This current issue of no money, no jobs is the horizontal concerns, the “concerns of this world” as Jesus called them. He considered them secondary to the issues of the Spirit. (They sure seem primary to me!) But anyway…

But when I focus on Love not Fear (perfect love casts out all fear), when I focus on “I’m on Fire when you’re near me, Switchfoot song), I think of the following:

I’ve been praying for that church on 3rd and Junipero for more than 15 years, I used to be at UMC 7th street which was taken by Parkcrest. When we lived on Broadway and Temple, I would pray and run by this building and pray God would open a door for me there.

Not sure why, something about the beautiful building, my UMC connection of my childhood, the social justice I experienced myself, the amazing location, the great bridge between Native Long Beach and New Long Beach, a place of Grace to the poor, the elderly, the children, a place blocks from the ocean and Bixby Park, a place blocks from Burbank Elementary and 4th and 7th street. 

On April 2011, Easter week, Miracle Week, a miracle happened in my life. Grace UMC opened its heart and Nestor extended his open hands to us, and with his vision for this city, for the parks, the schools, the poor, people of different countries, we felt welcomed.

But more than that, God spoke to me. 

On Easter Sunday, April 23rd, 2011 (late Easter this year), I was in worship, went up front for communion (which I normally don’t do), as I knelt, I had just come from a big church, 7th street (used to be UMC) and all the great things God was doing there. 

I saw 30 people on Easter Sunday, or 70, and my flesh wanted to say “What are you doing here?”  But as I took communion, the Spirit told me “David, if I have given my all for you, my body and my blood, broken for you, can you not do the same for this church community?” I remember saying to God “Yes Lord, I will.”

The flesh says, no jobs for Rachelle, oh no! The flesh says, no money, look out! The flesh says you’re not going to survive, be careful! 

The Spirit says, “I have called you by name, you are mine, I will not leave you nor forsake you, I will not leave you as orphans” “I will use you, don’t let your hearts be troubled, you trust in God, trust also in me. In my Father’s house there are many rooms [studio, church, Neighbors Abbey, outreach director, schools, house, etc] And I will be with you so where I am you also may be. I am preparing a place for you.”

Today my wife called Bellflower Unified and they said “no jobs here, there are 50 ppl ahead of you”. My flesh immediately said “Oh no!” But right now, the Spirit keeps telling me “I will not leave you nor forsake you, I am with you” 

Jay wants to help us, Nestor, Josh at 7th Street, Tom has been so kind, R’s parents are letting us use their place rent free, we have a home we can take back for cheap, we have some savings. 

This won’t be easy, nothing like I’m used to, jobs, security, but we keep moving forward. I have people I can’t trust, but others who are open to us.

The main thing I keep hearing is “David, your magic is ME! My Fire in you! Focus on loving me, on crying for me, on loving me like nothing in this world!” Don’t focus on your noise, control, email crazy, emotions, pessimism, don’t focus on SELF, focus on GOD’S FIRE IN YOU!

Jesus, I focus on your fire within me, on filling my life with you, on loving you, on being your lover, your student, your friend, and forgive me for all the times I focus on my talents, connections, all which are really control.

You are guiding me, open doors will you? Open the floodgates of Foothills money, of Nestor connections, of places and people that will believe in us.

Do it Lord. I need your fire.