Increasingly confused and troubled in a Sex-saturated society

Does anything surprise you in the sexual arena?  Given what you see and hear on a daily basis on television or on the Internet, I doubt much surprises you, sad to say.

I sure think we need to be praying for each other, especially we men who are leaders in churches.  I’m currently counseling a pastor hundreds of miles from Champaign-Urbana who struggles with pornography, both Internet pornography and watching sex-saturated movies in the middle of the night. 

I know, you thought pastors got up in the middle of the night to pray. 

Recently, this guy’s wife became aware of this.  Can you imagine how this makes her feel?  Awful, frankly.  She feels ugly, betrayed, used, mad and frozen with despair.  Do you think this woman has any sexual feelings for her pastor husband?  Nope.  Not right now. 

I care for this guy.  I’m not kicking him.  I’m telling you this is real life, and it makes me sad and scared. 

This couple has children at home, and the wife doesn’t know what to do.  I don’t think she has many choices, honestly.  What is she supposed to do? 

I love pastors and I want them to succeed in the ministry.  With so many of them now increasingly addicted to Internet pornography, I really worry.  These are very tough times, friends. Pray for yourselves and your pastors.

Just this morning I read yet another study on how today’s teens believe oral sex is not really sex.  It’s essentially what Pres. Clinton said regarding his affair with Monica Lewinsky. 

Am I surprised?  Sadly, no.  "I don’t believe in pre-marital sex," one teen told me.  "I’m saving sexual intercourse until I get married." Wow…

I confess that I fear for what my children and their generation will reap.  I see what my generation is reaping.  It leaves me very sober.  We wanted freedom.  We got it, all right.  But at an exorbitantly high price.

"Lord, I pray for my children and the children in my church.  I have made so many mistakes myself, and I ask for your forgiveness.  And yet, good Father, I feel such a need to intercede on behalf of the youth all around me.  Lord, you made these children in your image.  They are so beautiful, so wonderful.  Lord God, protect them from the evil one.  These children are holy.  Show us mercy.  Forgive us for taking what is meant to be sacred and using it for selfish purposes.  Lord, come and redeem once again your hard-hearted recalcitrant children."