Landing Strip Enterprises

THE HOLY SPRIT OF CHRISTMAS

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I remember in the days of my earliest childhood being mesmerized by the lights and ornaments on the Christmas tree. Christmas has held a special wonder. I was hypnotized.

As a young adult I found that Christmas was grander than nostalgia and sentimentality. Heaven’s potency was compressed in the little baby. Heaven had become manifest!

Beyond colored lights and sleigh bells, music and shopping sprees there is a Holy Spirit of Christmas. It is beyond reason but so worthy of pondering.

I encourage you to feel the mystery of Christmas. Take time to welcome the Holy Spirit of Christmas into your heart.

How do we sensitize our spirits to the Holy Spirit of Christmas?

Feed your spirit on the Christmas stories in Matthew 1 and 2 and Luke 1 and 2.

Share the story with family and friends in such a way that meaning seeps in.

Sing some spiritual Christmas carols and talk about the words with the kids.

Take time for quite contemplation. Don’t be too rushed for significance.

Consider sharing gifts beyond the common boundaries of friends and family.

These practices will help you welcome the Holy Spirit of Christmas.

Steven C Johnson

https://landingstripenterprises.com/

WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS

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My pastoral training was missing a few practical elements. When it came time to do my first wedding and funeral I was flat-footed. I had never had a class on conducting these chapter-turning events. When put on the spot I struggled to recall weddings and funerals I had witnessed. I looked for scriptures, models and traditional scripts others had used to help me.

In time I found weddings and funerals some of the most meaningful moments in ministry. Both services were great opportunities to point people to God and his ultimate intentions for our lives. The joys of marriage point us to the ultimate union with Jesus, the heavenly Bridegroom. Funerals reminds us of His death, and resurrection, and the glistening hope we possess.

As Pam and I were reading in our Bible this morning we saw spiritual allusions to both wedding and funeral in Revelation.

“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband…. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Rev 21:2-4).

We see from Scripture that A Wedding is coming. We also see that there is a New World Order where we will no long perform funerals.

There may come a time when you are asked to share at a wedding or funeral. Will you be able to toast the couple or comfort the bereaved? Will you be able to connect the events to ultimate things and our transcendent Heavenly Father?

In a movie or book you may see a scene where a friend has been killed and they have put the body in the ground. There is no pastor or priest but someone awkwardly, with hat in hand, says a few words of remembrance and a word of committal. May you have the words in season for celebration and consolation.

Steven C Johnson

https://landingstripenterprises.com/

LIGHTEN UP

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“Warning: Do not overburden thy camel with overly ponderous weights lest thou pushest beyond the engineering specifications voiding your warranty and causing breakdown of your beast” (Owner’s manual).

We don’t want to overload Clyde so we have given away much of our belongings. Men from Life Changers Outreach, an awesome ministry bringing new life in Jesus to those struggling with addictions, loaded up trucks with our donations. A dear friend in touch with some who have great need filled boxes from our pantry. We hope those that received rejoice with the joy we feel in lightening up.

The Bible says a lot about “Stuff.” Many passages describe stuff as a blessing. The pry bar, bread maker, jewelry and board games are a blessing! If you have stuff count yourself blessed.

The Bible also says that stuff, and our attitudes about stuff, can be distractions or even idols, objects of worship preventing us from entering The Kingdom of Christ.

You will never see racers in the 100 or the marathon packing stuff. We are lightening up because in this season of our lives being overly “blessed” with stuff will prevent us from running a good race.

If you are in a season where you are in need of stuff may your prayers be heard! If you are in a season for getting mobile, liquid and light may you have the grace to say goodbye to stuff.

“Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours” (Gen 45:20).

Steven C Johnson

https://landingstripenterprises.com/

MUSCIAL SNOB?

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I found myself in a huge green field with luscious trees around the edges. There was an invisible orchestra playing the most beautiful music! I knew in my spirit that this was the music of the Kingdom Come! It was not the music of the Kingdom that was yet to come. It was the music of the Kingdom that had come. Later in the dream, I was telling another person of this most beautiful music of the Kingdom Come.

When I became a believer in 1972 I was hungry to know more of God. I would tune into Christian radio and listen to Bible teachers talk about the Lord Jesus. One of the most painful aspects of being a new believer at that time was listening to antique Christian music. I thought the music was corny and archaic. I was put off by dull or saccharine lyrics.

