Pressing On

Posted on June 29, 2009 by Carl

Uncertainty…that is a good word to describe my thoughts these days. I am certain of a few things:

the ministry of Simplicity
my role in the body of Christ

My point of clarity is in my call, most everything else seems up in the air.

As we finish out the month of June, we have only been able to pay a few household bills and are past due on the rest. We are $25 short of having the rent on our church space paid for. The businesses are only producing a few dollars here and there. I have been trying to find work, but not finding anything other than commission only positions that seem to want to nibble.

I have a unique situation, basic manual labor jobs won’t hire me because I’m overqualified or don’t have experience with that particular manual labor. White collar jobs think I’ve been away from the corporate world too long. I find myself unsure of what my steps should be.

God’s timing is interesting. As I was writing this I was called by a staffing company to come in for an interview tomorrow morning.

Yesterday was another kingdom encounter on South Staples. As we were getting ready to leave after the morning service, I heard someone shouting from across the street. A woman came over and asked if we could help her with groceries until her disability check arrived later this week. I could smell the alcohol on her breath, so I told her we would take her to the store and pick up a few staples if she would like. She agreed and off to the store we went.

I spoke to her about the alcohol on her breath and expressed my concern that it was 11AM. I asked her to be honest with me about her situation. I learned that she had just moved back to Corpus from Austin, and that she was originally from New York. She has been exposed to church and actually knows she needs to be in fellowship somewhere. Her mother is in frail health back in New York, but her relationship with her father is strained and it prevents her from going to see her mother. Her brother just finished a 15 year prison sentence, but came out a changed man after encountering Jesus in prison.

When we were done, we took her home…across the street from the church. We have been praying for a person of peace in the neighborhood, and in this woman we found the greatest receptivity to the touch of God that we have encountered since starting Simplicity. It is my hope that she will be our first person of peace in this troubled neighborhood.

The View from the Street

Posted on June 23, 2009 by Carl

I haven’t been staying too up to date on the blog lately. My mind has been pre-occupied with the concerns and burdens of life. When I returned from Africa, I was greeted a few days later with the news that the small salary I was receiving would no longer be offered. Right now our only income is Carol’s and what few donations we get. I have begun sending resume’s to employers around the area and answering help wanted ads, but so far with no success. I have enough left from cashing out my retirement savings in April to pay our rent for the next 2-3 months, but there is no money for anything else. Carol and I are currently praying about which things we let go of. I find myself telling God that my trust is fickle. I trust Him with eternity, but for some reason I struggle to trust Him with our well being. Bare cupboards and empty gas tanks have a way of revealing what is really inside of you.

The past 4 Junes have been very painful times for me. In June of 2006, I informed my church leaders that I felt the Lord was telling me it was time to move on. They received this news with an offer of their own….cutting my salary in half. In June of 2007, I was working to bring a Hispanic house church group into a partnership with the church I pastored. I spent most of June being called many unkind things and being accused of giving away “our church.” In June of 2008, the Lord called me to a week of silence, really a modern day equivalent of sack cloth and ashes. Daniel chapter 9 was the focal point of the week and by the time the week was over the Lord had me deliver the most devastating call to repentance I have ever spoken or heard. Now we come to this year…I gave up on making ends meet several months ago. I’m just asking the Lord to give me some guidance and to arrest the fear within me.

On the streets near Simplicity things are beginning to happen. Normally the things I described above are directly proportional to God’s activity somewhere else in my life and this period of life is no exception.

4 weeks ago we began an open prayer time on Tuesday nights. We placed two bright posterboard signs on our front windows with the simple question: “How can we pray for you?” 3 weeks ago as we were preparing for Sunday morning worship, a man ran across the street from the auto repair shop. He pointed at the sign and said “I need to find an apartment today.” We prayed over this man, Eddie was his name, and just as quickly as he entered, he departed.

2 weeks ago we found an envelope in our mailbox, addressed to the Simplicity Prayer Group. In this prayer request a woman cried out for deliverance for her husband from physical, emotional and financial strain.

