Category Archives: Family Thoughts

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The Big Hill…

leejohndrowteamBig Hill

When I was perhaps 3 or 4 years old, my parents bought me a pair of little skis. Perhaps not more than 18 inches long, I would climb up on the snow banks the plows had created. These were probably no more than 8 feet high, but they were icy and after many sit down starts, I was able to manage.

But then one day I eyed the roof our porch and naturally my imagination thought how amazing that would be to travel down. So, one afternoon, I got the ladder out of my dad’s garage and moved it over to the porch. A few close calls as the ladder rocked, but I was able to get up on the roof. Though, it wasn’t a steep pitch, it was more than enough to provide the ride of a life time. As I sailed off into the air, I was excited. Moments later as the wind was knocked out of me and I hurt so bad I could not breathe or cry.

As life rolls on that which is “big” in our eyes becomes smaller with age, maturity and experience. With each step we make our “mountains” smaller, bringing home the idea that we must press on. Continue reading The Big Hill…


A NOW God For A NOW Season

leejohndrowteamAs things were moved around the basement, I was struck with the fact that it looked much like my old basement. A short while later I was in the middle of town and I was struck with how beautiful this old town had become. It was like I had just watched time lapse photography of the community coming together. I heard the words “Fantastic Friday” on a sound system some where. I walked around and admired the seemingly impossible beauty of the place. This scripture was on a sign at the road into this community. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Another sign said “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame.” (Joel 2:25-26) Continue reading A NOW God For A NOW Season

His Blessings And Mercies Are New Everyday!

leejohndrowteamThe last few days I have been thinking about grandchildren and our communities. I think the way I think some might term me a “utopian” in my belief that we can change everything to be better. When I sit with God and see the beauty of heaven and the thoughts of His goodness, I know that there is a better way.

One year ago this week, I was sitting on an island, enjoying fun, family and food. The weather was awesome. Yet if you left the “compound” of the resort you immediately encountered the ravages of “third world” thinking.

Last night as I sat with someone I reminded them that “their experience” was not necessarily the kingdom of God. The people on the island would watch fancy cars, high powered people and great sums of money come to their island. Yet in their mind it was “untouchable”. As I prayed with this person I reminded them that a parent’s experience is not theirs either. The “sins of the father” are NOT delivered to the youth. In fact ALL the blessings of God are yours if you can wrap your brain about it. (That is the process of repentance-what you believe, and renewing-what you are putting in.) You can not let the enemy take real estate in your mind.

Just because my dad drank and did some pretty evil things does NOT mean I have to be like that. Nor do my children or grandchildren have to be like me. (And a collective AMEN rose from the crowd!)

Last year I published a book on “declarations and decrees” with the purpose of seeing people see themselves for who they are. But these declarations are not “incantations” with super powers but words of change, backed by heaven, your faith in the finished work and Jesus Christ.

I am often asked why I can not just give you a “short” message. “Lee, I do not read your stuff because it is too long.” I am okay with that. I wish everything in life had a short version. A one liner. But the reality of it is, it does not. Sure, I go to a Chinese restaurant and pull out the “prophecy” cookie. I declare over it and it is hardly ever that I receive something not connected to my life and good. BUT, I do not rely on prophecy cookies and one liners. In fact I think there is a danger in that on some levels. I do not await someone’s prophecy, or their one liner or a fortune cookie. Too many are running around quoting this or quoting that. I recognize that some of those are good, even awesome. BUT, how much process did someone spend with God at His feet working through a hardship in their life to get there? I get we can build on revelation, but too often revelation from another person does not constitute revelation for you or I. But soon becomes dependency on a system or a person? (I have been on both sides of that coin!) Nor do I think it is healthy to have revelation without application. Why? Because I think it establishes religiosity.

I get when you are in crisis you want an answer. I have been there. 25 years later I am paying the price for taking on someone else’s revelation (Like right now my spell checker is telling me “else’s” is wrong!) that I took on. It cost me. The pain of that move, of that decision will never not follow me. But find God’s answer for you.

BUT, if I am going to go with a “one liner” I want it to be His!

