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WILLOW CREEK AND RON JEREMY
Ron said to me on the tour that the porn industry is more accepting of me then the church would ever be of him. The sad thing is he is right. The porn industry is all about the freedom of speech, so we are allowed to do what we do and for the most part we are accepted.
A lot of Christians and churches want nothing to do with Ron Jeremy and others in porn. Believe me I know, especially after the previous blog, my inbox is full of those who think that way and force that opinion onto many others. This is not the way of Jesus. Let me say that again. This is not the way of Jesus.
One of the great moments I had on the tour was having Ron meet my friend Paul who writes for the Willow Creek Association. He came to the debate and is writing an article to send out to 12,000 churches in their association about Ron and the tour.
We have a long way to go with Ron and others to show them that Jesus is far more accepting then the church will ever be. This night was a step in the right direction. Listen in on this interview of a guy who really cares about what Ron has to say and is convinced sharing those thoughts with the church is a step in the right direction.
We will post the article when we get it, but in the meantime here is the audio recording of the entire interview that was done backstage in Chicago.
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Enjoy!
Craig
pornaddict3382 wrote on August 23rd 07 at 10:03PM
Craig,
I read some of the posts from people who said you shouldn't be wasting your time doing these debates. Their logic seemed pretty solid. But you know what... their reasoning left me feeling agry inside. Mad at the world for letting porn infiltrate our home, our lives, our marriages, our happyness.
Then, yesterday I read your blog, and today I read your blog. You logic was just as solid as theirs. But... I think you are correct, you are doing what Jesus would do. Why? Because, I your approach lifts my soul and just feels right. It doesn't leave me angry at the world, but rather makes me feel happy, because no matter how bad things might seem, there is always hope. So, don't give up on Ron.
I owe you so much Craig, you have made such a difference in my life. Thanks a bunch. I am sure my wife would say thanks to you also.
You are doing the right thing and without your wonderful blogs, I wouldn't have come to that realization.
Stay strong man.
I read some of the posts from people who said you shouldn't be wasting your time doing these debates. Their logic seemed pretty solid. But you know what... their reasoning left me feeling agry inside. Mad at the world for letting porn infiltrate our home, our lives, our marriages, our happyness.
Then, yesterday I read your blog, and today I read your blog. You logic was just as solid as theirs. But... I think you are correct, you are doing what Jesus would do. Why? Because, I your approach lifts my soul and just feels right. It doesn't leave me angry at the world, but rather makes me feel happy, because no matter how bad things might seem, there is always hope. So, don't give up on Ron.
I owe you so much Craig, you have made such a difference in my life. Thanks a bunch. I am sure my wife would say thanks to you also.
You are doing the right thing and without your wonderful blogs, I wouldn't have come to that realization.
Stay strong man.
jason wrote on August 23rd 07 at 11:30PM
i think you are a brave man who is doin a great thing... people will put you down, but i think that you are doin what jesus would have done, you hangin with ron jeremy is inspirational, because you are doin exactly what the church is afraid of doin.... WHAT JESUS WOULDA DONE!!! dude i look up to you for what you are doin, and i am prayin for you and your tour and i hope that you share jesus' love to all, and not the church's "selected love."
keeps it real
peace.
keeps it real
peace.
Hew Fuller wrote on August 24th 07 at 01:55AM
I want to give Ron a hug!!!
touchedbygrace wrote on August 24th 07 at 08:37AM
I attended the porn debate in Pittsburgh, and left feeling very dissatisfied. I was glad to read your article in this week's newletter Craig, because I definitely had a strong sense during the debate that porn wasn't the real issue. Love was. How is love expressed? Is it loving to view two people "loving" one another in order to satisfy a self-directed sexual urge?
I think the one thing I wish I had heard more from you was a healthy Christian view of sexuality that promotes sex as a way that two people bodily swear their love to one another, because even if a person has blocked their ears to that, I believe that it touches their heart. You had mentioned how Ron talked about Cash and Carter and their love, and how you sensed the longing that he had for real, true, genuine love... that was SO present in his explanation of "making love" vs. "having sex", and I pray that some day he will understand on a heart level that to "make love" you have to be willing to take that risk. Make a leap of faith, if you will.
