Incredible rehearsal last night. Annie Grace Netterville was rockin' on "Away In A Manger" and the kids were so CUTE! We went through the Avalon song, "Everything to Me" and Reco and Trayce jammed. It was fun. The band sounds perfect and things seem to be coming together.
I'm at the point now, though, where I try to stay asleep at night. The trouble isn't really GOING to sleep, it's staying asleep. This morning at 5am I was wide awake with lists in my head and a pending anxiety attack. Lighting and sound, drapes and tech work, rehearsals and holiday schedules, drum shields, kids, ZOE and Cookeville, babysitting, year end reviews, spot light operators, Lyric Street, Rockettes...I need an Advil.
---------------------------
Steph--thanks so much for going there. :) I think more men have dealt with that issue than anyone would readily admit. I've got my own stories. I think that stuff robs people in ways we might never fully understand. There've been very brave Godly men who've come forward and confessed their struggle with it. They are the few who represent the many--especially if statistics hold true. It's dumb to even pretend it's not a problem in our churches. God is good to break chains of all kinds of addictions--and p*orn is definitely included in that. Hallelujah!
If any of you struggle with that, there are some great sites like Integrity.com and some tools on the triple x church site (spelled with three x's--xx*church.com)that offer accountability. All our ministers here have that on our computers. Every questionable site is reported and sent to an accountability partner. It's incredible! I highly recommend it! Some of our praise team folks use it too.
Hope that's helpful! Have a great morning, everyone!
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
11 comments:
Sometimes I lament our simple little Christmas Eve service. Not after reading that -- we just had our first rehearsal last night, and things are right on track. We used to be at large Willow-Creek-model church where "Christmas Eve" services spanned 3 days, 3-5 services per day. I'm very glad for simple!
What and when is the Radio City thing?
Kate
it's conspicuously quiet.
Probably everyone is quiet because we've "been there" and are pondering what to say about it! Thanks for being brave!
You're complaining because you're not getting usual 20 comments per post?
;-)
thanks, Justin. There's no shame in admitting anything. The shame, as so many of us know, is in pretending there's not a problem. It's the head-in-the-sand deal. Instead of acting as if it's not an issue, we should all be trying to claim freedom in Christ over all such things. Addictions come in all forms...p*rn, food, shopping, jobs, cars, sports---addiction is addiction. Difference is, some things are more obvious. Addictions seem to fill an emptiness...an empty spot that God created to be filled with the things of Him. We sing "Who Can Satisfy..." while seeking out other things besides the ONE who really can satisfy.
The real promise and hope of the Church is to offer hope, healing, and freedom in the name of Jesus.
Did anyone else see Kirk Franklin on Oprah talking about being addicted to said addiction? Very moving and he wasn't even into the internet stuff it was magazines and mainly movies - like what you can buy in hotels - that were his downfall. He talked about how it is a big problem in churches and with Christian men. Unfortunatley I couldn't watch the whole show so I'm not sure what he did to break his addiction. But I think it's like d*rugs and drinking...you're always "addicted" just not a user.
One of the problems with p*rn addiction is that it's so misunderstood. Society winks at it as if it's normal. The problem can grow beyond just looking and lusting. It can lead to a chemical addiction that is comprable to cocaine. When viewing p*rn is accompanied by *ahem* certain activities, it releases chemicals in the brain that causes a high and can become addictive. It's a situation similar to Pavlov's (sp?) Bell.
I am a true addict. The results are heinous but could have been much worse: depression, lost a job, and almost lost my marriage. I am in recovery now for God has broken those chains.
I am happy to tell you that I've found hope and healing at Otter Creek. I haven't confessed publicly because it's not a public thing, but I do have brothers there that have heard my confession and sisters that have been there for my wife.
May God continue to strengthen us to resist our own temptations and to love the addicts among us...
Anonymous--
thanks for commenting. I'm so glad you're finding some strength from our family at OC. I pray that it will continue to bless you. Thanks for sharing your heart with us.
Thank you all for the honesty and sharing. I do want to add a comment that while I do understand that this is mostly something that men struggle with, there are a growing number of women who also struggle with this as well.
I have seen first-hand in my own family, the power and secret shame that comes with this addiction. However, I have also watched as God has brought deliverence and the hope and healing CAN AND DOES HAPPEN!!!
I also want to thank you Brandon for openly sharing not only this struggle, but your stories and letting us see into your life and ministry.
I have never met you, but have been reading your blog for a while now. I want to thank you for the healing and inspiration that you have brought into my own life both via your blog and Zoe. I also have been tremendously blessed by the words, comments, and examples you and your other 3 friends (Stephen, Chris, and Craig) have been.
To see such a healthy love, respect, friendship, and Christ-centered servent hearts for one another and who love, respect, cherish, and adore the women in their lives. As a woman who was raised in the church who has dealt with sexual abuse and later struggled with her own issues with addictions this has been healing in ways that you will never know. So many more struggle with this, but there is such a shame and bury your head in the sand and deny it that is so destructive! I pray that you will continue to be the blessing to others that you have been to me. And it is my hope and prayer that others who are struggling with this will find hope and healing.
S.M.S.
The guys who started xxxchurch.com spoke at our church back in June. It was amazing to think that these guys have completely stepped out on faith and that they're helping so many people. Was it strange to have a Sunday labeled as "Porn Sunday"? Yeah, but knowing all the good that has come about because of it definitely removes the weird feelings. Sometimes we forget that God's church is supposed to be there to help the hurting, not to judge them.
Post a Comment