Comments

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  Matt Miller April 8, 2008 at 5:52am

  Dear Lonnell,
  
  I have a young man that is working with me in my company.
  His name is Mark Gales. He is a black man who has a tremendous spiritual side and he and I just finiished talking about Dunbar.
  He mentioned to me that he is a poet and wants to get some work published. Mark and I are working together on a daily basis and I am training him in my business.
  I mentioned our friendship and showed him some of your poetry.
  He is very interested in your work.
  In his words "I desire to use my talents in a positive uplifiting way"
  
  "I like direction in publishing some of my work and any advice you may have for me."
  "Langston Hughes and Dunbar are two of my biggest inspiriations"
  Love and peace,
  Matt Miller
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  Lonnell Johnson April 5, 2008 at 10:15am

  Howard, My Brother, My Friend,
  
  God bless you richly and abundantly, even as your comments touched me deeply. It took me several minutes to recover from the wave of emotions that flooded my soul, as your word ministered as a healing balm to bless and refresh and restore. I recall the opening lines of "I Sing in My Garden":
  
  Each note seems to evoke a stream of tears
  That fall not because of some somber mood
  But flow from a heart filled with gratitude.
  
  Indeed, I am so grateful to God for so much. I am especially grateful to God for wonderful believers who have enriched my life over the years. To know that I made a difference in someone's life is so satisfying, thus it is difficult to express how much your gracious words ministered to me. Thank you so much for your heartfelt expressions.
  
  Nothing happens by accident or happenstance, but all that occurs in our lives is by divine Providence. So often, seemingly more often than ever, I quote Romans 8:28, not as an all-occasion cliche, but as bold declaration of the Word and will of God for me and for all those who believe.
  
  The seeds sown in those by gone years along The Way are bearing fruit, even as we speak. You commented on your desire to publish a book of your own which meshes with my desire to help believers give birth to their dreams of publishing a book. "A book is a dream you hold in your hands," so says an anonymous writer. One of the underlying motivations for me to establish Ambassador Press was to assist the many believers you have had a similar dream of someday writing and publishing a book. I sometimes describe myself as an "accoucheur", that's a French word for the male attendant at a birthing ( a kind of male midwife or "mid-husband"). I would love to work with you on publishing your book as well as perhaps using your graphic design talents in terms of working with Ambassador Press in some capacity. We'll see what the Lord has in store.
  
  By all means, we'll have to keep in touch. Send me your mailing address so that I can send you a copy of Stone upon Stone: Psalms of Remembrance, my latest collection of poetry, some of which appear in Ears Near to the Lips of God, which is by now a collector's item, since it is no longer in print. By the way, did you listen to the excerpts from my book on my Way Corps webpage?
  
  Thanks for making my Saturday into an even greater "Good News Day."
  
  Still serving Him, after all these years,
  
  Lonnell

  store.by
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  Matt Miller April 2, 2008 at 5:10am

  Dear Brother,
  Thank you so much for your April Fools comment.
  
  It completely edified me.
  I loved your poem and it was put in such wonderful context with being a fool for Christ sake - being such a mystery to the gods of this world - they stand in awe of the foolishness of God being wiser than all the wisdom of man. Oh the foolishness of God - to choose us! Because he loved us! It allows us to completely confuse the spirits of darkness by our ability to be crazy because we are insane as far as the world is concerned. Yet we choose not the winds and rains of depression or oppression from the clouds of evil - rather we choose to manifest the sweet perfume of victory - the victory that song birds sing when they return to their home after a cold winters furlough in a world that is not their own. The robbins have returned!
  
  You mentioned that you were working on some additonal writing - poetry. I would love to read it and give my refective thoughts about it back to you.
  
  With your expected kindness I would appreciate your thoughts concerning some of my rough draft I have started. It is a wonderful process to put words down and have another appreciate your heart enough to give some feedback in the development of the task.
  
  So here is some rough work - to just start writing one starts and then the words continue forth but it is nice to get feed back on my first part of my novel. I am not a poet so please advise on the sonnet.
  
