"but it takes a man of true strength to be gentle and be able to set it down w/ care"

*Amber's post reminded me of that... it's something that one of our CIT (camper in training) speakers said last year. and it's really stuck w/ me. any fool can snort and stomp and yell and demand respect... but a true man of strength is going to be more gentle... he's going to care about the people around him... he's going to protect the women... he's going to serve others above himself. and i'm so glad that i've gotten a chance to know some men like that. i consider that so attractive. i mean... i know some cute boys and whatnot... but i love to be around true men . that's who God created guys to be. and men like that don't have to demand respect... people just natuarally do. people natuarally follow a man like that. because they trust him. anyways... i know that's totally random...

*"And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me in the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none." -Ez. 22:30

**this passage just really sobers my thoughts because it just puzzles me... of all the men and women of God, He found no one. and it brakes my heart... a city was destroyed because no one had the guts to "stand in the gap" to tell everyone that destruction was ahead if they didn't repent and turn from their sin. and then it hits me... i haven't been standing in the gap either. i've prayed that God would help me be a light... and yeah... maybe i have a good reputation and testimony... but i really haven't told anyone that "hey, destruction's coming if you don't repent and turn to Christ" i think that sometimes i don't stress to myself enough tha hell is really real... i forget that if i don't tell the people around me (even some of my so called "friends"). and it brakes my heart.

Lord, i pray that you would change my heart. that i would stop thinking about me and fearing rejection... or not being willing to be "uncomfortable" inorder to tell others about your Holiness and Justice and Love. help me not to forget the consiquences of sin. help me to remember that you paid for my life and my eternity. help me to be passionate enough about that to open my mouth. God, save my friends... help my not to fear what they'll think of me... help them to see you through me. God, i want to stand in the gap. i want to blow the trumpet that danger is coming. God, once again... help my friends to know you... and find a deeper love than they've ever known. in Christ. amen