S*x in the Sanctuary

We attend a family-integrated church. That means our children attend the service with us. There is no children's church or activities during the service. The whole family attends and has the same worship and the same sermon.

Our pastor is an expository teacher. He teaches straight through passages of Scripture instead of topics. Which means whatever the next portion of Scripture is talking about, that is what pastor will preach on.

That's why you know it's only a matter of time before you get s*x in the sanctuary.

I've actually seen it happen right in front of me. Pastor mentions the subject in the course of preaching. 

First, the child looks to mom and whispers, "What is s*x?" 
Mom says, "Huh?"
The child asks again.
Mom: "Ask your father."
The child asks the father.
Dad: "Huh?"
The child asks again.
Dad: whisper whisper whisper
Child: "Huh?"
Dad: "We'll talk about it later."

Me sitting behind them: Trying not to laugh out loud.

I should have known my turn was coming.

This past Sunday Pastor was in Luke 16...the "can't serve God and money" passage. He made a valid point that historically, two of the ways you can tell the difference between believers and the society/culture in which they live is how they use their money and how they practice sexual purity.

Thankfully, my s*x question waited until we got home.

We were watching an episode of Nature about hummingbirds. (Did you know they ate bugs?) 

Mija: "What is s*x?"
Me: "Huh?"
Mija: "What is s*x?"
Me: (quick prayer) "Remember I mentioned that there was a special way God made for a husband and wife to be together? That can be called s*x."
Mija: "Oh, okay."

That was it.

But it gave me a few things about which to be thankful:

• I'm thankful that she feels she can come to me with questions.
• I'm thankful that we have slowly laid a foundation of God's design for our bodies and our marriage. It's not just a big, surprise talk that will happen, but bits of everyday life built on each other.
• I'm thankful that we attend a church that reinforces what we are teaching at home.
• I'm thankful that she hears about it in church instead of the playground.

So, there you have it. S*x in the sanctuary, which is one of the places it should be!

     

The Fourth Fisherman--a book review & giveaway

This was not a book I would pick up as a first choice. In fact, I did not. I tried to avoid it several times when choosing a book to read, but it still kept coming up.


I decided to read it because of the Mexican fishermen. I have a deep appreciation for the home of my ancestors. Viva la raza!

It was a good read.

Joe Kissack spins two tales which seem worlds apart and unites them in The Fourth Fisherman: How Three Mexican Fishermen Who Came Back from the Dead Changed My Life and Saved My Marriage. 

I will let this video of Joe Kissack explain:


I got into both individual stories, but it was not until later in the book that I understood why he told the story the way he did. A doctrinal student had told Mr. Kissack, "The fishermen looked lost...You, Joe...didn't look lost...But, Joe, in God's economy you were lost, whereas the fishermen were not lost at all. They had God."  Even with the explanation, however, I still think it would have been better as separate stories.

The book was honest with what it took for the fishermen to stay alive without glorifying the gore. The author was also honest about how far he had to sink and the work God had to do through him and his marriage. While God did a miraculous healing when it came to his addictions, recovering his marriage continued to be a big issue. 

A couple of reservations deal with fishermen's faith and Kissack's faith. I wonder about the fishermen's faith. Was it saving faith that continued after their rescue or merely a hopeful focus which helped them through the ordeal. I wish that had been further developed. My other concern was Kissack's faith. I can see how God saved, healed, and led him. My concern is how much feelings and emotions play in what he does. You see his focus on emotions vs. Biblical teaching in the way he continues to treat his wife after his salvation.

The Fourth Fisherman ended up being an interesting, inspiring, and fast read. The fishermen's ordeal is tremendous. It would be perfect for some recreational summer reading. 

Would you like to win your own copy? How about a giveaway?!?!

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If you would like more information, the website is The Fourth Fisherman or follow Joe on Twitter. 


I received this book for free from WalterBrook Multnomah for this review.

Friday Funny--For the Graduates