Author Archive: Ian Johnson

I have been in Christ since 1991, and have been writing about the general subject area of this site since 1996. My less relevant qualifications are: B.S. (Chemistry) and B.A. (Linguistics), 1976, Wichita State University. M.S. (Biochemistry), 1982 (course work finished in 1980), Iowa State University; J.D., 1982, University of Iowa; M.A. (History), 1984, University of Iowa; plus one year of a History Ph.D. program, 1984-1985, University of Kansas. I was employed from 1991 to 2016 as a research paralegal in a firm that handled mostly complex civil litigation, including toxic tort litigation (in which I was always involved). That firm merged with a larger litigation firm in 2016, where I have been employed ever

The Story of Regina

Explanation of the letter I have written to Regina Oliveira. She was an important part of the surreal story of my life from 1984 to 1991, then she disappeared. Her love sustained us in a very difficult time. This story teaches that you can’t know how much the kindness you do today will change the world forty years from now.

La historia de Regina

Explicación de la carta que he escrito a Regina Oliveira. Ella era una parte importante de la historia surreal de mi vida de 1984 a 1991, luego desapareció. Su amor nos sostuvo en un momento muy difícil. Esta historia enseña que no puedes saber cuánto la bondad que haces hoy cambiará el mundo dentro de cuarenta años.

An important decision about my articles

The most important lesson of the last six months of my life is: to be who I am without reservation, without restraint. I’m a teacher, not a mushroom. And I participate in a Hispanic church. Therefore, I will write in Spanish first.

Una decisión importante sobre mis artículos

La lección más importante de los últimos seis meses de mi vida es: ser quien soy sin reservas, sin contención. Soy maestro, no hongo. Participo en una iglesia hispana y ouedo escribir en español. Por eso, ahora voy a escribir primero en español.

Encouragers/ Exhorters: Be who you are!

Each member has his or her own gifts, which are not the same as those of other members. The Church needs all our gifts. We are to be the persons that God has made us to be fully, unreservedly, completely in proportion to the faith. To Encouragers/ Exhorters, God says: “Be who you are!” The rest of us would be in a bad place without you!

Animadores/ Exhortadores: ¡sé quién eres!

La Iglesia necesita todos nuestros dones. Debemos ser las personas que el Dios nos ha hecho de ser con plenitud, sin reserva, completamente en proporción a la fe. A los Animadores/ Exhortadores, Dios les dice: ¡Sé lo quién eres! ¡El resto de nosotros estaríamos en un mal lugar sin ti!

Warning: Spiritual Encouragement/ Exhortation Causes Paroxysms!

If we are doing what we are supposed to be doing, we should expect to see some earthquakes, volcanoes, seizures, fires, and other things that drastically change the lives of the people around us–though in a good direction–toward love and good deeds.

Advertencia: ¡Aliento Espiritual / Exhortación Causa Paroxismos!

Si estamos haciendo lo que se supone que debemos hacer, debemos esperar ver algunos terremotos, volcanes, convulsiones, incendios y otras cosas que cambian drásticamente la vida de las personas que nos rodean, aunque en una buena dirección, hacia el amor y las buenas obras.

And I think I have problems?

God’s people had been ruled by God as their King. But they had forgotten him. Still, Samuel said to them, “And as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you.”

¿Y creo que yo tengo problemas?

La gente de Dios le había sido gobernada por Dios como su Rey. Pero ellos le han olvidado. Quisieron un Rey “como todas las naciones”, no Dios. Aun así, Samuel les dijo: «y en cuanto a mí, lejos esté de mí que peque contra el Señor, cesando de orar por ustedes».