Clarification from Johnny

As you have probably seen I have been posting on Social Media a "Go Fund Me Campaign". http://www.gofundme.com/Fund-3-songs  I did this to help raise funds for one of the biggest opportunities of my ministry. Before I tell you the details, I wanted to be a bit transparent with you and share my heart. I received some negative feedback. It was said that the campaign made it look like I was asking people to help me become famous. I just want to assure you this is far and away from the truth. Here's the truth, you can't get "famous" doing Christian Country Music. The industry is just not there. Frankly, I have no desire to be famous. As a matter of a fact, I had to have council from my Pastor to even get me to care about writing songs again. My heart has been and will always be working with local pastors to see their city won for the Kingdom of God. That's the truth. About a month ago, my band had the privilege of playing at a rodeo in Allegan, MI. It was there that we met and went to dinner with Tommy Brandt. Mr. Brandt is the reigning 3 time ICM (Inspirational Country Music) Male vocalist of the year and evangelist of the year. I told him that the evangelist category really intrigued me. He also said that's all that really matters to him. He went on to say, the only reason that it matters to have these awards, recognition and radio playing his songs is because it gives him a bigger more excellent platform to spread the gospel. Anyone of you that call yourselves friends and have spent anytime with me at all, know this to be true for me as well. This meeting also stirred up my band and they all saw the potential to and without sounding egotistic, they made it clear that they felt I should be on those same platforms. I was blessed but clear to them about this one thing. I am NOT trying to go after fame, I did that before and it worked against me. I will not fall prey to those same pitfalls. That being said, I told them the omen thing I have struggled with since returning to the ministry is regaining the creative bug and if we all would agree to move forward in this direction, we would HAVE to begin to write songs and stop with the covers. Well needless to say they agreed and we began to meet every week and wrote some amazing songs. The songs in my opinion were so good, I knew they needed national exposure. I then at that time joined the ICM organization and called them up to ask what it would take to get these songs produced and released. Gene Higgins is the president of the ICM's and it was at this point that favor started working for us. He remembered me from back in the early 90's and he was beyond excited to have me back. He actually stated, "we need you". He began the process of opening doors for us that were beyond belief. However, the bottom line is, it takes what Bishop Pitts calls "front end money". No one works for free! This is where the "Go Fund Me" http://www.gofundme.com/Fund-3-songs campaign comes into play. My plan is to have the songs cut, mixed and produced in Nashville with the best musicians in the world and to do it with excellence. I have an incredible opportunity to work with one of the greatest Christan producers in Nashville. I then plan on releasing these songs to radio stations across the U.S. Lastly, in November we will be attending the Inspirational Country Music conference. This is a huge step for us to go to a national level. I don't believe in begging and I don't believe in trying to do a hard sale. However, if you believe in our ministry and believe that God is in what we are doing and that He will use us to see people saved and cities won for the kingdom of God, please consider sowing into this project. If you don't feel that way or even have that connection to us, that's OK. I am not upset. There are allot of amazing ministries out there doing incredible work. They also need your love and support. I get that. I am just asking you because we are connected and you have shown us such love and support in the past.  I went to Bishop Pitts and straight out asked him, "do you think this is a wise direction for me at this time and is it wise to ask people to help?" It was a resounding YES! Because he believes in what God has called us to do and believes the larger the platform the more people can be reached. That's all that matters to ME! If all of my friends and family could help with even $5, it would be greatly appreciated and go along way. I won't forget it! Love y'all #letsgo  Goto the Campaign

You were never called to the wild

I recently watched and posted a video from Facebook about wild horses. An Indian reservation in northern Montana rounded up about 500 head of wild horses and ran them through the streets of Browning. You can watch it here... Wild horses in Montana . I for one loved the video, I was a little worried and even more surprised that none were injured on the pavement. However, as I read the comments below I saw such complete ignorance as to what people thought about these poor wild horses. The most ridiculous statement I read said " They should just leave those horses as they were meant to be... WILD". Heres why that shows not only ignorance but also the crazy way people can get so deceived. Horses were not created to be wild.

I know there might be some people that disagree with me on this but hear me out. I agree that God has created certain animals to be wild and remain free. For example, I believe Tigers and Bears and Elephants were meant to be left alone and people that try to domesticate them are a new level of out there. I believe they were made to be looked at, watched, admired and mostly to show the Glory of God! That being said, although I believe horses are one of Gods most beautiful animals, I believe God created them to partner with, serve and love man! They were created for us!

Whats this got to do with you, today. You my friend were not meant to live a life of frivolous survival. Not called to be about your own will and purpose. Most people are living a life of the wild. You were created to be His! Purposed for greatness in and through His will for you. You weren't meant to be just left alone, watched or even admired. You were born for a reason to love God and serve Him!

The problem is most people waste half, if not all their lives being in self service and not understanding why they were even born. They are afraid of what they think submission to the process of being broken looks like. Heres a stat for you, life life expectancy comparison between a wild horse and a broke horse is about half or even less. Why? Because what can look like freedom is actually a lie. While we are young it can even look fun but the end of it is a form of death. On the other hand the life of service and love of God is actually the way to Life and that more abundantly. I hope you can see that everyone of those horses running are running in fear and are not at a place of peace. However, when they finally submit to the Masters hand is when their life turns peaceful and full of Joy. It's only then they realize, ohhhhh this is why I was created. This is what my life really is about.

Wild horses can end up being the best horse and its because they are the most grateful. As you watch that video, I want you to ask yourself this question. Am I living the wildlife? Am I deceiving myself? Am I sure thats the life I am supposed to be living? Or, am I living a lie and is there actually more to this life?

You can learn a lot from a horse....