I pressed through the unsavory music because I did not want to miss hearing something about the Jesus I was coming to love. I even found myself listening to the painful hymns and gospel songs because sometimes I would find Jesus in them. I tried to coach myself to stick in there, remembering that at one point those songs were new-born and some people even encountered God through them!

At this end of my life I have different pains in Christian music. It is the pain of listening to overly repetitive choruses with shallow lyrics. Still, I listen hard and press in realizing that I don’t have to like the music I sing to God, I just have to love Him. I remind myself that others are actually encountering God with music I find taxing to listen to.

I have learned how to take music that does not stimulate my pallet, with words that are corny or shallow, and use them to worship my Lord. I have overcome! I do not focus on the tune or lyrics so much as on the Savior I love!

For those whom I may have offended let me say that there have been moments where my heart has been deeply moved by music both ancient and contemporary, old fashioned and newfangled. But I so long for the music of the Kingdom Come!

MOVING TO ABILENE, TX

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We have a new place to set off for: Abilene, TX! Another season, another adventure! We really don’t anticipate a lot of gun fighting. Our Plan is to have the moving van loaded and pull out of Sevierville, TN on December 18^th.

Our friends, Leonardo and Una Bella, with whom we have ministered in Israel, live in Abilene. We will continue to partner with them and the Israel Prayer Mission. As the Lord wills we may travel, nationally and internationally, as well as minister in Israel with the Bellas.

We also believe meaningful opportunities for work and ministry will open in Abilene with other precious saints. More as things develop.

Your prayers will be appreciated as we toss, sell, save and package things for our move.

Then Abraham returned to his servants, and they set off together for Beersheba.

And Abraham stayed in Beersheba. Gen 22:19

Steve and Pam Johnson

https://landingstripenterprises.com/

FILLED WITH THE GLORY

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Do you remember what happened when Moses finished building the Tabernacle?

“Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle” (Ex 40:34-35).

Do you remember what happened when Solomon Dedicated the Temple?

“When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. The priests could not enter the temple of the LORD because the glory of the LORD filled it. When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, “He is good; his love endures forever” (2 Chron 7:1-3).

Do you know what happens when living stones are built into God’s house?

You’re right! The glory of God fills the “building! 1 Peter 2:5 says that we, “like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house.” There was glory in the Tabernacle and Temple but the glory of the built-together people of God will be astronomical. That’s why I like building up saints individually and congregations corporately!

If Moses and his crew knew what would come after they finished the Tabernacle I think they might have finished sooner. If Solomon and His team knew in advance what would fall in the Temple I think they would have pushed the schedule up.

As we appreciate how much glory God wants His built-together church to have we will want to be more intentional and intensive as we build up and build together the lovers of Jesus.

And in him you too are being built together

to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit” (Eph 2:22).

A NEW NAME FOR GOD

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One day, Jesus’ friends asked Him a favor: “Teach us to pray!”

They saw the amazing consequences of Jesus’ life of prayer – his confidence, insights and miracles.

Jesus said, “Pray this way”. Then he shared a prayer that some of us think of as old and rusty, but to them it was fresh and vital.

“Our Father, Who art in Heaven…”

The Hebrew word Jesus used for Father is Abba. If you are in Israel you will find children calling out to their fathers, “Abba.” It is a familiar expression which we would understand as Papa or Daddy.

Jesus presented a God approachable and familiar. He told us to address God as our kind, compassionate and generous Father. Call him Papa, Daddy.

It seemed frightfully too familiar to the religious people of the day, but Jesus encouraged his friends to address the monumental and awesome Creator and Sustainer as Daddy.

The starting place in prayer is to truly know the One you converse with. If you are a friend of Jesus, He invites you to know and make request of God as your loving heavenly Father.

Steven C Johnson

https://landingstripenterprises.com/

UNRESERVED RESOLVE

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“We will not accept into membership anyone with any reservations whatsoever. We will not accept into our membership anyone unless he is an active, disciplined, working member in one of our organizations.”

The words are from Vladamir Lenin, the revolutionary founder of the Communist Party.

Lenin rejected, the sentimentalist, the fair weather warrior and the unresolved as candidates for his revolution. He sought people willing to live and die for the communist vision.

