Explicit Movement Hawaii

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I have found that abiding in the Lord is the number one spiritual practice that the enemy and my flesh have battled against the most.

The moment we begin to take our eyes off of Him, we start to build affection for something or someone else who can not protect or satisfy us like He can. As someone who struggled with co-dependent tendencies, I know this all too well. My flesh has a proclivity to look at relationships as a source of worth and value. Relationships aren’t ba, but I have made them my idol time and time again.

“Good” things can become idols and distractions that remove our affections from Him.

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"Purity seemed impossible for me, and it wasn’t even my fault! I didn't ask for these feelings.

“God didn’t make you that way. It’s a choice.”

That was such a common response throughout my life, and it was the most hurtful. I really wanted someone to understand me, but no one around me could relate. So, I did what most people do when they feel hopeless – I gave in. It was either give in or die.

I don’t know why it took a little over three decades to finally meet Jesus for myself. The word of God tells us that the Spirit brings life (2 Corinthians 3:6) and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17). That was the case when the Word came alive to me.

My posture changed.

The religious men around Jesus judged Him for allowing the woman with the alabaster jar to anoint him and wash his feet with her tears and hair. They called her a sinful woman, and many have assumed her role as a pr******te all these years, though the word never makes that clear.

But what’s clear is Jesus saying, “I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.” (Matthew 26:11)

This is the posture we must all come to if purity is to ever manifest in our life. It starts at His feet.

Full post is available at the link in our stories right now or visit our website and click "blogs".

What's blocking you from fulfilling your God given dreams and purpose?

At Explicit Movement, our goal is to help restore people from s*xual brokenness to wholeness in Jesus. Sexual addictions, wounds, toxic relationships and distracting appetites rob us from walking in God's purpose for our life. Sexual integrity and faithfulness helps us to make more room for the presence of God in our daily lives. In his presence we gain clear vision for our lives and without a vision, The book of Proverbs, reminds us that people perish.

Join and for this incredible summit and break free from every hinderance to see your dreams fulfilled for the glory and honor of God.

Register Here for FREE!! >> http://bit.ly/Dreams808

Our relationship with Father God is often clouded by the complexities of our relationship with our earthly parents.

Forgiveness releases our heart to encounter the fullness of our heavenly Father. After all, He sent His only son to pay the wages of our sin, which was death - in our place. Thank you Jesus.

As you continue to grow closer to Jesus, may you discover the depths of His mercy and grace not only for yourself but those who may have disappointed you.

If you haven't seen it, we highly suggest you check out the video, "Finding God as Father" with Danielle Devine in our Dating & Relationship Masterclass Playlist at the following link..

https://youtu.be/o4A5p1sUDRk

But here's a liberating truth: our past does not confine us, nor does it define our capacity for purity and commitment to God's design.

Every sunrise, every breath is an invitation to embrace a fresh start. It's a divine reminder that our history is not a chain, but a stepping stone; an opportunity to learn, to grow, and to realign with the path God has laid out for us.

Purity and faithfulness are not measured by a record of perfection but by our willingness to persevere, to turn over a new leaf, and to commit, time and again, to God's blueprint for our lives. Let's not allow our past to hold us hostage. Instead, let's seize each moment as a chance to demonstrate our dedication to living according to His will.

Remember, it's not about being flawless; it's about being faithful. Every moment is a new opportunity to commit to purity, to embody God's love, and to illustrate the strength of our faith.

Comment 'Faithfulness' if you are choosing to take this moment to recommit to God's design for purity.

Are you faithful in the little things?

Luke 16:10 teaches us to pactice faithfulness in the smaller things before graduating to the greater things.

Practicing s*xual faithfulness in our seasons of singleness or marriage is an important part of our ministry to the Lord. It can also be the most joyful if we look at it with the right lens.

Check out Pastor Bryan Sands video on our YouTube page entitled, " From Surfboards to Altars" to hear his edifying teaching on s*xual faithfulness. Link in bio.

Walk in His righteousness.

