The man approached the bank teller with confidence.
He handed him a crisp bill with Lincoln's face on it.
Man: Hi. I'd like to get change for this.
Teller: Will five ones do, or do you need quarters as well?
Man: No, I'd like 14 twenties, and 7 Susan B. Anthonys.
Teller: What? This is a $5.
Man: No, it's a $287 bill.
Teller: There's no such thing!
Man: But there should be!
Teller: And yet there isn't!
Man: *Grabbing a pen* There is now...pass over my Susan B. Anthonys!
Teller: Just because you write "287" on it and cross out the "5" doesn't make it a $287 bill.
Man: Sure looks that way to me! What gives you the right to decide?
Teller: This is a $5 bill. That's what the U.S. Treasury intended it to be. No more, no less. I don't make the rules, Sir. I don't have to like the rules, but I do have to comply.
Man: But I would be a lot happier if this was a $287 bill! Why don't you want me to be happy?
Teller: I'd like for you to be happy, Sir. I just would like for you to be happy with a $5 bill.
Man: You bankers and your rules! If you all would just relax, we could all have our own way and be happier. What do you care if this bill is a $5 bill or a $287 bill? It doesn't affect you. You wouldn't be giving me your own personal money as change; it would be the bank's.
Teller: If everyone made their $5 bills into $287 bills, inflation would make the $287 bill the new $5 bill. We wouldn't accomplish anything but driving prices higher. And I don't know about you, but I don't want things to cost more. I'd have to live in the world you created, which isn't the way things were intended to be. That's how it affects me.
Man: You're so hateful and judgmental!
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Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Over the Edge(r) - Guest Post for Chad Jones
So I took a few weeks off.
A few weeks is another way to say "a month", and it sounds so much better.
Let's all celebrate by going over to Chad Jones' site to read my guest post for him. He asked me to write about anger. This made me mad.
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Performing for the Hidden Camera You're Sure Your Pastor Installed
I'm extra holy on Sundays.
My wife just put her head on my shoulder...do people think she's asleep? Worse, do they think we're making out? I'd better put my arm up on the seat so folks can see the wedding ring. That'll take some of the curse off it.
I drive the speed limit. I let others merge. I hold the door for old ladies.
Why?
I'm very aware that I'm being watched.
That's why everyone else comes to church, isn't it? To judge me and my holiness?
I think our pastor even had a camera installed in the sanctuary. He checks the instant replay after the sermon to see if I was behaving this week.
He doesn't know it, but I'm on to him.
When I pull out my phone and load the Bible app, I tilt it toward the ceiling a bit so he can see I'm not just playing Angry Birds or Words With Friends. I only do that during baby dedications.
Time for some worship. Yes! The metrosexual worship leader is doing all Matt Redman songs! I'll just close my eyes and show off how I know all the words by heart.
Am I singing too loud?
Here comes the sermon. Time to bring my A-game. Uh-oh. Did he see my head bob just now during that genealogy? I'd better sit up straighter so I stay awake and he'll know I have good posture.
Maybe a hard candy will help me stay focused. Careful with the wrapper...careful! Whew, got through that one without so much as a peep. But did anyone see it? I hope not.
Maybe a hard candy will help me stay focused. Careful with the wrapper...careful! Whew, got through that one without so much as a peep. But did anyone see it? I hope not.
My wife just put her head on my shoulder...do people think she's asleep? Worse, do they think we're making out? I'd better put my arm up on the seat so folks can see the wedding ring. That'll take some of the curse off it.
Well, that was a good sermon. I think I did pretty well. I even tweeted a few verses so my Bible study leader will know I made it to church this week. Before we leave, I think I'll clean up some discarded bulletins and straighten a few chairs.
Time to head out for lunch with the family...
"Hi, Dad!"
"Hi, Ricky. How was church? What was the sermon about?"
"Not doing your righteous deeds in front of others just to impress them."
Do you act differently on Sundays?
Is your pastor a super secret stalker?
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The Gift
 |
| Evan after he's had his coffee. |
My son, my son.
We waited for you for years. We asked God when He would give you to us.
He said, "Wait."
We went to the doctor.
He said, "If you give me lots of money."
We did.
God said, "Not yet."
We were sad.
