The Emotionally Healthy Church by Peter Scazzero is a book that I’m so thankful to have read. I’d hate to ruin the opportunity for you engage in this work with a fresh palate, so I won’t launch into a full review. The main premise is simply the necessity for us to understand that emotional health and spiritual maturity are inseparable. It addresses so many issues that have plagued followers of Christ for years. As humans, we know that even when we connect to Christ and our lives our redeemed, our flesh and our spirit are at war. In Galatians 5:17 it says, “For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” This book was a great reminder that I need to be aware of how my flesh and my history can affect who I am in ministry. I’m thankful to have been introduced to this book and I’m thankful for the way it has affected my life!

Ministry looks a lot different for me here in California on a day to day basis because I was blessed to spend a lot of time with students, walking through life and talking through spiritual conversations in Tennessee. I’m realizing that this is still an area that I am passionate about and miss greatly. I’ve also been blessed with the opportunity over the years to travel around the country, sharing the gospel message of Jesus Christ through speaking and music. This is another area in which the Lord has been affirming me that I am not supposed to lay down just yet. A few weeks ago, I was in Springfield, IL and during that trip, the Lord reminded me that He has gifted me in some specific ways that I have to be intentional about cultivating and using.

I’m sharing this because I would love for you to pray with me and for me that I can understand how I am supposed to reconcile these passions and ideas with the work that the Lord has called me to in Richmond. I have songs in my head and in my heart and would love to record them but don’t know how to take the next steps financially and relationally because this would be the first time doing so outside of the Nashville area. I just want the Lord to have His way in all areas of my life. I want to be available for His use and glory in whatever ways He sees fit. Our desire is that we are truly like the clay in the Potter’s hands, being molded into what He sees as best for us.

Kevin and Karen, a couple here at Living Hope, have experienced a lot of challenges over the past few years. We have seen the Lord continually drawing them closer to Him and watched how their lives have increasingly changed. As we have walked with them through some of their challenges, they made the decision that they would like to honor God with their relationship and get married. With hearts filled with joy, we joined them at the county clerks offices as they were officially married! We were able to take them to a meal to celebrate and put them in a honeymoon suite for the evening.

Kevin and Karen are currently homeless, but encouraged about their future together. They realize that this is a new beginning for relationship and that it is important to be a part of community for their marriage to thrive. This is a couple that is submissive to Christ and are doing all they can to affect change in their lives. We, as a church, have been able to begin to assist them toward making decisions to achieve a sustainable living situation. Please continue to pray for the Saechao’s!!!

I share this office with two amazing co-laborers in the faith. I think about the way these guys continually challenge me with their pursuit of Christ, encourage me with their words and actions and offer community with their families to Monique and I. I can’t help but be overwhelmed as I sit here and consider all that the Lord has allowed for me to be blessed with.

The quiet in this room helps me to reflect on the hustle of the past two weeks of settling in our new home, meeting new people, exploring the new city and engaging in new ministry opportunities and gospel relationships. It feels amazing to stop and sit in the reality of what the Lord has done and where He currently has us.

I look around this room and think about the conversations, prayer times and learning that will occur here. In the few interactions I’ve had with the beautiful people of Living Hope Neighborhood Church, I realize my inability to lead or even exist in my own strength. I’m humbled by the beauty and genuine nature of their pursuit of truth and I’m completely reliant on the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit to show me how to move. I feel desperate for help… and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

I see the ordination certificate on my shelf and I can’t help but smile and think about the hundreds of people that are praying for Monique and I back at Strong Tower Bible Church. I’m so thankful for the time that the Lord gave me there to help me to mature and grow according to His ways. The relationships that seemed to have been left behind in Tennessee have actually made the journey with us, and that makes my heart warm.

I look at the clock hanging on the wall, in this new office, and I know it is time to prepare for our Sunday gathering. But before I get up, I’m going to sit for a few more minutes and just thank the Lord for all that He has done, is doing and will do. Why don’t you do the same.

