Updates from the Heart

When Mountains Move – January 2003

Matthew 21:20-22 “Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter, remembering, said to Him, ‘Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.’ So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Have faith in God.’ For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the seas,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”

Like Peter, I often find myself surprised that God follows through on His promises. Why is that? As best I can understand, it is the doubt in my heart – doubt that is rooted in living my story apart from God’s.

Our backs were up against the wall. It was a Wednesday night in November. As we looked toward the horizon it seemed that all we could see were the words “dead end.” For nearly two years we had lived in San Francisco, learning about the city and it’s ways, networking with the Christian community, and above all learning to love and serve the city God had called us to. This way of life was new, challenging and was beginning to bear fruit. Why would God allow our house to be sold, forcing us to face the prospect of moving, especially when the holidays were upon us? Where we lived was the most important element in our work.

The night before, Kellie and I had gotten on our knees and surrendered all to God, asking that he perform a miracle. As the following day came to a close we were saddened that we had not heard from God. That is when the doorbell rang. It was our friend Edward Paulino who had come over to share how God was leading him and his family. Little did he know that he was delivering God’s answer to our prayer. Like us, uncertainty was looming in the air for him, and he had come to ask us to pray about the possibility of partnering our work with the parsonage and church buildings on our street. During that conversation, God not only reassured our housing need, but also gave us more to hope for!

Later that night, with tears in our eyes, I said to Kellie, “God answered!” Like Peter, I, too was surprised because I so often struggle with doubt. But we had put it all in His hands and the mountain of uncertainty was gone! For those of you most experienced with life, you know that our days can be filled with mountains big and small, with more sure to follow. But the Good News that Jesus brings is not only our salvation, but also the knowledge that we can live our lives under the rule and reign of God. By following Jesus as His apprentices, we begin to experience the fruit of living under His Father’s rule and power. That is the abundant life.

Since that day, God has moved other mountains. Our current landlords, who are now our friends, have offered to let us to stay in our home. Can you believe it? From finding ourselves at a dead end with no home, we now have two options! For now, we continue to live at 262 Richland and we are seeking wisdom from the Lord as to how to go about using these resources in the best way. I am seeking counsel from our sending pastors and our city partners as to how we might partner with the Free Methodist. The buildings alone are valued in the millions and the historical value of their presence dates back to the late 19th century.

As for our family, the kids are doing well. Kayla started her second semester at Fairmount under the Spanish immersion program. Spanish is beginning to sprout up through her conversations and all throughout our home. Chase is awakening to the sweeter freedoms of being a toddler as he prepares to attend the Glen Ridge Co-op, the school that Kayla attended last year. Hannah will be six months old next week. We are so enjoying her as part of our family.

Kellie and I continue to adjust to being parents of three in such a busy city. The challenges are great, but God gives us the grace for each day. Kellie is beginning to look beyond having infants and is setting her eyes on her volunteer work with the schools, her outreach at the Bernal Neighborhood Center and her desire to work with hospice care. As for myself, I am coaching a new indoor soccer team here in our neighborhood. Our family continues to work with the Free Methodist congregation on Sundays.

We had another great Christmas with our friends and neighbors. The highlight was having over 70 friends from the area at a Christmas party in our home on December 22nd. Above all, we are most excited about the relationships we are cultivating with our neighbors in Bernal Heights and the broader city. There is life in living the commandment of loving our neighbors.

As our ministry once again shifts into action, we are piecing together all the different elements of what we have learned and how we have lived as ministers in the Heart of the City through Urbaneyes, Faith Communities, Missional Life, Free Methodist and REimagine. As we enter our final year of financial support we know that the larger mountains lay ahead. Pray for us as we wrestle through believing and trusting God’s leadership in our life.

For now, we want to thank you for being a part of this great adventure! You have believed in us by way of your friendship, your encouragement and your belief that a burden and a dream were worth investing in. We pray that in 2003 God would grant you the peace and the resources to accomplish all that you as individuals and as organizations dream. As C. S. Lewis once said, “There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.” This is our hope as followers of Jesus!



Happy 2003! The McCords

posted by Ken McCord @ 4:59 PM