Making All Things NEW; a NEW alliance

It has been awhile since I have been asked to serve at an "Every Man's Battle" conference, but this month I was excited to be asked again. It is the most intense 14hr days I work all year, but I love virtually every minute of it, and cherish the time I get to spend with the other staff members. We see each other only a handful of times each year, but are all intimately connected through the work we share, our own struggles, and freedom we help lead other men into. For those who don't know what "Every Man's Battle" (EMB) is, it is a monthly Christian conference sponsored by New Life Ministries for men who struggle with sexual integrity or addiction (lust, masturbation, pornography, affairs, prostitution, etc.). It may sound scary to those who don't run in my circle, but it isn't..... the men who attend these conferences are your boss, brother, father, friend, neighbor, son, husband..... pastor. (Is this getting a little close?)

The month's EMB was special. We were honored to have a special guest speaker, EX-pornographer Donny Pauling. At the time of the conference, Donny had been a new Christian and out of the "adult entertainment" industry for a mere 3-4 months. Donny shared with the men at EMB his testimony, and gave us an "inside look" into the porn industry. Of course I mean "inside look" figuratively - he actually was very considerate NOT to talk about the many details that would likely cause men to stumble should they roll around in their minds. Instead, Donny shared how horrible the women of porn are treated and how quickly their lives are destroyed. There were very few dry eyes that night.

As staff, I had the pleasure of spending a few meals with Donny. I have to tell you, I may have been to Seminary but I think I learned more about Christ from Donny in two days than I did in all of my formal education. Donny shared many of his experiences since becoming a Christian and of the insights and revelations he had been learning about.... most of it was new to me. I am a little ashamed to admit it, but I felt like a baby Christian next to him at times - it is difficult to articulate this here without writing at least 5-10 pages, so I will leave it here. Let's just say I was very inspired by his thirst for Christ.

I won't talk much about this here, partly because I don't feel it the appropriate forum and partly because I don't have other's permission, but there has been a significant increase in "spiritual warfare" since this conference. (I apologize to my non-Christian readers for using a bit of "Christianese.") Although not fun to experience, this is however an encouragement - we have formed a strategic alliance with a former player in the very industry that brings so much devastation into the hearts and homes of so many familes... now he is one of us. I get so excited when I can CLEARLY see practical examples of how God is making all things new!