This past Thursday as we were having our Organic Group, a disheveled man walked in off of the street. He smelled of alcohol and his request was the common request for the area…money. I spoke to him for a few minutes and offered to feed him, but I asked to pray for him first. The Lord led me to place a hand on his should and one on his chest. As I prayed over the pain in his life, the tears began to flow. The Lord began to release the pain in Kevin’s life. Kevin is still out on the streets, but he has been stirred by the touch of the Lord.

On Sundays we set out 5 gallon cooler of ice water and some donuts or other snacks for people to freely take. This last Sunday I watched as a woman walked up and took the whole box of donuts and all of the snacks, leaving none for anyone else. She stuffed them into her trash bag and talking out loud as she went immediately walked across the street. A few moments later, I saw her headed the other direction, the trash bag was now gone, but she was carrying “her box of donuts.”

We are seeing the effects of spiritual walls that permeate this neighborhood. It is our prayer that the walls come down, the eyes come open and Holy Spirit rains down.

Amazed and Yearning

Posted on June 1, 2009 by Carl

Today I received a number of testimonies from Kenya and Uganda that are overwhelming and humbling. Once again I am awestruck, how God can use an ordinary man like me as His instrument to do only that which He can do. I have seen some of these types of things before on my visits to India; however, the Lord did things in Africa that I had never even imagined.

As seems to always be the case, I find myself yearning for more. Why does the anointing of God seem so strong when I’m overseas and almost non-existent at times when I am here? The people of Corpus Christi need the touch of Christ just as desperately as the people of Kitale, Bukwo, Kapchesoy, Madurai or Chennai. The only answer I seem to come away with is a spirit of unbelief. It is said in scripture that when Jesus returned to His hometown, He was able to perform only a few miracles….the problem unbelief.

Our city, our state, our nation all desperately need the life altering touch of Jesus…what must change in me to be used the same way here that I am used overseas?

Preparing for Kenya/Uganda

Posted on April 19, 2009 by Carl

I’ve been watching the clock tick by quickly and was finding myself wrestling with doubts about my upcoming trip to Africa. The Lord has spoken clearly on several occassions directing me to make this journey, but things didn’t seem to be coming together.

Today the Lord began to clear the path in front of me. This afternoon I was handed an envelope that covered my airfare to and from Nairobi. There was enough extra for me to get my anti-malaria pills and a yellow fever vaccination.

My wife and I both find ourselves eager to see how God provides the remaining resources for my in country travel.

I am also thrilled, because my partner pastor in Kenya asked if I had a spare laptop that he could use for the Bible college. It just so happens I have one that simply needs to have the power button fixed. I was so glad that I can meet that need for him.

Living in a War Zone

Posted on April 7, 2009 by Carl

We often forget that the lives we know are really in the middle of a battle zone for the soul. Jesus has already won the victory, but not everyone knows that and so the enemy does his best to lure, deceive and taunt. His lies are smooth, but they have destructive result.

Tonight was one of those nights in our home. Our house guest just wanted to stay in bed this evening, even though we were supposed to be at Organic Group. She became rebellious and defiant with Carol and would not speak to me. It was time for Carol and I to gird ourselves up and stand in the gap. The triggering mechanism was a lies of hopelessness and the need for comfort…”a cigarette sure would help, you can’t make it without them.”

For nearly an hour we spoke truth and prayed over our guest. At one point she told me she wanted to return to the street, because she couldn’t handle it anymore. After an exhausting exchange, love won out. The Lord once again broke through the lies and darkness, allowing our guest to see the truth of the love around her. She broke down in tears, having trouble understanding how people could love her enough to fight for her.

Of course the enemy wasn’t quite done yet. Our Organic Group host and her brother are both smokers. Bless his heart, he has a learning disability and in his charming, simple way he offered our guest a cigarette. She stood firm…battle #1 over and done. She then went to the kitchen to get more coffee and there on the counter was a pack of cigarettes. She began to tailspin once again. So we gathered around her, prayed and got beyond it. On the way home, she began to realize that she had been under the influence of a spirit that was not hers and she also recognized that she had been victorious.

