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Blogposts, Interrupted Process, Lee Johndrow, Musing

Seasons of “Set Aside”

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I always wake up with interesting thoughts, songs and visions.

At 3:30 the song “Nothing But The Blood” was running over and over in my mind. I began to sing the words softly. I felt the presence of God in the room “increase.” (Rally, probably just that more cognizant of He who is always there.)  The next few hours were dreams that included our president, a friend in the hospital and an acquaintance who has decided it is ok to beat me out of a couple of grand. Upon my final wake up I heard the lyrics from the Bee Gees and their song “To Love Somebody.” (Not a song I sing…)

Lyrics are below…

So what is God speaking? I think God speaks to us all the time. In pictures, words, impressions and more. Now theologically the words have some “error” but the words have power.

What if God is singing this to you?
You don’t know what it’s like, baby
You don’t know what it’s like

To love somebody
To love somebody
The way I love you

Yesterday a very good friend and I chatted. In many areas, we are in the same “walk.” We often find similarities. Currently both of us would like to see life get “on with it.” The inactivity is frustrating. I am not saying go do something just ‘cuz you can. I gave that up a while ago. There is the occasional activity that is necessary for priming the “pump” so to speak to get everything moving. But both of us have been feeling like God is “holding” us in play. Limbo is his word.  Others are seeing various things move, jump and leap ahead. I am rejoicing with you. I am excited for you.

And it always comes back to seasons. The President is daily being faced with choices. He needs wisdom. My friend in the hospital needs healing. The man with the money owed to me? He needs Jesus. In all of these people, it is “nothing but the blood.”

God will speak to you in many ways. He wired you for community and communication. And even when you are “not hearing” Him He is speaking.

I do not like inactivity (Sounds like a Dr. Seuss book!) nor do I like the feeling. Our natural thinking and culture easily “translate” inactivity to worthlessness, (I spent much of yesterday morning listening to “praise breaks” to get out of that feeling.) concern and “what am I missing” thoughts.

As my friend and I talked, I began to prophesy into his life a little. The amazing thing about words spoken is they have the power and potential to change you, those that hear and the atmosphere about. I know he felt better as the conversation went on.

Why can be “set aside” for a season? I am not sure the reasons, but I do trust in the Lord and His hand upon my life. Maybe we need a rest. A time of respite.  A time of reflection. (Pretty sure that is not for me. I spend WAY too much time there.) But I think it is extremely important that we are prepared for the goodness that is coming, increasing. Benjamin Disraeli asserted, “The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his time when it comes.”

So perhaps it really does come down to…faith.

 
There’s a light
A certain kind of light
That never shone on me
I want my life to be lived with you
Lived with you
There’s a way everybody say
To do each and every little thing
But what does it bring
If I ain’t got you, ain’t got faith ?
You don’t know what it’s like, baby
You don’t know what it’s like

To love somebody
To love somebody
The way I love you

In my brain
I see your face again
I know my frame of mind
You ain’t got to be so blind
And I’m blind, so, so, so very blind
I’m a man, can’t you see
What I am
I live and I breathe for you
But what good does it do
If I ain’t got you, ain’t got faith ?

To Love Somebody lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group

Blogposts, Lee Johndrow, Ministry, Musing

The Garden Culture Of His Grace

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Hitting the target
A word for today.

The culture of grace is at hand…

This morning I received an amazing letter from a friend of mine. He has not be around that long. It was pretty amazing.  Over the last few weeks, He has seen the blessing of God and His hand move. Last night he wrote me to tell me of many new blessings, but here is the last part.

“So last night for the first time in 17 years I ran 2 miles . When I got off the treadmill I was sweating but hardly winded. AMAZING .I realize that 2 miles may not seem like much but for me with all my “issues” that was like running a marathon. God is amazing , his word is true, and he is always faithful. Thanks for listenin.”

