Don’t Stop Now!!!

While I was sitting at my table with David Dean listening to Craig speak at the Porn & Pancakes at Faith Tabernacle in Burton, Michigan something Craig said hit me a little different than in the past.  He was speaking about how a lot of men at these events will come up to us and tell us about their struggle with porn but, never take it any further.  I see this in several other areas when regarding the “Do Not Stop Now” topic.

Other than doing this blog with my wife Darcy I also read and reply to a lot of confessions that men, couples, and spouse post here on the web site.  This is a great tool and outlet to confess your issue with pornography or tell your story.  The one thing though that happens more than not is that this is as far as they will go.  They have made their confession online without anyone having a clue who they are and the feeling of getting that monkey off their back for just that brief second is a great feeling.  They might have a few good days, weeks, or maybe even months but, not having someone else to hold them accountable they jump right back into their old habits again.  Do Not Stop Now! Keep going tell someone you know whom you trust about your junk and get accountability for this.  Enjoy the feeling of that monkey being off your back not for just one second but, a very long time.

For the guys who attend the Porn & Pancakes or the women who attend the Porn & Pastries events.  If you find your self at one of these events and you feel the urge to tell someone about your consumption of porn and it is someone from XXXChurch; Do Not Stop Here!  don’t check your issue at the door as you leave.  Tell a friend, pastor, family member, or your spouse that you are having troubles and you need someone to help hold you accountable.  You may have told one of us but, we will more than likely not see you again and we’ll not be able to keep you accountable.  You need to bring someone in who you see and have contact with often and will be able to hold you to your request of cleaning this up.

A wife, husband, or parent is on their computer and they find out that the other person or child is looking at porn.  This can really mess with your head and tare you up inside.  Do Not Stop Now! Talk to this person and find out what is going on.  Do not go to them on a war path because anger has gotten the better of you but, go to them with love and genuine concern for their situation.  If you have addressed this issue before and nothing has come of it; Do Not Stop Now!  continue to address this issue with this person in the same way that was discussed before.  If you do not talk about this they will keep looking at this stuff and more than likely fall deeper and deeper into this sin.  Do not be the person who knew about their struggles and was afraid to talk about it only to watch their life be destroyed by porn.

If you have gone beyond just telling someone and your are doing something about it you are on your way to freedom.  There will be trip ups, roadblocks, and other obstacles that will trip you up during your healing process.  These moments can crush you since you are doing everything you can to get away from this stuff.  Do Not Stop Now! this feeling can make you think “is it worth it”?  “I can’t do this” and “I am big failure, I’ll never beat this”.  These are words and action that Satan is trying to use to get you to believe these things and give up on your recovery.

Spouses during your partners time of healing and getting away from their thirst for porn be aware that they will have times they fall.  Just like the person healing things will pop into your head like “He they go again, I can’t take this any more” “I don’t need this I am gone” or “I thought he/she loved me and here they go again”.  You have been rock in their recovery supporting, helping, and loving them.  Don’t Stop Now!  I know that it may seem dim during this point but, don’t give up on them.

I know that these situations can be hard and very discouraging at times.  I can remember all of them during my process to coming clean.  I know there are so many more people out there who have heard this message that XXXChurch brings all over the world and they make the heart breaking choice to Stop Here.  This is an issue that you will not be able to just stop cold turkey by yourself you will need help.  So, please take that next step and talk to someone come clean and deal with it.  If your holding someone accountable stay strong and don’t let the roadblocks and slip ups keep you from walking with this person.

This is Your Brain on Joy – Book Review

“I was initially overwhelmed by this book. The finer points of neuroscience are not a part of my every day life. However, the author took the time to explain everything in detail as to let everyone understand what it is they were talking about.

I found the premise that ‘there are no normal brains’ good, although it led me to wonder if this author would then go on to say we all need brain scans, medications, and therapy. I still wonder if he thinks it would be a good idea. After reading his book, I think it would be a good idea. What Dr. Henslin shows in this book is that brain scan analysis has shown that, first of all, many ‘mental’ or ‘emotional’ problems are very real. They are the result of things in your brain that are not running quite perfectly. He then goes on to give some simple suggestions of ways to assist your brain in balancing out. He points out that certain foods and food groups can help stabilize some parts of the brain. He is not afraid to mention what types of medications might be indicated as well. And he finishes with an emphasis on Scripture, a Biblical guide to finding joy and contentment. His Biblical work is acceptable, even though I would prefer him to cite a translation rather than a paraphrase in his verses. However, he’s a doctor, I’m a preacher. He’d probably dislike some of my semi-medical paraphrases. Dr. Henslin lists possible psychological/emotional/mental issues that could result from that area’s function. He also lists foods and food groups that can help your body and brain try and balance itself out. This was very interesting to see and will be a fun experiment to work with.

Over all this book is a fairly good read. You will find yourself getting lost from time to time but, you are bale to get back on track rather quickly.”

For the Tough Times – by Max Lucado Review

“Big things come in small packages”

“For the Though Times is the latest book from Max Lucado.  I have to admit that when I got this book I couldn’t help to think; how can a book this size help anyone through a tough time in their life.  I was very surprised to say the least at how this book points you in the right direction.

Way to often we think that we need to turn to   in order to help us with something going on in our lives.  The fact of the matter is there is only on person e we need to turn to during times of heart ache; Christ.  The author does a great job of using stories as examples to place us into a mind set to further understand the situation.  And while we are in this state of understanding he then links the bible to it allow us to understand what it is that God is doing or saying to us.

Now this book is not the save all for your worries or troubles, but it will guide you and refresh your mind as to what your next step should be.  This is a very good book to give to some when they feel that there situation is to much and are slowly walking away from their faith.

“Billy” The Book

This is not your typical biography of a man who changed the face of evangelism.  This book was a total reverse spin on how I thought the book would read.  The author takes a very unique approach in the way he tells the life of Billy Graham as he took his steps into world religion and becomes one nation’s pastor.

The book also shows an example that many people of faith have forgotten; Grace.  You are able to walk with him through a very difficult situation in his past as he goes through the stress, agony, and heart ache of forgiving and showing Gods true love and grace.

You get a front row seat of his life from boyhood to his legacy in evangelism.  From the time he decided that he wanted to follow Christ and the decision that would for ever change his life and career.  To see this unfold in front of your eyes gives you a much better appreciation for the things that this man has been through.

Not many books grab my attention but, this book had me right from the beginning and held me throughout.  There was always something coming around the corner and you knew it.  You did not want to put it down because you knew something big was about to happen.  This is a definite must read for anyone who likes to take a journey.

X3 Church New York Video Cast

Check out the latest X3 video cast in New York.

Episode 2 – Exxxotica New York