Your mom wanted to hold you. I wanted to throw a baseball with you.
The doctor said, "You can't."
We were sad.
Then came Christmas. That's when we found out you were on your way!
As I sit here rocking you to sleep in our squeaky armchair, I am overwhelmed by how wonderful you are.
I love you. And you remind me of how much my heavenly Father loves me.
And maybe someday he'll give you someone as special as he gave me.
God, never let me take this for granted.
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You're Not Done
Every time I hear him speak, I'm reminded why I love Donald Miller so much.
I was watching a snippet from his Catalyst session, and was floored when I heard him say:
I remember one time a friend had messed up royally. We're not talking small beans here. We're talking - "Hey, I know that guy...why's his mug shot on the news?!?"
He called me the next morning. He was bawling his eyes out, and kept repeating, "It's all over. I've let Him down. It's all over."
I reminded him of David's story.
But God wasn't.
God restored David. Renewed His covenant with him. Then He called him a "man after My own heart".
As I told my friend that day...
It's not over until He says it is.
When has God restored you?
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I was watching a snippet from his Catalyst session, and was floored when I heard him say:
"There's a good chance that you blew it so bad that the Church can no longer use you.This is a great reminder that God's grace isn't a one-time, use-it-or-lose-it deal. And yet we lose sight of this and think we're finished.
God can. And God will."
I remember one time a friend had messed up royally. We're not talking small beans here. We're talking - "Hey, I know that guy...why's his mug shot on the news?!?"
He called me the next morning. He was bawling his eyes out, and kept repeating, "It's all over. I've let Him down. It's all over."
I reminded him of David's story.
Liar.He was done.
Adulterer.
Murderer.
But God wasn't.
God restored David. Renewed His covenant with him. Then He called him a "man after My own heart".
As I told my friend that day...
It's not over until He says it is.
When has God restored you?
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E.T.
I have a guest post up today at Matt Cannon's site. You should check it out because he's bigger than you.
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I was watching a PBS special a while back about aliens. The scientific phrase is 'extraterrestrial life'.
A scientist was explaining why they're so desperately looking for exterrestial life:
We spend all this time telling our kids that they're special. Then they grow up and spend their careers trying to prove they're not.
Why?
I think it's because we all know what being special implies. Being special means extra care was taken. Being special means being set apart. Being special implies intent. Intent implies a Creator.
Uh-oh. Better not be special, then.
This scientist's desire was to kill God and strip Him of the glory of His masterpiece creation.
I don't know about you, but I'm glad I'm special!
.
---
I was watching a PBS special a while back about aliens. The scientific phrase is 'extraterrestrial life'.
A scientist was explaining why they're so desperately looking for exterrestial life:
"We'll know were not astronomically special, not biologically special, and not intellectually special."Wow.
We spend all this time telling our kids that they're special. Then they grow up and spend their careers trying to prove they're not.
Why?
I think it's because we all know what being special implies. Being special means extra care was taken. Being special means being set apart. Being special implies intent. Intent implies a Creator.
Uh-oh. Better not be special, then.
This scientist's desire was to kill God and strip Him of the glory of His masterpiece creation.
I don't know about you, but I'm glad I'm special!
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Open Letters, Part 4
Dear Mr. Christian,
What are you forgetting?
I'll give you some hints.
You didn't misplace your keys.
You didn't leave the stove on.
You didn't leave the stove on.
You didn't skip the mortgage payment.
Relax, you didn't do any of these things.
But...
But...
What about Christ? Are you forgetting Him?
He died for you. He loves you so much He'd rather die than go to heaven without you. Have you forgotten this?
Christ is who you get your namesake from. He is who you're supposedly modeling your life after. He told you to do some things that you haven't remembered.
Do you?
How can you expect those who do not claim to have Christ to live according to the principles of those who do? They can't understand why Christ's way is better. They have to be shown.
You know what He said to do. And yet you run around causing fights and resentment. You spread lies without a second thought of the truth.
Maybe you should do what you're told.
Then, and only then, will others look to you and your life as an example of something they want in their lives.
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Failure
What are you most afraid of?
For me, it's failure.
I don't like doing something simply for the sake of being busy. If I'm actually going to begin something, my intentions are to finish it and have a feeling of accomplishment and pride when I'm through.
