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Center of the Universe: A Look at Life From the Lighter Side
Who me? One person plus God equals a majority. Center of the Universe is a collection of humorous stories and lessons on life. Relax and enjoy! 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 "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.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
About the author
Bill Johnson
771 books545 followersBill Johnson and his wife Brenda (Beni) Johnson are the Senior Pastors of Bethel Church in Redding, California. Johnson is a fifth generation pastor.
Johnson was born in Minnesota in 1951 and became a Christian as a young child. Soon after, Johnson read seven books on prayer, which significantly affected his perspective and subsequent ministry.
Bill Johnson and his wife have three children: Eric, Brian and Leah.
Johnson speaking at a conference
Bill Johnson and Beni (Brenda) began as singles pastors under his father at Bethel. In 1979, they became senior pastors of Mountain Chapel in Weaverville, California.
While pastoring in Weaverville, Johnson attended a 1987 conference led by John Wimber, founder of the Vineyard Church Movement. According to Johnson "A number of healings and manifestations broke out and I didn't know what to do with it. I didn't object to it, I wasn't opposed to it; I just didn't know how to pastor it in a way that it would continue and increase".
In 1995, Johnson attended the Toronto Blessing revival at the Toronto Airport Vineyard church. Johnson relates: "In Toronto I said, 'Lord, if You touch me again I will never change the subject.' So I went up for prayer every time it was offered. I didn't have anything dramatic happen, but I came home and said, 'I am going to give the rest of my life to this.'"
In February 1996, after 17 years of leading the Weaverville church, the Johnsons were invited to become senior pastors of Bethel. Today Johnson describes Bethel as a church where "everything we do either fuels revival or is fueled by revival." Under his leadership, Bethel left the Assemblies of God in 2006 to become a nondenominational charismatic church.
According to a recent book written by Johnson, "Face to Face with God", Bethel is "a church where supernatural encounters with God happen regularly, miracles are common, and the congregation has an infectious passion for spiritual growth." The church has approximately 1,500 members, and a School of Supernatural Ministry.
Their Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry has 1,200 students enrolled with over 370 from other countries. Johnson leads a network of churches dedicated to global, multi-generational revival, Global Legacy. Johnson has written a number of books and travels extensively as a featured revival conference speaker. Johnson is also involved with the Northern California Revival Fellowship, a group of north Californian pastors committed to revival.
Source: Wikipedia
Johnson was born in Minnesota in 1951 and became a Christian as a young child. Soon after, Johnson read seven books on prayer, which significantly affected his perspective and subsequent ministry.
Bill Johnson and his wife have three children: Eric, Brian and Leah.
Johnson speaking at a conference
Bill Johnson and Beni (Brenda) began as singles pastors under his father at Bethel. In 1979, they became senior pastors of Mountain Chapel in Weaverville, California.
While pastoring in Weaverville, Johnson attended a 1987 conference led by John Wimber, founder of the Vineyard Church Movement. According to Johnson "A number of healings and manifestations broke out and I didn't know what to do with it. I didn't object to it, I wasn't opposed to it; I just didn't know how to pastor it in a way that it would continue and increase".
In 1995, Johnson attended the Toronto Blessing revival at the Toronto Airport Vineyard church. Johnson relates: "In Toronto I said, 'Lord, if You touch me again I will never change the subject.' So I went up for prayer every time it was offered. I didn't have anything dramatic happen, but I came home and said, 'I am going to give the rest of my life to this.'"
In February 1996, after 17 years of leading the Weaverville church, the Johnsons were invited to become senior pastors of Bethel. Today Johnson describes Bethel as a church where "everything we do either fuels revival or is fueled by revival." Under his leadership, Bethel left the Assemblies of God in 2006 to become a nondenominational charismatic church.
According to a recent book written by Johnson, "Face to Face with God", Bethel is "a church where supernatural encounters with God happen regularly, miracles are common, and the congregation has an infectious passion for spiritual growth." The church has approximately 1,500 members, and a School of Supernatural Ministry.
Their Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry has 1,200 students enrolled with over 370 from other countries. Johnson leads a network of churches dedicated to global, multi-generational revival, Global Legacy. Johnson has written a number of books and travels extensively as a featured revival conference speaker. Johnson is also involved with the Northern California Revival Fellowship, a group of north Californian pastors committed to revival.
Source: Wikipedia
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 27, 2019
Center of the Universe by Bill Johnson is a collection of short stories when he was the pastor at a church in Weaverville California. Bill would post an article every week on the church bulletin. This book contains 93 short stories that all have something unique to learn and meditate upon. Some chapters are humorous and some are very thought-provoking.