Our guest doesn’t know much about God or Jesus, but He is showing her great things about His love for her. After our guest went to bed, I had to remind my wife that she too was victorious. We are both being stretched. This is not the ministry assignment we originally signed up for, but it is the one God has given us and for that we are grateful.

I Really Want to Know More About Jesus

Posted on April 6, 2009 by Carl

All I can say is that God is awesome! His power is incredible! How I got to have a front row seat, is beyond me…I’m just glad to be here! Let me give you the highlight reel:

Our house guest today was floored, astounded (insert any other appropriate word here), because she realized late this afternoon that she had not had a cigarette in over 30 hours, and she had not even had the craving for one.
Today she was watching a video series of the Gospel of John that we have. She was holding up the box saying: “I really want to know more about Jesus.” I told her that He wanted her to know more about Him also. Startled, she looked at us and said: “Did I say that out loud?” The overflow of a heart touched by the love of Jesus is a beautiful thing.
Tonight she asked Carol to read scripture to her as she went to sleep

We also felt her pain as she talked to loved ones and learned that her daughter had recently spent time in jail. The enemy tried to overwhelm her with hopelessness, but the Lord brought comfort through her tears. I challenged her to be the demonstration to her children of how God can turn a person’s life around.

Tomorrow I will be meeting with two fellow ministers from the area to discuss how our ministry neighborhood can be set free by Jesus, and how He wants to use us in that process.

Weekend Update

Posted on April 5, 2009 by Carl

Yesterday Mike and I met up at the church with my friend William, who leads a local intercessory prayer ministry here in Corpus Christi. William and his wife had been at our house warming last week and heard some of the spiritual warfare things Mike and I were encountering. He had asked us to meet with him, so that he could encourage us and provide some basic principles for us to utilize in this area of our faith walk.

Within a matter of hours I found it necessary to deploy some of these suggestions, especially those dealing with expanding my prayer covering. Before the day was over, we would see Christopher encounter a serious blowout on a Houston freeway with a car full of Navy cadets, our daughter would crash her bicycle into our pool and the ignition switch went out on our van.

Christopher's car after the blowout

After the Loop 610 incident

Yet through it all, God showed Himself faithful. Christopher and the other cadets were not hurt. Caitlyn was scared, but also unhurt (although her CD player didn’t survive 4ft of water) and a tap from a rubber handle on a socket wrench got the key to turn in the van.

During the afternoon we called on those that God impressed upon us to surround us in a covering of prayer. By 4PM, the spirit of peace within me was overwhelming…those prayers could be felt within and without. We did however call my friend William and asked him to bring a group of intercessors to our home to pray over us and the home.

This morning, I woke up with a heaviness looming over me that seemed very unshakeable. Even as I prayed before service this morning, I just couldn’t seem to shake it. Even Mike’s wife, Kim, could see it on my face. When I got done praying, I opened the door of the church and sat back down. I watched out the window as a woman walked past and then made a button hook into the door.

She declared that she was tired of living on the streets and asked if we could help. At first it was the normal request: “A few dollars for bus fare to Flour Bluff and something to eat at Whataburger.” I asked her if we could pray for her, but she didn’t answer me. She went on to elaborate that she had not slept, that she needed to wash her clothes and that she wanted to get off the streets.

I told her that we did not give out money, but that I would make sure she was fed and we would give her a ride to Flour Bluff if needed. I also offered to let her do laundry and share lunch with our family and Mike’s family. She balked and said she just needed money. I asked her how a few dollars was going to get her off the street?

After a few moments of silence, she asked if she could just have some coffee and said she was going to leave. I reminded her that she had not answered my question about praying for her. She told me I could pray for her, but she saw my bottle of annointing oil and told me that I could not annoint her with oil. I told her that was fair.

I prayed for her deliverance from the streets and the bondage that kept her there. She sat for several minutes, got some coffee and sat down. I started into the service and she kept staring at me. Then all of the sudden, shen leaned over and asked me if we would really help her out as I had indicated before. I reiterated what I had said and then the Lord gave me a word of deliverance that went straight to her heart. Immediately the tears began to flow and we bathed her in prayer.

