My Dear Friends,
I'm not a ranter. I detest conflict and confrontation. I'm a lover not a fighter. I used to beat myself up about that, yet over time I've come to realize that this was how I was made and if I believe that God created me with a purpose, then He must have had some reason to make me this way...so I'll just go with it.
There's been a lot of hoopla and mud slinging over this whole Ashley Madison thing. I haven't dug into their website and frankly don't have a thing to say about the organization. I'm taking my advice from the sage, Thumper from Bambi, "if you can't say something nice...don't say nuthin' at all."
Now, this nebulous thing that has been blasted all over the air waves has crept into my world. It is now impacting people that I love and respect. It has now been the topic of discussion with my teenage daughters. It's real now. (And NO it's not the Duggars. Just because I live in NWA doesn't mean I know them
In the specific case of the person I know that was impacted, I believe with all my heart and soul that the intent was coming more from a researching to help someone they were counseling rather than an attempt to dive headfirst into the world of open marriages. I believe that this person has been accountable to the right people and has gone above and beyond in terms of cracking open personal life for examination. Through thorough investigation from outside sources, this person has willingly submitted to scrutiny in order to make this right.
Yet, that is not the point of this blog. Here it is: Ashley Madison is only the tippy top of the iceberg looming in front of us and we my friends are dancing away on the Titanic living it up and enjoying life thinking, "This ship is UNSINKABLE! Nothing can stop us! Completely oblivious and We. Are. Dead. Wrong. "
How many people have ever done any of the following:
- Read something that they should not have read:
- Got caught up in a steamy romance novel
- Fan fiction (not the good stuff)
- Watched a movie that in your heart you know you should not be watching
- Text or Snapchat your friends inappropriate pics gif or Memes
- Search on the internet only to find that Barbie isn't just a plastic toy found on the shelves of Wal-Mart.
- Allowed yourself to wander on your smart phone when you clicked on the Artsy Pinterest picture only to realize that it was linked to something wildly inappropriate.
- Played games that have vulgar language and sexual content and massive violence.
- Had an impure thought about someone in your office.
- etc... (You fill in the blank).
They are all types of Ashley Madison's. Just a different name and different poison. All leading to fatality without a cure.
So, when my daughter got in the car yesterday and asked me if I thought it was true. I said yes and no. It's just not that easy. I talked about choices (even for the right reasons) AND the steps this person has taken to make it right with God, with family and with those impacted. I also said this:
WE AREN'T KICKING IT OLD TESTAMENT AROUND HERE AND STONING ISN'T COOL OR PERMITTED LITERAL AND VERBAL.
Let the person who has never EVER had an impure thought or vague curiosity cast the first stone. Because if you have ever engaged, even for a second, in any of the above mentioned actions...You are in the same boat. You just haven't been in a position where it has been called out in your life.
This is a wide-spread, global pandemic and if we would be honest and open (like my friend) and take the right steps of repentance, redemption and recovery, I believe a true global revival unlike any the world has seen before will occur. No Hype...Changed Lives.
Titus 2 (The Message) says this:
2 1-6 Your job is to speak out on the things that make for solid doctrine. Guide older men into lives of temperance, dignity, and wisdom, into healthy faith, love, and endurance. Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness. By looking at them, the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children, be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives. We don’t want anyone looking down on God’s Message because of their behavior. Also, guide the young men to live disciplined lives.
7-8 But mostly, show them all this by doing it yourself, incorruptible in your teaching, your words solid and sane. Then anyone who is dead set against us, when he finds nothing weird or misguided, might eventually come around.
9-10 Guide slaves into being loyal workers, a bonus to their masters—no back talk, no petty thievery. Then their good character will shine through their actions, adding luster to the teaching of our Savior God.
11-14 God’s readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation’s available for everyone! We’re being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.
15 Tell them all this. Build up their courage, and discipline them if they get out of line. You’re in charge. Don’t let anyone put you down.
I may not have been on Ashley Madison, but I am not without fault.
However, I have repented, found redemption through the blood of Jesus Christ AND walk out in recovery each and every day. I also do some practical things to safeguard myself and my family in the hope that they will steer clear of the iceberg.
So, before you start throwing verbal stones around the water cooler, break room social media & social circles....examine your own life first. Is there anything the lurking? If so...
Repent, find God's redemption AND takes steps of accountability to move forward and remain FREE! If that is you and you would like for me to pray for you, my email is kim@nortonvs.com.
Until Next time...
Kim
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