  
  The young man had felt through his white robe the warm rays of Easter's spring sent forth into the now melting snow covering the wilderness glade on the edge of the frontier. Two small logs of birch stretched between two stumps of cut cedar formed the Lord's Table. Oh will the birth of Christ into the wilderness restore it into a garden of God's Eden and a chance that the primitive gospel might take root? The Lord of the Wilderness breaking down the societal walls that partition and divide joins the the wild savage of the forest, a single cardinal feather in long braided hair; through the the memorial of the Savior's broken body and shed blood with the Swedish logger and his wife and two children, and the Dane who fishes and the English planter and the young negro man who pilots boats in the back woods who found refuge in the forest to escape his slave master. This canvas spread out in the glade is painted with God's vibrant colors . All were there on this forested shore of the lake - the event frozen in time and place - recorded in Zion's great book - hearing the call to love a Lord whose stripes healed and whose blood redeemed, not seen but felt in a divine presence of our gathering. A prayer and a hymn broke out, slowly in different voices and languages the hymn reached to the canopy of forest above where eagles were beginning to nest. Tears swelled in the warrior's eyes - as the eagles left their roost and soared over their meeting place - not the dove of old - but the eagle who is above all the principality of the air.
  
  Oh 'tis the glory of our service blest
  Not that alone cathedrals hear it sung,
  But that its music cheers the world's wild West,
  And swells in rudeness from the woodman's tongue
  
  At Nashotah, Wisconsin, a thousand miles from the Atlantic coast, is a religious establishment of unmarried missionaries, who live and labour in the spirit of the primitive day. Yet their work is noted by God who weaves his perfection of beauty from Zion into His creative work and the ancient and prayed for kingdom is here first with ambassadors -delegated representatives - humbling the forest as it's inhabitants behold in awe the angels of man's best intent.
  
  So in the words of a ballad - maybe you can feel how we knew the truth of that place and that time.
  
  Perhaps we can finish the words into true victory for our prophetic vision given to us in this place. - a place that exudes Gods presence - so you can hear his voice and commune in your heart with His Hand intertwined in yours like your own father's hand held yours exploring new vistas.
  
  
  OH LORD, our LORD, how spreads that little seed
  Which was, at first, of every seed the least
  The birds of air shall scarce its growth outspeed:
  Its world-wide branches knit the West and East.
  
  But how it makes my heart of hearts upswell
  To see our English ritual planted there,
  Where walks his round Nashotah's sentinel,
  And breaks its daily service on the air!
  
  Rude as the Savior's birthplace are its halls,
  O'er which, like Bethlehem's star, the cross appears:
  And oft the watchman of those outpost walls
  In tented fields his wakeful voice uprears.
  
  Oft, on their summer-mission, as they fare,
  They seek the wildwood settler's far retreat,
  And rear their curtained chapel--while, to prayer,
  The forest-dwellers haste with ready feet.
  
  And where, at dawn, the prairie-fox did bark,
  Are heard, by night, sweet canticle and chaunt:
  Where sung before no choirist but the lark,
  Ring out the Church's anthems jubilant!
  
  Then, in the wilderness, is heard the voice
  Of one that, like the Baptist, bids repent;
  While the rude trappers tremblingly rejoice,
  And hearts, long-hardened, soften and relent.
  
  And there the Norway rover, or the Swede,
  Kneels with frank Switzer, and the florid Dane:
  And England's exile weeps to find the seed
  His mother scattered--bound in sheaves again:
  
  While here and there, those mingled groups amid,
  The smoking torches shew the desert-child;
  The sad Oneida's countenance, half hid,
  The bloody Osage--tamed, yet darkly wild.
  
  Flares on the Negro's swarth the self-same blaze:
  Nor lacks the scene, from Shem's sad tents, some one;
  Nashotah's priests have found, in desert ways,
  Rebecca's child and Isaac's homeless son.
  
  Thus, in the outskirt earth, earth's races meet,
  For such their Maker's wonderful award,
  And, at our Mother's fair unfetter'd feet,
  Learn of the Cross, and bow to own its LORD!
  
