When He Calls, He Equips...But What Does That Mean?

It's been an interesting walk of faith since I announced that my wife and I intend to move to San Francisco this January to take part in a church plant called Canvas. It's no small task to move from one state to another. It's not a small feat to move to the Bay Area - one of California's most expensive zones. Nor is it anything short of a miracle to move to the Bay Area when you have close to no money.

That's right. No money. We don't even have a savings account because we don't have any money to put in it. I say that jokingly because I'm not too bothered by it, but it is true that we don't have a savings account because of lack of funds. It's nearly humorous to watch our friends and family scratch their heads when they find out we're moving to San Francisco. We get comments about the high cost of living, the questionable downtown area, or better yet, we just get people telling us it's just not going to happen.

I look at the bright side - at least they have the courtesy to say it to our face.

Regardless of the minor opposition - trust me, I rarely make decisions that go with popular opinion, so I'm used to being criticized in this manner - my wife and I are still moving forward in our plans to move this January. Because see, it isn't necessarily because we desire to move. It's because we're being called to move. Personally, and I think this is true of many people, the last thing I want to do is relocate. I've grown quite comfortable here in Arizona, even if I have wanted to move for some time because of the unbearable heat. No, we're moving because we're being called to move. God has spoken to us, told us to move, and so we're moving.

Simple really.

But people - even me sometimes - tend to make things complicated and require God to supply all  resources and miracles up front, before we'll take even a step of faith in the direction we're being called to. We make things even harder on ourselves when we automatically - by human nature, I figure - assume that God's provision is always money, and when we don't see that money, we assume God is not working or that He is not going to come through on his end. Money, money, money. Our entire culture centers around money. So when we say we're being led somewhere by God, the first question is always: Can we afford that?

Where in the world did we ever get the idea that God can only fulfill His plans with our money? I learned long ago that God does use money to teach us valuable lessons. It is a tool, a resource, but if we rely on it too much, we'll be stripped of it until all that's left in our life is God. He is a jealous God, and He wants nothing to stand in the way of our obedience and devotion to Him.

In Philippians 4 verses 11 and 12, Paul makes a statement that he has learned how to be content in all situations, whether he has plenty or is in want.

For years now, my wife and I have been walking a treacherous, faith-filled, sometimes confusing journey - but the walk has been forcing us to grow closer to God, to each other, and to be refined of the characteristics and habits that have no place where we're going. God has been preparing us for this move this whole time. We have truly learned to be content with plenty and while in want. We've had an $800 deficit in bills before and we've had $800 excess in funds. We've been at both sides of the scale, and we've seen God move in both and have learned to be thankful to God in both.

So when God calls us somewhere, my first anxiety shouldn't be about how we're going to afford it. God knows what the journey is going to cost before He even calls us to step foot on the path. Now God is calling us to move. And when God calls us to do something, He simply requires us to walk out a string of faith-induced steps to get to the destination/result.

Steps. Not miles. We're not talking about instant potatoes. We're talking about faith and life.

Our first step of faith was to sign a 6-month lease with this apartment complex. That puts us moving out in January. Signing a 6-month lease as opposed to a 12-month lease is costing us an extra $50/month each month of the lease. So if this wasn't something that God called us to do, we'll be out $300 by the end of the year for no reason at all. For us, that's a lot of money.

Our second step of faith was to sell our second vehicle. Having a child, a wife that works on the other side of town, and only one vehicle has potential to be an inconvenience. Good thing inconvenience doesn't determine the direction we're going to head in.

Our third step of faith requires us to start getting rid of at least 1/2 of the stuff in this apartment. Bookshelves, desks, trinkets, knick-knacks. Anything that isn't necessary for us to keep is leaving our sight in the next few months. And most of it isn't going to be sold, it's going to be given to those who have need of it.

Is this slightly scary? Yes. Have we seen God's provision for our move yet? No. We've seen close to no movement on God's part in the area of finances. And that's okay, because God has called us, and we know that when He calls, He equips. He isn't going to leave us in the dark, He isn't going to wait until January 1st to tell us that we made a mistake stepping foot on this path months ago.

Instead of focusing on what hasn't been provided to us yet, we'll focus on taking these steps of faith toward the destination we've been called to.

San Francisco, here we come!

How One Video Changed Our Lives

In January, my family (my wife, my son, my cat, and I) are moving to San Francisco, California. Specifically, the Haight district.