The Lord had already been impressing upon my wife and I that part of the reason He moved us to Padre Island was to create a safe haven for people He was delivering from the streets. Out here there is no city bus, no red light district, no street culture…a place of safety. Carol and I both felt compelled without speaking that she was to be the first to find the healing and deliverance of God’s kingdom in our home.

As we drove to Mike and Kim’s for lunch, the tears continued to flow…but they were tears of joy and laughter that burst forth from within. She also indicated that she has smoked her last cigarette, so I prayed over her cravings, yearnings and desires. Our new house guest said she had not laughed in years. While lunch was being prepared, our guest showered and was given a new change of clothes. The woman who shared a meal with our families was not the same woman who had entered our door a few hours before.

As the afternoon wore on, the pain of years on the street was released in tears as Carol held tightly to her. I found myself weeping in the adjacent room as I listened to God releasing the pain from within. Several times she exclaimed..”I can’t believe I’m not craving a cigarette.”

This evening the days of hard living had ended in an early bedtime. Carol has already had to comfort her once, because of the nightmares she was having. Our guest’s greatest fear is that we were going to dump her back on the streets. The mess the enemy makes out of people’s lives….truly the earth groans for the touch of Jesus.

Also this evening the intercessory team spent time in our home. The Lord spoke to the group collectively about the testing that Carol and I have been under, saying: “They passed.” Of course that word was proceeded with the word “patience.”

My friend spoke a valuable word to me as well. My role in the kingdom is parental in nature…when the time is right the “fatherly” blessing I give as those restored spread their wings and fly will become monumental.

In the Presence of Witnesses

Posted on April 2, 2009 by Carl

Today, I found myself wrestling with the question of mycall and my role in it. The Lord has been calling me to focus more attention on the call, but I have been fearful that because of our current difficult circumstances, I was being neglectful in my role as a father and husband.

This morning I was ministered to by a council of Godly co-laborers. One dear brother, as he was leaving looked at me and said: “1 Peter 5:10.” One of the other men asked, “Why did he say that to you?” I responded, “We’re about to find out…”

1 Peter 5:10 (NASB)

10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

We then began to talk about our yoking to Jesus and how our burdens are lessened as we work in tandem with Him. Another man then shared a story of a friend who followed the Lord’s direction, but continued to miss what he thought he was looking for. It was pointed out that faithfulness and obedience was what the Lord was seeking…not the completion of a task. Many times the difficult places and circumstances we find ourselves in are not due to bad choices, sin or any other heinous action. The real reason we find ourselves in that place is because we have simply followed Jesus there.

Over the course of the afternoon, I found my resolve being wishy-washy. Carol began to speak to me about the refinement process and its preparation of my life for the things ahead, but she emphasized my calling and my work were already clearly defined. During our Organic Group tonight, I asked “Where do you most need to experience the powerful presence of God in your life tonight?” Carol’s answer once again returned to the refinement process and call of our previous conversation. Carol asked the Lord to empower me with a committed Spirit that would not waver under an adversity to the work He has already laid before me.

As we spent a few moments in silence, I was reminded of Elisha:

1 Kings 19:19-21 (NASB)

19 So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, while he was plowing with twelve pairs of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth. And Elijah passed over to him and threw his mantle on him.

20 And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?”

21 So he returned from following him, and took the pair of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the implements of the oxen, and gave it to the people and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah and ministered to him.

It was very clear to me as the old hymn says: “I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back, no turning back.” With this prompting from the Lord I made a public commitment to throw myself wholeheartedly into the task He has given me and to discontinue asking about other “work.” The Lord impressed upon me that I needed to have the group annoint my head with oil and pray over me in affirmation of this commitment.

By the way, today’s miraculous provision was the bed of my pickup full of groceries while I was praying with the council of Godly men.

