As some of you know, I have been working part-time as a children’s soccer coach to provide supplemental income for my family while my team continues to work toward building relationships, planting Church @ The Well, and raising money for The Well Coffee House. A few months ago, the soccer company I am working for asked me to attend a training session that was being put on in Boston by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. The training began on a Friday night with a very interesting question: “Why does the USA have difficulty competing at the international level?” In other words, why are other countries so much better at soccer than we are? As you can imagine, there were many interesting opinions that were proposed. However, in the end, the majority of the discussion revolved around the reality that other countries seem to have more players who have developed better skill and creativity. Why? Do they have higher quality coaching? No. Do other countries have a superior sports philosophy? No. Do they have greater knowledge, education, training techniques, or technology? Certainly not. Then why does the rest of the world produce players with better skill and creativity? The answer: American Children are not out playing in the streets.

Let me explain. The rest of the world produces better soccer players because their children are in the streets playing unstructured, unsupervised games in their local playgrounds, school yards, and streets. Why is this so important? In my opinion, there are three main reasons. First, playing in the street provides more skill repetition. Every coach knows that repetition produces greater skill. The general principle is that the more the players repeat a skill, the more effective they will become at that skill. Unlike the USA, children in other countries do not just practice twice per week and then play a game on Saturday morning. They play everyday in the streets. In fact, statistics show that the average world class soccer player has played around 10,000 hours in the streets alone. That is a lot of skill repetition. Secondly, playing in the streets develops specific character traits that are essential for world class athletes. Since there are no referees, parents, coaches, or audiences, then there is no one to regulate the playing environment. This means that some win and some lose, that conflicts must be resolved internally, that injuries occur, that fears must be faced, that friendships are made and lost, and that failures and disappointments are allowed to exist. In essence, playing soccer in the streets can develop players who have courage, mental and physical toughness, an understanding of teamwork, the ability to handle adversity, a strong work ethic, and an increased passion for achieving personal goals. Lastly, playing in the streets promotes creativity. The best soccer players are the ones who are able to identify a problem, develop a creative solution, and then risk failure by trying something new. For example, let’s pretend that John has not been able to dribble around Pete all day. That night, with determination to succeed, John will analyze the problem, create a solution, and then try to implement it the next day. He may succeed or he may fail, but either result will encourage greater creativity and risk taking.

By now you are probably asking yourself why I have told you so much about soccer in the USA. Well, while I was participating in this discussion I was suddenly struck with the realization that Christ-followers in the USA seem to suffer from the same deficiencies as our soccer teams. Is it possible that this disease of mediocrity is the result of not enough time playing in the streets?

It is no secret that American Christians have a bad habit of religious compartmentalization. We are comfortable expressing our faith at church, around our fellowship circles, and in clicking the “like” button when Christian views are expressed on Facebook. However, during the week at work or school, on the computer, at the movie theatre, or playing on our sports teams, we are quick to suppress what we claim to be true on Sunday mornings. We have become complacent to leave our faith at the door and have stopped playing in the streets. Why? Because the streets are dangerous and risky. People get hurt in the streets. They are unpredictable, outside of our comfort zones, and, worst of all, they are filled with strange people who are not like us. However, here is the problem: although these excuses are true, they are not valid.

Jesus commands His disciples to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Though the Great Commission is very well known by Christ-followers, many forget that it begins with the word “go.” This imperative implies that Jesus’ disciples will live out and take the Gospel where ever they are going. Whether they go to work, to school, to Africa, or to Starbucks, they are to take the Good News with them. This command requires that His disciples go out and play in the streets, and not just for the benefit of others, but for their own benefit as well. For it is in the streets that we learn to trust Jesus, grow in our faith, face our fears, and persevere. The more our faith is displayed and practiced in the streets, the more skilled and creative we become in loving others, proclaiming the Gospel, and glorifying Jesus.

Can you imagine what would happen if Christ-followers actually lived out the Great Commission? How many people would be impacted? How different would the world be? Imagine if Christians, like world class soccer players, were willing to get out and play in the streets. Imagine if you did!

