At One7, we don’t believe in the word impossible. God is the antonym and the answer to impossible. (Matthew 19:26) We take these trips most times with little or no money and God provides. He provides the funds for gas and food. He provides us with a place to sleep. We step out in faith doing what most people would call crazy, and God has our back. I just want to share with you some of the things we witnessed this past weekend in TN.

All of the soccer teams that played we’re required to pay over $100 in fees. They told One7 we didn’t have to pay anything. Impossible means nothing to us.

Between the two games with the U12′s on Saturday, the referee asked if he could talk to me for a minute. He said his Dad coached his soccer team a couple years ago and they played in a tournament with One7. His Dad talked with David Garrett about the ministry and really wanted to do something to help. He gave David everything he had in his wallet, which totaled to around $63. It turns out, that money helped keep a One7 family in their apartment for another month. The referee, his name was Greg, said he wanted to do the same thing. He gave me everything he had in his wallet which was $80. He wanted to help anyone he could with that money. This was from a college student at the University of Tennessee. He didn’t know us. He wasn’t even supposed to be there this weekend. Someone else couldn’t referee so they called Greg. Impossible means nothing to us.

On the way back from Bristol Saturday night, David received a call from from a director at Doe River Gorge who said all the boys could go up to the camp and shower for the night. What a huge blessing. We took both teams up there and let them take showers. Trust me, after each team played two games that day, they needed a good clean-up. Impossible means nothing to us.

We stayed with the McCains that night. God has truly blessed One7 with this amazing family. Not only did Dave and his wife Jennifer spend hours preparing us a meal that we finally sat down to around 11 that night, they stayed up until 2 in the morning washing all the uniforms for both soccer teams. The next morning, they cooked breakfast for everyone and gave us bags full of drinks, chips, and other snacks for the day. They are a true example of Christ’s words when He said we have to deny ourselves everyday. The McCains sacrifice their time, money, and home when One7 comes to town. They always treat us like royalty when we stay with them. Impossible means nothing to us.

Sunday morning we had the opportunity to visit a church in Kingsport. There is a Sunday school class of elderly ladies who have been faithfully supporting One7 for three years, but have never met any of the kids. We took both soccer teams into the room and let them love on everyone there. David spoke for a little bit and then opened it up to any of our guys to share. Several stood and told their stories. It was awesome to watch God work in that room. One by one, the boys shared their hearts and it touched everyone deeply. Most were crying as they were finally given the chance to put faces to the support they send in every month. At the end, the ladies circled around our group and prayed for us. They took up an offering and we left that room with over $1000. It wasn’t hundreds of people that gave. There were maybe 20-25 women there that morning. They are also sending another $500 to help pay for the soccer warm-ups that One7 purchased in faith believing God would provide the money for. It was an incredible experience. Impossible means nothing to us.

At the fields in Bristol, drinks and snacks were provided the entire weekend. After the final game Sunday night, they provided pizza, fried chicken, rolls, drinks, and cookies so we wouldn’t leave town on empty stomachs. The kindness and generosity that is poured out on us everywhere we go is so amazing to see. God always provides. Impossible means nothing to us.

As I sit here writing this, it brings tears to my eyes remembering everything that happened. When you have the courage to step out in faith and trust God will be there, He rewards that faith in ways you could have never planned for. We can’t sit in a cushy, safe, environment and expect God to do miracles. We have to live on the edge, step out of the comfort zones we’ve built around us, and jump into what others say is impossible. Jennifer and I know that God is calling us into full time ministry and we are praying that He sends the support we need so I can quit my job and jump in with both feet. At the end of the day, we want to know that we have given every ounce of who we are to God to use however He chooses. Feed the hungry. Save the lost. Deny ourselves. Defend the weak. Love them like Jesus. That’s why we’re here.

Impossible means NOTHING to us.

Jesucristo all the way, baby.

http://one7.org

I have written sixteen chapters and 18,375 words so far. I’ve started many novels in the past and only completed one. (And that is one I wrote a long time ago, and don’t really like very much.) Most sit in a folder on my computer waiting to be continued. I used to wonder why I could never keep on going with these projects and complete them.

Since I started Finally Home, it has occurred to me that I am finally writing something with meaning. Something worthwhile. Sure, it’s fiction, but the story is based on events that have actually happened. I’m not writing just ridiculous fantasy conceived from the depths of my imagination. The amazing thing about fiction based on real life is that I have the freedom to be creative, while staying true to the story. It’s the best of both worlds.

I’ve asked several of the One7 kids to message me on Facebook with their stories and I have been blown away. Some things I already knew, other stuff I had never heard before. Reading the material alone pushes me to the brink of tears. Actually attempting to incorporate this into my story and write it out, breaks me every time.