Our plan to move was originally initiated by a stroke that my grandfather had back in March of this year. Once we learned he had the stroke, we decided to pick up and move to Sonora, California to be closer to him. He has nobody out there to support him - he just lives with my aunt, who isn't equipped to assist him. My wife and I have been wanting to move to California since we got married back in 2005. She's an Arizona native, but I was born and raised the first ten years of my life in San Jose and Cupertino, so California is home to me. (And I'm tired of this Arizona heat. Blech!)

Around the same time we learned of my grandfather's stroke, Travis Clark - young adult pastor at our church - played a video for the congregation. A video detailing God's plan to bring a new church plant to San Francisco.

Canvas.

The video inspired my wife and me, but San Francisco was pretty low on my list of places to move to in California. For starters, it's 2 1/2 hours from my grandfather. Second - the price of living there is beyond ridiculous - at least in comparison to where we're living in Arizona.

Good thing my God is a God who isn't phased by the label of ridiculous.

We visited my grandfather last week and found out he's in better shape than we thought him to be in. After being called to Canvas, we originally thought we'd live in Sonora for a bit until Canvas was established and then move over to San Francisco. But with my grandfather in good health, our call is to head straight to San Francisco.

So, while we were out in California visiting my grandfather, we decided to cut over to San Francisco. We met up with Travis and his wife Jena, and we toured the Haight district. And it felt like home. It was a strange, peaceful feeling. At first, I was somewhat hesitant about moving to that specific district because of our son, who's one. But I feel God's presence there, in the city, among the most diverse community of people I have ever witnessed in my life. And it's this diverse group of people who God is calling to come together into a community of believers.

(The Haight District)

Being how the Haight district can be difficult to get into - the real estate game can be cutthroat in the city - and because I wanted a bit more of a suburban area to raise my son in, we also went and looked at some neighborhoods in Daly City. I really liked it there, and I could totally imagine raising my son (and future children) there. Daly City is only about 15 minutes from the Haight District, so it would be easy to commute to Canvas throughout the week as the church is established.

But when we started the long trip home, the further we got from the Haight district, the more homesick we felt. Daly City would be a great city to live in - probably more affordable than Haight - and maybe more schooling options for my son. But Daly City would be settling. See, moving to San Francisco is our act of throwing all of our chips on the table. This is a make it or break it calling. With $0 in our checking account (besides the $ for bills), and with absolutely no savings account to speak of, how are we going to move to California in the first place?

Over the last 3+ years, my wife and I have seen God do the miraculous. When I was fired back in July of 2009, and we felt God calling me to write for a living, we weren't sure where this journey was going to lead us. And we're still waiting on the promise God made us of my writing supporting us financially. It's something I know many writers hope for, but it's something that God specifically promised us. And I know that that one promise is tied in with Canvas. With San Francisco. We need a financial miracle to move to California, even more so to move to the city of San Francisco, and even more than that to move to the Haight district.

Haight or bust.

What will my place in Canvas and Haight be? Well, I'm not one for outreach, really. Not wired for it. At least not the type of outreach where one goes around preaching to people on the street. No, I see myself connecting with the community, with the people of Haight, the people of San Francisco, in a more natural, more organic way. There are a slew of mom-and-pop bookstores in Haight, and that is where I see myself hanging out. I think my writing - edgy Christian speculative fiction - has an audience in Haight. Christian fiction that isn't preachy, judgmental, or agenda-driven. God has been showing me some awesome tactics lately to try and reach more people with this type of fiction and to rally those who write it and read it together under one banner. And Haight is in there somewhere.

Where does my wife fit in? She loves - and is absolutely wired - to help those in need. She loves connecting with people and filling provisional needs as they are revealed to her. That show Secret Millionaire? That would be her to a T. She just loves coming across needs and fulfilling them to the best of her ability. Haight is the perfect place for this.

In less than four months, we'll be heading to San Francisco to make it our permanent home. We aren't sure HOW God is going to pull this off, but we know He WILL. This is what we're called to, and I'm a firm believer that when God calls, He equips.

Watch as things unfold through my other blog - Of Dreams and Faith - because God is about to move, and you don't want to miss it!

God Showed Us A Video And Turned Our Life Upside Down

I haven't posted on this blog in a while, and what better way to come back from the ashes than to announce some really big life changing plans that God has led our family into.

