This is the title slide of my talk from this morning:
Below is the video of that talk which I delivered at Outlaw Preachers Reunion this week. Since that time I have been deeply moved by the stories of brokenness I am hearing from fellow travelers as well as hope-filled stories of redemption. This is what should be happening in our churches!
Help me take this message to others. If you are part of a church or college, I would love to come speak with your people and share my story. Naturally, I would be willing to change the title if appropriate, but I think after listening to the video you will understand why I say what I say. Please email me at chadholtz36@gmail.com and if you feel so inclined, there is a donate button on the top right which helps support this blog and ministry. Thank you.
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Great talk, Chad. Real, community is always messy, vulnerable, honest, sacrificial and transformative. If we truly understand what Jesus is talking about when he describes the Kingdom of God, we’d take down the embarrassing steeples and and stained glass we hide behind, and meet in open, public spaces, where we would gladly embarrass ourselves in front of the world, as we demonstrate what it looks like to be stained by God’s immeasurable Love. Church is supposed to look more like a 12-Step group.
Thanks, Carter. It was really great to finally meet you in person the other night. Looking forward to furthering our friendship. Grace and peace
My husband had a sex addiction/porn addiction and did not figure it out during our twenty years together. That was not the only reason the marriage ended but it did keep him from emotional intimacy which spilled over into every other area and DID end the marriage-oh along with adultery. He KNEW the trap he was in and continued in it. The threat of loss of everything could not stop him. I would tell a wife in this situation-get out-now. Sure people can change; I gave him ten years more because I felt God gave me the grace to stay. Good for you for speaking up. The spouse on the other side of this equation needs help too. I know, and I got it. My choice in a partner radically changed when I healed. Unfortunately unhealthy finds unhealthy. Bad relationship math.
Chad. Your story is powerful, authentic, and unfinished. A day is coming when all things that are broken in our lives will be purged finally. Yet, I believe that God is purging your life in this very moment… with every choice to refuse the things that would F up your situation. And with every moment where you run into the arms of a Father whose embrace is bigger than any F that we may face. May the Spirit of God give you peace, patience, endurance, community, and grace in moments of struggle; and lead you towards victory amidst the brokenness of life. I am with you and praying for you friend.
thought you may want to watch this vid chad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_4z5Vu2-jU&feature=channel_video_title