  Part of my writing - rough draft - but working at it! The wording of the ballad taken in part from "Nashatah" written by A Cleveland Coxe (1865)
  
  
  Your brother who holds you in his prayers,
  Matt Miller
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  Matt Miller March 31, 2008 at 4:57pm

  Thank you Lonnell,
  God truly has our lives in his foreknowlege - your comment about spring is coming and the 8 year old boy - how He brought that back to your mind - 57 years later - a wonderful sunesis. Truly I rejoice in the splendour of your fellowship. The story brought to mind my own time when I was in fifth grade and I would sing going down the steps to the cafeteria "I am off to Minneapolis". It did not make any sense as the school was in Clayton Missouri and I had never been to Minneapolis. But just saying Minneapolis was just such a cool word that it made me happy for some reason. For many years into adulthood I would jingle that tune in my mind and when I first came to Minnesota to visit my parents who were temporaily working here I said - Aha - I am finally here in Minneapolis and now I am going to move here!
  
  Now forty years later I am in Minnesota - and often in Minneapolis and now I am looking forward to a delicious buffet of freindship with a brother that I love.
  
  I marvel how God starts working in the minds of young boys to say I am painting and placing fragments of your calling in you now - later you will put those fragments together by the aide of the spirit of God so you know what to speak when I call you.
  
  John the Baptist was born with the spirit of God. How God must have taught that boy with those fragments of experience energized by God.
  And then when God called him out of the Wilderness he had such an understanding of who he was in ministry - and his relationship with his cousin Jesus - even though they grew up separated by miles.
  
  So thank you for your kindness in starting the Forum on Barry. Your sense of class is unimpeachable and your long suit in wisdom is manifest.
  
  Your beloved brother (From everlasting to everlasting)
  
  Matt Miller
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  Mary Lawler March 31, 2008 at 4:49pm

  Lonnell,
  It is so good to hear from you. Your message sounded so much like you I could actually hear your voice speaking it. It seems so hard to believe that 20 years have gone by. I know that your life has been blessed -- how could it not be -- you are a giver, a lover, a teacher, an artist (in the truest sense of the word).... I realize now reading your message how much I miss you -- how much I have missed by not having been in your life lo these many years, Yes let's stay in touch.
  
  My life too has been blessed beyond understanding. My God and my Lord have been ever so faithful to love me and teach me and lead me along a journey that has been rich and full and exciting and challenging. My love for Jesus Christ has deepened and expanded and become more real than ever as I have trusted in him and placed my life in his hands. There are remarkable things to speak of but it is late and they will need to wait til another day.
  
  My job is custom made for me. I love it and even more I love my students. The job came as a result of a prayer commitment I made a few years ago. I made a commitment to do a 30 week "retreat" involving daily prayer, readings and meditation. The Scriptures read throughout the retreat take you through the earthly life of Christ beginning with his birth, moving through his ministry and then his death, and ending (or rather beginning again) with his resurrection. It was a very powerful experience. At the beginning, Jesus asked me what He could "do for me?" I told him I was longing for a group of people to love and be loved by who would be joined together in meaningful work. I thought it would need to wait until after the return but no he provided me a houseful of wonderful young men and women whose lives are being blessed by His prensence in me. As I said I am very blessed.
  
  Well it is late and I must try to sleep. Please give my love to Brenda and say hello to Melissa and Angela. I'm quite sure they have no idea who I am. The last time I remember seeing them they were just little girls. I am sure they are wonderful young women and I can see why you would be so proud of them.
  
  My memories of you and our times together are among my fondest memories of my years in the Way. Do you have any idea how much you blessed and enriched my life?
  
  Mary
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  Matt Miller March 30, 2008 at 7:48pm

  Dear Lonnell,
  Tonight it is again going to snow in Minnesota. In deed this winter still is saying "not yet!" to an awaiting spring but the new season is upon us although not seen! The folks up here are just plain warn out and anticipation of gardening and sunshine has been momentarily given place to a resolute attitude of forbearance and even those assigned to announce the change of the season are depressed in their forcast for yet another weekend of snow and ice and slippery roads!
  
  I know you must have just returned from Gary Indiana and though victorious in ministry one wonders when one looks at the faces of loved ones mourning the passing of one's own and then reaches for words of faith - looking forward to the spring when winter continues its hold.
  
  When the Return of the Lord is somewhere ahead of us - unseen and therefore not experienced but yet alive and present in the fiber of own hopes as the seeds of the earth tolerate one more snowfall before the tender life of new plants look into the warmth of God's sun.
  
