Let's talk about porn.

Saturday night (tomorrow night) is going to be one to remember at Mercy's Cross Conway. It is going to begin with an incredible discussion concerning the realities of Porn. 57 Billion dollars each year is spent in the Sex industry. It is one of the most profitable business in the world. Every day millions of people participate in the fantasy world of porn. Christians are one of the top consumers of the product. In a recent poll by XXXChurch.com 90% of Christian men and 60% of Christian women confessed to struggling with porn at one point or another.

So what are the implications of this in the church? The implications are HUGE. Sexual sin is a sin that brings incredible shame into the lives of people. This shame is so strong that many who have failed or have been hurt through sexual sin do not feel worthy to be used by God. Many who could make such an impact in our community can't do so because they feel, unforgivable and unclean. We are opening this discussion so we can help open the eyes of people to the damages of porn, and the healing God can bring into our lives as He reveals His incredible grace to us through Jesus. It will be a powerful night.

Silly String War After The Talk!

So how do you end such a cool night on such a heavy topic? By Arkansas' largest Silly String War. It is the men vs the women. B.Y.O.S.S. (Bring your own silly string). The war will commence after the service on the grassy lot next us.


NO SILLY STRING on the parking lot! On the grassy lot only!





Saturday Night Service Starts at 6 PM in Conway
Need Directions to Mercy's Cross? CLICK HERE

Ever Wonder?

Ever wonder if those who produce porn target kids?

Do you have a teenage daughter about to start college? What if there were those who would offer her ten times as much to pose nude than she can make at her Starbucks job?

How do kids who have a normal upbringing and would never even consider being in porn get caught up in it?

Porn producers often network through your kid's friends to encourage them to participate in porn. How do they do that?

What if your husband had a secret, that is destroying your marriage? Would you want to know and discover help?

What is the cost of a lust?

What are the results of porn "spicing" up your marriage?

Why is porn an issue if your single?

What questions do you have about porn? Discover this Saturday night the answers as we ask Donny Pauling former porn producer, now XXXChurch.com pastor at our Conway location. Doors open at 6PM THIS Saturday night.

For directions: mercyscross.com

The Arrogant Leader

No one wants to be called arrogant. There are some cuss words that don’t strike the hurtful cord in me like the word arrogant. To be honest though, I have been arrogant at times. Behind this word is the real root attitude. That attitude is PRIDE. This truly is ground zero for leaders (for me). I find that with success pride is a bigger battle. The more people I have telling me how good I am the more time I need to spend listening to God. It is a dangerous thing to begin to believe that I am better than I am. John the Baptist understood this: “He must become greater; I must become less” John 3:30 NIV The great people of God all had this uncanny ability to see themselves for who they are not who others think they are. Paul starts almost every letter with the title “Bondservant”, or “Slave”. Why? Because it is easy to think more of ourselves than we should. There is a second danger for me and that is liking the good stuff people say so much I try to make sure that is all they see. It is a temptation to start guarding the way I appear to others. It is a temptation to start focusing on looking good rather working to be good.

Why am I tell you this? Is it so you can be aware of the pitfalls of pride and arrogance? No, it is because I need to tell you this so I don’t become prideful. I need to remember who I am and I need your help. By you listening to my story as the letters appear on this page you are helping me to remember I am simply a sinner, who had no hope and still doesn’t outside the crazy love of a God who would take my rightful place and die for me.

See the truth is I really am not a great leader or even a good one. I’m a country kid who grew up swimming in the muddy ditch in front of the house. I am a guy who didn’t finish college with any kind of Christian degree, never did seminary, and really isn’t qualified to do what I do. That’s the truth. No matter what success might be visible at this point in my life, I am only here because God decided to do something pretty cool out of not much to start with.

I was reminded this morning who I really am. The kids bags wouldn’t fit in the back of the car because of some crackers in boxes that I was supposed to bring to the food pantry. So while the rain fell and the placement and replacement of bags didn’t work I got mad. I then commenced to throwing the crackers, boxes and all in the yard along with a coat and what ever other junk was there. I left it there in the yard and drove off taking the kids to school. Great leader huh? I am so many times puzzled by how other leaders seem to really have it together all the time. I don’t know if they are faking or if they really are that happy, positive, never get mad, never throw crackers kind of people. Maybe there are those who have it together. I don’t know, but I do know I don’t. Not yet at least. This evening I will apologize to my kids for throwing the crackers, and realize once again who I really am.

Donny Pauling is coming to Mercy's Cross Church this Saturday & Sunday

• Saturday night at 6 PM Donny will be at our Conway location for a raw unedited question and answer session. Come and learn from a person who knows and understands the porn & sex industry from the inside. Come and ask questions and get answers.
  

• Sunday morning at both 9AM & 10:20 AM Donny will be at our Sherwood campus for both services sharing his testimony & delivering a powerful message about a God who calls, forgives, and heals.
  

• For directions to either campus: mercyscross.com

-Sunday morning at 11:15 in Conway we will be sharing a video message from Craig Gross the founder of XXXChurch.com entitled "America's Dirty Secret."