7:00 - 9:00 PM

Wednesday, June 9th

Need a little break from all that studying for finals? come to the CRUX study break on Wednesday June 2 from 7-9pm. Grab a coffee from The WELL ... play a little X-box or Wii ... burn some energy at Ultimate Frisbee on the east lawn or Hoopin' it up in the gym.

Something has gone horribly wrong as needs around us go unmet, not because they are unseen but simply because nobody was willing to do something. Tonight at CRUX we are tackling the question, What Would You Do... for someone in need. How do we live as people of COMPASSION and concern for the needs of others. In Matthew as Jesus is healing those with sickness and disease and is heartbroken by all the lost and hurting people, he turns to the disciples and says "the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." The needs around us will not go away unless YOU and I do something!

Have you ever looked wondered why someone said or acted the way they did in a given situation? we all might say we would have responded better... but what happens when the decision is ours to make...

Freshman Guys -Chad Jackson's Home (meet at 7pm @ the church)

Freshman Girls - Jordan & Jessica Lampi's Home (6:30 - 9pm)

Sophomore Guys & Girls - Hayley Walton's Home (Last Saturday 3/20)

Junior Guys - Dinner @ Hu Hut & Coffee @ OffTheLeaf (Friday)

Junior Girls -Christa Small's (Jensen) Home (6:30 - 9pm)

Senior Guys -Sean Thom's Home (FRIDAY @ 7pm)

Senior Girls (Jenny) - McKenzie River @ 6pm

Senior Girls (Amber/Joy) - Applebees @ 5:30pm

* If you need more info, contact your leader or the church office.

Knowledge in nothing if it is not accompanied with Action. While it is important for us to know what God's Word says about sex and sexuality, ultimately it comes down to our decision to Live PURE. When we come face to face with the heat of temptation... what we know is helpful but the power to live purely is found in the depth of our desire and love for God.

Genesis 39 tells us the story of the young man, Joseph, who in the heat of temptation time and again made decisions for purity because of his desire to Love GOD above all else!

The physical and emotional joining to two people the results from sex is a powerful point of unity in the relationship. The problem is that if sex enters into a relationship that is not continued for the rest of ones life (like marriage is), then when the relationship ends (the next day, month, or years down the road), there is intense pain that is associated with it. Genesis 2 tells us that the act of sex serves as a physical uniting of two people as they become ONE FLESH. Imagine how painful it is when your skin, your very flesh, is separated from the rest of you body. Sex outside of a life long marriage commitment will generate that type of physical, emotional, and psychological pain.

One of the greatest pains that is experienced is when someone apart from any decision of their own experience the sexual abuse by someone else. Over one quarter of people have experienced the pain of sexual abuse. If you have been abused, here are three things you should know...
1. Recognize it was not your fault... even though you may feel guilty or think you contributed to it in some way.
2. Report it... doesn't matter if it happened yesterday or years ago; you need to deal with it for you begin healing and to protect others from it happening to them.
3. Get help. The pain and trauma from abuse is not something you will just get over. There is professional help that can walk you through the process of healing and restoration.
4. Don't buy any lie that makes you think that because this happened to you, you are impure. That is simply not true!

It's true in all areas of life, but seems especially severe when it comes to the area of sex and sexuality. For every Choice, a decision must be made, and for every decision, there is a result (consequence).
You REAP what you SOW. Job 4:7-9; Prov. 11:17-19; Gal. 6:7-9

Physcial Consequences…
Sexually Transmitted Disease
Unplanned Pregnancy
Addiction

Emotional Consequences
Guilt, Shame, Anguish
Lack of trust, self-esteem, self-worth

Relational Consequences
Hurt and Broken relationship with you partner as well as friends and parents
Trust issues in relationship with future spouse

Legal Consequences
Legal punisment can include substantive fines, prison, and having to register as a sex offender… this can carry with you the rest of your life!

Spiritual Consequences
Seared conscience (Titus 1:15)
Weakend ability to withstand temptation (James 1:14)
Sin separates us from God (eternally as well as currently)

Other Scriptures:
Genesis 18-19
2 Samuel 11 - 12; Psalm 51 (David & Bathsheba)
Proverbs 6:24-35
1 Corinthians 1:5

2006 Montana Stats on Teen Pregnancy & Abortion:

46% of teens admit to having had sexual intercourse
1675 were teen pregnancies were reported in Montana
(18 to girls under the age of 15)
800 babies aborted in Yellowstone County
2000 babies aborted in Montana

So how do we make wise decisions when it comes to pregnancy and abortion, and how do we help others make the right decision. There is much controversy over abortion and the right to choose verse the right to life. Often people will make the case for pro-choice beliefs on the misguided belief that life has not begun at the point of conception. But after seeing a live ultrasound of fetus at just 11 weeks, it is clear that the baby is indeed a living human being! It ultimately comes down to our decision to value ALL life, even though it may mean inconvenience or difficulty for us... which is the consequence (for those who do not desire it) and the joy (for those who plan it) of the decision to have sex. While the decision is hard, the right choice is to save a life!

