I Said Move

I have always tried to be a man of faith. However, I think that at times I did not even have the faith to be just that. You see I was (and still am) always inspired by men like Moody who was known for not only being a man a prayer but a man of faith as well. Men who believed God could and would and therefore saw God do just that.

The draw back to having such a desire is that you are not understood by most modern Christians. They see following the direction (and at times the very often direction) of the Holy Spirit as being immature and undisciplined in the ways of the Lord.

It was ruffly at one of these constant moving times that I have to admit that I was frustrated with these Christians and there comments. So after finishing running sound at the Thursday morning Bible study led by the late Pastor L.E. Romaine...a man that I respected for his wisdom and leadership (and for being understanding and not firing me as I often gave him the opportunity...God bless him) but I digress. So I went up and asked him why God would tell me to go here and then tell me to go there instead, and his answer has stuck with me all this time. He said "God told you to go in that direction...He never told you to get there. All He wants is for you to take a step and before you have to put your foot down He will tell you where to move it". Did I mention that I love his man? Finally, someone understands me and what I am going through...needless to say I was happy that day.

For you see that all I had to do was be obedient to my master's voice, because He has my best in mind. Something that I have strived to do in my daily walk with my Lord. Now please do not get me wrong I sometimes do not hear as clearly as I thought or I hear clearly and choose not to (do not do the second one). However, in all circumstances that I fall, I get right back up and move on (this is key).

Now, this has made my walk and ministry with the Lord interesting and challenging...to say the least. I have been moved out of my comfort zone and into Carpenteria, a troubled ministry, and an apartment with Joel S. Brown...did I ever tell you about the time that he flooded our apartment?...oh, but I digress. From there the Lord moved me back to Orange County (aka the promise land) to do outreach. All the while being guided and directed by the Lord.

From there I got married to a saint (because she has to deal with me and all this moving and leading from the Lord...no ordinary woman could handle this), who now has the privilege of following me as I follow the Lord. I do need to tell you that when we got engaged I was unemployed, doing the ministry that nobody wanted to do, and called to be a Pastor...and she still said yes...saint!

After we got married we saw men stand in our way as the Lord was leading...we saw doors closed, and all the while being moved to a new place. We ended up in Irvine at a Presbyterian church working with the Jr. High ministry there (did I fail to mention that I moved physically every time...ya!). The Lord during this time did the impossible...He sent me to Bible college (I wanted to kill someone my first semester...it was probably going to be one of my legalistic teachers...moving on.

While in Irvine (a great ministry by the way) the Lord gave me a complete vision to do a work at a church in Huntington Beach, my home town. I was thrilled and gave my notice at Irvine Pres., talked to the Pastor at the HB church and moved to Huntington. After being settled we found out that once again a man was standing in our way..."now what?" I thought and said to the Lord. Who at that time said nothing.

Who is now finally beginning to show me a little of why all this has happened. Strangely enough it was all for me...He wanted to see how far I would go, how faithful I would be, and how much I would praise Him for another failed ministry attempt.

He asked me once if I would still follow Him if He never let me do what I was called to do...and my answer was and is yes, bring on the failed ministries, let men stand in my way, let people think I am crazy...just do not ever stop speaking to me...never stop leading me...and please always pick me up when I fall on my face.

I said all that to say this...the Lord wants to put you where He sees fit. Where you will best benefit the body of Christ. Are you willing to let Him move you even when it seems crazy or even foolish? I could not see any of this then, but I can know look back and see God's hand in every place He has brought me and how He saw fit to use me. I have many more stories, but I try not to look back for to long. Right now Heather (my wife...the saint) and I are thrilled to be where right where God has lead us.