In the past two years, we’ve had a dress-code policy that we copied from high-school camps, where we required girls to wear a dark shirt over their swimsuits. The reasoning was to honor their brothers (guys), and protect them from temptation.
We now believe that this is unreasonable, counter-productive and unbiblical for several reasons.
Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death ~ James 1:13-15
1. Counter-productive
Girls are not to blame for guy's lust problem. And demanding that girls wear dark shirts will not cure what is being birthed in our own hearts. In fact, it will exacerbate the problem guys have, by providing them a sheltered environment where they don't have to face life's difficulties like real men.
2. Ineffective
It gives men a fake cure, and doesn't really protect them at all. The brutal fact is, if a guy wants to lust, he can find other ways, e.g. iPhone. So what are we to do? Take away iPhones? The real issue is lust, not normal swimsuits.
3. Legalistic
The lengths we go to in order to shelter men's lust problem ends up being at the expense of the women. This is legalism. Because we end up saying, "Girls, since guys cannot control their eyes, you should wear dark shirts in 90 degree heat all weekend."
4. Immature
This isn't Jr. High anymore. We are adults who can act and dress like adults. I think there are better ways to deal with temptation than these. Namely, by men admitting our weaknesses, practicing self-control, and being immersed and transparent with other guys.
So I am lightening the burden off the girls, and placing more of it on us men to stop crying, suck it up, guard our eyes, and treat women like our sisters.
But men aren't the only one's who need the Gospel...
While we men sometimes blame others for our lust problems, girls may adhere to a “standard” of what their supposed to look like, based on what they think guys want to see, or what other girls look like. This too is a failure of appropriating the Gospel. We are not going to the Lake to impress one another. We are going in the image of God, and in the community of grace that God has called us to be.
Sooo.....
It can be a...
“For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking (or swim attire), but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” - Romans 14:17
Let us devote ourselves to these last three.
~ Christopher Lazo
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"We're looking for a new bass player and we’re holding open auditions.
After more than two years of rocking together, we’re bummed to see our boy Zach Rudulph go, but excited to see what this next season holds for all of us.
With the brand new album “American Dream” in the canon awaiting a July 26 release, and a summer full of local Cali dates as well as fly dates in Nevada, Arizona, Montana, Kentucky, Colorado and possibly Hawaii, 2011/2012 are shaping up to be an exciting time for the Dom Balli crew.
If you’re willing, please spread the word, through FaceBook, Twitter, etc... to your local worship leaders, music departments and any musicians that you know:Dominic Balli is auditioning a new Bass player. All applicants must live within a reasonable distance of Northern Los Angeles County/Southern Ventura County, CA., have a flexible schedule, and be able to do tours up to two weeks long. Each applicant must be a legal United States resident and be able to travel in and out of the US without hindrance.
He or she must be a born again follower of Christ, and a professional musician with a servant attitude. Reggae, hip hop, black gospel, and ministry experience are a plus! We are looking for a broad range of ethnicities in our applicants.
If you're willing, please spread the word and pray for our search."
Note: only current (or future) residents of Southern/Central California need respond.
Auditions will be held the week of May 23rd in Los Angeles, CA.
If you are interested or have any leads please email:
dominicballimusic@gmail.com
Our heart is for worship, and it's for the people who serve in worship, or desire to serve in worship. That was what The Kiln was birthed from. This is a one-day series of workshops in which speakers, worship leaders, and musicians will spend time with specialized areas of interest to teach the DNA that makes our worshipping community unique. There will be one session, followed by 9 specialized workshops, food, and a community of people who desire to worship Jesus Christ as Lord over all.
If you are a member of Adorn, and feel called to use your gifts in worship, you are invited to attend The Kiln.
We ask for food and logistics that if you are planning on coming to RSVP on Facebook.com/realityadorn
]]>I'll be making our biggest announcement in the last 3 years." @brittmerrick
]]>Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. (Colossians 3:16, NLT)
The last place we left off this Sunday was by ending the book of Philippians, with this exhortation by Britt, that "Jesus is the goal of life." We want to invite the entire church to enjoy Jesus with us at Adorn, and we are expecting a mighty move of the Holy Spirit to flood our hearts with more of Jesus. We can't wait to see you there!
-Chris Lazo
John 11: Jesus is the resurrection and life. He displays His glory by overcoming death to lead us into a deeper faith in Him #realityadorn about 19 hours ago via web
God allows sin and death to exist so that as He overcomes them, we would be caused to believe in Jesus. -John 11:14-15 #realityadorn 11:09 AM Dec 29th via web
Jesus cannot resurrect us to new life if we do not die first. ~John 11:6 #realityadorn 10:33 AM Dec 29th via HootSuite
John 9 Jesus outright denies the option of generational curses. The sovereignty of God and the supernatural power of God wins. #realityadorn 9:12 AM Dec 29th via TweetDeck
Jesus imparted His identity onto the man. The man was now not identified by his disability, but by the One who gave him sight #realityadorn 10:55 AM Dec 28th via Osfoora for iPhone
John 9: As healer, Jesus burned His impression on the man that was blind in a way that outshone the healing. #realityadorn 10:46 AM Dec 28th via Osfoora for iPhone
1) John 9 2) We're all blind. God is the One who gives sight, both physically and spiritually, so we may know & worship Him. 3) #realityadorn 3:21 PM Dec 26th via web
John9-11 Jesus has COMPLETE DOMINION over physical n spiritual sight n physical n spiritual life. He alone is the source of such #realityadorn 8:52 PM Dec 18th via MOTOBLUR
Jesus uses our weaknesses to bring glory to the Father John 9:3 #RealityAdorn 11:40 PM Dec 14th via Twitter for iPhone
Jn 9:27-34 Jesus is patient, He's knocking on the door 2 our hearts so we can see the fullness of his love & grace #realityadorn Tue Dec 28 06:15:18 2010
Jn 10:16 His chosen people did not accept Him as Messiah, Jesus offered His love 2 everyone b/c He knew they'd hear His voice #realityadorn Wed Dec 29 19:29:46 2010
Jn 9:15 We are blind w/o Christ we have to take a leap of faith, trusting Him & we will see the light ,which is Jesus Christ #realityadorn Mon Dec 27 17:59:57 2010
He applied clay to my eyes, and I washed, and I see John 9:15 #realityadorn 1:21 PM Dec 14th via Twitter for iPhone
Jn 9:14 -Jesus could have healed with a word but did so through clay (work) to show that He is Lord of the Sabbath. #RealityAdorn 6:04 AM Dec 13th via Twitter for iPhone
Jn 9:3 -We are born blind in our sin so that God will be glorified as His might is put on display by our redemption in Christ #RealityAdorn 5:56 AM Dec 13th via Twitter for iPhone
Two-thirds of all of these micro bible-study tweets are from people who were baptized in the Lake at Nacimiento last Summer. Praise God :-)
"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing oneanother with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:16