Last night I had a dream. It was one of my “two level” dreams. (I “awoke” from one to be in yet another.) In the dream I went to the post office to purchase a stamp. The stamp was a dime. No one waited on me. After a while I reached around the counter and removed a dime. A Mercury dime. The next day I did the same. A Mercury dime. On the third day the requirement was a dollar. (10 times as much.) Still no waiting on me. I awoke from this dream thinking “was I on camera” and “where were the people”. What was I doing? A dime? A dollar? A federal offense for a small amount of money. In the second level I was convinced of the reality of the first. I walked about and saw many people who needed hope. I thought “I have a message worth sharing”. With each person, I shared about Him and placed a dime in their hand.

“Lee-A-what does that dream have to do with the previous paragraphs and B-what does it mean for me?”

I get it.

Here is some “fact”. The Mercury dime was based on the Roman God. (Jesus asked “who’s picture is on the coin” when asked about taxes.) This dime represented “unity and strength”, as well as symbolized peace. The dollar bill carried a 10 fold increase over the dime and the picture of a founding father, George Washington. He was the first president.

The dream itself carries promise to me, to you and to the United States. We are going to see a delivery of the message of hope come about in unusual ways through “unusual” people. People who many are divided over because of their political and religious backgrounds. In a “ten fold” increase, we are going to go from a Mercury “based” existence (Mercury is described as this, He is the patron god of financial gain, commerce, eloquence (and thus poetry), messages/communication (including divination), travelers, boundaries, luck, trickery and thieves; he is also the guide of souls to the underworld) to a change predicated on truth and forerunners of change. “Founding fathers” will increase not in a governmental or political way (Though I guess there will be some.) but in a “Father’s way”. The cameras will not have effect. No longer will people be concerned about their identity and want to hide it. The carriers of the message will share peace, unity and strength.

Watchmen-On some levels this is a side note, but I have a growing concern about the “watchmen” who ONLY see what is wrong. It is not about balance but about truth. There is an increase in the kingdom. Wrongful theology has taken away our peace and increased our anxiety. A watchman is MORE than someone on the wall calling out sin, destruction and beware the coming in. They would watch over the city and see the interactions of the people. (Come out of your “towers” and your “closets” and see wht God is doing is a “good word” right here.) They were also called to with proclaiming the good news about salvation. (Isaiah 52:7-10) Good news…another good word! Prayers of peace! Life is not “doom and gloom”. If someone is only telling you about “how bad it is” you have to wonder about the woundedness, the fear and the hurt that is going on. (By the way, I am not a “pollyanna”. I can read the news…and turn it around with my words.)

“Lee-how does the dream relate to the words in the beginning?” It is about message. A simple text does not necessarily reveal my heart towards you. You must know me to know my heart. The message is on the table. The communication of the message is what is at stake. We are engaged in a battle of words, for our families and our communities. Who gets the “real estate” is who has power. We are the people of “kingdom rule and dominion”. It is important that we do not give up in the gains prophesied and set before us. The real estate I am talking of is in the mind. Who owns it? It is the “winner’s spoil”. We must be better at communicating the truth and the good news of Jesus than the enemy’s message of destruction.

It is time. It is a new season. In the “great words” of the Goonies. “Don’t you realize? The next time you see sky, it’ll be over another town. The next time you take a test, it’ll be in some other school. Our parents, they want the best of stuff for us. But right now, they got to do what’s right for them. Because it’s their time. Their time! Up there! Down here, it’s our time. It’s our time down here. That’s all over the second we ride up Troy’s bucket.” And that is because OUR COMMUNICATION is going to change schools and cities. The word Troy meant “foot soldier” in Greek. It is a trap for believers because we are called to the “air force” (heir force) as we are seated “high above” the enemy. You are not “just human” but in fact are a supernatural being with God on your side. It is time to make it here on earth as it is in heaven. (Honestly it is thought provoking and prophetic that Goonies II is on the table. There is another chance.)

And I have to add this, there is a “bad word” going around that we are facing an “event” that could make the “dust bowl” look like nothing. Only a week ago the Lord showed me the “dust bowl” event of the 1930’s (It was also called the “dirty thirties”.) The dust shaped ecology and agriculture. It is time to speak the goodness of God against the “famines” of the enemy. It is time to change our economy with our words, declare the salvation of the Lord and return peace to our nations.