Frankly , I needed to hear it. The last few days have been rough. Lots of amazing things have been happening. But lots of difficult things have happened too. I have felt like “lots” has been on fire. Finances, health, etc.. But you can never give up or stop contending. God did not promise you a rose garden. I rejoice in the fiery trial because there is a promise at the end. 1 Peter 4 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. Continue reading The Garden Culture Of His Grace →

Blogposts, Family, Family Thoughts

Hannah Lynn Wade

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Hannah's Birthday!
Hannah’s Birthday!
Hannah Lynn Wade
Hannah Lynn Wade

Hannah Lynn Wade 7lbs 3oz, 19″ long 5:32am on 6/24/13

This morning my son Tyler and his lovely wife Emily welcomed Hannah Lynn Wade into the world. The wait was over. She made her entry.

In reality this is not the beginning but a “touch down” in the journey of life. Scripture records and tell us that

Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Hannah did not come from her parents, but through her parents, Tyler and Emily.

Revelation 13:8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast — all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.

Galatians 2:20 tells us “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

That means even when He gave His all, He had and has a plan for Hannah. Hannah in Hebrew speaks of grace and mercy. That is such an awesome place to start. Loving parents, loving God and a name that speaks of grace and mercy. Lynn most likely speaks of “lake” or “waterfall” or “pool.” There is something truly prophetic in that, there is a God who speaks like “many waters.”

So, how miraculous is birth? Specifically this birth? In December 2001 I received a call that Tyler had been involved in an accident and was dead. He was not dead, as it turned out, but he was in a coma for a few months and in rehab. In his life he has “beat” the odds so many times. God has been good Tyler. A few years ago he gave His life to the Lord Jesus. And then he married our beautiful daughter-in-love, Emily.

This birth is not just miraculous, but supernatural. So many issues have been defeated in their lives for the birth of this lively child.

Whenever you may be prone to doubt, I would ask you to be moved by this testimony of the goodness of God.

Hannah Lynn Wade
Hannah Lynn Wade

Hannah-we welcome you into this family with loving arms. Bless you Tyler & Emily. We love you!

Blogposts, Lee Johndrow, Ministry, Musing

The Preparation Of The Craftsman

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Planing
The planing of materials

I was in worship at our fellowship and while contemplating a picture I began to see this.

A large piece of wood, with planed shavings, all about and a large plane moving across the surface.

I began to have multiple thoughts and saw subsequent pictures, heard various scriptures.

Proverbs 8:30 Then I was beside Him, as a master workman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him,

As the wood was planed to thickness, and the shavings fell to the side, I watched the firm strong hands. I felt the strength, the peace, the meticulousness of it all.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

I saw the process and I was mesmerized.  Why? Because it was “right there.” In the sanctuary. “God-what are you showing me?” He instantly reminded me of the “setting in place” I had seen the week before.

“I am preparing a people for ‘setting.’ Today is the day that some will be set in place if they will let me. Today is the day that I will make them ‘fit’ if they will let me. It is these, the maturity of my body, that is what I said when I said, ‘For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the

revealing of the sons of God.’ “

I felt that the picture I was being shown was for individuals and corporately. (Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men. Proverbs 22:29) That God is doing a might thing in individuals. In the setting He will bring forth a corporate man for this region. (In Jerusalem he made engines of war invented by skillful men to be on the towers and on the corners for the purpose of shooting arrows and great stones. Hence his fame spread afar, for he was marvelously helped until he was strong.2 Chronicles 26:15) That He has

given gifts and talents to be used, that will come forth and shine abroad. (And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, See, I have called BY NAME (emphasis mine) Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, Exodus 31)

God is specifically calling people to His setting. Ask God to make you the craftsman He has called you to be. To be excellent in your gift, your talent, your calling.

Isaiah 41:7 So the craftsman encourages the smelter, And he who smooths metal with the hammer encourages him who beats the anvil, Saying of the soldering, “It is good”; And he fastens it with nails, So that it will not totter.

