All posts by Lee Johndrow

Lee is the Senior Leader of Abundant Grace Fellowship Church in Keene, NH He is the father of five wonderful children. Married for over 26 years to his wife Tina. Loving life with family, friends, faith, fun and food!
Blogposts, Musing

Praise Is The Answer

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dronesofheaven

have been noticing a couple of things that seem to be affecting the body of Christ across the board.

One is the area of health. It seems to have “kicked” up a notch the last couple of weeks. Before we attribute things to the weather, pollen, etc.., we must remind ourselves that we are NOT under the curse. Sickness is not one of the sufferings of Christ you see in the scriptures. We are called to lived above and not “under.” That is not to condemn but to point.

The other is finance. I hear “what about me” as someone else is blessed.

Because people look at those two things and relate it all to them, the enemy works over time, bringing up the third area.

“Will I ever get it? Will I ever fit in?” All three are lies of the enemy.

God showed me that “praise” will be the answer.

Praise is not worship. My personal definition of worship is to tell God who He is in your life. Abba, Father, etc.. Praise to me tends to be “Aggressive” because it is telling God who He is according to who He is.

I read one time that worship was “I don’t have a car, a home or money, but I will worship you.” Praise is thanking Him. (When I am feeling down, I turn on the praise!) A lot of it is calling things that aren’t as though they are.

If you have been going through the “rough patch” and do not “feel” like praising Him, I am going to challenge you. It is your job to make earth like heaven.

Musing, Tidbits & snippets

What Can I Do?

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Maybe it’s my culture or how I was educated, but I am a history buff. I have been there for a lot of recorded history. I have seen amazing things.

As I read the news, I see a growing acceptance of what is wrong, coupled with a sense of hopelessness. Yet I also see an inability of people to determine what to do about it.

The average person probably has never written a letter to a congressman or senator, is unaware of the process to do so and most likely can not name the three branches of government. (Consider taking the simple test here and if you are willing post your score. http://www.expandedschools.org/blog/could-you-pass-us-citizenship-test)

But this is not about politics. I have also noticed a growing trend in the church to revert to “worldly” measures rather than putting faith into play. Do you realize faith can work against you? For instance if you believe the government is corrupt and never be healed, you will never exert your faith in prayer. (Nor will you write letters, vote, put people in play locally or serve.)

Many in the body of Christ have needs. I agree. At the same time, are we not the people who can administrate change? Are we not the eklesia who carries the word of the Lord.

The “citizenship” test for believers is simply to believe. What do you believe? What rights do you exercise? I have noticed growing sickness, addictions and more the last few weeks. It simply should not be.

James 2:14What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? CAN THAT FAITH SAVE HIM?15If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food,16and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?17Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. (Emphasis mine.)

There is a faith that saves and a faith that changes,

Wisdom from Above

13Who among you is wise and understanding? “Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.15This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.16For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.18And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

Today I make a personal decision to praise Him.

Dream, Family, Family Thoughts, Musing

Relationship Changes – Are We Open?

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A Word To Hear
A Word To Hear

I often find myself thinking about seasons of goodness, of increased relationship, of tremendous change. I just went through a season, so to speak. It was as if my family pulled in “tight” so to speak. I am in a different season now. It is a season where we have not “lost anything” and I can see the gains, but growth and change are not explosive.

Last week, while we were getting ready to sleep, Jacob asked me “how old is God?” I worked some of the easier answers, but he persisted with “how old is He?” I finally told him a “googleplex and more.” Fortunately he was tired enough, not too much more conversation happened. (When I was a child, I remember being his age and lying in bed in this old farmhouse, thinking about infinity and the universe and feeling the “frustration” of not being able to wrap my brain around it. My teachers were frustrated I would not let up on the topic !) Continue reading Relationship Changes – Are We Open? →

Blogposts, Musing

April 26th 2013

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2013-07-31 12.17.20A king does not have a kingdom to hunker down in…”In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war,”…He is building kingdom. Converting people to his beliefs, his leadership…

I watch all the warnings about all that “is going to happen.” Many of my friends say “see, I told you so!” Folks, our “told you so” attitude about the news and the events continue to entangle people. I get discouraged by the amount of posts of “it’s all over but the shouting” line of thinking. I said this morning that you know it is getting better when Duck Dynasty outranks American Idol. I meant it. Continue reading April 26th 2013 →


Blogposts, Dream, Interrupted Process

Steak Tartare And Finance – Reaching The Lost

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steaktartareI have lots of dreams. Sometimes 5 or 6 a night. I said a few years ago, I am often not sure of what is dream and what is real or what is “my reality.”

