A gathering

Dear friends:

During the last week I was asked if I would join playing worship in the area town of Keene. It turned out that the gathering would be an outside venue in the center of town on Main Street. Cool! (Not as cool as we hopped. It was 93 degrees...), but as we gathered for the Jesus Is Lord Tour, it was pretty interesting. The setup was fun and we met new and old people alike, as we set up next to a bar and a restaurant. We were the first group up, and this team is blessed by some incredible musicians and talent. The purpose was to bless the returning college students, their families and the town of Keene.

There was some pretty cool stuff going on as well as some pretty weird stuff. A few of the area churches had gathered offering literature, free water and lemonade and their faith. The three teams had their different styles and people gathered in the name of Jesus. One of my friends related that someone wanted to "punch" him out because the music was messing him up. Another Christian said "they had never heard music like this" and basically it could not be God. To me Jesus without a division would not really be Jesus. The group I was with took Pink Floyd's The Wall and converted it with declarations about not needing "religion" and "Devil, leave our kids alone." (Wonder what would happen if we practiced?

But as I thought about it on the way home, I realized that Jesus can and will come to a town near you. Tour or not. It rekindled my own personal dedication to praying for where I live and blessing it. Only this morning I read about the inundation of bugs to Vermont because of "global warming," and I thought if we pray we don't have to have bugs. We can have a community where people flourish. A city of refuge.

Yesterday as we returned to Springfield we were able to witness an incredible firestorm if lighting in the sky. While talking to a friend my words were interrupted by "that's amazing!" And it was. Lighting bolts lasting for more than a second and bolts every 2-3 seconds. So cool.

God wants to be outside. He wants to be where we are, but He wants to be where the sinner is, as well. He is looking for a people, unashamed of Him. It is always easy to be free in a church building, but it takes the grace of God to be that free outside. One of my friends says he is in the church to get the church out of the building. Me, I love being outside the confines of a building. And yesterday indicated the battle that is mounting. Occupy. Take ground. Years ago I preached on that. We must occupy. To see laws changed is not about writing your congressman, so much as it is, about affecting the community where one lives. And we do that by being like Jesus in the sense that we may have to go to the taxpayer's house.

Our music yesterday was to reach the young. But it is more than that. It is people. We had 3 flavors of music yesterday. Three styles of Jesus being represented. Jesus can not be confined to one type of music or another, but the biggest thing is that we, the people of God unite and support one another whether it is music or the type of church we attend. Jesus is looking to be the center of our attentions. And while He is being that, He desires for His children to be in harmony.

My hope and heart is that you would be a blessing to yourself, your family and friends and your community.

Blessings,
Lee

Prayer requests.
-Our new ministry would bear fruit

Lee Johndrow
Independent Manager
Group & Small Business Specialist
88 WCFR Drive Springfield, VT 05156
802-885-2885 Office 802-384-3993 Cell
Pre-Paid Legal & Identity Theft Shield
Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist (CITRMS)
Servant Communications

Coincidence?

Dear friends:

Most of us are not believers in Coincidence. With that said, what would you do if your state was on the fourth reported lightning strike of churches. A burn down of a friend's church in Southeastern Vermont. A steeple removed in an early morning storm's lightning in mid-Vermont. Another church in Southern Vermont hit removing most of the steeple.

I would be naive to think God is not allowing something to occur that we might hear. A week ago while in Maine, I gave a word involving this group of scriptures. I shared the verses of Revelation 4 and how God's lightning was coming to earth. The pastor, shared the same verses on the "sound" of heaven. "And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and [there were] seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God."

I believe we are hearing the sound of heaven here in Vermont. I do not think God "picked" churches. But it is interesting. "Green Mountain," "Congregational," "All Souls" and "Old Brick." There has been a great attempt to get "the church out" rather than "bring it in" that has been met with a lot of resistance. Jesus spoke of expanding the Kingdom. I know. I know. My personal life is outside the bounds of "church" per se. And not everyone "lives" here...or do they? What happens if the "picks" indicate that "everyone" is invited to be the "congregation" here in "Vermont" shored up by the "basics?"

