The purpose of this book is to encourage and provide pragmatic wisdom for living to two groups of believers: 1) those who come from a “bad background” (of any kind), and find themselves not fitting in to most American Christian fellowship microcultures, and 2) those believers who are leading Christian ministries that are invading the enemy’s space. The first group, believers with a “bad background,” have the advantage of relying on the Holy Spirit to grow and will find Him fully adequate. Many Christian fellowships, at least in the United States, are unable to respond to believers from outside their microculture. They don’t know what they don’t know, as a civilian does not know the experience of war. So expecting answers from those that don’t have them is futile. The second group, believers who are leading ministries that are invading the enemy’s space, may recognize useful tactics to encourage themselves, decrease susceptibility to the enemy’s discouragement, and perhaps gain a sense that they are not alone or ignored.
This book relies heavily on Bible scripture, providing experiential notes on walking in the Spirit while experiencing internal and external conflicts (wars). It exemplifies how to unwrap comfort and food in the Word, how to identify and duck incoming destructive things, how to build boundaries and exercise the right to live in them and maintain them, how to dress the mind, will, and emotions like a successful spiritual soldier to stay alive and win that which we have been called to (Philippians 3:12). Like any soldier in combat, this walk validates the use of strong and continual spiritual nourishment (rations; John 15:10) to harden one to difficulties, survive and become a strong follower of Jesus—an overcoming, battle-hardened, and merciful follower of Jesus.
Photo by Jane Elliott McCormack
Jean DeHaven was born on a farm that she described as a “prison camp” for the family. Physical and mental abuse was constant. Sexual abuse was intermittent. But her family church gave her Sunday school lessons, and at the age of nine, a Bible. She made choices based on those lessons and her reading, deciding not to kill, not to acquiesce all her mind and will to her abuser’s control. They could and did still rule her body, but in her mind, she adamantly held onto the evidence of a Creator, His interest in humanity, and the hope that she might qualify for His attention because she was human. Her adventure in coming to know Jesus as a teenager fueled that hope.
Her writing expresses the principles she developed over time, in leaving the farm, getting a Bachelor’s degree in General Studies, enduring church splits, and being ignored or rejected by the religious. She got a Master’s degree in immunology and microbiology, but in the process, she kept finding herself alone, without a church but with the Word, as she followed what she believed was God’s leading. 1 John 2:20,27 was manifested in her life. Up to this point, Jean has shared her writing with a handful of trusted friends. Their encouragement that Battle Cry could be a great value to others has prompted this book.
A passive person won’t even complete a project, but a
passionate
person makes good use of his time, wealth, and energy.”
—Proverbs
12:27 (TPT)