Jesus Christ also rejected people that claimed they wished to follow. Those who were vacillating, or unwilling to pay the price were left behind. Jesus sobered up some would-be followers reminding them that they would be bunking on the dirt and that family loyalties must not prevent whole hearted devotion.

Jesus spoke stark words: “anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” (Matt 10:38)

If you are willing to pay the price you can be part of something that truly changes the world.

Steven C Johnson

https://landingstripenterprises.com/

WORTH THE PAIN

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At a Christian business conference in Charlotte, NC we heard the amazing story of a woman from North Korea who was in prison 20 years for her faith. She wore light clothing in the winter while the guards were bundled up. She would pray fervently and have third heaven experiences, and stay warm.

She was taken to the firing squad and asked if she had one last request. She asked to sing, and sang, “Amazing Grace.” While blindfolded she heard the executioner choke up, unable to say, “Fire!” She was marched back into detention. On a second occasion the same firing squad scenario repeated itself.

While she was in prison and having heavenly experiences she heard voices praying for North Koreans and she recognized the voices as English and from the West. She knew as she listened to the voices that she would go to America.

She was released and ended up in China, working for the government. Her job was to arrange for speakers to come and lecture at colleges and before government officials.

She met Lance Walnau in America while representing the Chinese government. They wanted a Christian intellectual to speak to government leadership! The Chinese know that Christians will become 30% of the population by 2030. They can handle the positive values of Christianity but don’t want weird cults or anti-government activities. It is a miracle that they are willing to listen to perspectives from Christians from the West!

The woman from North Korea, after all her birth pangs, is bearing fruit that will bring greater openness to the Lord Jesus in nations that have been closed!!!

You may see amazing stories of devout followers of Jesus in North Korea and of ways that the Gospel is being shared there. You may want to invest in a ministry sharing the good news in that nation. http://www.seoulusa.org/100-days-videos/

“Fear not little flock it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).

Steve and Pam Johnson

https://landingstripenterprises.com/

A WANDERING ARAMEAN

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“Then you shall declare before the LORD your God: ‘My father was a wandering Aramean…” (Deut 26:5)

I wonder how many places Abraham pitched his tent. Some Bible students suggest Abraham was a city slicker, an urbanite in the metro area of Ur in what is now Iraq. God told him to pack up, get an RV and get traveling. Not only did he not have a GPS, he didn’t even have a destination address to put into one. The Lord told him he would lead him. So without knowing the end of the road he started.

This morning I counted 26 homes I have lived in, 2 months or better. Pam and I have lived in 15. It looks like there may be more. We put Little Valley Farm on the market and were gratified that the first looker is giving us full price! We close December 18^th.

Our time in Sevierville, TN has been deepening. We have treasured fellowship and friendship with many precious believers and yet-to be believers. Our last two daughters finished HS here. We have been stretched by being part of four churches. Pam has done nursing. I’ve taken care of apartments, dabbled in landscaping and selling cemetery property and shoes.

We are still looking for the ultimate address to put in the GPS. The “Where are you going” question is always ticklish. We have a tentative plan to move to Chattanooga and be near Anna and Claire who are at UTC and near Theresa who is in Nashville. Early November we are going to Abilene, TX to visit our dear Messianic believer friends, the Bellas. That might also be a landing spot. In December we will go west to visit my parents. The adventure continues.

“For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Heb 11:10)

Steven C Johnson

https://landingstripenterprises.com/

Steve and Pam’s Bio

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THE HOLY SPRIT OF CHRISTMAS

WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS

As Pam and I were reading in our Bible this morning we saw spiritual allusions to both wedding and funeral in Revelation.

“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband…. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Rev 21:2-4).

We see from Scripture that A Wedding is coming. We also see that there is a New World Order where we will no long perform funerals.

There may come a time when you are asked to share at a wedding or funeral. Will you be able to toast the couple or comfort the bereaved? Will you be able to connect the events to ultimate things and our transcendent Heavenly Father?

Steven C Johnson

https://landingstripenterprises.com/

LIGHTEN UP

MUSCIAL SNOB?

MOVING TO ABILENE, TX

FILLED WITH THE GLORY

A NEW NAME FOR GOD

UNRESERVED RESOLVE

WORTH THE PAIN

A WANDERING ARAMEAN