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When I was in seminary a professor asked my class a profound question that, although I could answer, I was unsure how to apply. “Does your justification lead to your sanctification, or does your sanctification lead to your justification?” In other words, do I obey God because I have been accepted by Him, or do I obey God so I will become accepted by Him. God is continually reminding me of this question as I work to build relationships with fellow Bostonians who live in a very “religious” city. Because of my current surroundings, I have observed this concept lived out in both directions. This question basically asks if we are focused on religion or the Gospel. Religion teaches that we are to obey so that we can be accepted. The Gospel teaches that we are to obey because we, as Christ-followers, have already been accepted. Though this may seem to be theological rhetoric, this is the reality: how an individual answers this question will determine the type of life that he or she will live.

Religious people tend to live their lives as if they have something to prove. The constant pressure of trying to be accepted by both their peers and their god creates a life of stress and uncertainty. Questions such as: have I been good enough, did I do enough work, am I valued, will I be accepted, tend to permeate their life as they try to work their way to significance. This type of belief system eventually produces two general categories of people. The first are those who are so devoted to their religion that they become completely self-indulgent. They tend to be prideful, arrogant, staunch individuals who look down on others, and, though often admired for their efforts, are unattractive to outsiders. The second category are those who have just given up. They try to live good, “religious” lives but find themselves consistently failing to meet the expectations of the “rules.” Over time these individuals can develop feelings of anger, hostility and a hatred of the religion. They may still participate on a limited level, but they have ultimately determined that they are unable to maintain the rigors of the religious burden, and therefore adopt a new religion of justifiable compromise that can be characterized by guilt, fear, and apathy.

Gospel living is different. It is not based on an individual’s behavior or effort to gain favor. In fact, it is the Gospel itself that provides acceptance. Faith in Jesus’ substitutionary work on the cross provides believers with a permanent position in God’s family. Christ-followers are not motivated to do good works for acceptance, but because of acceptance. Jesus provides salvation to believers who, out of love and gratitude, desire to live “Christ-like”, obedient lives for His glory. Since salvation is a gift that can not be earned, then prideful arrogance is removed from the equation. Hope and compassion replace fear and acceptance. Therefore, Christ-followers, forgiven and humbled by God’s grace, are able to live a life that is attractive to others.

When looking at the motivational differences between religious life and Gospel living it becomes easy to understand why these two different lifestyles produce such different types of people. Religion can only produce self-serving people who are motivated by a desire to be accepted and glorified by their god, their peers and their culture. The Gospel, through the help of the Holy Spirit, produces people who are confident in their acceptance by God, and who desire to become humble, loving, Jesus-glorifying servants.

Though these differences seem clear cut, they are not easy to separate in practice. First, mankind is sinful and naturally desires kingly authority and sovereign control. These sinful desires draw us to religion because it allows each of us the illusion of being in charge of our own understanding of life, our own destiny, and ultimately our own glorification. However, the Gospel reminds us that God is sovereign and mankind was created for His glory, not its own. Second, we live in a world that both values and rewards humanistic success and self-indulgence. These worldly ideals draw us to religion because it allows us to achieve success from our own merits and live life as we desire. However, the Gospel reminds us that mankind cannot save himself, and that God is the source of all things good.  Christ-followers, including myself, are caught in this battle and often abandon Gospel living and unknowingly succumb to their natural propensity toward religion.

I am a Christ-follower, and as such, I truly desire that my life be characterized by living the Gospel for the glory of Jesus. However, when I prayerfully search my heart, I am often able to detect where religion has replaced the Gospel in my life. In fact, I would argue that all of my sinful actions are rooted in nothing more than abandoning Gospel living and replacing it with the religious desires of self gratification and false acceptance. I observe this most in my life when I find myself attempting to gain significance through the acceptance of others. In these sinful moments it is necessary for me to refocus on the Gospel, repent, and praise God that, through Jesus, I am one of His children. What on this earth could possibly give me more significance than that?

Based on my own experience, I would also hypothesize that this holds true for other Christ-followers as well. So, how about you? In what areas of your life have you abandoned Gospel living and replaced it with religion? Have you bought into a desire to gain significance or acceptance beyond that of your Heavenly Father? If so, I challenge you to return to the foot of the cross, repent of your religious sin, and replace it with Gospel living. In doing so, your life will reflect Jesus, and you will find your greatest joy in bringing Him glory. For it is not until you find your significance in Jesus alone that you will truly be living as He intended … in the power of the Gospel.

