Tuesday, April 26, 2016

SAVE THE DATE - 5/28/16 - LET'S DO THIS TOGETHER!!!

Let's Do This Together

In Philippians, the Apostle Paul talks about believers in the church standing together, unified in "one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel" (Phil 1:27).

As a reminder, the gospel is the GOOD NEWS that Jesus heals, forgives, restores, gives freedom, and gives new life. Jesus is the One who claimed, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). Plenty of religious figures in history have made incredible claims like that. However, Jesus is the ONLY one who was killed, and then three days later walked out of the grave - victorious over sin and death - validating His claims! 

Most of us know what happens if you take one tiny strand, weak and vulnerable in and of itself, and then bind it together with more strands. What was once weak becomes strong.


"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken" (Ecc 4:12).

Here's The Problem

Porn is an epidemic. I briefly talked about it in my post entitled, "Porn is Okay." The addiction cycle that shackles hundreds of thousands of men (and women) needs to be broken. 

Sexual addictions that people pursue blindly, thinking there is some kind of realistic fulfillment and satisfaction need to be broken.

Most of us stand back shaking our heads in disgust, but WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT IT?

These issues destroy lives. These issues destroy relationships. These issues tear families apart.

We are in the midst of a spiritual war. It is time to take a stand and FIGHT!!!

Here's What I'm Doing About It

I am going to start with one day of prayer and fasting. I am setting the date (5/28/16) far enough in advance that YOU can participate in the event. I am setting the date far enough in advance that you can have the opportunity to share the information with others.

So please share this post with your friends, family, and other believers in Christ. Share via text, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, however you possibly can. Let's rally as many believers together as possible to stand in unity, fighting the enemy on our knees before the Throne of Grace.

MAY 28, 2016

What Is Fasting?

Fasting is an act of worship where something is sacrificed in order to seek God. Some people will fast from food and liquid. Some people will fast from food only. Some people will fast from certain kinds of foods, restricting themselves to only fruits and vegetables. I am going to fast from all foods and liquids on the day of the event.

IF YOU HAVE HEALTH ISSUES, PLEASE CONSULT YOUR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL TO HAVE A FULL AWARENESS OF WHAT YOU CAN SAFELY ABSTAIN FROM.

Fasting should be a regular part of the life of a believer in the same way prayer, singing songs of praise, reading the Bible, attending a worship service at church, and taking communion are.

The purpose is to use the time you are giving up (fasting) in order to pray and seek God. So rather than sitting down for breakfast...lunch...dinner, I will go into my room, close the door, set aside all distractions, and pray. 

The Bible give instructions for fasting. Here is an excellent article about what the Bible has to say about fasting: FASTING IN THE BIBLE.

Who Can Participate?

ALL BELIEVERS IN CHRIST! Singles, Married, Teens, Seniors, People who have never been directly affected by porn/adultery/divorce, Any Denomination, Anyone who believes in the power of Jesus' name, Anyone who wants to stand in unity against the enemy.

What Are We Praying For?

Here is a list to start with, but don't limit yourself to these suggestions. Be led by God's Spirit as you pray:

Freedom from addiction - Restoration of families - Restoration of marriages - Freedom from porn - Downfall of the porn industry - Freedom for those working in the porn industry - Redemption for those who work in the porn industry - Freedom for those caught in the web of adultery - Hearts of grace and forgiveness for the spouses who have been hurt

Please Commit and Share

If you'd like to, post a comment to serve as your RSVP. Let's encourage one another as we stand together.

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Is This More Than We Can Bear?






We have been through so much.

If you've read many of our posts, you know that my wife and I truly love each other.

In fact, it might seem like we are in a place that you and your spouse could only dream of being. I've repented (which means I've turned completely away from my sin/wrong choices). My wife has forgiven me. We have been working for nearly 2 full years on restoring our marriage and molding it into the Biblical framework for marriage. We have passionately sought after Christ Jesus as our Lord.

So, you read a post every once in a while...or maybe you've only been here a couple of times and skipped around, trying to find something that sounds similar to your situation. You find glimmers of hope. You find inspiration to keep on praying and fighting for your marriage, in spite of the popular culture's opinions. And in your mind, you might even picture us as an ideal couple now. You might think or assume that our lives don't have hangups or anything tragic anymore.

Well, I'm going to tell you about what we're currently struggling with and praying for.

My wife has Hepatitis B. Yes, usually it is thought to be a sexually transmitted disease. However, we were married rather young, and she was a virgin when we met. She has been completely faithful since the day we first entered into a relationship with each other. This was a case of "bad things happening to good people." My wife was a straight-A student. She wasn't a troublemaker as a kid. This was something that most people would say shouldn't have happened to her. We first learned about it 22 years ago when she tested positive for Hepatitis while going through prenatal care for our first son.

Hepatitis B affects the liver. Sometimes cirrhosis (basically a degeneration of the liver) is the result of hepatitis. My wife has developed cirrhosis. She has scarring on her liver. We don't know what the full extent of the damage looks like, but we are consulting with her primary care physician, as well as a liver specialist. 

Last night, we learned that she is pregnant.

Normally this would be a time for us to celebrate. We have 5 boys. We love our children. This could be our baby girl that we've hoped for.




BUT...my wife was just prescribed a new medication to hopefully eliminate the Hepatitis B. You probably know that medications and pregnancies don't mix well. Our concern is that every day she waits to start the medication, her liver could be getting worse.

We don't know anything more at this point. The future is completely uncertain. But isn't that the case with all of us? How many of us can say for certain that we'll wake up in the morning? Isn't each new day a blessing in and of itself?

At this point, we are trusting completely in God. Honestly, it's not fair that my beautiful, faithful, loving wife had a husband who cheated on her. It's not fair that a good girl, with so much to offer the world, would contract a disease usually reserved for those who are sexually promiscuous. She's followed the right path. This is an excellent example or evidence that there is no such thing as karma.

We know that God is sovereign. We are doing everything within our power to learn about and fight the disease. 

Here is our plan of attack (spiritually speaking):

1. Pray. "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans" (Romans 8:26). I've prayed, and I don't know what else to pray for. I know that according to the Bible, the Holy Spirit will intercede on my behalf. The point is, I'm being obedient. I'm seeking God.

2. Trust. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6).

3. Ask. We are asking that you lift us in prayer. Please pray for our family. Pray for my wife. Pray for our relationship. Pray for our unborn baby. Pray for healing. We have been praying for you, even though we've never met. We would be so thankful and sincerely appreciative that you would pray for us as well.

In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. - Psalm 18:6