Tuesday, January 19, 2016

What They Didn't Teach Me In Seminary:

I loved my time in Seminary. I was always busy and most days I walked around in a fog because I had worked late the night before and was running on caffeine but everyday was a good day filled with challenging lectures, stimulating conversations, mountains of books to be read and gallons of coffee to be drunk. It was a great time.

I was challenged intellectually and learned a lot.

  • I learned how to read the Bible in Hebrew and Greek.
  • I learned about the church fathers and church history.
  • I learned about the importance of the church.
  • I learned about philosophy and the spread of Western thought.
  • I learned about Arminianism, Calvinism, antinomianism, anthropomorphism, arianism, evidential apologetics, presuppositional apologetics, the five solas, incommunicable attributes, inerrancy of scripture, inspiration of scripture, infralapsaranism, justification, sanctification and glorification and every other ten dollar theological word you can imagine. 
  • I learned how to outline a Bible passage and prepare a sermon.
  • I learned the scope and sequence of the Old & New Testament
  • I learned how to conduct a wedding and officiate a funeral.
  • I learned about the Biblical role of elders, pastors, and deacons.
  • I learned about egalitarianism and complementarianism. 
  • I read more books in a short amount of time than I had read my entire life and was tested on every page, sometimes even the foot notes.
  • I learned Maumprulli (Tribal Ghanaian African language)
  • I learned how to plant a church in another culture and even had the privilege of being apart of a church plant which still meets today under a mango tree.
  • I learned about missiology and the finer points of mission work.


It is safe to say that I learned a lot in Seminary and when I graduated I was ready to charge Hell with a water pistol and lead a church.

However,

There is one thing they did not teach me.


  • I was never taught about the love I would have for my church.
  • I was never told that I would grow to love my congregation like my own family. 
  • I was never told that when they suffer and hurt I would suffer and hurt. 
  • I was never taught that I would stay up late into the night tossing and turning praying for the members in the church.
  • I was never taught that as I stand up in front of the congregation and look out over those who are hurting and dealing with burdens that my heart would break for them and I would struggle to hold back tears at times.
  • I was never taught that I would invest in the lives of so many and have so many people invest in my life.


I love my church! I love the people God has sent me to serve alongside. I want only what is good for them and I ache when they hurt and it breaks my heart when they disobey God's Word.

As I am typing I am looking at pictures on my wall of various CREW Youth Ministry Activities I have done during my time here and with tears running down my face I am praying for each of the students God has entrusted to my care. I am praying they grow to be the Godly men and women I see them becoming. I am praying that they are kept from the evil one. I am praying for their future families. I am praying for the struggles they are going through right now and my heart aches for them. I love each of them like my own children and would do anything for them.

I was taught a lot in Seminary but I was never taught about the love I would feel for my church and the people in the church.

I love my church and thankful for each of them! 

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Tough Question: Is Oral Sex OK for Married Christian Couples?

Questions relating to sexual intimacy should, I think, be handled with what you might call verbal modesty, rather than shocking or crass words. I think dressing and talking in immodest ways are both ways. So that is kind of governing some of my language now.

First of all I am going to assume when answering this questions that I am only relating to people who are married when I give this counsel. It is wrong outside of marriage. The Bible forbids any form of sexual intercourse (oral, anal, mutural petting, etc) outside of the Biblical Parameters of marriage.

In marriage here is what I would say. If oral sex is wrong, I can think of four possible reasons it would be wrong. I will name them and then I will ask this question. Do those four things exist?

It would be wrong if it were prohibited in the Bible.
It would be wrong if it were unnatural.
It would be wrong if it were unhealthy or, that is, harmful.
It would be wrong if it were unkind.

So let’s take those one at a time.

Number one, I don’t think oral sex is explicitly prohibited in any biblical command. If the Bible pro-scribes it, it would have to be by principle and not by an explicit command.

Number two, is it unnatural? This is a tricky one. The male and female genitals are so clearly made for each other that there is a natural fitness or beauty to it. What about oral sex? Now you might jump to the conclusion and say: Nope, that is not natural, but I am slow to go there because of what the Proverbs and the Song of Solomon say about a wife’s breasts. This is kind of an analogy. So consider this. It seems to me nothing is more natural than a baby snuggling in his mother’s arms drinking at her breast. That is what breasts are. They are designed to feed babies. So is there anything physically natural about a husband’s fascination with his wife’s breasts? Well, you might say no. That is not what breasts are for. But Proverbs 5:19 says: Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight. Be intoxicated always with her love. And Song of Solomon 7:7–8 are even more explicit, speaking of the woman: Your stature is like a palm tree and your breasts are like its clusters. I say I will climb the palm tree and lay hold of its fruit. Oh, may your breasts be like clusters of the vine.