However, I know that I make mistakes. I know that I'm not the smartest or most talented guy around. I know things don't always work out. I know life sometimes gets in the way. These thoughts lurk at the back of my mind like old cobwebs.
So I find myself all too frequently not starting what I know I should. I don't lead where I'm called to because I'm afraid I won't be an adequate leader. I don't innovate and show initiative as much as I should because I'm afraid I'll fall flat on my face while doing so.
I like being comfortable. I am good at finding niches and squirming my way firmly into them, sometimes for good. I don't want the empowerment and attention that come with success because I fear the shame and embarrassment that come with failure.
We always hear the story of the servant with five talents. He made five more and was rewarded by his master. But was the reward given in response to the success or the willingness to step outside the servant's comfort zone? If he had invested the five talents and lost everything, would the master have rewarded him still?
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Open Letters, Part 3
Dear Mr. Atheist,
Why do you care?
If you've got it all figured out, good for you. If you've spent your life searching for truth, and the truth you've found is nothing, then why are you still searching?
Why are you upset at God if He doesn't exist? Why are you incensed when someone else admits their own weakness and accepts the eternal help of someone greater than themselves?
Why do you need to convince everyone else you're right? Do you enjoy the tiny infusion of smugness you feel in your small, calloused heart when you use science and logic you yourself do not completely understand to 'win' a debate with someone less 'enlightened' than yourself?
Why don't you just call it a day and hit the golf course?
I think you can't let it go because you're a liar. You're lying to yourself when you proudly proclaim, "I've got it all figured out!"
I'm not suggesting you blindly accept the next brand of religion that's sold at your front door next Saturday. I'm simply suggesting if the best your equation can come up with is null, than you should probably reevaluate the variables and assumptions you're working with.
At least agnostics are honest.
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Things I'm Still Amazed By
Phones - Technology is nothing new to me. I'm no stranger to server administration, hardware configuration, and the art of user wrangling. However, I still experienced a quick moment of awe a while back when speaking to my brother on the phone. He was in Alaska, in the middle of nowhere, and I was on my mobile, flying down the interstate (hands-free, of course). I will always be amazed that we can have real-time conversations with others halfway around the world.
Grace - Grace is illogical. By its very definition, you don't deserve it. Yet, there are many examples every day of encounters with the grace of others. The biggest example is from God, but the real question is how many examples are from you, given to others?
Planes - I've had them explained to me many times, but the concept of turning a hunk of metal into a pretend bird still boggles my mind. I'm always afraid the law of gravity will wake up during one of my flights, and remember that we should be going down, not up. This is why I don't sit by the window on flights. It feels safer.
Confidence - I'm timid in almost everything I do. People on the opposite end of the spectrum, however, amaze me. You, oh person with abounding confidence, never seem wrong. You're comfortable in any situation. This characteristic alone will move you up the ladder at work, get you out of speeding tickets and make that girl of your dreams say "Yes!". The rest of us have to earn it. You assume it.
Accountants - I've worked with them for 7 years now, and I still don't understand 'em. How anyone can sit in a box and count someone else's money for giggles is beyond me. Weirdos.
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Grace - Grace is illogical. By its very definition, you don't deserve it. Yet, there are many examples every day of encounters with the grace of others. The biggest example is from God, but the real question is how many examples are from you, given to others?
Planes - I've had them explained to me many times, but the concept of turning a hunk of metal into a pretend bird still boggles my mind. I'm always afraid the law of gravity will wake up during one of my flights, and remember that we should be going down, not up. This is why I don't sit by the window on flights. It feels safer.
Confidence - I'm timid in almost everything I do. People on the opposite end of the spectrum, however, amaze me. You, oh person with abounding confidence, never seem wrong. You're comfortable in any situation. This characteristic alone will move you up the ladder at work, get you out of speeding tickets and make that girl of your dreams say "Yes!". The rest of us have to earn it. You assume it.
Accountants - I've worked with them for 7 years now, and I still don't understand 'em. How anyone can sit in a box and count someone else's money for giggles is beyond me. Weirdos.
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What About the Christmas Carolers?
Our pastor recently told us we shouldn't worry about the commercialization of Christmas. He said we should instead worry about maintaining old traditions and creating our own, as long as those traditions help to convey the true reason for Christmas, Jesus Christ.