Over the past few months I have had the privilege of meeting several church planting brothers in the New England area. One of these men, who is pastoring a church in New Hampshire, had been dealing with an aging father (90 years old) who recently passed away. While caring for his dad he had been writing frequent emails and Facebook posts that provided updates on his father’s condition, prayer requests for the situation, and stories of the past. Though I am not personally acquainted with his father, I have enjoyed celebrating his life through these communiqués. His writings have solidified two things in my mind. First, his father, a former pastor, has been the biggest human influence on his life. Second, his father claims and has lived out, Jesus as Savior and Lord of his life.

The death of anything usually causes even the most dense of human beings to ponder the purpose of life. This pondering, at least in my in my own life, typically causes observation, reflection, and self-examination. Therefore, the observation of this pastor’s situation has caused me to reflect on what it truly means to call Jesus Savior and Lord.

Jesus is Savior. A savior is someone who comes to the aid of a helpless individual.

In order to understand Jesus as Savior we must first understand mankind as helpless and needy. The Scriptures describe the human condition, caused by sin, very descriptively. Sin (refusal to glorify God) has corrupted mankind and separated us from our Holy Creator. This separation cannot be rectified by hard work, self-punishment, good deeds or anything else that mankind might attempt. The simple reality is that sinful man cannot be in the presence of Holy God. Since God requires eternal death as punishment for sin, then the cold fact is that mankind has no choice but to pay an eternal death penalty for their sinful actions. In paying this penalty, the “sin debt” is paid to God, and His justice, a requirement for His holiness, is maintained. Simply put, sinful mankind is left with no ability to reunite with his Holy Creator. Though this is a terrible reality for all of humanity, it is truth. However, there is good news in Jesus.

Jesus, who is God, entered into our sinful world, lived a perfect life (sinless) and then paid the death penalty for all who would, through faith, accept Him as Savior and Lord. Since He is Eternal God, then He is both capable and valuable enough to pay the debt of all faithful believers. In essence, His substitutionary death saves hopeless, needy believers from the necessity of paying their own death penalty to Holy God. Therefore, Jesus is Savior. His salvation brings believers from death to life, from hopelessness to hopefulness, and from eternal separation from God to eternal unity with Him.

Jesus is Lord. A lord is an individual who has rightful power and authority over another person.

While the substitutionary death of Jesus establishes Him as Savior, His resurrection from death establishes Him as Lord. Jesus not only paid the death penalty for faithful believers, but He also permanently conquered death by rising from the grave three days later. He now sits at the right hand of Father God and has been given authority as King. Jesus rules as King of Kings, functions as advocate for faithful believers and awaits God’s timing for His return to earth. Simply put, Jesus is a Living King who has rightful power and authority over those individuals whom He has “purchased” with His blood.

I am aware that I have just provided a very simplistic explanation of the Gospel of Jesus. However, it is the reflection of this simplicity that has both caused me to self-evaluate, and challenge you to do the same.

First, is Jesus your Savior? Have you come to true grips with your own sinful depravity? I believe that there are many people who profess Jesus as Savior more out of duty than hopeless necessity. Meaning, there are individuals that do not truly see themselves as dirty, rotten, hopeless sinners deserving eternal death. Yes, they might admit some of their flaws, but they still see themselves as pretty good, decent people. They may acknowledge that Jesus died for their sins, but in their heart they have not really personalized His death with their sinful crimes against Holy God. Simply put, an individual cannot be saved without acknowledging their own depravity. Why? Because without this there is no need for saving faith. In essence, if we don’t see the true need, then we can’t have true faith.

Second, is Jesus your Lord? It is no secret that many people claim Jesus as Savior, but live as if they have no Lord. Here is the conundrum: How is it possible for an individual to trust in Jesus for their eternal well being, and yet refuse to trust Him with the comparatively short time they live in this present life? I know that sanctification is a life-long process, but I am referring to those who have no desire or make no effort, in the Spirit, to live for His glory. Is that you? If so, I fear for your eternal soul. It is impossible to separate Jesus as Savior and Lord. He is both, and therefore His Followers are those who display both in their lives. If you claim to love Him enough to accept His gift of salvation, then you must also love Him enough to submit to His rightful authority as King of your life and live for His glory.

