This morning was spent with some dear friends of mine in ministry: Ron Larson, Bruce Hopler, Clay Carver, Ron Willaby, and Jonathan Lee. We shared breakfast together and got each other caught up with each other on the current issues facing Southern Baptists these days, especially in our area. Perhaps I will post more about that later... I feel compelled to write about something else...

Later in the day when we all got together for lunch @ Friday's @ Arundel Mills, we eventually got to the discussion of porn. Basically, it comes down to this... It would seem that this is an issue that every minister deals with. Ron Larson mentioned a stat that basically 58% of pastors will admit to having some form of sexual addiction in their life (from major issues to minor ones)... and that's from the one's that ADMIT they have a problem... That's 6 out of 10.

Also, it was mentioned that a recent "Youth Specialties" conference in Colorado left a hotel with a record number of porn/adult movie PPVs! Apparently, all of the youth leaders had a "thing" for porn, enough so as to break records...

I will not share one thing that was mentioned, but one of us at the table knew of someone that had even gone to a prostitute (wasn't anyone @ the table, but someone knew of one). How funny is it that my time with God tonight landed me on Proverbs 7:

Prov. 7.6 At the window of my house I looked out through the lattice.
Prov. 7.7 I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who lacked judgment.
Prov. 7.8 He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house
Prov. 7.9 at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in.
Prov. 7.10 Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
Prov. 7.11 (She is loud and defiant, her feet never stay at home;
Prov. 7.12 now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.)
Prov. 7.13 She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said:
Prov. 7.14 “I have fellowship offerings at home; today I fulfilled my vows.
Prov. 7.15 So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you!
Prov. 7.16 I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt.
Prov. 7.17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
Prov. 7.18 Come, let’s drink deep of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love!
Prov. 7.19 My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey.
Prov. 7.20 He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon.”
Prov. 7.21 With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk.
Prov. 7.22 All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose
Prov. 7.23 till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.
Prov. 7.24 Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say.
Prov. 7.25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths.
Prov. 7.26 Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng.
Prov. 7.27 Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.

As a side note... before lunch, I was @ Borders in Columbia with Bruce Hopler. On the way back to the coffee shop from a search for a book, a man stood out to me as being very odd. He was rather old, frail. And he was noticeably embarrassed at what he was reading, but he was apparently desperate to read it. It was the section of books on sexuality (why is this section ALWAYS by the religion/Christian section?). I dunno. It was like I was seeing the chains on him, the shackles. And also... I saw myself -- had I not repented and relinquished myself from the hold of porn while I was a teenager.

I have been somewhat open about this subject for some time now. Yep. I was once addicted to porn when I was a teen. I had ready access to stuff certain summers staying with a relative... But, I learned the art of self-discipline. Plus, thanks be to God, I have the best wife in the world. She is my #1 accountability partner. She helps me keep my head about things (wow. where would I be without her help @ times?).

I just think it's time for us as the church to no longer run from this issue. It MUST be addressed with love, firmness, compassion, and fortitude.

DCC



archived old post from yesterday:
Tue Jul 08, 05:41:13 PM  .  David Cowan


Twas a good day spent with Clay and Jeff Mount. Jeff is taking a class on early Christianity and was discussing with us the content of the class. It would seem that his prof. has a love for history, but most likely not a formal education in Koine Greek. Anyway, there was also good discussion about Christianity in general... namely: is it possible to prove one's faith? I say no... we relate to God, as we relate to others... through faith. Faith is the leap between what we think to be true and what we hope will occur. We can present evidence for our beliefs; all of us have that. Indeed, we need evidence to build our beliefs upon; usually these are based somewhere in exprience.

Anyway... that was some cool discussion.