Latest update on the ministry stuff

Well the last I wrote, I was still waiting on a renter for my place, so that I could move into the neighborhood next to my Karen families. I was waiting for some clarification from my Father, because I really believe He wants me in that area. Well, I am coming up to the end of my contract timeframe, where I have to break it to keep my earnest money. We found a mortgage underwriter who will let me buy it now, and occupy later. So I will sign papers this week, and begin my slumlord responsibilities, with plans to move when we can rent out the condo, possibly in the spring.
This is a direct answer to prayer! I have been praying for weeks that if I'm not supposed to have this place, and be able to live in the neighborhood, that He would make it obvious to me. And yet while praying this week after week, my heart is broken as I think of the families who are preyed on by their neighbors, who want to learn english, who sometimes barely scrape by. Of Raepaelo, the resident muscleman, lifting his hands in desperation as he tells me in broken English that he can barely pay his rent and feed his family, and that to top it off, his job in a hotel is no good, and he wants to learn some handyman type skills, and get a related job. Skills that I can teach him. Every time I spent time helping at North Austin Christian Church, I knew I needed to be in the neighborhood. I knew God could come through at the last minute, I believed it, but would He was the question. Now He is moving me one step closer to living there, where I can put into practice the compassion He has taught me for the refugee, widow and orphan. This is a song that has spoken to me and been my prayer the last few weeks, from Third Day:

My life, Has led me down the road that's so uncertain
And now I am left alone and I am broken,
Trying to find my way, Trying to find the faith that's gone

This time, I know that you are holding all the answers
I'm tired of losing hope and taking chances,
On roads that never seem
To be the ones that bring me home

Give me a revelation, Show me what to do
Cause I've been trying to find my way, I haven't got a clue
Tell me should I stay here, Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation, I've got nothing without You
I've got nothing without You

My life, Has led me down this path that's ever winding
Through every twist and turn I'm always finding,
That I am lost again (I am lost again)
Tell me when this road will ever end

Give me a revelation, Show me what to do
Cause I've been trying to find my way, I haven't got a clue
Tell me should I stay here, Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation, I've got nothing without You
I've got nothing without... I don't know where I can turn
Tell me when will I learn
Won't You show me where I need to go
Oh ohLet me follow Your lead,
I know that it's the only way that I can get back home

Give me a revelation, Show me what to do
Cause I've been trying to find my way, I haven't got a clue
Tell me should I stay here, Or do I need to move
Give me a revelationI've got nothing without You
I've got nothing without You

Oh, give me a revelation... I've got nothing without You,
I've got nothing without You

First update in awhile

Well, it has been awhile. There was nothing really new to say. I've had a contract on the duplex forever. All I'm waiting on is a renter or buyer for my condo. We've lowered the price ridiculously, and I put signs up every few days. We had someone who was a "sure thing" back away, on the verge of signing a rental contract, after I lowered the price even more to accomadate her. I don't know what else to do now, except pray. The more time I spend around the refugee families, the more I am convinced that God wants me in that neighborhood. It started out as an idea to get immersed, to learn the language. Then it grew into an opportunity for missional living. Then several Christian young men expressed interest in living there. Then it grew into an idea that I could teach the Burmese men job skills, related to remodeling, home maintenance, landscaping, drywall, painting, tile, etc. And to be able to instill confidence and empower these men to better provide for their families. Then I added the idea that the believers who minister to this community would have a forward operating base, to borrow the Marine term. A safehouse to link up, refit, and launch out of. And it would provide an easy place to have these families over and love on them.
I heard a sermon at church this week about idolatry. I learned that an idol is not necessarily something that starts out bad. It could be something good, like a hobby, a relationship, a social justice cause, even a duplex in the North Austin Rutland neighborhood...Anything that starts to encroach on my relationship with my Father, and detracts my attention from Him, can be idolatry.
So I still need all the prayer I can get on this one. Please pray that God who has moved everything along up to this point, would give me clear direction. Pray that I'll have wisdom to discern His direction. Pray that He would either provide someone to rent out this place soon, or close the door. Pray that He would give me grace and humility to accept His decision, and as always please pray for the Burmese refugees in Austin.

A Warrior's Heart

All the training in combat skills will not make you a warrior until you have a warrior's heart.

A warrior's heart is simply an unselfish heart. It is a quality within which dictates self-sacrifice for the benefit of others. It is the heart which causes the warrior to charge at danger rather than run or shrink from it. It is the heart which causes the warrior to lay down his life for his friend's. It is a heart filled with love for his "band of brothers."

One is not born with a warrior's heart no more than he is born a leader. He must develop it through his everyday actions, words, and thoughts which are shorn of the slightest shred of selfishness, ambitions, and ego.

A warrior's heart is the greatest reward for being a warrior. It grants to the warrior something inside which can not be duplicated in any way.

The Bugle Echoes Still
Gene Duncan

"Blessed be the Lord my rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle."-Psalms 144:1

"Nothing is so strong as gentleness, and nothing is so gentle as true strength."-St. Francis De Sales

If I was a worrying man...

