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| From the Executive
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July 2008
Rumors...
As I
have traveled over the past year as the Executive
Director of CCEF, it has become apparent to me that
there is a persistent rumor about our ministry that is
alive and well.
The rumor goes something like this:
"Since CCEF has written so many books, charges for
counseling, conferences and classes, you must be
overflowing with cash." Connected to that rumor is
a lack of urgency to support the ministry due to a lack
of clarity about our need.
But did you know that a third of
our budget is dependent upon churches and individuals
like you? That means for every $2 we earn, we need $1
from donors.
Our fiscal year ends August 31st.
Our goal was to raise over 1 million dollars of a 3
million dollar budget. To date, we have raised over
$750,000. That means we need $250,000 by the end of
August to meet our goal.
Just recently, a very
gracious donor committed a substantial matching gift to
encourage regular and new donors to assist
us in meeting our financial
goals.
Did you know that CCEF is
supported by fewer than 500 donors? This Enews is
received by approximately 15,000 people who have been
helped by our ministry. Would you help us end our
fiscal year strong by making a one time donation online?
More importantly, would you become a regular donor
to CCEF?
Thank you for your prayerful
consideration,
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Why
Donate?
 I had been a
Christian for fifteen years but one day I said to the
Lord, "If love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are
supposed to be the fruit in my life, then something's
missing, Lord. But I don't know what it is!" Three years
later, we began sitting under the preaching of a pastor
trained by CCEF. He presented biblical truth in a way I
had never heard or understood before. I began to see my
sinfulness at a new depth. I came to know God's truth in
a way I never had before. And I was more profoundly
grateful to my Savior than I had ever been. It is
wonderful that God's grace rescues me from His
judgement. But the essence of the gospel is that he came
to save me from ME - from the fears and
desires that rule my heart and compete with him. I had
left my first love and God helped me see it through my
pastor and the additional teaching I received through
CCEF.
I am so thankful for CCEF's passion for
God, and the way God uses CCEF to help us see ourselves
in Scripture, and to see how Scripture is meant to live
and breathe in how we do life. My husband and I support
this ministry with our time, our energy, our finances,
and most of all our
prayers.
Thank
you, Lord, for the ministry of CCEF!
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Breaking Pornography
Addiction
By David Powlison, CCEF
Faculty
Have you ever said anything
like this:
"I've tried to stop so many times, but
somehow I still end up in front of the computer surfing
websites."
"Cold showers, prayer, avoiding
situations-I've tried everything. Is there any hope for
me?"
"I know I should get help, but I am too
ashamed."
"I thought only men struggled with
pornography, but I spend way too much time in my own
little fantasy world."
If you have, it's likely that you are feeling
trapped by an addiction to pornography and sexual
fantasies. You feel guilty and ashamed, but you just
can't seem to stop. Maybe you are starting to notice
that your relationships with the real people in your
life are being affected by your struggle.
There is no magic bullet to free you from your
addiction, but when you ask Jesus for help, he will come
to you mercifully and firmly. Jesus welcomes all kinds
of strugglers into his kingdom, and his Spirit will
provide the deep-down change you long for.
Change happens when you face your behavior
honestly, understand the roots of your behavior, and
then go to God to work true change in your life. The
true change that comes from God will affect not only
your behavior, but also your imagination and desires in
life. Do you believe God can do this? Take a step of
faith; read this article, and ask God to use it to begin
to change you.
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Learning Contentment in all Your
Circumstances
By ROBERT D. JONES
The Journal of Biblical
Counseling · Fall 2002
What
is your favorite Disney song? Surely one of the most
well-loved is the one with these verses:
Zip-A-Dee-Do-Dah,
Zip-A-Dee-Day
My, oh my, what a wonderful day!
Plenty of sunshine, headin' my
way
Zip-A-Dee-Do-Dah, Zip-A-Dee-Day.
Mr. Bluebird's on my shoulder
It's the
truth, it's actual
Everything is satisfact'l
Zip-A-Dee-Do-Dah, Zip-A-Dee-Day
Wonderful
feelin', Feelin' this
way!
It's a fun tune: a cheerful, lively,
and peppy song. The only problem is that it's not
realistic. We don't live in a Walt Disney world; not
every day is a wonderful day; we don't always enjoy
plenty of sunshine; and Mr. Bluebird doesn't always rest
on our shoulder. Everything is not "satisfact'l," nor
are all our feelings "wonderful." At the same time,
however, God does make a powerful promise to those who
belong to Jesus Christ: He promises contentment. The
Apostle Paul describes it in Philippians 4:11-13 in this
personal testimony:
I have
learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know
what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have
plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in
any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry,
whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything
through Him who gives me
strength.
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