Derek Charles Johnson

Perhaps what you are reading is not the usual content you might come to expect from the weekly As Bold As Lions blog.  I know it feels a bit “out of my wheel house” as they say and in full…

He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay.  Matthew 28:6 

As I write this blog leading up to Easter, I am convicted to ask ourselves a question.  The question…

“There is no Christianity without the cross. If the cross is not central to our religion, ours is not the religion of Jesus.”  John R.W. Stott 

Coming into the Easter season, I wanted to leave room for a couple weeks…

Wrapping up a series on how to share and defend the Gospel, I wanted to take a week just to focus on some of the falsehoods that exist as we encounter our world.  Whenever the truth of Scripture is watered…

a·pol·o·get·ics (noun):  reasoned arguments or writings in justification of something, typically a theory or religious doctrine. 

This term apologetics always used to confuse me a little.  It sounds like the word “apology” and I once thought, “Why do I want…

In plotting out a blog series for this upcoming month, I was stirred to think about the faith we possess.  In my own life, I wrestle with how well I understand what I believe and whether or not I can…

Wrapping up a series on marriage and the family, it may seem a little odd to spend some time talking about legacy.  After all, we’re getting into the practical nuts and bolts here right?  We’ve been all about the everyday…

Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.  These words that I am giving you today are to be in…

As we dive back into our discussion on the home, we need a reminder that we face a battle each day that is spiritual in nature.  The forces trying to take down the home, dismantle marriages, and break family bonds…

As we started a new year, one of the areas I have blogged about in the past popped into my mind:  the home.  I wanted to do something fairly early on in 2021 about this topic.  I see the…

I hope this series “New Beginnings” has been an encouragement for you.  Let’s be honest.  January is a long month.  We start out with the hope of a new year where everything sort of has a climatic point; even before…

Switching gears here a bit, it’s time to look at how we move forward in faith and trust in the Lord into 2021.  We’ve spent sometime looking back (Looking Back To Move Forward) and we’ve also broken down…

Each year, I typically look for a verse or passage that God would use to direct the course of my life throughout the upcoming 12 months.  In 2020 I posted a blog The Verse God Gave Me For 2020 and…

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?  I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 

We’ve all had a lot of time to reflect…

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in…

Silent night, holy night! 
All is calm, all is bright 
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child 
Holy infant so tender and mild, 
Sleep in heavenly peace, 
Sleep in heavenly peace 

Silent night, holy night! 
Shepherds quake at the sight 
Glories…

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining 
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth 
Long lay the world in sin and error pining 
Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth 
A thrill of hope, the…

O come, O come, Emmanuel, 
And ransom captive Israel 
That mourns in lonely exile here 
Until the Son of God appear 
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel 
Shall come to thee, O Israel 

O come, Thou Day-Spring 
Come and cheer 
Our spirits by…

Joy to the world, the Lord is come 
Let earth receive her King 
Let every heart prepare Him room 
And Heaven and nature sing 
And Heaven and nature sing 
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing 

Joy to the World,…

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 

We’re in a month that centers around “thankfulness” as we celebrate Thanksgiving…one of my favorite…

“If you have money, power, and status today, it is due to the century and place in which you were born, to your talents and capacities and health, none of which you earned. In short, all your resources are in…

(Originally posted 8-21-19) 

“Abundance isn’t God’s provision for me to live in luxury. It’s his provision for me to help others live. God entrusts me with His money not to build my kingdom on earth, but to build His kingdom…

See, I have set the land before you.  Go in and take possession of the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give to them and to their offspring after them.…

(Originally posted 8-21-19) 

The other day while mowing my lawn, I had a revelation.  Some of my best thoughts nowadays come during that hour or so I spend out in my yard.  The only downside is, I’m at a loss…