Pornography - September's ISI

September's ISI is now open!

Click HERE to register

 

Matthew 10:16

"Be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves."

 

Luncheon Date:

Friday, September 14, 2012

Pornography...

Have you been overwhelmed with despair as you watch the tentacles of pornography create a choke hold around - a friend, a spouse or your own son?

Have you been left feeling, "What's wrong with me?" while you hold the shards of your marriage?

A Focus on the Family poll revealed 47% of families said porn is a problem in their home, so pornography is an issue that touches almost everyone.

But there's hope!

General Session:

Pornography - How Our Marriage Survived

11:30-1:00pm

$20/preregistrationby Wednesday, September 12th.

$25 after 9/12 and at the door*

 

Workshop

Pornography: His and Her Perspective - Q & A

1:20-2:15

$5/with lunch

$10 workshop only

MacGregor Downs Country Club

430 Saint Andrews Lane

Cary, NC

In the two sessions, Rita and Kevin Bragg will their story of redemption and we will learn how to:

• Implement technologies to safeguard your home -
• Recognize the signs of pornography use -
• Repair the damage done by pornography in a marriage -
• Embrace loved ones tangled in pornography with both grace and boundaries...

About our Speakers

Kevin and Rita Bragg both grew up in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Rita grew up in the home of a family who was actively involved in church. Kevin's parents divorced when he was eight in the midst of his Dad's battle with alcoholism. Following the insistence of his grandmother, Kevin became the church organist at the age of twelve.

Rita and Kevin's relationship began when Kevin accepted a staff position at Rita's home church. After 3 years of dating they were married.

In the summer of 2006, Kevin was confronted with an addiction to pornography which started at the age of twelve. As a result, the family left their ministry position and entered a season of recovery and restoration.

In October 2008, Kevin returned to ministry and in the summer of 2011, the Braggs became part of Hephzibah Baptist Church in Wendell where Kevin now serves as Worship Pastor. Their testimony is one of grace and restoration, not just for a fallen minister, but for a marriage, for a family, and for the next generation.

Rita and Kevin have been married for 16 years and have three boys, ages 11, 9 and 5.

First Time Attending?

Do you want to come but are nervous about coming - perhaps alone?  Let us know so we can expect you and personally welcome you. Possibly pair you with one of our team members.

Contact Kelly Hollis @

bkhollis@bellsouth.net

 

 

What Do I wear?

Anything but short shorts and denim!

 

*The $22 - $25 price change has been made due to people choosing not to pay but confirming they are coming - and then not showing.   MacGregor charges KGM when we RSVP for someone - whether they show or not.

Please do all you can to take advantage of pre-registration!

 

Click HERE to register

 

Make plans to attend and bring a friend.

Have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend!

My First Jesus Friends

 

Psalm 101:6

My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he whose walk is blameless will minister to me.

 

This past weekend, my sister-in-law, Marti had a pool party for the girls of an old supper club.  (Friends from 10+ years ago)   We all used to live in the same neighborhood and we did life together.  We did play dates and went to the swimming pool together.  I wish we would have taken a group picture - we too busy talking!

It's been years since the last time we were together.   Many of us have moved out of the neighborhood; our kids are at different schools and of different ages.  If we want our paths to cross - we have to be intentional.

So praise God, Marti was intentional this past weekend and invited us over. 

The reason why I'm sharing my weekend experience is because these girls were my first Jesus friends.   As we sat there talking on Saturday, sipping our Starbucks and tea (it was too cold to swim), I couldn't help but get teary eyed at the faithfulness of God.

I shared with you a few weeks ago the point in time when I realized that I did not have any Jesus friends:
     I was on a walk in my neighborhood.  (By myself.) 
           It was sort of like an epiphany!  I can't explain it.   
                  The Holy Spirit dropped into my heart the reality of my circumstances as I was listening to a tape of my favorite Bible teacher.
                              At that moment - I prayed, "Lord, I don't have any Jesus friends.  I need Jesus friends..."

The picture above was His answer.  We are still friends.  And on Saturday, not only were we talking about the practical stuff going on in our lives, but we were talking about what God is doing in our lives.  Several asked for prayer.  Had I have been "on it," I probably would have said, "Let's pray now."  These girls, no matter where they are on their spiritual journey - love and accept each other unconditionally.   Although we are all so different, these girls think like I think. 

Now what does that mean?  It means that they too are trying to swim upstream in a downstream world.  They are doing their best to impart the Bible and it's teachings to their children.   And they are doing their best to live for the Lord.  And as Romans 12:2 says, they take time each day "to not conform to the pattern of the world, but are being transformed by the renewing of their mind..."

Are we perfect?  NO!

But these girls have been the faithful in my land.    Although this group and I do not see each other as much as we'd like - God has grown my circle of Jesus friends.  He brought more Jesus friends ~ faithful ones to my land to minister to me.  And I to them.

Name the faithful in YOUR land.  Call them today and tell them how much you love and appreciate them.

Next Post:  September's Iron Sharpens Iron - Save the date

When the Storms Come - What Friend do you Run to?

My last few posts have dealt with the issue of friends.  Friends are important.  They bring joy and laughter to our lives.  Good ones are irreplaceable.

However, if we want to GROW in our relationship with God, the quality of our core friendships matter immensely.

Psalm 101:6

My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he whose walk is blameless will minister to me.

The Bible is clear - we must choose our friends wisely.  Last week, I shared that there are 3 types of friends.

Friend #1:  Sharpens you - she is a mentor of sorts

Friend #2:  Is where you are spiritually - both of you encourage each other.

Friend #3:  Pulls you down spiritually

So, when the storms of life come rushing in - who do you run to?  The Lord prefers that we run to Him and seek His face when trials and tribulations hit.  (Please note:  this does not come natural.  It is a learned practice.  Our world is not a natural habitat for a believer.  In fact, our world is positioned against God.)

The Bible says we need not only our relationship with the Lord, but friends who will minister hope, encouragement and TRUTH into our lives.  Truth that's based on God's Word - not the ever changing tide of the world. 

HARD PART:
It's typically our BFF that we run to when we need advice, right?   But let me ask you something...  What's the quality of her relationship with the Lord?  

Church girl only? 

OR

Does she have a daily quiet time? 

Does her life bear fruit that she lives what she learns in the Bible? 

If so - you got a keeper!!!!  This is friend #1 or 2.  Keep your eyes on her.  Dwell with her...  Latch on to her...  Do whatever it takes to encourage this friendship.

Do you have a friend(s) like this???

Next Post:  More on friends...