It is my belief that most Christ Followers, including myself, live in the tension of trying to both control their lives and live for Jesus. However, we must let Him be King. We must remember that He knows best. He created us with purpose, He saved us, and He provides what we need to live for His glory. I know from my own life experience that the more connected I am to Him, the more I desire His glory instead of my own. Claiming Jesus as Savior and Lord requires that we deny ourselves on a daily basis and allow Him to take control no matter the cost. Honestly, what cost is too high to bring glory to our Savior and Lord?

In 1991, between my freshman and sophomore years of high school, I went to “Church Camp” with my youth group. Though I do not remember the speaker, I do remember a specific topic that he addressed one evening: Waiting on the Lord. I think that I remember it so well because the concept of waiting, in any capacity, was not something that I enjoyed discussing or practicing. However, to this day, I still remember his main point being that sometimes we, as Christians, just have to patiently sit by and passively wait on God to do His thing. Needless to say, though intrigued, I was not very excited and passionate about this teaching. Sitting on my hands and doing nothing was not, and has never been, in my list of desired things to do. I admit that it is very possible that I misunderstood his point completely, but over the span of time that I have attempted to live as a Christ Follower, I have learned that waiting on the Lord is anything but passive.

I have come across too many Christ Followers lately who, not taking the Bible to heart, refuse to move until God has made it supernaturally clear to them the direction they are to go. I agree that there are moments in life that require stillness and listening, but this does not excuse inactivity and laziness. For example, an individual does not need to wait on the Lord to answer a prayer about whether or not they should share the gospel with their neighbor. The answer to that question has already been provided in Scripture. Therefore, waiting on the Lord, in this instance, is not about inactivity on the part of the Christ Follower, but in waiting for God’s perfect timing to hopefully regenerate the heart of the neighbor to comprehend the gospel that is obediently being modeled and explained by the believer.

Isaiah 40 (a very commonly quoted chapter) provides a wonderful description of what waiting on the Lord should look like. In fact, this passage of scripture has been very significant to me as I continue to move forward in starting The Well Coffee House and planting Church at The Well. When times of trial or distress tempt me to be idle (using “I am waiting on the Lord” as an excuse) this passage reminds me that I must continue to be obedient to the call that has been placed on my life. Alhough the passage was specifically written to the Jews in exile (from Babylonian captivity), it still provides an applicable understanding of what waiting on the Lord should look like in the lives of Christ Followers today.

Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:28-31

 Verses 28 and 29 provide a reminder of the attributes of the One True God. First it describes who He is. He is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent. He is everlasting and never gets tired. He is unfathomable, and no one compares to Him. Second, it shows God to be a Father to His people. He provides strength, protection and comfort. This reminder is so very important, because we, as Christ Followers, tend to forget. Also, in an attempt to understand this incomprehensible God we often apply our humanistic limitations to this all powerful Creator. Knowing this, God, through the prophet Isaiah, reminds us that He is fully sovereign and gracious. Therefore, in order to adequately grasp what waiting on the Lord is, we must first be reminded of whom we are “waiting” on.

Verse 29 expresses human limitation in comparison to The Almighty. It reminds us that we are weak, flawed and imperfect. We break down, get tired and collapse from exhaustion. There is not a person on the planet that does not relate to these human frailties. We all know what it is like to be exhausted and feel like we can not muster the strength to continue. However, it is in this antithetical comparison between mankind and God that we gain hope. Here, at the climax of the comparison lies the genius of the passage. God, the Almighty, sovereign and gracious Lord has the power, ability and desire to provide what can not be obtained by the flawed, sinful and weaker mankind. But what is it that He provides?

The answer comes in verse 31 where the prophet declares that the Almighty God will provide renewed strength to walk, run and soar for His glory. This is exciting and life changing. This should stir your imagination and quicken your heart beat. However, there is a catch. Verse 31 begins with the qualification required to receive this renewed strength: waiting on the Lord. “Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength” so that they are able to keep walking, running and/or soaring for His glory.

