He Delights in the "Impossible"

Halloween is the biggest event here in Santa Barbara. Specifically, Halloween is the biggest event here in Isla Vista. In a place known for its parties, Halloween is by far the craziest.

Every year, 20,000 out-of-towners come to our town of 20,000 residents to take part in the 4-day non-stop party.

Cops are on horses, floodlights illuminate the streets like daylight, cell phones don't work due to the sheer mass of people all around you, and instead of walking down the street, you pretty much get carried.

(The apartment complex in this picture is where I used to live.)

This year there were 230 arrests, 230 citations, and 40 hospitalizations, including a 17-year-old who was stabbed multiple times.

So why am I writing about this? Because it's real and it's the world and ignoring it is not only useless, but wrong.

At Jesus Burgers, Halloween usually ends up being mostly about helping people who are hurt, lost, or crying. But this year... was different. Friday night, the girls I went with led someone to the Lord. Saturday night, I met someone who was so clearly being called out of the life they were living. We talked for two hours about idols, chasing temporary happiness from substances, and finding identities in the wrong places. I've never felt so strongly like I was brought to a place to talk to one specific person. These are just two of the countless people this weekend who heard truth, were prayed over, and left changed. It never stops being amazing. I never get used to it.

These are not one-night encounters, these are people who we meet, come alongside, surround with community, and genuinely love.

These are people who are out with their friends, walking the street on their way from one party to the next. What possesses them to come up to us and just start talking? What keeps them talking to us for hours, telling their friends they'll catch up with them later?

In the seemingly least likely of places, at the least likely of times, He shows up. And it's such a beautiful reminder that the earth is His. We are His. Our unsaved family and friends are His. Even Isla Vista, on Halloween, is His.

Some friends telling some new friends about the King on Halloween

When God Showed Me I Was a Pharisee

Santa Barbara is known for its affluence. But right alongside the wealthy, there are countless families living in poverty, and of course, many homeless. During college, on special occasions, we would gather our friends, pile in cars, and head downtown for dinner. On our way, we would pass countless homeless people asking for help. I always saved some of my dinner to give to them, and my friends would comment on how good a person I was. So there I was, for the first year of my life with Jesus, being proud of the way I gave to the needy.

Downtown Santa Barbara

Then, one day, God laid something on me that changed my life. He showed me that if Jesus were here, walking on this earth, He would not be with me (read: Pharisee) and my friends eating at an expensive restaurant. He would be just outside the restaurant, sitting with the homeless man on the curb. And if Jesus were there, I would be there too! I would run to be where He was. I wouldn't offer him my leftovers, I would invite him into my home and cook him a feast!

The thing is, that IS where He is. So then and there, I decided that’s where I would be too. A few days after this, I was walking to meet some friends at an ice cream shop downtown. I was about to cross the street, I could SEE them eating and laughing, but as I looked down I saw a group of homeless people next to me. I went through a short inner battle, then dropped and sat with the homeless. We talked and laughed until most of my friends were gone from across the street. But when I looked over at my friends, it wasn’t with envy or sadness. Instead, I was flooded with unspeakable, boundless joy, knowing I was where Jesus was, knowing He has called me out of comfort, and knowing that I am blessed to be able to sacrifice anything at all for Him who sacrificed everything for us.

This is why I don’t understand when people ask me why I have homeless people living with me. This is where Jesus is! He says “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.” Who among us wouldn’t offer our house to the King of Kings? Why WOULDN’T we invite the homeless to live with us?

Full to Overflowing

Today, I am overflowing. In more ways than one.

There’s this person. I love this person more than humanly possible, a love straight from God’s own heart. I have prayed for this person, for years, like no one else in my life. And last night, it came to fruition. I’m not a crier- I can’t remember the last time I cried. But last night I lost it.

Why does God even want me to do ANYTHING for Him, let alone give me the constant, humbling blessing of seeing people give their lives to Him? It blows me away! And I’m not just talking about the “sinner’s prayer,” I’m talking about full on, life changing, flesh crucifying transformations. I am overwhelmingly blessed and overflowing with joy and adoration.

We are also full in a more tangible way. There are currently two beds in my bedroom, a couch in the living room, and a bed in the dining room. We’re running out of room. SO, due to a small raise and a big faith, we’re looking for a larger place!

Just wanted to share a quick update with you and ask for your prayers in this next step. Love.