Sound Living ~ Special Topics

On April 13, 2008, in both worship services, Southern Gables addressed the issue of pornography. This was accomplished in three parts. First, Pastor Nelson presented a short sermon (15 minutes), "The Source of Temptation," from James 1:13-18. You may listen to the sermon online or download it from the James sermon series resources page. The text of his sermon is also available from the James page.

Second, the congregation was divided into separate women's and men's groups. Dee Dee Woodman, a counselor with Eagle View Counselling Center, shared with the women her life experience in dealing with the effects of pornography. Listen online to her 39-minute presentation in Real Audio or MP3 or download the audio file here:       Jason Martinkus, a counselor with New Life Ministries, addressed the men and gave a personal testimony of deliverance from addiction to pornography. Listen online to his 33-minute presentation in Real Audio or MP3 or download the audio file here:       An audio CD of the presentation to the women, or to the men, including Pastor Nelson's sermon, may be ordered from the Information Desk in the Welcome Center.

Third, everyone was given a document with the names and phone numbers of persons prepared to talk confidentially with anyone wishing to call for help in taking the next steps toward moral integrity. The document also contains lists of recommended books. Download a PDF version of this document. If you are struggling with pornography, are the spouse of a struggler, or are a friend or relative of a struggler, we encourage you to contact one of the persons listed for help. The suggested books will be available in the Welcome Center for several weeks. Later they can be ordered through the Southern Gables bookstore or online from several vendors.

The Shack by William Young has become a very popular book in our country. But it is a two-edged sword with some helpful insights and some very unbiblical theology. Dr. Nelson has a short review of the book available for download here.

Spiritual Gifts? What are they? Do I have any? How do I determine what my gifts are? How do I use these gifts as I live my life as a Christian? Are these questions that you have about the subject of Spiritual Gifts? Here are some resources to help you answer these questions and use your gifts to serve your fellow Christians and the Lord.

Pastor Nelson has prepared a short paper defining spiritual gifts, another short paper describing how to determine your gifts and a sermon, "The Gifts of the Spirt". The paper defining gifts can be viewed online or downloaded to your computer in either PDF or Microsoft Word formats by clicking the following links:        

Here are the links for the paper on discovering your gifts:        

Pastor Nelson presented his sermon "The Gifts of the Spirit," based on 1 Corinthians 12, on August 24, 2003. Here are links to the full text of the sermon:           

Audio recordings of the 41-minute sermon are available online in Real Audio and MP3 formats. Listen online in Real Audio.  Listen online in MP3.  You can also download the sermon file to your computer for later listening by right clicking on the following links and selecting "Save Target as."        

An audio CD of the sermon can be obtained by signing up at the Information Booth in the Welcome Center on Sunday mornings. The CD will be available the following Sunday.

Are Mormons Christians?  This question is often asked or at least wondered. This article will help you think about this in a way that is respectful and still accurate.  View this paper online or download it to your computer in either PDF or Microsoft Word formats by clicking the following links:        

View this paper online or download it to your computer in either PDF or Microsoft Word formats by clicking the following links:        

View this paper on the ministry of healing online or download it to your computer in either PDF or Microsoft Word formats by clicking the following links:        

View this paper on Assurance of Salvation online or download it to your computer in either PDF or Microsoft Word formats by clicking the following links:        

View this paper online or download it to your computer in either PDF or Microsoft Word formats by clicking the following links: