Happy New Years

Dear friends-

I want to wish all my friends and family a very Happy New Years.

A couple of thoughts washed over me in the space of seconds.
-They were that while we do wish each person a Happy New Years, it is
interesting that His blessings and mercies are new each and every morning.
-The second thought was that a wise man once said to me when I
responded with "I am trying," to a particular situation, that it
would be better if I would simply "be" and to stop trying. Many will
make "resolutions" when perhaps it would be better just to "be."

May each one of you have a prosperous New Year.

Blessings,
Lee

Lee Johndrow
Pillars Of Clouds& Fire Ministries
88 WCFR Drive
Springfield, Vermont 05156
802-384-3993
Building relationships for the goodness of our region.
www.pocafministries.org

Merry Christmas

Dear friends-

It is 5:30 AM and my grandson Jordan has been up with me since 5AM.
(So much for getting up early and having time to myself!) He is
excited about the presents that have mysteriously appeared while he
was sleeping. Interesting that I have often thought about how excited
I was as a child for the "magic" of the holiday. I would get up early
and crawl around the presents that were under, over and behind
things. Our traditions included getting up and being able to open our
stockings. I realize now this was to give my parents time to wake up
from staying up late as they got their coffee. We would pull out the
gold coins, the walnuts and tangerines. Each stocking usually
contained a few small presents and then it was breakfast time. My
mom's homemade coffee cake and eggs was usually the fare. Then it was
back to opening presents. And when that was done it was out to enjoy
new skates, sleds and clothing.

There is a part of me that misses that. And unlike my grandchildren,
my dad and mom and were part of the day. My grandchildren do not have
their dad around. So, when I got up at 3:30 yesterday, I found myself
praying for their fathers to enter their lives. This is not a thought
out thought, I assure you, but it was an overwhelming "this is what
you shall pray." (Interestingly enough, it led me to this video
yesterday.http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=5486ae62fd502645138e)
Go ahead, I double dawg dare you to watch it without tears.)

This has been a journey for sure. The water that invaded my house has
subsided, but the financial, physical and emotional damage it has
wrought has taken a toll.) Yesterday I had coffee with a friend of
mine. Wednesday mornings for 11 years. Same time and for the most
part, same place. Despite sleet and freezing rain, (I think there is
only 1 time we might have missed over weather.) we gathered. Our
gathering is part of "our tradition," our bond of friendship. And
unless it is a holiday, or a death or one of us is out of town, we do
not miss it.

And it is that kind of friendship the world is seeking. Only this
week, I realized there are few who will take time from there busy
schedule to walk with others. It is hard enough to walk as a parent,
I guess. Parenting and being a parent requires proactive, hands on,
walking through all of it. But, I have a lot of friends who are my
age, who need someone to walk with them, Their marriages are topsy
turvy, their kids having difficulties and their jobs a retreat in
many cases(For those who still have jobs.). When do we get real? How
do we get real? Can we get real?

Our world is out of control and yet we know God is in control. If
that is not a dichotomy of thought, I do not know what is. Christmas
can restore us if we let it. Not the presents(Though certainly it
helps to know someone cares.) and the hoopla, but the knowledge of
Him. Many say He is the reason for the season. That "reason" brings
whole new meaning to the season. It begins to slowly deal with self
centered attitudes and the like, freeing people up to be more like
the one who created them.

Jordan is trying to figure out if "Santa Claus is real. He has been
talking to me all the to me I have been writing this. I left him to
percolate it a little. He came home yesterday to find lights on my
outside tree and more lights on the inside one. He has watched more
Christmas light videos than I can count. Thousands and thousands of
lights and I simply tell him, heaven will have more lights and better music.

This week, I met with my friend who has cancer. Another friend who
struggles with depression and economic troubles. Another who has been
battling cancer for a long time. A meeting with another who has just
become a friend and like a son. In two meetings! He is not a
Christian, but a 23 old who is just a great kid. Funny, smart, wise.
Hasn't seen his dad since he was 3. He and I had a 2 hour
conversation over the biggest turkey club sandwich I have ever seen!
People needing people. Perhaps that is the reason for the season. And
even those who say they "can do without" others, when their heart is
unwrapped, need people.

You may encounter ornery people today or even be prone to being one.
Perhaps God is readying for a Christmas miracle in your life. Just maybe.

And I leave you with Merry Christmas to each and every one of you.
And one more clip to prepare you to see HIM!
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=905620397b19c9d24978

Blessings,
Lee

Lee Johndrow
Pillars Of Clouds& Fire Ministries
88 WCFR Drive
Springfield, Vermont 05156
802-384-3993
Building relationships for the goodness of our region.
www.pocafministries.org

The end to rock and roll

Dear friends-

I have been mulling many of the words I gave and wrote over the last year or so. Interesting ones had to do with outpourings and oil prices dropping. Like to take credit for them, but it was the Lord. And so now, I am feeling the prodding of the Lord again.

Over the last few months our home was devastated by a contractor error. Flooding our our basement area delayed all our projects and cost us a lot of money. Fortunately, last week a man came and began the repair stemming the supply of water to our basement living areas. And so I have had time to think. To slow up a little. The results are many unbelievers are talking to me about their lives and their next steps. Questions about God and what is He doing are becoming more frequent. That is exciting. Nothing is more awesome than God pulling back the veil and giving you a glimmer of His love for someone who does not know Him. The results range from tears to frustrated anger. "Why did my child have to die?" "Why do I have cancer?" Only yesterday a woman I had been praying for showed up across the aisle at the Peebles store. A few months ago she was very distraught and I said I would pray for her. Initially, I took it for anger on her part. Yesterday, I found out her husband and had been diagnosed with cancer. He was now home for the holidays. She thanked me. Simple.

So, why is it the end of "rock and roll?" Because the Lord is going to bring a stability to His people. No more rockin' and no more rollin'. The Lord's truth will prevail. He begins it with this.
In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
It begins with us controlling our thoughts. No more runaway thoughts. "Do not be anxious." And soon His peace prevails. How? I do not know. I guess that is why it is "passing all understanding."

I felt the Lord prodding that anxiety pushes against trust. When anxiety is "removed" there is room for peace. A lot of people I know are having a difficult time. Believers are losing their jobs, but here is something to consider. The unemployment numbers came in "lower" than expected. And the stock market reacted. It is tough, but with every closed door, there is one that opens. How we egress determines the quality of our ingress. Global economy? Only if you want it. The fact of the matter it is proven buying "locally" benefits you in a greater realm. (Read some of my articles.) I would submit Japan would not encourage people to buy "American" in a tanking economy.

So, I believe if we will dispell anxiety we will open the door to a peace that is hard to resist. A peace that opens the door for harmony and health. Not a peace as the world gives where "nothing" moves but a peace that is able to withstand the fluctuations of a world in turmoil. We will see the beginning of the end of "political correctness" as believers and unbelievers stand up for rightness(Not just righteousness.) The market will level off for the next few weeks, but we have not seen the end of things. New businesses will come in to provide guards to existing problems. Believers can and will rise up in their communities.

Christmas is nearly here. And my remedy to stress is buy a bigger Christmas tree. (To see a picture of the 12 foot tree in my living room, send me a note.)

Blessings,
Lee

Lee Johndrow
Pillars Of Clouds& Fire Ministries
88 WCFR Drive
Springfield, Vermont 05156
802-384-3993
Building relationships for the goodness of our region.
www.pocafministries.org