I've been getting alot better about that. If anything with this particular home buying process has shown me anything, it has been to wait on the Lord, and have renewed strength(and patience). Now the last update I mentioned there was a problem with the place appraising for what we offered. Essentially, I was going to have to pull money form my pocket for the closing costs. I prayed yesterday morning before work that God would quiet my mind about dipping into my savings. I need to trust Him and not worry about having a financial safety net. Throughout the day, the more I thought about it, the quieter my fears became. So yesterday evening, I received an email from my mortgage contact. The place actually appraised in the end for just over what I offered, meaning that we're still on track with everything. Now all we need to do is rent or sell this place. But after seeing how He works the last few weeks, I'm not concerned. He wants me in thast area, I'm confidant, and he'll make it happen.

On another track, our vision series group started last night. I feel it went very well. I really enjoyed opening my place up to others and the fellowship they brought. It was a good night...

Latest Updates/people driving like dorks

Well, I have very few. I guess the place didn't appraise for the total amount of the loan, so in the next few days we'll find out the appraised value and play it from there. Whatever the outcome, it will probably require me to come out of my own pocket for some closing costs. I didn't want to dip into my savings on this at all, but I kind of feel like God just wants me to trust Him on this. What are my savings to Him, and in the light of eternity? He has the power to make me physically rich beyond my wildest dreams or to take it all back. It's all His to start with. For me, it's a trust issue. My safety net. In the meantime, I'm becoming more and more willing to relinquish control. And as always, I covet ya'lls prayers. For a buyer/renter for my current home, that the Vision Series we have meeting here to lift His name up, and that above all, He would give me wisdom to deal.

On another note, I have something to say to all those of you on 4 wheels. Please get that cellphone away from your face, learn to use mirrors and turnsignals, properly behave yourself at a yield sign(i.e. pay attention so there is no need to slam on your brakes when clearly, there is no one to yield to), don't whip out in front of bikes, and if it's not too much to ask, show a little consideration for motorcyclists. We don't have walls around us and seatbelts. Since I started riding in July, I've become very aware of how texting or using my phone was affecting my driving. As a result, I'll rarely pick it up when I'm in the truck. Just a friendly reminder. Next time I have a close call, I'm installing a chin-mounted paintball gun. Ya'll have been warned...

"The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still"

(Exodus 14:14)
This is the first verse that came to my mind as I watched the Lord work today. I was sitting in my realtor's office, and we had just looked at pictures and stats on about 8 different properties in the neighborhood I felt He wants me in. But none of them seemed a good fit(not close enough to my families, etc). We had just broken the contract on Saturday, and were doing paperwork to get the earnest money back. Her phone rang, and it was our VA mortgage contact. He had just got off the phone with the sellers agent(very inexperienced), had educated her on what the contract was actually supposed to say, what it meant for all parties, etc. She was mortified and the seller was mad that her agent lost us over something so simple. The choice was ours-did we wish to revive the old contract with the proper wording, and get the closing costs(the original issue)paid? We sure did! So as of today, we are moving forward with the same place.
I just want this to be a reflection of God's greatness and total supremacy. I never tried to muscle this deal, I just prayed and let it happen. I was pretty annoyed on Saturday, but I still knew that He is in charge, He works in mysterious ways, and He has a plan for everything. All I need to do is be still.
(also see 2 Chronicles 20:17)

Slightly disappointed and seeking direction

If you read back a few, I wrote about a duplex I wanted to buy in North Central Austin. It made sense on a lot of fronts, and I want to be close to my Karen families. The only way I'm going to learn their language is by immersion, or something very close to it. I had the inspection done, and the place is rock solid. All along, I never tried to muscle anything, I just had an idea, started asking questions and praying and things started to flow. So when I got the inspection report, I got excited. Saturday was the last day to do anything without losing the earnest money, and that's when my realtor found some wording on the contract that bothered her. Basically, we made the offer we did, so that they would pay our closing costs, and still get what they wanted. And that was agreed to by them at the time. The fine print on the contract said differently. Because of a lack of correspondence from the other realtor, we pulled out of the contract that night.
Talking with them today, it appears that they don't like that arrangement. Most likely, their realtor isn't educating them properly on what is happening down here. Either way, we have no contract at this point, unless they come back and start talking.
So I am a bit bothered, disappointed, and annoyed at incompetant realtors. Not mine, she is fantastic! I don't care for the idea of renting, when I can invest instead. So now I am taking a few steps back and praying for direction on this. I would appreciate all ya'lls prayers for me on all this. I'm not really sure what to do from here. Good thing my Heavenly Father has it all figured out already. "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future..."-Jeremiah 29:11

