Jesus had a 12 man active roster for his team while he was here on earth. None of his “players” were super stars in their worldly endeavors and very seldom did they function as a successful team. They argued over who would be the “super star” on Jesus’ team in heaven.

Luke 22:24 ²⁴ Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. (NKJV)

They weren’t ready to grit and grind their way through tough times. When the crunch time and 4^th quarter of Jesus life came, they all ran away in fear. Jesus wasn’t a coach who was hired by an owner and given a set of players that he did not chose. He chose these men and he knew all of their faults beforehand. The scouting report for his team did not bode too well for him obtaining success but he chose them anyway. The city of Memphis loves the Grizzlies. I think they love them because they can relate to them. The area around Memphis is not full of super stars and elite people. It is an area of mostly blue collar, hard working, and middle class “regular” people. It is hard to relate to elite superstars when you are an “average Joe”. I’m glad Jesus chose the screwed up bunch of misfits for his team because I can relate to that.

I have counseled with many men who struggle with sexual addiction and the residual effects of shame that this sin produces. They fear they will not be chosen or kicked off Jesus’ team because their scouting report shows how badly they have performed.

Romans 3:10 As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; (NKJV)

If we stopped at this verse we would all be all be kicked off Jesus’ team. But wait there is more.

Romans 3:23-24 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (NKJV)

Our redemption is through His Son and His works. None of us are worthy to be on God’s team. We wouldn’t even be invited to His try outs. Just like Jesus chose his team of 12 sinners long ago, he chooses, redeems and glorifies us today. If you believe today that you have exceeded God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness; then seek His Son and believe upon Him and His love. Your church may struggle with the issue of being elite superstars that the average Joe sinner can’t relate to and if that is the case refer back to Roman’s 3:10. Are you and your church ready to grit and grind your way through tough issues such as sexual sin or will you run away just like the disciples? Let’s follow the example of the Grizzlies and be the church that functions as the best team in the game of life.

David Jones, Executive Director Restoration Path

david@restorationpath.org

On March 31, Kevin Ware, an outstanding player for Louisville, came down awkwardly after attempting a jump shot during in the Midwest Regional’s game. He experienced a compound fracture of his leg that placed everyone who saw it in instant shock. Luke Hancock’s response was to go to his friend’s side and pray with him. When asked later what he told Kevin, he said simply that “I told him I loved him.” Kevin’s response to his friend’s actions was to become calm and at peace. He then instructed his coach and other teammates to go out and win the game. Kevin Ware’s surgery was completed in time for him to be on the sidelines with his teammates to root them on through the Final 4 in Atlanta. When the nets were cut down, the goal was lowered, and Kevin cut the final strand.

Philippians 4:5-7 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (NKJV)

Paul instructed the Philippians to respond to anxiety with the usage of prayer and supplication. He wanted their requests to be made with thanksgiving to God. Then, here comes the kicker, he promised that the peace that makes no sense will guard their hearts and minds. The incident on March 31 created extreme anxiety in everyone that was close to Kevin. Luke Hancock did not have to think about what to do because he had trained for just this moment. He already knew where to take not only his anxieties but also those of his injured friend and teammates. He did not produce some Jedi mind trick or give Kevin some power of positive thinking speech; he prayed with him and he loved him. The supernatural peace that Kevin experienced spread to his other teammates and family members. Yes, there is one more award for Luke Hancock and that is the Most Outstanding Prayer. I mentioned that Luke had trained for this occasion. His father is struggling with a serious life threatening illness. His family has learned to live by faith in God and through an active prayer life.

We can all learn from Luke Hancock. How do you respond to anxiety or crisis? Do you look to self reliance or casting your cares upon Him? Have you been practicing walking in faith and constant prayer? Have you practiced loving those around you that have fallen? I counsel individuals on a daily basis that have loved ones trapped in sexual sin. They feel powerless in affecting change regarding their rebellious loved one. I think Luke Hancock just gave a great model for how to help our sexually fallen loved ones. Love and pray for them and when they experience hurt from their sexual sin then pray with them. Some athletes experience broken bones and continue to play through their pain. At some point the pain increases and they have to see a doctor, who through the assistance of an x-ray tells them their bone is broken. Such is the case with people in rebellion through sexual sin. They don’t know they are broken and need the Great Physician. If you are the loved one of this person, then pray that God will show them the need for His healing. You can be that Most Outstanding Prayer person but it takes practice.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, (NKJV)

By David Jones, Executive Director

Google creates controversy with Cesar Chavez doodle

Published April 01, 2013
FoxNews.com
http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2013/04/01/google-creates-controversy-with-cesar-chavez-doodle/

Google’s decision to mark Easter Sunday with a doodle of leftist icon Cesar Chavez atop its search engine angered some users in what they see as a snub of Jesus on the day Christians mark his resurrection.