You may have struggled with purity in the past but you can choose to walk in s*xual faithfulness today.

Embrace the restorative and redeeming power of God through Jesus Christ.

Share if you agree.

Last week Thursday, I attended a launch event of the Hawaii Chapter of the Hollywood Prayer Network featuring global President Karen Covell and her husband, Jim. It was a partnership event with Pastor Dan Chun of Hawaiian Island Ministries and the Hawaii Chapter Director, my dear friend Theresa Pang. (for more info go to https://hollywoodprayernetwork.org/)

Stories of people's lives matter. Little did I know I would hear Hugh Hefner's backstory that night, and as a result, God would give me great empathy for Hugh Hefner. As you know, Explicit Movement seeks to help people out of po*******hy addiction, and here I was, looking at the life of a man who was pivotal in promoting po*******hy to the masses... and God freed me of a judgment I had upon him that I wasn't even aware I had!

Karen shared that years ago, she interviewed Hugh with her colleague Rick, both Christians, as they worked on the TV show 'Headliners & Legends by Matt Lauer.' The Lord gave them both directions in handling the interview, which later Hugh would exclaim again and again that theirs was his favorite (out of the hundreds of interviews he had).

It started with Rick asking, "Hef, What was your life like growing up?"

He replied, "My parents never told my brother and me that they loved us. And my mother had a phobia of germs and she never hugged us or kissed us. I never had contact with my parents, and they never knew how to show their love. They only did one thing for me that I remember. They gave me a gift. And I loved it so much because it was the only thing that reminded me that my parents loved me. It was a blanket. And I called it my 'bunny blanket' because it has little bunny rabbits around the outside of the blanket. I loved that blanket. I slept with it. That meant so much to me.

The other thing I wanted I wanted was a puppy. And my mother said, "No, I don't want germs in the house."

When I was seven or eight years old, I got a tumor in my ear, and I had to have surgery. The doctor told my mother I could lose my hearing."

Because of this situation, Hugh's mom gave in and finally got him a puppy.

Hugh said, "I loved that puppy so much that I gave him my bunny blanket to sleep on. It was my joy for five days. And then the puppy died. They didn't know that they brought home a sick puppy.

Five days later, my mom had someone take the puppy out of the house, and then in front of me, because the puppy was lying on it, she burned my bunny blanket."

After a pause, he said, "I guess I am just a little kid trying to find love." He shared, "My friends and I get together every Friday night in the mansion and we watch old romantic movies because I'm trying to find a story that's true. I've tried to find love through marriages through friendships. Even my children. I've never found the true love that I want. I listen to love songs because I'm trying to find the lyrics to the love songs that are true."

Later Karen gave Hugh a Christian evangelistic book to read so Hugh would know our Loving God. Hugh sent her a thank you note for the gift, assuring her he would read it. She later gave him a Bible, which he expressed gratitude for as well

Once I understood Hugh's story, although I don't support what he promoted, I felt compassion for him as a person as opposed to holding any judgment. He has since passed, but I hope that before he died, he somehow encountered our Loving Heavenly Father in a real way.

For the fully detailed 8-minute story worth listening to, see below.

God enlarged my heart. May we all experience the rich and unending love of God in deeper ways and to greater heights. And know that everyone has a story.

What was your takeaway from this story?

Love, Michele

https://youtu.be/1Ueolsdn2Go?si=9Wp7YOhDqwnwo-Ik

Searching for love - the story of Playboy’s founder - Karen Covell Subscribe to hear more conversations: http://bit.ly/3U9khWqInstagram: https://instagram.com/streams.studioTikTok: https://tiktok.com/.studioFacebook:...

Healthy roots produce healthy fruit.

What are some practices and beliefs that you have adopted to heal any wounded roots?

Tell us in the comments below.

It's just a matter of time.

Our baby girls grow up so fast and before we know it they will be leaving the nest.

However, the world is not like the one we grew up in. The digital wilderness is filled with temptations, predators, po*******hy and groomers - the likes of which we have never known.