I can already see that writing this novel is going to be a very emotional journey. God has been drastically changing me over the past several months, but I know there is so much more left to do. Writing this will give me the opportunity to continually dig deep into my life and really see what’s in there. I am no longer afraid to be honest with myself and face my problems and issues head on.

I learn from the One7 kids on a daily basis. Their faith and love for God is absolutely mind blowing, considering what they have been through in their short lives.

My goal in writing this novel is to not only paint a picture of how my family became part of One7, but to also illustrate that there is indeed hope for anyone who is going through rough times in their life. The stories I include in Finally Home will wreck you. They will shake the very core of your being, change your view on what having a hard life is all about, and hopefully show you the true meaning of unconditional love.

Moving to Charlotte and becoming involved with One7 has radically changed my family. God is doing some amazing things here. The ministry relies solely on contributions donated by amazing people. Please visit the website and help if you can. Anything and everything you give will make a huge impact on the lives of many kids.

http://one7.org (You can click on the Donate tab at the top of the page to give. Thank you!)

I wanted to somehow get that into written form and share not only our journey, but also the experiences of so many kids who are a part of One7.  I thought maybe I could do a short story and that would be sufficient. After the first chapter, I knew this would be a novel.

I am writing this as fiction, but based on all the things God is doing and has already done. It will show how our family found out about One7 and eventually moved to Charlotte.  I will also introduce you to some of the amazing people involved with this ministry. It will be a story of struggles, failures, victories, God’s unfailing grace, and His ultimate redemption.

I’m including chapter one in this post. I probably won’t post anymore online.

1

She had no reason to live. Loneliness and despair clung to the girl with a darkness no ordinary light could master. Hope remained an illusion, a mirage shimmering across the sands of her defeated heart. The soft glow of candlelight glinted from the razor-sharp blade she held pressed against her wrist.

From somewhere deep within the shadows of her soul, a voice cried out.

A solitary tear dangled briefly from an eyelash, slowly traced the softness of her cheek, and fell into her open palm. More followed, each one carrying the reality of a life she could not escape. Low self-esteem. Parents that constantly made her feel unwanted. Daunting peer pressure from school. The knife flirted with her skin, tickling the surface.

With a growing sense of urgency, the voice gained strength.

She was only fifteen, but sometimes felt much older. She had suffered through more in her short past than most people would ever face in a lifetime. Having been forced to leave their own country and escape to the freedom of America had nearly cost her family everything. She assumed the worst was behind her. She had been wrong.

The voice fought through layer after layer of her subconscious.

While all of her friends were out chasing after everything life had to offer, she simply craved love. She wanted to know what it was like to be loved unconditionally. Boyfriends had come and gone, leaving her delicate heart confused and broken. There remained a desire for something she now believed to be unreachable. A spot of crimson appeared as she applied pressure.

No longer merely a whisper, the voice sliced through the lingering resistance, casting aside the thoughts of rejection and doubt.

The girl stopped and looked around her darkened room as if suddenly startled out of a deep slumber. She frowned, having no memory of lighting the candle sitting on the bed-side table. Ghostly figures danced across her walls, in rhythm with the hypnotic flame. She stared at the knife in her hand.

Only a small drop of blood revealed the evidence of her attempt. There were scars on her legs from past moments of weakness, but she kept those well hidden. Her deepest problems were veiled from others with smiles and constant laughter. No one really knew the secrets she held inside.

She was certain if anyone was allowed in too close, the result would be more pain. She didn’t want that.

She laid the knife down on a dust-covered Bible she kept by her bed. It had been given to her at church on her birthday, but she hadn’t found time for reading. With so much homework and other things going on in her life, there didn’t seem to be space for anything extra. Even as the thoughts trickled across her mind, she knew they were just excuses.

She blew out the candle and flopped onto her back, gazing up at the ceiling. When she was younger, her father had painted a galaxy mural complete with stars and a handful of planets. Two strategically mounted spotlights illuminated the scene. She longed for the ability to fly away, across the jeweled studded canvas of night into the far reaches of space.

Out there she could find a place where no one would ever hurt her again. Somewhere safe and isolated from the bitter harshness of her everyday life. People just didn’t understand. They didn’t get it. All the nice words in the universe meant nothing if not backed up with actions. She didn’t want pity or charity. She wanted true, genuine love.

She wanted people to make an investment into her life and really get to know her. As frightening as that sounded, she knew it was necessary. Physical and mental abuse had taken its toll over the years, forging walls around her emotions and feelings. The day was fast approaching when she would have to tear them down and become open and transparent.