This is all well and good, but what should I to do about the Christmas Carolers?
I haven't seen any in years, but you probably remember them - the random group of intrepid vocalists who brave the cold to spread the Christmas cheer - right to your front door.
I don't know about you, but this makes for an awkward situation if I'm answering the door. What am I supposed to do? What exactly is expected of me in this situation?
The doorbell rings, and standing on my porch are several shivering sopranos. Their smiles are frozen in place; their eyes are gleaming with hope and excitement.
I have several options at this point, and I don't care for any of them (the options, not the carolers...necessarily):
I can ignore them. Never answer the door, and stare at them out the peephole until they wander away in the snow. I'll watch the news a few days later to see if they've been found.
I can answer the door, and watch uncomfortably from the doorway. I don't know how long this will take. How many songs will they sing? Should I clap? While I'm standing there, all the cold air will come inside, and I might have to cut the warblers short to run back to the fireplace and warm up with a hot toddy. Don't make me choose between being rude and being warm!
I can answer the door, and step out onto the porch with the group so I can close the door behind me. While this leaves my house warmer, it leaves me colder. Plus, it adds another level of social awkwardness - what do I do while I'm out there? Do I join in? This might ruin the evening for everyone. The carolers might run away in fear. Of course, if they're singing 'Fa-la-la-la-la', while they're still running, this could be amusing. I could have my wife secretly filming from the living room...
If I don't join in while I'm outside listening politely, what do I do when they're finished? Do we all stand around and smile until I retreat back inside? Do they shuffle away quietly, and later I'll wonder if they were really even there? Do I tip them? Do I tip in cash or cookies? What kinds of cookies are acceptable? Do they have to be Christmas cookies? Is caroling the Christmas equivalent of trick-or-treating?
Hmmm...I wonder if my wife made cookies?
This is all well and good, but what should I to do about the Christmas Carolers?
I haven't seen any in years, but you probably remember them - the random group of intrepid vocalists who brave the cold to spread the Christmas cheer - right to your front door.
I don't know about you, but this makes for an awkward situation if I'm answering the door. What am I supposed to do? What exactly is expected of me in this situation?
The doorbell rings, and standing on my porch are several shivering sopranos. Their smiles are frozen in place; their eyes are gleaming with hope and excitement.
I have several options at this point, and I don't care for any of them (the options, not the carolers...necessarily):
I can ignore them. Never answer the door, and stare at them out the peephole until they wander away in the snow. I'll watch the news a few days later to see if they've been found.
I can answer the door, and watch uncomfortably from the doorway. I don't know how long this will take. How many songs will they sing? Should I clap? While I'm standing there, all the cold air will come inside, and I might have to cut the warblers short to run back to the fireplace and warm up with a hot toddy. Don't make me choose between being rude and being warm!
I can answer the door, and step out onto the porch with the group so I can close the door behind me. While this leaves my house warmer, it leaves me colder. Plus, it adds another level of social awkwardness - what do I do while I'm out there? Do I join in? This might ruin the evening for everyone. The carolers might run away in fear. Of course, if they're singing 'Fa-la-la-la-la', while they're still running, this could be amusing. I could have my wife secretly filming from the living room...
If I don't join in while I'm outside listening politely, what do I do when they're finished? Do we all stand around and smile until I retreat back inside? Do they shuffle away quietly, and later I'll wonder if they were really even there? Do I tip them? Do I tip in cash or cookies? What kinds of cookies are acceptable? Do they have to be Christmas cookies? Is caroling the Christmas equivalent of trick-or-treating?
Hmmm...I wonder if my wife made cookies?
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
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Willfully Ignorant and Obnoxious Christians
I have several relatives that insist on sending me every piece of 'Christian' propaganda garbage they can find on the Internet.
And to these loved ones, I want to say:
No, your emails of lies have not convinced me our new President is the anti-Christ.
No, your emails of lies have not convinced me to sign a petition so Jesus won't be portrayed as homosexual in a new movie.
No, I will not forward your cute, non-Scriptural, warm-fuzzy-filled email on to 16 people in the next 8 minutes to prove I love God. No, not even if you include the animated puppies and angels and size 72 pink flashing text.
