I once dreamt of a world

where sensitivity engendered inhibitions

and hopes and dreams dashed to the ground

purpose and meaning were sought

through one night stands

and quick fixes on narcotics

children wept till early morning

as they watched their parents willfully take their own lives

and parents watched as their children were

raped, drugged, and forced into the evils of war

A world where empty dreams and lost hope

only bread more empty dreams and lost hope

I watched as greed and power motivated

longing souls to kill and conquer-and destroy

I watched the deep longing in men and women

never be quenched by more possessions

It was a world where selfishness only led to isolation

and the few lights still shining

were fighting the struggle to be dim

from discouragement and temptation

I cried out and mourned for this world

that had long ago

closed their eyes and ears to the truth

I ached to tell them of how all of their efforts

are simply futile when their search is only for self-satisfaction

If only they would listen...

Their inhibitions would quickly fade

as their hopes and dreams are restored

purpose would soon be found

by the One who dries every tear

longings would be satisfied by the light that can never dim

the light that heals all wounds

and mends the broken hearts

I cried out and screamed

with all the life within me

I awakened to find this was not a dream

but the terror-filled world that lives

with eyes wide shut

was my world

and it still couldn't hear

and still couldn't see the light

shining in.

*(Yes, I know. Depressing. Sometimes I feel like you have to have things dealt to you in a very real, very raw unashamed way to truly have your eyes opened. Also, in reference to the world- I don't mean every person. I mean the world in general. The lights that are shining- keep on shining. Shine brighter and brighter until people can't do anything but open their eyes to the exposed truth of Christ.)

Like a lighthouse from a stormy sea...

I sit here, distracting my mind from what I am supposed to do. I was asked to put together a parent resource packet about many things, the worst (in my opinion) is pornography.

Reading these statistics... Here are a few of my "favorites".

-More than 70% of men from 18 to 34 visit a pornographic site in a typical month (comScore Media Metrix).

Or, here is another... protecting the innocence of children...

-100,000 websites offer illegal child pornography (U.S. Customs Service estimate)

This is not true of every pastor though- There are many out there that are fine.

-Over half of evangelical pastors admits viewing pornography last year.

Not to put it all on men's shoulders...

-34% of female readers of Today's Christian Woman's online newsletter admitted to intentionally accessing Internet porn in a recent poll and 1 out of every 6 women, including Christians, struggles with an addiction to pornography (Today’s Christian Woman, Fall 2003).

And. Possibly the most heartbreaking...

-The Internet was a significant factor in 2 out of 3 divorces (American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers in 2003 - divorcewizards.com).

Now, I am not bringing all of this up to depress anyone. Personally, I feel like we need to face the cold, hard truth face-to-face so that we may finally confront it. We cannot live our lives in apathy while there is an epic battle occurring on a daily basis.

As always- there is hope. Many people- many men, many women have taken a stand. They have chosen not to give in to the desires of their flesh. They have chosen not to settle for instant gratification, but to stand on their two feet, with the help of the one who has conquered all. As Hebrews 4:15 says, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin." People battling in this war against their desires have hope in Christ- Jesus is not one who sits on the sidelines, fearlessly encouraging, as the players scoff to themselves, "Yeah, easier said than done." No, Jesus is the one, the only one who conquered all. Like a lighthouse from a stormy sea Jesus is to us in our struggles.

Never give up hope.

Although it may feel like you are going under, drowning in your own demise- hope is never lost.

Always trust in the one who always was, is, and will still be.

With him, you can do anything.

For further reading on taking a stand check out http://x3church.com/.

(All statistics from http://www.safefamilies.org/sfStats.php)

My First.

Greater things are yet to come...

This I believe.

I have the hope that this world was not made for disaster, one-night stands, and diseases that rob even the youngest of their life.

It was not created to go on turning day after day while its children cry out for their lives.

Our existence was not by chance.

It was not a mistake.

We were created by a great lover.

One who desires to sweep us into a great, epic romance.

Desires to heals all wounds and hush even the deepest of cries that wrenches from the pit of our stomachs.

Greater things are yet to come...

We were not created to live inharmoniously. Not to hate another because of ethnicity or orientation. We were not created to live with haughty eyes looking down on our brothers and sisters, or with shame, begging for just a drop of water for our dying child.

Greater things are yet to come...

It doesn't begin with us just "waiting for the world to change". No, John Mayer. We must be the change. It is not on our own though.

We have a creator, a lover who dares us to jump into the water head first, and trust that he will take us on a journey that is worthwhile.

He will use our hearts to make a change. To be the change. To love the unlovable. To reach out to the untouchable.

Hope is an awesome thing. Certainly not for the faint of heart.

Do you dare?

Could you possibly take a jump and believe...?

Greater things are yet to come.