Sitting in the Starbucks tonight studying for class and working on my sermon for Epic Church two weeks from now, titled: Growing a Movement. This picture came to mind as I see the people coming and going.
The church used to be the focal point of any community, the tallest building and the soul of the city. Only 50 years ago, it was the place where neighbors and near neighbors came together at least once a week. Today churches can be difficult to find in the city where the skyline is dominated by banks and business buildings. Still, the search for purpose goes on and the hunger for spiritual wellbeing is as great as ever. As it says in Jeremiah 29:7 – “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”
It begs me wonder, what am I doing to on Jesus’ behalf for the welfare of the city? And what I am doing, is it enough? Maybe it is enough but could I be doing it better? And who could be doing it with me? Our communities have real problems, real hurts, real needs and as cliche as it sounds, Jesus is the answer. The question is though, how am I being Jesus to my community?
How are you being Jesus to your community?
I came across this article on the FoxNews.com website today. It caught my eye because it was talking about my gender, male, faking an orgasm. I thought I needed to read the article. It was a good read and I share it here because this information is sure to be included in the next EpicSEX series this fall at Epic Church.
Open communication within marriage is essential. Not only in the area of large decisions like which home to buy but also in the bedroom. For a healthy marriage to exist their must be open and healthy communication.
At Epic Church we desire to make our city a better place because of the Gospel. We deeply desire to see men and women marry and make babies. And it is a dream of mine to one day celebrate as a community hundreds and thousands of 50, 60, 70 year marriage anniversaries. Communication in all areas including the bedroom is 100% necessary. Maybe if you are a couple reading this article it would spur on some conversations about this area of your marriage.
Blessings!
The article:
Faking orgasm is almost always chalked up as a woman’s white lie. But a man can be just as guilty.
The Orgasm Survey, conducted by economist Hugo Mialon, found that 24 percent — nearly 1 in 4 men — fake the “Big O.â€
What’s perplexing is that society doesn’t acknowledge this issue enough. It’s supposedly only “her†problem. So what’s going on with him? And are there ways to have him trigger-happy in the saddle again?
When I was interviewing men for my first book, “The Hot Guide to Safer Sex,†I learned that players and committed men both fake it. Their reasons:
— He feels pressure to perform, including within a set amount of time. READ MORE
Posted by Jake Rasmussen | Posted in Books, Quote | Posted on 04-02-2009
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I received a book a couple of days ago from Amazon and I can’t seem to put it down. Today I came across a quote that made me go, “hummmm”
The set up…
At times communicators try so hard to keep everything right in their head and desire so badly to deliver the product with perfection. A master communicator and pastor Andy Stanley had this to say to a fellow communicator right before he was to walk on to the platform to give his message he was working so hard to keep straight.
“How would you communicate the message if your eighteen-year-old son had made up his mind to walk away from everything you have taught him, morally, ethically, and theologically, unless he had a compelling reason not to? What wold you say this morning if you knew that was at stake? Because for somebody’s son out there this may be his last chance. Now quit worrying about your outline. Go out there and plead your case like your owns son’s future was at stake.”
This has captivated my thoughts since these words passed though my eyes and came to rest on my brain.