“The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.” (Matt 22:2)

I was at a dream wedding. Actually it was a wedding in a dream.

It took place in a large cathedral type church. The wedding party was large and they were all dressed in white. The party began singing and dancing a choreographed dance. It was lovely, large and swept the people gathered into its beauty.

There were tall and short people all dancing together across the large room covering every foot as they leapt and twirled in synchrony, singing in perfect harmony. 

Suddenly water began pouring down the aisle from the altar. It began small but quickly became a much larger stream of water pouring from front to back.

The dancers began to slide and slip and fall and the synchrony was lost. The wedding garments got wet. It became messy but was still fun! 

Interestingly, Steve and I both had dreams of women in wedding dresses a few nights before. What do you suppose it could mean?

“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.

 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!

For the wedding of the Lamb has come,

and his bride has made herself ready.

Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.”  (Rev 19:6-8 NIV)

Pam Johnson

Landingstripenterprises.com

As Pam and I were walking into Walmart I made a decision to look at as many individuals as I could, eye to eye, and communicate love. Through produce, seasonings, meat, and frozen fruit I did my best to look people in the face and smile. There were a few friendly, Hellos. When we got to the checkout I remembered how impersonal and detached the experience can be. Pam left me to wait in line while she went to grab another item.

A young woman with daughters about 4 and 7 came to wait in the line behind me. I thought, “How can I love these people?” and reached for some words. I told her that she had sweet children. The younger one coyly, shyly started to warm up to me. I told her we were new in town and asked her where they liked to go out to eat. She gave a couple suggestions. I asked if she went to church because we are looking for a church to plant ourselves. She had not been to church in a long time.

She asked what we were doing in town and I shared a bit about our relationship with the Bellas and Israel. I told her that we love the Lord Jesus and want to share Him with others. She was warming up. The face with too many downward creases started to smile. I looked deep into her eyes and with all the warmth and sincerity I could flow in said, “It’s all about Jesus.”

Pam came back and began to engage the woman. She told us where her husband worked and that they came from Oregon. We were able to banter about our experiences in Oregon. Pam said, “It’s so nice to meet someone from home! May I give you a hug!” She openly received Pam’s love.

I began engaging the checker, saying, “Melissa is a pretty name. It goes well with a pretty person.” She brightened. Pam rounded out the conversation with the woman behind us. As we were leaving I noticed that she began to “pass it on” as she began to talk in a friendly way to the woman in line behind her.   

It seems that people will have a smaller step to believe God loves them when they see that we do.

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  (John 13:35)

Steven C Johnson

Landing Strip Enterprise

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!

“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/

A tour bus was traveling through the ancient castles and cities of Europe. As the bus entered a city a man on asked the guide, “Were any famous men born in this city?” The guide answered, “No, only babies.” 

Distinction may not come with the birthday suit. It does not come from geography.  Fame often blooms on the wrong side of the tracks and with those lacking proper genes. 

Consider Nathaniel’s diminishment of Jesus’ home town; “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”

Greatness can emerge from unexpected places.

Who expects greatness to come from someone deaf and blind?

Who expects greatness to come out of a life born in slavery?

Jesus said in Matthew 11:11, “I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” That means, my believing friend, that as a true follower of Jesus you are greater than hall of fame slugger John the Baptist!  There is kingdom greatness for you because our Father wills it.

Child of God, you are famous in heaven! As heaven works its way to earth this will become more obvious. 

Steven C Johnson

https://landingstripenterprises.com/

CELEBRATE!!! Our Friends, Leonardo and Una Bella are sharing at our home Tuesday evening at 6. If you are in the neighborhood we would be delighted to have you join us for an exciting night of food, testimonies and sharing in the goodness of our Messiah, Yeshua!

Many of you will remember our thrilling accounts of being with the Bellas in Israel for four months last year. Many also have been praying for dear Israeli Jews to discover the Way in Yeshua. Come and meet people who glow with Jesus and have marvelous testimonies of the Spirit’s workings in Israel.

You can watch Leonardo and Una share pieces of their testimony at

For a deeply moving experience listen to Leonardo’s musical rendition of Isaiah 53, WHO HAS BELIEVED, at https://soundcloud.com/leonardo-bella/who-has-believed

You can connect with the Bellas at http://israelprayermission.com

If you are able, please join us Tuesday night for over-the-top blessings. If not, please view the material above and send up a prayer of blessing.

It’s a pot blessing so bring a pot to share!

Tuesday October 1st at 6 PM

Steve and Pam Johnson’s place

ALSO, As an extra blessing the Bellas will be sharing:

Wednesday October 2nd at 7 PM

At life Changers International

202 Sugar Hollow Road

Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

Steven C Johnson

SEE AND SHARE OUR BLOG

https://landingstripenterprises.com/

I’ve heard people say, “I don’t believe in organized religion.”

I answer, “Do you prefer disorganized religion?”

Often at the root of such statements is a history of hurt or an avoidance of the challenges of relationship.

Fish swim in schools for a reason. Christians swim in congregations. Some claim an affinity toward Jesus yet do not mix with other believers. When we say, “I’m a Christian but keep to myself” we are actually saying, “I like Jesus, I just don’t share his values for people.”

We may avoid fellowship even if we attend a church. We go, “low profile.” We may keep distance out of fear, arrogance, a sense of unworthiness, hopelessness or avoidance of deep issues.

Hundreds of verses exhort, model or imply the relational imperative. Still many believe in the “safe”, “undemanding” life of isolation where we are not responsible for others or responsible to them. Loneliness rather than connection.

Hebrews 10:25 warns , “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching. “

Salvation comes through Christ alone. Non-other than Jesus calls us to oneness with fellow believers. Who are we to refuse? See you in school!

Steven C Johnson

https://landingstripenterprises.com/

9/11 didn’t happen. It was a big show put on by Hollywood in collaboration with government spin doctors.

No planes flew into buildings and 3000 people didn’t die. It was a big hoax funded by bankers and investors in candles and tee-shirts.

9/11 was like Orson Welles, War of the Worlds. No Martians really attacked us.

9/11 was a huge publicity stunt with thousands of actors and movie special effects. Today, given proper perspective, we know it all as myth. Please go back to sleep. You are tired, preoccupied. The pillow is comfortable. Your eyes are drowsy. Soothing sleep is what you need.

By the way, the holocaust, the silly story about Pol Pot killing millions, the creative fable of millions dying in the Chinese revolution and the Armenian slaughter in Turkey are also fairy tales.

I wonder where we might go out to eat tonight.. Is there a good movie at the theater?

“From the tribe of Issachar,

there were 200 leaders of the tribe with their relatives.

All these men understood the signs of the times

and knew the best course for Israel to take”

(1 Chron 12:31 NLT)

Steven C Johnson

SEE AND SHARE OUR BLOG

https://landingstripenterprises.com/