So mixed feelings about the actual debate, but major props to you Craig for being docile to the Lord in seeing that your real job was to love and witness to Ron. I affirm you on that.
Grace
I think the one thing I wish I had heard more from you was a healthy Christian view of sexuality that promotes sex as a way that two people bodily swear their love to one another, because even if a person has blocked their ears to that, I believe that it touches their heart. You had mentioned how Ron talked about Cash and Carter and their love, and how you sensed the longing that he had for real, true, genuine love... that was SO present in his explanation of "making love" vs. "having sex", and I pray that some day he will understand on a heart level that to "make love" you have to be willing to take that risk. Make a leap of faith, if you will.
So mixed feelings about the actual debate, but major props to you Craig for being docile to the Lord in seeing that your real job was to love and witness to Ron. I affirm you on that.
Grace
Keith wrote on August 24th 07 at 09:01AM
After listening to the interview, I must admit I was convicted by Ron's attitude.
I felt he was very honest, frank and straight forward. He knows what he believes and he knows who he is.
People who are emotionally weak get involved in things that inevitably take over there lives, whether it be church or porn. They loose themselves and become that thing.Why? because there weak. I don't think God wants us to become anything other than who we are. Yes, temptation whats to rule us, but mature people see through it. We need to see the bigger picture, no man wants to be ruled by anything? Faith gives us the freedom to be mature. I wish i was more mature, but I can't change our past. Now we need to make the most out of what we have.
I felt he was very honest, frank and straight forward. He knows what he believes and he knows who he is.
People who are emotionally weak get involved in things that inevitably take over there lives, whether it be church or porn. They loose themselves and become that thing.Why? because there weak. I don't think God wants us to become anything other than who we are. Yes, temptation whats to rule us, but mature people see through it. We need to see the bigger picture, no man wants to be ruled by anything? Faith gives us the freedom to be mature. I wish i was more mature, but I can't change our past. Now we need to make the most out of what we have.
Candystore wrote on August 24th 07 at 09:05AM
Acceptance. Yes, Ron and Craig, that is why I am here and not else where because it is in cyberspace am I accepted , desired and wanted, not hated, rejected. That is also why Annabel Chong left Singapore and entered the porn industry. It is the acceptance of who she is, a woman with sexual desires and love and emotions, tears, pain, rejection, acceptance, forgiveness...etc. where she found life.I yearned for these things but can never find them but can only dream of them.But I am also somewhat aware that taking such drastics paths, it's not great.not promiscuity, certainly not.but acceptance, i must be dreaming, no, I don't believe the porn industry cares about acceptance.He's just fooling you, Craig.
Terri wrote on August 24th 07 at 08:25PM
I have been thinking, you need to start training other pastors to do the stuff you have been doing after your time is up...not to be morbid, but I mean...don't let it stop with you...make a way for the next generations, too. If you have to, start a missions/pastoral care school for it.
I went into a strip club to meet Ron because
I saw him as a person when I saw him with Tammy Faye on Surreal Life. I felt really
akward in that club. Some guy that went that day was even a Ron Jeremy lookalike-I met him, too.
I was too ashamed to tell anybody I'd met him, or gone into a strip club to meet him.
I'm sorry I was ashamed about it. Keep being his friend...Tammy is gone now, but you are here. I don't think he has too many believer friends...I'm glad you have the guts to go there.
Jesus may not be for porn, but he is "for" Ron.
I went into a strip club to meet Ron because
I saw him as a person when I saw him with Tammy Faye on Surreal Life. I felt really
akward in that club. Some guy that went that day was even a Ron Jeremy lookalike-I met him, too.
I was too ashamed to tell anybody I'd met him, or gone into a strip club to meet him.
I'm sorry I was ashamed about it. Keep being his friend...Tammy is gone now, but you are here. I don't think he has too many believer friends...I'm glad you have the guts to go there.
Jesus may not be for porn, but he is "for" Ron.
