Apostle David Johndrow - Fire And Grace

1 John 2:27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit - just as it has taught you, remain in him. NIV  My good friend Pastor Steve held a series of meetings with a minister by the name of Larry Lambert. I attended all of them as a participant. I didn’t really like the pastor/minister title/role thing at all. I just loved Jesus and desired to do whatever He asked me to do. I didn't need a title. I really enjoyed the meetings with Larry. His meetings were exciting - a little crazy might be a better description! Signs and wonders began to manifest in various ways. At one, we could smell Easter lilies and frankincense. Later on, people were laughing and rolling on the floor, others were just laying in the presence of God. It was exciting, deep, healing, and magnificent all at the same time. Larry also had a great sense of humor ...

In the late fall of 2013, my doctor suspected that I had prostate cancer. I did what everyone else does and had a PSA test as well as a very unpleasant transrectal needle biopsy (TRUS). The results came back after what seemed like a lifetime, and they I had a malignant lesion. Although surgery was the urologist's initial option, I was also referred to a radiation oncologist. It was an emotionally difficult time. I met with a well-known Boston surgeon who informed me that I could schedule my radical prostatectomy at the checkout desk after our consultation. I was perplexed and alone. Planning on running the Boston Marathon in April of 2014, surgery would have to wait a bit longer than the six or so weeks. I made the appointment. I also made an appointment with radiation oncology. It was at the same building where I had spent six days in the cardiac intensive care unit (ICU) a few years earlier after suffering from congestive heart failure. He asked where my wife was as I was alone. ...

I have to say, when I hear the term Jesus follower , I want to puke. It seems to be the new fad to replace the word "Christian" which means little Christ. I know this appears to be a biblical term, but is it really what we do as believers? I don't think so. In any case here are the verses from which this misconception comes from. Matthew 19:21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me .” Mark 1:17 “Come, follow me ,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” If you read them in context, which is really the only way to read the Bible, these are aimed at folks that did not know Jesus personally. Not to mention that it was before the Holy Spirit was given, and following God was all that you could do. Following is in fact pre-salvation if you'd like to get technical about it. It was only later that Jesus said we need to believe John 6:35...

Well today was supposed to be the day that Jesus returned. It's not going to happen! He is coming back, but this is not the season. A lot of folks are concerned about who is going to Heaven  at the rapture, and according to Family Radio today is the day. I suppose by tomorrow, you'll know. The Bible says there is a great and mighty day of the Lord. However; before that day comes, Jesus said the following would take place and that these events are only birth pangs. Matthew 24:5 For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars , but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation , and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. Forget the fact that Jesus said the day and the hour are unknown! There are some that think that Christianity is hoax because Jesus never really liv...

Over the past few months, probably since Rob Bell's new book came out, I have been reading about what people believe, and don't believe about Christianity. In fact there is a lot blogarrhea about what part of the Bible is or isn't correct, authentic, or infallible yakity yak. I just shake my head at the myriad of opinions. It's like everyone is a religious pundit! Maybe you think I am one as well. The real questions are these: Is the Bible true, all of it? If not, which part is not true? Is there more than one interpretation for a given passage? Who has the correct theology? Certainly there are many more questions to be asked, but you see where I am going. How can we get out of this mess and become "true" disciples of Christ? It is not easy or it would have been done, and there would be no denominations. Is the splintering of the church and variety of thought OK with God? I don't think so. That is why we need Jesus! It is not enough to ...

Have you ever wondered what it was really like for the disciples to follow Jesus? Think about it, you leave your job, you drop everything, and go into full-time ministry. Most people I know, can't just leave their job and house and go into ministry. I also hate to call it ministry, because they actually became friends of Jesus; even Judas. Real ministry flows out of relationship. Jesus' insight, genuineness, warmth, and His can't-quite-put-my-finger-on-it qualities were somehow very attractive. Of course, now we know why, but the disciples, they didn't. They had some sort of religious notion that there would be a messiah, a king greater than David - one that would rule and reign in Israel, defeating all their foes. Which is true, but the way that God carried it out, well it wasn't what they thought - not even close. How about you, do you have some sort of religious notion about church, about Jesus? I could write a hundred things about being religious, and I have...

I don't know about you, but there used to be places I "felt" more Christian. There were places it was not safe to use a little Christian-ese; like work. I wondered why it was that I felt filled up at church, and drained out at work and in between at home. I was once one of the believers that thought God pretty much lived at church; only stepping out to fix some heathens. There is another group that does stuff in the name of Jesus too. They have decided that Jesus would do x, y or z, and they act on it. Some days I think that anyone that feeds the poor, or gets someone else to do it appears to be a Christian.Is that it, just be nice and feed poor folks? Another group has decided that Christians must act like this or that, follow these rules while overlooking those ones. Then you have the grace and freedom group where you can do pretty much anything you want as long as you have faith. How can they all be right? So much time is spent in debate, acting religious, ...

