Back in the "glimmer of hope" mode

As of this writing, we are about ready to mail an application in to a cash-source entity outside of the conventional bank. We are operating on guidance from a recently made acquaintance. Stand by - - -

DIW

"Dead in the water" - as far as the "coffee shop" goes - - - I learned that term in the Navy. It means that there is no wind or engine to drive the boat/ship. The only thing that can move the vessel is a current. That's where we're at right now. It does not mean that we are not moving. It just doesn't feel like we are. We're fine with that as the strong sense (sorry - can't find any other word) of God's presence prevails.

We had our initial house church gathering last week and it went very well. We will gather every other week - as the community has requested it. It's no cooincidence that a fellow follower I crossed paths with just prior to our first gathering handed me a book with a very red cover. It's called "Pagan Christianity" by Frank Viola and George Barna. Funny - I had not heard of it as it was published in 2002. I am now devouring it and strongly resonating with what I had always suspected about why "we" (the conventional church) DO the things we DO. I hope to provide excerpts in this blog and my personal blog (http://differentcloth.blogspot.com). In short, the writers have the courage to do what many think should not be done. They actually throw the baby out with the bath water." All the time I assumed the baby was a "Christian" one - but it turns out that the baby is (this word has been used so derogatorily but it fits here) PAGAN.

A glimmer of hope

Among the handful of private lenders we have approached, only one has reflected a generous demeanor. "The economy" is causing balking on the part of others. The one is praying about what can be done on our behalf and will get back to us.

Sunday is Day 1 of our community of followers. We will gather at our house from 10:30 - Noon. This will have an open-paticipatory context and not the conventional "this is how you do church."

What Do You See?

We've applied to and been turned down by nearly a half dozen banks for an unsecured loan to give us the last 1/3 of needed capital to start. So we are both "seeing yellow" right now. What do we mean?

Take a look at the traffic signal in the accompanying graphic. What do you see? How do you interpret it? It's a still picture so you really can't tell what action is occurring. Most often the yellow light is the warning to communicate to automobile operators that a transition from flow to stop is about to occur. According to the North Carolina Drivers manual: "A circular yellow signal means 'caution' and indicates that the signal is about to turn red." Everyone knows that red means STOP. But the illuminated light could also be flashing. The NCDM makes that distinction in stating: "The flashing yellow signal has the same meaning as a warning sign. Slow down and proceed with caution."

Which one is it? That's what we want to know. God is either telling us to be ready to stop or to proceed slowly with caution.

We've both determined that unless we are able to have the last portion of the resources needed to launch, then we cannot proceed with what we dreamed and imagined. We're not afraid to come to that conclusion for fear of creating an impression of "failure." But (as we've learned over and over and over) there are always the possibility of "God-surprises" along our path.

To be upfront with you and according to the business plan ("counting the cost"), we need about $30k to lay the groundwork. We've got about $60k either available or already invested at this writing. We've avoided asking friends and family to help fill the gap as we are aware of the cultural track-record of damaged relationships that can result. But perhaps it is time to ask others to take a risk. All we can guarantee is that this portion would be our number priority within our budget to compensate. We have a very high credit score and have never been in hot water with excessive debt. That's just what we're thinking primarily. Perhaps 3 could help us by providing 10k each; or 6 with 5k; 10 with 1k...

If we can approach this route, we would find someone to collect our payments and distribute them on a monthly basis with agreed interest and late fees to facilitate prompt disbursement.

We'll visit this and proceed if we determine that the light is flashing and not about to turn red.

Shalom!

"Are We There Yet?"

Any time my kids asked that on our historic family road trips, I slipped ye olde cassette tape of "Paul Simon's Greatest Hits" in the venerable car deck and played a particular song. The song that was best fitting of the temporary/eternal dilemma being felt by all was a ditty called "Slip Slidin' Away." All 5 of us would jump in at the chorus and sing with empathetic passion; "Slip slidin' away. Slip slidin' away. You know the nearer your destination, the more you're slip slidin' away." It sure feels that way when you are eager to get where you're headed.

