For almost two years, I have seen so much chaos with our young people.

Our courtrooms are filled to capacity with standing-room only.

The Probation Department is swamped with people on probation.

As I try to connect and minister to our young males, I can see the absence of the father. If they were involved more in the life of their child, my services would not be needed. Mentors would not be needed.

However, with the family breakdown, we all have to join in and help one another. It would be very nice to see more mentors giving up a little of their time to take a young man fishing, church and other positive activities.

But, the best thing is to see the fathers coming back to reclaim their responsibilities.

When you are doing the Lord’s work, Satan is not on vacation. He every once and a while raises his ugly head to do his evil work.

As the Bible says, “He is going to and fro seeking whom he may devour. He uses whatever tactics his character possess … deception, divisions, false accusations, lying and stealing.”

I thank God that he has said in his word, “No weapon formed against thee shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn.”

Isaiah 54:17, “If the Lord is for us, the Bible said he is more than the whole world against us.”

Sometimes we as people are quick to judge others, but the Bible tells us in Matthew 7:12, “Do not judge or you too will be judged. For the same measure you judge others, you will be judged and with the measure you use. It will be measured to you.”

Jesus tells us to examine our motives and conduct instead of judging others. The young men that I am dealing with deserve a second chance. Jesus went to sinners, tax collectors, the sick and afflicted. He did this to give them a second chance.

Almost two years now, only two have gone back into the justice system out of 25 to 30. A month ago, four graduated from Bainbridge High School, two are headed for the military and two are headed to college. The harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Jesus came to save the lost.

In the Gospel of Luke, the 15th Chapter, Jesus tells the parable of the lost sheep. The Pharisees and teachers of the law tried to trick and trap Jesus all of the time. Jesus could not be tricked because he was God’s only begotten Son.

A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.

He said suppose one of you had a 100 sheep and lost one of them. Does he not leave the 99 and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?

There will be rejoicing in Heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons who do not repent.

Jesus tells the story of the prodigal (lost) son. There was a man who had two sons. The younger son said to his tether, “Father, give me my share of the estate.”

So, he divided his property between them, Not long, the younger son got all he had and set off to a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country and the son began to be in need. He went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country who sent him to his field to feed the pigs. He longed to feed his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. When he came to his senses, he decided to return back to his father. While he was away off, his father saw him coming. He ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The older son got jealous and angry, but the father told the son, “You are always with me and everything I have is yours,”

But, my son was lost and now he is found. The father forgave his son just as God forgives us every day.

In Jesus’ story, the older brother represented the Pharisees. Everyone is not as fortunate as others, Our young men need love, prayer, forgiveness and hope. They need a second chance.

We all need a chance to correct our mistakes at one time or another. Jesus has already prepared the way and set His example: for us to follow.