Category Archives: Musing

Blogposts, Ministry, Musing

A Vision On June 29th 2013 The Tension of Light

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duckieWired for Sound

In my years as a believer I have no recollection of not waking up with a song in my mind. This morning was no different. As the lyrics from The Anthem were flying through my mind…

He’s calling wake up child it’s your turn to shine
You were born for such a time as this
He’s calling wake up child it’s your turn to shine
You were born for such a time as this
Such a time as this

Of course I had just been shaken out of my reverie by my youngest grandson. He immediately went back to go to sleep, but me, it was 5AM. And I knew the return of sleep was not on my radar screen.

So, I dutifully got up, made coffee and started the laundry so it would be done when my wife awakens.

I wrote a few hours ago a few things that were on my heart about missed opportunity and went in to take a shower. I often have devotions of a sort in the shower. Sing a few songs, declare, decree, pray. Me and the water and God. (The voice of many waters!) So, embarrassing as it is I found “rubber ducky, you’re the one” coming out of my mouth. I chuckled and found a more spiritual song. I returned to The Anthem for a moment. The next thing I knew I was in a vision.

VISION
I saw a large hand reaching into rooms and buildings shutting the lights off. Rooms went from frivolity and fun to darkness. Surprise overtook. I heard whimpering, quiet whispers, loud voices demanding an answer and the shuffling of feet and the moving of people. Stores, schools and yes, even churches. Communities and cities and towns were dimmed. In the midst of the areas, other lights grew brighter.

Frankly it reminded me of being in the bar business. The clock set 10 minutes ahead to insure all would be out. “Last call for alcohol” roughly a half hour before. And then darkness. People shuffling towards the door. All but an advertising light or two illuminating the exit. To return to their homes.

In an old paradigm I would have thought the worst. But I saw it was the hand of the Lord. The Lord is shutting out churches? What? The brightness that grew in various buildings was also church buildings.

I continued to watch. The hand moved slowly. And then I realized that there were people from time to time in His grasp. Picked up and moved. They were looks of surprise, some of dismay, some of anger. I heard voices bemoaning the move, the change. “What about me” was a popular refrain. “But I thought..” another.

I was reminded of Paul carrying out the will of God, reconciling people to Christ, implementing the “Great Commission.” As he readies for Asia, he hears no. Forbidden by The Holy Spirit. The Macedonia call is there. Paul immediately moves. The result all of Asia opens up! He later shares greetings from the 7 churches of Asia. I then thought if you want reach billions you must have a “product” that can reach billions. And a plan!

The vision ended. But even as it closed I “heard” this.

“In the coming days I am going to extinguish the unproductivity (Not the people) in people’s lives and in their sphere. I have plans for people that they have not seen, not understood. There are places that will close and places that will prosper. There are dreams that will be realized and efforts that will be futile. There is a move in this nation, even the world that as I raise up sons who shall move unfettered, bringing forth the goodness I have instilled in them. A change of people and resource.Many are the people of God who have misunderstood, but soon all will see. Be not fearful at the changes, the moves, the light. For in this season, there will be shifts and turns but my plan is unfolding. In this hour many will cry for they lack not understanding, but it is in this hour I will call forth sons who will carry out my purpose. There are those that will prosper in this day and many will be surprised. Be not worried for those that have not heard for soon they will see. They have not listened, even shrugged off my words, but in this day and in this hour I will make them hear.”

(Even as I write this the Lord said to me, “you understood not my hand for your move in the previous days, but shortly you shall see.” Uhhh…OK….)

I felt as though some were being removed not because they had wronged but because the Lord needed them. I felt the word “community” once again impressed upon my heart. I felt the Lord was removing some because of others dependence on them and not on Him. (Wow!) I felt there would be churches that would grow because of the desire to father, to release and to see sons come forth, not of the house, but of the Lord. I felt that the desire to uplift and provoke to goodness, love and grace were a mandate.

All I can say is, I am too excited!

DUCKS
Ducks have always invaded my life on some level. I am sure there is a reason. One of the biggest kinds of trouble I got in as a small child was lassoing all of the neighbor’s ducks, yanking them up into my tree house, boxing them up and putting them in my dad’s garage…And the rubber duck my wife was given by a friends(Learn to float on the waves) and the subsequent rubber duck Christmas ornaments. And Jacob and I read this book for years together. Make Way For Ducklings . I am sure there is a greater revelation on ducks…maybe one day..