I think it goes without saying that the emotional highs and lows that were experienced during this trip really took a toll on me. Though all of these encounters and experiences were both productive and necessary, my ability to find rest and peace in my connection with the Spirit of God was truly tested. In the times when I felt so emotionally drained and sad, I had to audibly cry out to the Lord to hold me up and be my rock. In the times when it seemed there wasn’t room for more joy, I had to be mindful to remember his desire for me seek joy continually. I had to proactively seek out the Lord and trust that he had me in His hands, even in the times that it didn’t feel like it. The beautiful, and yet challenging, thing is that this is exactly where the Lord desires for our hearts to be always.

I’m so thankful for an amazing wife that consistently provides encouragement and love in the midst of trials and challenges. I’m so thankful for friends that care deeply for my physical and spiritual well being. Most importantly, I am so thankful that the God of the universe, that created all things, is simply mindful of me. This roller coaster ride is full of nerve wracking, faith-inducing excitement… and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I can’t believe that we are only mere weeks away from moving across the country to Richmond. The more that I meditate on the greatness of God and His graciousness to include us in His plans, the more I am blown away and humbled. I know that this next step is the one that we are supposed to take as a family. The affirmation that our decision is the proper one has been overwhelming! There is no feeling like feeling the leading of the Lord in a certain area of your life, walking toward that calling and hence seeing numerous and blatant points of affirmation that it is, indeed, the direction you should be moving.

Along with our steps toward Richmond, I’ve also taken some steps toward furthering my education at the masters level. Because moving to a new city and serving in a new capacity in ministry is a big undertaking, I was a bit hesitant in committing to the idea of seminary. As I prayed and pondered, a had the increased sense that I was to journey toward this, as well. In a number of ways, the decision to submit my application has been affirmed, as well. (I still haven’t received word on whether or not I was accepted, though.)

I realize that California is a great distance from Tennessee, but as each day passes, the move to Richmond feels less like a giant leap of faith. Let me explain. As I’ve shared before, I’ve committed to live out the know will of God and allow the unknown will to reveal itself. I know that the known will of God for my life is to preach the Gospel, serve the poor and love others well (make disciples). I will have the opportunity to walk toward all of these things, it just so happens that I will seek to be obedient to the known will of God in California. I want to do all that I can to serve my wife well as a leader in our family, and I feel that I can only do this in the best way by being obedient to what the Lord is leading us toward.

It’s hilarious… we’ve been hearing the words Richmond and Living Hope (the name of the church) in passing so often! Even as I’m sitting in a coffee shop writing these very words, I just overheard a man loudly say “Richmond” to another gentleman in conversation. Some may say that it’s the “new car syndrome”. You know, its like once you decide to purchase a new car, you start seeing them everywhere. Well, that’s what some may say… I say that it’s our gracious Lord giving us just a bit more affirmation. I love it.

I’m talking about the feeling of standing on a platform that’s a few feet off the ground with your back facing a group of people with their arms out ready to catch you. Then, with complete faith, you allow yourself to fall back and land in the arms of those that are there to catch you. This is obviously a tangible way to experience faith and trust in fellow humans. If the words of assurance and comfort that you will make it through this experience unharmed weren’t true, you’ll find out pretty quickly!

Monique and I are certainly in the midst of a “trust fall”, of sorts. It’s an amazing feeling to let go of all that we know to be comfortable and “normal” and allow ourselves to blindly fall into what we truly believe to be the call of the Lord on our lives for this time. The assurance that we receive through His word has continually proven itself to be true, not only in our own lives but throughout history. We hold firm to the knowledge that He knows what is best for us and will “catch” us at the end of this fall. Just like falling from that platform, though, there are a few questions that arise just before you allow yourself to lean back. Am I doing the right thing? Am I going to land safely? Can I trust the promise of being caught? As we’ve asked the questions, not only do we feel confident in the answers but also that it’s completely normal to ask them.