I don’t know about you, but there is nothing in this passage that suggests waiting is at all passive. In fact, it implies that as we are getting tired from continuously walking, running and soaring for Him that He will provide the necessary strength to keep us moving forward. There is no reference here that God provides strength so that we can sit, be lazy and use Him as an excuse to do nothing. Therefore, the implication is that waiting on the Lord means that we are still being active for His glory. We are not stagnant. We may not currently be soaring, but, by the grace of God, we are still walking. In fact we may have to walk a long time before God allows us to soar, but, as we wait for His perfect timing, He will provide the strength we need to keep walking forward.

Active waiting means continuing to live obediently for the glory of Jesus, praying fervently for God’s renewed strength, staying grounded in His Word on a daily basis and refusing to succumb to the temptation of laziness and inactivity. When we wait in this manner it provides true comfort and peace even when we are at our most vulnerable. This type of waiting prevents us form wallowing in our self pity and keeps our hope alive in Jesus. Though we may be moving forward slowly, with pain in every step, this forward progress walks us closer to Jesus as we develop pure faith and trust in His promises. In essence, with every step of active waiting we draw closer to our Savior and have the honor of sharing in His suffering.

So how are you doing in this area? Have you given up and are now living a life of pure stagnation; using “waiting on the Lord” as your excuse? Is there a specific area of your life that you have not given wholly to Jesus, and therefore find yourself sitting hopelessly still? If so, I challenge you to call out to the Almighty God and ask Him to provide you with the strength to move forward. Do not give up. Do not stop walking toward Jesus. Remember that you will never get to soar if you refuse to walk, and you will never be able to continue to walk without the supernatural strength that only He provides.

“To wait on God is not simply to mark time; rather,
it is to live in confident expectation of His action on our behalf.
It is knowing that the God of all strength
will give us exactly what we need, at the right time,
to soar, run or walk.”

~ Oswalt

Much has happened since my last blog: Christy and I (as well as the Burtons) feel reasonably settled into our new home, we have made a trip to Colorado and back (Abby Shane’s Wedding), the kids have finally arrived in Boston, Tanner is about ready to leave for Liberty University (next Tuesday), we have given our first official city tour to a visitor (Sean Hurley from NY), and have participated in our first citywide activity (Shakespeare on the Boston Common). Add to all of that the many hours and meetings that have been put into writing a proposal for a potential coffeehouse location, meetings with Bill about establishing the church, Sarah being sick from her pregnancy, our constant search for a place for the Loves to live (they arrive in just a few days), Bill interviewing with a private elementary school as a sub, communication and meetings with other church planters in the area, and Christy’s endless work on the website and other communication tools (to keep you all informed and up to date). It has obviously been busy trying to get settled, and birth these new ministries.

While I was in Colorado I had some time to reflect on both the blessings and hardships that we have endured these past few weeks (both have been numerous). During my meditation I found myself being thankful for what God had accomplished, but, at the same time, feeling a bit anxious about the future and the many unanswered questions: When are we going to be able to get started? How are we going to get the money needed to open the coffeehouse? Where will it be located? How will we survive in the meantime? As I began to pray that God would calm my spirit, He immediately reminded me of the constant tension that a life of faith produces.

As Christ Followers we place our trust in the hands of our Father. He guides us, protects us, teaches us, provides for us and draws us closer to Himself. As this occurs we find ourselves living differently than the world around us. We act on and respond in ways that the world does not understand. However, if we are truly honest with ourselves, we, being sinful, humanistic beings, can feel a tension building up when we are confronted with moments of hardship and uncertainty. The tension is an inward battle between acting in obedient faith, and a desire to do what makes sense to our sinful, rebellious nature. For example, when we are confronted with a temptation the tension is never about trying to determine the God-honoring path, but instead it comes from sinful desires to walk on the self-honoring, flesh satisfying path. Therefore, the tension truly boils down to who we trust and what we believe. It’s a matter of faith.

Genesis 12 provides us with the beginning of the narrative on Abraham’s journey of faith. Here, Abram (at this point) is told by God to leave his country and follow Him to a new place. God does not tell Abram where he is going, how he will get there, how long the journey will be, or what trials he will face along the way. God’s simple instruction is to “go” and to “follow.” Abram is obedient to God, and, though he stumbles along the way, remains faithful to God’s call.

