Dear Friends:
(If it is welcome and a blessing, send it on to others,Lee)
What's in a name? Well, if your name is Lee Johndrow it doesn't carry much weight, but if you were named by the Father (ever notice this is the only place He didn't trust man to pick a name?) and He called you Emmanuel, the God who is everywhere, well... Thank God for ommiscience(being every where at once). We need Him to be everywhere.
So yesterday at 8:43am, I was told by the department of labor and industry that I was shut down. Not 2 weeks, not 2 days-today.
"And Mr. Johndrow, what will you do about it?" What does that mean? Sue, scream or slay??? What choice do I have. We knew that there was a higher force(Jesus) who was in control. We knew we had caused a ripple in Springfield and somebody felt it was their civic duty to "drop a dime" (call the authorities) on us. We even had a strong impression as to who they are. These people knew everything before they got there. But!!! God is in control.
So Sunday, with over 70 people, we celebrated our last meeting in our "church". Now, I understand that the church is you and me. We saw a celebration, and I find it hard to believe that God calls it our last.
Did I worry? Worry, wasn't a good word. Began to hear that loud voice telling me I was a failure and why don't I go back to business or a job or something. And it seemed like every time I turned around there was something else to deal with.
And here I am-at the edge of the sea, feeling a lot like Moses. Some have begun to murmur, even strike out. Hearing people say, "God, why did you bring us here to die?!?" Hearing my own heart heart wonder if I heard God right. (Was that really a burning bush? Did they really give us all that gold?) All of a sudden a man without a country and a pastor without a church seem to be the same sentence.
So here I am. Trying to avoid soul mode. Looking at the water and saying "Hello God-I am here".
Please pray for the people. We have 30 kids in a youth group that can't meet on Friday. We have 60-70 people who are starting to move ahead with the things of the Lord, and new people who may not understand.
I knew when I was given the name of the church that it probably meant being a moveable church. But I guess I wasn't sure how moveable.
So we believe God allowed this for a reason. We know that the enemy has had a hand in all this.I don't know why or what the reason is. I do know that regardless of anything I do or say, God has a handle on it.
So here we are. Will the water part? Will we walk on it? Will we fly over it? Only God really knows. When I wrote yesterday's letter I knew there would come the rubber to the road. I even hesitated to write it knowing I would be allowed to see the color of "gold" within my heart.
And I guess that brings the question up to ask you. What is the color of your "gold"? Is it pure? There used to be a radio program in our country called the "Shadow". One of Lamont Cranston's (the Shadow) lines was "who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men?" His response was that the Shadow knew. But in our life we know God does. I know God is trying to purify me further, building my faith.
Hey! How do you know you are a person of faith until you are tested?
Selah.
Shalom.
We pray for you, each and every day. If this is an encouragement to you. Please tell us, and please email it to someone else. If you have a prayer request, please mail it to us. We want to stand with you, battling spiritual wickedness, seeing people made free. We want to serve our brother and sister.
In the Service of Christ for His Glory,
Lee Johndrow
For more information on this ministry or to receive our newsletter
please mail us at:
154 Paddock Road
Springfield, Vermont 05156
For those who support us in prayer and deed we appreciate it.
Thank you,
Lee & Tina Johndrow
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