By Randall Pressnell
Senior Pastor, Oak Grove Baptist Church, Mount Carmel

Focal Passage: I Thessalonians 4:3-8

In his book Wired for Intimacy, Christian psychologist William M. Struthers lists the following stages of how men get hooked on pornography:

• Denial — “Sure,” they may say, “I’ve looked at it in the past, but I don’t anymore.” Most men will confess their struggle with pornography only under the conditions of anonymity and confidentiality.

• Minimization — At this stage a man will argue that his pornography use is insignificant and has no real effect on his life. He might say, “Well, I do look at porn, but only occasionally. It’s not like I’m addicted to it or anything.”

• Normalization — At the next stage men say, “Everybody does it.” Explaining the use of pornography as a common form of entertainment is referred to as normalization. [Read more…]

By Randall Pressnell
Senior Pastor, Oak Grove Baptist Church, Mount Carmel

Focal Passage: Romans 1:18-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

During a family vacation, Sarah got a little ornery and pushed Hannah. “Did you push your sister?” I asked. “No,” she denied. Since this was becoming a growing pattern for Sarah, I decided to take a walk with her to get to the bottom of things. “Sarah,” I told her, “I’m really disappointed with your behavior. What do you need to do about it?” [Read more…]

By Randall Pressnell
Senior Pastor, Oak Grove Baptist Church, Mount Carmel

Focal Passage: Ephesians 5:1-10

Pastor Andy Stanley recently gathered with about 250 singles to answer questions on the topic of love, sex, and dating. The most pointed question of the night came from a middle-aged gentleman. “Why save sex for marriage?” [Read more…]

By Randall Pressnell
Senior Pastor, Oak Grove Baptist Church, Mount Carmel

Focal Passage: II Corinthians 4:16-18; 12:7-10

After living as a quadriplegic for 45 years, Joni Eareckson Tada reflected on the diving accident that changed her life. Immediately after the accident, Joni told God, “You’ll never be trusted with another of my prayers.” But after struggling with anguish and anger Joni said, “I prayed one short prayer that changed my life: ‘Oh God, if I can’t die, show me how to live.’ That was probably the most powerful prayer I had ever prayed.” [Source: Marvin Olasky, “Loving Life,” World (1-12-13)] [Read more…]

By Randall Pressnell
Senior Pastor, Oak Grove Baptist Church, Mount Carmel

Focal Passage: Deuteronomy 15:7-11

Herschel Hobbs told a story of one man asking another, “If you had a thousand hogs, would you give me half of them?” “Sure!” came the man’s reply. “Well, if you had a hundred hogs, would you give me half of them?” Again, “Sure!” was the answer. “Okay, if you had two hogs would you give me half of them?” “That isn’t fair!” came the reply. “You know that I have two hogs!” The man was generous with what he did not have, but was miserly with what he did have. [Read more…]