So we have created a solution to help you equip her with the practical and spiritual tools to step into her promised land.

Share this helpful excerpt from Volume two of Brave & beautiful then head over to the link in bio to get the digital publication for instant access.

Or visit www.braveandbeautiful.world

Knowledge is power.

Can we get a witness?!?

You don't want to offend anyone but you have that urgency to share the gospel with neighbors or co-workers who are LGBT+. We got you!

Stop overthinking and save this carousel for future reference.

Remember that in the church of Corinth, there were people who were once homos*xuals and they were being discipled alongside everyone else (the drunkards, idolators, slanderers, etc).

Jesus was the perfect model of relational discipleship and it works! We are here today because of it!

We can't wait to hear the testimonies. Go love your neighbors today.



How to witness to LGBTQ+, Share the good news, Disciple LGBTQ+

The goal is to maintain connection.

As parents with a biblical worldview, it can be daunting to hear those words. Yet, many families, including pastors and church leaders are having these difficult conversations with their own children.

Some surveys suggest that close to 40% of Gen Z identifies as LGBT+

Our team of speakers and former LGBTQ+ identifying individuals created a detailed resource for parents and these first 3 steps are a great start.

You can learn directly from our team at the "Loving in Grace and Truth" link in our bio or https://bit.ly/Graceandtruth

Get the course and learn how to navigate this sensitive topic with grace.

So grateful for this opportunity to share Explicit with a new friend. You can listen to the podcast here >> https://mdmpodcast.org/podcast/s*xuality-in-missions-with-michele-okimura/

Modern Day Missionaries (Christian Missionary Podcast) “Modern Day Missionaries” is a podcast series for Christian missionaries produced by Modern Day Missions and hosted by Stephanie Leigh Gutierrez.

Understanding Exploitation: Unveiling the Dangerous Process🔍

Exploitation is a grave issue that often begins with a strategic sequence: the breach of boundaries, isolation of victims, and manipulation of their reality.

In a society where boundaries can be compromised, it is vital to identify the warning signs that mark the beginning of exploitation. The initial step involves violating personal boundaries, a method designed to undermine an individual's sense of self and autonomy. Following this, isolation becomes a sinister tactic, separating victims from their support networks and rendering them susceptible to control.

However, the destructive process doesn't conclude there. The final, insidious stage entails manipulation – a complex web of deceit woven to shape perceptions and convince victims that escape is impossible. Recognizing this sequence is essential for empowering ourselves and others to break free from the chains of exploitation.

Let's foster a community that prioritizes awareness, resilience, and a shared commitment to safeguarding one another's boundaries. Together, we can dismantle the chains, providing hope, healing, and a future free from the shadows of exploitation.

The highest form of love was exhibited at Calvary.

Here are a few ways to grow in sacrificial love.

- Study and Meditate on Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 describes the characteristics of love: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy,..."

- Follow Christ's Example: John 15:13** states, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."

- Practice Forgiveness: Colossians 3:13 instructs, "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

- Serve Others Selflessly: Philippians 2:3-4 teaches, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."

- Pray for Guidance and Strength: Ephesians 3:16-17 states, "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love."

- Find Community and Accountability: Hebrews 10:24-25 emphasizes the importance of community: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another."

- Practice Acts of Kindness: Galatians 6:9-10 encourages this: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

As believers, we know that we have an enemy and that there are dark influences looking for open doors of opportunity to plant lies and cause confusion in people. One way that confusion can enter into a young person’s life is by them forming conclusions based on their observations. Those observations, may be skewed by immaturity and a lack of awareness that leads to the root of a lie.

This is often referred to as inductive reasoning.

For example, a friend of mine had struggled with being a woman and lived as a man for many years in her adulthood until she encountered God in a real way and returned to living as a woman. She recalled when a lie entered her life. When she was a little girl, she perceived that her mom loved her brother more. So, she concluded it was better to be a boy. This lie became a core belief through her teen years, which led her to choose to live as a man.