In January, my family (my wife, my son, my cat, and I) are moving to San Francisco, California. Specifically, the Haight district.

Our plan to move was originally initiated by a stroke that my grandfather had back in March of this year. Once we learned he had the stroke, we decided to pick up and move to Sonora, California to be closer to him. He has nobody out there to support him - he just lives with my aunt, who isn't equipped to assist him. My wife and I have been wanting to move to California since we got married back in 2005. She's an Arizona native, but I was born and raised the first ten years of my life in San Jose and Cupertino, so California is home to me. (And I'm tired of this Arizona heat. Blech!)

Around the same time we learned of my grandfather's stroke, Travis Clark - young adult pastor at our church - played a video for the congregation. A video detailing God's plan to bring a new church plant to San Francisco.

Canvas.

The video inspired my wife and me, but San Francisco was pretty low on my list of places to move to in California. For starters, it's 2 1/2 hours from my grandfather. Second - the price of living there is beyond ridiculous - at least in comparison to where we're living in Arizona.

Good thing my God is a God who isn't phased by the label of ridiculous.

We visited my grandfather last week and found out he's in better shape than we thought him to be in. After being called to Canvas, we originally thought we'd live in Sonora for a bit until Canvas was established and then move over to San Francisco. But with my grandfather in good health, our call is to head straight to San Francisco.

So, while we were out in California visiting my grandfather, we decided to cut over to San Francisco. We met up with Travis and his wife Jena, and we toured the Haight district. And it felt like home. It was a strange, peaceful feeling. At first, I was somewhat hesitant about moving to that specific district because of our son, who's one. But I feel God's presence there, in the city, among the most diverse community of people I have ever witnessed in my life. And it's this diverse group of people who God is calling to come together into a community of believers.

(The Haight District)

Being how the Haight district can be difficult to get into - the real estate game can be cutthroat in the city - and because I wanted a bit more of a suburban area to raise my son in, we also went and looked at some neighborhoods in Daly City. I really liked it there, and I could totally imagine raising my son (and future children) there. Daly City is only about 15 minutes from the Haight District, so it would be easy to commute to Canvas throughout the week as the church is established.

But when we started the long trip home, the further we got from the Haight district, the more homesick we felt. Daly City would be a great city to live in - probably more affordable than Haight - and maybe more schooling options for my son. But Daly City would be settling. See, moving to San Francisco is our act of throwing all of our chips on the table. This is a make it or break it calling. With $0 in our checking account (besides the $ for bills), and with absolutely no savings account to speak of, how are we going to move to California in the first place?

Over the last 3+ years, my wife and I have seen God do the miraculous. When I was fired back in July of 2009, and we felt God calling me to write for a living, we weren't sure where this journey was going to lead us. And we're still waiting on the promise God made us of my writing supporting us financially. It's something I know many writers hope for, but it's something that God specifically promised us. And I know that that one promise is tied in with Canvas. With San Francisco. We need a financial miracle to move to California, even more so to move to the city of San Francisco, and even more than that to move to the Haight district.

Haight or bust.

What will my place in Canvas and Haight be? Well, I'm not one for outreach, really. Not wired for it. At least not the type of outreach where one goes around preaching to people on the street. No, I see myself connecting with the community, with the people of Haight, the people of San Francisco, in a more natural, more organic way. There are a slew of mom-and-pop bookstores in Haight, and that is where I see myself hanging out. I think my writing - edgy Christian speculative fiction - has an audience in Haight. Christian fiction that isn't preachy, judgmental, or agenda-driven. God has been showing me some awesome tactics lately to try and reach more people with this type of fiction and to rally those who write it and read it together under one banner. And Haight is in there somewhere.

Where does my wife fit in? She loves - and is absolutely wired - to help those in need. She loves connecting with people and filling provisional needs as they are revealed to her. That show Secret Millionaire? That would be her to a T. She just loves coming across needs and fulfilling them to the best of her ability. Haight is the perfect place for this.

In less than four months, we'll be heading to San Francisco to make it our permanent home. We aren't sure HOW God is going to pull this off, but we know He WILL. This is what we're called to, and I'm a firm believer that when God calls, He equips.

Watch as things unfold through this blog, because God is about to move, and you don't want to miss it!