The weekend in review

Posted on March 29, 2009 by Carl

Yesterday several of us returned to South Bluff Park. The need to return for more ministry in this park was laid heavily on the heart of one of our ladies. She ended up being ill and unable to make it, but she lovingly prepared sandwiches for the hungry wanderers who frequent the area. Others who participated provided chips, drinks and a desire to let Christ be seen in their lives.

Our time in the park was a time of contrast. We met and prayed with folks like Adam, Will, Smiley and Jenny. Each one with a unique story. As we were praying and serving one group of people, 100 yards away another group actively utilized the men’s restroom for illicit activities that involved a steady stream of customers. As we took note of the contrast, we asked the Lord to pierce the darkness with the light of His love.

Yesterday was also a day of provisions for my family. A check was received that will allow us to pay one or two bills. Money was also received that covered the cost of a month’s supply of my medications. When we returned home an envelope was found in our mailbox with the following words: “You have been on my mind lately and I felt that you might need this.” Inside the envelope was a gift card to a local grocery store. Last night we welcomed friends into our home to celebrate with us our ability to call a place home after 2 1/2 years. The provisions for the meal came from friends and the fish caught on our wedding anniversary. At the end of the night we were blessed with our latest need…toothpaste and an additional package of toilet paper.

Today during our Sunday worship gathering, we were treated to the gift of music as the Holy Spirit led us through songs about God’s faithfulness and the firm foundation of His presence. He allowed us to sing a new song that a couple of teenagers had written after a church camp nearly 6 years ago. The Lord’s presence was strongly felt throughout the morning.

This afternoon, I received a call from a man in Rockport. He had seen our ad on Craigslist for the house church we are working to launch on Padre Island. This man has worshiped in a house setting since 1971 and recently moved to Rockport. He and I agreed to work together with Holy Spirit’s guidance to form a group in his home.

Through all of these things the Lord has continued to affirm the decisions made on Wednesday. My efforts of laying a financial foundation had caused me to neglect the very call that they were meant to support. The Lord is helping me to define a proper balance in my life. The work of the Kingdom is much to0 important and the time is much too short. This week I will be seeking to further clarify God’s balance for vocation and ministry.

The journey of faith is a crescendo as the house payment is due in two days and there are still bills in arrears and needing to be paid. The lesson of this past week has been the power of God to maintain joy and peace even when circumstances are not in your favor. I find that this critical place is refining me in ways that can only be described as tremendous.

My late friend Daniel Trickey made a sign for me nearly a decade ago that has hung in my office ever since. The sign simply says “Tumultuous to Tremendous.”

God even cares about toilet paper

Posted on March 27, 2009 by Carl

Ok, so God has us on an incredible faith walk at the moment. Unpaid bills, half empty cupboard, no clear answers…just faith in daily doses. The most powerful thing that has been visible thus far is the unshakeable joy and peace that Carol and I have.

Last night when Mike and Kim were over for Organic Group they both commented on the night and day contrast in us compared to our anxiety levels when our housing was up in the air in late January. They said we were almost like different people from who were just 60 days or so ago. This in itself was a huge answer to prayer. I had asked God, to change me, even if you don’t change my circumstances. I want to be “ok” no matter what my circumstances say.

For the past week or so, we have had less than $10 to our name. Today we were down to $4 and out of toilet paper, kleenex and anything else that could be used on the daily necessities of the human digestive system. We were also down to our last package of meat.

This morning as Carol and I prayed, I made a specific prayer for toilet paper along with the other needs in our life. This morning we received a call from one of the ladies in our church who is moving next week. She had a refrigerator full of food she needed to give away before she moves. Later in the afternoon another friend called with a supply of groceries for us. Not only did God provide basic staples in these provisions, but He even provided the kid’s favorite brand of macaroni and cheese.

Along with the groceries, my friend gave Carol $20. This $20 was just enough to buy toilet paper, dishwashing soap, trash bags, paper plates and styrofoam cups. This provision met the basic needs we have for the next 24 hours.

I still don’t know how God will choose to provide for those things that are currently past due, but I know if He cares about toilet paper, He also cares about our financial obligations.

Journey To Simplicity