How We Started
Faith of a Father Revisited
My mind went back to that breakfast table where both questions would be answered—a table where both convictions were born, where both of my life issues were dealt with. As if for the first time, I saw clearly what my father and my mother must have experienced. I understood not only what he did in an act of radical faith, but more importantly, why he did.
I learn things much more clearly in hind sight. I wish I could live with a picture of the future as clearly as I am able to see the past. I have learned that what my father did in September 1986 was not about him. It was about laying a foundation of faith so solid that one day, 17 years later—almost to the day—, when his son was in a place of absolute desperation, he could stand on that foundation and express a faith of his own. And second, it was about placing the security and care for what was most dearly loved in life in the sovereignty of God’s hands as the only way to be obedient and live by faith. I pray my faith will be a strong foundation for my son one day. I pray I will be able to live my father’s life verses of Proverbs 3.5–6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths.”
Words of Encouragement
I requested of my friends and family who were praying for us to not question us at this time about our prayer need; I requested that they only pray. We welcomed any words they sensed were encouragement from the Lord for us. We sensed any conversation about details at that time might distract us from what we need to focus on. We received many kind words of encouragement and affirmation. Their prayers carried us through those days and now.
In the closing days of our season of prayer, I received a letter of encouragement from my grandparents—words of great wisdom and consolation. At the close of the letter my grandmother included a couple of quotes that have become the period at the end of my confirmation sentence.
When the mind and the heart clash over God’s will, the advice of W.O. Carver to T.B. Maston is good advice to us: ‘When you have considered a matter from every conceivable viewpoint and your mind tells you one thing and your heart tells you something else, you had better follow your heart.’
To find the will of God is the greatest discovery. To know the will of God is the greatest knowledge. To do the will of God is the greatest achievement. —George W. Truett
I’m following hard after what God has placed in my heart. I’m learning to live by faith. This is our story of origin—how God began to rise up within us this call and move in our lives to draw us to himself that he might be revealed. It is a story of brokenness and humbleness—a tearing apart of all that we relied on to hold life together: comforts, conveniences, strengths, and abilities. A story of surrender. A story of wanting to experience God and who he is. A story of seeing myself and who I am not. A story of desperation—never having been more constantly or keenly aware of my absolute need for God.
I’m learning to live in Philippians 1.21, “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
I’m learning that today—and everyday—is a great day to die. To die to Lane is that Jesus Christ might live in me—the only way my living is Christ and dying is gain.
I share with you what Christin and I believe God is leading through much prayer, his Word, countless circumstances, affirmations of people, and a deep resonation of our hearts—calling us to plant a church. God is moving, and he has drawn us into the flow.