Google defended the decision by saying it reserves the spot for historical figures and events, but a review of its past doodles shows it has never honored Jesus on Christmas or Easter, despite his historical and spiritual significance to billions around the world.

“Doodles are the fun, surprising, and sometimes spontaneous changes that are made to the Google logo to celebrate holidays, anniversaries, and the lives of famous artists, pioneers, and scientists,” a Google website reads.

The ideas for the doodles come from several sources, including Google users.

“The doodle selection process aims to celebrate interesting events and anniversaries that reflect Google’s personality and love for innovation,” the website continues.

A search of Google’s past doodles for words like “Jesus” produced zero results.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2013/04/01/google-creates-controversy-with-cesar-chavez-doodle/#ixzz2PJmqLSsc

I was one of the many people who happened to turn on their computer Easter morning. The timing was interesting because it was just after attending our Sunrise Service in a beautiful outdoor setting. Before the Google symbol even appeared, I expected to see doodles of Easter bunnies, colorful eggs and maybe even an Easter lily or two. I was a little surprised to see the image of Cesar Chavez and not the adorable little Easter Bunny and his basket full of eggs.

Luke 24:1-7 Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them,[a] came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2 But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it happened, as they were greatly[b] perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. 5 Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’” (NKJV)

Sunday morning the women came to the tomb of Jesus to finish preparing the body for its final entombment. The Gospel of Luke tells us they were greeted by 2 angels who asked them why they were looking for someone who was alive in a place where only dead people hang out. Another paraphrase of their statement was to tell them “There is nothing to see here.” They reminded the women of what Jesus had told them in Galilee regarding His crucifixion and resurrection.

Google’s web site states that they use doodles to celebrate interesting events and anniversaries. Elvis Presley was an interesting person and millions of people have come to visit Graceland and his burial site. There is a candle light vigil on the anniversary of his death where thousands of people pass in front of his grave to pay their respects and remember his musical gifts. There would be some very upset people if someone stood before his grave and said he is not here and the grave is empty. There is no tomb, grave site, or burial plot for Jesus.

Easter is not an interesting event or anniversary. An event is defined as an occurrence, especially one that is particularly significant, interesting, exciting, or unusual. In many churches the attendance multiples on Easter Sunday. Many of those attending will not darken the doors of the church until next year. They are treating Jesus’ resurrection as an event or occurrence that is interesting, exciting, and unusual but not life changing. Jesus’ resurrection was not an event, it was only the beginning. How will you deal with a living Jesus the other 364 days of the year? Maybe Google was correct in placing the doodle of Cesar Chavez on Easter morning. It was recognizing the event of his death. What kind of doodle would you have drawn to represent Christ’s resurrection? Maybe it could have just been a blank space to represent that he was not in the tomb. His tomb is still empty and He still lives today. He defeated death and he did that for us unworthy sinners. Is Jesus just an event for you or is He alive and current for you 365 days of the year? I don’t think we need a doodle to remind us of that.

Author: David Jones, Executive Director

Restoration Path www.restorationpath.org

This year we are also remembering another great “madness” that occurred over 2,000 years ago. On March 31st, we will observe the Christian celebration of Easter. You have most likely never heard Easter referred to as madness. Not only is the concept of resurrection madness but Christ’s entire life could be described with the same adjective. One way to view madness comes when someone loses their ability to reason in a logical and rational manner. It is completely illogical that the God of the universe would come down to earth as a lowly man and then die a sinner’s death even though he was without sin himself. It is irrational for one to believe that the way to eternal life is through this humble carpenter’s son. Man had repeatedly offended God through his rebellion and self reliance. It would have been more logical for God to wipe out the entire human race. Remember the flood? Now that was logical, rational corrective decision making. Trying to understand why God would continue to love man is beyond reason. So God did the illogical by sending His son to the pay the price that we could never pay.

