toward Jericho...through the Jordan!!

Some of you might remember Jericho's first post, describing a bit how God led Marty and I toward the name Jericho. If not, I think it is very important to share, so here is the basic rundown:

I had a name in mind that I had held onto over the past couple of years as I pursued the climbing gym idea..I never felt really excited about it. I am a believer in the power of a name, but more importantly I knew that this name would hold certain significance for us and the gym. Marty and I were excited about the possibility of opening a climbing gym in Redding together...I guess I should talk more about that! Our whole story thus far has been a story of God's grace and provision. I know those words can be used as, well, just that; words. But I truly am grateful to our Father for how He is so deeply involved in this whole plan. The first step of His provision was Marty and Becky. Our closest friends. Who knew that the moment we decided not to move to the east coast that we would find new amazing friends and a new business?? Marty and I one night we asking oursleves.."what are we doing at our jobs??? how are we going to be passionate dudes pursuing God and pursuing an on-purpose future??" I mentioned him a few business ideas I had, one of which we pursued for about a month and it turned into a dead end. One night I said to Marty, "you know I do have this idea that I've had for a long time about opening a climbing gym here in Redding.." Now, Marty had recently been discovering the sport of climbing in my backyard on my home woodie and was falling in love with it...he was falling in love with my woodie..Needless to say when he heard the gym mentioned he about lost his dinner...

It was all a downhill run from there, everything seemed to literally fall into place. Well, almost. Nothing actually happened because we were stuck. We, now together, were exaclty where I had been with the business plan for years...research and footwork done, but with no idea where to go next. I had ideas of where to go next, but never did anything about it. The next day, we did.
We went to the city permit office, we began to look at spaces to lease, we nailed down on paper some actual financial projections, and we bought a business plan template to write the official plan (apparently you absolutely need this to present to banks/investors). Literally the moment we stepped forward, so did the Holy Spirit. Immediately doors began to open, things became clear...it was surreal. Now it hasnt all been fun and games since then...he and I have to fight everyday to see this thing become reality...but the difference is our absolute faith now that God is playing on our team, and He has the ball. Actually, I guess I should use a climbing metaphor here!...now we know that we are on the sharp end, and God is on belay! yes!...( if you dont know what this means..good. Read more blogs and come to Jericho when it opens.. :) )

Now the name, Jericho. One night we decided to pray specifically about the name, and God immediately led us to the story of God's people crossing the river Jordan to take the city Jericho. I knew as soon as I opened the page...Jericho was the name. The walls of Jericho!!! Now, everyone knows that in the story, the walls are actually torn down by the Lord when his people circle and toot their horns, so that is not great for our walls...But faith people! The whole story is about faith! True faith...I mean how would you feel if there were an entire city surrounded by concrete walls so thick that people had dwellings inside of them, and God asked you to attack and destroy the city with horns??? hmmm... But what really stood out to Marty and I was the first true act of faith His people took long before they ever got to Jericho. Jericho was the promised land..but what did they ahve to commit to in order to get there?!

The river Jordan...One of the widest rivers in the world, and guess what, it was in flood season! God's people were in the wilderness, and He told them to take the land. But at the edge of the city was the river. He said nothing about a river. At least until they got there. The priests were in the lead, with the ark of the covenant on their shoulders...wow so much symbolism here!! The ark of the covenant. The promise of redemption, salvation, love and never being left or forsaken. They were literally carrying God's promise on their shoulders! Wow, we take a lot on our shoulders everyday; worries, fear, hatred, lust, bitterness...but what an amazing thing to carry God's PROMISE on our shoulders!! Hahaha! I love it..Ok back to the story. The priests and all the people had all of their posessions with them. They left where they were, in faith, and now they faced deathly currents and impassible waters. Then God said

"go and stand in the river..." (joshua 3:8)

Ok...
Faith!! The story continues and says that as soon as the priests feet touched the water, the flow immediately stopped and walled up stream! They crossed, and the rest of the story most people know. We knew what God was saying.
We have to stand in the water before the way is made clear!!

Faith is seeing the impass, and standing in it beleiving in the way. And only God makes the way. Dont try to go around, dont try to swim. Dont try to look for a crossing. If He has asked us to go, we go forward! One step at a time. This is what we did. For one of the first times in my life. And God is clearing the way more and more everyday. But I promise you, for years, absolutely nothing happened. I did nothing, stepped into nothing, and nothing happened. In this economy, in these times, the world would say "dont push forward...hunker down, circle the wagons, and wait it out, the flood waters will ebb.." But God's word is clear! Thank you Lord! Thanks friends for your patience in reading this long post. I want to end with the most encouraging word in the whole story that will change your week:

"Joshua told the people, 'Consecrate(prepare) yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you." !!!! (Joshua 3:5)

Be prepared, but expect amazing things! Do not lose heart my friends, for God is still good.