THOSE MOMENTS

I want to write in response to a few of the comments from the last blog. As the guys mentioned on the last post, many times there is a desire to change but actually doing is where the hang up is. I know exactly what you are saying. And Paul, the dude who wrote half the New Testament does as well. If you struggling with bridging the gap between desiring change and acting on it, check out Romans 7:14-21.

That verse puts it all in perspective for me. The passage mentions that though we mess up and we know we blew it, Jesus takes care of us. He delivers us.

"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority." That is from Colossians chapter 3.

Crazy huh? Jesus delivers you. Jesus brings you to fulness. Jesus is over all powers.

So if stuff is rough. If it is hard to change. Remember. Jesus delivers you. Jesus brings you to fulness. Jesus is over all powers.

++++

Also in the last blog someone asked: How can i avoid all the sexual images that are everywhere in our culture? Here is some stuff that has helped me.

1) Bounce those eyes - yea it sounds silly. But is simple do not take second look. Whatever grabs your eye - TV, internet, hallway, restaurant, train yourself to not look again. We are creates of habit, it takes some practice.

2) Pray - the moment something catches your eye, pray. Pray for who you are looking as you look away. Ask God to help you in that moment. To this day I sometimes pray this prayer "God, get that junk out of my sight and out of my head..."

3) Read+Repeat - so i had to write my spelling words seven times each to actually remember them growing up and stink at memorizing Bible verses, i can paraphrase great, but i am a little rocky on the word for word. However, I do have one passage memorized and I repeat it in my head all time, it helped/helps me when my mind or eyes wonder. I say it over and over. 1 Cor 6:18-20 "Flee from sexual immorality...you are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

God is there in those moments more than you think. Sometimes we just need to give him some space to move through praticing some simple stuff in the moment.

Ian wrote on June 3rd 08 at 11:15AM

Thanks Brandon

Reading your blog really encourages me. Reminds me that Jesus is still Lord, regardless of whether I have had a good day or a porn day.

He is bigger than my sin

Ryan P wrote on June 3rd 08 at 03:54PM

that is tha way 2 go let jesus cleanse our minds of all things that are temptations.

some one who wants help wrote on June 5th 08 at 06:37PM

Can God save anyone

i wish they would stop teasing you. but i realize sometimes thats the way ppl show they care so yea

dan wrote on June 9th 08 at 02:52AM

yeeeeeaaaaahhhh, no, sorry but im not buying it, we look at something bad, and go, "jesus rid me of my bad thoughts" and then everythings fine...? or what if you put it on a bigger scale and someone commits murder and says " god forgive me for i have sinned"... and thats suppose to make it all better?? yea, ill stick to my good old non-religion life

vie wrote on June 9th 08 at 10:51AM

know God loves u
accept u as what u're
stop hurting His heart
He love u and want to hugh u
stop rejecting him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chris wrote on June 9th 08 at 04:59PM

Yeah, lets just throw basic animal instincts out the window because some religious nuts claim it's going to send you to a place that they can't even prove exists. But they will scare you out of your mind till you feel like you have no choice but to follow their cult or you risk "eternal damnation".

There is nothing sinful or wrong about lusting after the opposite sex. Thats the way nature works, we're just animals that are meant to breed, same as all the other animals in the world.

It's sad to see a website such as this.

Pyro Anhell wrote on June 9th 08 at 09:25PM

This is 2 dan. Have u ever had a friend that u hurt and u said u were sorry and ur friend said its ok. That is the way it is with Christ. Christianity is not a religion it is a relationship with ur Creator. When u do something wrong (we all have sin except 4 Jesus Christ) then u say u r sorry but u have 2 mean it and try not 2 do it again and God forgive u because of Jesus Christ. He paid the price for all of our sin by being perfect and having no sin. Sin cannot b a substitute 4 sin. just like black ink cannot erase black ink, u need white out. The white out is the blood of Christ that erases our debt, our sin. Jesus paid it all because he knew we could never b perfect. now lets take it 2 a larger scale like committing murder. God said "You shall not murder" ( Exodus 20:13) If u do murder some1 and u have a relationship with Jesus Christ then God will forgive u but that doesn't mean u don't have 2 pay the earthly consequences. U will probably go 2 jail if u murder some1.

Chris wrote on June 9th 08 at 09:45PM

Last I checked it wasn't Jesus who was the creator.

Secondly who said God even agrees with Christianity, who said God can even agree with anything? For all you and I really know God is just something we all came from. Not some supernatural being.

After ALL these years you would think we'd have some sign by now of a divine supernatural creator, but there has been nothing.

Pyro Anhell wrote on June 9th 08 at 09:58PM

There has been people get i car accidents everyday and the firemen or hospital say they should have never survived. God calls us home when he wishes us 2 come see Him. and the thing called the Holy Trinity is Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit. They r all the same just in different modes. Like when i go 2 school i am a student. When i get home from school i am a son. When i go 2 work i am an employee. But altogether i am the same thing. I am Pyro. Jesus is God in human form.God is Almighty in Heaven and earth. The Holy Spirit is inside every true Christian. But they r all Holy and they r all God.