No, our world will not be turned upside down by the removal of "In God We Trust" from the quarter.
No, you are not doing the world a favor or fulfilling the Great Commission by forwarding these alarmist and mostly false messages to all your AOL contacts.
My usual method of dealing with these stupid yet dangerous annoyances is to reply with a link to Snopes that sheds light on the lie. This doesn't always work.
One family member responded to my clarification by saying, "Oh well, I still forward things that will get someone to talk to God because that is never bad."
So even when you're wrong, you're right? This brings Proverbs 26:5 to my mind.
As for the lies, read Proverbs 12:22. While you're at it, check out Exodus 20:16.
The mindset of sounding the alarm and spreading the word regardless of logic or reason or fact is foreign to me. Christians who partake in and propagate these scams are why nonbelievers are justified when they look at us and think, "I do not want to be like that."
Think about it: are you doing more harm than good by forwarding that email? Proverbs 14:15 says you should at least have a coherent thought about it before passing it on.
A good start to spreading God's Word is to stop spreading substitutes.
So here's a test: I didn't link any of the Scripture I referenced above to the source. Did you check up on me? If you did, you're one of the few.
The delete button should now be your friend.
Go, and send no more.
__
And to these loved ones, I want to say:
No, your emails of lies have not convinced me our new President is the anti-Christ.
No, your emails of lies have not convinced me to sign a petition so Jesus won't be portrayed as homosexual in a new movie.
No, I will not forward your cute, non-Scriptural, warm-fuzzy-filled email on to 16 people in the next 8 minutes to prove I love God. No, not even if you include the animated puppies and angels and size 72 pink flashing text.
No, our world will not be turned upside down by the removal of "In God We Trust" from the quarter.
No, you are not doing the world a favor or fulfilling the Great Commission by forwarding these alarmist and mostly false messages to all your AOL contacts.
My usual method of dealing with these stupid yet dangerous annoyances is to reply with a link to Snopes that sheds light on the lie. This doesn't always work.
One family member responded to my clarification by saying, "Oh well, I still forward things that will get someone to talk to God because that is never bad."
So even when you're wrong, you're right? This brings Proverbs 26:5 to my mind.
As for the lies, read Proverbs 12:22. While you're at it, check out Exodus 20:16.
The mindset of sounding the alarm and spreading the word regardless of logic or reason or fact is foreign to me. Christians who partake in and propagate these scams are why nonbelievers are justified when they look at us and think, "I do not want to be like that."
Think about it: are you doing more harm than good by forwarding that email? Proverbs 14:15 says you should at least have a coherent thought about it before passing it on.
A good start to spreading God's Word is to stop spreading substitutes.
So here's a test: I didn't link any of the Scripture I referenced above to the source. Did you check up on me? If you did, you're one of the few.
The delete button should now be your friend.
Go, and send no more.
__
What I'm Thankful For
It's that time of year again. The leaves have turned color, and the temperature is dropping.
This prompts us to remember the warmth and fun of summer, and regret we took it for granted and spent it at the office.
To protect against repeating this failure, we take a long weekend to think about all we've been blessed with, and give thanks. We stuff ourselves silly and stare in a stupor at the football game on our big screens. Then we sleep it off and go max out the credit cards, buying every shiny bit of stupid we can get our chubby fingers on.
I want this year to be different. I want to remember what I'm thankful for and dwell on it a bit.
So here it is:
What I'm Thankful For:
Friends and family - We've all had a tough year, it seems. No one was exempt this time around. But while it was a rocky road, the journey has been worth it. We've all banded together. We've helped each other through, and we're all closer for it. Thank you.
The Internet - Ahh, The Internet. What would we do without it? Actually drive to the store? Talk to the bank teller? Write letters? Rent videos? No thanks! Umm, I mean...thanks!
Cars - Faster than horses and cleaner, too. I'm glad my generation got to skip that whole "pick up horse poop" bit. Thank you.
Chips and Salsa - Thank you, Pace. You make the evening lull between getting off work and eating dinner that much better. You may be thick, but you are also chunky. Thank you.
My Server Room - It's hot in there. It's packed to the ceiling with old junk. It has the Linux Box From Hell. But you know what? It's quiet. There are no users in there. Thank you!
