And my cup overflows, again

I just thought Id tell everyone about something God has blessed me with this past year.

See, I have never had any hard core christian friends that have walked with me on this hike.
It's always been hard on my own. And if I could have had anything I asked for it would have been hands down, a godly young person who was not just interested but passionate about God. A true Friend who lived close enough to interact with.

I've had one or two christian friends, But they've always been either nominal or lived half way across the country.

It was a real need in my life, especially as I got older. I just needed someone who I could let my guard down and talk too. Someone who I didn't feel like I had to keep my hand on my sword if you know what I mean.

Anyway, I was really discouraged and frustrated. I was around some very Godly older men and women. But it just wasn't the same as another young person who felt the same pressures that the world puts on teens.

I know you hear the saying all the time "You know brother, we're in a war". Man do I hate hearing that some times. Because most the time it's just words that the get thrown around not out of conviction but out of habit.

Now with that said I will continue. :)
We are in a very bloody war and we need to realize that.
And I was getting ripped apart trying to stand alone all the time. I would pray and cry at night asking God for a friend, but it just wasn't happening.(or so i thought)

This was going on for years, but especially in the past three or four.
Then a little more then a year ago I went through a really hard time. I was in such need of a friend, and it didn't seem like God was listening. So I started looking in the wrong places for some friends. Of coarse they weren't real friends, just thought it was fun to hang out, and then I got sorta hurt because of some different things that happened.

Then this summer we had a family camping trip at my house.
That's when God started answering some serious prayers. On that trip I met some very neat young people and started really connecting with some acquaintances. Sense then it's been a snow ball effect. God has put me in contact with tons of hard core christian teens who want to be warriors for God and storm the gates of hell.

I feel like I went to God asking for a cup full, and he backed up a tanker and hit me with it all at once.

I'd like to thank all those friends that have stood by me in the face of the enemy, pushed me under cover, pulled me into the fight, covered my back when I needed it. And just put up with me all the other times. :)

I know I'm not the best of friends sometimes(ok, a lot of the time) I'm horrible at returning letters and emails. I can be pretty annoying sometimes, Bossy others and a whole list of other things I've got to work on. But thank you so much for being willing to work with me on this stuff. (and by-the-way, don't feel bad about telling me to shut-up sometimes)

You have no idea how God has used all of you in my life, and all my blogging friends included. Even though I haven't met many of you I have been vary edified by what interaction we've had so far.
I look foreword to meeting you all some day.

I was thinking the other day, a lot of us don't really have much in common. I mean I'm a hard core hunter, love the outdoors, and am really crazy sometimes.
But there is one thing that binds us all together, and that's Christ. Having that in common is like no other thing that draws teens together. Because we get past the stage of friendship and move on to become like brothers and sisters.

I thank God every day for what he has done for me in this area.

So thanks again for being willing to be used by God in my life. And if it ever gets to be to much for you, just let me know and I'll find someone else to drive crazy. ;)

Ryan

P.S.
If you do email me or send me a letter and I don't get back with you right away, please forgive me.
It's not that I don't appreciate it, I'm just a jerk sometimes. :)