SOAPBLOX

Satan does in fact win battles. He wins many battles, particularly in my life. From what I've heard... I don't want to say that satan won the battle, but he certainly wasn't crushed like we have the power to do in Christ. It's not ok, but there is also a sense in which it is ok. As people we are complete failures, and it's God's grace and forgiveness that makes us victorious, and nothing else. Once we lose sight of that, we are blindsided, and satan will throw dirt in our eyes and push us to the ground. A cheap move I know, but he is satan. I agree with the comment that said something to the effect that people won't be attracted to a group of Christians who are wrapped up in their own conflicts and arguments, and enslaved to all kinds of pleasures and ungodliness. Ok, now i'm embellishing (if I spelled that right). My belief is affirmed. Satan did not win any battle. The victories were simply fewer. The IVCF youth group was a victory, because I still praise God for the changes that it made in me. And I know I'm not the only one who fell in love with Jesus there, so I praise God for them also. In short, I agree with Ed. I give him kudos for trying to pull things together along with the other leaders, but from what I've heard (and I know you often can't rely on anything you hear) the youth ministry had become a fighting ring for those who are called to love their enemies, and a place where gossip had spread like cancer. Like a withered branch, good for nothing but to be cut off and thrown into the fire.

I've been thinking and praying a lot lately, and I've never been very confrontational. So I just want to take this moment to use my soapblox (thats not a type-o) to tell you guys something.
Lewis, Eric, Jeremy, Lane (if you are still in this plane of existence), and everybody else,
Don't let the time pass you by. If you aren't walking with Jesus, you are wasting your life away. I have wasted months. If any of you are being sexually immoral, and think you have a relationship with Christ, YOU ARE LYING TO YOURSELF. Stop it. If you are gossiping about your brothers and sisters instead of praying for them, stop. If you are using God's grace as a license to sin (and you know in your heart if you are) stop it. Reading Ed's post made me so sad, and I haven't felt much of anything in a long time. oh whatever, this is probably just another post to contribute to all the confusion. Just let Jesus love you.