Grace - The wages of sin are death, and I'm a sinner. I'm helpless to do anything about my eternal condition on my own. Heck, I can't even drive to the mall without my GPS. God made Heaven, and then set the price of admission at "being perfect". Sounded like a bum deal and a place for elitists until I realized no one else can get in, either. But wait - God just paid my admission and invited me in! Why? He's holy, I'm not, and He loves me. Thank You!
Baseball - I know I'm the only one left who loves it, but I don't care. All the guys at work complain that it's 'slow'. But they're accountants and golfers, so who are they to talk? Don't worry, Baseball - I appreciate you. Thanks.
Christmas - I know, it's Thanksgiving and I'm jumping the gun. I'll agree with you that the stores put Christmas stuff out way too early. I'll agree with you my neighbors shouldn't have decked out their homes in lights two whole weeks ago. But what I'm not telling you is my dirty little secret: I've been listening to Christmas music in my car since June and can't wait until Black Friday when I can go nuts with all things Christmas, guilt free. Thank you, Christmas!
So, what are YOU thankful for?
Happy Thanksgiving!
This prompts us to remember the warmth and fun of summer, and regret we took it for granted and spent it at the office.
To protect against repeating this failure, we take a long weekend to think about all we've been blessed with, and give thanks. We stuff ourselves silly and stare in a stupor at the football game on our big screens. Then we sleep it off and go max out the credit cards, buying every shiny bit of stupid we can get our chubby fingers on.
I want this year to be different. I want to remember what I'm thankful for and dwell on it a bit.
So here it is:
What I'm Thankful For:
Friends and family - We've all had a tough year, it seems. No one was exempt this time around. But while it was a rocky road, the journey has been worth it. We've all banded together. We've helped each other through, and we're all closer for it. Thank you.
The Internet - Ahh, The Internet. What would we do without it? Actually drive to the store? Talk to the bank teller? Write letters? Rent videos? No thanks! Umm, I mean...thanks!
Cars - Faster than horses and cleaner, too. I'm glad my generation got to skip that whole "pick up horse poop" bit. Thank you.
Chips and Salsa - Thank you, Pace. You make the evening lull between getting off work and eating dinner that much better. You may be thick, but you are also chunky. Thank you.
My Server Room - It's hot in there. It's packed to the ceiling with old junk. It has the Linux Box From Hell. But you know what? It's quiet. There are no users in there. Thank you!
Grace - The wages of sin are death, and I'm a sinner. I'm helpless to do anything about my eternal condition on my own. Heck, I can't even drive to the mall without my GPS. God made Heaven, and then set the price of admission at "being perfect". Sounded like a bum deal and a place for elitists until I realized no one else can get in, either. But wait - God just paid my admission and invited me in! Why? He's holy, I'm not, and He loves me. Thank You!
Baseball - I know I'm the only one left who loves it, but I don't care. All the guys at work complain that it's 'slow'. But they're accountants and golfers, so who are they to talk? Don't worry, Baseball - I appreciate you. Thanks.
Christmas - I know, it's Thanksgiving and I'm jumping the gun. I'll agree with you that the stores put Christmas stuff out way too early. I'll agree with you my neighbors shouldn't have decked out their homes in lights two whole weeks ago. But what I'm not telling you is my dirty little secret: I've been listening to Christmas music in my car since June and can't wait until Black Friday when I can go nuts with all things Christmas, guilt free. Thank you, Christmas!
So, what are YOU thankful for?
Happy Thanksgiving!
Exposed: What Every Christian Should Know About Pornography
Addiction: "The devotion or surrendering of oneself to something habitually or obsessively; persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful" - Merriam Webster Dictionary
Our culture is addicted to pornography.
Did you know: 53% of Christian men consume pornography? 33% of women consume pornography? 47% of Christians say pornography is a major problem in their home? With stats like these, how could you not know?
Let's dig deeper:
53% of pastors have visited porn sites in the past year. 4 in 10 looked at pornography today. This shows pornographic addiction can seep its way into any home, even in the Christian community. This means that, statistically, if you get even a small group of fellow Christians together, porn is an issue for at least one person you know. It may even be you.
