You're Saved, You're Sexual ... You Struggle, Let's Talk
Damn you! You little prying Pandora! You little demon - is this what you wanted to see? Curse you, you little lying Delilah! You little viper Now you cannot ever be free! -The Phantom once he's unmasked, from Lloyd-Webber's 'Phantom of the Opera' Continue Reading
“When Jesus calls a man”, Dietrich Bonheoffer said, “He bids him come and die.” No getting around that. The claims of God on our lives are as unmistakable as His grace – unmerited favor with a death sentence attached. Jesus said as much when He declared: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (Matthew 16:24) But given the fact I’m no Messiah and the world’s sins will hardly be expunged by any crucifixion I go through, I’m left to ponder exactly what sort of cross I’m to carry, and how my Continue Reading
The power of porn may not just be its explicit content. It may also be its capacity to take the viewer into another world, a place where bodies and people are perfect, where imaginary lovers comply with every wish, and where the scene created perfectly matches the deepest desires of the viewer. It’s a perfect and perfectly destructive world, and it’s the stuff both horror and heartbreak are made of. Continue Reading
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. -Galatians 5:19 When you’ve struggled with a “juicy” sin, it’s easy to judge your whole life by how well or how poorly you’re handling that one behavior. Folks who are alcoholic can do this by assuming that as long as they’re sober, then they’re doing well. Drug addicts, gamblers and Continue Reading
In The Phantom of the Opera, a disfigured musical genius wearing a mask tutors an ingénue soprano and, in the process, falls deeply in love with her. Early in the story, the protégé Christine, curious to know what her mentor looks like beneath the mask, snatches it away from his face when his back is turned. Furious at being exposed, he lashes out at her, screaming that she, by unmasking him, has ended their relationship. She’s seen him as he is. Now, he’s convinced, she can never love him. Continue Reading
Every Tuesday we’ll post something to do with strengthening marriages. Hope it helps. — Cheaters Never Prosper “Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. Defraud ye not one the other —“ - I Corinthians 7: 3-5 Sins of omission are harder to spot, and easier to justify, then their more deliberate, obvious counterparts. When I cross a clearly defined line the moral question isn’t a question at all – I shouldn’t have done that. But when I should do something, yet don’t, the casual Continue Reading
Every Thursday we’ll post something having to do with relationships and/or emotions. Hope it helps. — The Stepford Syndrome The power of porn may not just be its explicit content. It may also be its capacity to take the viewer into another world, a place where bodies and people are perfect, where imaginary lovers comply with every wish, and where the scene created perfectly matches the deepest desires of the viewer. It’s a perfect and perfectly destructive world, and it’s the stuff both horror and heartbreak are made of. Novelist Continue Reading
Every Tuesday we’ll post something to do with strengthening marriages. Hope it helps. — Cheaters Never Prosper “Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. Defraud ye not one the other ---“ - I Corinthians 7: 3-5 Sins of omission are harder to spot, and easier to justify, then their more deliberate, obvious counterparts. When I cross a clearly defined line the moral question isn’t a question at all – I shouldn’t have done that. But when I should do something, yet don’t, the casual Continue Reading
Every Monday we’ll post something about maintaining your sexual integrity. Hope it helps. — Where Love and Sorrow Meet “When Jesus calls a man”, Dietrich Bonheoffer said, “He bids him come and die.” No getting around that. The claims of God on our lives are as unmistakable as His grace – unmerited favor with a death sentence attached. Jesus said as much when He declared: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (Matthew 16:24) But given the fact I’m no Messiah and the world’s sins will Continue Reading
A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers. -Ruth Bell Graham Continue Reading
“So maybe my nature does draw me to you. That doesn’t mean I have to go with it. I can say yes to some things, and no to some things that are gonna Continue Reading
I’m a logician. No matter how wrong I am, I can always convince myself I am right. -Jarod Kintz Continue Reading
Then said Evangelist, 'If this by thy condition, why standest thou still?' He answered, 'Because I know not where to go.' -Pilgrim's Progress Been Continue Reading
“For the wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God.” - James 1:20 Some stories put me in touch with my inner murderer. This one’s a pretty Continue Reading
{ Fascinating coverage, Joe. I'm curious to know more about what can/has been done to change the mental state (versus physicality) of people with gender dysphoria,... } – Apr 27, 3:50 PM
{ Your ministry and perspective is a tremendous blessing. Thank you for sharing your struggle and what God has taught you through it. As a compassionate... } – Apr 26, 9:38 AM
{ Joe- as always, excellent writing and research! And I love how you always remember to talk about the heart of God. I can't imagine what... } – Apr 25, 7:12 PM
{ I WAS SICKENED WHEN HE TOLD THE STORY OF HOW GOD MADE HIM & LOOKED DOWN & DECIDED HE WOULD GIVE HIM THIS GENDER ISSUE... } – Apr 25, 6:49 PM
{ Your honesty, and courage are as phenomenal as your insight Mr Dallas. Thank you Sir. } – Apr 25, 2:51 AM
{ Joe, that is why we love and respect you so much: you always speak the truth in love and have always been transparent about your... } – Apr 25, 12:48 AM
The Gay Marriage Debate: Winning, Losing or Dropping Out? (Part 2)
Every Friday we’ll take a break from topical posts and will post some random personal thoughts. — The Gay Marriage Debate: Winning, Losing or Dropping Out? (Links to all four parts at the end of the article) In Part I of this discussion I cited surveys affirming a shift in the public’s view of same sex marriage, a shift raising three questions that I hope to respond to each Friday for the next three weeks: Do we have a mandate to influence the culture? Is change an indicator of progress? Where do we go from here? Let’s Continue Reading