I had just finished praying with my dear friend Amy, long distance, in the Safeway parking lot when I looked up and noticed a very platinum, exceptionally skinny, provacatively dressed young woman come out of a beat-up 1987 Toyota Tercel. She couldn't be bothered to say goodbye to whomever was dropping her off and seemed emotionless. Immediately I thought, "I've got to talk to her. This is not a coincidence." You have to understand, I live in a very quiet, conservative neighborhood. Whatever was going on stood out. At least to me.
As she took off down the street on foot, I wondered about the backstory. Clearly, Safeway was not her destination. I followed her in my dusty SUV and wondered what I would say when I caught up to her.
Pulling up to her, I called out and said "excuse me. This is totally random, but I just want you to know that Jesus loves you." She pulled off her huge designer sunglasses to reveal flawless makeup, false eyelashes, and a seriously flat expression. No emotions. She was a stunning girl, probably in her early 20s. Kind of resembled Heidi Montag, but thinner.
"OK," she said as her gaze moved to my car to see what was really going on.
"I know, it's weird that I pulled up to you, but He's done it for me, He can do it for you. Whatever you're involved in, He can get you out." I didn't know what to say then except for "have a good day." Kinda lame, but it was the best I could come up with at the time.
"Thanks." She walked off, headed towards an apartment complex.
It could have been her pimp that dropped her off. It could have been a trick. I don't know. I've never been a prostitute, but I know pain when I see it and I know that Jesus can fix it.
If that's you, if you're stuck in a situation with a dude running your life and you're getting paid to do things that tear at your soul, there's a way out. If you're looking for someone to love you, to take care of you, someone to lean on, God can do that. He doesn't need a middleman who's willing to sell your flesh and your body for a price. That's not love. And that's not from God.
God wants to be that provider, that lover of your soul, that protector, that everything that you've been looking for in all the wrong places. If you feel too dirty, too used up, too broken to be loved, don't worry, you're not alone in thinking that way. The good news? That's a lie. God doesn't see you that way. He sees you the way that He created you--perfect. Beautiful, whole, loved, and blessed. You are way too important to believe otherwise.
If your heart is broken and you're tired of the game, say out loud:
Therefore, if I am in Christ, I am a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Friday, October 28, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
SEXTING
Years ago, boys and girls got into a 1957 Chevy and parked on a deserted hilltop to "make out". Think about it, somebody had to be at least 16 (drivers license in possession of course) to be in the car. Nowadays with the advent of cell phones and hand-held devices, younger kids have access to things like internet pornography, explicit texting and now, sexting.
Sexting, just in case you haven't heard, is the act of taking or receiving sexually graphic pictures of yourself or another and transmitting it via text on a cell phone (or computer). Have you ever been tempted to do that? Not to be rude, but have you ever thought about how insane that is? Think about it..how mature are teenage boys? Do you honestly think that he'll keep your picture to himself? And guys, seriously? Do you really want a picture of your family jewels displayed for everyone on the girl's volleyball team?
The bottom line is that if you respect yourself, you will not be sending a text. Period. And if Bubba or Dixie Lou sends something like that to you, don't you think they'll send it to someone else too? You're special and special waits til marriage. Don't be fooled.
Once something is in digital form and has been sent out via the internet or satellite, that picture can be reproduced thousands of times.
If tempted to "sext", or if you've already done it, say out loud (based on 1 Corinthians 10:13):
Sexting, just in case you haven't heard, is the act of taking or receiving sexually graphic pictures of yourself or another and transmitting it via text on a cell phone (or computer). Have you ever been tempted to do that? Not to be rude, but have you ever thought about how insane that is? Think about it..how mature are teenage boys? Do you honestly think that he'll keep your picture to himself? And guys, seriously? Do you really want a picture of your family jewels displayed for everyone on the girl's volleyball team?
The bottom line is that if you respect yourself, you will not be sending a text. Period. And if Bubba or Dixie Lou sends something like that to you, don't you think they'll send it to someone else too? You're special and special waits til marriage. Don't be fooled.
Once something is in digital form and has been sent out via the internet or satellite, that picture can be reproduced thousands of times.
If tempted to "sext", or if you've already done it, say out loud (based on 1 Corinthians 10:13):
"No temptation has overtaken me except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow me to be tempted beyond what I am able, but with the temptation will also make way of escape, that I may be able to bear it."
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