Well, even though there is very little anatomical correlation between a man’s hands or his lips and his wife’s breasts, it surely seems to be, quote, natural, in another way, namely built in delight and desire that God in his Word seems to commend for our marital enjoyment. So I ask: Well, might there be similar desires for oral sex or other kinds of sex? So I doubt that we should put a limit on a married couple based on the claim of it being unnatural. That is risky, but that is where I come down on the naturalness of it.

Here is number three. Is it unhealthy or harmful. Well, it certainly might be if there are any sexually transmitted diseases present. And it could be performed in harmful ways. And so the couple needs to be very honest and caring by not taking risks that would be unloving.

Which leads to the last one, number four: Is it unkind? Now I think this one is probably the one that touches the rawest nerve and the one that has the greatest impact. Will you pressure your spouse for oral sex if he or she finds it unpleasant? If so, then you are unkind. And it is a sin to be unkind. Ephesians 4:2. Be kind to one another. But the key word here is pressure. I know that 1 Corinthians 7:4 says the wife does not have authority over own body, but the husband does. Likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. And the context there is sex. So what does that mean practically? Well, it means that both the husband and the wife have the right to say to the other: I would like to blank. And both of them have the right to say: I would rather not blank. And in a good marriage, the biblically beautiful marriage, both of them seek to outdo the other in showing kindness.

So those are my principles, that would guide, I think, the Christian couple in this matter of oral sex.

Help from: Dr. John Piper: This Momentary Marriage and Ask Pastor John podcast as well as Mark & Grace Driscoll's book: Real Marriage.

I Am Sorry:

When I was in college I used to hear stories about how people had been hurt by the church and I would become angry with the church and wonder aloud how could a Pastor or ministry leader be incredibly insensitive. Fast forward to 2016 and I have been serving in full time vocational ministry for 1.5 years and I am learning everyday sometimes multiple times a day that my actions can and do hurt people even though I may not mean to hurt them. I am learning that not shaking someone's hand in the worship service can lead to accusations of being stuck up and avoiding certain people. If am asked a question and don't spend long enough answering I am accused of blowing people off. Being a Pastor is very hard and I have a lot to learn.

I want to expend a few lines in this blog to issue an apology to those I have hurt and also to stand in as a proxy apology for all those who have been hurt by a church or a Pastor in the past.

A proxy is merely a substitute, a person who represents another in a certain situation.

I’d like to ask a special favor of you today, especially of my friends who have been deeply wounded by, in or in association with a church – can I act as a proxy today, a stand-in for that church or that person who hurt you so much?

I know I’m may not be your former pastor, but I am a Pastor.

I’m likely not the minister or staff member who hurt you, but I’ve been on staff in churches.

I’m probably not that teacher or Bible study leader that wounded you, but I have been in both of those roles, and I am certain I’ve wounded people. I'm sure someone reading this blog has been hurt by me.

Your pain might not have come from something I’ve said or done, but I’ve certainly said and done plenty to wound and to cause pain.

So, I’d like to appropriate myself as your “proxy” pastor, proxy minister, proxy fellow church member, proxy teacher, proxy leader or proxy whoever hurt you.

And, I’d like to apologize to you today.

I’m sorry that we let you down.

I’m sorry that we hurt you when you were already in so much pain.

I’m sorry that we didn’t call when you had your surgery.

I’m sorry that we misunderstood your actions and treated you with such harshness.

I’m sorry that we ignored you and didn’t notice your need.

I’m really sorry that we left you out and stayed in our own little clique.

I’m sorry that we didn’t check up on you when you missed week after week.

I’m sorry that we didn’t call your teenager when he or she started pulling away from church.

I’m sorry that we judged you unfairly.

I’m sorry that we weren’t there for you when you were going through your divorce.

I’m sorry that we didn’t even talk to you when you came to the party.

I’m sorry that we didn’t help you when you moved.

I’m sorry that we didn’t walk through your cancer treatments with you.

I’m sorry that we didn’t come to visit you when you were in the hospital.

I’m sorry that we didn’t invite you to join us for lunch or for any other function.

I’m sorry that we didn’t show you hospitality.

I’m sorry that we all talked to each other and never turned to engage you in conversation.

I’m sorry that we didn’t involve you or invite you to use your gifts.

I’m sorry that our teenagers hurt your teenagers.

I’m just sorry that we hurt you and wounded you.

I’m sorry that we were rude and unkind and inconsiderate.

I’m sorry that we were so sarcastic in the way that we spoke to you.