Bill Johnson leads you through many short stories. Each chapter has a significant main topic to it and every one is different. He breaks them down so they are easy to understand and digest. Many of these stories are from Bill’s own personal life. He ties them to biblical stories and teachings. He gives you a new perspective on many aspects in life and in some chapters Bill describes how these new perspectives changed and helped him personally. He takes you through many challenges that he faced from financial to social problems. He describes his feelings at the time, his thought process, and how he got through the tough situations. There are many valuable slices of wisdom to gain from Bill’s many years of pastoring has lots to be learned through his vast wisdom through these many short stories.
Bill Johnson really knows how to write a story and tie a lesson within in each chapter. There are many valuable lesson to be learned. Most chapters are based off of personal stories and experiences. Some are more humorous but the are many serious topics. This is a great book for quick sessions of reading since each chapter is only a few pages.
Bill Johnson leads you through many short stories. Each chapter has a significant main topic to it and every one is different. He breaks them down so they are easy to understand and digest. Many of these stories are from Bill’s own personal life. He ties them to biblical stories and teachings. He gives you a new perspective on many aspects in life and in some chapters Bill describes how these new perspectives changed and helped him personally. He takes you through many challenges that he faced from financial to social problems. He describes his feelings at the time, his thought process, and how he got through the tough situations. There are many valuable slices of wisdom to gain from Bill’s many years of pastoring has lots to be learned through his vast wisdom through these many short stories.
Bill Johnson really knows how to write a story and tie a lesson within in each chapter. There are many valuable lesson to be learned. Most chapters are based off of personal stories and experiences. Some are more humorous but the are many serious topics. This is a great book for quick sessions of reading since each chapter is only a few pages.
April 4, 2019
This is a fascinating book, made up of bulletin inserts—humorous stories and brief anecdotes from Bill Johnson’s time as pastor of Mountain Chapel in Weaverville, CA.
At times humorous, self deprecating, informative, and inspirational, it is a look into the life and practical theology of Bill Johnson.
It is—in his words—a look at the lighter side of life. Very enjoyable and highly entertaining.
At times humorous, self deprecating, informative, and inspirational, it is a look into the life and practical theology of Bill Johnson.
It is—in his words—a look at the lighter side of life. Very enjoyable and highly entertaining.
March 8, 2021
“It is said that the lack of solitude is at the heart of some of our country’s greatest ills. Being alone with God is more than a duty to pray through a list of needs and desires. It’s a reminder of priorities. Quiet time forces busyness to find its victims elsewhere” (100).
October 22, 2017
Written by a pastor from Weaverville, CA. Messages to his congregation from each weeks bulletin. Some are funny but overall I wasn't a huge fan of the book.
August 29, 2022
93 reflections and thoughts about life, faith and everything in between
September 2, 2013
This is a good "bathroom" book - meaning that, because each chapter is only 1 to 3 pages at the most and stand apart from each other, you can periodically pick up this book and glean nuggets of knowledge from it in a short amount of reading time without the dread of having to stop in a middle of a chapter. Comprised of articles written for a church bulletin, the book is full of biblical concepts pondered by the articles' author Pastor Bill Johnson. Many chapters are quite humorous, all are thought-provoking and/or spirit-stirring. I enjoyed it and liked the journey it took me on as I pondered the concepts for myself.
October 4, 2013
This is a very light book to read that will make you feel good. Pastor Bill Johnson describes in a very colloquial way some experiences of his life and some situations that vary from comic to very serious. We have a total of 93 short stories or episodes of his life. This is a well written book, that will keep you entertained and also meditating for a while.
I recommend this book to the permanent library of all readers who like a well written book and needs a boost on his/her faith. It took me around 8 hours to read the whole book.
I bought this book from amazon.com in its electronic version. Opinions expressed here are my own.
I recommend this book to the permanent library of all readers who like a well written book and needs a boost on his/her faith. It took me around 8 hours to read the whole book.
I bought this book from amazon.com in its electronic version. Opinions expressed here are my own.
August 6, 2013
This is one of those enjoyable reads you come across every so often. It is a series of short thought pieces a pastor wrote for the church bulletin. While religious, it was not preachy, just good basic Christian thought.
June 22, 2011
Quite enjoyed this. Consists of 2-3 page short stories, a lot of wisdom to be found!
June 21, 2014
Review
I found this book to be refreshing,reflective and
revealing to this generation.
Thank you for your insight and compassion
that you have shared from your heart.......
I found this book to be refreshing,reflective and
revealing to this generation.
Thank you for your insight and compassion
that you have shared from your heart.......
September 8, 2014
I really liked the first half of the book but it became tedious. I had trouble getting any message as I read.
January 26, 2017
His books is always a refreshing read! This book is light, easy to read and encouraging...
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews