Blessings & Honour

Joyce Lighari, co-writer on Kingdom Bloggers is completing a dissertation and is conducting research to answer the question: can Facebook build Christian community? I don’t know if Facebook, in particular, builds Christian community but I know that Christian community can be built and strengthened on the internet simply through virtual association.

The reason I’m certain is because that’s how I met David, and subsequently the other Kingdom writers.

I’m fairly new to the blogging world (about a year) and somehow I stumbled upon Matt Appling’s blog, The Church of No People. Like most blog readers, I stalked the site reading the posts and comments. What I noticed that David was among of the first few to [almost] always make a comment, and I liked what he said. So much so, that I began to read his blog, Fire & Grace, every week.

I commented on his blog and we started a mutual (I think) respect for each other’s views. One thing lead to another and bidda-bang, bidda-boom - we’re running off to be married – just kidding. That’s not even remotely true (I’m checking to see if people actually read the posts).

This is Google image #6 for David Johndrow.

Seriously, I’ve never met David personally but I can say with certainty that he is a man of God, chasing after God’s own heart. David honours his wife and his family; he honours his church and ministry. David has a heart for revival and empowering the church to live and be ready for the harvest. David is a prophet and a teacher, and a good one at that. His ability to teach Biblical concepts in short blog posts is what impressed me most.

When he announced to the other Kingdom writers that he was taking a hiatus from blogging, I wasn’t surprised. God is opening opportunities for David and David is following them – exactly as he should.

I want to bless and honour David for his vision and contribution to Kingdom Bloggers and I want to release him to move forward in what God is doing through him. David has impacted me and I know I’m not the only one. I’m honoured that David suggested I take a lead role for Kingdom Bloggers; it’s been his vision and letting go can be bittersweet, no matter the reason. David may guest post occasionally, so I look forward to hearing from him when that happens.

David admitted that he isn’t a ‘words of affirmation’ guy, so even though he doesn’t need to hear it, scripture says that if we honour a prophet in the name of a prophet, we receive a prophet’s reward. So really, this isn’t about David at all, I just want my reward.

David, I leave you with one verse, Philippians 1:6, being confident of this, the he who began a good work in you will carry it onto completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Blessings, my friend.

From Glory to Glory

Wow - hard to believe I've been contributing to this blog for almost two years now - I came on in December of 2008 - my first blog KB blog is here.

It was David who reminded me of how many words have been spoken over my writing a book. I still haven't written it... but that's another story.  However, David believed in what God had spoken long before I did.  He encouraged me to write.  And I have.

A picture David took (stole it from his website) of me praying in Norway.
Unfortunately, he's not in the picture though... good times!

I never thought that of all the people that we went to Norway with in 2002 that David and I would be the ones who remained connected.  I don't know if he is still connected with anyone else from that trip - other than our leader and his wife, I know I'm not connected with anyone.  Even that connection is very superficial - life does move on.

Ahhh, Norway.  What a trip that was - so many things to say, so many memories.  All of them good!  except maybe looking at pickled herring at breakfast.  You'd think I'd be used to that growing up in a Norwegian home.

I'm sad.  I'm really sad that David is moving on.  Oh, I know we'll stay connected.  But somehow, change, even when it is for something good, is something that makes us sad.  God has kept His hand on David - forming, molding him, changing him, and now releasing him into greater things in God.  For that I rejoice with him.

I know you'll miss him too.  I think today of a verse that seems appropriate for those of us carrying on with KB:  being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6 NIV).  God used David (and Tony and David T) to start this good work - He'll complete it... As David moves on to greater things in God, my prayer for him is found in 2 Corinthians 3:18 And David, who with unveiled faces reflects the Lord's glory, continually being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (Paraphrase mine :)


From Glory to Glory David - 

The End of One Season Always Leads to the Beginning of the Next

Family Photo With Required Goofy Expression

One day Dave T, Tony C. and I were on a 3-way call. I was sitting in the parking lot of McDonald's (I have since been asked to stay off the property - more in a in a bit). It was the beginning of Kingdom Bloggers in October of 2009. Our vision was to tell personal stories about how we engaged the Kingdom of God. HERE is my first post. We weren't really teaching, but giving testimonies about our doubts, our fears, our favorite verses, and the predicaments that we found ourselves in where God showed his faithfulness - even ones where we heard his voice. If you look back over the years of posts, you'll get to know a lot about the virtual church here at KB and the people in it. Our Christian lives are not theory, not about what we know, and certainly not about being perfect (I'd like to cite Tony C. as an example) but how we live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ on a day-to-day basis.

What's all this season stuff about? Well, Kingdom Bloggers is not going away anytime soon!

David, however; is taking a new direction in his walk with Christ - no I am not going to become a Buddhist or a recluse, praying night and day, I am being promoted. The Lord has called me to some other areas of the Kingdom which have been on my heart for many, many years. Like any good web site, no one wants to read all the fine print, so here are some FAQs:

Q. Are you leaving KB because of some un-named incident?

A. No, in fact, I have already been asking God that when I die, I get to live on the same street in Heaven as Tony, Joyce, Dave, Michelle, Stephanie, Tracy and Andrea. I did ask that Tony be at the end of the street - I heard he snores. I love these folks and they have been powerful in my life, very powerful. In fact it is easier to get them to pray then some of the folks I have come across at the local church. I'm just sayin'!

I have often taught, you train people to take your place in the Kingdom; you model it, you encourage it, and when they step into their destiny, you can be promoted. Tony, Tracy, Joyce and Andrea have become seasoned and committed bloggers. You can count on them to be consistent, thoughtful, sensitive to the Spirit, heart-felt, and best of all: real. Those are the qualities of great Christian Bloggers; it's not about visitors, page views and popularity.