Suricou Raven wrote on August 25th 07 at 12:59AM
Acceptance? Some people just want to be ravens :>
Candystore wrote on August 25th 07 at 06:33AM
Yes, Jesus is not for porn , He hates porno because it goes against His holiness but He loves Ron because on that cross 2000 years ago, Jesus died for me and Ron Jeremy and everyone, because everyone has sinned and needs God's forgiveness.
Why I come here so often. It is because I have known that porno existed since I was a child , knew Christ later but never seen Christ transforming lives in the porn industry , and it's because I doubted God's power and I need Him to show me that the work of the cross is real and not just evangelism.
So when I hear about Shelley Lubben's testimony, Annie Lobert's testimony, Jersey Jaxin and Sierra Sinn's testimony, if they be genuiune and true, then God's power to save lives is real and not phony.Am here`because`of Jesus.
Why I come here so often. It is because I have known that porno existed since I was a child , knew Christ later but never seen Christ transforming lives in the porn industry , and it's because I doubted God's power and I need Him to show me that the work of the cross is real and not just evangelism.
So when I hear about Shelley Lubben's testimony, Annie Lobert's testimony, Jersey Jaxin and Sierra Sinn's testimony, if they be genuiune and true, then God's power to save lives is real and not phony.Am here`because`of Jesus.
Candystore wrote on August 25th 07 at 08:48AM
Hi Craig and team,
I heard the audio recording of the interview and one thing that puzzled me greatly is the part about Ron Jeremy when asked who is Jesus to him.
Can someone who knows Jesus, truly , truly know Jesus and have been touched by Jesus not turn away from his sins? When we read the bible, after having a true encounter with Jesus, what happens is that they convert. Mary Magdalene converted . She wept and used her hair to wipe Jesus' feet.
Peter and Paul converted. Peter when he realised that Jesus is the Christ, was so ashamed that he told Jesus to get away from him because he is an unclean man.
Even Judas Iscariot, when the truth dawned on him that he had betrayed Jesus, could not handle his own sinfulness and evil done toward a holy Jesus that he immediately hanged himself to death. He threw the thirty pieces of silver and hated what he did to Jesus.
If Ron truly knows Jesus, he won't go on with what he did.
can someone after truly knowing who Jesus is remain in his or her sins?
I heard the audio recording of the interview and one thing that puzzled me greatly is the part about Ron Jeremy when asked who is Jesus to him.
Can someone who knows Jesus, truly , truly know Jesus and have been touched by Jesus not turn away from his sins? When we read the bible, after having a true encounter with Jesus, what happens is that they convert. Mary Magdalene converted . She wept and used her hair to wipe Jesus' feet.
Peter and Paul converted. Peter when he realised that Jesus is the Christ, was so ashamed that he told Jesus to get away from him because he is an unclean man.
Even Judas Iscariot, when the truth dawned on him that he had betrayed Jesus, could not handle his own sinfulness and evil done toward a holy Jesus that he immediately hanged himself to death. He threw the thirty pieces of silver and hated what he did to Jesus.
If Ron truly knows Jesus, he won't go on with what he did.
can someone after truly knowing who Jesus is remain in his or her sins?
Kristen wrote on August 26th 07 at 06:08PM
"This is not the way of Jesus," I don't think you can say that enough in response to what was mentioned.
Why are people debating about the porn debates? Through the porn debates xxx church isn't stopping at just saying "this is not the way of Jesus," but showing others what He would do. Hence the phrase that sums up so much so simply: Live like Jesus lived, love like Jesus loves.
Also, it is illogical to only represent the "xxx church" side of things, and not the other. I think that it actually shows strength in a ministry when they are willing to be challenged in such a way.
And if I ever met Paul, I would thank him.
Why are people debating about the porn debates? Through the porn debates xxx church isn't stopping at just saying "this is not the way of Jesus," but showing others what He would do. Hence the phrase that sums up so much so simply: Live like Jesus lived, love like Jesus loves.
Also, it is illogical to only represent the "xxx church" side of things, and not the other. I think that it actually shows strength in a ministry when they are willing to be challenged in such a way.
And if I ever met Paul, I would thank him.
Ross wrote on August 27th 07 at 06:33PM
Candystore,
In answer to your last question.