On Palm Sunday, Jesus rode into Jerusalem to the cheers of an enthusiastic, sold out, standing room only crowd. One of the definitions of madness is described as a great enthusiasm or excitement. This would definitely describe this scene. To the people of his day, Jesus was the cinderella, underdog, bracket buster team that was going to defeat the wicked rival Roman team. It was going to be David defeating Goliath all over again. This was the championship game and all bets were on Jesus to win without even raising a sweat. But Jesus didn’t even suit up for the game. He rode in on a donkey and he sure wasn’t dressed like a king or warrior. As the week pressed forward, the mood of the people begin to change. The day of the big show down came and a few believed Jesus would rally and claim his victory over the hated Roman team. Another definition of madness is described as a great anger or fury. The crowds that once praised him are now raging against him and demand his death. In the people’s eyes, Jesus has betrayed them by not meeting their expectations. Jesus did not come to play man’s game or to meet their expectations. He came to meet His Father’s expectations.

It truly is illogical and irrational to think about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It may even appear to be madness to believe that this man from Galilee is who he says he is. Jesus, however, did not leave us a choice regarding his identity.

John 14:66 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (NKJV)

God did not stop with sending His son, he also sent His Spirit. It is through His Spirit that He gives us the faith to believe and know that this illogical message of the gospel is true. We can praise God every day that He did not follow a logical plan in dealing with us. Will you praise Him for His wonderful, illogical, irrational plan of salvation? Enjoy His March madness this Easter season.

 
God tells Moses he is to go into Egypt and tell Pharaoh to, “Let my people go.” Pharaoh seeing himself as a god said no and God turned all the water throughout the land into blood. Still unmoved God brought frogs and gnats upon the land and Pharaoh still had no change of heart. Then God sent flies and Pharaoh told Moses that he will obey God and let the people go if only the flies will go away. However, once the flies were gone Pharaoh reneged on his promise. This pattern continues with the livestock dying, boils, hail, locusts and darkness. Each time Pharaoh gives a fake repentance. He repents only so that things can go back to normal, yet he never intended to let the people go. God allows Pharaoh many chances to truly repent. It is only when the King of Egypt’s son dies that he allows the people to go.

 
God gave this man chance after chance to truly repent and turn from his sin and obey God. If he had then God would not have destroyed the land or taken his son. When was the last time you repented? Did you repent because you got caught? True repentance can only be found by understanding the Gospel. Once you understand that Jesus has died for your sins as a substitute and in return has given you righteousness and the Holy Spirit then and only then will you be able to truly repent. Friend please understand the high cost of your sin, it is never cheap. It cost God his son, Jesus Christ. In reading this, put your pride aside and speak to the Lord and ask him for forgiveness. Ask God to create in you a clean heart with new desires and thank him for removing your sin. Rejoice in the gospel of your salvation.

 
Pharaoh’s story does not end well. Let this be a warning to you friend. After Pharaoh’s son dies he lets the people go. However, we find that his repentance was not real and he went after the people and was killed by God in the Red Sea. Not only did Pharaoh’s sin cost him Egypt, his son, his throne, but also is very life. Find repentance before it costs you everything.

 
For more information about Restoration Path go to: http://restorationpath.org/ or call (877)320-5217

Matthew 18:6-76 

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! (NKJV)

I was raised by a father who taught and modeled that men should be protectors of women and children. Because of that upbringing, I just see “red” when I observe any form of abuse toward women or children. I am particularly inflamed with ire when it comes to the mistreatment of children. I spent over 15 years of my life working with children that had experienced all types of severe emotional, spiritual, physical, and sexual abuse. In most of those cases, I was unable to get at the source or the offender connected to these abuses because so much time had passed. I believed that finding the source from which the abuse originated was paramount in stopping the generational perpetuation of these offenses. I still believe that today. We must get at the source and stop it before another generation is lost.

We live in a world today that openly and overtly abuses our children on a daily basis. Let me state the obvious, we live in a supercharged sexual world. These sexualized messages have infiltrated every aspect of our children’s world. Everything from cartoons, kid’s movies, video games, and clothing carry overt sexual messages. Some of you may ask; “What’s the big deal?” The big deal is that it is child abuse. Before you close out this letter and believe that I am being overly puritanical, narrow minded, and old fashioned; please hear my evidence.

