#ICSEX: [@theideacamp blogging series]

Authentic conversation about sex is one of the most needed elements in a healthy church today. The fact that people feel like they can’t talk about certain struggles or issues only perpetuates the problem into bigger issues.

I’m thankful that Charles Lee has given me the opportunity lead a blogging series on subjects related to sex and sexuality. The posts that people are contributing to this series are disturbing, heartbreaking, inspiring, and challenging. The full series can be caught on The Idea Camp blog, but I’m posting quite a bit here on bibledude.net as well.

These posts are the ones that I’ve been responsible for sharing…

General

• the truth about sex [an event with @theideacamp]
• let’s blog about sex [#ICSEX]

Pornography, Week of July 11th

It’s a big business, probably because of it’s addictive nature. It can damage relationships in so many ways, and many would consider it a form of cheating (infidelity). This discussion will focus on the physical, emotion, and spiritual damage that can result from a porn addiction, and how healing and restoration can be ministered to those stuck in it.

• 10 things i learned from joey and chandler about porn [#ICSEX]
• @theideacamp porn week wrap-up [#ICSEX] (links to other project contributors)
• Related post: book review: wired for intimacy

Sexual Abuse, Week of July 25th

It usually leaves invisible scars that never go away. And it can be root of other issues not only sexually, but relationally. This discussion will focus on not only the damage that is caused by sex abuse, but with special consideration of how to help those hurt by it with immediate and long-term healing.

• behind the numbers of sexual abuse [#ICSEX]
• @theideacamp sex abuse week wrap-up [#ICSEX]
• Related post: book review: no stones [women redeemed from sexual addiction]

Gender, Week of August 8th

What does it mean to be a man? Or a woman? Society today would give a large variety of definitions and events that it takes to ‘become a man/woman’. This discussion will focus on defining gender identity and roles, but can also cover factors that may prompt confusion about what it means to be a certain gender.

• a hermeneutic on gender and ministry [#ICSEX]
• @theideacamp gender week wrap-up [#ICSEX]

Sexual Orientation, Week of August 22nd

Same-sex attraction is likely one of the most controversial issues that the church deals with today. Is it okay to be gay/lesbian and be a Christian? More importantly how should the church respond to people who live with same-sex attraction? This discussion will focus on reconciliation… with the Word AND with people. This is a good opportunity to build a bridge to those who have been alienated by the church for a very long time.

• how to cure homosexuality? [#ICSEX]
• @theideacamp sexual orientation week wrap-up [#ICSEX]

Slavery, Week of September 5th

This is the ‘social justice’ side of the sex discussion. Many are sold into sex slavery every day all around the world. But what can/should the church be doing about it? Do we have a responsibility to protect those who are affected by this? This conversation will focus on building awareness for this tragic issue, but also further practical solutions that people can take to bring an end to it.

• here comes the [mail-order] bride trafficking [#ICSEX] (coming 9/9)
• @theideacamp slavery week wrap-up [#ICSEX] (coming 9/11)

Family, Week of September 19th

This is where it all starts. All of the discussions up until now end up pointing back to the family in some way. What should a loving relationship in a marriage look like? Where does sex fit in? What’s healthy? What about the kids? When/how do they learn about sex? This conversation will not only focus on what a healthy marriage looks like, but what healthy discussion about sex in a family sounds like.

• family week post TBD [#ICSEX] coming 9/23)
• @theideacamp family week wrap-up [#ICSEX] (coming 9/25)

group blogging project: present perfect

What does it mean to be in the presence of God? Is it something that we can experience today? If so, what does it look like? How do we get there?

Theologian, pastor, and author Greg Boyd helps us to explore these kinds of question in his recent book, Present Perfect: Finding god in the Now. What do we mean by ‘explore’? Check out the back cover of the book…

We long to be transformed. Yet our minds are filled with endless trivia and self-centered chatter. To-do lists. Worries about the past. Speculation about the future. We forget to live in the present moment … and to invite God to be with us there.

After reading classic contemplative authors Brother Lawrence, Jean-Pierre de Caussade, and Frank Laubach, theologian and pastor Gregory Boyd longed to experience the presence of God for himself. For two decades, he’s attempted to implement the ‘practice of the presence of God’ in his own life … sometimes succeeding, sometimes failing. What he’s learned as a fellow pilgrim on his spiritual journey can help you find true spiritual transformation as you begin to practice the discipline of inviting God into every moment.

I don’t know about you, but I could use some of that transformation! So I’m excited to take on this next group blogging project!

Over the next few weeks one person from this project will lead us through each chapter of the book sharing their thoughts, perspectives, and feelings. And we’ve got an exciting lineup of people who’ll be helping us work through the book together!

