Author: Kevin

I am a follower of Jesus, husband, pastor, author, and caffeine addict. Please follow me on Facebook or Twitter. You may also want to consider subscribing to the RSS feed.

For Women: HPV-three potentially deadly letters

When I teach True Love Waits I usually mention HPV, which stands for Human Papillomavirus. HPV is a sexually transmitted disease that affects about HALF of all sexually active people at some point or another (some studies have estimated 75% infection rates). Many strains of HPV have no symptoms, including those specific strains that are associated with cervical cancer. It is impossible to tell if your partner has been infected with this virus.

I want all of my beloved Filipina friends to think about these two things: 1. HPV seems to be the primary cause of cervical cancer. 2. In developing countries, cervical cancer is ranked right behind lung and breast cancer as the deadliest cancer for women.

Condom use does not seem to be effective in preventing the transmission of HPV.  Vaccination is one of the only ways to prevent the spread of the virus.

Want to know another (free) way to avoid this virus? I’ll quote directly from cancer.gov:

The surest way to eliminate risk for genital HPV infection is to refrain from any genital contact with another individual.

For those who choose to be sexually active, a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner is the strategy most likely to prevent genital HPV infection. However, it is difficult to determine whether a partner who has been sexually active in the past is currently infected.

As I’ve said before, God’s commandments are here for your protection. He created you and wants the best for you.

This is one of the many articles that you’ll find in my book: Basta Lovelife: Making Wise Relationship Decisions.

Just Like You

I have a confession to make. I’m just like you.

1 Corinthians 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am . . .

There’s so much profound truth in this little statement the Bible. I want all of you to know that this verse is true for my life—I am what I am only because of the grace of God.

Grace means that God gives us favor even though we don’t deserve it. God has forgiven me of all of my sins even though I don’t deserve it. He allows me to serve him even though I don’t deserve it. He has saved me and given me a place in heaven even though I don’t deserve it.

Recently I started listening to and old CD of mine by a Christian band called Jacob’s Trouble. I especially like a song called “Just Like You.” Here are excerpts of the lyrics:

If I seem to have the answers,
If I seem larger than life,
If I seem to be so holier than though,
If I seem to have my act together,
And everything’s just right,
If seems to you my hand is on the plow

Call it an illusion baby, call it what you like
But there’s one thing you must understand tonight

(chorus)
I make all the same mistakes that you do
I fall flat on my face just like you do
I cry out for mercy just like you do
I fall on my knees and pray
Just like you do—I’m just like you

Well I struggle to be honest
And I struggle to be brave
And I try to give away this heart of mine
Well I try to keep my balance on this tiny little wire
And I try to keep my pearls away from swine

You might see me stumble, and you’ll probably see me fall
But then for the grace of Jesus go us all

The lyrics are even more meaningful to me today than they were fifteen years ago (when I first became a fan). Perhaps you think ministers, pastors or missionaries have conquered all of our struggles. Not true. I still need God’s grace every day. I pretty much have the same struggles, temptations, and fears that you do.

That’s the amazing thing about grace and a relationship with God. We need His grace until the day we die. The more we grow spiritually, the more we see that we need Him.

I want to be a good example for all of you students. I hope that when you see me you are inspired to grow closer to God. Just remember that I am no better than you. I am what I am only because of God’s grace. If God can change me, He can change you. If God can use me, He can use you.

I hope you know what is like to experience God’s grace and power in your life. Please contact me if you do not know how.