Leaving that which is familiar:

I am beginning to understand a few things about "walking in faith".

1) I thought I knew what "walking in faith" is.

Um yeah...I am totally an infant on this issue. I thought I had confidently figured this area of the Christian journey...boy was I wrong. And

so its not confidence in me, but confidence in

God is the beginning step.

2) Having a "homesick faith" will get your

no where.

What I mean about a "homesick faith" is

focusing on things in the past more than the present and future. Catching yourself dwelling

on how things "once was" or "the good ol' days". There is nothing wrong with remembering

and learning from the past, but trying to live and relive in it will do nothing for you but stop

you in your faith walk. Believe it or not, God has even more exciting things that He wants to

do beyond what He did yesterday and the day before.

3) "Home is where the heart is" - an old saying, but true in this sense. Where your heart is, that is where your passion will come from, grow from, and explode from. Its hard to walk in a

real faith if you are tied to something other than God. It can anchor you to a life less filling

than that of which God has for you. You have to become nomadic.

4) "Walking in faith" means you are crazy. Just accept it. Its not a bad thing. I am not referring

to being a psychopath, but one who is willing to take the risk, to go into the unknown, to

chase after God in the wilderness. You are crazy to yourself, to your family, and to your

friends. It's those who are "crazy" that see the deeper beauty of God's purpose. They are

crazy enough to chase after the unknown to find out God's plan and will. The apostle Paul

was considered foolish, and God used him to do extraordinary things, write the majority of

the New Testament, and impact that side of the ancient world. The Bible is full of "crazys"

who God used to impact this world because they weren't afraid of leaving their "comfort

zone".

5) "Walking in faith" - ultimately fulfills us. It brings us to a point on totally relying on God. I,

as well as others, wrestle with wanting to be comfortable and in control. Last time I

checked, I have been created, called, and expected to be totally reliant on God. Its a tough thing to not be in control, but it is totally satisfying. Mark Batterson mentions in his book

that faith means to step out into a place where you are vulnerable and where God can show

up and show out. Cham is learning to let go of the reigns daily...

Just things I am learning as I get to be a part of God's plan...

Apt. 18

Apt. 18: The Move

After a few months of staying with the Corbins, I have finally moved in to an apartment. I definitely wanted to make sure that I had enough financial support be able to move into one. It is definitely still a faith walk, but by your faithful support a have a place to officially call "home".

Things at the Commons are going well. We are gearing up for a new look in our small groups. We have out grown the Corbin home with our adults, which has made us reexamine small groups. Starting in April, we will be having 3-4 adult small groups during the week. I will be facilitating one of these groups. I will be moving the students small group to Sunday nights. This is a great transition for the Commons because it allows us to grow in community and in depth.

The Student Ministry is going well. I just receive our first shipment of Bibles for the students to use. Major props to all of you who helped in making this happen! We will be gearing up to being our Sunday night small groups beginning on Easter. I am highly considering playing the passion of Christ to give our students a glimpse of what Jesus went through for all of us. I am excited for what is to come in the future with these students!

Thank you all for supporting me. I would like to encourage you to get your family, church family, and friends involved with supporting the missions in the Northwest.

Overwhelmed...

There are no...

words to describe everything about this picture. In fact, the picture itself doesn't do the moment in time any justice. I had the humble privilege of experiencing my first sunset at Deception Pass in Washington and trying to capture it on camera. I sat with the camera on the shore line and watch the sun slowly sink into the Puget Sound. The colors were indescribable, even for Crayola. All I could do is sit, take a few pics, and then be overwhelmed by the beautiful portrait that God displayed.

That brief moment in a parallel way describes my experience here at the Commons. Everyday I get to see and experience God's very hand at work in the lives of people. Now for you who are reading this may assume that I am just inferring of our people at church or the community. I am, but I am also talking about you guys else where in this nation.

A few days ago, I sent out my 2nd letter catching people up in more detail with ministry out here in Seattle. I mentioned a few needs for my students and the response to those needs were so God and so incredible! It was like I was sitting back at the shoreline of Deception Pass overwhelmed by the Majesty of God. I can't even describe the gratefulness and the speechlessness that I feel when I see people connect and help other people. I can't thank everybody enough for their prayers, encouragement, and support. This is even more beautiful than that sunset.

This about all I can put right now. I am just soaking it up. I will try to be more detailed tomorrow.

~Cham

"Go and change the world"