Bill Johnson

A "free range" pastor, counselor, author

Stay Home

Stay Home (by Wendell Berry) I will wait here in the fieldsto see how well the rainbrings on the grass.In the labor of the fieldslonger than a man’s lifeI am at home. Don’t come with me.You stay home too. I… Continue Reading →

Self Love

Self Love. March is here, and in my mind, spring is here.  Ash Wednesday is this week, the lenten season is upon us, and all of a sudden easter will arrive – resurrection, new life, new birth.  I was reflecting… Continue Reading →

The Other Side of the Hedge

The Other Side of the Hedge (by E. M. Forster 1911) My pedometer told me that I was twenty-five; and, though it is a shocking thing to stop walking, I was so tired that I sat down on a milestone… Continue Reading →

Angel in the Marble

Angel in the Marble It was Michelangelo who said: “Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it. I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I… Continue Reading →

Never Been Unloved

Never Been Unloved. Even if you are feeling: unfaithful unworthy unrighteious unmerciful unreachable unwilling undesirable unwise unsure unmended uneasy unapproachable unexceptional undecided unqualified unaware unfair unfit You have never been unloved nor will you ever be. “But the great thing… Continue Reading →

God in Between

God in Between “Once there was a town at the foot of a hill with no roads and almost no windows. Without roads the people of the town had nowhere to go, and they wondered what was on the other… Continue Reading →

In the Inbox

In the Inbox (by Jose Orez) From: Coordinator of Volunteer Services “We have a young man, thirty-six, on hospice who has a very young child. They want someone to help him do a life review and perhaps put some pictures… Continue Reading →

Simple Sunday Sermons: “Help.” (Psalm 40:1-3)

Simple Sunday Sermons: “Help.” (Psalm 40:1-3)
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Oh, That’s What It’s All About!

Simple Sunday Sermons: Oh, That’s What It’s All About! (1 John 4:7-21)
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The Secret of Giving and Receiving

Simple Sunday Sermons: The Secret of Giving and Receiving. (Acts 20:35).
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The Way it Is

The Way It Is (by Lyn Ungar) One morning you might wake up to realize that the knot in your stomach had loosened itself and slipped away, and that the pit of unfulfilled longing in your heart had gradually, and… Continue Reading →

A Practical Remedy for Fear and Worry

Simple Sunday Sermons: A Practical Remedy for Fear and Worry (1 John 4:18, 1 Peter 5:7, Eph. 3:19)
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The Real, Authentic, Courageous Faith of “Doubting” Thomas

Simple Sunday Sermons: The Real, Authentic, Courageous Faith of “Doubting” Thomas (John 20:24-29)
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God’s Own Fool

God’s Own Fool by Michael Card That this Easter coincides with April fools is perfect and reminded me of an old song I’ve enjoyed that speaks of my hero Jesus and how I want to be a holy fool just… Continue Reading →

Easter Fools

Simple Sunday Sermons: Easter Fools (1 Cor. 1:25)
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God’s Love for Us

God’s Love for Us (by Julian of Norwich) The love of God most High for our soul is so wonderful that it surpasses all knowledge. No created being can fully know the greatness, the sweetness, the tenderness, of the love… Continue Reading →

Just Like a Thief on a Cross

Simple Sunday Sermons: Just Like a Thief on a Cross (Luke 23:33–43)
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Who You Are Not

Who You Are Not (by William Johnson) You are not your stories You are not your thoughts You are not your judgements You are not your condemnation You are not your past You are not your future You are not… Continue Reading →

Forgive Yourself Too!

Simple Sunday Sermons:  Forgive Yourself Too! (Psalm 51:10-12)
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This Too Shall Pass

This Too Shall Pass. During the festive Passover meal with his ministers, King Solomon teased Benaiah son of Jehoiada, his arrogant Chief of Army. “Benaiah, I was told that there is a special ring that has a special power. It… Continue Reading →

Are You a Believer or a Belover?

Simple Sunday Sermons: Are You a Believer or a Belover? (John 3:14-21)
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Notice

Notice (by Steve Kowit) This evening, the sturdy Levi’s I wore every day for over a year & which seemed to the end in perfect condition, suddenly tore. How or why I don’t know, but there it was: a big… Continue Reading →

A Prayer – May I Know Who I Am

A Prayer – May I Know Who I Am (by Debbie Ford) Dear God, On this day I ask you to grant this request – May I know who I am and what I am, every moment of every day…. Continue Reading →

The Reckless Raging Fury That They Call the Love of God

Simple Sunday Sermons: The Reckless Raging Fury That They Call the Love of God (John 2:13-22).
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The Prisoner Who Was Free

There was a prisoner who was held in a cell for many years. Every day at a certain time the jailer would come and open up the door, set down a plate of food, close the door leaving the prisoner… Continue Reading →