And the lightning? Nearly every day I watch it strike the tower at my home. I hear the "sound" of heaven often. Perhaps the throne is "Speaking."

Buildings? Steeples? We meet in a bank. Others in an elephant barn. Some in homes. Sure, we might like a "big" building. (Though I prefer a tent.) But I seriously believe God is less concerned with the building and more concerned with the building of people. Maybe that is what "apostolic" really means. A builder of people. Forming the Kingdom in each one.

A few weeks ago when the Simpsons appeared many wrote me suggesting we were "under judgement." I received letters from other Springfields and their believers. Suggesting things like "separation of church and state," etc..  (Maybe I am the lightning rod!) And in the middle of town there is a statue where people gather to "idolize" the pink donut. And I "struggle" with it, until I review my own "altars" and the things I have placed first and before the Lord. And yet there is a fresh line of people coming to see the hand holding the donut.

God gave us dominion over this earth. It is our responsibility to declare His rule and His reign. I am not thinking God has fallen off His throne over "Homer." And coincidence. Steeples falling. Perhaps it means the end of a religious age and tradition. Perhaps it means nothing. I am obviously inclined to believe it does. Just as others have "embraced" the bridge collapsing.

Blessings,
Lee

Prayer requests.
-Our Pre-Paid Legal and Identity Theft business would move ahead.
-The house needs would be met.
-My motorcycle painting series would be moving ahead. Pray for the artist, Julie, on this one.
-While we were in Maine, I came up with an idea that to the best of my research has not been done. I need divine contacts for a designer and a maker.
-I need a software designer to help me with my software concept.

Lee Johndrow
Independent Manager
Group & Small Business Specialist
88 WCFR Drive Springfield, VT 05156
802-885-2885 Office 802-384-3993 Cell
Pre-Paid Legal & Identity Theft Shield
Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist (CITRMS)
Servant Communications

What? Me listen!!!

Dear friends:

This morning I awoke, feeling a frustration of sorts. Part of it. I have way too much to do. Not enough time. And too little money. I have friends and family I want to spend time with. Places I want to go and people I want to see.

Two weeks ago we had to replace our pump for our well. Great...I got fantastic revelation, but a note from the Lord would have been sufficient. This week we were denied our home equity loan because of a few things, but mostly the type of property we have. (That has affected our insurance as well, as our radio tower is a considered an "attractive nuisance.") So, what happens to a septic, tank, roof and windows? Not really sure. Let me walk you through a scenario in my mind. Before we bought our home. I had a 3 bedroom place, a 2 car garage, trash, heat, and came and went when I desired. Now I have a lawn that needs mowing, a driveway to shovel, supply my own heat, etc., that costs me 4 times what the other place cost. I am doing an emotional struggle with this thought process. Then I opened my email to find once again I was the "victim" of some monkey business. Not the kind you can not clear up, but just the constant wearing down kind of thing that consumes time. So while Tina and Alyssa are shopping, both my boat and my motorcycle are sitting out there feeling as "lonely" as I am. And me...I have just spent 3 hours washing 2 loads of clothes(Oh yeah-dryer went this week.) and putting them outside, cleaning my office, watering plants, doing some dishes, boiling eggs and watching 2 children.

But in the process of the last week or so, I have had to face facts. Not everyone wants to be where I want to be. (Sometimes I am not sure I want to be where I want to be. :-) ) I am not even sure if I am hearing the Lord clearly right now. I am sure God speaks. Last weekend proved I hear from the Lord...for other people. But what about me? I have spent a lot of time with people who ask for help and never stop to see what needs to be changed. I am a "solutions" kind of person. I want to see it fixed and fixed quickly. No messing around. It was one of the reasons I found it easier to be a lone ranger than a frustrated team person.  But 12 years of ministry and a couple of businesses where I saw the value of teamwork and I am heading my ship that way.

