The Baptist Press today ran a number of articles on the overwhelming problem that pornography is having in our culture today. This is not only outside the church walls but is infecting the very ranks of the church from the pew to the pulpit. As a young man I fear for the effect that the easily accessible Internet porn is having and will have on an up and coming generation of young ministers, particularly as the Baptist Press pointed out, those who are under the age of 30.
The culture that I have been raised in and Internet technology has made the sin of pornography easily accessible without the stigma of buying the magazine at the store. The sin is quiet, but deadly. The struggles are enormous and the battle is currently being won by the enemy, the Devil. Sin is crouching at our door men, and it wants to destroy our lives.
In thinking about this epidemic that is ripping at the foundations of those called to lead the church I asked myself an honest question as to why I am motivated to fight any and all temptations. Why I desire to avoid the snare of deceitful pleasure? All thoughts point back to my wife.
In a conversation with an amazing woman of God, Tanya York, wife of my seminary professor Hershael York, she pointed out a truth that I had never seen. We were discussing my wife, as the entire mission team floated down the Amazon for a Tuesday afternoon swim off the boat. She pinpointed for me the reason that I am so concerned with fidelity to my wife. Ann Miller trusts me. That's it, she submits to me as the leader of the home and places her full confidence in me as her husband and as God's point man for our home. This is motivation!
I rethink every decision and pray over every change in our families situation. I ask her input and make every effort to make right decisions the first time because I know she is counting on me. She does not second guess me and that requires that I choose right. She has sacrificed her family, her home, her dream of teaching, her friends, the list goes on, for me and our family. That humbles me in a way that I cannot explain. It also pressures and reminds me constantly that I cannot make mistakes. It reminds me that I must lead our family well and I cannot do anything to jeopardize the most amazing wife this world has known.
Her submission motivates my fidelity. When I am tempted, I am quickly reminded that even the slightest failure can put into motion jeopardizing my family. I am committed to her because she is whole heartedly committed to me.
Ladies, I don't know you circumstance or your marriage but I know that Ann's submissiveness to me motivates my fidelity. I would venture to say that it will do the same for your husband. I would not ever want to exchange her for some cheap picture, some momentary pleasure, some uncommitted home wrecking bimbo on screen, across the street, or at my computer!!!!!
She is God's sanctifying grace! This 31 Girl (that is for Proverbs 31) holds my attention because she has staked her provision and family on me! What a responsibility! What a privilege! May God deal with me be it ever so severly if I ever set my path in a way that would destroy this blessing!
I love you Ann and I thank you that you are the wife God has called you to be!
I thank you Tanya York for being used of God to enlighten me even more of the gift
Ann is to me.
Thank you Dr. York for the example you and Tanya have been in our lives.
I had the opportunity to preach at asmall church in town that was a part of the mission of Chapada Baptist Church.
The Banks of the Amazon in Manaus.
The third cutest child on the face of the earth. He was the son of the camp caretaker.
In the Amazon the tools for pulling tree stumps consists of picks, boards, chains, car jacks, and sweat.
On Saturday Night the Chapada Baptist Church held a bilingual Night for the Englsih students as an evangelistic outreach. Dr. York preached that evening.
This is a morning picture of the camp where we stayed and built a cabin.
This was the team who was with me at Brazil. They were a great group and I enjoyed the time with each of them.
I don't remember the name of these eateries, but when you said yes they gave you meat and lots of it!
I swam in the Amazon and was not eaten by one fish, even though some of them were bigger than me!
