Jon Weece's Blog

Here's that video we previewed this weekend during services. A word of warning, it does have PG-13 level content, so watch with caution. It's extremely powerful.

Jacob's Story from Southland Christian Church on Vimeo.

In his play Macbeth, Shakespeare wrote, “Away and mock the time with fairest show; false face must hide what the false heart doth know.”

Since the uncovering of sin in the garden of Eden, humanity has experienced shame. Shame is a naked state whereby we know we cannot hide from the One who made us and sees us. The irony is we want to hide but we also want to be found. We want to know and be known. And Adam and Eve created the tension, this need to look over our shoulders for fear that our lies might be unearthed. It’s like we’re all playing a role in this grand Shakespearean drama with fake lines and choreographed dances and imaginary places and costumes and make-up and lots and lots of masks. In his book True Faced, author Bill Thrall notes, “The trouble with papier-mâché is that it doesn’t reflect.” And as the image bearers of God we were made to reflect the glory of God. And few things rob us of that joy like the shame that is born out of porn addiction.

In his book, Wired for Intimacy, bio-psychologist William Struthers observes that:

“As we fall deeper into the mental habit of fixating on these images, the exposure to them creates neural pathways. Like a path that is created in the woods with each successive hiker, so do the neural paths set the course for the next time an erotic image is viewed. Over time these neural paths become wider as they are repeatedly traveled with each exposure to pornography. They become the automatic pathway through which interactions with women are routed...They (men) have unknowingly created a neurological circuit that imprisons their ability to see women rightly as created in God’s image.”

In an interview with Playboy Magazine, John Mayer, a man who has had his fair share of sexual liaisons said, “When I watch porn, if it’s not hot enough, I’ll make up back stories in my mind...This is my problem now: Rather than meet somebody new, I would rather go home and replay the amazing experiences I’ve already had...What that explains is that I’m more comfortable in my imagination than I am in actual human discovery.”

Empty. Lonely. Those are the words that came to mind when I read his words.

I deal with men who started viewing pornographic images in their elementary years of development. Typically, their dads kept a stash of magazines under their mattress or near their toolbox in the garage and the temptation and curiosity was too strong to resist. So as a boy, they snatched dad’s magazine and headed to the woods for a peek. And with their buddies from the neighborhood gathered around, a hushed silence fell over them as they turned each page slowly, soaking in this mysterious wonder known as the female form. With hands trembling, hearts racing and hormones raging, each new picture generated something they had never experienced before as boys...ecstasy! But with the ecstasy came this intuitive reaction of, “I don’t know if I should be looking at this.” In that moment of fixation a small voice in their brain said, “Something about this feels wrong.” But the rush of ecstasy overpowered the whisper of shame. And little did they know that a simple exposure to a naked woman would lead them down a destructive neurological and spiritual path.

James 5:16 says: “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”

That is a fear inducing verse. It’s far easier to hand our dirty laundry to God. But to air it in front of people...

What we forget is that people are wearing the same papier-mâché masks we are. What we forget is that people are stained by as much shame as we are and need to be soaked in God’s love as much as we do. The same enemy who punked Adam and Eve is the same enemy who is trying to convince us that God’s forgiveness only goes so far. When the truth is, God wants to set us free from the cages we’ve locked ourselves in. The wide open expanse of God’s grace has no fence line.

And in our next series, Throw It Down, which launches in three days, we are going to let go of any and all hurts, habits, and hang ups that keep us from experiencing that freedom! And maybe for you, the cage you’ve been trapped in doesn’t involve pornography. Maybe for you, your lips have been glued to a bottle or your value has been dictated by a scale or a mirror. Whatever it is that you hold on to and whatever it is that holds on to you, God is inviting you to join us as we take a risk together and chase hard after the breathe in deep life that Jesus died to give us!

And know this...it doesn’t matter to us what you’ve done or where you’ve been...what matters to us is you...as you are. So take a look at what this pastor has to say about throwing it down...

It may be the most important question we can ever ask and pursue an answer for. There are only two possible answers: There is a God or there isn’t a God. Everything in human history is defined by the answer you determine to be true.

