TGIF, My next writing assignment, GEO, and other thougts...

I would like to spill over what was said at a seminar I went to last night here on campus. Rochester College is sponsoring a series called "The Shrink Is In". They've been going on for a while, but I went to my first one last night-two assembly credits for going. Anyway, the topic was Purity: Sex and Dating.

The speaker, a licesned therapist and adjunct professor, came from the scripture in 1 Corinthians 6(NIV)

18Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.


She talked about other things, but a specific point she made really stuck out to me. "You are not your own. You were bought with a price." She made the statement that sex is good. She informed us that before she was saved, during the 70's she lived a very active lifestlye of sex, alcohol, and drugs. "It was recreational", she said. Anyway, she said that sex was good. However, when it is performed illegally(that's mine) that you are stealing what rightfully belongs to Christ. The Amplified Bible says that we are "purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made his own". So when we are sexually immoral(AMP: impure in thought, word, and/or deed), we are stealing ourselves away from Christ. She said "How can you justify stealing from God, when he gave his only son up to death that he might have you?"(paraphrase)

The Contemporary English Version says that sexual immorality is a sin against your body in a way that no other sin is. Sexual immorality dishonours the thing which we are exhorted to glorify him with. The bottom line is sex outside of the ordinance and sacrement of marriage is not only detrimental to our spiritual selves but to our natural-physical and mental.

My prayer is to all, even those in the church, that are Christians, redeemed by the saving blood of Christ, and are yet struggling in this area. There is a way out. A persistent prayer life is the answer. You must give yourself over to Christ, and surrender to his keeping power. You must trust him to handle your emotions and feelings. God will fix it, and trust me- he does understand! You are not alone! We can make it!

If you are struggling, there are some resources that I recommend to help equip you. You must feed yourself the things of God in order for your spiritual man to become stronger, and only the strong survive.


Every Young Man's Battle Series- Steven Arterburn and Fred Stoeker
You can also visit one of the author's sites and go on the message board. Their is an entire community of believers who are there to support each other both in accountability and in prayer, along with some practical advice:www.fredstoeker.com
Single, Saved, and Having Sex -Ty Adams- I haven't read this one, but I hear its very good. I've met her, and she seems very sincere.

I'm thinking about doing my next writing assingment that focuses on the rhetorical pattern of DEFINITION, by defining myself, using some of my idiosyncracies. Such as: When I open the door for a woman, why do they brace the door like I'm not even standing there? Are they saying I'm too short to hold the door open for them? What kind of stuff is that?

What do you guys think? The paper is due Thursday. I'm trying my hand at literary humor-all my other papers are so serious. I just want to do something different.

GEO-Global Educational Opportunities

Fall 2006

VIENNA

September-December

I really want to go. I think it would be a good experience. What do you guys think? Have any of you ever studied abroad? Please pray that God would make my path clear. My first deadline is November 28th.

Uncle Watch

I spent some time with my niece and nephew on Wednesday. It is my opinion that Jor'dyn will probably get the most discpline because he's already running his mouth-constantly. He might be the class clown, but I think he'll get it honestly. Stay tuned for more updates.

On October 26, 2002, my mother passed away of Breast Cancer. In memory of her, this past June, I participated in a Cancer Walk. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. So I encourage every woman over the age of 40 to get your mammograms, and always self-check for any abnormalities. Also, please visit the Karmanos Institute's website for other ways you could help. Also, pray for me and my family as our loss was great, and we are still hurting.

I'll be preaching this Sunday at New Beginnings Christian Fellowship Church at 2:00.

You are invited to attend. The services are currently being held at New Cumberland Presbyterian Church on Campbell Street in Warren. It's right off of I-696 and Van Dyke Rd.

Until Next Time,
The Minibishop