Pornography is the sin we don't talk about. We hide it, we sweep it under the rug. 30% of afflicted Christians have never talked to anyone about their addiction. Pornography is prevalent, damaging, and yet often overlooked. Many people are afraid to admit they have a sinful addiction of any kind, especially when they believe they are alone in their struggle. Awareness is key.
Brian Mc Ginness wasn't a pastor, but he was addicted to pornography. He tried to fight it, but soon it was "taking over" his life. "I would find ways to arrange my schedule to view porn", he says.
At a church event, Brian witnessed another man telling his own story of pornography addiction. Brian could relate, and sought help after the event. He even came clean to his wife. "I was done with this controlling my life." Brian now works for XXXChurch, an online community helping men and women break the chains of pornographic addiction.
XXXChurch has resources for everyone. The site is broken down into categories (teens, parents, men, women, couples and pastors). Available resources include books, videos, and programs, all designed to deal directly with pornographic addiction.
XXXChurch also has a program called X3 Watch. X3 Watch is accountability software that sends reports to your accountability partners and lets them know if you have visited any questionable sites. Additionally, the site features a 30 day program called X3 Pure that is an online class, complete with videos and filtering software.
Remember, God looks at the heart. He defines adultery as looking lustfully (Matthew 5:27-28). It's not a harmless habit, it's a destructive sin.
The Bible says "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
So let's start being honest about pornography.
If you or someone you know wants help breaking the cycle of pornographic addiction, please talk to your pastor or go to http://www.xxxchurch.com.
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Special thanks to my gorgeous wife Jana, who helped me write this.
Thanks also to Brian Mc Ginness of XXXChurch, who answered all my questions without hesitation. His openness and honesty in shedding light on this topic is greatly appreciated.
Our culture is addicted to pornography.
Did you know: 53% of Christian men consume pornography? 33% of women consume pornography? 47% of Christians say pornography is a major problem in their home? With stats like these, how could you not know?
Let's dig deeper:
53% of pastors have visited porn sites in the past year. 4 in 10 looked at pornography today. This shows pornographic addiction can seep its way into any home, even in the Christian community. This means that, statistically, if you get even a small group of fellow Christians together, porn is an issue for at least one person you know. It may even be you.
Pornography is the sin we don't talk about. We hide it, we sweep it under the rug. 30% of afflicted Christians have never talked to anyone about their addiction. Pornography is prevalent, damaging, and yet often overlooked. Many people are afraid to admit they have a sinful addiction of any kind, especially when they believe they are alone in their struggle. Awareness is key.
Brian Mc Ginness wasn't a pastor, but he was addicted to pornography. He tried to fight it, but soon it was "taking over" his life. "I would find ways to arrange my schedule to view porn", he says.
At a church event, Brian witnessed another man telling his own story of pornography addiction. Brian could relate, and sought help after the event. He even came clean to his wife. "I was done with this controlling my life." Brian now works for XXXChurch, an online community helping men and women break the chains of pornographic addiction.
XXXChurch has resources for everyone. The site is broken down into categories (teens, parents, men, women, couples and pastors). Available resources include books, videos, and programs, all designed to deal directly with pornographic addiction.
XXXChurch also has a program called X3 Watch. X3 Watch is accountability software that sends reports to your accountability partners and lets them know if you have visited any questionable sites. Additionally, the site features a 30 day program called X3 Pure that is an online class, complete with videos and filtering software.
Remember, God looks at the heart. He defines adultery as looking lustfully (Matthew 5:27-28). It's not a harmless habit, it's a destructive sin.
The Bible says "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
So let's start being honest about pornography.
If you or someone you know wants help breaking the cycle of pornographic addiction, please talk to your pastor or go to http://www.xxxchurch.com.
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Special thanks to my gorgeous wife Jana, who helped me write this.
Thanks also to Brian Mc Ginness of XXXChurch, who answered all my questions without hesitation. His openness and honesty in shedding light on this topic is greatly appreciated.
Mrs. Jones
I used to be in Bible Club in middle school. I was even the president of the club one year. I was a model student and a goodie-two-shoes to boot. Every Wednesday, I'd stay after school and read my Bible with five or six others. If we were feeling a bit rowdy, we'd listen to D.C. Talk.
