I Keep My Eyes Always On The Lord

My youngest son Matthew is a Youth Coordinator and Personal Trainer for Derrick Country Club in Edmonton, so I tried to take some cute pictures for his Instagram account using my two dogs. However, to get my Yorkie to look in a certain direction, I had to crawl along the grass because His eyes were always on me.

It is the same with our relationship with God. Our eyes should always be on Him.

"I keep my eyes always on the Lord.

With Him at my right hand,

I will not be shaken."

Psalm 16:8 (NIV)

Being Thankful Down Through The Generations

"For the Lord is good

and His love endures forever;

His faithfulness continues 

Through all generations."

Psalm 100:5 (NIV)

I Can Do Everything Through Christ

"For I can do everything through Christ,

who give me strength."

Philippians 4:13 (NLT)

Be On Guard

"Be on guard.

Stand firm in the faith.

Be courageous.

Be strong."

1 Corinthians 16:13 (NLT)

When Sex Becomes An Idol

The three years I was in Bible College, not once was the topic of sexual purity discussed in any of my classes or training. Yet sexual immorality ran rampant on campus. My boyfriend and I caught a male student having sex in his vehicle with a female student; one student got pregnant and had to leave college; a couple of  male students who were at the time dating female students were discovered to be in a homosexual relationship; the gymnasium which was located in a secluded area on campus was constantly being broken into for a place for students to have sex, a male student with the most charisma in preaching was discovered to be taking female students to hotels for sex; and a Youth Pastor who was attending college classes was having sex with his girlfriend, who was a friend of mine. Most of these people I mention are pastors today, and then we wonder why clergy sexual abuse occurs in many of our present churches. And the worse part is when it happens, nobody does anything about it to stop it. They either keep their mouth shut, or try to cover it up!

But God's eyes are on all their ways. They are not hidden from Him, nor are their sins concealed in His eyes. God say He will repay them double for their wickedness and their sins because they have defiled the church of God. Sex has become their idol.

"My eyes are on all their ways;

they are not hidden from me,

nor is their sin concealed from my eyes.

I will repay them double for their wickedness and their sin,

because they have defiled my land

with the lifeless forms of their vile images

and have filled my inheritance with their detestable idols."

Jeremiah 16:17 (NIV)

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Partners In Crime Instead of Protectors

Most of the time, the victims of clergy sexual abuse keep silent because the perpetrator usually silences them through manipulation and lies. The pastor will plead for forgiveness, gain sympathy by stating the consequences of exposure, and threaten or offer privileges to the victim.

However, if the victims do speak up against their abuser to someone else in the congregation, they are usually denounced as liars and enemies of the church, or blamed and condemned for the pastor's fall. Therefore, the victims' abuse continues by other church leaders and Christians who turn a blind eye to this sexual sin or try to protect the sexually abusive pastor by covering up for him/her. When Christians do this, they then become partners with the abuser, instead of protectors of people.

"But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality,

or of any kind of impurity, or of greed,

because these are improper for God's holy people.

Nor should there be obscenity,

foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place,

but rather thanksgiving.

For of this you can be sure: 

No immoral, impure or greedy person

---such a person is an idolater---

has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God.

Let no one deceive you with empty words,

for because of such things

God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient.

Therefore do not be partners with them."

Ephesians 1:5-7 (NIV)

The Kind Who Worm Their Way And Gain Control

In the summer, I struggled for a few weeks to write any posts because I was too distraught over an issue I will now write about.

"They are the kind who worm their way into homes

and gain control over gullible women

who are loaded down with sins

and swayed by all kinds of evil desires."

2 Timothy 3:6 (NIV)

There is a serious evil that permeates many churches today. Many pastors and church leaders are using their position to sexually abuse. This sexual abuse not only affects the perpetrator and the victims, but also the church leaders, the church, and the surrounding communities. In other words, this rebellious sin against God greatly affects His heart and mission.

When pastors or church leaders engage in any kind of sexual activity with another person other than his/her spouse, it is never a consensual act! These supposedly representatives of God are sex offenders! Pastors and church leaders are morally responsible to do all they can to protect God's sons and daughters, not cause them to stumble and fall. They have been given these positions of religious authority whether by God or man because of trust. Therefore it is a criminal act for them to sexually prey on the weak and vulnerable, no matter what the victims' ages are.