updates, comedic undertakings, literary ungenius, fall weather

This was unplanned, and so will be fairly scatterbrained, moreso than previous writings. Things going on with me-
Duplex-The inspection went very well, and I was very impressed with the state of the place. So I am moving forward. Still don't have a renter for my condo, but I have some time for that. I had signs on the corners, for half a day, then some jerk stole them. Who does that, really? I guess someone had that little important going on in their life that they thought it would be humorous to take my 2 handwritten plastic signs. Well I hope they enjoy them! They obviously need them more than me. Just curious what they're renting...Which reminds me-
Comedy-I once thought I should write a book about my life up to that point, a year or so ago, and call it "A Comedy of Errors". I'm thinking of bringing that idea back! I had a guy I work with tell me today, "Maxwell, if you wrote a comedy book about your life, I'd read it!" That comment came about because I just clowned on him, and for once it was hilarious(even though it was rapidly reversed on me), but it got me thinking. Anyone out there good at expressing themselves? I need help with a book deal, and then with this blog...
Anyone else enjoying this weather? For the last few days, I have been loving it! I can finally go riding the UT strip at rush hour without drowning in my own sweat! Love it!

update on a potential move across town and a leap of faith

So I haven't written for a few days. Let me catch ya'll up on what's been happening with the moving to North Austin idea...
On Thursday, we reached a compromise with the owner of the duplex, and started the option period(ten days to get it inspected, etc). After this, if we are happy, we can start the contract. We are waiting on one major piece of the puzzle to fall into place before we can do this though-I have to have a renter's contract on my condo in Allandale. This will show the lenders that my debt to income level is good enough to bless me with the loan. I haven't stressed about any of this so far, why start now? I post it on Craigslist a few times a day, and I bought some signs tonight to post at the nearest intersection. If God wants me there, He will provide. Having said that, I would value your prayers.

First, that I do everything with God's blessing, and in order to lift His name up. It is easy for me to forget and try to muscle something into place. But He gave me the idea, He put them on my heart, and He can easily pull all the pieces together should He desire.

Second, that I find a renter for my condo. More about that below.

Third, that God would multiply our Vision series group. We are 2 right now. Steve Hussman and I chose to meet in his place, the same complex where all my Karen families live, and take a specific slant on it. We want group to be focused on the refugees and the North Austin community where he lives and soon, Lord willing, I will too. So if that sounds like where God is leading your heart, look us up on the Austin Stone's website.

Thank you all for all your encouragement in this. Sometimes I just want to hear from someone besides my folks that I'm on the right track :)

Patrick


*About the Condo-I have a number I'd like to get, to break even, but if I found a great couple, or someone from the Stone, I'd be willing to drop it a bit. So if you know anyone that is looking for a beautiful 2 bedroom 1 bath, one block away from the Mopac/Anderson intersection(and ten minutes to downtown, 3 miles to Camp Mabry, 5 minutes from the Domain and the Arboretum, 5 miles from ACC Northridge, and 6 miles to UT, etc.), point them in my direction! Pictures are available.

only 7 years later...have you already forgotten?

What to say here... That I'm frustrated? Looking around me and seeing the selfish indifference of the Starbucks generation? Or that I'm blessed by all the people who tell me thank you so much for what you do for us? Conflicting emotions. If I could write, I would fill a few pages on the subject. I would just ask that all ya'll out there don't forget the events of 7 years ago. Or the nearly 3,000 who died that day. Or the 5,000+ who have bravely given their all so that Iraqi kids can go to school in safety. Awkward ending, right?... But I never said I could write...

Intro to ramblings

Well I figured as long as I had this I might as well start writing. Not easy for me, but I've got a good cup of coffee, and 20 minutes, so I'll get through this.
If you know me, or have talked to me in the last month, then you know the burden that God has laid on my heart for Karen refugees from Burma, living here in Austin. I never saw it coming. At the beginning of July, I was planning to spend my summer relaxing, staying fit, working on my place, occasionally volunteering, and essentially being selfish. I was happy where I live, and with the things I have.
Now I find myself spending more and more time with my families, as I like to call them. I need to learn their language. And there is a duplex for sale on Rutland, about 200 feet from them. The best way to learn a language is immersion, right?
As my heart has been turned more and more towards the families living at the Austin Commons, I am finding myself more and more un-materialistic. I don't know if that is a normal response to hanging around with people who don't have nearly the material blessings I've been given, but it has caused me to start dumping furniture and extra trappings that society has convinced me I needed..."But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ"-Phillippians 3:7-9a. Whatever I thought I had going for me, that I considered to make my resume of life and experience attractive, I could care less about now. Get excited people! This is God moving in me, changing my heart and bringing a deep desire to really know and serve him. I finally feel like I have a specific mission to work for, under the broader mission of glorifying Him. In Iraq, the worst times were the boring times...sitting around, waiting for something to happen, so we could react...or going through the motions of another routine patrol...it started to get old. The excitement came when something out of the ordinary came. New intel, a raid tomorrow night-a mission. Finally doing what we know we were put here to do. Same principle here. I'm a new believer, but I can already see myself getting bored of the routine and mundane life of an American christian. I'm going for something more.
If this was terribly confusing, I apologize. I will come add more later. Just wanted to start writing finally, I'll get better in time. And maybe put something together to complete this picture of where I think God is taking my life.