Chuck and Anna Maher were visiting our fellowship while this was happening. He then spoke on declaration and decree. On the regional piece.  On the people coming forth. On the connections.

Blogposts, Family, Family Thoughts

Amy’s Reception

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amy 2On Saturday June 22nd 2013 my daughter Amy and her husband held a reception/party for all their friends and family who were unable to attend their wedding in St. Lucia in April. It was wonderful. They rented The Irish American Home Society building in Glastonbury. Beautiful hard wood floors, well lit, AIR CONDITIONED (It was over 80 and beautiful outside!) and just great.

Amy and a number of her friends put together all the tables with their white and black theme. Another of her friends made sure it was catered well, with tons of food, American, Italian and of course, Haitian. (My son grabbed some of the Haitian picklese thinking it was cole slaw. Nope…habanero seasoned!) The DJ kept the music going, the kitchen kept the food out and the time was low key with no drama.

I saw lots of friends and family.

It was just a great time.

Mariah
Mariah
Jordan-My turn! Tina, Matt & Jacob in background.
Jordan-My turn! Tina, Matt & Jacob in background.
Manley visiting...
Manley visiting…

Matt, Tina

 

Blogposts, Lee Johndrow, Musing

A High Speed Rumble – The vibrations of change

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I notice that all too often we can get caught up in the reality of this life and forget the realities of His life. The last day or so was one of those times for me.

Life began to move along, and one of the things you recognize at higher “speeds” is the rumbles, the revealing of things you could overlook at slower speeds, is dangerous at the higher speeds.

When I was in my teens, one time I decided to “borrow” someone’s bike. They had padlocked the front wheel to the fender. I undid the fender and it allowed the wheel to freely turn. What happened on the highway was a completely different story. The bike developed a difficult bounce and by the time I reached my destination my hands, arms and shoulders were on fire.

In my own life there is a lot to deal with, a lot that needs Him. In a perfect world, I would live on a mountaintop, come down once a month and “avoid traffic.” I worked hard to do that. Now I live in a city in an apartment with people I do not know. Who would have thought? It was fun for a season, but the idea of isolation is on my mind a lot. Why? Because I do not feel as though I “fit in.” I am not sure I ever did, but various things help you to “get by.” My “get by” factors have evaporated on so many levels.

Not all revelation is fun. It may be necessary, but it is not without pain. I am experiencing one of those “painful” times. I listened to a friend tell me that the stretching they were encountering was painful. I get it. Times of stretching reveal the “memories” that need to be overcome. These times reveal memories of failure, pain, limitations and more. The minor annoyances we incur may be the “checking of the system. “11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

Last week, I told God, “I cannot take it anymore.” The apartment had been getting to me, the money had been escaping me, even getting a job seemed beyond my reach. “I am putting on the brakes” I said. I have done all I know how. I stopped. “Gave up” so to speak. I am not being stubborn, just trying to figure out the right place.

I know for many life feels as though it has stood still. It has not. I assure you all systems are being checked out. That which you deem to be a minor annoyance or aggravation has the hand of the Lord on it. For me, I am pulling “back.” Way back. Limiting everything but the things at hand. That means dealing with the house for the final time, the RV and boat, ending that whole phase of anchorship. There is another phase that follows that and I am not excited by that either, but it is another anchor being pulled up. I have applied for work, done the phone screens, but frankly there are some limiting factors I cannot overcome. They have to be God. This time will be pulled back. Way back! I have things that have been spoken that honestly I just need to evaluate.

I have been going through a “risk” thing. Part of my conversation with Him, was “God, put it before me.” So far I have not seen it. But if it involves risk and He tells me, is it risk?

 

Updates

Update June 20, 2013

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The last few weeks I have been in “full court” press to get pages in my book cleaned up and ready for my friend who has agreed to edit. As of yesterday I passed the 30 page mark, completing 2 of the 6 “ideas” or chapters.