Today is your day. His blessings and mercies are new every day. Lamentations 3:22-23

If you are interested in the book on declaration and decree, you can click here.

In Need Of A Hero? Look Around!

leejohndrowteamYesterday I was with a friend and we were kidding around. In the middle of a restaurant, he turned to the rest of the restaurant, pointed to me and said “He is my weakness”. Yes, people looked. But I said to him “in your weakness you are made strong”. Sometimes it takes another in your weakness to come alongside.

Many are the ones who have a moment or a time of weakness when they need a friend or perhaps even the hand of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Continue reading In Need Of A Hero? Look Around!

My Brother, The Runner – Boston Marathon 2014

davidjohndrowMy Brother The Runner

Today my brother completed his second marathon. This was the Boston Marathon 2014. I am extremely proud of my little brother David!

His time 5:43:42.

My brother suffered from Viral Myocarditis in 2011. He recovered and was totally healed in a church service in my home fellowship. He subsequently had surgery for a shoulder injury and then a knee that needed healing. He has beat those all. And he decided to run! Continue reading My Brother, The Runner – Boston Marathon 2014

Easter 2014

leejohndrowteamI leave the big “discussions” about Easter for so many others. For me, Easter always represented a sense of hope long before I ever really knew about God.

As a child Easter meant many different things to me. Sunday morning my brothers and sister would run out to find Easter baskets filled with jelly beans, gold foil colored eggs and coins and these beautiful eggs that held all sorts of treasures. The smell of hot crossed buns, eggs, Canadian bacon and coffee came out of the kitchen. At some point we had a jelly bean hunt, running through the house finding jelly beans on mantles, window sashes and behind pictures. Following that we all sat down for breakfast and then it was time to get ready for church. There were the occasional years where we would go up the hill behind the elementary school at 6AM, climbing up to greet the sun, while singing hymns and thinking of Jesus. Continue reading Easter 2014

Joy Comes In The Morning

alyssacamera 004Today we celebrate Jacob’s 7th birthday. (His birthday is actually tomorrow, April 20th.) He is already up and it is not quite 6AM. He wants to get the full treatment!

It is also the 1 year wedding anniversary of my daughter Amy and son-in-love Manley. Add in the fact that they are shortly (May 5th) adding a new baby boy to the household and it is a busy time in the Johndrow household. (Truth be told there are two new babies coming our way in the next few months.) Continue reading Joy Comes In The Morning

Family-Not Always Easy But Always Worth It!

leejohndrowteamThe Family

Today is a pretty typical weekend in my life. Grandchildren laying around various floors on sleeping bags and bags of clothes and such piled high in corners. Before the weekend is over I will see other grandchildren, some of their friends and many of my children. The weekend with grandkids will include swimming, walking, games, some B&W TV and of course food! There will be the “normal” weekend things as well of getting to our church fellowship on time, where a whole ‘nother set of family is. Continue reading Family-Not Always Easy But Always Worth It!

Why Do We Serve? Family!

2014-03-15 11.16.51Many have written much more and perhaps considerably better on the topic of serving. Why do we serve? I told my children and my grandchildren, “because we are family”. It is not a chore or a job but a responsibility and an honor to serve one another. We can spiritualize and say it is “because He served us” and throw in all the good scriptures and that is fine, but if you do not see yourself as family it is not going to do anything but be an idol or a millstone about your neck. Continue reading Why Do We Serve? Family!

Life Is To Be Lived

My mom and dad bring me home!
My mom and dad bring me home!

Today would have been my mom’s 88 birthday. Amazing how time flies. She left this planet in 2001 during the 9/11 week. Miss you mom!

Last night I felt like I took on some things that were hard to wrap my brain around. It was not an “easy” night. I awoke at 4:44 feeling like I had been through a battle. Here is a potpourri of thoughts. They do connect.

This morning I was saying to the Lord, “there is turmoil in the air” and I felt the nudge of the Lord say, “Last night was the beginning of decision”. Change is not always easy but sometimes necessary for the place we want to be. “The beginning”? I see choices opening and options fanned out. Some decisions are painful.