Last night in a dream, I found myself in a crime family’s secret lairs. I found myself accepted as one of them because the person they thought I was had disappeared. I had been brought in because they “thought” I was one of them. One of their “architects” of finance and direction. Ironically, there was nothing illegal, but change had come. A high level meeting that caused some “hurt feelings.” I was escorted from that room. Later on I was in a back room and they came out and said “you have not left?” What I realized was they had elevated me to a very high position. The reason I was in danger was because I had been “promoted” over many others. I could not leave now they said. I had to be protected. As they made me all kinds of unusual and weird food, I found myself living a life that A) I was unaccustomed to and B) the tinge of danger was there. Would I be caught? What was I to do? I knew who I was and what God wanted for me. As I ate the final meal before being removed to a remote castle, a safe place, I awoke. Continue reading Steak Tartare And Finance – Reaching The Lost →

Blogposts, Book Thoughts, Family, Family Thoughts, Lee Johndrow, Musing, Old Friends

It Is About Time

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What High Ridge home looks like now.
What High Ridge home looks like now.

This morning I was thinking “my chronos is important to my kairos.” The tribe of Issachar, “And of the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their kinsmen were at their command.” – 1 Chronicles 12:32 NAS

If I am reduced to nothingness that leaves room for everything! Continue reading It Is About Time →

Blogposts, Musing

Present In Truth

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Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

As I read that, there is something truly “present” in what is said. This is not afar, but a present reality. It goes on to tell us that in this hope we were saved. A reality. “Now hope that is seen is not hope.” We know our salvation is there, so is not the completion of something done, and something new upon us?

We have been held back by a future thought process, that seems to not be truth. I recognize that adoption speaks of a maturity(30 years, -“this is my son, whom I am well pleased in.”) or an age, but I think we need to relegate some things to their proper places.
In the scriptures as Jesus heads back to deal with the “Lazarus issue” Martha comes to him with a “past glory” thinking. “If you had been here…” Mary dealt with a future glory, “the son of God who is COMING into the world.” They missed a very present reality. Jesus was not the hope to come, or the glory past, but the glory manifest in their midst.

Lazarus(God help us!) in a grave cloth, bound hand and foot. How did he get out?

It is tie we realized the presence of the presence and walk in the operation of a present reality. A maturity simply because WE ARE! It is time for us to “unbind” them.

Blogposts, Family

Sock Monkeys, God Logic and Love

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sockmonkeyWhen I was a child on the corner of my dresser sat a sock monkey my grandmother (Gunther) had made me. Each night my mom or my grandmother would come in and pray with me.

“Our Father who art in heaven…”

For whatever the reason, I accepted that sock monkey as God. Crazy as it sounds that was my thought process.

I told many that story.

A few years ago I was teaching and sharing about the love of God. A very nice lady made me this sock monkey. His name is “Jesus.” Yes, he has a mohawk, a vest, a nose ring and a tattoo. But until one understands the love of God and how close He is, sometimes we just have to have something we can hold.

A recent story about taking a toy gun(About 2″ long) just got me going on this.

Family, Lee Johndrow, Podcast

Sock Monkeys, God Logic and Love

1 Comment

When I was a child on the corner of my dresser sat a sock monkey my grandmother (Gunther) had made me. Each night my mom or my grandmother would come in and pray with me.

“Our Father who art in heaven…”

For whatever the reason, I accepted that sock monkey as God. Crazy as it sounds that was my thought process.

I told many that story.

A few years ago I was teaching and sharing about the love of God. A very nice lady made me this sock monkey. His name is “Jesus.” Yes, he has a mohawk, a vest, a nose ring and a tattoo. But until one understands the love of God and how close He is, sometimes we just have to have something we can hold.