My California Adventure - Sonora

Many years ago my grandfather moved to Sonora, California. There was a point back in 1994/1995 that my family and I lived in Salida, California - only an hour drive from Sonora. Now in Arizona, I try my best to make at least a few visits per year to see my grandfather and to get away from the disgusting Arizona heat. The drive from Gilbert, Arizona to Sonora, California takes us about fifteen or so hours, depending on how many stops we decide to make along the way.

Last week we made one of these visits to see my grandfather. Most of the time we spend up there consists of my grandfather driving us to different attractions and landmarks, such as Yosemite, Ironstone Vineyards, or even Mark Twain's Cabin.



One of the days spent in Sonora this trip consisted mostly of us walking up and down the main street of downtown peeking in antique shops and the like.

One of the shops, Funky Junk -

is where my grandfather, who builds birdhouses and butterfly houses, sells some of his creations.

My absolute favorite place in downtown Sonora is Legends Books, Antiques & Old Fashioned Soda Fountain. The shop contains one of my favorite spots - an underground passageway full of old books.

Another staple of downtown Sonora is the Veterans Memorial Hall and Military Museum.

My grandfather designed the Korean War Veterans memorial stone.

And you can see his name on the list on the back - Earl N. Bailey USAF.

Of course, no visit to Sonora - or California in general - is complete without dinner at my favorite pizza stop - Round Table.

And I left with my own little set of treasures from one of the antique shops. (Pewter and only $2 each)

Next week I'll post some pics and whatever info I can find on some of the old books I brought back from California. (One of them was purchased from the Legends bookstore, but I am going to hold off on showing it until I can dig up some info on it.) Some date back to the 1800's, they are so old. And since this blog is about writing and self-publishing, well, they will fit in perfect around here.

My California Adventure - Ironstone Vineyards

Last week I took a trip up to northern California to visit my grandfather. He lives in the little town of Sonora near Jamestown and Columbia. The area is rich in gold rush history and old west memorabilia, and I enjoy every moment I spend up there in the cool weather and nostalgic environment.

This recent trip though was a special treat not only because my brothers were able to see my grandfather together - which hasn't happened in a long while - but also because I was able to get my hands on some very interesting, very old books. I'm going to be showcasing some of these books over the course of the next few weeks. I still need to go through the stacks that I obtained and do some research on their origins.

In the meantime, I thought I'd highlight some of the more interesting parts of my trip, beginning with our journey to Ironstone Vineyards, located in the Sierra Foothills of Murphys, California. I've visited Ironstone many times before, and each time I am amazed at how serene the location is. There are times when I am there that I completely forget I am in California and feel as if I'm in another country, such as Ireland or Italy.
Nestled in the midst of rolling green hills, Ironstone is more than just a vineyard...


It is home to thousands of plant varieties and species. We were lucky enough to visit in March, which is when Ironstone rolls out the 'color parade' with over 300,000 daffodils to signal the coming of Spring and to spark off their annual celebration of food, wine, art and flowers.

Ironstone also boasts the world's  largest crystalline gold leaf specimen in the world, weighing in at a whopping 44 lbs. They have the leaf in a glass case in an old bank vault - which seems appropriate enough.
















Wandering the Alhambra Music Room, we always check out the splendid collection of art and antiquities belonging to the Kautz family - owners of Ironstone Vineyards.

There is also a terrific wood lattice walkway I never miss the chance to walk through.
 















I always enjoy my visits to Ironstone. If any of you are ever in their neck of the woods, I highly recommend visiting the vineyard.

Lost Birth Is Off To The Editor

 

Well, it was close, but I made my deadline and finished revisions/rewrites to Lost Birth last night. I just hit SEND on the email transfering it to the very capable hands of my editor, and now it feels like a huge burden just lifted from my shoulders. Isn't that how it usually feels when one finally finishes a manuscript?

Now that the book is out of my hands, it's time for some R & R. Heading to California for a little bit to see family and get out of this heat. Supposed to be 95 here in Arizona this coming weekend, but only 69 where we're heading. :)

Next week I will be starting work on Dark Horizon, the third book in the young adult series I will be releasing this summer. I also got back edits to Endangered Memories, the first book, so I'll be working on those at the same time. I'll also be getting back to posting, and to my usual marketing efforts. I hate having to put everything to the side to have finished Lost Birth, but it was a necessity.

I'll see all of you when I come back. Enjoy the weekend!