That day would arrive much sooner than she anticipated.

Over the past several months, God has really been working in my life. He has broken me like never before. I’m not talking about some kind of warm and fuzzy religious experience either. I’m talking about a real, digging deep into the very depths of my heart, life wrecking kind of journey. One where He strips away all of my pre-conceived ideas about things and reveals the darkest attributes of my nature.

Jesus said the entire law can be summed up in one command: Love your neighbor as yourself. (Galatians 5:14) That’s huge. It’s so easy to say we love someone, but do we truly mean it?  We shouldn’t just be loving others with words, but with actions and in truth. I’ve been a Christian for a long time, but am just now starting to get this. I mean really get it.

I’ve discovered that I don’t love my neighbor as myself unless they conform to certain guidelines. I realize that I have been pushing people away because they might be the polar opposite of my personality. They might not believe the same way I do about things. They don’t serve the way I think they should. The list goes on and on. These revelations stunned me. I realized that I haven’t been living the way God has commanded us to. That scared me.

Despite all of our crap, God sent His one and only Son to endure such pain and agony that no one should ever have to go through. He was beaten, mocked, spit upon, and barbarically nailed onto a cross. He was forsaken by everyone including His own Heavenly Father. He did that for US! At the very least, that should inspire us to live for Him.

I’ve taken some good hard looks into the mirror lately and haven’t liked what I’ve seen in the reflection. I am so thankful that God doesn’t have a list of things we have to do in order to earn His love. It’s a free gift. That is the beauty of grace and unconditional love. It’s amazing. It’s awesome. It’s life changing.

I’m not perfect, I’m still going to make mistakes in this life. The wonderful thing about the last few months is that I’m learning to love others…unconditionally. Just by changing my own attitude, I’ve already seen God do some amazing things. He has provided blessings from places I would have never thought about.

It feels great to love others.

It’s one of those things where you would have to experience it, to know what I’m talking about. When you take a U-Haul full of furniture and deliver to families who have nothing…that’s what it’s all about. There is nothing more satisfying, in my opinion, than seeing the looks on the faces of people who have just been blessed by God.

I can only imagine what they must be going through. One day, they have absolutely no furniture or food in their apartment, then the next they have two couches, a nice chair and some food in their refrigerator. That is something only God can provide. In all reality, it’s a miracle. Over the past month, we’ve witnessed several miracles.

Something so sad to me is that people don’t want to leave their comfort zone and get their hands dirty immersing themselves into serving our mighty God. If they would just risk it all and step out in faith, they would see His love in action. The people we meet and visit are some of the most gracious and loving individuals I’ve ever seen. They have nothing, yet they invite us into their homes and serve drinks or whatever they have.

So many are missing out on opportunities to fellowship with God’s children.

When we first moved to Charlotte and began serving, I was so afraid the language barrier would be a huge hindrance. I’ve seen first-hand that love can overcome that. A smile is the same no matter what language you speak. A hug says more than words could ever express.

Getting to know the ONE7 kids and their families has been such a blessing. The kids have such an infectious zeal and passion for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If only I had been so bold talking about God when I was their age. It’s amazing to hear any of them share their story and talk about  all that God has done in their lives. I hang on each and every word.

Last week we watched as God poured in the money to help a family that was about to get evicted from their apartment. We set a goal to raise enough money to pay two months back rent and also January’s rent. Well, God worked through His people and we got enough money to do all of that, and then some. Last Thursday night we watched as kids brought whatever they had to help a family they didn’t even know. I heard one story about a boy who brought $10 to give. His own family barely survives on a daily basis and he wanted to give all he had to help strangers.

If that’s not God working, I don’t know what is.

These kids see God working everyday and they want nothing more than to give back. They know how powerful the love of God is and they want to spread that to the world.

We ended the weekend singing Christmas carols on Sunday night. It was so cold, but that didn’t stop us. We had the opportunity to bless people with singing, and we took it. At one point we were walking down the street singing Our God. Amazing.

Needless to say, this is one weekend I will never forget. We are continually blessed by the amazing people around us. They are friends. They are family.

We are…ONE7

http://one7.org

I wrote Tee Time not long after Dad passed away. We used to play golf every Monday. I completely lost interest in golf and have since sold my clubs. The times we shared out on the course will never be forgotten. They were special and are locked away in the deepest part of my memory.

Tee Time

A soft breeze tickles my face as I stare, motionless, at the expanse of green before me. The white ball gleams in the reflection of a towering sun, each dimple highlighted with a shadow of the one beside it. The light brown tee stands tall, cupped with a gentle curve, gracefully providing the stage.

