I'm a bad blogger... sorry.

I wanted to forward along an email I wrote to a friend recently that will catch you up to speed. This was written about a week ago. Reading over my own words is convicting. Pray that God would sustain my own faith in his faithfulness and character as we continue in ministry. Our staff team has been swimming through the waters of discouragement. Sometimes it's a doggie-paddle, sometimes it's a strong breast stroke, and sometimes we are just barely staying afloat. I hear the words of our Father God calling us to have faith... have faith.... HAVE FAITH. Pray for us that by his help, we would.

Here's the letter... edited a bit;)

...ministry has been pretty intense lately. It doesn't seem fitting to just list all the things that have happened-- like it would be focusing on sin rather than on God's faithfulness to bring sin to light, in order to redeem, ya know?

But in the last month, we've had to ask one of our students to leave our ministry after repeatedly confronting him about deception. He's had so many opportunities to allocate grace and has only hardened his heart. We went through all the steps of Matthew 18 with him and still there is no repentance. So this has been one of those, "hand them over to Satan" for a time and pray that eventually he'd repent deals. Heart breaking. We've been ministering to this guy well over 3 years. When we told our students, their response was sober, but very encouraging...

I had 2 unanticipated marriage counseling sessions within one week's time... both saddening and long, but hopeful. The couples both seem to be ignored at their respective churches and hungry for help.

A couple from our ministry's past, recently told us their marriage is on the rocks. Mike saw the same guy downtown out with a woman other than his wife and gave him a serious rebuke. Thankfully, he responded well... and called the next day thankful.

One of my girls' I used to disciple and still am pretty close to, has a close friend who was recently murdered. She also recently learned she didn't get accepted to a rehab program that would have been amazing for her. I trust God's will in that, but I'm still disappointed in the decision. But I have seen an increase in her initiative towards sanctification, fulfilling personal responsibilities, and making wise decisions, which has been encouraging. She has also begun to meet with Margo in a small "Knowing God" Bible study and is applying the gospel to her past. Continue to pray for God's protection over her.

Oh, did I mention that none of these people are the actual people that I disciple?? But don't think all is quiet on the western front there, God's been revealing the same heart issues and depth of sin with them. Please pray for a spirit of perseverance. Please pray for faith in the Lord's power and activity in their lives. It is so easy to become discouraged by observations and not live by faith in the character of God. The character of God must be sustaining for us right now, because so much is stirring and spiritual warfare is strong.

So basically, my life has been composed of lots of listening-- to people and to the Spirit-- much prayer and fighting through a whole lot of spiritual warfare. It has become most incredible to me that Christ's work on the cross gave us power and authority over sin and the evil one.
Lately, that has caused me to praise Jesus even more than the thought of him forgiving us. The truth that we are no longer captives is much more unbelievable and has greatly motivated my prayer life.

To sum up my prayer life in a word, I'd choose "fierce". I am glad to be taught the authority that has been freely given us in Christ and to exalt God as a Mighty Warrior. So, even with all this going on around me, God has sustained my hope and faith that he IS working and freeing these that we lead by the power of the gospel! ... But, now this week my body has given in, and I'm sick, fighting fatigue... and wanting to be a beach bum... But what greater purpose could I have, but to minister to others for the glory of God? So, by the grace of God I will not be defeated by my flesh and desire to check out when God has obviously called me to fight!!!

So, that's ministry for me, in a nutshell.

I could really use your prayers. Our students could, our staff team could, and Athens could. Pray for faith. Pray for encouragement. Pray we continue to press on and fight the good fight.

Love you all.
How can I pray for you?