The Thirteenth Floor

He trains my hands for war and gives my fingers skill for battle. Ps 144:1

So I decided to start a blog. A place in which I can record my thoughts about anything and everything and do it in a way that will encourage anyone who reads it.

I was introduced to a website today that intrigued me. It's called unusualsoldiers.com by Caleb Bislow who has just released a book called "Dangerous". It's a book I think I'd like to read about being a dangerous disciple maker. Reaching out to places and people that for so long the church (aside from a courageous few) has been afraid to go. He refers to those places as 'the 13th floor".

I've called my blog site 'Wondering Warrior' because I ponder everything. I love new ideas, fresh vision, and nuggets of wisdom. I'm also a fighter by nature. I'll grab hold of what I truly believe with an intentional tenacity. I fight for truth. Sometimes to the complete frustration of those who don't understand what truly grounds me.

I believe very passionately in making disciples. In pouring the truth of who Jesus has called us to be into the lives of people who we are making regular connections with. For some of us, that's our family and neighbors. Or our community or workplace. For others, like Caleb, it has a more ragged edge to it's meaning. Call me crazy, but the heart inside of me speeds up when I hear about what courageous people like him are doing. Not letting fear stop them from going where so many are afraid to even look.

I've stepped inside the 13th floor on occasion. Stood inside that dark and dangerous realm where the need is desperate and the light is dim. Touched a few lives that so many would consider beyond redemption. Was I afraid? Yes. Was I alone? Absolutely not. I have never felt more alive than in those moments when I was reaching out to the unknown with the Holy Spirit burning in my chest not knowing what would happen next. All I could do was be available and obedient.

But I don't want to toe the line anymore. We live in a dark and dangerous time. Jesus is coming back so soon and the enemy is desperate in these last hours. The Spirit is calling out true warriors who don't let fear hold them back from jumping into the fray. And I'm there.

I love this header I borrowed from the Unusual Soldiers website. It captures the feeling of moving forward into the unknown trusting only what God has placed in your heart and knowing that His presence and guidance will never leave you.

It ups the ante for the obedient heart. You can't stand there thinking "I'd like to hear more before I enlist, then I can make a more informed decision". When in reality what He wants to hear is "Whatever You say, wherever You lead, no matter the danger or how many limits it stretches in me, I will obey." THAT is the pounding, blood-rushing, truly alive heart cry of the 13th Floor Warrior. Because we live in a day where anything can happen. Life is no longer secure. Every day more and more are lost to the tidal wave of crushing sin that drains away what little strength they have left.

God is calling you out. Can you hear? Stand up and be counted, Warrior!