Pyro Anhell wrote on June 9th 08 at 10:02PM

in car accidents instead of i car accidents

Pyro Anhell wrote on June 9th 08 at 10:09PM

Chris do u support gay marriage?

Chris wrote on June 9th 08 at 10:16PM

I don't support it or disapprove of it.

It makes no difference to me if a man and a man want to marry or a woman and a woman want to marry.

Tell me whats worse, a man and a man that actually love each other and support each other and have a successfull marriage? Or a man and a woman that have the complete opposite?

Pyro Anhell wrote on June 9th 08 at 10:50PM

Both r wrong 2 God. In Leviticus 20:13 it says," If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable...." And in 1 Corinthians 7:27 it says,"Are you married? Do not seek a divorce...." Of course there r exceptions like if ur spouse dies or they commit adultery or there is abuse happening then divorce is ok. Marriage is a bond between husband and wife. Every marriage has rough times but with Gods help they can choose 2 get through them. Most people need an excuse just 2 go and marry another person. that is usually lust. People sometimes say oh well the love that was there isn't there anymore or something of that nature just so they can have a different husband or wife. Sometimes people marry for infatuation not true love and it doesn't last. but 4 now i have 2 go 2 bed i have 2 work 2morrow. I will talk 2 u l8r. God gave us free will. the power 2 choose. U can choose God or choose nothing but the choice is urs and only u can make it. I will pray 4 u.

PrayForMeToo wrote on June 10th 08 at 03:13AM

I wonder, Pyro, why you didn't finish the quotation from Leviticus 20:13. Is it because it would make you sound like a homophobe? Here is the full quotation:

"If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them." (Leviticus 20:13)

If you are going to believe in what certain parts of the bible say, word for word, you can't really leave out important bits like this, can you? You're probably one of those Christians who, when they see a gay person, thinks, "Oh, what a shame. I'll pray for them." But read your precious book--you should not pray for them, but KILL them. How does that make you feel about your bullshit faith? Please don't answer--I'll not be coming back to this site, ever, anyway.

And no, I'm not a fag.

Chris(other) wrote on June 10th 08 at 04:48AM

You should have never been named chris/christopher, you sadden me because we share the same name. Do you not know what christopher means? Do you not know how that name is formed?

You are a disgrace to your name and my name, for christopher means christ bearer or
"Bearer of the anointed one".

If you deny Christ or God than you should have never been named Chris, for you do not acknowledge God. Come on, your name even bears "Christ" in it.
Very ironic to be named that name.
χρίστος+φέρειν= Which roughly is Christopher,
χρίστος(annointed one) and χρίστος(to carry).

Look around you, do you really think this happened by chance?

If you do not believe in God then you are worst than muslims or Hindus or anyone else who believe in God.

Come on, even they know theres God, ok they belief is wrong but most of the people in the world are sure that there is a God because there is no way that this can happen by chance.

Chris wrote on June 10th 08 at 09:10AM

A name is a name, the meaning was put there by man so why should it mean anything to you?

I believe in God, I believe we had to come from something. And thats what God is, it's whatever we came from.

Who are you to say your religion is right when all others say yours is wrong? If yours was right then there would be no others. Those religions are just as right as yours.

Steven wrote on June 10th 08 at 09:16AM

Brandon, you are awsome this really gives me determination to quit

Pyro Anhell wrote on June 10th 08 at 09:49AM

To PrayForMeToo: i didn't finish the quote because i asked my youth minister about if we had 2 kill gay people and he said that that was a jewish law and that we should not murder. i know alot of gay people and i do pray for them but that is their choice 2 b gay and go against their Creator God but every1 needs prayer. Even if they were not gay every1 has sinned and needs 2 accept Jesus Christ's gift of forgiveness if they wish 2 get 2 the Father. John 6:44 states, " No Man Can come to, exceot the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day."

Mozz wrote on June 10th 08 at 09:29PM

This is to Chris. I understand that you believe that a higher being commands you, but how can you deny the true God who inspired the oldest living proof of text from before and after the life of Jesus. Do you just decide not to believe in the bible? How can any human being deny something on their own intuition, when they have lived for less than 100 years on this earth, when living text, inspired by God is here to prove the Christian religion today. I apologize if you have lived longer than 100 years....

Pyro Anhell wrote on June 10th 08 at 10:13PM

Plus Christianity is a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We r not like other religions because we do not worship anything man made like a piece of wood or precious metal.

Pyro Anhell wrote on June 10th 08 at 10:27PM

How was every1's day 2day? any problems u need help with just ask?

Kyle wrote on June 11th 08 at 12:12AM

Chris, I was just wondering why it is that you have such a hard time believing in the fact that God sent his son Jesus down to earth to die for us. As far being able to prove it, prove the love that you feel for someone who you care deeply about (partents, grandparents, siblingings, spouse, etc...). God did when he sent his son Jesus to die for our sins (John 3:16).