I know of a young man who, in his growing-up years, was very outgoing, friendly, and expressive in personality. A few teen peers said, “You are too friendly – are you gay?” He was certainly not, as he was only attracted to girls and dreamed of having his own family one day. But after hearing these comments, he began to question himself. He then, unfortunately, started to struggle with his s*xual orientation.

This is why building a strong, positive, emotional connection with children and teens is so important, so they feel safe to open up to us about any conclusions they are forming. It would be so helpful if they could seek out godly input to discuss if what they are concluding is true or not, and explore what God’s perspective is. Helpful dialogues can make a difference!

This post is an excerpt from a recent blog post. You can read all past blog posts at the link in bio or https://www.explicitmovement.org/blog

Share this post with a friend who could benefit from the information.

In a world fraught with confusion and impotence, let us remember that true wisdom and unfailing strength emanate from the divine presence of the Spirit.

When we replace the transcendent guidance with the limited understanding of the world, we find ourselves adrift in a sea of uncertainty. The profound truth encapsulated in this quote invites us to center our lives on Christ, acknowledging Him as the source of ultimate wisdom and boundless power. As we navigate the challenges of life, let us seek the enduring light of His Spirit, for it is in His presence that clarity emerges from chaos, and strength triumphs over weakness. Embrace the transformative grace that flows from a Christ-centered perspective, recognizing that reliance on worldly wisdom alone leads to a path of bewilderment. The assurance of His unwavering presence and omnipotent Spirit guides us through the maze of existence, empowering us to rise above confusion and experience the victorious life He promises.

Unleash her purpose and identity this Christmas.

Want to give a meaningful gift to a teen girl or woman to:

Empower her with greater confidence, knowing her value?
Strengthen her emotional well-being?
Help her step into the fullness of who she is and be safe in the process?

Then why not send her Brave & Beautiful and take advantage of BIG DISCOUNTS from now till December 31!

Brave & Beautiful is NOT ONLY a fabulous Christmas gift, but ALSO a great resource to start the NEW YEAR!

Get your physical or digital copies now, available in faith and non-faith based versions. Place orders by December 13, 2023 to get it in time for Christmas.

Link in bio or visit www.braveandbeautiful.world

We all fall short.

The bible is filled with stories of God's people falling short of His holy standards for living. This includes s*xuality.

After the fall of Adam, humankind experimented, abused and embraced various perverse expressions of s*xuality. So it continues today.

This has always led to nothing but pain, disease, death and destruction in the long run.

But God, who is rich in mercy had an answer for human sin. He sent prophets who foretold of a righteous branch, a prince of peace, a repairer of the breach, a child who would be born to a virgin, called Emmanuel.

God's manifested kindness in Jesus Christ, that will lead us to repentance (Romans 2:4)

There is hope for all of us to experience the redeeming power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to live a new life. A life that pursues purpose through purity.

The truth is that you were created in the image of the most Holy God. Your body is a temple because it is the only living thing created by God to house His holy spirit.

Sexual immorality is a sin against your own body, that very temple.

Dwell on this thought for a moment. God who is Spirit. Who created the beauty of the natural world by His very word and manifest presence, desires you to be His holy tabernacle.

How richly loved, you are.

The invitation is extended. The choice is ours to receive or reject, to turn around and follow Jesus or continue to purse our sinful desires. We can't have it both ways.

Jesus came to set us free, the truth does just that. Anything less is bo***ge to sin.

What can you do during your single season to prepare for "THE ONE"?

You can pray for them! Many youth pastors and leaders who have come through Explicit Movement have shared their personal stories of praying or writing letters to their future spouse while they were still teenagers. Some of them have been able to share their letters and journals with their significant other.

At our May 2023 Parent Conference, Pastor .mauricio of shared a helpful message on creating a Prayerful List for a Godly Spouse that can help singles know what to pray for in their future partner - plus, parents can encourage their teens and single adult children to create such a list for starters!

Share this with a young person you know to encourage them in their waiting.

You can read more from our blog posts at the link in bio or visit www.explicitmovement.org