I’m sorry that we didn’t show you love and compassion as we should have.

I’m sorry for the cruel comments that we made to you and to each other.

I’m sorry that we didn’t show you the love and grace of our Lord.

It wasn’t necessarily intentional or purposeful. But, we know that we let you down.

We blew it, and we are sincerely sorry.

And, we want to ask you to forgive us.

Would you please forgive us?

How To Ensure Your Kid Will Be On The Bachelor:

If you want to ensure your kids will be on the “The Bachelor”

1. Never show your daughter physical affection.
2. Teach your kids that connections are more important than commitment.
3. Teach your kids there is no consequences for their behavior.
4. Give your kids whatever they want.
5. Teach your kids that their self-worth is tied to people’s acceptance of them.

One of the biggest problems in our country is fatherlessness. Now am I advocating that every girl that comes from a fatherless home will have problems in life? Absolutely not. What I am advocating is that as a father I want to do everything I can do to ensure that my baby girl grows up with a healthy view of men and woman.

As a father with your kids you have a very real and very sober responsibility to teach your kids what a real man is like.

As a dad you are your sons first hero and your daughters first love. If you stop and think about it there is literally not a place in our culture that shows a positive view of men and especially fathers. Every example I can think of is stupid, dopey, irrelevant and aloof.

Men if you want to keep your daughter off of the show “The Bachelor” you need to show her physical affection, give her hugs, kiss her cheek, hold her hand. Show her what a date should look like. Open doors for her. Talk to her and more importantly listen to her.  If you don’t show her how a man is supposed to treat her it will create a void in her understanding of what a man is. A void some stupid kid will be more than happy to fill. The sad part is that without an intentional understanding of what a man should be she will be more likely to fall for whoever comes along.

When I watched “The Bachelor” I kept thinking how so many of those girls never had a strong father in their life. The result was they come on a show to find love. Crazy. 100% of them leave the show brokenhearted because they were never taught by a father that loves her to “Above all things guard her heart” and that her value comes not from her external beauty but from the one whose love makes her beautiful.

Original Author: Sam Luce
Original Article: Never show your daughter affection

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

I Hate Porn:

Pornography is a problem.

Porn is like a narcotic, it hijacks the brain, it redefines human sexuality, and in the meantime ruins lives, destroys families, and destabilizes ministries. And honestly it’s a problem that makes me tired — tired of the devastation Satan is causing to children, women, families, pastors, churches, and the world with this tragic evil.

Porn became a problem for me when I was only ten, and by the grace of God that problem ended when Jesus saved me at age seventeen. But I know it rarely happens so cleanly. It is still a temptation, yes; temptation abounds, but grace abounds all the more in Jesus Christ.

Friends, I hate porn. And here’s why.

I hate porn because it is a perversion of what God created in man and woman.

I hate porn because it exploits women made in the image of God into an image made for a man’s lust.

I hate porn because it objectifies women into a consumable product instead of a glorious image-bearing creature of God.

I hate porn because I love women — in particular my wife and daughter.

I hate porn because it takes the soul satisfying experience of sex with a covenantally-committed spouse and turns it into a twisted soul shrinking experience of self-sex.

I hate porn because it turns sons and daughters of God into slaves of sex.

I hate porn because it turns potential missionaries into impotent Christians.

I hate porn because it destroys marriage, many before they even begin.

I hate porn because it extends adolescence and keeps men boys.

I hate porn because it lies to men about beauty and leads men to look for a porn star instead of a woman who fears the Lord.

I hate porn because it robs men and women of the full joy of obedience.

I hate porn because it fractures trust between a husband and wife.

I hate porn because it is a diabolical, satanic activity that is subtly leading thousands upon thousands to hell.

I hate porn because it leads to disqualified pastors and impotent churches. (Pastors, if you are addicted to porn, you are disqualified, and you are killing your church!)

I hate porn because I suspect it’s the most significant reason we are not planting more churches and sending more missionaries.

I hate porn because it disqualifies gospel preachers who could fill the empty church buildings in my city and so many others.

I hate porn because of the disappointment children have to go through when their dad tells them why they lost their job or opportunity to lead in the church.

I hate porn because it teaches a distorted view of sex to children before it can be explained by loving parents.

I hate porn because I am tired of sitting in my office with sobbing, confused, devastated wives and broken, embarrassed, condemned men who got caught.

I hate porn because it leads to rape, molestation, and perversion that can devastate people for the rest of their lives.

I hate porn because it turns men inward and suffocates a man’s ambition to make God’s name hallowed.

I hate porn because it says sin, Satan, and the world are more satisfying than our Triune God and his grace.

