The Death of a Salesman...

For as long as I can remember, there was something odd about my brother. He was a passionate soul, but always in the mood for trouble. He took particular pleasure in pushing the buttons of those that cared for him the most.

When he turned 15, he recognized that his typical rebellion hadn't been nearly severe enough. This was the point where his courtship with drugs and alcohol started.

Starting with cigarettes and beer, the crush soon turned to love with heroine and vodka. As this point my folks were doing anything they could to retrieve their lost son. Rehab, intervention, and the police were called upon in efforts of turning this "kid" around.

As a little brother, you can imagine the directions I could have gone. Of course there was a simple reverence I had for my "big brother". Everyone thought he was so cool, so captivating. Though, with my better judgment in control I decided it was more lucritive to play the good kid card.

Even amidst the recklessness, my brother, Steve wanted to make a difference in his generation. Before he knew Christ, he saw that his difference would be made through destruction. But after 10 years of abuse (in all senses) he came to experience The Brightside of life. On his knees before the creator, addiction became an after thought.

Life moved on slowly. Often times it stood still. Though under the guidance and obedience to Christ, Steve's worldly loves started to appear more an more. He once told me that he would crave drugs all day, then dream about drugs while he slept, then would wake up craving drugs.

At this point, his life was not his own. There was a battle between God's hold, and the world's. Eventually, despite his knowing the destination...the road to get there had entirely too many obstacles. His life fell back into addiction.


Steve died June 11th of 2006. He died a follower of Christ, but a slave to the world. His life however was not in vain.

At his memorial, close to 1,400 attended. Friends and foes from his past finally heard his heart through a journal he kept the past three years of his life. There was a thick spirit of God in the pain laced room that afternoon. Hearts were softened, lives were saved, and the Glory of God was seen by all in attendance. Many came to experience The Brightside of life that day.

Day to day, the world will never look the same for me, my family, or those touched by the life and death of this salesman...Steven Paul Johnson.

(if you are interested in reading his words, please click HERE)

A brief bio...

Hello.

Though necessary, an accurate but abruptly brief biography will fail to do justice to the many wonders of Mr. David Christopher Johnson. Right. I am man, a man that believes in love over all. Born out of such love, my passions remain consistent with the environment that surrounded my birth; the twentieth of May, nineteen hundred and eighty-one. Keeping with the theme of Passion; Art, Music, Culture, and Relationships are what helps define me as a Man. A friend once asked me a two-part question; firstly what is it, in one word, which categorizes your “core”, and secondly…what is the one thing, which if removed from you, would also remove all desire for you to continue living? I thought a moment, and by a moment I mean several months, and finally came to an answer. Grace. More than music, more than art, and more than relationships…if you removed Grace from me; I would not be. It would eliminate the one thing that has, and will continue to define my life more than anything ever will. The freedom that Christ has given me will never be a scrap I hide in my pocket, but rather a heart I wear on my sleeve. With Grace, I have been invited to experience The Brightside of life. Welcome. davidj.

Currently Listening to:
Patty Griffin - Rain