A human’s brain is like any other system or organ in our body. It goes through stages of development or maturation. These stages are similar to stair steps. There are things that need to occur in each step that matures the brain and allows it to move into the next step. Each previous step becomes a building block or foundation for future growth. A human’s brain is not ready to be overly simulated sexually until several stages are completed within their developmental framework. They need to complete both puberty and the stages of adolescent development. With the onset of puberty, chemicals are released within the human’s brain that starts a construction project. Visualize very small bridges being built within the child’s brain. In the future, these bridges are part of God’s design to direct the sexually charged messages into their correct locations of the brain. What would happen if a child receives a sexually charged message prior to the construction beginning or being completed? The brain doesn’t know where to send this message and it responds with both pleasure and confusion. In many cases the pleasurable response produces a craving that is similar to cocaine. Even though the brain is confused, this intense craving pushes the desire to be repeated. When our children are exposed to these messages, their developmental, mental, and spiritual growth is stagnated. With this stagnation, these teenagers will chronologically become adults but they stay stuck in their adolescent stages. The end result is to perpetuate another generation of sexual idolatry.

Almost 100% of the sexual addicts I have talked with were sexually abused. Most of them were not abused in the traditional definition of the word such as molestation or rape. Their abuse occurred when overexposed to sexual stimulation in early adolescence or younger. 30 years ago this abuse came through soft core pornographic magazines and the initial age of exposure was around 16 years old. 25 years ago this abuse came through cable movie channels and this new invention called the internet. The initial exposure then became age 12. Today, children don’t have to go looking for sexual images because it comes to them in every form of media and electronic device available. There are billions of pornographic websites and that does not include the use of social media, sexting, and “homemade” porn. The soft core porn of 30 years ago does not exist because now it is called network TV. Children are being exposed to graphic, digitized, hard core pornography and the age of initial exposure drops lower each day.

We can’t completely stop our children from being exposed to sexual images and behavior. We can become more educated regarding the electronic delivery system and the use of effective blocking and monitoring systems such as Covenant Eyes. We can create open homes where our children know that it is ok to talk about sexual issues. We as adults can begin to model healthy patterns of God honoring behavior. Every child born into the US today will have to struggle with sexual temptation. We can give them the tools to fight that temptation or we can turn our backs to the ongoing abuse of our children.

If you are a parent or grandparent reading this, I hope you see red when you think about the abuse of your children and grandchildren. Our God is bigger than this issue and He can take back this country. He can heal the wounded minds and hearts of our children. We cannot do this on our own but we can truly do this through His might and strength.

We thank you for your financial support that allows us to continue in this fight. If your church has an interest in receiving training and teachings in this area, please contact us. If you or a loved one is struggling with the affects of sexual sin, please contact us.

Coming Soon! We look forward to the release of our latest video workshop, Family Freedom. It is an in home workshop designed to strengthen and empower families to deal with the affects of sexual sin. Check our web site for the release date and further information.

 
My father did a great job at preparing me to resist drugs and alcohol but he left me wide open to sex. Please do not get me wrong, my sin is on me not my father, however I do think I could have been more prepared. I remember sitting in the car and role-playing with him over drugs and alcohol. He would try to peer pressure me and call me chicken and helped me deal with what was to come in that area temptation. In fact we never talked about sex on any level in my house, and I think that fed my curiosity.

 
The bible says “… and never satisfied are the eyes of man.” – (Proverbs 27:20) This is true, from the age of 14 to the age of 28 my eyes have never gotten enough nude images; I have never been satisfied. Friend, reading this please understand this truth, sin will never satisfy you, whether it be lust, food, anger, greed, or any number of things. Sin lies to us and promises the same lie that Adam and Eve believed.

 
If you are a Christian then I call you to “seek the things that are above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:1-4) Believe me as a pastor who struggles believing the lie of lust, that I have never been satisfied with my sin but O, the joy of beholding Christ my Savior who loved me and gave himself up for me. That is a picture that is infinitely more beautiful than any pornographic picture.

 
Friend, will you ask God with me to show you a picture of Himself so beautiful that for once you are satisfied, at peace, and feel joy? Let us to that this week while we struggle with sin, what ever yours may be.

