Yesterday and earlier today, we found ourselves sitting across the room and the table from Jonathan Lindvall of California. He had come east in conjunction with his speaking itinerary. Was traveling with his 16 year old Timothy. They spent Sunday afternoon and the night with us before flying west earlier today.

Jonathan is what you could call a "major player" among home-schoolers and has several unique areas of expertise. He would not call himself such a thing, but... Anyway, he certainly has a very fine voice (complete with vibrato) and his guitar work is superb. He shared many thing with the saints but was careful not to draw attention to himself or to dominate the meeting.

As a parent, I was delighted for the young people to see a person with such unction. There was no mistaking that he possessed the Genuine Article. He would close his eyes, throw his head back, and passionately sing about our Lord Jesus. You could tell the excitement was real!

Jonathan, a former public school administrate, deals in many controversial areas...Carries about with him an enormous love for Christian families, too.

I know from the past what eager beavers some of you all (and me are to point out what you feel are discrepancies among others' views. But Jonathan, himself, continually sought commonality where he could and let our mutual solidarity in Jesus take care of the rest. He edified those at our meeting and in our home, too. (No, I don't even agree with my Carolynn on a lot of stuff... so what?)

Let's do it again, friend.

I have found Jonathan to be an extremely humble man yet full of the grace of God. I would love to meet him and his lovely family in person! This weekend, they are heading out for their annual homeschooling camp out. I sure wish I could have gone. Maybe in the future the Lord will bless us not only with camping equipment but the ability to make the trip to California!

Jonathan was also one of the men God used to lead us to beginning our own homechurch. His prayers and words of wisdom have been invaluable. He also sent us a wonderful book (fictional) concerning homechurches called The Day of Small Beginnings. It was a true blessing to us.

It was so nice to hear someone else speaking so highly of Jonathan and his family. From his newsletters, Jonathan also mentioned that he had once been a Youth Pastor! And the Lord really used this to make major changes in their lives.

Of course, he calls himself only a "fellow disciple". And that again shows the gentle humility of this man of God. I find it a blessing to call him brother.