Radical and Beautiful Forgiveness

Simple Sunday Sermons: Radical and Beautiful Forgiveness (Isaiah 1:18)
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What the Living Do

What the Living Do (by Marie Howe) Johnny, the kitchen sink has been clogged for days, some utensil probably fell down there. And the Drano won’t work but smells dangerous, and the crusty dishes have piled up waiting for the… Continue Reading →

An Alternative to Gloom

Simple Sunday Sermons: An Alternative to Gloom (Nehemiah 8:10).
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God Hates Nothing He Has Made

Simple Sunday Sermons: God Hates Nothing He Has Made. (Psalm 103:13-17)
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My Brilliant Image

My Brilliant Image (by Hafiz) One day the sun admitted I am just a shadow. I wish I could show you The infinite incandescence That has cast my brilliant image! I wish I could show you, When you are lonely… Continue Reading →

What to Remember When Waking

What to Remember When Waking (by David Whyte) In that first hardly noticed moment in which you wake, coming back to this life from the other more secret, moveable and frighteningly honest world where everything began, there is a small… Continue Reading →

Stop “Shoulding” on Yourself

Simple Sunday Sermons: Stop “Shoulding” on Yourself. (Matthew 9:13, 12:7)
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You Are Beautiful

As you watch this video, you’ll see some that can help but smile, you’ll see others that find it hard to take in, and you’ll see others who don’t know how to respond.  What if this statement was deeper than… Continue Reading →

God’s Desire to Ease Your Pain

Simple Sunday Sermons: God’s Desire to Ease Your Pain (1 Peter 5:7).
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Those Winter Sundays

Those Winter Sundays (by Robert Hayden) Sundays too my father got up early and put his clothes on in the blueblack cold, then with cracked hands that ached from labor in the weekday weather made banked fires blaze. No one… Continue Reading →

Trust

Simple Sunday Sermons: Trust (Deut. 33:27)
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Frost

Frost (by Arthur Sze) Notice each windowpane has a different Swirling pattern of frost etched on the glass. And notice how slowly the sun melts The glaze. It is indelible: a fossil of a fern, Or a coelacanth, or a… Continue Reading →

On “Bad” Preaching

On Preaching by Frederick Buechner “There is perhaps no better proof for the existence of God than the way year after year he survives the way his professional friends promote him. If there are people who remain unconvinced, let them… Continue Reading →

Why Not Settle This Issue Once and For All?

Simple Sunday Sermons: Why Not Settle This Issue Once and For All? (Mark 1:11)
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Beannacht

Beannacht (by John O’Donohue) Sometimes all you can do is bless someone and wish them blessing.  You can’t change what they’re going through, though you wish you could.  It’ difficult to figure out how to ease their suffering or bear… Continue Reading →

Two Giant Fat People

Two Giant Fat People (by Hafiz) God and I have become Like two giant fat people Living in a tiny boat. We keep Bumping into each other And laughing. Forgive me for being so politically incorrect by sharing this poem… Continue Reading →

Through You!

Simple Sunday Sermons: Through You! (Matthew 2:1-12)
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There Are Men Too Gentle to Live Among Wolves

There Are Men Too Gentle to Live Among Wolves (by James Kavanaugh) There are men too gentle to live among wolves Who prey upon them with IBM eyes And sell their hearts and guts for martinis at noon. There are… Continue Reading →

Where’s the Peace?

Simple Sunday Sermons: Where's the Peace?  (Col. 3:15)
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Release

Release (by Peter Friedrichs) I wish I were like the trees, Who let their leaves go gracefully, without regret. Or the tumbling stream that flushes silt to sea, Exchanging murkiness for blessed clarity. Or the dandelion, who bows its head… Continue Reading →

A Prayer We Never Have to Pray Because of Christmas

Simple Sunday Sermons: A Prayer We Never Have to Pray Because of Christmas (Phil. 4:5)
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White Wine in the Sun

White Wine in the Sun by Tim Minchin is one of my new favorite Christmas songs.  It might seem strange considering he’s an atheist, but an atheist who gets “it” and knows it’s all about love.  But the tune, melody… Continue Reading →

A Blessing for Traveling in the Dark

A Blessing for Traveling in the Dark (by Jan Richardson) Go slow if you can. Slower. More slowly still. Friendly dark or fearsome, this is no place to break your neck by rushing, by running, by crashing into what you… Continue Reading →

The Light of God Surrounds Me

Simple Sunday Sermons: The Light of God Surrounds Me (John 1).
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Believe It

Believe It. The seeker said to God: “Tell me, tell me something I can treasure and remember.” And God said “I love you. I love you. I love you.” The seeker replied: “Is that all? Tell me something else.” And… Continue Reading →

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