My husband became the pastor of our new church in January, so I am trying to find where God wants me to serve in this new church. I know of “needs” we have in the church, but I have served in the past in positions because I was needed, and not because God wanted me there. I believe God has a place for everyone in the church, it is just a matter of being obedient to where that place is.

I have been sitting in the youth Sunday School class for several weeks. I sat Sunday morning with about 15 girls and the things I heard shocked me. These girls were sharing how their thoughts had become very impure. They admitted to thinking such perverted thoughts because of the things they see and hear at school from piers, at the movies, on the radio, and on televison. These girls were convicted about what trash they were putting into their eyes and ears because the trash was coming back to their minds even in the most innocent situations. The teacher of the class was not the one that brought up this conversation, but the girls were being convicted on a daily basis, and as one began to share, more girls admitted that they were experiencing the same shameful thoughts.

This proves that what goes in the brain does control the thoughts. If we daily put Scripture in the brain, Scripture will come to our mind throughout the day and in circumstances in our lives. 2 Timothy 2:15-16 says, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane [and] vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.”

I have recently been very heart broken over hearing ministers and other professing Christians advertise the television programs and movies that they enjoy.  Not only are they not ashamed, they are proud that they enjoy watching sin. I will confess, not out of pride, but humbleness that the Lord has chosen to convict myself and my husband about this very same matter. There is NO program we watch at night that promotes or condones sin. We watch only re-runs of clean older programs with good morals, game shows, or singing competitions (unless someone in the competition is a known homosexual or involved in another known sin). The young generation behind us is watching all of us in the ministry as examples. If we are watching a program, then they think it must be acceptable for them to watch as well. We are teaching them that these programs are an acceptable way of living, and that includes illicit sex, sex with multiple partners, prostitution, immodesty, gambling, drug use, cursing God, false idols, homosexuality and much more.

I once was watching most of the popular programs on television until the Lord revealed all of this to me. Yes the story line of the programs are entertaining, but that is the Devil’s scheme. He can attract even the ugliest sin to the point that a God-fearing minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ can sit in front of the television set and laugh until they cry. Then they set their tivos to tape all of these shows to ensure they do not miss one minute. Then they get to work the next day or see an old friend and what happened on the show last night becomes the topic of discussion. It is such an easy trap to fall in to, but one of the most dangerous. How can we teach our children the principles of the Bible when they see such a hypocritical lifestyle played out for them in the center of their home? And many of them are witnessing their parents being entertained by it.

A principle I strive to live by is living my life as if everyone lived like me. Once when I was lost and living indulgent in my sin I remember having that thought. I was ashamed as to what the world would be like. Now I think the same thought, but it is what would the church be like if everyone lived like me? I am a pastor’s wife, although I am a normal sinner saved by God’s grace, and if everyone in the church lived like me then most of the time God’s church would be in trouble. I must daily die to my sinful ways and strive to fill my mind with thing that bring Him glory.

Here are some shows NO Christian should promote and reasons why:

House- illicit sex, adultery, prostitution, drug use, false god worship, greed, lust, perversion, adults lusting over children, assisted suicides, abortion issues, filthy language

CSI- soft pornography, love triangles, illicit sex among cast members, alcohol, drug use, filthy language

GREY’S ANATOMY- sex among cast members, fighting over sex, drinking and bar scenes, lying, love triangles

LOST- A couple is pregnant and the paternity is questionable

FRIENDS- sex outside of marriage, fornication, pornography addiction, alcohol drinking

WILL & GRACE- homosexuality, alcohol, perverted conversation

BOSTON LEGAL- adultery and sexual affairs

UGLY BETTY- ex-boyfriend has pregnant girlfriend, sex-changes

SAMANTHA WHO?- before her accident she was having an affair with a married man and an alcoholic
This is from one of my favorite hymns:

“Prone to wander Lord I feel it, prone to leave the One I love, Here’s my heart Lord take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above.”