I hate porn because I hate ungodly guilt and condemnation.

I hate porn for the fear it induces in the hearts of parents everywhere that their child could stumble upon a sight and get addicted.

But I love Jesus.

I love Jesus because he loves people with porn problems.

I love Jesus because he is powerful to free porn-enslaved hearts.

He who knew no porn addiction became porn addiction so the porn addict might become the righteousness of God in him.

He who had no sin became sin for you so that you may become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).

In that one brilliant sentence, Paul puts an end to the porn problem.

Friend, you are no longer in Adam but in Jesus. Jesus became a substitute. It was as if he became the porn addict, by receiving the just penalty due for our perversion, and you became the righteous son or daughter of God with all its benefits.

Friend, in one act of Love and Justice, in the cross-work of Jesus, through faith in him, you are now clean, holy, accepted, forgiven and free. Let me say it again . . . free!


Lot's Wife & A Pillar of Salt:

Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the Lord out of heaven. And he overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. (Gen. 19:24–26)

Everyone has a past. Some of us have logged spectacular moral failures, while others of us have managed to confine our sins to less horrifying categories. The longer we know Christ, the more we come to realize that all sin is spectacular when measured against the plumb line of God’s holiness. All sin is a spectacular exercise in self-focus and self-worship.

Saving faith frees us from sin’s power—it enables us to choose what God wants over what we want, and over time it aligns our wants with his. Instead of wanting to make much of ourselves we learn to want to make much of our Maker. But if we are honest, we still harbor places of self-worship in our heart of hearts. As we get better at setting aside one area of sin we often get better at concealing another. As much as we long to move forward in grace, we find our past still pulls at us.

But it’s not enough to recognize and regret our sin. To leave it behind, we must learn to hate it.

And this is where I begin to think about Lot’s wife. You remember her—raised a family in a city known for its sexual depravity, had to be physically dragged out of her hometown to avoid its imminent destruction, checked her rearview mirror, and, presto-change-o, turned into your favorite popcorn flavoring. Pretty high up there on the “Weird Stories of the Bible” list.
But when we look at it closer, her brief story has much to teach. The sense of the phrase “looked back” is that she “regarded, considered, paid attention to.” In other words, dragged free of her life of self-focus and set well on her way to freedom, Lot’s wife looked longingly and lingeringly on her past. Even as it was being consumed by the fiery wrath of God.

I think that a clue to understanding her demise lies in what she was turned into. God could have ended her life in any way, converted her to or covered her in any substance. But Genesis tells us specifically that she became a pillar of salt. To the modern ear salt is a reference to a popular seasoning, but this is because we enjoy the benefits of refrigeration. For thousands of years the primary function of salt was not as a seasoning but as a preservative. An apt metaphor for Mrs. Lot.

What if God had shown mercy to Lot’s wife? What if she had been allowed to flee the wickedness of Sodom to a better place, all the time harboring in her heart a love for her past? The virus of Sodom’s wickedness would have gone with her to her new home, preserved deep within her, waiting its chance to emerge and infect other lives. Rather than allow her to preserve the cherished memory of Sodom in a new place, God preserves her as a pillar of salt. She becomes a memorial for the preservation of evil, a warning to all who might see her frozen in her half-turned gaze of longing.

I am Lot’s wife. I preserve deep within me a memory of sin savored in years past. I see my sin, but I do not hate it. I linger on the idea of re-engaging it, even in my newfound freedom. And I risk spreading it to the lives of those around me. God have mercy.

If your spiritual gaze were frozen at this instant, on what would it be fixed? Every day is a choice to look forward toward life-giving grace or backward toward sin-saturated death. Will you choose self-focus or God-focus? How will you be memorialized? As someone who preserved the pleasures of sin or the profit of sanctification?

My prayer is that the memory of our past sins would be laced with the pungent odor of the fires of Sodom—the reek of God’s wrath exterminating the godlessness of our former days, the aroma of God’s grace pointing us toward new life, eyes fixed on our Savior.

Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it. (Luke 17:32–33)

Original Author: Jen Wilkin
Original Blog: Lessons from a Pillar of Salt

Tough Question: Is It OK To Live Together Before Marriage:

As a Student Minister who works with College and Young Professionals as well as Teenagers I am often asked if it is OK for a couple who is in love to live together before marriage. The answer to this question depends somewhat on what is meant by “living together.” If it means having sexual relations, it is definitely wrong. Premarital sex is repeatedly condemned in Scripture, along with all other forms of sexual immorality (Acts 15:20; Romans 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:13, 18; 7:2; 10:8; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Jude 7). The Bible promotes complete abstinence outside of (and before) marriage. Sex before marriage is just as wrong as adultery and other forms of sexual immorality, because they all involve having sex with someone you are not married to.

