The Lion of Judah Lives and Roars!

God is a Warrior and our Father! I know that for some folks that sentence is Politically Incorrect, but this weekend my son William and I went to a Warrior Battle Camp, based on John Eldridge's book "Wild at Heart!"

We experienced the power of the living God in some new and very real ways. It was amazing, to see God heal deep heart wounds for many of the men present. It was wonderful to be in such a beautiful place and just get to worship and focus on hearing God and being real with Him and one another.

Years ago, I remember a song by the blind artist, Ken Medema, called "Don't Play the Game!"
It talked about pretending to be a christian in our everyday life and how heavy a toll it takes on our hearts, and spirits to try to fake the faith. The song ends by challenging us as disciples to "get down off the stage and become who we say we are" in Christ! This weekend was all about becoming real men who live the real lives of faith that God created for us! It was about identiying with the Holy Spirit's help, the many mask we all wear and taking them off and risking being real with God, ourselves and each other.

And last but not least it was about remembering that God in most of the bible is infact a mighty warrror as well as the giver of grace and love. C. S. Lewis reminded us that each of us is born into the midst of a cosmic battle, often even behind enemy lines. We are called to fight against the prince of darkeness, the father of lies, the one who likes to pretend he is a lion and as Peter puts it prowls around seeking whom he may devour.

If that call to battle which means the very salvation of a hurting and broken world does not move you or excite you. Perhaps you may need to have a few moments of silent discussion with the King of Kings and the powerful Lion of Judah. Maybe you are called to fight for a higher calling than just playing out the drama of religion, or going through the motions of just survivimg in our everyday lives.

In closing let me share with you a passage from Proverbs that was a part of our retreat. The wisdom writer says, "A man's heart is like deep waters!" If you are tired ot living in the safe, calm, nice shallows, let me invite you to venture out into the deep, deep mysterious uncharted waters of adventure that God has for you as a person of faith.

I am a son of the Lion of Judah- a warrior of the King!
Richard