I have a online friend, I'll call him Marshall for the sake of anonymity. He has been struggling with this whole "God" thing. My suspicion is that he has had some bad religious experiences. I'd like to say get over yourself and join the club, but how would that change his mind and heart? It is pretty common in pop-culture to believe in god, but deny the whole Christian/Jesus Christ thing. And honestly, I wish it was that easy - just believe in God. I remember when I cane to believe in God, I didn't know who it was, I just knew I was different. I remember singing Amazing Grace and I couldn't hold back the tears. I honestly don't know what happens when the human spirit is infused with the Spirit of God. The Bible uses terms like "seal of the Spirit," and "hearts filled with joy"; stuff like that. None of them explain what regeneration really is... oh and what it feels like. If you go to an evangelical church, you might hear "test...

It's been awhile since I have written about miracles. If you have been reading this blog for a few months, you'll know that I believe in a supernatural God, one who does supernatural things. I love reading books such as Like a Mighty Wind (Mel Tari), The God Chasers (Tommy Tenney) I Believe in Miracles (Kathryn Kuhlman) and Caught up in Paradise (Richard Eby). They inspire me to believe God for amazing stuff. And you know, He has done it in front of my very eyes. As I look around at the people that I am in contact with, I see lots of needs. From finances to cancer, I know folks that need miracles.... or so it seems. Here are some of the things that I have heard about miracles over the years. "If you have faith, you'll have miracles." "If you pray for potatoes, God will give you a hoe." Or, "coincidences are God's way of remaining anonymous." "We don't need miracles, we have science." And today's winner, "miracle...

I've had trouble coming up with a topic and the Heavens have been silent. I thought I would fall back to some lame attempts to blog " random thoughts " but they were too vulgar. I pondered posting videos of me playing guitar , but I have it on good authority that some of you hate country - it makes Dave T. sick. I have written about health care , but Washington isn't listening to me - Mitt says it's broken. I was going to post some twisted conversation that I had with one of my kids, but I've been so busy, that nothing seems entertaining enough to post in public. Today I was thinking about being a Christian, and how grateful I am that I have joined the club of faith, but on occasion I have my doubts. You know, it seems like yesterday that I was rescued from the midst of alcoholism and all that goes with it. There I was at the New England Ala-teen Conference during the summer of 1978 and God surprised me as I let go of the fact that I didn't believe in G...

Lot's wife wanted to go back to Sodom, and she turned into a pillar of salt. The time of God's wrath is mentioned in both the old and the new testament. It is a historic event in which God starts to deal directly with the satanic forces and the evil people responsible for the destruction of the earth. How about you, do you think God's mad at you? Do you feel guilty for anything, and you can't seem to get relief? Are you certain your eventual face-to-face meeting with God Almighty is going to be worse than a bad interview at fast-food joint? A lot of people see God as a "Mad Dad." If you read the Bible and do a search for the word "Hell," there are only 14 results in the NIV. If you search for Heaven, there are 606. Think about it, Heaven is much more on God's mind than Hell. And there are 42 verses with the phrase " Eternal Life !" I am not sure why we think that God is mad all the time, or that He is sitting there trying to find us doi...

Some days life is just, well, "life." A long time ago I learned to ask God what should I be doing, and what should I hand over to Him. Maybe you've heard of the " Serenity Prayer " - it's a good one! Like others, I am not perfect at it. Have you noticed, when things get tough, one group says "hang in there" - meaning keep on trying, and another says "let it go" - meaning you've done what you can, and the rest is up to God. So who's right, do we hang in there, or let go? I happen to believe that throwing Bible verses at problems is not always God. Some folks believe that the will of God, their personal destiny, the very key to life, is in the Bible. I would like to disagree. Before you shout: Blasphemy, consider this. Even if every word in the Bible is God breathed and true - and I believe it is - the central truth of Christianity is not believing what is in the Bible. It is faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus, and the sa...

I have passed the 300 blog mark, and I wanted to take a few minutes to express my thanks for reading along - some since 2006! And no hateful comments; amazing! I have written about a lot of things over the years, but mostly Jesus , Holy Spirit , Stupidity , Politics (some think that that's the same as stupidity) and Relationship . I have been most passionate about the the 5-Fold Ministry . My top 2 most read blogs are The Role of the Holy Spirit and The Cost of Following Jesus . That sort of makes me happy - because they are important topics. I am also a little impressed that my blogs on the Demonic are also well read. The most commented blog on Fire and Grace is yesterday's on No More Church a Usual ! I was a little disappointed that my series on The Top 10 Stupidest Things Christians Do , did not become a best seller. I have written some other blogs that don't appear here, but you can search me out at Tony C Today , and Kingdom Bloggers if you just can't get e...

