If the 5 fingers represent the different ministries in the church, then we cannot keep it open and let it be independent of one another. We need to do the work of joining the fingers and making it one.

“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today” - Abraham Lincoln

I agreed to read Randy Elrod’s new book “Sex, Lies & Religion” for the favor of reviewing it on my blog. A few days ago I received the book and read this 166 page e-book in one seating on a lazy afternoon. I’m not sure what was my intention to read it but it could be part curious having been following Randy’s work and also part research for family life and generational work in the church I’ve gotten myself to do. I must say that the book was pretty noteworthy and I was pretty excited to blog about it after reading it.

Then it occur to me that my blog is positioned to talk about children’s work. People who reads it are pretty much family oriented. You know PG rating type of people. What am I going to do? Should I do it? Blogging about a book on sex? That’s R(A). What if my kids come to find out? I told my wife and she suggests “don’t do it”….

Well I almost relented. I even planned to write back to Randy and say “I’m sorry, its just not appropriate”. And then I remembered a few weeks ago when I’m to preach a message on the chosen passage from Genesis Chapter 4 that I was caught in a similar type of embarassment. I was preparing God’s word for HopeKids LIVE! using the kids version of NIV which is NIRV (New International Readers Version) and I was shocked when I read verse 1 which reads loud and clear
“Adam made love to his wife Eve”….

I gulped and thought something was wrong. I borrowed my kid’s bible and it read the same. I checked my NIV  bible and it reads “Adam lay with his wife Eve …”, which is more acceptable because it doesn’t sound so explicit. If I teach using that version, the kids may miss it as a by the way trivial statement but to say “..made love” will attract much attention. For a moment, I wanted to witch hunt the one who suggested we use NIRV for kids but I was quick to kill the idea because it was I who did it.

I was uncomfortable with how explicit the passage sound in the children’s bible as I was how Randy writes about the topic in this book. But nevertheless I have to accept that ‘making love’ is in the bible and sex as Randy explicited writes about is something created by God.

I did preach the message to the kids that Sunday. I taught it as it is using the term “make love” and I explained it as “have sex” as they would commonly hear from other kids in the schools. I figure I’m kidding no one if I don’t as kids do hear it or see it every day whether intentionally in school or in adverts or on TV. What’s wrong with touching on this subject in church? I taught it and shared the rest of the verse “… She (Eve) became pregnant and gave birth to Cain“. I taught it in context of marriage where babies are made which is the truth and truly the context of the passage.

I never regretted that sermon as i believe kids should first hear about sex from God (or ‘us’ or ‘their own families’) rather than from the media or their friends at school.

After reading “Sex, Lies & Religion”, I was glad that Randy wrote it because I feel its about time, we hear it from someone in ‘the church’ rather than in the world. It is an intriguing read. Many topics you would have thought about or read in snippets but to have it all addressed in a book is rare. You may or may not agree with everything that was presented but it opens up the subject. I won’t go into detail about the content here as I believe many reviews will do that; Perhaps also I’m still embarassed, but I encourage everyone who cares about the church and family life including those who work with children to get into this first. Do it because the church deserves to get into the truth on a subject too much ‘thought about’ but not ‘talked about’ in the church. Give ourselves the chance to understand it so that you can redeem it as God intends it to be.

Go read it because Randy has done a fantastic job of opening up this discussion for us.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from cre:ate 2.0 Publishing to read and post a review on my site. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Shot of my grand uncle during his birthday with his great grand nieces and nephews

Having been ’spent’ the whole day with an amazing HopeKids service and gathering of leaders in FamLife, I was awaken at 2am. Can’t sleep again. It’s 3:06 now. Thinking how family is an unstoppable force. How family can contribute big time to the great commission today and at the same time, the next generation.

Looking at some great photos of families. Thinking of the people we have.

If one man knows what he has. Equipped with his family, life experience with God and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Wow.

How can I sleep again?

Was involved in 6 services this week, from children, adults to funeral. It’s as wild as it can come. As I reflect on the week, I know that all this is not possible without teams. We partner with staff, worms, parents and a great team of family members. Did our last service of the year yesterday with kids and parents. If there’s something I have learned this year, it is the power of partnership in teams. Working in silos create division but partnership synergize to maximise for the Great Commission.

If Year 2009 is a year of preparation and alignment of teams, Year 2010 is going to be a year of intentional discipleship with these combined teams.

Ended the week with HopeKids MASH-UP session led by Eilton on Sunday afternoon. I was the invited guest and it’s good to see a group of young people starting their leadership journey and influencing one another. There’s great hope in Hope Church for 2010.

Good job to everyone who worked hard throughout the year.

Our kids are away. Brought them to KL and never brought them back. It’s been 3 days and its been too quiet around the house. Just feel like shouting but without them, shouting is just pure madness and if I’m not careful, its going to create a marriage rift.

Anyway, I’m enjoying the difference. The time I can spend with Mag and also people I would otherwise have little time for. Thank God for mum and dad, brother and sister, brother in law and sister in law, grand uncle and auntie who love children just the same.

Many things that you are doing now can be done by other people but you have unique roles that only you can do.

Things that other people can do::

1. Writing
2. Planning
3. Preparing
3. Thinking
4. Teaching
5. Preaching
6. Strategizing
7. Blogging

Unique roles that only you can do…

1. Husband to your wife
2. Father to each of your children

Ministry isn’t ministry unless it encompasses your core ministry at home.

“A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well” - 1 Timothy 3:12