Month: March 2012

Increase my level of compassion

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We are holding a three-day revival meeting at our church and it is incredible what the Lord is doing in the hearts and lives of people. But as we continue visiting homes in the community along with my guest speaker, we have been overwhelmed with how much people are hurting. They are all around us, and if we would just step outside of our comfort zones we will be able to not only see them, but also respond to them and their situation with a high level of compassion. And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity (compassion) he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” Mark 1:40-41 Oh Lord! How I long for Christ’s mighty compassion to be revealed through me; so that the hopeless, hurting, and alone can see Christ’s love shining in and through me. Amen!

Arise and Shine

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Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Isaiah 60:1-3 Search me oh Lord… Let your light shine into every part of my life. Expose every hidden sin in my life and let the light of you beauty shine within me so that I can reflect you glory.

The Baggage of my Dreams

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“This is an unusual bag- it’s different from all the rest… this is the baggage of my dreams. It’s not a sin, it’s not a weight, it’s not a curse after the normal order- this is the weight of being a dreamer. The baggage of my dreams – stops me from being satisfied- because I dream so much bigger than I live. The baggage of my dreams – to him who much is given- much is required. I could be happy here- but my dreams are so much bigger than my reality. It is the baggage of dreams. It is hard to make a dreamer happy, because dreamer’s dreams keep moving forward. If you give them a house- they’ll dream of a garage. If you give them a garage they’ll dream of a driveway. You give them a driveway they’ll dream of a boat”.   The bible calls us to live a life of contentment: Philippians 4:11 …for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be …

Sexual Assault an Epidemic -part 2

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DEFINING SEXUAL ASSAULT I’ll start by doing something that I think is important, and that is defining sexual assault. It comes from this book, Rid of My Disgrace by Justin and Lindsey Holcomb. He’s a pastor here at Mars Hill and runs Resurgence for us. His wife, Lindsey, is also a leader in the church. She’s a deacon, and she was a rape crisis clinic case manager, and he taught women’s studies at the University of Virginia and is a specialist in sexual assault and domestic violence. Grace and I actually asked them to write this book, because we wanted to have, from our church, a good Bible-based, Jesus-focused resource to help people who have been sexually assaulted. And we love that book, and, you know, endorsed it, and all of that, and are really honored that that comes from Mars Hill Church. Their definition is, “Any type of sexual behavior or contact where consent is not freely given or obtained and is accomplished through force, intimidation, violence, coercion, manipulation, threat—” hold it right there, guys— “deception, …

Sexual Assault! An Epidemic

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Over the next few days I will post the transcript from a sermon pastor mark driscoll shared on sexual assault/ Here is part one and introduction on the subject. To listen to the entire talk/// click here “You’re a Sexual Assault Victim” Father God, I ask that I’d be able to teach well today. God, I hope that you would help Mars Hill to be a place where hurting people are served. And I pray, Lord God, for those who will hear this sermon, some helping them along a journey toward healing, and those who will start a journey of healing, but with the first steps being incredibly painful. God, I thank you for my wife’s bravery in writing the seventh chapter of the Real Marriage book, and I thank you that I have the great honor of teaching that content today, and I thank you, Lord, that she is a great gift that you’ve given to me. And so, God I pray that this time would be focused on helping others and that you would …

Recommended Resource for sexual assault victims

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About Rid of My Disgrace The statistics are jarring. One in four women and one in six men are or will be victims of sexual assault in their lifetime. But as sobering as the statistics are, they don’t begin to speak to the darkness and grief experienced by these victims. Because sexual assault causes physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual pain, victims need clear help, hope, and healing. In Rid of My Disgrace, a couple experienced in counseling victims of sexual assault explains how the grace of God can heal the broken and restore the disgraced. Justin and Lindsey Holcomb outline an approach for moving from destruction to redemption. While avoiding platitudes and shallow theology, Rid of My Disgrace combines biblical and theological depth with up-to-date research. This book is primarily written for those who have been assaulted (either as children or adults) but also equips family, friends, pastors, and others to care for victims in ways that are compassionate, practical, and informed. Part of the Re:Lit series. Endorsements “Careful research, lots of Scripture, and a demonstration …

What are the Myths about sexual assault?

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What are the myths about sexual assault? Myths and Facts about Sexual Assault From Rid of My Disgrace by Justin and Lindsey Holcomb Written by Angie Cheatham reblogged from crossway blog Myth: Men assault impulsively and out of biological need. Fact: Sexual Assault is a criminal act of violence, using sex as a weapon. Men assault to express hostility and to dominate. Men assault because it allows them to express anger and to feel powerful by controlling another person. Studies show that 50% of sexual assaults are premeditated and well-planned, not impulsive, spontaneous, uncontrollable sexual acts. Myth: Sexual Assaults are usually reported. Fact: Sexual Assault is probably one of the most underreported crimes; researchers estimate that between 50 to 90% of sexual assault cases go unreported. Myth: Husbands cannot sexually assault their wives. Fact: Sexual Assault occurs whenever sexual contact is not mutual/consensual, when choice is taken away. Researchers estimate that sexual assault occurs in 10-14% of all marriages. Myth: Most sexual assaults occur in dark alleys or to hitchhikers. Fact: Most sexual assaults (60%) occur …

Hookin-Up! Part 3

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Pastor Herbert Cooper can be very creative in his sermons. Here is yet another very funny video he used to introduce one of his messages in a series He calls Hookin-Up! A sermon Sermon Series on how to find God’s best in relationship. I’m sure it will make you laugh. Enjoy! Hookin Up Week 3 from People's Church on Vimeo.