Tommorow I get to share Donny Pauling’s story at a church in Michigan called
Daybreak. Today we talked with Donny and Porn and Pancakes about porn. Tommorow,
we talk about his coming to know the Lord. Trying to figure all of this out
tonight and just actually pretty emotional about this whole thing. Truly a
joy and a huge huge blessing to see this happen in front of his. I found his
email he sent to me earlier this summer:
This is Donovan Phillips. I want to tell you something in confidence.
If you let this out in public right now I’ll deny it.
Here goes: I’m getting tired of this game. I’d love to get out of this
business.
I’ll tell you the reason why sometime, perhaps. To be honest, if I had
a way to support my ex-wife and son I’d let my house and everything else
go back to the bank.
DP –
A few weeks later
On a slightly different topic, I’m still having a tough time believing
the Bible. I actually try, but so much of it makes no sense and seems more
like a bad fairy tale to me. It would be nice to be able to believe, because
I am very good in front of crowds of people and my story would likely make
a great “testimony”, but I will never be a hypocrite. If I can’t believe
in something I won’t pretend to do so. Perhaps there are books you know of
that will explain some of the parts of the Bible that seem to contradict
others, or are aimed at people who have lost their faith?
2 months later Donny is speaking at 2 churches over a course of one weekend
not scared to talk about his leaving porn and coming to Christ. So much to
be said…Here is what comes to mind tonight.
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger
of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property
that is coming to me.’And he divided his property between them. 13 Not
many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into
a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.14 And
when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and
he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to [1] one
of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And
he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave
him anything.
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my
father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with
hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father,
I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to
be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’20 And
he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his
father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And
the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before
you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’[2] 22 But
the father said to his servants, [3] ‘Bring
quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and
shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us
eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was
lost, and is found.’And they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew
near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the
servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your
brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he
has received him back safe and sound.’28 But he was angry and refused
to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look,
these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet
you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But
when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes,
you killed the fattened calf for him!’31 And he said to him, ‘Son,
you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was
fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is
alive; he was lost, and is found.’
When Donny pulled the car over and ask Christ to come into his life. He then
turned on the radio and heard a song playing called “When God Ran”. Chills
came upon him. They are all over me as I listen to this song right now.
Philips, Craig and Dean – When God Ran
Almighty
God, the great I am
Immovable
rock, omnipotent, powerful, awesome Lord
Victorious
warrior, commanding King of Kings
Mighty
conqueror, and the only time
the
only time I ever saw Him run
CHORUS:
Was
when He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held
my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted
my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With
forgiveness in His voice He said,
“Son
do you know I still love you?”
He
caught me by surprise when God ran
The
day I left home I knew I’d broken His heart
And
I wondered then if things could ever be the same
Then
one night I remembered His love for me
And
down that dusty road ahead I could see
It
was the only time –it was the only time I ever saw Him run
And
then He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held
my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted
my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With
forgiveness in His voice He said,
“Son
do you know I still love you?”
He
caught me by surprise as He brought me to my knees
When
God ran –I saw Him run to me
BRIDGE:
I
was so ashamed, all alone and so far away
But
now I know He’s been waiting for this day
I
saw Him run to me, He took me in His arms
Held
my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted
my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With
forgiveness in His voice I felt His love for me again
He
ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held
my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted
my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With
forgiveness in His voice He said, “Son”, He called me Son
He
said, “Son do you know I still love you?”
He
ran to me and then I ran to Him
When
God ran
Continue to pray for Donny. Pray for boldness and courage for others to step
out of the industry. Pray for the service tomorrow.
Craig