 
For more information about Restoration Path go to: http://restorationpath.org/ or call (877)320-5217

Earlier this month it was revealed, in an extremely public fashion, that All American, Heisman runner up, Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o was victimized by a great hoax. He believed he had been having a romantic on line and telephone relationship with a female named Lennay Kekua. He also was lead to believe that she died in the fall of 2012 on the same day as his grandmother. It turns out this was a prank, hoax, and deception played out by a male named Ronaiah Tuiasopo.

The late night comedians were quick to fill their monologs with whimsical sarcastic antidotes about Manti’s misfortune. There were unending jokes spread across the internet by Alabama fans connecting his poor play in the bowl game with his inability to discern fantasy from reality. Last year the craze was “Tebowing”. People all over the world were posturing in a prayerful stance that mimicked Tim Tebow. I saw a picture this week that was entitled, “Te’oing”. It was a man with his arm around a non-existent girlfriend. We probably all laughed a one or 2 of these humorous antidotes. Most of us also wondered, “How could somebody be fooled like that? How could you fall in love with someone you never met? What is wrong with him?” The truth is that the fantasy world is always more attractive and alluring than reality. You can make the fantasy world become whatever you want it to be. It has no demands, pressures or expectations. The fantasy world is always there for you. There are no rejections or failures in the fantasy world. When children visit Disney World, they never want to leave. They want to live in the fantasy world where there is no homework, tests or bullies. When the fantasy world is compared to reality, reality is not very attractive. Manti had the perfect relationship that lived in the fantasy world of his mind. He attended a university with high academic standards and pressures to perform. He was the star player on a team that was expected to win every game. He carried both of those loads throughout each day of his college career. When he entered the fantasy world of romance with Lennay, he escaped all the demands and pressure of his “reality” life.

Everyday across this planet, millions of men and women escape the reality of their worlds to enter the fantasy world of pornography and internet virtual sex and relationships. We laugh at Manti and question his intellect but think nothing of having fantasy relationships with images. We amuse ourselves thinking that Manti was fooled by a one person for years. While we think nothing of having hundreds of on line sexual relationships with total strangers who are never who they say they are. We all love the fantasy world and hate reality. We never want to leave the adult Disney World of sexual sin. What happens when we have to face reality? For Manti it must have been extremely painful. When we are caught in our fantasy world of sexual sin, the excitement and fun fades fast. When your wife or child finds explicit pornographic images on your computer then the reality kills the “buzz” of your fantasy world. When the person you are sending sexual images to turns out to be a cop, then whose intellect comes into question then.

Satan has always used deception to paint the fantasy world of sin as having no consequences or pain. Let me state the obvious, the fantasy world is not real. You are not actually having a relationship with that person in that chat room. You are never going to have an intimate sexual relationship with that image on the screen. It’s not real. It will only produce frustration and emptiness.

We are all Manti Te’o. We want the perfect relationship where there is no pain or hurt and our needs are always met. There is only one real relationship like that and it is with Jesus. Having the perfect and real relationship with Christ empowers us to deal with the disappointments of the “reality world”. One day we will get to go to a home where our reality will become part of His perfect will. Until then we must realize that this world is not our home and we are only passing through on our way to our eternal home. And that’s no fantasy.

Philippians 4:13 ¹³ I can do all things through Christ^[a] who strengthens me.(NKJV)

Restoration Path is a Christian discipleship ministry that exists to restore those trapped in sexual and relational sin through the power of Jesus Christ. Through our online workshop, individual biblical counseling, and custom intensive programs, we seek to empower men and women to embrace their identity in Christ. www.restorationpath.org

THE JOURNEY OF AN ANONYMOUS PASTOR – Part 2

The bible calls itself the perfect “law of liberty.” For years that name seemed odd to me at best if not completely contradictory. How could a law bring liberty? It was only until I heard this illustration that it made sense. Two people jump from an airplane at 20,000 feet; one has a parachute and the other does not; who is truly free? Most would say that the one without the parachute because they do not have any restrictions. However, the law of gravity is upon that person, they may experience “freedom for a moment” but, they will soon experience the deathly consequences. The one with the parachute is limited in a way, yet they experience freedom over gravity because of the parachute. The second person gets to experience joy in the jump because the law of gravity is broken.

