Boot camp has finally come to an end, and what an adventure it has been!

For three months we three lived in a new way, building practical steps into our lives to incorporate the truth He has been giving us. And I am confident that these new aspects will for the most part become permanent staple characteristics of our lives. God is teaching us to live in Rhythm and with purpose toward Him in daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, and life spanning commitments. This has taken its effect upon every aspect of life, from financing and work ethics to household maintenance and relationship building to the most inner depths of personal communion with God.

So last night we had a party, with which I think all of us were surprised by the large outcome. We had a great time of seeing familiar church faces as well as some we see less frequently. The fellowship I experienced was only rivaled by the fellowship I saw surrounding me. The evening of fun and snacking was highlighted by a time of prayer over each of us as we move forward into some different directions. Dave McMurray is getting married next month of course, and Dave Hansen and I will be continuing on living together, with the aim of creating and maintaining a similar atmosphere for other single guys to come into, ready to grow together in discipline and live actively as the church to one another and with whomever we may have opportunity.

Chuch Caine had an awesome word for us as he was given an image of Christ greeting each of us in a reception line at the end of this journey we have been on, and slipping each of us a handful of seeds with a hug. He also saw that we have 3 options of what to do with the seeds we have been given. We could seal them in a bag and put them away for safekeeping. We could immediately devour them ourselves. Or we could distribute them among those around us, and cast the remainder out upon the earth. It is the third which I hope each of us has, and which is one of the factors in the mentality which brought me into the boot camp in the first place.

God didn't waste any time last night giving practical circumstance in which to spread seed. Everyone left by about 11 pm, and I went out for a walk with a couple people while my roommates went right to bed. A was sitting at a park with a couple friends when a man, Todd, walked up to us. Todd is 33 and has been homeless for a little less than 2 weeks. He definitely drinks, but was definitely sober-minded as he spoke of his plight and we responded with Christ's infinite love for all us co-hellions who fight Him. He ended up coming home with us, as my friends departed he got to take a much needed shower and find some more comfortable clothes. It broke my heart to see him brought to tears for a love he does not understand and desperately desires but can't or won't comprehend. We prayed many times, and when I went to bed I read from Psalm 4

"In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."

As I went to bed he desired to stay up and read, and apparently did so all night long. In the morning my roommates both had opportunity to talk with him, and when I got up later he told me that he hadn't slept all night, because of visions and nightmares that plagued him. I got to spend more time in prayer with him this morning, and put on soft worship music so he could rest while I took a shower. While I was in the shower he got up, took all his belongings, and disappeared. I hope he returns some day.

I am so confused such an intense situation of such gravity as this one. I suddenly feel completely helpless, and all I can do is utter secret prayers for miracles. Perhaps this is the best solution, and I need to simply grow in that role. I get so confused to see those who need so much, seem to see it and the solution, but don't really get it. All I can do is live in prayer and hope that he does, and seek your prayers as well. I do know one thing though. My life should be lived focused on these opportunities. Constantly through those 10 hours of friendship, I kept thinking, "I need to be prepared for this, I should be living with this in mind." Why does anything else become a focus point in my life? I don't know, but I don't like it.