This week...and, quite a lot lately...I've looked around the spiritual battlefield of life during some pretty heavy enemy fire, and wondered, "where did everyone go?"  Silly me.... I tend to believe that people mean what they say. 

When you enter ministry in any aspect, and particulary if you're serious about gaining ground and winning people over to Christ - you find yourself square in the crosshairs of some nasty, blood thirsty devils.  I've come to expect it.  Nothing in my life so far has been easy...but, that's ok.  God has made me strong. 

Psalm 18:34
He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

And...my faith has grown strong and not easily shaken.  God goes before me, and is my rear guard as well.  But still, Lord.... how much more could be accomplished with an army? 

The danger for me at this point is becoming angry at those who are weak.  I've become quite intolerant of weakness.  It's expected in the youth I've set out to lead....but, seasoned Christians should be formidable warriors...not cowardly ducking into the trenches whenever things get tough. 

And since I'm out on this limb.... may I add that I've been disappointed to discover that there are many who mascarade as godly men who want to love and care for this generation...and, then I find that they are only really interested in bringing in the ones who aren't too much trouble, and who's parents are willing to tithe.  I missed the memo....I actually thought we were supposed to love the unlovely, to clothe the naked, to care for the sick, to nurture the abused.  My mistake... 

I take great comfort in knowing that there are some who stand with me, who believe the actual Word of God and walk in it - like my pastor Doug.  If it weren't for men like him, I would have lost heart long ago and packed up for home (where ever that would be).  But, I still mourn over the many who don't want to be troubled with the "bad kids"....the ones that are so beautiful to me.  My heart overflows with love and admiration for this generation...and especially for the ones who don't quite fit the mold of what's deemed "acceptable".  I'm truly amazed that so few can see the diamonds they are under the rough exterior.  I think they are the greatest kids ever...and, I'd die for any one of them.  And what's more...I'll LIVE for them - to lay my life down and serve them in the name of Jesus.  And, I'm happy to do it! 

I'm not ashamed of my motley crew... on the contrary, I'm exceedingly proud.  Give me a bad, punky kid any day of the week over a shallow spoiled kid, and I'll show you what the Lord can do with a heart yielded to Him.  So, there's an occasional court date to contend with, and perhaps an issue or two that may cause the naive to blush.  But, you gotta see what's in their heart - what God shows me about each one of them.  You know what?  When these kids grow into maturity, they won't retreat when life gets hard - they will stand and fight.  They won't abandon their fellow soldiers...and do you know why?  Because they've always had to be strong, and have had to rely on each other when life dealt them an unfair hand.  They've suffered everything from abandonment to betrayal to violent abuse and on....  and yet have love for one another, for me, and for God.  That's a person I want to know.  That's I kid I have hope for. 

And, as for those who run after the affluent, the powerful, the "tithers", the money makers....they will get what they want...money, influence, power, and tithes.  But, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.