Then came my eighth grade year. I decided I was going to get in trouble and not care. I became too cool for my former Christian friends. I went against everything I had been taught and believed in.
Enter Mrs. Jones, my English teacher. She was a quiet, polite and mild-mannered lady. She always wore her long salt-and-pepper hair pulled straight back in a simple pony tail. Colorful business suits and too much lipstick.
She quickly became my target.
I loved to act up in class and make the other kids laugh. Having a pushover for an English teacher only encouraged me.
I'd cause scenes daily - throwing things, making comments, pulling pranks. I thought I had her figured out. I was full of myself and didn't mind the occasional reprimand she meted out.
There was one thing I didn't count on.
Mrs. Jones was a Christian. She was the new sponsor of the Bible Club, which met every Wednesday after school.
Partway through the year, her choice of punishments changed a bit. Rather than assign extra homework or sending me to chat with the principal, she'd make me stay after school for detention.
I thought this was great. It's far easier to sit and stare at a wall for a bit than to write a paper. I was winning.
I started to notice a pattern, though. The majority of my detentions were awarded on Wednesdays. It's hard to sit in the same room with your former Christian friends and not feel awkward. I'd sit on the other side of the room and ignore them, then bolt for the door the second the required amount of time had elapsed.
Soon, I was in detention each and every Wednesday. I quickly learned to behave. This did nothing to relax the relentless Bible studies, though. Mrs. Jones gave me detention whether I deserved it or not!
Each week, everyone in the study politely asked me to join them. Each week, I sullenly declined.
Mrs. Jones was winning.
I stayed after one non-Wednesday to have it out with Mrs. Jones.
"I know what you're doing," I accused. "Why are you forcing me to come to the Bible studies?"
"I know you," she responded.
"What do you mean?" I retorted. "You know nothing about me!"
"I know you used to go to the Bible Club. I know your friends have been praying for you all year. I know they miss you. I know this childish behavior you antagonize me with isn't who you really are. I know you miss them and want to join them again, but feel like you've ruined your chance. Take it from me, they'd love to have you back. The real you, that is."
Mrs. Jones won.
Thanks, Mrs. Jones.
Then came my eighth grade year. I decided I was going to get in trouble and not care. I became too cool for my former Christian friends. I went against everything I had been taught and believed in.
Enter Mrs. Jones, my English teacher. She was a quiet, polite and mild-mannered lady. She always wore her long salt-and-pepper hair pulled straight back in a simple pony tail. Colorful business suits and too much lipstick.
She quickly became my target.
I loved to act up in class and make the other kids laugh. Having a pushover for an English teacher only encouraged me.
I'd cause scenes daily - throwing things, making comments, pulling pranks. I thought I had her figured out. I was full of myself and didn't mind the occasional reprimand she meted out.
There was one thing I didn't count on.
Mrs. Jones was a Christian. She was the new sponsor of the Bible Club, which met every Wednesday after school.
Partway through the year, her choice of punishments changed a bit. Rather than assign extra homework or sending me to chat with the principal, she'd make me stay after school for detention.
I thought this was great. It's far easier to sit and stare at a wall for a bit than to write a paper. I was winning.
I started to notice a pattern, though. The majority of my detentions were awarded on Wednesdays. It's hard to sit in the same room with your former Christian friends and not feel awkward. I'd sit on the other side of the room and ignore them, then bolt for the door the second the required amount of time had elapsed.
Soon, I was in detention each and every Wednesday. I quickly learned to behave. This did nothing to relax the relentless Bible studies, though. Mrs. Jones gave me detention whether I deserved it or not!
Each week, everyone in the study politely asked me to join them. Each week, I sullenly declined.
Mrs. Jones was winning.
I stayed after one non-Wednesday to have it out with Mrs. Jones.
"I know what you're doing," I accused. "Why are you forcing me to come to the Bible studies?"
"I know you," she responded.
"What do you mean?" I retorted. "You know nothing about me!"
"I know you used to go to the Bible Club. I know your friends have been praying for you all year. I know they miss you. I know this childish behavior you antagonize me with isn't who you really are. I know you miss them and want to join them again, but feel like you've ruined your chance. Take it from me, they'd love to have you back. The real you, that is."
Mrs. Jones won.
Thanks, Mrs. Jones.
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