Though Abraham was obviously an amazing man of God, I think we often forget that he was also human. He, like us, was marred by sin and thus fought battles against his own doubts, fears, desires, unknowns and wants. Yet, his faith remained intact over a 1,500 mile trek and a spiritual journey that lasted approximately 100 years. How did he do it? Well the answer is found in the New Testament.Hebrews 11 touts the faith of Abraham and declares that he “was looking forward to the city that has foundations whose designer and builder is God.” In essence, Abraham’s faith was continuously strengthened and renewed by the promises that God had given him.

Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”. Many attempt to apply this definition without the context of stories such as Abraham’s (or any of the heroes of faith listed in Hebrews 11), and teach that faith is just a positive, optimistic attitude in all situations. They would argue that people should just have a generic, optimistic faith, envision everything working out for good, and it will all be fine in the end. The problem with this application is that it removes God from the picture, and attempts to replace His assurances with false hope in unknown circumstances. This is not true faith.

True faith requires a dependency upon God’s promises regardless of the circumstances. Meaning that faith is solely based on the assurance that God will always hold true to His Word, regardless of how good or bad the circumstances seem. Since God’s Word is sure, then all Christ Followers can have absolute faith in its claims. For example, we are promised such things as the return of Jesus, salvation in His atoning work, that Satan will not prevail over His church, that God will provide for His people, and that all Christ Followers will experience trials, tribulations and persecutions. These things can be held with absolute faith, because they were stated by God. Therefore, the reason faith is “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” is because the hope and assurance is based on the promises that God has given. In other words, there is nothing more sure than God’s Word, and faith is the act in believing that to be absolute.

While continuing to pray in Colorado, and being reminded of these facts, I was immediately able to repent for my doubts and be strengthened in my faith. Therefore, in my case, my faith in the mission to Boston must come form the fact that God’s Word will hold true, that His church will prevail and that He desires to see His elect come to saving faith in Jesus even more than I do. I was convicted, and needed to be reminded that my faith can not be shaken as long it rests on the absolute assurances of His Word. I was also reminded that the tension created by a life of faith in a sinful being will always exist. However, faith will override uncertainty if it is true faith that comes from the assurances of God’s promises, instead of my false hopes and desires.

So how are you to apply true faith in your life? What personal hopes and desires have you placed faith in that are not based on His Word? Though circumstances may see some of these things to fruition, you will eventually become disappointed. What a comfort it would be to place all of your faith and trust in His Word alone. I challenge you to be honest with yourself in this area. What do you need to change? Is God asking you to take a step of faith based upon His Word? If so, your response will reveal what you truly believe, whom you truly trust, and what you truly base your faith upon.

May God give us all, as Christ Followers, the strength and wisdom, through His Spirit, to live our lives out, in true faith, for the glory of Jesus. Imagine what would happen if Christ Followers truly lived this way. Imagine what would happen if you did!

As I write this, I am sitting at a familiar desk that use to be located at my church office in Bakersfield, CA. Though the desk looks the same, the surroundings have changed drastically. It’s new home is a small room, in an East Boston apartment, near a window with a view of the Downtown Boston skyline. Wow! What a change. It has been just two weeks since I arrived in Boston, MA, with Christy, but much has transpired in that time. I feel compelled to encourage you by describing these past weeks in one word…”BLESSINGS.”

On July 15, 2011, at 8:30 am, Christy and I met Bill & Sarah Burton at their newly acquired apartment on Revere Beach. The purpose of this meeting was to help unload the U-Haul that they had driven from Delaware the night before. Not having seen Bill & Sarah for over a month, we embraced, said our hellos, thanked God for our arrival & then rode the elevator to their 5th floor apartment. In the elevator, Bill excitedly retold me the story of how God had moved in such a powerful way to give them their new home. This beach-front apartment had sat empty for two years (unthinkable in Boston), was shown to them by a realtor whose cousin owned the apartment (kind-of as a last ditch, improbable afterthought), was offered to them on the spot, by the landlord, with no background checks (credit, employment…), and was within their desired price range. In essence, it was obvious that God had created unusual circumstances to hold this apartment for the Burtons. What an amazing blessing.

