What Prompts You to Say Yes?
Dear Friends,
In his article, The Sin Tamer, published in the online edition of Leadership Journal, author and Pastor John Ortberg says:
“How much sin should we expect in the church? We have gauges for other elements of church life. We generally monitor attendance. We know how many people are in small groups. Somebody counts the offerings. And often we don't just measure what we're interested in—we set goals.
Anybody hear of a church that set a goal for a 5-percent sin reduction next year?
I don't mean to be glib about this. Sin is, somehow, at the root of all human misery. Sin is what keeps us from God and from life. It is in the face of every battered woman, the cry of every neglected child, the despair of every addict, the death of every victim of every war.
Pastors have historically understood their primary battle to be not the battle to build a big church, but the battle against the power of sin. "We wrestle not against flesh and blood…." Christians have measured the seriousness of the battle by the suffering and bleeding of Calvary.
And sin doesn't seem to be going away, either outside or inside the church. So how should we be thinking about sin, in our congregations and in ourselves?” (Click here to read the entire article online.)
Ortberg addresses an issue I’ve also been speaking and writing about: Sin and sexual failure, particularly among Christians. I wish it weren’t so, but this subject is particularly relevant in view of the last few weeks of revelations here in the USA. I hope you’ll read my article: Sex, Power, and Public Failure (And how you can protect yourself) in Espresso for the Soul.
After being gone so much, I’m looking forward to being home most of the summer, meeting with women, working on a new book proposal, and getting ready to teach some classes this Fall.
Hope you have a great summer (or winter, depending on which part of the world you live in!).
Love in Christ,
P.S. Want to learn more on this topic? Check out my July/August Bookstore Special below.
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Ensign And Sanford: Sex, Power And Public Failure (And how you can protect yourself!)
by Poppy Smith
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Governor Mark Sanford and Senator John Ensign recently joined a sad list of public figures who have failed morally. I only have to mention former President Bill Clinton, former Gov. Elliot Spitzer, various mayors, police chiefs, a former CEO of Boeing, military recruiters, senior classmen at the Air Force Academy, prison guards, pastors, counselors, junior and high school teachers, (male and female) for us to recognize the breadth of this problem.
Talking about sex, power and public failure isn’t a pleasant, feel good topic, especially in Christian circles. But it must be talked about, especially as too many who publically claim to uphold “family values” don’t. This topic is not academic or irrelevant, it is for every red-blooded man or woman, Christian or not. It needs to be addressed because when we practice behaviors that are inappropriate, we are putting our reputation and career on the line, as well as the well-being of those who love and trust us.
Most of all, we are tearing down the dwindling credibility Christians have in our culture as people who live by a different moral code because we know and love God.
At the heart of most...[read more] |
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Sex, Power and Serving God
Need description of audio CD,
Need regular price of audio CD.
Need July/August special price of audio CD to make button on PayPal.
The past month has been full of travelling, culminating on a beautiful cruise to Alaska. Can you believe we had sunshine and warmth nearly the whole time? Here are a couple of pictures—one showing my husband’s arm span is almost as big as a eagle’s! |
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Want Spiritual Direction? Support? Accountability?
I’m excited by the response of women in the Portland/Vancouver area to meeting together. Because of this, I’ve decided to take appointments one more day a month. Either Contact me or call: 503-367-1374 if you’d like information. |
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Recognize you’re especially vulnerable when:
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You’re emotionally starved for affection |
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You’re not listened to or affirmed |
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You’re attracted and playing with fantasies |
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You think an emotional affair won’t become physical |
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What to do? Pray for openness to hear God’s voice and re-read the article! |
Upcoming Events:
Denver, July 9-13 - Advanced Writers and Speakers Conference, and International Christian Resource Show.
Oregon, July 27-30 - Oregon Christian Writers Conference
Possible overseas trips in 2010: Singapore, February. Hong Kong, February.
March, 2010: Salem Alliance Retreat
October, 2010: Oregon Christian Writer’s Fall Conference, Keynote speaker.
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Ask Questions - Get Answers from Poppy:
I'm asked questions about faith, life application of Biblical principles and spiritual growth everywhere I speak.
Now, for my online friends, I'd like to give you the same opportunity to ask questions.
I'll answer your questions and share comments in coming issues of "Thrive". Just contact me and let me know what you'd like to know more about...all at the click of your mouse! |
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