  The Return and the awaking of those that sleep - those that death cannot take a permanent hold on - because He is Risen! Oh glorious morn! The dead in Christ shall rise first! Everlasting to everlasting!
  So my dear beloved Lonnell - your friend will once again rejoice in the warmth of your embrace!
  So my birthday was on Easter - March 23, and I have thus waited to give you those words!
  
  Thanks so much for your wonderful editing of the former letter from Janis for Barry.
  Barry Jones middle name was Keith.
  I encouraged a tribute for him simply because my heart aches for his daughter and his widow.
  
  I did get word that Carol his widow plans to visit this site for the explicit purpose of reading your words on him - she anticipates - to see him live from your heart to her heart and is touched by it. I will give her word after you have posted it.
  
  I wanted someone who knew him personally to tribute his work for the sake of his daughter - so that she would know that her father was truly a man of God. How she must wonder - no one has told her about him - her father directly from another that served and trained with him so I reached out to you- she was so young when he passed - but a baby.
  
  To have a child and leave so early after loving God.......and not being able to share in full His stand for God with her - but that is ministry to make sure she knows. To honor the widow of a minister of God and a daughter who knew not her father is a service of mercy that you are so blessed with - that God has endowed you with.
  
  Your beloved and true brother,
  
  
  Matt Miller

  http://baby.To/

  See related links to what you are looking for.
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  Mary Lawler March 30, 2008 at 1:06pm

  Hi Lonnell,
  How are you? How are Brenda and the girls. So good to see your face again. Have thought of you many times over the years.
  Love,
  Mary
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  Chuck LaMattina March 28, 2008 at 6:55am

  Lonnell - Marilee and I were so blessed to meet with you and to have dinner with you and Gary Anderson. I look forward to an enriching friendship in the future!
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  Matt Miller March 26, 2008 at 9:01am

  Dear brother Lonnell,
  I am sorry for the long absence.
  I have been very busy with my business but I tried to post on my other computer at my office and apparently there is a little bug with the cookies from the WebChatter feature on this site that is preventing my posting so I am posting on a different computer now.
  
  My dear beloved brother,
  So many things are going on - I sometimes wish I could talk to you in person. May God permit -
  
  I have been constrained to send you a letter from a dear friend of Barry Jones who was your Corps Brother. Janis was his friend and confidant for many years. She remains close to his widow Carol. She would like this to be placed in the section on the site that is reserved for our brothers that are asleep.
  
  She asked me to put it there but I think it would be protocal and correct if you did it if you desire to as I did not know Barry personally and was not his Corp brother. Janis mentioned to me that Barry talked alot about you and held you in deep respect. She would often talk to me about him with many tears as she loved him so. So we talked last night on the phone and she would very much like this to placed with him on his memorium. Janis thought it was wonderful that the two of us are having such a warm fellowship.
  
  This is her letter for Barry from her. His widow Carol may want to have you post something as well. If the letter from her needs to be edited a little I will mention that to Janis and I am sure she would do so.
  
  Barry was a Region leader and actually opened up the Region here in Minnesota. He was a member of the 2nd Way Corps. The original Limb Home was located in Excelsior, MN. on Galpin Lake. He manage to have a fellowship in every city of 5,000 or more people in the region.
  Great signs, miracles and wonders followed him. I remember once being at a leader's advance where God and him stopped a storm so the
  believer's could enjoy the afternoon. He taught everyone so much about the details of the Word. He truly gave alot for the outreach of the Word. He demonstrated great trust in God. His heart's desire was to walk with God more than any other man had ever walked with God. He was also a very humble man with a great sense of humor.
  
  He was loved and well respected by many people. When the "ministry"
  started to decline, he would be up till early morning receiving calls
  from all over the United States from Corps and others asking him what
  they should do now. He counselled them and ministered to them.
  
  He gave alot of his life for the movement of the Word and inspired so
  many people to move the Word. He was Dr. Wierwille's body guard as
  well. He fell asleep approximately 11 years ago. He will be sorely missed. But he will have great rewards in paradise and we will see him again!
  
  God's Richest Blessings,
  Janis Erickson
  Wayzata, Minnesota
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  Chuck LaMattina March 25, 2008 at 6:27am

  Great, I'll contact Gary