The right options are either of these:
1. Carry the baby to term, and with the support of family and friends be a loving parent
2. Carry the baby to term, and give the baby to another loving family through adoption who will care for and raise your child as their own.

CareNet Crisis Pregnancy Center exists in Billings to help teens as well as other women (and couples) who are struggling with the decision to have their baby or abort the pregnancy. The mission of CareNet is to provide a safe environment for women in unplanned pregnancy, and offer quality medical, educational, and counseling services. For more info about CareNet visit their website www.billingscpc.organd www.carenetofbillings.org

Pornography... it's a whole lot more than just pictures of naked people!

Our world is saturated with porn. Its in our media, its all over the internet, and it even comes right to our phones. But the temptation can be overcome with the power of the Holy Spirit and that accountability of good friends.

the LIE from porn is that it only effects you, and thus really isn't that bad
the TRUTH about porn is that it can and will destroy your life, as well as impact those you love, and destroy the fabric of society.

Accountability is the #1 help to dealing with the temptation and addiction of pornography. Find someone to hold you accountable, before it even starts.

How Can YOU Overcome the Darkness of Pornography?
1. Set Up Your Defense
2. Stay On Guard
3. Keep NO Secrets
4. Tell NO Lies
5. Free guilt and shame

A few passages to consider:
Proverbs 6:25
Matt. 5:27-29
Eph. 4:18-19
Job 31:1-6

struggling with the internet?
consider 3xWatch internet accountability software.
learn more at www.xxxchurch.com

internet filtering @ www.covenanteyes.com

How should we as Christians think about Homosexuality and help those who struggle find freedom? There is much debate and even division when it comes to Homosexuality and how we as Christ-followers should think about it. Here is what we know from the Bible... God considers homosexual practice to be sin (Lev. 18:22; Romans 1:26-27); but we must remember that God offers love, forgiveness and freedom from the bondage of sin.
Biological research on genetic evidence for homosexuality is inconclusive (there is no evidence that people are born/created gay)
Psychological research says the leading factors for homosexual orientation/identity is due to abnormalities in family life (absence of same-sex parent; poor relationship with one or both parents) and sexual abuse. This could explain why people (in particular adolescents) struggle with the development of their sexual identity and feel as though the are gay. We need to help those who have been impacted by such an environment and life situations (that were beyond their control and outside their will).

How should we respond? In Truth and Love.

We must still call sin a sin, and not justify it. At the same time, in love, we offer the hope and healing found in the power of Jesus and presence of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:11; 10:13).

How do we live and the intersection of Truth and Tolerance? Here is a great statement on love and tolerance by Josh McDowell

Tolerance says, "You must approve of what I do."
Love responds, "I must do something harder; I will love you, even when your behavior offends me."
Tolerance says, "You must agree with me."
Love responds, "I must do something harder; I will tell you the truth because I am convinced 'the truth will set you free.'"
Tolerance says, "You must allow me to have my way."
Love responds, "I must do something harder; I will plead with you to follow the right way, because I believe you are worth the risk."
Tolerance seeks to be inoffensive; love takes risks. Tolerance glorifies; love seeks unity. Tolerance costs nothing; love costs everything.

- Biblical Truth will always be met with worldly opposition
- Love covers a multitude of sins, but it does not condone them.

for more info and resources on homosexuality check out www.exodusyouth.net

In order to balance out the influence that society and social circles have on our view of sex/sexuality we must look to God’s Word (the Bible) to see what the inventor of sex and sexuality says about what He created. God has set a standard for us… not to withhold what is good, but rather to enhance what is good so that it can be GREAT!

God created human beings… male and female (Genesis 1:27; 5:1-2)

Our sexual distinction was for the purpose of:
1.Procreation (baby-making!) Genesis 1:28
2.Pleasure (Song of Solomon)
3.Unity / Intimacy (Genesis 2:21-24)


What God created was GOOD! - - (Genesis 2:25)
… And we messed it up -- (Genesis 3:6-11)
shame & pain


So how do we fix it? Go back to God’s plan:
Man & Woman –
Marriage – (Heb. 13:4)
Honor God – (1 Cor. 6:12-20; 1 Thess. 4:3-7)

"For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life." 1 Thess. 4:7

The focus this week was on the big picture, understanding what all factors (i.e. society, social, and other) influence what we think and believe about sex and sexuality and how that ultimately affects our behavior. We looked at Genesis 18-19 about God's destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah because of their wickedness (which included sexual immorality). Lot was the only one found righteous among them, and his life was spared by the Lord. 2 Peter gives us a great glimpse of Lot's character and ability to stand for righteousness and purity while wickedness was all round him.

"Later, God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and turned them into heaps of ashes. He made them an example of what will happen to ungodly people. But God also rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a righteous man who was sick of the shameful immorality of the wicked people around him. Yes, Lot was a righteous man who was tormented in his soul by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day. So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of judgment. He is especially on those who follow their own twixted sexual desire, and despise authority..." - 2 Peter 2:6-10