The Anthem

I can hear the footsteps of my King
I can hear His heartbeat beckoning
In my darkness He has set me free
And now I hear the Spirit calling me

He’s calling wake up child it’s your turn to shine
You were born for such a time as this
He’s calling wake up child it’s your turn to shine
You were born for such a time as this
Such a time as this

And I can hear a holy rumbling
I’ve begun to preach another King
Loosing chains and breaking down the walls
I want to hear the Father when He calls

He’s calling wake up child it’s your turn to shine
You were born for such a time as this!
(x4)
Such a time as this

This is the anthem of our generation
Here we are God, shake our nation!
All we need is your love,
You captivate me!
(x4)

I am royalty, I have destiny,
I have been set free, I’m gonna shape history!
(x8)

I’m gonna change the world! (x7)

Updated: The Anthem Guitar Chords

Em C G D – repeat for the whole song.  Enjoy!

Lyrics are copyright Jake Hamilton

 


Blogposts, Musing

Avoid The Distractions By Seeing Your Position

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I am a motorcycle rider.

A few weeks ago I was cut off by a young woman in a car. She pulled directly in front of me to pull into a parking lot on my side. I was forced to brake so hard, that I hurt my wrists and popped my shoulder. It was a moment where I was blessed that I had just left some place to get to another. I was blessed probably that her car was red and I do not “trust” red cars. My thinking was correct.AS she blitzed in front of me she waved with one hand, while talking on her cell phone. Inches separated us.

Why do people drive the way they do? Why do they think not of the motorcycle driver? Why is it that despite my bike being “bigger than her car”, she still chooses to cut me off? Okay the last part is a stretch, but I drive a 1,000 pound motorcycle with bright lights and it is orange!

So, as I began to think through the deal itself the Lord popped into my mind thoughts of just how did the Jerusalem public, the religious leaders and all of those people miss the fact that this was the Messiah? How do we miss that which is in plain sight? How did the two men on the road to Emmaus miss out on who was walking with them? How did the woman with the issue of blood get past the crowd, past the disciples and touch the hem of Jesus’ robe?

If you believe God is close by (even living in you) or that He is at hand and that revelation is simply the exposure of that which is here, (Close Encounters of the God Kind) then my question I ask of myself, is HOW MUCH AM I MISSING? What am I missing? I am not freaking out about it, but how many angels have stepped aside in my distracted state? How many missed opportunities because of distractions? And how much have I endangered others and their spiritual lives by my actions?

There in our lives has been a “red car” approach at times. That missing. I never want to be that person. I am not talking about “missing” God but missing the opportunity to see Him glorified. Seeing the “wow’s” of God in lives. Many times we choose from comfort or from doubt, rather than from relationship or His will in our lives.

It is time to ask the Lord to reveal Himself and be ready and waiting for His appearance. So often in my life it is the subtlety of His coming that puts me in awe rather than the fireworks of His appearance. Do not misunderstand me, I like fireworks, but so frequently what I may consider a firework is not as far reaching as the undulating times with Him in His presence. It is in those moments we see the power of Sonship.  In those times the goodness of God is increasing, changing communities and regions.

When I spend time picking up rocks, looking at flowers I never doubt the reality of the Creator. The more time we spend feasting on Him, the less time we spend missing out on Him.

I was thinking last night that many of the people I know live as servants and not as sons. Live beneath the expectation and ability He has bestowed upon them. They wait for the visit of the Master instead of walking as He walked. He has given us the “office” of His anointing. He has seated us in place with Him. No need to wonder. Our distractions often are from our misunderstanding of our position.  It is His grace that is operative through our lives.

I do not want to miss an opportunity for an encounter with Him.

Dream, Lee Johndrow, Musing

“Down here it’s our time… our time down here!”

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Just a thought?
Just a thought?

I had a number of interesting dreams last night. I frequently do. While we were talking about dreams yesterday my wife joked with me about how I “get to go places.” That is not always true, but I often find myself in places I had not thought of, expected to be. Right now there is a young man who is sitting in jail. His whole life is shattered. Guilty? Not guilty? That will be determined at some point but between here and there he is most likely sitting there. Thinking about what he could have been. I have prayed that the Lord would let me “show up” and talk to him. Forget sending angels, send me. I want to be like Phillip and the Ethiopian prince. (And then get me out of there!) Continue reading “Down here it’s our time… our time down here!” →

Blogposts, Musing

Hard Choices

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No one likes hard choices. No one likes hard choices that involve people who have been friends. I am no different.

