Tag Archives: relationship

One By One In New England

leejohndrowteamThis morning I shared a story of a fire across the land of New England. It was a word the Lord gave me with regard to awakening or revival. A timing in and of the Lord, where hearts are changed and focused on Him. The place where His goodness overcomes that which has previously “opposed” or been oblivious of Him. Continue reading One By One In New England

Strength From a Broken Place

lydia“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.- 2 Corinthians 12 8-10 Continue reading Strength From a Broken Place

A Hug Changes a Heart – Laughter Changes An Atmosphere

2014-08-09 13.57.03Last night a couple of young friends connected with me and ended up coming over to visit. If they only knew how much I “needed” it.

Perhaps it is the season and it is the enemy throwing junk down on people, but it has seemed like there is a lot going on in people’s lives. Maybe there is. Maybe we are more connected than we realize. But, when they said they were coming over, I was encouraged. Continue reading A Hug Changes a Heart – Laughter Changes An Atmosphere

Reaching Out Into The Darkness

You never know the impact.
You never know the impact.

Today while driving into work I was thinking that if I disappeared, would people know. Would I be missed? How long would it take?

I remember many years ago I was challenged with the imprisonment of a pastor who was in jail in China for “crimes against the state”. Daily people were reaching out in prayer. And one day, some 20 years later, he was released.

Hundreds if not thousands appeared to welcome him. This group of people had met daily to pray for his release. Daily! What is even more important is no one had seen him for all those years. I remember thinking at that time, how many just disconnect, losing touch after weeks, months and at best, years. Please hear me this is not a condemnation thing. It is an observation. (And I have done it. “Out of sight, out of mind.” It is not healthy.) Continue reading Reaching Out Into The Darkness

A Visit To The Store

checkoutI realized I had forgotten something and I headed back to the store. I was involved in a new project. Each time I went back I was greeted with a smile and some conversation. I was frustrated about having to go back but I was also appreciative of the person on the other side of the counter. Their demeanor caused me to forget my frustrations and get lost in the moment. Continue reading A Visit To The Store

The Restoration Of The Spirit Of Fellowship And Relationship

Lee Johndrow
Lee Johndrow

While taking one of my daily walk breaks at work I heard the Lord speak to me the following words. “I am going to restore the spirit of fellowship and relationship.” I knew it was a conversation. Honestly, as He spoke I was too tired, too fried from the week to be focused. Here I was admiring the scenic fall colors and He spoke to me. I wanted to complain. Not now-I am having my quiet time. My regroup time. But I listened as He said He would talk to me about it. Continue reading The Restoration Of The Spirit Of Fellowship And Relationship

Letting Go And Letting God

Mom in December 1998
Mom in December 1998

Grace Happens. Let Go And Let God. First Things First. Live And Let Live.

My Mom had found Al Anon and those bumper stickers began to appear everywhere in our home. Most notably the refrigerator. And frankly I did not understand them so much as I was thinking I should. Especially that one that said “Let go and let God”. What does that mean? I heard a lot of people tell me what they thought it meant. And that one upset me. In part because my relationship with God was non-existent. (Being told God can’t help you by a well meaning minister when it came to drugs, caused me to walk away from anything “God related”. So my mom’s new found “love’ was getting to me.) Continue reading Letting Go And Letting God

In The Garden There Is Fruit

leejohndrowteamIn the middle of the night I awoke from a dream. In the dream a person was wandering around, unable to connect with any one. They would move from one person to another. Sometimes for a moment and sometimes for longer. As I lay in the darkness and thought about it I began to realize something. It had to do with the topic of value. Value of one’s self and value of others.

Only yesterday I spent time with someone trying to explain their “lifestyle” was becoming problematic to their relationships. Not so sure they bought it. Why? Because they were right. It is easier to “move on” than it is to “stay in”. Continue reading In The Garden There Is Fruit

Disconnected No More

2014-08-09 13.57.03Last night I had the opportunity and pleasure to sit with friends of many a year. They are older and he explained “I am in bed pretty early…around 9”. Well, it was well after 11 when we left. He was not the tired one. I was. Knowing I had to get up early to do what I am doing. Not only for work, but to maintain my articles and such. But our relationship is a good one and they are well worth it in my book. But I thought, we blew right past his 9PM curfew! Why! Because relationship is important. And when people are energized by relationship and friendship, time slips away.

This morning as I got up some 4 plus hours later I realized, “they were worth it”. They have sown into my life over the nearly 20 years we have been together. But just as important was the idea that I need it as well

Relationship in any life is important. I meet people all the time who tell me they “don’t need it” but I am convinced that God hardwired us for relationship. Not only to connect to Him but to connect with one another.

This morning as I reflected on last night and being together with others I realized that our time at their home was a perspective on relationship.

A couple of things I noticed.

I never heard a cell phone go off because both Tina and I left ours in the vehicle when we go there. Too often, we carry our devices into our meetings immediately indicating in most cases our device connections are more important than the ones in front of us.

There was no music or TV going on in the background. We have become so used to these things that perhaps we do not realize how much they interfere with one another and their relationship.

There are relationships we “bank” on but they are often not at the forefront because of busyness and interruption.

It is time to live this area of life we call community and begin to live it on purpose and work on relationships.

Intuitively, I believe we know this, but it is easy to “forget” and disconnect.

Yesterday I had a conversation with a young mom who is working hard to “get her life together”. She is smart, pretty and adept at the work she does BUT she is lonely. While at work as I watched parents come in, many of them had been crying at their children heading back to school.

I heard this phrase but a moment ago, “disconnected no more”.

What if we gave people our full attention? What if put down devices and communications and focused on the one in the room? What if we rekindled the relationships we know to be important?

I know the world is in an unusual place. That the temptation is to to work more, longer and harder to make ends meet. But when we leave the rest of God and allow anxiety and urgency to take over, what have we gained?

I would ask you to consider that.

Disconnected no more!

A Season Of Shaking

centralamericaTo quote Jerry Lee Lewis, “A-whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on.” I have been more of an observer in the last season of shaking than a participant. For that I am glad. On the other hand I am reminded of the scriptures, 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ… Continue reading A Season Of Shaking