I confess it is easier to write than it is to be organized. Give me a topic. Give me an hour. Come back and take it with you. I thought when I came back from my daughter’s wedding in April I would just jump in and get it done. The book is on interrupted process, but it is clear, I should have written on “it is finished” or something like that!

Having beautiful weather makes it that much harder. I have to do the “delayed gratification” in my life. I will not go outside for a motorcycle ride until I am done with this page, chapter or sentence. Add in family and life gets more difficult. I have been in the middle.

So, I am working on pulling together a chapter a day. I figure I am about halfway to where I want to be. Still working on the prophetic manual, working on another book sporadically that has to do with where you live. I really believe that once I get this book finalized life will be easier. This is learning curve 101.

The last few weeks have been harder. Flat tires, car accidents and friends and family going through some things have increased the difficulties of getting things done.

My next few weeks include Alyssa’s birthday (June 20), school out for kids, Amy’s reception in Connecticut, baby any day with Ty & Em, my birthday (July 3rd-consider joining us!), Amy’s birthday (July 10th) and Tina’s birthday on July 12th. Add in teaching a class, visitors from church and motorcycling and like everyone else, life is busy! (Add in a job offer I have been considering…)

I wanted to bring folks up to date on the book and life in general.

Thanks for your support!

 

Blogposts, Musing

The Wisdom To know The Diffference

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Years ago, I wrote a story for the newspaper on acceptance. I talked about the stages of grief for part of it and the acceptance or finality that was required to move ahead. Life is like that. Sometimes to make a change you have to “agree” with something or accept it to make the changes necessary.

For instance when you accept there is corruption in the government, you are posed with two choices. Do nothing or do something? No matter who you are, change and the ability to change are hardwired into you.

The results of acceptance are that you accept the outcome, deny the wanted answer or recognize the futility of something. But there is an also an acceptance of who you are and what you can accomplish.

Too often we “settle” for something because we assume it will not get any better or never change. I would be lying to you to say that I have not had a moment or two of that type.

There is a famous prayer.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Reinhold Niebuhr

My concern for a while has been people accept less than what is God’s best for them or His provision for them. Life is subject to change. All of it. Every time. Either you choose to believe the scriptures or you do not.

You can choose what you change.

Can God raise the dead? Have others raised the dead? So why not you?
Can God heal people from cancer? Have people been healed from cancer? So why not you?
Did God multiply the fish? Find the coin? Do you know people who have had magnificent provision in their lives? So why not you?

We do not have to “accept” the substandard or even the norm. Now, right here I will say what you believe will be important. Do you believe God raises the dead, heals the sick? Do you believe you have the ability to change? Do you accept the fact that you “deserve” good? We can choose excellence or better every time. And I accept and I never doubt that God is on my side and moving things ahead for me. What you accept will change over time. What you accept will determine going forward motion. Your acceptance can lead to reward and favor.

What you do with “answers” will have a lot to do with your responses. No does not mean never. It is not semantics but a reality founded in truth. You will always have the choice to accept or reject. Those actions will be based on the premise of what you believe. So, if you use that prayer, be sure to rely on His wisdom and not yours. You will find much of life is changeable to those who believe.

Blogposts, Musing

REST-He is in it!

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I woke up this morning from a dream where an old friend of mine was involved. We had been invited to a meeting. We were staying in a large hotel. We had beautiful rooms. And a noise.  In the dream there was this “mystery” sound. It took me all night to isolate and determine what and where it was. It has taken me much of the morning to understand the thought process behind it.

Yesterday I spoke about set at a table, set in place and set in motion. I believe that is where much of the church is right now.  What is going on? Where is the motion? Where is the “answer”?