If “living together” means living in the same house, that is perhaps a different issue. Ultimately, there is nothing wrong with a man and a woman living in the same house—if there is nothing immoral taking place. However, the problem arises in that there is still the appearance of immorality (1 Thessalonians 5:22; Ephesians 5:3), and it could be a tremendous temptation for immorality. The Bible tells us to flee immorality, not expose ourselves to constant temptations to immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18). Then there is the problem of appearances. A couple who is living together is assumed to be sleeping together—that is just the nature of things. Even though living in the same house is not sinful in and of itself, the appearance of sin is there. The Bible tells us to avoid the appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22; Ephesians 5:3), to flee from immorality, and not to cause anyone to stumble or be offended. As a result, it is not honoring to God for a man and a woman to live together outside of marriage.

A follow up question which is commonly asked at this point is why if so many people live together before marriage is it considered a sin. This question could be much more easily answered if the Bible made a clear proclamation such as “living together before marriage or outside of marriage is living in sin.” Since the Bible makes no such definitive statement, many (including some who profess to be Christians) claim that living together outside of marriage is not living in sin. Perhaps the reason the Bible does not make a clear statement is that, in Bible times, the arrangement of unmarried people living as husband and wife was relatively rare, especially among the Jews and Christians.

While the Bible does not make an explicit statement about living in sin, that is not to say the Bible is completely silent on this issue. Rather, we have to put several Scriptures together and glean from them the principle that any sexuality outside of the marriage of one man and one woman is definitely sin. There are numerous Scriptures that declare God’s prohibition of sexual immorality (Acts 15:20; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:13, 18; 10:8; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Jude 7). The Greek word translated “sexual immorality” or “fornication” in these verses is porneia (from which we get the English word pornography), and it means literally “unlawful lust.” Since the only form of lawful sexuality is the marriage of one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5), then anything outside of marriage, whether it is adultery, premarital sex, homosexuality, or anything else, is unlawful, in other words, sin. Living together before marriage definitely falls into the category of fornication—sexual sin.

Hebrews 13:4 describes the honorable state of marriage: “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” This verse draws a clear distinction between that which is pure and honorable—marriage—and that which is sexually immoral—anything outside of marriage. As living together outside of marriage falls into this category, it is definitely sin. Anyone living together outside of lawful marriage invites the displeasure and judgment of God.


Piper's Art and the Glory of God

As a Father of a two year old I am frequently given gifts. These gifts are precious and priceless works of art. My daughter will spend significant time to go and get paper and crayons to make me a picture. Then they run to me with the picture in hand and simply say, “Daddy, draw.” I hold it up and admire it. There is no question: she made this artwork with intentionality. She wants to share it with me.

I have been studying the book of Genesis lately and was struck with the parallel in creation. The Bible repeatedly says in chapter 1 that what God made was good. God looks at what he made with approval. It is good. He also wants to share its goodness. Psalm 19 tells us that the creation declares God’s glory. It is pouring forth speech about him as the glorious Creator of everything.

Without reducing the infinite glory of what we see in God’s creation, I feel that the illustration of what children are doing helps to communicate what we see in God’s work. God is sharing what he made while he delights in it. Further, he is inviting others to come and behold it and enter into his joy in its stunning beauty. The child, as an image bearer, is unwittingly reflecting something of their Creator’s work. They are joyfully sharing what they have made and inviting us to enter into their joy by agreeing with them about its goodness.

We might look past what kids are doing as simply developmental but I believe there is something devotional to observe as well. All creation, including children, are declaring his glory. Speech is being poured out. Do you see the Creator’s handiwork in the creativity of the children? It will provoke your worship. It has mine.

Sunday, January 10, 2016

Help! My Teenager Is Using Drugs/Alcohol:

Each and every day hundreds of parents are shocked to discover that their child is using and abusing drugs and alcohol. For Diane it took a phone call from the school guidance counselor. “Could you come into my office right away?” the guidance counselor asked. “We need to talk about your daughter Rachel. We found a bottle of wine in her locker, and we have reason to believe she’s been drinking in school.” While vacuuming out the family car, Tom found a pack of rolling papers under the front seat. A search of his son Tyler’s room yielded a small plastic bag filled with marijuana. The problem hit home for Steve and Tammy when they pieced together a string of sudden behavioral changes in their daughter, Kim. A drop in grades, change in friends, disheveled appearance, and withdrawal from family life all pointed in a direction they didn’t want to look. Their suspicions were confirmed when Kim finally admitted to habitual use of amphetamines.