Q. Are you quitting blogging?

A. Mostly, yes.I have been writing blogs since 2005, and there are now over 1000 of them floating about the Internet. I am sure you haven't read them all. In addition to my weekly contribution on KB, I have written personal blogs on Fire & Grace, and recently posted a few wise cracking blogs about weight loss on MyFitnessPal.com.

Q. What will you be doing with your extra few hours a week?

A. It's a good question. I am devoting more time to teaching and ministry (conferences), which; is a great honor, privilege and joy. I had a prophetic word about returning to my second love (ministry over a year ago), it is just time. I have written a second book which is out for editing (the first one is free online HERE). I hope to publish it as soon as I can afford to do so.

On a personal level, I am taking care of my health, my marriage, and my family. The heart trauma put stress on every area of my life. I now get up and run 2 miles pretty much everyday, and have dinner with my family every night. It's all good - we'll be just fine.

I will be posting on KB as I have time. This is a great crew and a wonderful expression of the Kingdom of God!

Q. How can I find out all that is going on with David?

A. You can follow me on Twitter DSJohndrow or Fire & Grace, that is the best way. I am going to be writing 140 character blogs on a regular basis to update those who care about my work in the Kingdom, the progress of my new book, and probably what I had for dinner - I often post grill pictures! Facebook is a good option too- but that is more about posting pictures of my family with goofy expressions.

Q. Will you miss blogging?

A. Of course I will, but what I loved about it the most was the people, not the words. Please stay in touch, and be blessed. As soon as the Lord gives me a street address in Heaven, I will be sure to post it. Until then, you can find me at FireAndGrace.com.

Q. Is there anything else?

A. Yes, the teaching and ministry requires travel, and I could use your prayer support. A couple of people asked if they could give financially, and the answer is yes. I need a plane ticket for late October. Let me know if you want to be part of what is happening!

Don't be an idiot...

You can find my letter to a younger Tony C over on Write Down the Revelation, the personal blog of Andrea York. Be sure to look around her blog while you're there...you'll find more than a blessing or two.

By the way, there's a picture of the teenage me too...and yes, it's black and white.

The Night Before the Big Move

Dear Joyce -
This is your last night in your blue and white striped with accent daisy room... you'll miss this room more than you can imagine.  Tomorrow you fly away to Missouri.   You think you're off on an adventure to leave your beloved Brooklyn behind and move to Central Missouri.  You think it's going to be fun.  The Viking in you loves travel and exploration...BUT you have no idea that in a year from now, you'll be married and pregnant at 16.
For the rest of the story head over to Write Down the Revelation and read on....

Letter to My Teenage Self

Youth is a beautiful thing; it’s a time for experimenting, learning your voice and making mistakes. Okay, the rest of your life is also for those things too but people expect you to have more wisdom later in life. This week Kingdom Bloggers are invading my (Andrea) site. We’re writing on what we would say to our teenage self, knowing that we’ve gained some experience and [hopefully] wisdom. David normally begins the week and introduces the topic but because we're posting on my site, I get to do the honours. David will be writing on my normal day – Wednesday. Click here to link to my site and enjoy the week.

Be very careful when you turn down a Facebook Friend Request...

My names Tony C and...okay...I'm a social media geek.

Now I'm not saying I need a 12-step program or anything like that...just yet...but there are few days that go by that I'm not in touch with someone via one or several social media tools.

Come to think of it...I'm using one now.







Read the rest of my post on Abundant Living, the personal blog of Kingdom Blogger Tracy Chiara. She is a terrific writer, compassionate about the Kingdom, and always has the best graphics! Come check it out!

Can You Hear Me Now?

If Mennonites take pride in anything (which they don’t because pride is a sin), it’s being known for being people of the Book. And by book, I mean the Bible. They also might be a wee bit prideful (but in a humble way) of their green and luscious lawns. Seriously. I don’t know how they do it but almost any Mennonite community has perfectly kept and manicured yards.

I digress, back to the people-of-the-book thing. I grew up thinking the only way God would speak to me was through the Bible and only if you were super, super, super holy did the Lord speak to you in words that was meant just for you. Like Abraham, or Moses; sort of like David but he had his own prophet so I don’t know if that counts.

I wasn’t used to hearing God; I also wasn’t listening for it either - except of course, when I read the Bible. It worked and I believe that God speaks through his written word but I’ve learned there is a difference between logos and rhema.  Logos is the written word, the Bible, if you will and rhema is the applied word – the fresh word from God. Theologians and linguistics may explain the differences better than I, but no one can explain away the first time I remember hearing specifically from God.

This week on Kingdom Bloggers, we are guest posting at Tracy Chiara’s site, Abundant Living. Click here to read about the first time I heard God.

Is That You?

This week's round of Kingdom Bloggers is over at Abundant Life!

Get ready to hear personal stories from the Kingdom Bloggers about how God speaks to us. They are as personal as our relationship with the Lord; no pattern, no formula, no cut and dried, sure fire way to know that it is God. However; as His sheep, we have grown accustom to hearing his voice.

Here is what happened to me:

Read More...

God created Fall because He loves me...

What's not to love about Autumn?


I thank God daily. I'm especially thankful in the fall of the year because I live in one of the most visually stunning places on the planet...the Appalachian Mountains.


Read the rest of this post over on Sounds of Hope, the personal blog of Kingdom Blogger Joyce Lighari. Check out some of her post too...you'll be glad you did.