My readers are vigilant, often giving me kudos for going after the relationally insensitive, and calling out those that knowingly break the "rules." It makes me wonder, are we cheering on the under-dogs, or are we enjoying the prideful, yet well deserved smack upside the head from Mr. Fire and Grace? I was just thinkin'. There is the constant battle against the rationalization that we are "not perfect" - which is true, and the notion of unobtainable legalistic perfection. Embracing the truth about grace, however; is not permission to act badly. It should be a sign that we need to constantly, as Paul said, "take our thoughts captive," and examine our behavior. How many of us do you suppose actually do that; examine our behavior? Are we sitting here having some of these thoughts: "I am a poor employee because they don't really pay me that well." "I am a bad wife/husband, but my spouse is worse." "I am a rebellious child - it...

Well, score one for the Taunton, MA Pubic School System. Today they suspended a 2nd grader for drawing a "violent" stick figure of Jesus on the cross. (left) Top that off with sending him to the shrink before allowing him to come back to school. ( Article ) Around these parts, the Catholic church is the most well attended church denomination in New England. There are crucifixes everywhere! That's why the little sign over Jesus on the crucifix says "IN RI." Not really... it says "Jesus Christ King of the Jews in 3 languages. When I was in Norway, we heard that Sweden had enacted a law which basically said any "Born Again Christians" had mental problems and were to be treated as such. We were on a team with some guys that had been put away because they "heard from God!" Now I understand that most churches don't want to hear from God, but this was pathetic. I was reading the comments on the article, and they range from "fire the i...

Today my friend's child asked for a ride to school, and in jest, he replied, "why do we have kids?" His daughter fired back, "I didn't ask to be born?" Her dad, not to be out done, said, "Well, if you had asked, the answer would have been 'No!'" I have always wondered what God was thinking was when he "cursed the day he was born." ( Job 3 ) What I do know is that when children sin, God's gives them over to the penalty of sin. ( Job 8:4 ) I also heard another tale. It was about a man that had made a deposit of $10,000 at a local bank. One day he came to make a withdrawal and the banker seemed a very surprised. "I'm sorry, but I have to confess," said the banker "I didn't think you'd be back for it so soon, and I spent your money on a new bass boat." Of course, if this had happened to you, you would be upset. Very upset. Even if it happened to someone that you loved, you might feel a sense of righ...

-2 Winning People to the Church, Not Christ - You may be all about your denomination, you may have a great church, a pastor that is amazing; you participate in small groups, you have Bible verses all over your MySpace, your Facebook and your refrigerator - even a Honk if You Love Jesus bumper-sticker - you are a soul winner to boot. You are, after all, out to get folks saved, isn't that the purpose of the church? Each one of us comes from some sort of Christian upbringing, background or heritage. Our religious experiences and influences tend to shape our view of what church is, as well as who Jesus is. To some, God is a legalistic, rod bearing tyrant, that will have His way, or send you down the chute to Hell. For another, God is so full of grace, He wouldn't want you to be unhappy, so those rules, well, He'll just forgive you if you if you break them. Others think that if they are devout enough, never miss church, try to be good, and help with the poor; they are in good ...

As a Christian, today I am going to exercise my right to judge a few things that affect people in America. 1 Corinthians 2:14-15a (NIV) 14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual man makes judgments about all things... Three things have happened recently that I believe God has something to say about. A man was arrested by ICE for overstaying his visa. Two, a US Senator has attacked the Catholic Church, and three, health care will be debated in the Senate. How is that for hot button issues? First, Patrick Kennedy, son of the late Senator Ted Kennedy, was discreetly asked by the Bishop of Rhode Island to stop taking communion because of his stance on abortion. Patrick decides to make it public - unlike his drunk driving and philandering, which he preferred to keep private - now the church has to respond. They did, they sa...

Most of us have expectations for the holidays - family traditions, church activities, certain foods, TV sports and a variety of other activities. For some, the holidays can be a nightmare - the Bermuda Triangle we used to call them in AA. My holidays growing up were basically decent, and mostly comprised of good memories. My mother had some very enjoyable traditions that made Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years a time of expectation and even joy. I admit it, as I have grown older, holidays have lost their luster. I have an old friend from Junior High who posted a status on Facebook. It was sad because, after 50+ years of celebrating life at the old family homestead, it is no more. I remember my own feelings as my childhood home was sold, and no longer the possession of my parents. There is something barely describable that is lost - the nostalgia, the memories - well, if they were good ones. That was home. I am sure most of you don't care about my darn holidays, you have your o...