The schedule along with who will be sharing is as follows:

• introduction – Dan King, @bibledude (bibledude.net)

1. mere christianity – Bryant Neal (Camak Baptist Church)
2. finding home – Victoria Bierman Jenkins, @VBJenkins (Let the Son Shine)
3. chasing the sun – Crystal Rowe, @SoulMunchies (Soul Munchies)
4. single-mindedness – Josh Gillies, @WhiteFrozen (The Outpost)
5. living in love – Kyle Reed, @kylelreed (In Transition)
6. being present – Jesse Giglio, @jessegiglio (love is social)
7. the father is always working – Jennifer Dukes Lee, @dukeslee (Getting Down With Jesus)

• bonus post: he is here by amena brown
• author’s closing thoughts – Gregory A. Boyd, @greg_boyd (Christus Victor Ministries)
• project wordle

So stay tuned for some great discussion, and please feel free to jump into the comments and share your thoughts! In the meantime, here are a few things that you can do right now…

• Buy the book. It will be a much better experience for you if you follow along in your own copy of the book.
• Subscribe to updates. Get the latest posts in this series in your email inbox or favorite feed reader. This is the best way to keep up with everything!
• Tweet it up! Follow @bibledude and retweet updates from this event. If you want to share your own tweets, make sure that you use the #presentperfect hashtag.

the #haiti diaries

I remember sitting on the side of the stage at my church one Sunday morning several years ago telling our Missions Director that I wanted to go to Haiti. The political and spiritual climate down there never seemed to align to create the right opportunity to go. But when the earthquakes of January 12th hit, I knew that I had to get down there to help.

On August 6th, 2010 there were 46 of us that made the trip to help the healing and rebuilding process that our church is committing to being a part of for as long as it takes.

While in Port-au-Prince we did a VBS with the children, interacted with local teens, painted an orphanage, distributed food to the poor, and did other outreach and local ministry activities. During the time leading up to, during, and after this trip I plan to log as much of the journey as possible.

It’s my goal here to allow you to be just as much a part of this mission as possible. I pray that this trip touches you and changes your life just as much as it does for those who actually went. Check this page often for the latest posts, updates, photos, and videos…

Pre-Trip Posts

• twitpics from haiti earthquake
• god in the midst of chaos [an interview with seth barnes]
• google maps images of #haiti
• scouting the land [mission to haiti]
• book review: following jesus through the eye of the needle
• why i’m going to #haiti [a personal testimony]
• following jesus into haiti [an interview with @kentannan]
• the #haiti mission agenda

Live Twitter Feed Digests (via @bibledude)

• twitter daily digest 8/5 (last minute preps)
• twitter daily digest 8/6 (arriving in port-au-prince)
• twitter daily digest 8/7 (work day at the orphanage)
• twitter daily digest 8/8 (doing church haitian-style)
• twitter daily digest 8/9 (delivering food to a poor, remote village)
• twitter daily digest 8/10 (two-day vbs, day one and dramas in the mountains)
• twitter daily digest 8/11 (two-day vbs, day two)
• twitter daily digest 8/12 (tour of downtown port-au-prince and downtime at the beach)
• twitter daily digest 8/13 (workday at the orphanage)
• twitter daily digest 8/14 (one-day vbs)
• twitter daily digest 8/15 (coming home)

Post-Trip Journals

• [the #haiti diaries] through vivian’s eyes
• more coming soon…

Videos

• @fellowshipsrq Haiti Mission Trip: VBS Testimony
• HAITIAN WORSHIP: Jezu Konnen Nou La (Jesus Knows You Are Here)
• more coming soon…

Flickr Photostream

• Photostream

Next Page ›

‹ Previous Page

Follow these reports from Haiti by visiting http://bibledude.net/haiti or getting the free (spam-free) subscription.

the seventy-two project

Later the Master selected seventy(-two) and sent them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he intended to go. He gave them this charge:

“What a huge harvest! And how few the harvest hands. So on your knees; ask the God of the Harvest to send harvest hands. On your way! But be careful—this is hazardous work. You’re like lambs in a wolf pack. Travel light. Comb and toothbrush and no extra luggage. Don’t loiter and make small talk with everyone you meet along the way. When you enter a home, greet the family, ‘Peace.’ If your greeting is received, then it’s a good place to stay. But if it’s not received, take it back and get out. Don’t impose yourself. Stay at one home, taking your meals there, for a worker deserves three square meals. Don’t move from house to house, looking for the best cook in town. When you enter a town and are received, eat what they set before you, heal anyone who is sick, and tell them, ‘God’s kingdom is right on your doorstep!’”

– Luke 10:1-9 (The Message)

Jesus sent then out two-by-two to spread the message. That’s what Jesus was all about… sending people out to deliver healing, restoration, and the Good News.

For a couple of weeks this Summer, special contributor Andi Shaw will be on a cross-country road trip sharing the love of God with ‘the least of these’. Along the way we will be sharing with us her reports from the trip. Andi will be telling the stories, posting the photos, and recording videos of her experience.

Our hope is that these experiences will encourage and inspire you to reach out to ‘the least of these’ as Jesus intended for all of us to be doing… in His Name.

Check out the posts, and check back regularly for updates…

• a cross-country trip [for the least of these]
• shining light on the souls of shadows [purpose of the seventy-two project]
• the beginning: finding direction
• a dream and a smile
• divine interactions in austin
• young and homeless
• churches, zoos, and salt shakers

Follow the updates here at http://bibledude.net/roadtrip