It just doesn’t get any better than this…
Archives For January 2011
Next week, on February 6, our church is joining over 300 other churches to deal with one of the biggest issues that nobody wants to talk about – PORNOGRAPHY.
Now, I realize that by writing this post, I am virtually guaranteeing that my blog will be blocked by internet filters across thousands of Christian colleges, but I’m writing it anyway, hoping to convince you that this is a problem.
And it’s a problem in your church
Just look at the statistics:
- 40 million American adults regularly visit porn sites
- 4.7 million Americans visit porn sites in excess of 11 hours each week
- 1 out of every 6 women struggle with addiction to porn
- 57% of pastors say that addiction to pornography is the most damaging issue in their congregation
- 29% of Christian adults feel it acceptable to view pornography
- 47% of families say that online pornography is a problem in their home
- The average age a child first sees pornography is 11 years old
I can’t think of a single reason NOT to step in and do something about this elephant in the church. But I can think of 40 million reasons why you should.
To register (or even just get more information), click here.
Piers Morgan interviewed Kim Kardashian last night on CNN and asked her point-blank if she was aware of her financial worth. Her response was both candid and very interesting – “Whatever it is, I give 10% away to the church and that’s what I was taught. Every year, absolutely.”
When he turned the question to her sister, Kourtney, she responded, “I’m going to now. I was taught that too but I forgot about it.”
Many of us within the church fall into one of these two categories: we either give generously because, as we understand it, that’s what we’re supposed to do, OR we’re aware of the need, but typically don’t follow through.
I love Kourtney’s response though. I’m not sure whether it’s because she was on national television, or she genuinely forgot, but I’ll bet someone reports whether or not she began giving as a result of this show.
What do you think?
Are you a Kim or a Kourtney?
DISCLAIMER: I have no idea whether or not either of these girls are believers or not. I’m not holding either of them up as Christian role-models, but I found this aspect of their interview interesting, and perhaps, a little challenging.
President Obama released this statement on the 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade:
Today marks the 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that protects women’s health and reproductive freedom, and affirms a fundamental principle: that government should not intrude on private family matters.
I am committed to protecting this constitutional right. I also remain committed to policies, initiatives, and programs that help prevent unintended pregnancies, support pregnant women and mothers, encourage healthy relationships, and promote adoption.
And on this anniversary, I hope that we will recommit ourselves more broadly to ensuring that our daughters have the same rights, the same freedoms, and the same opportunities as our sons to fulfill their dreams.
What breaks my heart is that not only does this statement fail to speak of the tragedy of lives lost (over 1 in 5 pregnancies will end in abortion), but our President has affirmed this stance over and over.
His similar statement in 2009 prompted this video (an excerpt from John Piper’s sermon, “The Baby in my Womb Lept for Joy,” delivered January 25, 2009).
We can’t overemphasize the importance of getting this right, can we? The Good News of Jesus Christ is the message that we’re called to proclaim. There’s nothing more important than this. If we get this wrong, then every step of leadership, every program and activity that we lead out in is in vain.
But how do we know if we are preaching the same Gospel that Paul preached? John? Peter? How do we know if it’s the same Gospel that rocked the church during The Reformation? Or are we guilty of hijacking it? How can we know?
Answer this: What are you accused of?
To my mind, to answer this question, we must know how we are misperceived.
There is no better test as to whether a man is really preaching the New Testament gospel of salvation than this, that some people might misunderstand it and misinterpret it to mean that it really amounts to this, that because you are saved by grace alone it does not matter at all what you do; you can go on sinning as much as you like because it will redound all the more to the glory of grace. If my preaching and presentation of the gospel of salvation does not expose it to that misunderstanding, then it is not the gospel. (D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones as quoted by Chuck Swindoll in The Grace Awakening)
Has false criticism ever been this helpful?
HT: Adrian Warnock
I love this promo that The History Channel ran a few years ago. Today is about so much more than a day off from work.
Look around you today. Remember that you’re living the dream he spoke of.
What are you willing to sacrifice in order to see your dreams become reality?
This morning at Crossroads, I shared several books that I have read (or am reading) about marriage. I wasn’t prepared for the level of interest, so I felt it best to post these online with links for online purchase.
Click here to order Reforming Marriage from Amazon.com
Click here to order God, Marriage, and Family from Amazon.com
Click here to order The Exemplary Husband from Amazon.com
Click here to order The Excellent Wife from Amazon.com
Click here to order What Did Your Expect?? from Amazon.com
Click here to order When Sinners Say “I Do”* from Amazon.com
*This book is mandatory in any pre-marital counseling situation with me.
[For more information on how I do pre-marital counseling, check out my FREE eBook)
Click here to order Love & Respect from Amazon.com
Click here to order Created to be his Help Meet from Amazon.com
What books am I missing? Share your favorites in the comments!