Particles of dust playfully frolic in the beams of light descending from the glorious sky, blue and cloudless. An eagle soars above, its watchful eye scanning the horizon. The swaying trees whisper their encouragement as I slowly take a deep breath. The smell of freshly cut grass envelopes me as I clear my mind of everything but this moment.

The face of my driver nestles against the Titleist in hushed expectation.

I deliberately pull the club back and then forcefully swing it toward its target. Perfect contact is indicated by the solid tink as the ball rockets off its pedestal and soars toward the heavens. As if in slow motion, the cracked tee tumbles end over end in front of me. With one hand above my eyes, I track the path of the ball, watching it drop to the fairway, rolling to a stop a couple hundred yards away.

“Nice shot.”

I turn to my right and smile at Dad. He stands there, a silhouette against the brightness of the burning sun. He gives me a meaningful high five as we climb back into the golf cart. With one hand resting on my knee, Dad delightfully relives the tee shot, amazed at the distance I achieved.

I laugh, feigning a nonchalant air as if I expected to obtain such a magnificent shot all along. Not wanting to admit the possibility of blind luck being involved in any way, I quickly change the conversation to comment on Dad’s amazing performance the hole before. That sparks a memory of the time he fell while swinging his club and we laugh some more.

Green by green we make our way through the course, faring better on some holes than others. We play in the spirit of fun, pushing away the intricacies of golf like focused concentration and steeled putting nerves. This time between two best friends is sacred, a priceless piece of life forever stored in the most private places of my heart.

Dad and I play golf every Monday, it has become our tradition, but strangely, this particular day feels different. As the sun begins its slow demise from the sky to the point where the earth seems to reach up and touch the heavens, something else fades from my soul. It’s a feeling I can’t seem to shake off as we step up to the tee box on the last hole of the day.

“Go ahead, Son. Finish it off right.”

The hand on my shoulder is an everlasting reminder that I will always have the love of my father with me wherever I go. Through the years he has left a permanent impression on who I am now and the man I will eventually become. His strength, integrity and gentle spirit are character traits that any son should model his life after.

Not only have we learned how to play the game of golf together, we’ve learned what it means to become friends, best friends in every sense of the word. The rolling fairways and plush greens of the golf course are similar to the trials and obstacles we face in our daily walk through life.

We’ve learned to take our best shot, persevere through the hardships of life, and continue playing until we reach the cup. On a golf course, we battle the wind, dig our way out of sand traps, and hit around trees that block our path. In life we struggle through pain, pull ourselves up from the shackles grief and despair, and face challenges that stand in the way of our dreams.

I finish off the last hole and return the cart to the clubhouse. On the back there sits only one set of golf clubs. I secure the bag on my shoulder and slowly walk to my car. Like rain trailing down a weathered window pane, tears trickle down my face. I miss my Dad more than I could ever express in words, but I believe without a doubt he is with me at all times.

I know that right now, somewhere up in Heaven, there is a book, lettered in gold and trimmed in glorious designs of a realm that isn’t confined by physical strings. It contains a multitude of names penned by the wondrous hand of God, each one written with a loving care that only a Father can know.

I can see Dad now as he puts both our names on a page, reserving yet another tee time for a father and son to share, a tee time in eternity.

In loving memory of my Dad, Frank Martin 1938-2008

We arrived Friday night and were greeted by the most awesome family I’ve ever met in my life. With open arms, they welcomed a group of strangers into their home and made us feel like rock stars. Kirk, Stephanie and Emily are now a permanent part of the ONE7 family. Thank you doesn’t even come close to being enough. They went WAY above and beyond to serve us and help in any way they could. They were indeed the miracle we prayed for on this trip.

We also met Nikki and Victoria, who are also now part of the ONE7 family. They came out and supported the team with cheering and some medical advice (Nikki needs to travel with the team as our physical trainer). A couple more awesome people God placed in our path.

The soccer was exciting. The boys played their hearts out and left it all out on the field every game. The highlight of the tournament was when we beat the U16 number two ranked team in GA. The game was a perfect picture of David and Goliath. They were bigger, taller and the second best team in the state. On paper, we had no chance of winning.

With the heart of true warriors, our guys stepped onto the field believing that nothing is impossible. With a determination and strength forged by their unshakable faith in our One King, they faced the giant head on. Many were surprised that we were only down 0-1 at halftime. Bruised, hurting and nearing exhaustion, the guys entered the second half determined to prove that ONE7 wasn’t just in the tournament to lay down.

They fought back and gained a 2-1 lead. With unwavering resolve, they held on and never looked back.

