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)