How would you respond if you discovered that your preventive efforts had failed? What would you do if faced with the realization that your child had become a “statistic” like Jason, Rachel, Tyler, or Kim?

If you’re like many parents, the temptation is to deny that the ugly reality of teen substance abuse has hit home. But disbelief only allows the problem to continue and worsen. In order to redeem a situation gone wrong and restore our teens to physical, spiritual, and emotional

Each and every day hundreds of parents are shocked to discover that their child is using and abusing drugs and alcohol. How would you respond if you discovered that your preventive efforts had failed?

Health, the substance-abuse problem must be acknowledged and addressed. Experts agree that now, more than ever, teenagers need loving dads and moms who are committed to addressing the reality of their teenagers’ problem by taking five steps on the road to undoing what’s been done.

STEP #1: Take a deep breath.
As with any crisis, discovering that your child has a drug/alcohol problem can send you reeling into a state of shock and alarm. The sudden overwhelming terror often leads parents to become irrational or overreactive. But a positive first step lays a strong foundation for your family’s walk down the road
to recovery. Here are three bits of advice to heed as you take a deep breath and prepare for the very difficult road that lies ahead:

• First, don’t panic. Losing your cool, composure, or head will only make the situation worse.

• Second, don’t feel guilty. Your first priority is to eliminate the nasty influence of substance abuse
on your child. Wallowing around in guilt, shame,and self-pity can paralyze you and keep you from taking the needed steps. Remember, your children have the freedom to make their own choices. For whatever reason, they have made the choice to abuse drugs and/or alcohol.

• Third, love your child. Now, more than ever, he or she needs to know that you are going to stand by
and love unconditionally, in spite of his or her bad choices. When I asked a teen ex-addict to tell me
the best thing parents can do when they discover their child’s problem, he answered without hesitation, “Love them!”

STEP #2: Confront your teenager about the problem.
After catching your breath, develop a plan for confronting your teen immediately with your suspicion/knowledge of the problem. Delay only allows a bad situation to get worse. As you prepare to face your teen, keep three objectives in mind.

• First, don’t confront them while they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Because your
goal is to get them to listen, be sure that they are in a frame of mind to hear and understand what
you’re saying.

• Second, don’t confront them until you yourself are calm. Because your goal is to eliminate the
drug problem and deal with the heart issues that have caused it, you should avoid any possibility
of coming across with the alienating tone of a preacher or police interrogator.

• Third, you want the confrontation to yield an admission of your teen’s problem and a desire to
get help. Because denial is a common problem for people struggling with chemical dependency,
a process of intervention might be required to break through and motivate the teen to seek help.
An intervention is a well-planned confrontation that involves some combination of family members, friends, and professionals. Speaking with care, love, hope, and concern, the team shares examples of specific incidents in which the user’s behavior has had negative consequences on themselves and others. If an intervention is necessary, it’s important that you get some training or enlist the help of a professional who can structure and facilitate the session. Because denial is a common problem for people struggling with chemical dependency, a process of intervention might be required to break through and motivate the teen to seek help.

STEP #3: Secure the help of a qualified counselor.
While we may know our children better than anyone else, the scope of a teen substance abuse problem requires a course of corrective action and treatment that goes beyond what we can handle on our own. Gary Oliver, a trained substance abuse counselor in Pennsylvania, offers some straightforward advice to parents: “If you see a rattlesnake in your basement, you may want to call someone who knows something about rattlesnakes!” The best thing to do for your teen and yourself
is to go to your pastor or a trusted counselor for a referral to a competent individual or program with a proven record of successfully handling teen substance abusers. Look for a counselor who takes into account the spiritual dimension of teen addiction problems. In a day and age where many counselors view “religion” as a crutch, you’ll want to be sure you choose a Christian counselor who sees God as the solution, not as part of the problem. In cases where teens continue to deny their problem even after intervention, they will probably refuse to see a counselor. When a teen refuses help, parents should continue to address the problem by going to a Christian counselor themselves. A trained professional will help you discover ways to break through to a teen who seems unreachable.

STEP #4: Determine the depth of the problem.
Earlier I mentioned Rachel, a girl who was drinking heavily, and Tyler, a teen who was using marijuana. While it was evident to their parents that these kids had entered the dangerous world of teen substance abuse, nobody knew the frequency or severity of their abuse patterns. In order to determine the exact extent of Rachel and Jason’s problems, their individual counselors conducted a thorough assessment.

