The Calvary is Coming...or Not

Dear Brothers & Sisters:

Last night I could not sleep. At 4:43 I went into vision, not dream but
vision. And I saw the wagons circled. And the people behind the wagons
were frightened. Flaming arrows were igniting many of the billowing
Conestoga wagons. Women and children were cowering as close to the
center of things as they possibly could. I t appeared ammo and time
were running out. The smoke was thickening, the attackers bolder
swooping in on speeding horses releasing arrows of fire. And then I
heard this bugle. Not loud, but piercing. Some of the children heard it
and their faces perked up. Then more and more heard it. Despite the
invisibility of this bugle and it's player, the people in the circle
began to change in their demeanor. There seemed to be a hope spreading
slowly. You could hear it in their voices. There was no one showing up,
but the fight seemed to be shifting, somehow, some way. The bugle was
not any louder. There was no column of dust rising in the distance. The
attackers saw something different and began to "back" away. The fires
still burned by the appearance of fear began to diminish. Water was
being brought to sweating brows and parched lips by women and older
children. The situation with the ammo had not changed much but shots
began to count. And finally, as if an arm of wind came across the
desert, the enemy was gone.

As I reviewed the vision, I saw that we had somehow received the
message from our leaders to "circle the wagons" and prepare for an
attack. Right then a "greater is he who dwells in the world" thought
process began to develop rather that one of "greater is he who dwells
in me." Conspiracy thoughts, "them against us." began to rise. We
somehow saw the church "dumbed" down. And now it is shown with each
passing year of a Christian's life their circle of friends in the world
diminishes. (I would like to believe they all got saved, but if that
was the case where is the new circe of the world.?) Do not
misunderstand me. I comprehend the evil in the world. I see the
handwriting on the wall and the visions of Ezekiel, Daniel and John
coming closer. On the other hand I see the world needing a Savior.

The other day, a young black man entered our store. I immediately had
a vision and words for him. I gave them. He was shaken. But he took my
phone numbers and agreed to call. Day in and day out this happens. The
"frightening" skateboarders give me more help with my store than anyone
else.

So, let me say that the invisible bugler is here to dispel fear and
fright. The wail of that bugle can bring hope. Some are hearing it.
Tell others. Some are not. Please listen. The enemy will be swept away
by our confidence in Him. Our hope can and will be restored. No more
chicken littles.

And a few prayer requests. Last week my stepdaughter told her mom that
she was having her third child. She was in fact, 6 months pregnant and
had successfully hidden it from everyone. We have offered help and she
has resisted though no one else is helping her. She is unmarried and
has 2 other children and has told Tina she is giving the child up for
adoption. Neither Tina and I can see this through. And yesterday we had
to put down our cat. It was painful. Tina feels like the Lord has
forsaken her. As she said, she has no more comfort.

Thanks

Blessings,
lee

http://www.pocafministries.org
http://pcfministries.blogspot.com/
http://compelthem.blogspot.com/
Lee & Tina Johndrow
www.vermontel.com/~servant/ministryopportunity
www.countryartifacts.com

2007-The Changing Of the Guards

Dear Brothers & Sisters:

Greetings in the precious name of Jesus! This morning here in Vermont
it is raining. The snow came and supplied the mountains with the white
gold necessary to attract visitors. And now we are under the weather,
so to speak. Visit the site below to receive our holiday greeting from
Tina and I.

And if you want to skip the rest-feel free to travel to our card to
you! ( http://www.dayspring.com/ecards/card.asp?ID=03e1d413-srt
You can also go to DaySpring.com and enter your retrieval number
(03e1d413-srt) in the space provided on the left-hand side of the page.)

As we crossed the threshold into 2007, I sensed a tangible change. Last
night there was a loud noise that happened. Yesterday during Sunday
meeting, I prayed that we would have an outward manifestation of the
sound of heaven shifting, "even a sonic boom." Initially, nothing so
exciting or timely, other than a call telling me of the fire alarms
going off in my store (No problem.), but last night as I awaited the
end of 2006 and the entry into 2007, there was a jet flying overhead,
very loud, very low, so low in fact I started to think this could be
it. (I live on the top of a mountain.) Now, we do not have jets around
here too often and when they are around they are usually up very high.
Any ways my senses came to the forefront, " God, you are really
shifting something here." As I spoke yesterday, I had written on the
white board about the changing of the guard. I had said that with the
death of Gerald Ford (Be watching the Ford company the next 60 days.)
and the hanging of Saddam Hussein, I have felt the pressure of the Lord
talking about the church and the changes we are getting ready to go
through.

The church has been in position for a very long time. Those that think
about, think we have been ready (Tipping point.) and could do this
"thing" called revival. But revival is a spiritual thing, not just a
shift or change in a person's heart, but a change in everything that
person is composed of. It is paradigm shifts in the areas of
relationships, money and the world. It is sometimes the result of the
atmospheric change happening as we rush forward, much like a sonic
boom. It results in laughter and tears, seemingly with no reason. But
the bottom line is we could do this. There is no more "prayer" for
boldness, as we have received the fullness of Christ. It is the
appropriation of more grace as we step into what we are designed and
purposed for. Can we receive more grace? I believe that as Paul prayed
for "grace to be multiplied" the answer is yes. I still agree some
things "need to change" but the reality of it is according to Peter, we
have received "everything we need for life and godliness" not through
our own efforts but by His divine power.