This past week, I made a decision that evoked some of the strongest emotions I have had in 20 years. A friend had need for his apartment for something to reduce his heating costs. I had a very nice pellet stove that I agreed to leave with him with the agreement he purchase it for half the price I paid. $1,500.

A year later he and his wife have not paid despite emails, texts and letters. I called an attorney and sent out papers. I have to tell you this is one of the hardest decisions of the last 10 years. My hope is that he and his wife will see through to either paying or returning it.

Am I the only one who feels this “badly” about this kind of thing?

Blogposts, Lee Johndrow, Ministry, Musing

The Fence Around The Church

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Who comes to your church? I often ask myself does it look like those of Jesus’ companions. Tax collectors, prostitutes and those not “allowed” in church. I can honestly say our fellowship looks more and more like that. I am excited about that! Why? It means they feel welcome. Did you know they felt welcome to be with Jesus, despite their sins, their strongholds and their belief?

Many of my friends are crying out that “God lost America” yesterday. If He is that weak then why would you serve Him? I assure you He is not. The difficulty for many is to realize God gave a group of people all authority here. It is on us.

For years we built a fence to keep “them” out. If you think I am talking about immigration you would be wrong. I am talking about the fence we “built” around the church. Before I was saved, I was a them.  Now I am an “us”? Does that really make sense in light of scripture?

The Supreme Court ruling yesterday does nothing for me except to highlight the need for “limited” or smaller government. There are many reasons for limiting government. One is people get to live life as God intended it…with freedom. Whether that freedom sends “chills” up your back or not, that is the freedom God intended and Jesus advocated. He never was “okay” with their sin but He wasn’t okay with them being outside His “reach” either. I want small government. My opinion, my choice. (Have you read the papers? Are you seeing any overriding value to “bigger is better” when it has to do with control?)

With that said.

There is a difference between influence and control. Jesus never intended to “control” anyone. Dominion “can” come by control, but it is better when the people buy into it.

For years our “us vs. them” mentality has grown. We have taken scripture, used it without context, to control or condemn, and forgot about love. We pulled our children out of schools and bemoan the lack of educational values, including morality. (I am not against Christian schooling or home schooling, my question is your reasons. My wife and I have done both.) Paul said “And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” Romans 10:14

One of the reasons I appreciate being in business and around people is I am around the “sinner.” I was speaking to a friend of mine who works in business. He was “bemoaning” the fact that employees are getting saved and coming to work saying “I am interested in church.” He said it makes it hard to find people to work Sundays!

God never intended our reach to be confined to a building of “good” people. His intent all along was to reach the broken, the downtrodden, the sinner. He intended His death, burial and resurrection for all mankind.

After 20 plus years of life with Him, I feel I can say so many have become “churchified,” failing to be subjects of the King, hence the word Kingdom, that sight of the goal has been lost. It tells us that the “heathen” was given for our inheritance yet many poo poo the idea of the lost, their thinking on various subjects and more.

Let me be frank. We have lost inventors, singers, businessmen and more because of our ungodly attitude towards people. We have acted like the world too often to have influence a lot of the time. If our neighbors do not know we are believers that to me, is a problem. If our coworkers do not know that is a problem. And last but not least, if our children do not know.  In the latter I am speaking of the child who goes to church and sees parents “pose” for the cameras and go home, lacking love or affection.

Before we denigrate those in Congress, the Senate, the Presidency or the Supreme Court we must look at our own actions. I am painfully aware of the difference between a believer and an unbeliever. I know the end game. I am not saying do not hold those accountable to their oaths of office. BUT, do not hold them to a higher standard than you hold the church.

All sin was paid for. Theirs, yours and mine.

Let us get back to the place of practicing the walk of Jesus. Not in a religious manner but with the love that He walked in.

I read today of a famous pastor and government leader who in light of the Supreme Court ruling on DOMA said, “Jesus wept.” If Jesus wept, it is because His church is quick to point the finger anywhere but at their own efforts. We pulled out of government, we pulled out of schools, we pulled out of life, all for the sake of bad teaching and theology. We missed the very thing He was trying to do. Establish HIS kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven.

If you are dismayed about the ruling, can I suggest it is time to search one’s soul and ask the obvious. Have I influenced those about me with His goodness? Have I made known His name? Have I condemned or have I freed? Have I locked them out and locked myself in?

For the sake of this generation I lay down my life(My thinking, my desires, my hopes and I supplant them with his!) to carry out His words and His will. God was not looking for a democracy or a republic. He was looking for a people. For He is God and that is a theocracy. Where He is the head and we are the body.

And that folks…is a wrap.

 

 

 

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, 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, 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?