Our ministry is headed more and more to the streets. For instance, I will be speaking at a biker convention coming up. Not a Christian one. That ought to be a trip. Yesterday a biker had a conversation with me and asked me if I would go riding with him and his friends. Last week we had a talk about going to the campuses of New England again as we did last year with "A Quest for Spirituality." Me? I am just trying to make sure my reasons are good and Godly. Because part of the reason I am "outside" the church is because for the most part with few exceptions, the most exciting services I have ever been to, has paled in comparison to the street and what can and does occur there. I think Tina and I have come to the conclusion that our happiest days in ministry were spent in a nearby downtown with a team of 25 plus seeing God heal and deliver. The people that want to be there are the ones who listen. There is a grace to be out of the church and there is a grace to be in the church. Everyone has a different place to be. Yesterday, I heard a former heroin addict who died and went to HELL, say that he thought if Jesus was here today that He would not be in the church but in the bars. Wow! Now get this, my initial thought was "you are crazy." And then I thought about it.

My ministry is my business. Meaning my business is my ministry, my out pouring. I think I have nearly resolved that after no less than 20 serious words about it. With few exceptions, my closest friends are not in the church. I believe God is laughing that I finally am getting it.  I love the streets. I love the people. And maybe just maybe...that is where the blessing will be. Maybe that will be the time of "coasting" I have sought. And that is tough. Because ALL I wanted to do was be IN the church. Just the other night we gathered with a few friends to pray for our loved ones and each other. And it was great.

I will say business people are easier to deal with. "Yes. I want it." or "No. I don't." Successful businesses make money. Unsuccessful ones don't.  Much easier to read. And they pay for advice. They hire coaches and consultants. Why? Because they want to be successful. I have often thought "what people pay for ...they value." As I put together training from a biblical perspective for those in my business, I feel "fresh." I also feel tested. It is like climbing to the top of the high dive. It is a rush. At camp I would see if I could belly flop just to see what people's reactions would be. Anything for a rush. I remember jumping off a cliff on an island one time. 88 feet. You had to jump out to avoid the edge. I thought I would show off and "swan dive." Far cooler than my friends' cannonballs and can openers. Till I hit. My head snapped back. My chest exploded. End result? I looked like a piece of raw liver for 2 weeks.

So, am I listening? I sure hope so. The training center we envisioned is probably even different than I originally thought. But, I guess at this juncture I would rather fail for trying than wonder.

Blessings,
Lee

Prayer requests.
-Our Pre-Paid Legal and Identity Theft business would move ahead.
-The house needs would be met.
-My motorcycle painting series would be moving ahead. Pray for the artist, Julie, on this one.
-While we were in Maine, I came up with an idea that to the best of my research has not been done. I need divine contacts for a designer and a maker.
-I need a software designer to help me with my software concept.

Lee Johndrow
Independent Manager
Group & Small Business Specialist
88 WCFR Drive Springfield, VT 05156
802-885-2885 Office 802-384-3993 Cell
Pre-Paid Legal & Identity Theft Shield
Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist (CITRMS)
Servant Communications

Understand your “WHY”

In a lot of respects this could apply to all areas of life. And
instead of sending it to my business blog only, I have included

I have been studying. To be quite open...what does the Bible have to
say about business. I am putting together a class of study, to begin
to travel with. And since we discussed goal setting and accomplishing
things together, I came upon this.

In the process of various studies, I came across a woman who is
making over $250,000 in our business. She has personally sold over
5,000 memberships. Her name is Christa Aufdemberg.

How about Liz Foo, single woman, another 250K earner.

Well, I began to dive in to their success. And Christa said this...

If your WHY doesn't make you Cry it isn't strong enough. Part of your
1st Step Training is "WHY" are you doing this business. What is your
mission statement.
"I got started what seems like a few short years ago to make
$500-$1000 a month to stay home with my three boys, and now I earned
over a 250K part-time working around my three boys schedule.
"If you love what you do and do what you love you'll never work a Day
in your life.

And that in business ought to be part of our "first step" training,
but what about the other areas of our life? And yet, since work takes
about 33% of our day, we need to figure this out I think.

Anyways---food for thought.

Lee

Lee Johndrow
88 WCFR Drive
Springfield, VT 05156
802-885-2885