For some parents, the end result of an initial evaluation will be good news. While devastated by their discovery of Jason’s rolling papers, Tom and Lori were pleased when the counselor said that Jason was not a drug addict but a curious teen who was caught in the beginning stages of drug experimentation. While he required counseling, his problem was nowhere near as severe as Rachel’s. In her case, her parents’ worst fears were confirmed. Rachel’s drinking was long-term and frequent.
Psychologist Les Parrot distinguishes four possible and common types of adolescent drug users. A thorough initial evaluation should determine where a teen with a substance abuse problem falls on the severity spectrum. Then, and only then, can an effective and appropriate course of treatment be
recommended.

• The least severe type of user is the Experimenter. He or she uses drugs or alcohol up to four or five
times in order to gain acceptance by the peer group or to satisfy his or her curiosity as to what
the high is all about.

The Recreationist uses drugs as an avenue to share a pleasurable experience with friends rather than for the mood or effect of the substance. In an adolescent equivalent to the adult world of cocktail parties, teens like Tyler and his friends would “fellowship” around smoking pot.

The Seeker has a use pattern that goes beyond sharing an experience with peers. He or she
pursues an altered state of consciousness and uses drugs or alcohol regularly to achieve that effect.

• The most dangerous and advanced adolescent abuser is the Drug Head. He or she is addicted to drugs and can’t live without them. The use of drugs to feel OK indicates a strong physical and
psychological dependence. This describes the sorry state of what Rachel’s life had become.

STEP #5: Get treatment.
A qualified professional will work with parents to recommend and prescribe a course of treatment appropriate to the severity of the substance abuse problem. Teens with more severe problems should be directed to one or two types of ongoing treatment programs. Look for a counselor who takes into
account the spiritual dimension of teen addiction problems.

• Outpatient care is a cost-effective way for teens to continue with the regular activities of their
daily lives while addressing their substance abuse problem. Teens with early stage substance abuse
problems can reap great benefits from the regular routine of attending meetings, counseling, and
lecture sessions several days a week after schoolwhile going home to practice what they learn in
their real-life family situation. At the NaamanCenter in Pennsylvania, adolescent counselor Gary Oliver requires teens to attend three-hour longsessions at least two to four times a week, for the durations based on the individual’s clinical and recovery needs.

• Inpatient care is a comprehensive approach to treatment recommended for teens who need
intensive support, supervision, and education. By taking time out from the normal routines and stresses of daily life, teens are able to focus on the recovery process with the twenty-four hour support of a team of qualified medical and counseling professionals in a protected environment. Rachel’s condition warranted inpatient care that required a six-week stay in a program designed specifically for teens. Parents who want to secure the best and most effective treatment for their teens should look for some basic elements in a treatment program:

• First, the program should involve teens in Christian counseling that is designed to increase
awareness of their addiction, get to the heart issues of the problem, improve their coping skills,
and lead them to establish and pursue goals for a drug-free lifestyle. Because substance abuse is not just a physical problem, counseling must address the spiritual and emotional issues as well.

• Second, the program should involve parents and the rest of the family in the counseling and recovery process. Teen substance abuse problems don’t occur in a vacuum. Treatment centers should recognize that family members need help themselves. Through their involvement in her treatment, Rachel’s parents discovered unhealthy family and parenting patterns that contributed to Rachel’s decision to abuse alcohol. Successful treatment meant not only that Rachel began to live drug-free but that her entire family system was healthier because everyone was involved in the recovery process.

• And finally, the possibility of a relapse should be addressed through a good follow-up program. By
some estimates, up to 70 percent of chemically dependent people resume alcohol or drug abuse
within one year of treatment. Teens should leave a treatment program with relapse-prevention skills, a support network, and scheduled follow-up counseling.

As always parents if you have discovered your son or daughter has an alcohol or drug problem and would like to discuss this further please contact the church office.

Dr. Walt Mueller,
President, the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding
Adapted from Walt Mueller’s book, Youth Culture 101.
1. Les Parrott, III, Helping Your Struggling Teenager: A Parenting
Handbook on Thirty-Six Common Problems (Grand Rapids,
Mich.: Zondervan, 2000), 106.

Tough Question: Should A Christian Play the Lottery?:

Lotto fever has hit America. Everywhere I turn people are talking about the Powerball Lottery. All of the talk about the lottery brings about an important question: should a Christian play the lottery, does the Bible have anything to say about playing the lottery? Pastor John Piper has written an excellent article on Seven Reasons Not to Play the Lottery which you may read here. A quote which is still going around and around in my brain is towards the end of the article when he writes, "if you chose to play the lottery, and win, don't give your winnings to this ministry. Christ does not build his church on the backs of the poor." What a statement! Below is my attempt to answer the question, should a Christian play the Lottery?

