You're Saved, You're Sexual ... You Struggle, Let's Talk
With movies like God’s Not Dead, Heaven is for Real and Noah dominating our conversations about the Bible and the box office, one quiet little film has, I think, slipped past a lot of folk’s radars. Which is too bad, because of all the current films touching on faith, I think this one delivers the most impact, even though it’s not billed as a Christian film, nor does it clearly promote the gospel. Continue Reading
“Words are like eggs dropped from great heights; you can no more call them back than ignore the mess they leave when they fall.” ― Jodi Picoult, Salem Falls You’re leaving a trail. It goes all the way back to when you first learned to speak, and it represents your beliefs, feelings and priorities over the years. It’s a trail that’s blessed some, offering comfort and inspiration, and laid a wounding curse on others. It’s also veered from left to right, I’ll bet, changing direction at times and sometimes even contradicting itself. Continue Reading
But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land where into he went; and his seed shall possess it. – Numbers 14:24 There’s a spirit within most people, I guess, which could properly be called the status quo spirit – the frame of mind and heart that settles, stays with what’s comfortably familiar, and never considers conquering new territory. It doesn’t dream; it doesn’t dare, and it craves the comfort of the predictable, so there it sits, safe and calm. Then there’s Continue Reading
My wife says I never listen to her. At least I think that’s what she said. ~Author Unknown Bill Cosby called it The Weapon, a technique husbands instinctively catch onto early in marriage, and use as needed. The wife says something he’d rather ignore, like “Did you take the trash out?” or “We need to talk about taxes.” His mind is elsewhere, or he’s watching his favorite TV show, or she’s brought up an inconvenient topic. So instead of responding, he just stares straight ahead, pretending not to hear, hoping she’ll give up. Cosby said this Continue Reading
“Jesus Christ did not say, ‘Go into all the world and tell the world that it is quite right.’ The Gospel is something completely different. In fact, it is directly opposed to the world.” -CS Lewis It’s a commentary on the modern church and a sign of the times that a book promoting a pro-homosexual interpretation of the Bible could be released by a well known Christian publishing house, authored by a self-identified gay evangelical, applauded broadly by the world, and endorsed by some in the church. Continue Reading
"When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean -- neither more nor less." "The question is," said Alice, "whether you can make words mean so many different things." -Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland Whoever determines the meaning of words has the power to frame the debate. Continue Reading
“The messages he had received referred to articles or news items which for one reason or another it was thought necessary to alter, or, as the official phrase had it, to rectify.” -George Orwell, 1984 When plain truth condemns what we love, our choices are few. We can abandon what we love in obedience to the truth, we can rebel openly against the truth, or we can attempt to re-write the truth to appease our conscience and silence our critics. When we choose Option 3 we join Winston, the main character in Orwell’s classic 1984 quoted above, Continue Reading
“All lies and jest Still a man hears what he wants to hear And disregards the rest.” -Simon and Garfunkel, The Boxer Reading Matthew Vines new book reminds me of my first visit to a pro-gay church back in 1978. The sanctuary was full of folks declaring themselves to be both gay and Christian, and looking, truth to tell, terrific. There were couples of all ages standing arm in arm, single men and women, and even some kids scattered throughout the pews. They seemed robust and sincere as they sang choruses and hymns I was familiar with, Continue Reading
The heart is an artist that paints over what profoundly disturbs us, leaving on the canvas a less dark, less sharp version of the truth. -Dean Koontz, Forever Od When you love someone, you hope they're right. If they’re wrong, you can confront their wrong while praying they come to see the truth, or you can revisit the truth itself and see if might reconsider, be flexible, change its stance. The notorious story of comedian W.C. Fields comes to mind, in which someone sees him on his death bed perusing the Bible and asks him what he’s Continue Reading
God and the Gay Christian, Matthew Vine's new and well publicized book, argues that we should reconsider what the Bible says about homosexuality. His premise is that scripture is inspired and authoritative, but that it does not condemn homosexuality, and that the reason we think it does is because the Bible has been misinterpreted or misunderstood for centuries. Such a sweeping charge - that Christians have essentially gotten it wrong for hundreds of years - needs a pretty convincing argument to back it. Whether or not Vines has provided 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
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