The thing that impressed me most about the team was the way they conducted themselves out on the field. If there was a bad call, they accepted it and kept on playing. They didn’t argue with the refs or the other team. It was a shining example of sportsmanship and a great witness for Christ. The spectators at each game had to see that and wonder why there was such a difference in our guys. It was great.

Off the soccer field, the most memorable part of the trip was Saturday night when we sat around the fire pit, Barak on the guitar, and lifted our voices to God in song. Worship becomes so much more intimate when you’re outside underneath a million stars that were put there by the same Almighty Creator that you’re singing praises to. You feel the crisp air tickling your face as the glory of His creation comes alive. It was awesome.

This was a weekend that I will never forget for the rest of my life. The Holy Spirit is moving through His people like never before. I was blessed to see the miracle of what He did for ONE7 in Atlanta.

We….are….ONE7!

http://one7.org

Something happens on those nights where an ordinary apartment complex near downtown Charlotte transforms into a masterpiece of God’s almighty power. The calm of everyday life is ripped apart by the craziness of 100+ kids going in all different directions at once.

You can feel love everywhere, cloaking the entire group like a worn out tee shirt that you wear only at home. It’s comfortable and you never want to take it off.  There are people from all corners of the world gathering under One King. It doesn’t matter what race, religion, or church you belong to. Everyone is welcome with open arms.

The games were fun, the fellowship was amazing, but the worship time toward the end of the night is what stands out most in my mind.

Imagine being in a room filled to the max with more people than it’s intended to hold, no air conditioning, barely a window and no fans running. The air is beyond hot, stale and humid. Sweat pours down your face as you struggle to breathe. Just as you reach the limits of your breaking point and you feel like you’re about to pass out, the worship starts and suddenly none of that matters anymore.

The heavens open up as the sound of young warriors begin to praise their Mighty God. The hairs on the back of your neck stand in unison as one voice rises, pushes through the confines of the man-made structure, and blends with the voices of the angels.

At one point, the worship leader stepped back so we could only hear the kids singing. I seriously thought the rapture was going to happen. For those of you who attend every Thursday night, you’re probably used to it. This was my first time to experience worship, and it blew me away.

ONE7 has and is going to continue changing my life. Can’t wait to see what God has in store.

ONE7

Many have come from the depths of despair and loneliness to join forces with this new family, driven to praise and serve our Heavenly Father no matter what the cost. It hasn’t been easy, but to live in the grace and love of Christ is worth it all. To love God more than anything is the foundation on which all else stands. They are strong. They are determined.

They gather from all corners of the world with different cultures, races, and creeds. But none of that matters. They are united under One King and for that, they will never walk alone. They are covered by the crimson blood of the One who sacrificed His own life, so we have the chance to live eternally. They face trials and tribulation, but have peace knowing they rest in our Savior’s hands.

Can you hear their voices? Listen to their battle cry. See them. Know they are coming. They are going to change this world like none have done before. They are focused. They are resilient.

Who is this army I speak of? Their faces may be different but all are proud to stand united as one under the awesomeness of our God.

Who are we?

WE ARE ONE7!!

ONE7

I met Vicki for the first time after our Dad passed away almost two years ago. All her life she had been fed lies about what a bad person her father was. Sadly, she never had the chance to really get to know him as the wonderful man he had been while still living on this earth. Early on, he tried so desperately to secure custody of her and my older brother, but to no avail.

As the years went by, the canyon of distance, misunderstanding, and time grew so large that no one could bridge it. Vicki finally gave up on any chance of a relationship and assumed he didn’t want anything to do with her. I know without a doubt if things had been different, Dad would have showered her with as much love as any father could to his daughter.

There remains enough lingering pain and hurt to last a lifetime, but I know God is bigger than that and can heal even the most severe wound.

On a much lighter note, we had an absolute blast this week. There was laughter, good food and lots of Phase 10 Twist. Thanks to our Aunt Carolyn, who will be reading this, Jeff and Vicki have learned some new words and a new catch phrase. (What do you think?)

God is moving in our lives in such an exciting way. We struggled for months trying to find a place to rent in Charlotte, but kept coming up empty. I think our knees were almost worn completely off from praying so much about everything. There were some moments of despair and doubt wondering if we had indeed heard God instructing us to relocate to Charlotte to help out with ONE7.

Well, Monday we go to secure the rental house we found last Saturday. It’s been a long, hard search, but He finally led us to the place that was just sitting there waiting for our arrival. Any doubts that we may have had over the last months has been completely erased. We continue to learn more and more to put our whole trust in God.

I hope you all have a wonderful Labor Day. God bless…