Welcome to podcast #55. Today I want to continue a topic that, as I said last week, is very difficult to talk about, yet is dramatically affecting all of our families, homes and classrooms. I am speaking about pornography and beyond that sexual addiction. Last week I quoted a plethora of statistics that reveal how prolific the problem has become in our culture, particularly amoung the digital generation. I included 6 rules that every parent and teacher needs to implement in their home or classroom.

1. Install an internet filter.
2. Place computer in the family room or another open area of your home such that the screen is easily visible when passing by.  If they have a laptop you will need to structure additional protocols.
3. Publish and sign a Family Pledge or Covenant.
4. Know what your children are doing on the computer, where they are surfing to and who they are chatting with.
5. Educate yourself around issues of online safety. We recommend the Safe Families website at http://www.safefamilies.org.
   
6. Lead by example. Your children are watching you. This includes whatever media or entertainment you consume.

I finished last week’s podcast with a my own story. I want to thank those of you who sent in your comments. Here is what John Davies, our Special Education Director sent:

“Your last podcast was very helpful and relevant and I appreciated you candid honesty about the Internet’s seductive side.  I think in many ways the Internet has given our society an Achilles Heal that will lead to our society’s breakdown in spite of all the benefits we have because of it.”

I think you may be right John, especially if we don’t see a positive turn in the Christian community. We can’t discount what Jesus said about our role. “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything,...”.

One of our parents sent this: “I wanted to say that I'm very impressed by your transparency about porn. Unfortunately, I had a similar experience as you.  It takes a godly man to be so honest.  I believe the Lord will use your openness to help others. God Bless.”

This week I am pleased to bring an interview from a friend, Jason Martinkus, who has been very involved in working with men who have sexual addictions for the last four years with Every Man’s Battle Ministries. His insight and candour will be very insightful as we look for solutions to this huge problem.

Audio Only

Again thanks Jason. You can take advantage of Jason’s ministry by going to www.redemptiveliving.com where you can find his contact information, get counselling in this particular area. I know that this issue is so difficult for many of us to talk about. Partly because it has affected so many of us one way or another. It has robbed our innocence. It has invaded our homes and our relationships. There is, no doubt, some of you who are listening right now that are struggling with this issue in your life. You must take action. You have to bring it into the light. Perhaps your spouse is struggling with pornography, or one of your children. Let’s not forget that this isn’t just a guy problem anymore. Even if you strongly believe that this isn’t a problem in your home, family or classroom then you need to take steps to keep it that way. Checking out of the culture isn’t the answer. Developing the strength of character and fortitude of integrity is the only way to truly beat this beast. I don’t want to just have a guarded life, I want to have a transformed life. The kind of life that Jesus had where he could allow a prostitute to worship him by washing his feet with her tears and not have a single lustful thought. By loving those who were bound by sexual sin that he could dispel her accusers by his own purity and wisdom and then forgive her with such grace.

Let me suggest that you start with the series of books published by New Life Ministries, Every Man’s Battle, Every Women’s Battle, Every Young Man’s Battle and Every Young Women’s Battle. Follow the steps laid out in the podcast found at www.safefamilies.org and most of all talk to your kids about this.

Our director of our Global Citizenship Program, Steve Smith aptly commented this week: “Only in the light can we fight this beast, and too much shame and false condemnation keeps it in the dark. Honesty brings Light, Light brings Truth, Truth brings freedom; even if the first step in that process is to be honest about our weakness, we must rejoice in that weakness, for only that way can the power we need for victory come (2Cor 12:9), because if the Son sets us free, we are free indeed.”

Please email us your comments and thoughts on today’s podcast. Also, if you would like us to mail you a free copy of my book, Discipling This Generation for a Digital World, simply send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and let us know what type of an educator you are, home schooler, classroom teacher, school administrator, or interested parent. Please let us know how you heard about the podcast and, of course, please include your mailing address. Thank you for listening and thank you for your commitment to discipleship-based Christian education.