So, what has held us back? I suspect there are many things, but as the
deaths of 2 world leaders occurred I felt the Lord saying "there is a
changing of the guard." I do not think that means that every leader is
about to "die" or be removed, but I do believe that for some reason
there is a major shift . For some leaders this will pull or push them
aside, for others they will escalate to new ventures and callings, and
for some they may "die." The reason is that there is something happen
in the generation coming forth, and there is a birthing of "children"
and people with gifts and callings that we do not understand or
possibly can not conceive. Every day I watch the young people parade
into the skateboard shop. Crazy hair, outrageous dress and...PASSION.
For years I have said "our ceilings must be their floors." It is not
just radical ministry with things I do not understand but
outlandish(Meaning heavenly.) passions.

I read about Joshua moving in where Moses could not. I believe that one
of the reasons for change is relevance. Many leaders often believe that
relevance is "looking like us." My world is filled with homosexuals and
adulterers, abused and abusers, and different and way more different!
The idea of them confirming to my thoughts or thinking about Christ
will not happen. I need a transformational mindset to cope. I need an
overhaul of what I have come to believe myself. The vibrant church will
celebrate diversity and not just diversify. We will be single minded in
going after the lost, but our methods will need to be varied.

The death of Gerald Ford, I believe represented an end to the era of
statesmanship. The old guard gone. An era of change and a man who
brought healing despite what many thought or still think. There is a
new breed of healers and healing ministries that are coming forth. I
was in a meeting not too long ago and was shut down when I asked a
friend about a particular healing ministry. A conversation later
indicated that some others did not "take kindly" to this man and his
ministry. It was not about ethics or style, but it was about a biblical
nuance that some forget. Me? I am on the team where anything that
brings healing through Him, I will accept. Your gift is not necessarily
my gift, but " my house is your house." And so the dynamics will shift
and a new generation will come forth. Like Moses, there will be some
not allowed to carry on without recognizing diversity.

The death of Saddam Hussein made me see that in a day and age of
needles and gas, a hanging is a pretty primitive method. Many have
thought the Bible to be primitive in it's teachings as well. But the
hanging represented in my thoughts the breaking of the stiff necked
and religious spirits from man and woman. Pride must go. That is a
"primitive" premise that has not changed. The very religious spirit
that confronted Jesus, is confronting the church today. And I believe
the Lord is saying enough is enough. Idolatry has sprung up about the
church in the idolatry of ministers and ministry. And the Lord is
coming to remove many from "exalted" positions.

As a leader, I do not point fingers as I am painfully aware of my own
issues at hand. I simply point to the clock and say it is "past
midnight." The days of heavy handedness and authoritative abuse is
over. It is no longer the arguments about sexual sin and money(Not that
they are not happening.) but religion, politics and pride. God is
desirous that healing come. That healing can only come to a humble
church. It was said that "if my people who are called by my name, will
humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their own
wicked ways, then I God will hear from heaven and heal their land."

There is a rumbling that is getting louder. Many have said that it is
the sound of heaven. There is not a lot of room for earth and it's ways
in heaven. I believe that rumbling is getting closer. I believe that
there are many "great things" about to erupt in the earth, but along
with that I believe that we must be prepared for what accompanies that.
We have called it a spiritual tsunami and a spiritual earthquake that
is to come. If that is true it will leave many "unclothed and hurt" in
their brand of spirituality.

As I played with my grandchildren, I realized my response to things
with them was different than I might have thought. Everything was not
"all good" in my thinking (Nor all of their behavior.) but it was
evident that it was a process that the Lord was preparing me for and
had me in. I have sought the Lord to keep me "flexible" to Him and
rigid to the ways of the enemy. I personally am going through a shift.
Here in Springfield, I am beginning the transition of the "keys to the
church." The transition may take longer than I think, but it is a
changing of the guard in itself. The changing of the guard is not all
bad nor resulting in death. It is a necessary process for healthy
spiritual life. I said to a friend of mine the other day that one of
the signs I was counting as healthy was that the people of our
gathering were not just getting together to gather on Sundays and
Tuesdays because it was there, but were taking the time to develop
relationships with others in the body. That was one of my signs for
healthiness. Years ago I wanted to produce a badge that said "Church is
not just for Sunday." And now I am seeing it.

As we see the changes that come, I think it is wise to ask the Lord are
we 2007 compliant? Do we have your latest operating system? Are we able
to handle the "work load" to come? Have we prepared ourselves mentally,
physically and emotionally for what is to change? Are we needing to
upgrade in our lives anywhere? Are we listening to you or are we trying
to live our lives as we did last year? Are there windows that are open
that we need to close? Are there relationships that are hindering us
and not helping us? Is there software we need to invest in? Are there
things we need to study and embrace to move ahead? And finally am I
trying to run Windows 98 in a 2007 world? Maybe I need to go through
the kenosis or the emptying of one's self that the Lord did , even if
that means I start over some places.

Many of my closest friends know that I have been "struggling" in the
area of business, finance and my understanding of it due to some
increased study and education. (You know...paradigm shifts.) Even last
night as I was reading, my mind was just getting shoved around the
board with the reality of there were a lot of things "I did not know I
did not know." And as I study my mind is being opened up to challenging
truths. When I talk about the changing of the guard and preparedness
and will "I make it," it is not being said lightly or trivialized by
me. This is as much a struggle for me to take inventory of myself and
where I stand as it may be for you. And yet I believe it is the truth
of things to come.

And so as we enter into 2007 and the winds pick up and fill our sails
as we leave the safe harbor of 2006 behind, I ask that the Lord give
you much grace and a peace that truly passes all understanding. May
God bless you and yours this year.

Blessings,
lee

http://www.pocafministries.org
http://pcfministries.blogspot.com/
http://compelthem.blogspot.com/
Lee & Tina Johndrow
www.vermontel.com/~servant/ministryopportunity
www.countryartifacts.com