Yes, we can still live in sin after we know jesus.
It's just we think in a box, and I myself am guilty of this.
Porn is just another sin.
We all lie, deceive and cheat.
The question is, how can we continue to do this when we do know Jesus?
Because we are sinful, and it will always be a struggle.
In answer to your last question.
Yes, we can still live in sin after we know jesus.
It's just we think in a box, and I myself am guilty of this.
Porn is just another sin.
We all lie, deceive and cheat.
The question is, how can we continue to do this when we do know Jesus?
Because we are sinful, and it will always be a struggle.
Sandi wrote on August 27th 07 at 08:50PM
God is truly has his hand of anointing on your ministry. May God continue to prosper you & your work.
Jesus didn't worry about what the stuffy "religious" people thought. He just loved the hurting, rejected & imperfect people of His day. Keep Loving!
May God Heap Blessings upon you, your families & those that you reach out to. Your unconditional love makes God smile & me too!!
Jesus didn't worry about what the stuffy "religious" people thought. He just loved the hurting, rejected & imperfect people of His day. Keep Loving!
May God Heap Blessings upon you, your families & those that you reach out to. Your unconditional love makes God smile & me too!!
Brian wrote on August 28th 07 at 10:59AM
Jesus didn't just love sinners, he was a fisher of men. Jesus spoke truth to those around Him. Those who believed what Jesus said followed His teaching. Those who thought more highly of their own values than of God's wanted to kill Jesus.
There is nothing wrong in ministering to those in the porn ministry. Using the world's tactics of lewdness and shock value in order to bring attention to a certain subject matter, . I believe this is why there is resistance to Ron's philosophy of ministry in the churches.
There is nothing wrong in ministering to those in the porn ministry. Using the world's tactics of lewdness and shock value in order to bring attention to a certain subject matter, . I believe this is why there is resistance to Ron's philosophy of ministry in the churches.
Brian wrote on August 28th 07 at 11:00AM
Jesus didn't just love sinners, he was a fisher of men. Jesus spoke truth to those around Him. Those who believed what Jesus said followed His teaching. Those who thought more highly of their own values than of God's wanted to kill Jesus.
There is nothing wrong in ministering to those in the porn ministry. Using the world's tactics of lewdness and shock value in order to bring attention to a certain subject matter is not biblical . I believe this is why there is resistance to Ron's philosophy of ministry in the churches.
There is nothing wrong in ministering to those in the porn ministry. Using the world's tactics of lewdness and shock value in order to bring attention to a certain subject matter is not biblical . I believe this is why there is resistance to Ron's philosophy of ministry in the churches.
Brian wrote on August 28th 07 at 11:01AM
Jesus didn't just love sinners, he was a fisher of men. Jesus spoke truth to those around Him. Those who believed what Jesus said followed His teaching. Those who thought more highly of their own values than of God's wanted to kill Jesus.
There is nothing wrong in ministering to those in the porn ministry, but using the world's tactics of lewdness and shock value in order to bring attention to a certain subject matter is wrong and not biblical . I believe this is why there is resistance to Ron's philosophy of ministry in the churches.
There is nothing wrong in ministering to those in the porn ministry, but using the world's tactics of lewdness and shock value in order to bring attention to a certain subject matter is wrong and not biblical . I believe this is why there is resistance to Ron's philosophy of ministry in the churches.
Brian wrote on August 28th 07 at 11:03AM
Jesus didn't just love sinners, he was a fisher of men. Jesus spoke truth to those around Him. Those who believed what Jesus said followed His teaching. Those who thought more highly of their own values than of God's wanted to kill Jesus.
There is nothing wrong in ministering to those in the porn industry, but using the world's tactics of lewdness and shock value in order to bring attention to a certain subject matter is wrong and not biblical . I believe this is why there is resistance to Ron's philosophy of ministry in the churches.
There is nothing wrong in ministering to those in the porn industry, but using the world's tactics of lewdness and shock value in order to bring attention to a certain subject matter is wrong and not biblical . I believe this is why there is resistance to Ron's philosophy of ministry in the churches.