Accepting Jesus as your Lord and savior is sort of the same as the love you may feel for someone close to you. Once you've accepted Jesus and you see him work in your life, and you hear him speak to you , you will know how real he his. And believe me once youve accepted Jesus and truly believe in him he will show you how real he is.

P.S.
Think about it this way. Even if all of crazy Jesus freaks are wrong and we just die and get put in the ground, what did it hurt. If anything we made the earth a better place to live by trying to live a godly life. But what if your wrong, and when you die you realize that Jesus is real... Id rather spend my eternity in heaven.

God bless

Pyro Anhell wrote on June 11th 08 at 10:50AM

Amen Kyle. Even if every Christian does not go into the ministry we can still live for God everyday and do the best a human can do and when we mess up God will forgive us and we move on and do better.

Keep ur sword(The word of God) sharp and we can stop satan in his tracks. May all the Anhells of Heaven watch over every1.

Megan wrote on June 11th 08 at 11:26AM

I think we need to pray hardcore for these non-believers.

I know exactly where they are coming from, tho. Until I found Jesus I used to think that way too, but now I have been saved and am living my life for Jesus.

You can never quite grasp the idea of it (its all wayy too over our heads) but if you follow Jesus and live your life for him, you can someday meet him and he will explain it ALL to you. So just have faith my friends :)

Kyle wrote on June 11th 08 at 07:50PM

Megan I agree with you 100%. It does take an enormous amount of faith to believe in everything that the bible says. And it even says that we will can never figure everything out no matter how hard we try. But fortunitly God also said that he would help build our faith.

Chris, all I can say is that I hope you might just give it a try. If you can whole heartedly give yourself to Jesus, I have no doubt that he will prove himself to you.

You know that there's a reason you've been sticking around this sight. Ever think that maybe its the Holy Spirit tugging at your heart?

Jordan wrote on June 11th 08 at 07:58PM

Brandon:
Let me start off by saying this:
You are doing a great thing.

I just got home from a rough couple of days of Freshman Orientation at my Uni of choice. I was in a bad mood for the duration of whole thing. This caused me to fall... I was walking around with a group of kids my age. This group was comprised of many girls--very good looking girls. I feel too often, finding myself gazing at the girls' anatomy far too often.
Then I got home and checked my e-mail for the first time in two days. I had a newsletter from XXXchurch and saw the beginning of your blog there. I clicked the link.
God does amazing things. He pops up and touches our lives all the time. All we have to do is be receptive to Him.

Brandon, what I'm trying to say is: thank you. Thank you for letting God use you.

Mark D wrote on June 12th 08 at 12:30AM

wow. what a concise answer to following through what we believe and tell others.

Thank you for the reminder of perspective.

You are a blessing

Pyro Anhell wrote on June 12th 08 at 02:23AM

Amen Megan and Kyle. I have seen what God has done in my life and what He has done in others and i am only amazed at what He can do in people live when they think they have the best life possible. God bless every1 even the non-believers. Every 1 stay safe and have a good day 2morrow/2day. Claim people 4 Christ and we will take back what is rightfully His. Talk 2 yall l8r. Good night.

korey wrote on June 12th 08 at 04:34AM

To all who don't belive in the one true God, Ya its hard every day to follow Christ and to look away. When i fail him it sucks because i love him.I don't follow him because its my job. I follow because he got me through times that i thought i could never get out of and my faith carried me through. Hes gave my family money when we needed the most and provided all i've ever needed. (If you question the one true God then test him,but when he shows you that he really there and with all his awsome power. YOU be ready to follow him ,or be a fool and and enjoy your life while it last ,lol,but time flies so good luck.)Also if you test him make it something hard so you can't chalk it up to chance. Its your life not mine you deside who your going to follow(the world or God) God just tells me to spred the news and love. If you belive in him or not he still loves you and you still have a chance.( till the day you die)I'll be prayin for you guy if you like it or not. Peace and love

Jon wrote on June 12th 08 at 01:24PM

To all of those arguing with the non-believers:

take it easy.

I know a lot of you are young and on fire for God right now in your respective youth groups, but responding to a non-Christian in a defensive and arrogant way is the last thing that is going to pave the way to the discovery of Christ.

I encounter a lot of this kind of talk on my college campus, and believe me, it does break my heart. But the best thing to remember is that no logical argument is going to save someone. You are not going to convince someone into believing. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts us of sin, no one else.

So, pray fervently for those who have been hurt by the church and are resistant to the love of God. But for His sake, don't bicker...

Shalom

Derrick wrote on June 19th 08 at 07:34PM

A couple of more scriptures that might help:
2 cor 10:3-5 king james version
...Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

You really want to get a kick out of this scipture, read it in the 'message version'

Lust in its most simplest form means: Wanting something more than wanting God.

So the big question, who is ruling your body, your thoughts, you or God?

I find this question very helpful when I try to justify why I just masturbated.

Time to repent, ask God for his strength, resist temptation and stand firm...no pun intended.

I really hope this helps.