible]As I once more compute the sum of all my days,Lengthen my life and strengthen my heart evermore.Assess my value and consider all my ways,As you add yet another measure of favor.Remove any trace that displeases or offends.Readjust my life and balance my equationAnd calculate the full return of your dividends:Record the total worth of Kingdom Salvation.That You are more than gracious cannot be denied:Far beyond the price anyone can estimate,All-sufficient grace, not added but multiplied.Each effort to serve You will more than compensate.You supplement to adjust the final amountAnd with joy reconcile each heavenly account.Thanks for celebrating God’s goodness with me.Lonnell

[Billy Britt]

You are a wonderful man, your life is a testament to His goodness, love and poetry.
Happy Birthday!

[John Richeson]

That's awesome Lonnell. I join in celebrating this day with you. Happy birthday, man. God bless you.