Over the years, Christians have for the most part received a failing grade when it comes to Peter’s challenge of, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15) Sadly, Karl Marx’s observation that “Religion is an opiate of the masses” tends to be true for many believers.

I was taught by my parents and my professors that faith is based on sufficient evidence and the evidence for our faith is more than sufficient. I’m not much on debates because they tend to lack a relational element of “speak the truth in love” which Jesus was so adept at. But I do enjoy listening to someone who can define and defend what we believe from a theological, philosophical, and scientific viewpoint. One such person is William Craig Lane.

I’ve posted a recent debate held at Biola University between Dr. Lane and famed atheist Christopher Hitchens. My recommendation is to break up the two hours over the course of a week. You will either find the video fascinating or you will use it as an alternative to Ambien.

Hey, thanks for taking this challenge seriously. With God’s help, you can do this! I hope it changes your week and your life! If you missed the challenge, you can watch the entire message here.

1. Pray

Our 7 Day Prayer

“Abba Father, I praise you for your goodness and your grace. I praise you for your creation and the beauty of it. I praise you for the life you’ve given me. Your compassion and love instill joy and confidence in my life. Father, forgive me for continually rejecting and running away from the life that you created me for. Look past my sins and cover my stains. Remove the guilt that marks my life and the shame that robs my sleep. I have run from your truth for far too long; I’m at my wit’s end, there is no rope left, this life I’m living isn’t working, so I’m running to you. God, no matter what it takes, bring brokenness in my life. Open my eyes to how utterly hopeless I am without you. Teach me to hate sin. Teach me humility. In your great grace, would you unravel and ruin me, dismantle and devastate me; pull down every pillar of my faithless life until I wholly depend upon you. Surround me with your mercy, overwhelm me with your grace, cover me with your love, and drench my life in the words of your truth. Pour out your Spirit, your empowering presence, upon my life and teach me the joy of full surrender. God, take me ever deeper into your heart, show me the Jesus way of life, and may the light of his life be the light that shines through me—from the inside out. Amen!”

Prayer Walk

Pick a 15 minute window of time each day to go for a walk. On the walk, do not ask God for anything. Simply thank him for what he has already given you! After your walk remember Cody and Jemima's example, and how joy isn't dependent on your circumstances.

 

2. Sing

20 Worship Songs

1. You’ll Come - Hillsong United iTunes Store Link
2. Here is Our King - David Crowder Band iTunes Store Link
3. Sweep Me Away - Passion iTunes Store Link
4. Happy Day - Chris Tomlin iTunes Store Link
5. Sing, Sing, Sing - Chris Tomlin iTunes Store Link
6. Jesus Messiah - Chris Tomlin iTunes Store Link
7. Never Let Go - David Crowder Band iTunes Store Link
8. How He Loves David Crowder Band iTunes Store Link
9. Oh, Happiness - David Crowder Band iTunes Store Link
10. Sing to the King - Candi Pearson Amazon mp3 Store Link
11. Marvelous Light - Charlie Hall iTunes Store Link
12. Jesus Paid It All - Kristian Stanfill iTunes Store Link
13. O Praise Him - David Crowder Band iTunes Store Link
14. Everything Glorious - David Crowder Band iTunes Store Link
15. Glorious One - Steve Fee iTunes Store Link
16. No One Like You - David Crowder Band iTunes Store Link
17. How Great is Our God - Chris Tomlin iTunes Store Link
18. Wonderful Cross - Chris Tomlin iTunes Store Link
19. Amazing Grace, My Chains are Gone - Chris Tomlin iTunes Store Link
20. Famous One - Chris Tomlin iTunes Store Link

3. Meditate

Read the book God is Closer Than You Think by John Ortberg. Get it on Amazon.com

Verse to memorize:

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (II Timothy 1:7 NIV)

And for those who dare to memorize two verses in the same week:

“The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (II Timothy 4:18 NIV)

As I said this weekend, the wedding feast of the Lamb will be a celebration unlike any you’ve ever seen!