Synopses & Reviews
Center of the Universe—A Look at Life From the Lighter Side are slices of life from a pastor to his congregation that mixes real concern with real humor. From tales about fly-fishing and an uncontrollable hunting dog to a revival in Africa and healing the homeless, this compilation of 93 stories brings smiles as well as profound insight. With a very casual style and voice, the author relates directly with the reader as a personal friend, committed to sharing valuable lessons he learned on the lighter side of life.
Synopsis
Who, Me?One Person Plus God Equals a Majority
Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them" (Psalm 126:2 NKJV).
Center of the Universe-A Look at Life From the Lighter Side are slices of real-life experiences from a pastor to his congregation that mix real concern with real humor. From tales about fly-fishing and an uncontrollable hunting dog to a revival in Africa and healing the homeless, this compilation of 93 stories brings smiles as well as profound insight. With a very casual style and voice, author and pastor Bill Johnson shares with you as a personal friend, committed to revealing valuable lessons he learned on the lighter side of life. For instance:
"You've probably not wondered what reward the vegetable world will have in Heaven, but I have. If 'the first will be last and the last will be first' applies to them too, I expect that mustard greens will become like good chocolate in Heaven. After all, being at the bottom of the totem pole of the vegetable world, you have nowhere to go but up. I also hear that lima beans have the inside track on being Heaven's raspberries."
The enjoyable stories illustrate truths that will help you in your everyday spiritual journey through life-and keep you smiling all the way.
About the Author
Bill Johnson is a fifth-generation pastor with a rich heritage in the Holy Spirit. Bill and his wife, Beni, serve a growing number of churches through a leadership network that crosses denominational lines and builds relationships. The Johnsons are the senior pastors of Bethel Church in Redding, California. All three of their children and spouses are involved in full-time ministry.
Table of Contents
Contents
Introduction
1. The Inside
2. A Time for Things to Break
3. Divine Distractions
4. Embrace Change
5. Preparing for Revival
6. Good or Best?
7. My New Dog
8. Mustard Greens
9. Planning
10. Raising Dogs
11. Stress and Rest
12. Unstringing Our Bow
13. Writing Letters
14. Rez Is Coming Home
15. Simple Life
16. Laugh
17. The Winds of Change
18. Explosive Under Pressure
19. Drought Versus Winter
20. Never Again
21. Paper for Fire
22. Reminders of Innocence
23. Writing
24. My New Toy
25. Coffee and the Cross
26. Limitations and Liberties
27. Sounds of Fear or Peace
28. True Happiness
29. Sing a New Song
30. Safe in the Center
31. Finding Your Niche
32. Fervent Prayer
33. Discoveries in Prayer
34. Precious
35. Exposure Creates Interest
36. Hearing God
37. Imagination
38. Quiet Time
39. Proverbs
40. Lessons in Prayer
41. Watching Your Heart
42. Keys to Hunger
43. A Fish Story
44. Forgiveness
45. Braces and Baseball
46. Hunting in the Good Old Days
47. Loving the Undeserving
48. TP
49. Who We Are
50. Beatitudes
51. Repentance
52. The Day the Freezer Died
53. Cynicism
54. My Wedding Ring
55. Success
56. Facing Immorality
57. Mistakes
58. Jumping to Conclusions
59. Temptation
60. Restoration
61. Discipleship
62. True Confession
63. Job’s Friends
64. True Loyalty
65. Releasing Your Children to God
66. Pastors of Weaverville
67. Spiritual Roots
68. Mothers
69. Heroes
70. Receiving Christ’s Gift
71. Good-bye to Grandma
72. Letters From Kids
73. Receiving Dick Joyce
74. Students
75. My Children
76. Friends
77. Prayer in the Marketplace
78. Good News
79. Marketing Schemes
80. Rain
81. Toronto
82. Graduation
83. Find the Needy
84. An Alternative, Not a Protest
85. His Gospel
86. Good-bye to Weaverville
87. Building the House
88. Thoughts on Travel
89. Revival in Malawi
90. Calling Africa
91. Love, Not Political Pressure
92. Leaving for Bethel
93. Grieving in Change