“Will you trust me” says the Lord.

  • When I was young man I was on a canoe trip on Lake George with a group of young campers. We needed to get to the next island to set up camp. A storm came out of no where. It came over the mountains to the west and dropped on us. The winds increased and the waves got tremendously high for a group of 12 year olds. (Even for the older!) At the same time a large side wheeler was near, hidden by the rain and the waves were super high as the result of the wind and the boats wake. Shouting orders we had to get the canoes at the proper angle to avoid sending our supplies to the bottom of the lake. As the waves came towards and the first canoe sunk into the valley, it was no longer visible, so deep was the valley. It was tremendously “long” few minutes, but we made it through cheering and encouraging one another. Young people think fun. Counselors think “help me God”.

Sometimes you must get the right “angle” of attack to make it through. Straight ahead in the canoe would have left us upside down in the waters of the lake. Listen to the Lord and hear His wisdom.

  • Over the weekend there were many Facebook reports of keys locked in vehicles and apartments and even lost. I thought, how odd is that. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. What have you done with the keys? The “keys to the Kingdom of Heaven? I said to my friend yesterday , that “the keys have been given but by our own choices we have locked them up.” Moments later there was an interpretation of a tongue that said “open the treasure chests, open up what is in you!” What you lock up will be locked and what you open up is free. THE LOCKSMITHS ARE COMING!
  • While meditating on the waters of life, I saw a picture appear. It was a person who was dead. Dead, dead, dead. I immediately thought “why are they dead and how will I raise them.” (This has been a big topic for me as of late. Only a few weeks ago my grandson Jacob came to me and said “Daddy, you need to got your parent’s graves and get them out.”) I walked over to the dead person and laid my hands on their head. I could see light flowing from me into the cold, dark body. I simply commanded “life” and left my hands on their heads. During this time “lines of light” began to connect to me and provide “energy” that continued the power of the light. But what was weird, was there were lines of “dark light” that we trying to connect to me and this person. The “battle was on”. The person soon got up. I looked at the lines of light, both bright and dark. They all came from believers! People, stop with the “we are all going to hell in a hand basket” stuff. I am no longer letting people say things like the “kingdom is getting better but the world is getting worse” or anything that takes life away. I get bad things can happen, but as I said the other day you can not “have it both ways”. The power of life and death is in your mouth. (You may want to purchase me ebook on declarations and decrees.)
  • In the last dream of my night a man who looked similar to my grandfather, Franklin White Lee, was introduced to me. I asked him where he was from. His response was “Cape Coral, the HOC”. I woke up thinking that was pretty weird. Cape Coral is a “new city” built in the late 50’s. And HOC? I felt the Lord say, “House of Congress”. And the connection is? I felt the Lord say that there is a wave of motion coming from the “50’s generation” who thought life is going to be different. They thought retirement. But economy, government and recession have thwarted it. I sensed the Lord saying “watch for the move in this generation, for out of their time will come a revival of understanding and wisdom. It will not be lost but will increase.” It is time to enforce the law of life in Christ Jesus. Start to think “refirement” and not retirement. Start to thing long, not with a “hail Mary” but with a hail Jesus! It is your time, it is your season!

Yesterday was an amazing time in our church fellowship. From the very beginning with music that changed the atmospheres, to the testimony of a man healed from arthritis and could once again raise his hands and walk it was getting good, but soon to get better. As my friend Mark shared about the “whys” of deacons and elders in preparation for the installation of three dear friends as deacons there was an intensity building. We are in an awesome place. Far different than we were just a few short years ago. Why share this you might ask. Because what we are seeing, you can see!

Prayer of healing
Prayer of healing

As we prayed and prophesied over the deacons, the next was to let them pray for people. I want to tell you these people are my family. And if it is not fun in the family who wants to be there?

My mom left “unfinished” business and life she would not live. The choice to approaching storms requires wisdom. Don’t lock up “your keys”. Raise the dead and receive life. Watch your words. God’s structure is good for all. All good and all God!

The best life to be lived is where He is. He will never leave you nor forsake you. As my friend Mark said yesterday, “Freedom without relationship is just a long walk by yourself…”