Derek Charles Johnson

(Originally posted 1-25-18) 

“The best use of life is love. The best expression of love is time. The best time to love is now.”  Rick Warren 

Of all the things we can offer another person in our lives, what is…

You’ve probably heard the phrase “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”  It’s seemingly a nod to ingenuity and development; an acknowledgment that any process worth doing or worth building takes time.  “Nothing happens overnight” is another way of saying the…

As we’ve gone through the past few weeks, everything has really been building toward a culmination of what this all leads to:  marriage.  Our years of singleness and our years of dating are (hopefully) preparing us for the years we…

Last time (Date With Intention, Part 1) we began this conversation on dating knowing that much of what we encounter in our dating relationships can lead to brokenness and pain.  Honestly, what I write I wish I had…

Back when I was in high school, there was a very popular book in Christian circles about dating.  The title was eye-catching and thought-provoking:  I Kissed Dating Goodbye.  It was probably in every youth pastor’s library.  I can think…

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…

There’s pressure to enjoy summer.  Right?  I’m from the Midwest.  It’s almost a panic.  “Go out there. Have fun. Winter’s coming to kill us.  Go!  Get skin cancer now!”  Cause there’s an expectation of fun during summer.  Jim Gaffigan (comedian) 

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(Originally posted 8-9-18)

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.  “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go?…

I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.  Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.  Three times I was beaten with…

“Stating it as plainly as possible, God chooses to touch the hearts and minds of individuals at exactly the right time for each person. You may be surprised to hear that when the time is right, you won’t insist upon…

“I’m delighted to report that authentic followers of Christ have answers. They have something unchangeable and eternal to believe in. Jesus is a rock, and unwavering firm foundation. The Bible has stood the test of time.” (The Jesus Dare pg…

I gotta admit, I’m pretty excited about the next few weeks and it’s been hard to keep things under wraps this long.  I’m not good at keeping secrets and ruining surprises!  A couple months ago, the opportunity came to partner…