As I walked into apartment 502 I was immediately drawn to the spectacular view that awaited me through the large picture window in the family room. The building sits directly across the street from Revere Beach, and apartment 502, being on the building’s top floor, has a perfect view of the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. Though I was caught in a moment of gratefulness for God’s provision for the Burtons, there was much work to do. As we began to unload the U-Haul I noticed that there was furniture I had never seen before. After many trips up and down the elevator, I noticed that not only was this furniture foreign to me, but that is was distinctly beach-themed. Inquiring about the coincidence, Bill informed me that Sarah had been collecting beach-themed furniture and knick-knacks long before they were married, because she had always dreamed of living on the beach. Therefore, God not only provided them with a home, but He also provided Sarah with the desire of her heart. Before I move on, I want to share one more blessing involving the Burton family. God has chosen to bless the Burton’s with a child. Yes, Sarah is pregnant! God just continues to blow us away with His blessings!

Finishing up at the Burtons, and being encouraged by the blessings God had provided them, Christy and I moved on to our newly acquired apartment where we were to meet Bill around 1:00 pm in order to unload our stuff that the moving company was delivering that same day (yes, it was a very busy and tiring day). As we arrived, I began comparing the Burton’s story of provision to our own.

While in Bakersfield, one of the hopes that Christy and I had was to be able to secure some sort of housing in Boston before we left. I know its weird, but we felt the desire to provide our moving company with an address to deliver our stuff, and a place to stay when we arrived. However, like the Burtons, we were attempting to lease a place while being unemployed and having very little money. To make things more challenging, Boston had just been ranked America’s most expensive city, and, alongside New York City, has the most competitive housing market in the country (most apartments don’t stay on the market more than a few hours). In essence, we knew that God would have to move in a huge way to provide us a place, sight unseen, without being present to meet with any realtors or landlords face to face (a disadvantage in such a crazy market). Though this seemed an impossible task, about one week before our departure our realtor (his name is Raul & we are convinced he is going to come to a saving faith in Jesus real soon) happened to get a new listing (it had been on the market for less than an hour) that matched our criteria (at least through the pictures we saw). We told Raul to follow-up with the landlord. We were soon informed that our name was in the running, but that, though the apartment was off the market in less than three hours, there were many couples wanting it. We were also informed that the landlord was very picky and desired to meet with all applicants. Therefore, Raul told us that a very intense phone interview was in our future. Though it appeared this apartment was not going to be ours, we prayed and sent in our paperwork and deposit.

Over the next few days Raul reminded us of the upcoming phone interview. We continued to pray that if this was the place God had for us that He would provide it in some miraculous way. The next day Raul called to tell us that for some strange reason the landlord told him that he wanted us to have the place and that a formal interview was not necessary. Instead, the landlord just wanted me to call him and introduce myself. Praising God, I called and spoke to the landlord (a man named Kim) for about 45 minutes. He told me that this house had been in his family for generations and that he lived on the top floor. He was excited that we were coming and he wanted to make sure that we knew that we were going to be treated like part of their family (BBQs in the back yard…). We were overwhelmed with how God had provided.

As we began to unload our stuff from the pods, the neighborhood began to come alive with people. Neighbors came over to introduce themselves and began to help us unpack. By the end of the day we were sitting on our front stoop  talking to neighbors (and our landlord) as if we were family (it felt like something you see in a movie). That night our landlord and his family had a BBQ for us in the backyard (we hope to see them come to Christ soon as well). Christy and I returned to our apartment that night so overwhelmingly grateful for God’s miraculous provision and blessing.

Do you see it? Think of it this way: Imagine a couple leaving their home, giving up their comforts, having very little money, being unemployed, obediently entering the mission field for God, and having no clue where they will live or what they will do. Then, in the midst of the difficult unknown, God shows up with miraculous, mind-blowing, over-the-top provision. Honestly, who rents an apartment to unemployed missionaries who have moved to the most expensive city in the US, because God “told them to?” No one! However, we serve the Creator of the Universe. He is the Changer of Hearts, and the Great Provider. He is always able to do what mankind calls impossible. He has provided these miraculous blessings for us, and we will give Him “ALL” of the glory!

I hope you are encouraged, and reminded of just how big our God is. I pray that God will use our recent blessings to encourage you to take the necessary steps of faith and obedience, in your own life, to glorify Jesus every way you can. Be obedient, trust in His Word, and pursue the life adventure of finding your greatest joy in bringing Him glory!