All day today I've had this underlying feeling. I thought for a while I was just tired from a very full Sunday (preaching three services and a wedding that I didn't finish until about 9 pm). Then I thought I was depressed. We had such a great day at Community Christian 1246 people. We had people coming with the "scandalous card" in hand. People who had been scared to death of church but they trusted what the card said and came (I have a great story on that I'll tell you this week sometime). We had "God anointed moments" where many were moved to take steps to come out of hiding and find healing. It was a great day. So why was I depressed?
As I prayed and thought about it, I became convinced it was because of the spiritual darkness that surrounds this issues of sex. I believe we really took some ground back from the enemy yesterday and I was thankful to be part of it. But when I talked to people - brave people who were willing to tell the truth - I'd hear the pain that they are in and I hurt for them. I wish I could pray the pain away. So I spent some of the day a little depressed by that.
Here it is late in the day and I'm not depressed - now I'm mad. I'm mad at how the deceiver has taken this good gift of God and he has is using it to hurt so many people. I'm mad that the church has stayed quiet so long and that parents have decided to participate in the quietness and therefore leave their children open to deception. I'm mad at friends of mine that are being hurt by the plaque of pornography and the lure of adultery and the perversion of God's great gift of Sex. And I've decided we are not going back away,. So pray with me for this series. Pray that over the next weeks we are bold and kind and full of grace. As a person who has been hurt personally by the misuse of this good gift I commit to be honest with you. Will you do yourself and all of your friends a favor and get them to one of these services. Your invitation could make a difference in their lives and the lives of their family for generations to come. In addition to that it won't go unnoticed in God's kingdom. Now I'm fired up, confident and ready to rock and roll.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Okay Now I'm mad
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3 comments:
I am a survivor of sexual abuse by both my mother and father. My parents raised us in the Charismatic Faith belief. (by the way I LOVED your messages on the holy spirit and how "foolishness" isn't eveidence of the Holy Spirit!) I believe that my parents are and were believers but that's not my business it's God's ALTHOUGH can be very CONFUSING!! I have times when I walk through my life....I will use the word balanced and then there are other times when I feel very disconnected towards God. A friend just encouraged me to do a Bible study with her and for some reason all kinds of stuff came up again for me to deal with. SHAME was/is a big part of me. I was just sharing that with her and then that's what your message was on! I told my friend on Sunday how funny it was that I really didn't think much about the upcoming series............and then boom .... a highly charged message for me. I don't really "FEEL" any different after the message but I DO believe that it's not a coincidence. I would like to sign my name but I am just not ready to yet. I have some questions that I might ask you sometime.......if it remains a burning question.
My dear anonymous, here it is Thursday and I am just catching up on the latest of Ed's blogs. I just have to let you know that I think you are very courageous to speak out about your past abuse. CCC is starting a group just for those of us who have had sexual abuses in our lives. I would like to encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to come and get some healing. I know it is hard to step forward, but let me assure you that it is anonymous. Having been there myself, I can tell you for sure that with God ALL things are possible...even healing from such nightmares. Please email sosa@community-christian.net. for more info. God Bless you!
anonymous thanks for coming to CCC. I hope you'll find a safe place to continue your healing. I will do whatever I can to help
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