About Joe Sacramento
Joesacramento.com started out as an opinion site during the 2008 election. At the time “Joe” (a guy named Mark Johnston) was living in a growth area north of downtown Sacramento called “Natomas,” and was alarmed by the city’s negligence with respect to public safety staffing levels, juvenile delinquency and the fact that Sacramento had become the most violent city in all of California (only second to Oakland, CA–still is last I checked). Joe wrote many opinion columns during that time about both mayoral candidates, and was featured in the Sacramento Bee newspaper and other media outlets on several occasions.
While articles here are often hyperbolic and/or strongly worded, I take great pride in the fact they are written from my heart, honestly (warts and all), and always focused on sharing something I have learned, with the fervent hope they might benefit someone. I would like to think they are ultimately altruistic in that sense.
Praise be to God for the ability to love, to learn, to think, to write, to share. I am truly blessed, and this creature is forever in debt to his Creator to whom all glory is due.
Thanks for stopping by. Drop me a line anytime at joejoesacramento at gmail dot com.
[...] About Joe Sacramento [...]
Kudos to you, Mark. I am betting this wasn’t easy for you. I think you did the right thing. I can only believe the blog wil get better and better as you continue to strive for the truth.
Much respect
I’ve enjoyed this site tremendously for a long time now. It’s great that you feel comfortable enough with your readers to tell us more about you.
~*
Wow. Must feel good to finally get this off your chest Mark. Now I understand why you wanted to change the flavor of the site. I must tell you I really like the new format and style. Keep up the good work. I’ll be reading as long as you’re writing, sir
Thanks, all
Hi Mark, it’s nice to meet you.
Hey Mark. Like my cool buddy Gayle says, “It’s nice to meet you.” I’m pleased for you and pleased to make your aquaintance. I respect your writing and I’m learning from you everyday. I still visit daily…mostly to lurk, but I’m here.
Hi Gayle!
Likewise, Susie.
Hi Susie
Mark, your bold move has inspired me to make a bold move of my own.
I feel it is now time to reveal that “cogmeyer” and Leonard Padilla are one and the same.
You heard it here first.
Cogmeyer, is that true, or are you kidding around? If you’re kidding, that would be highly inappropriate to assume someone’s identity, in fact it would be illegal. If you ARE in fact Leonard Padilla, all I can say is WOW and it’s very nice to meet you.
I am kidding. Can you imagine Leonard Padilla sitting around making snarky comments on peoples blogs?
Its unlikely Leonard know how to type. Seems more of a telephone kind of a guy.
Mark,
What you wrote is very refreshing! Makes me want to really have a cup o’ joe with ya! Oops, sorry. I meant a glass of vitamin water. I still don’t drink coffee.
Keep the faith and do good!
P.S. Cool shades…and whose baseball cap are you wearing? It better be…:)
Can we call you Cryptkeeper instead of Gatekeeper since you are so CRYPTic?
If in the sense of being mysterious or puzzling that could be said for lots of people who blog under a different name, and that was true for you too, until recently. Mine was just a short note written with a smile…no harm.
Let me also mention that when I first arrived at your blog many months ago, I read, but never left a message. When I felt led to do so, and was thinking of a “name” I was resigned to Gatekeeper; it suddenly came to me. Knowing the scriptures, I’ve read about gatekeepers and porters in the old testament, but too often we are prone to overlook the signifcance of bible terms, names, positions etc. As I mused on the name, I was inclined to do a little research back then, and of all I read online, I found the following most interesting.
http://www.harvestnet.org/articles/gatekeeper-intercessor.html
Not knowing the author, I won’t necessarily endorse or subscribe to everything written, but therein is certainly much I can relate to – being an intercessor, fervent in prayer and love for the Lord and zeal for His gospel. It became clear to me, that I had not chosen the name Gatekeeper lightly, but rather God chose for me.
Anyway, I only dropped by to say hello…and was thinking since you love music so much, I would share with you a song that I was listening to with a friend yesterday. Interestingly, I mentioned it this week, unbeknownst to my friend and met only to hear the end of it instrumentally. I said, “Hey, is that what I think it is, please rewind…” and so together we listened to (a couple times) what I would say is one of my favorite songs ever. A simple, beautiful song with a clear compelling message. I can recall visiting with my dad when he was still on earth, and singing this song, only to be stopped by him, when I tripped on one of the notes, (LOL)
Being the “musician” that you are, you might already have it in your collection, but if you don’t, you must hear it for the first time as I did years ago. A timeless classic in my view: “People Need The Lord” by Steve Green.
I’m thanking God for all who have answered the call and for those who are praying in the secret place and sacrificing their time for others, and fighting the good fight of faith for “What does it profit a man to gain the world and to lose his soul?”
All God’s best in work and in life! Take care Mark..
Hey thanks, I will check that song out. I don’t believe I have heard it yet
Blessings,
Mark
Who is Gatekeeper anyway?
So you miss me. A little late, but Happy 2010!! (anyway)