We keep anticipating on "opening in a few short weeks" (when people ask us) - but those few short weeks keep "slip-slidin' away." It has to do with getting the last 1/3 of funding, hearing back from the architect, signing the lease, scheduling the upfit - plus other unforeseen shtuff.

The words to the final verse go:
"Whoah God only knows, God makes his plan. The information's unavailable to the mortal man. Were workin' our jobs, collect our pay. Believe were gliding down the highway, when in fact were slip sliding away."

Amazing on those trips of old we eventually got where we were headed. We learned patience then and we're still learning it thanks to your prayers. We really believe we're getting close - but we will see.

A Bit of a Miracle...

...in this day and age.
Yesterday (after the challenge of the morning seen in the previous post) I was given a name to try to see if I could find a contractor and architect at a more affordable rate. Our commercial realtor went out on a limb (as they're not really supposed to recommend one business over another) and dropped the name of another property owner who knew how to cut corners but get a quality job done. All I would have to do is go to one of the business tenants and get the name.

The 2008 version of a miracle? - Four contacts developed in a very short 24-hour period. First - the owner of the business we were told to visit was actually there visiting from his out of town location. He had the number of the property owner and gave it to me. I called him and had a good conversation with him. He recommended a contractor to call and gave me his number. I called him and had a good conversation with him. He recommended a retired architect and gave me his number. I called him and had a good coversation with him. So what's the miracle??? Everyone I tried to contact - I actually connected with. One person was in town who normally isn't - and even more amazing - three answered their phones YES - answered their phones in 2008! - and took an interest in our endeavor.

The result is that the contractor and the architect will meet us at the site on Friday morning.

Thanks for your prayers. They seem to be working rapidly.

Ouch!

Our business plan for Java Journey called for 36% of our budget to be used for upfitting. We are at a critical point since we have the remainder of our savings plus an equity line. There is nothing else to draw on to get started for the first year. A personal loan offer we thought we could use has now been withdrawn. That was a tiny setback today.

Then we had a zinger of a reality shock this morning. The initial 2 estimates of architect & contractor will require about 127% of the budget. Needless to say, we're both disappointed and fighting off discouragement. From a human standpoint the passon and vision looks like a misguided pipedream presently. We were informed that we would have these moments. This is a most challenging one. Please pray earnestly for us.

Thanks!

He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
-1 Cor 1:8&9

No Turning Back

Here's an excellent visual in video form of what Reggie McNeal means by the "Come and get it" approach of the conventional church!

It just doesn't dawn on us that we will impact very few if we depend on one place - one day - for an hour or so.

So where do we have a chance to get 2 minutes from someone who has designated the majority of their alloted 10,080 per week? Hmmmmm.... I think I know. I think.

Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."
-Luke 9:62

"It's Perfect for Us"

...quoting Tessio (Abe Bagota)...

We haven't let interested readers (all __ of you) know that we diverted from the place we were looking at in August to another place right across the street from it. We were given a heads-up by the realtor about it since it had not yet been listed.

The space is much larger on one level and offered at a bargain basement price. It's also on the morning commuter side of the busiest north/south artery in Hickory. We will also be in advance of 2 major competitors who have challenging in/out access (although one purchased a drive-thru kiosk just north of us on the same side - but you can't come in and experience ambiance).

We had to pay for a second inspection that occured today. The personnel who were at our first inspection affirmed that the second space is much better suited to what we envision doing. It used to be a lamp shop called "The Shade Parlor." How do you like the photoshop insertion of our sign above the door I put in place of theirs?

As soon as we get the $$$ either from the approved loan we are awaiting, or word back from one that will give us more (?) we will set up signing the lease and then start doing the build-out.

As always: Pray - Pray - Pray. Thanks!