I was talking to a friend last night. A savvy business person and good friend, we talked about the current state of life. Like he and myself, many have felt like the motion of things has stopped. We discussed the reasons. Without getting into lots of detail we cleared governments, economies and people. No, something has people in a place of “slowed” or a holding pattern. Even as I thought about the holding pattern, I thought what it was a prelude to. Landing, disembarking, new positions and places all follow. The holding pattern can be discouraging, as it can create impatience or anxiety. Especially when you look out the window and see others “in the air,” circling alongside of you.  (Die Hard 2 maybe?)

My answer is, many are in the place of “what’s next.” Often we see it in an individual or two, but it does seem like many are waiting. What if how well you wait determined how well you “land”?

In my dream we were distracted until late into the night, looking for the source of the noise. When we got close to it, it seemed as if it changed. Direction, sound, volume. I finally got into bed and got some sleep(rest) only to hear the sound a few hours later. I jumped out of bed, opening the door and I saw the source of the noise. A type of “knocker” had been affixed to my friend’s door. I opened the door and there he was, asleep. He was worn out from the night’s explorations. The sun poured through the window.

Only when I was in my room and resting was I able to determine the source of the sound. It was on a door. As we moved about the hotel the previous night, we heard it but could not locate it. There is a new day coming. The Lord is behind the “distractions” but not as you perhaps think. He is not making it hard for you, He is making it easy. There is rest He is calling you to. And only when you are in that rest will you hear the sound. The sound of Him at the door calling you to a new day. A day that is bright. Why a door? Because He is not making this hard or difficult.

I personally just went through a frenzied time. A time that began with a flat tire a few weeks ago. And then a car accident and my wife’s injuries. Finances, vehicle and residence, all seemed to take a hit. It is not “over” but I felt the Lord asking for trust. He is knocking. He has knocked at many people’s “door.” The answer is “open the door.” (It is like, how do you remove the darkness? Turn on the light!)

This is a season of unraveling of thinking, discarding of old thoughts and process and the listening for the sound. My answer in the dream was “right there.” But we could not find it. We did the room to room search, the examination, the interviewing of others…everything but “lie down.”

REST-He is in it!

 

 

Blogposts, Musing

Was His Face Marred for a reason?

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Sloth-from the movie the Goonies
Sloth-from the movie the Goonies

I have been meditating on the marring or the misshaping of His face in the last week or so. I read this scripture…
Just as many were astonished at you, My people, So His appearance was marred more than any man And His form more than the sons of men.

What is the connection, I thought? People astonished at me? At you? The preceding verse speaks of not being in a rush. Of God going before you and being behind you.

But His face? When I felt touched to think about it, I thought it had to be “marred” not just fulfill a prophecy but to do something else.

It’s funny. The Lord had been stirring in me Psalm 27 and the phrase about “the land of the living.” And for nearly a week this statement has been typed on my computer with nothing added. “Was His Face Marred for a reason?” I would look at it multiple times a day. Today I began to clear the deck so to speak. And here just a few scriptures later in Isaiah 53, “For He was cut off from the land of the living;”

What is the land of the living? I felt this. A stream in a wilderness. A family of descendants. Where life is.

The other day, I felt that His face must be marred to “balance” it for us. He had no beauty it says, nothing to draw us. If the holes were still visible in His hands, what about other wounding?

I came to this conclusion about His face. I realized it while watching the Goonies with my grandkids. When Jacob saw Sloth he could only ask “why is his face like that?” I think we ask the same thing about the face of Jesus. Why is it like that? Why will it not draw you? “He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him.” Isaiah 53:2

With this, “He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.”

Not only to accept him, but to serve Him, we must accept the difficult parts. I think we have looked at things through the human lens and made Him “palatable” to our way of thinking. Hence, we “mar” His beauty. We in our unredeemed state could not accept His goodness.

We often see people dealing with shame not able to look others in the eyes. Perhaps that is what happened. Or even in the “I am better than you” mode, underrating the spiritual value of goodness. Pushing it away.

Whatever the reason, my final thoughts are that we tried to make Him like us, when His goal was to make us like Him.