I began looking at pornography regularly in my high school years. Sadly there was not a filter or a blocker on the computer. So for years my home computer was very dangerous. Then I got my own computer, which stayed in my room and college dorm and apartment without any filter. I had freedom to see what ever I wanted yet the freedom was short lived and I am still paying for the consequences of those actions taken in high school and on. Sin looks like freedom that is its lie. It adorns itself with clothes of liberty while secretly putting chains on you.

God puts in his Word that only those who are pure in heart will see the face of God. He also says that if you have lusted in your heart over a woman you have committed adultery. I have broken God’s law. Since going to Restoration Path I have experienced great joy the last few months because I have put restrictions on my phone and computer. I experience great joy knowing that I can hand my phone out or my computer to anyone knowing that there is nothing to be nervous about. I know there is not some picture they may see or a website or a file downloaded. This brings me great joy. It is harder to use my phone at times but it is worth it.

Law of liberty is not a contradiction. The Law of Liberty is the pattern of life God wants his people to live. In this law we can experience relationship with God unhindered, joy, peace, love and restoration. What part of the Law of Liberty are you breaking? How does that freedom feel after you have exercised it? I beg you brother or sister to submit you life to God’s Law and in it you will experience life in abundance.

For more information about Restoration Path go to: http://restorationpath.org/ or call (877)320-5217

Lance Armstrong during the 2010 Tour de France.
Graphic Credit: Nathalie Magniez / AFP / Getty Images

Cycling union wants Lance Armstrong to testify before commission

January 15, 2013, 11:30 a.m.

In the wake of reports that Lance Armstrong admitted to Oprah Winfrey that he used doping techniques to win his seven Tour de France titles, the International Cycling Union (known as the UCI) is urging Armstrong to testify before its independent commission on doping to shed light on allegations that include whether the UCI helped cover up his use of performance-enhancing drugs.

“If these reports are true, we would strongly urge Lance Armstrong to testify to the Independent Commission established to investigate the allegations made against the UCI in the recent USADA reasoned decision on Lance Armstrong and the United States Postal Service team,” the federation said in a statement.

The UCI said it would not make any further comment until it has viewed the interview, which will be shown on Thursday and Friday nights.

By Houston Mitchell

http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-cycling-union-lance-armstrong-20130115,0,3663101.story

Lance Armstrong has vehemently denied, lied, pledged, sworn and promised for years that he had never used PID’s. He “threw under the bus” his closest friends and teammates when they confronted him with allegations of his doping. We now hear of tearful confessions before his supporters and Oprah Winfrey. What does all this mean? Does this represent a man who is in true repentance from his sins? Is this all so-and-tell theatrics in order to gain approval or reputation? Has his guilt and shame caused his “bones to waste away” because he kept silent for so many years? There may be only one person who can answer the questions regarding Armstrong’s confession. But even Lance may not know what is in his own heart.

Psalm 51:16-17¹⁶ For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.¹⁷ The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise. (NKJV)

Psalm 51 is David’s psalm of restoration following his multiple sins in his relationship with Bathsheba. He kept silent and most likely lied about his sins for about 2 years. He was finally confronted by Nathan and David experienced real brokenness before his Pure, Holy and Righteous God. Psalm 51: 16 teaches us that God does not care nor desire our so-and-tell, going through the motions type of confession. These types of public confessions are usually to please man and not God. Verse 17 teaches us that God desires confessions to come from a broken and contrite heart. This only comes when we realize we have offended God and God alone. Many of the men I talk with that struggle with sexual sin want to seek help to please their wives, parents and employers. My advice to those men is to save their time and money because there will be no long term change for them. The men that are broken before God are willing to do whatever it takes to be healed. Brokenness before God produces humility and humility produces a dependency upon God. God dependency and not self reliance produces change and growth. The end product is what we call in Christian circles, a “testimony”. This testimony tells the story of what God has done and not what man has accomplished.

It is interesting to me that this union wants a known liar to testify. What makes him qualified to tell the truth under sworn testimony? Is he qualified to testify because of the amount of snot and tears he has produced? Professional actors can produce tears whenever the director calls for it. Is he qualified if Oprah says he is “really, really sorry and I believe him.”? David’s sins became a real testimony that stands to this day because of how great and amazing His Grace and Mercy are. I don’t know Lance Armstrong’s motivation. I hope he knows that “false testimonies” better known as lies, are part of God’s “thou shalt not’s” list. He has sinned against God, just like we all have, and God alone.