Can I weep now...and will never hold my peace.

Hey all. Okay, it is time for me to stand on the “soap box” and shout from the depths of my lungs how saddened I am with how “adultery” and “pornography” have grown to be accepted as a part of “normal” life. Okay, yes, I do realize this is nothing new. Sodomy, pedophilia and incest were common back in the Old Testament days up to today. Two cities and all surrounding were destroyed to ashes because of their immoral acts. (Genesis 19) Sometimes I think we lesson the damage by saying, “It’s no different, it has always been around.” As if I am getting up in the morning and pouring myself a glass of lemonade to quench my thirst. The problem is….the thirst is never quenched when we drink of immorality.

I heard an advertisement today that one of the morning shows would be having an author on who wrote a book, stating “Cheating was good for a marriage.” I totally stood there with my mouth open. The day before I sat at my computer and goggled a Texas Map to locate a county. A family in the Burleson area had just found out their son was diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and they were at a loss as to what and where to go for help. As I clicked on the “Texas map” site a page full of pornographic photos of girls appeared. When I closed the window another one appeared. Four pages later…..

I voiced my sorrow and deep concern with Matt, sharing my thoughts that no wonder men, and even women find themselves in the throws of pornography and infidelity. Our age of technology allows people to post a link that has “hidden” links to vulgar sites that you are unaware of until it appears on your screen. How easy to be shocked and then even tempted to continue looking. Then the mind wanders believing they can enhance their relationship by looking at these photos to the point of destroying relationships…families….even their very life.

It is true, pornography and sexual immorality have been around for AGES. It has just been made more assessable and easier to sink into that lifestyle…in the confines of your home, hotel room, dorm room….

Then to have someone write that it is GOOD for a marriage? I honestly thought I was going to hurl, to use a term from the eighties.

I have a young son and daughter. My prayer and desire is that Joshua would grow to adore the young lady he will marry. To not see her as an object that is used for mere pleasure and satisfying the “animal”, but that he would love her as Christ does. That he would love her with deep passion and compassion. That he would “sacrifice” for her…that she would be his queen. I pray that Faith would see herself as the daughter and princess that God created her to be, that her counterpart (as we pray for him) will see her beauty and view her as precious, not something to be conquered, but someone to be embraced and from that embrace pours out intense love and respect for him. That both my children would have that Christ love that is “selfless”. (Ephesians 5)

Something I would challenge you with is that you begin today to pray for your children’s counterparts. No matter if your children are just toddlers, begin now. Pray for their protection. Ask God to guide their footsteps that they would come to know Him and grow in HIM with integrity, discernment and Godly character. That He would give them the strength to withstand the intense peer pressures and pressures of the world. Pray this also for your children. It is NEVER too late to lay our kids at the throne of Grace.

For those who may be trapped in the pit of pornography...there is hope, He can pull you out. If you find yourself in that pit please know that we are not here to judge you. You can contact our counseling center at New Hope Community Church at 330.601.0419 or 419.994.1112 Everything is confidential.

Psalm 69:1,2,15-16
God, God, save me! I'm in over my head, Quicksand under me, swamp water over me; I'm going down for the third time. Rescue me from the swamp, Don't let me go under for good, Pull me out of the clutch of the enemy; This whirlpool is sucking me down. Don't let the swamp be my grave, the Black Hole Swallow me, its jaws clenched around me. 16 Now answer me, God, because you love me; Let me see your great mercy full-face.

Ephesians 5:1,2,16
Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.

Wake up from your sleep, Climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light!So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!