AN OPEN LETTER TO THE CLC FAMILY
Our Porn Weekend is over, and now that we’ve opened the door for dialogue on this huge issue, I want to offer some suggestions:
For parents who want to protect your children from porn:
1. Probably the single-best thing you can do: keep any computer connected to the internet in the public areas of your house, not in the bedroom (yours or your child’s). Think about it: how likely is anyone to view porn in the kitchen or family room, with other people around? And, for that matter, why would anyone need a computer in their bedroom with the door locked? Duh…it’s a no brainer…but a real solution!
2. Now that we’ve paved the way for you, don’t be afraid to discuss this subject with your children, and get help if needed. Our student ministries are offering small groups designed specifically to help our youth with this issue, and one of our parents, Thomesa Hutcherson, offers a sexual abstinence group especially for our girls. Take advantage of these resources!
3. Speaking of resources, everything listed in the weekend guide is great, not to mention the accountability software and other helps at www.xxxchurch.com.
4. Another of our volunteers, Robert McCain, will be offering a seminar soon to teach you how to detect porn files on your computer if you suspect your child is dabbling. Be listening for details as to when and where the seminar will be held.
For women living with someone who struggles with porn:
1. Again, some of the resources listed in the weekend guide are specifically for you.
2. In addition, we have prayer partners and counselors and support groups available to help you in dealing with your situation – simply call the office or email our Women’s Ministry Director, Heidi Stevens: heidistevens@clctoday.org
3. I urge you to get a copy of my teaching, “Light is Good” from January 10, 1999 (you can order through our media booth in the lobby for the special price of just $4) and listen to it with the person in your life who is struggling, to help them see the need for dealing with this issue in the light. While I do not advocate divorce, I do urge you to be adamant and firm in your compassion – this issue will not go away on its own, and the person in your life must know that you find this behavior unacceptable, and that you will not budge from that position.
For anyone who personally struggles with porn:
1. Get a copy of the teaching listed above (“Light is Good”) and apply it!
2. Utilize the resources from the weekend guide, including the free software and other resources found at www.xxxchurch.com
3. Confess your sin to God and ask for His help!
4. Confess your weakness to an accountability partner. If you don’t have a godly friend willing to help you by asking the tough questions and holding you accountable, contact our office – we have prayer partners and Spirit-filled men who are ready to assist you either one-on-one or in a support group atmosphere.
5. Clean it up by getting rid of all porn in your life – deleting files, discarding magazines, destroying videos – any and every source that feeds your fantasies. Be ruthless and thorough! In addition, take the necessary precautions to help protect yourself from sexual temptation:
Remove any computer connected to the internet from your bedroom, and keep it in a ‘public’ area of your home, like the kitchen or family room.
Cancel any ‘questionable’ subscriptions – including, but not limited to Maxim, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, etc. Again, be ruthless!
Get into Cleansing Streams (first session is Wednesday, March 15) where you’ll learn habits that will help fortify you against temptation and empower you to break every additive habit that has been fueled by the spirit of lust in your life.
Fill your mind and heart with the Word of God (see Ps 119:9-11; Rom 13:14). When you are tempted, pause to read or meditate on such verses or call your accountability partner or find a place to pray; deliverance is your promise!
6. If you fall, get back up again – but don’t give up! Don’t make excuses for your sin, but be determined and merciless in getting porn out of your life.
7. Know that you are not alone, and that other believers all around the world have been set free, totally free, by the power of the Holy Spirit! As the song says, it is no secret what God can do, and what He has done for others, He’ll do for you!!
We’re praying for you. Please contact any of our pastors if you need further help or counsel. Blessings,
Pastor Jerry
For parents who want to protect your children from porn:
1. Probably the single-best thing you can do: keep any computer connected to the internet in the public areas of your house, not in the bedroom (yours or your child’s). Think about it: how likely is anyone to view porn in the kitchen or family room, with other people around? And, for that matter, why would anyone need a computer in their bedroom with the door locked? Duh…it’s a no brainer…but a real solution!
2. Now that we’ve paved the way for you, don’t be afraid to discuss this subject with your children, and get help if needed. Our student ministries are offering small groups designed specifically to help our youth with this issue, and one of our parents, Thomesa Hutcherson, offers a sexual abstinence group especially for our girls. Take advantage of these resources!
3. Speaking of resources, everything listed in the weekend guide is great, not to mention the accountability software and other helps at www.xxxchurch.com.
4. Another of our volunteers, Robert McCain, will be offering a seminar soon to teach you how to detect porn files on your computer if you suspect your child is dabbling. Be listening for details as to when and where the seminar will be held.
For women living with someone who struggles with porn:
1. Again, some of the resources listed in the weekend guide are specifically for you.
2. In addition, we have prayer partners and counselors and support groups available to help you in dealing with your situation – simply call the office or email our Women’s Ministry Director, Heidi Stevens: heidistevens@clctoday.org
3. I urge you to get a copy of my teaching, “Light is Good” from January 10, 1999 (you can order through our media booth in the lobby for the special price of just $4) and listen to it with the person in your life who is struggling, to help them see the need for dealing with this issue in the light. While I do not advocate divorce, I do urge you to be adamant and firm in your compassion – this issue will not go away on its own, and the person in your life must know that you find this behavior unacceptable, and that you will not budge from that position.
For anyone who personally struggles with porn:
1. Get a copy of the teaching listed above (“Light is Good”) and apply it!
2. Utilize the resources from the weekend guide, including the free software and other resources found at www.xxxchurch.com
3. Confess your sin to God and ask for His help!
4. Confess your weakness to an accountability partner. If you don’t have a godly friend willing to help you by asking the tough questions and holding you accountable, contact our office – we have prayer partners and Spirit-filled men who are ready to assist you either one-on-one or in a support group atmosphere.
5. Clean it up by getting rid of all porn in your life – deleting files, discarding magazines, destroying videos – any and every source that feeds your fantasies. Be ruthless and thorough! In addition, take the necessary precautions to help protect yourself from sexual temptation:
Remove any computer connected to the internet from your bedroom, and keep it in a ‘public’ area of your home, like the kitchen or family room.
Cancel any ‘questionable’ subscriptions – including, but not limited to Maxim, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, etc. Again, be ruthless!
Get into Cleansing Streams (first session is Wednesday, March 15) where you’ll learn habits that will help fortify you against temptation and empower you to break every additive habit that has been fueled by the spirit of lust in your life.
Fill your mind and heart with the Word of God (see Ps 119:9-11; Rom 13:14). When you are tempted, pause to read or meditate on such verses or call your accountability partner or find a place to pray; deliverance is your promise!
6. If you fall, get back up again – but don’t give up! Don’t make excuses for your sin, but be determined and merciless in getting porn out of your life.
7. Know that you are not alone, and that other believers all around the world have been set free, totally free, by the power of the Holy Spirit! As the song says, it is no secret what God can do, and what He has done for others, He’ll do for you!!
We’re praying for you. Please contact any of our pastors if you need further help or counsel. Blessings,
Pastor Jerry
posted by Pastor Jerry McQuay at 11:27 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home