The word gamble means “to risk something of value on an outcome that depends on chance.” Because the outcome of a lottery “depends on chance” and playing it involves “risk,” then, by definition, playing the lottery is gambling.

The Bible has no examples of a lottery, but it does contain instances of gambling: Samson’s wager in Judges 14:12 and the soldiers’ gambling over Jesus’ garments in Mark 15:24. In neither case is gambling presented in a good light. The Bible also mentions the casting of lots for the purpose of decision making (Joshua 18:10; Nehemiah 10:34). And Proverbs 16:33 emphasizes the sovereignty of God: “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.” But the biblical purpose of casting lots was not to test one’s luck or to gain material wealth.

The main purpose of playing the lottery is to win money, and the Bible tells us what our attitude toward money should be. So often, riches get in the way of a man’s spiritual benefit (Mark 4:19; 10:25). Jesus teaches, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Luke 16:13). First Timothy 6:10 is where we find the famous warning that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.

Playing the lottery as a get-rich-quick scheme is statistically futile, and it focuses the lottery player on the temporary riches of this world (see Proverbs 23:5). The fact is, God wants people to earn their money honestly by working hard: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). We ought to gain wealth through diligence, as a gift from the Lord: “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth” (Proverbs 10:4).

Gamblers, including players of the lottery, typically covet money and the things that money can buy. God forbids covetousness: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor” (Exodus 20:17; see also 1 Timothy 6:10). One of the world’s lies is that money is the answer to life’s problems. People are lured into playing the lottery with promises that their lives will improve if they can only hit the jackpot. If they can just get lucky with the numbers, their problems will disappear. Such hopes are empty (see Ecclesiastes 5:10–15).

So, we would do well to be cautious about playing the lottery. There are many better uses for the money spent on a ticket, and we must guard our hearts against covetousness and our lives against addictions to gaming. Buying a lottery ticket here and there may not be a sin, but greed is. Those playing the lottery must prayerfully examine their motives and, if they continue playing, do so responsibly and only in moderation.

Monday, January 4, 2016

January Parent Newsletter:

Parents on the GO:

  1. We are continuing our study in the Book of Genesis. We should finish Genesis this month. Please take a few minutes and ask your son or daughter for one truth they have learned.
  2. Saturday, January 16th: 8:00 AM-3:00 PM: Snow Tubing. Cost: $35 plus lunch. We only have 6 spots left!
  3. Saturday, February 13th: 12:00 PM-4:00 PM: Baskets for Widows. We will be putting together and delivering Valentine baskets for the widows in our church. Cost: FREE
  4. Week of June 20-24th. Mission Fuge Summer Camp at Liberty University. Cost: $150. Here is a link for more information on the camp (http://www.fugecamps.com/mfuge/). Nothing is due until April; however, I wanted to put it on your radar to mark out that week in your schedule.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.-Lamentations 3:22-23

Dear Parents,

I love New Years! The excitement of beginning afresh washes over me every year and I look forward to the clock striking midnight and starting a new year. As Christians we don't have to wait for a new year to start over with God; His mercies are new every day.

God's mercies are new every morning because each day only has enough mercy in it for that day.

This is why we tend to despair when we think that we may have to bear tomorrow's load on today's resources. God wants us to know. We won't. Today's mercies are for today's troubles. Tomorrow's mercies are for tomorrow's troubles.

Sometimes we wonder if we will have the mercy to stand in terrible testing. Yes, we will. Peter says, "If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you" (1 Peter 4:14). When the reviling comes the Spirit of glory comes. It happened for Stephen as he was being stoned. It will happen for you. When the Spirit and the glory are needed they will come.

The manna in the wilderness was given one day at a time. There was no storing up. That is the way we must depend on God's mercy. You do not receive today the strength to bear tomorrow's burdens. You are given mercies today for today's troubles.

Tomorrow the mercies will be new. "God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Corinthians 1:9). 

I am learning everyday (I realize I don't know completely yet, but I am learning) how difficult being a parent is. I find myself apologizing to my parents for the way I treated them. Parents we can be thankful that God's mercies are new in 2016. When we make mistakes as parents God's mercies will be new. When we lose our temper and speak harshly to our children we can remember that God's mercies are new. When we look on social media and feel we don't measure up to all those "perfect" parents we can remember that God's mercies are new. Parents, take comfort today that God's mercies are new and fresh for all of us everyday and every year.

I don't know what awaits us in 2016 but I do know that God's mercies will be new and fresh. I know that the same God who sustained us in 2015 will sustain us in 2016 and that is why I look forward with eager anticipation to a brand new year.

Reaching, Teaching, and Releasing,

Pastor T Welch