You may not have an opportunity any time soon to experience a trust fall from a platform into the arms of people, but God may be calling you to trust Him today. I just wanted to encourage you that if there is something you need to let go of or trust Him in, He’s got you.

I am in the midst of what I perceive as a “testing” season. It’s feels as though the tests are a gauge of what my response will be in adverse or frustrating situations. Expensive car repairs, poor customer service interactions, and health challenges have all seemed to “pop up” over the course of the past two weeks. As these things continue to present themselves, I am fully aware of the “what will you do” moment that arrives that seems to allow me to choose my own outcome.

I know that my desire is continually glorify the Lord with my actions and attitudes, which at times creates and internal struggle to do so. When these types of situations arise, there has always been a direct correlation to the intimate time that I am spending with the Lord and my response to challenges. I’m encouraged to say that as these challenges have presented themselves, I have chosen to delight in the Lord and acknowledge Him. The interesting question that comes to mind for many in these types of situations is “to what can I ascribe these tests that I am experiencing?”.

I’ve heard it said that the tests are from the Lord to see how we will respond in certain situations under certain circumstances. I’ve also heard it said that these challenges are from the enemy to distract us from the work of the Kingdom. I’ve heard people ascribe a season of difficult circumstances to punishment for “not living right”. In contrast, I’ve heard people speak excitedly about challenges they are experiencing because it means “they must be doing something right”. I’ve heard that it can be any one of these things at different times in our lives. It’s quite interesting that there can be so many varying views.

The answer to this question for us, at any given time, can be a reflection of our view of God’s power and position in our lives. I think it’s important for us to remember, while answering, that righteousness does not come from ourselves but from Christ alone. We should also remember that true sustainable power and proper guidance comes through connection to the Holy Spirit. In whatever the answer might be for you in the moment of trial or test, I think it is interesting to see how it aligns with the rest of your “theology”. I think many would be surprised to realize that there are some conflicting premises. The only reason I say this is because I discovered this very truth in my own life at one point. I realized that I allowed what I desired to be true to win over what I actually believed to be true according to my faith.

Even if you aren’t in what you would perceive as a testing season right now, how would you answer the question?

It still seems quite surreal at this point but we recognize that this is the call that the Lord has placed on our lives for this time. We will be venturing out, in faith, to invest in community ministry in this area. I will continue to serve in the capacity of pastoral ministry as a co-laborer at Living Hope Neighborhood Church (a revitalization/church plant) and Monique will continue to serve in ministry for teen girls and further explore what it means to contend for justice in the area of human trafficking. We are adamant about the fact that we are not leaving something, rather, walking in obedience toward what we see as God’s purpose for our lives.

Over the past year and a half, many of you have been a part of the conversation that has helped us to explore what it means for us as a couple to be obedient to the things that we read in the Word and move according to the passions of our heart for ministry. As our pastor, Chris Williamson, says, “pursue the known will of God and the unknown will will reveal itself.” We recognize that the known will of God is to serve the poor, preach the Gospel and make disciples. It just so happens that our fulfillment of this known will is in Richmond. Both Monique and I desire to continue to be equipped for ministry through discipleship and education. We truly believe that this is a time for further training and development while we concurrently serve in ministry.

Though details will continue to become increasingly evident as we approach our August departure, we do ask that you would please consider us in your prayers as we assess our needs and prepare to go.

I realize that for some time, I was closed off to the opportunity to appreciate different means of artistic expression. I believe that I was resistant because of either my lack of exposure in my upbringing or my lack of personal ability in that specific area. I’m so thankful that as I have matured and progressed in life, my appreciation for art has increased. Even more exciting, is the realization that my conversation has been enhanced through art such as photography, painting and dance. It has been an unbelievable blessing to be married to an extremely artistic and talented woman who has continually been a picture of God’s grace. I pray that I continue to grow in my connection to the Lord’s invisible attributes through artistic expression.