You're Saved, You're Sexual ... You Struggle, Let's Talk
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
My brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. - James 3:1 James didn’t write a very nice book. In fact, apart from Proverbs, I think his epistle’s the biggest “kick in the butt” you’ll find in all of scripture. He gets right to the point: Don’t whine when life’s hard, give yourself no excuses for sin, abhor double-mindedness, shut up and listen, keep your cool, don’t get greedy, don’t kid yourself. And that’s just Chapter One. So whenever I read James, instead of saying “Amen”, I feel like Continue Reading
The married man who uses porn, commits adultery, or gives himself to other kinds of unclean behavior breaks trust. He’s in a covenanted relationship with a woman he pledged himself to, probably with the best of intentions, but somewhere along the way he’s given himself permission to indulge. Sometimes there are problems in the marriage his wife is largely responsible for, and she’ll need to ‘fess up to that if things are to improve, but that can never excuse his sin. Other times (and I find this true more often than not) it’s a pretty good Continue Reading
And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. - Genesis 2:25 Shame wasn’t part of the human vocabulary until sin entered the picture. Adam and Eve were, as countless paintings and films suggest, innocently erotic and erotically innocent. No clothes and, I daresay, no inhibitions. That was then, and then was worlds away, ages ago. Continue Reading
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes seems to be the current rage, topping box office records and offering an impressive array of special effects, costuming and makeup. We saw it last night, and I’d say its reception is well earned, since it’s beautifully acted and extremely well paced. (And the apes are flat-out amazing, conveying unmistakeable emotions with little more than grunts and facial expressions, so kudos to whoever handled the prosthetics and the actors who managed them.) I’d recommend it for those elements alone. Continue Reading
It hung over the entrance to Auschwitz, a large metal sign handmade by prisoners, offering a last shred of false hope to the doomed: “Arbeit macht frei” (“work makes you free”). Some have argued it was placed there to deceive inmates into thinking hard work would earn them a release, while others argue the saying was a common slogan extolling the virtue of labor. Either way, it was damnably false, a sick joke and the cruelest of lies. Because, of course, work made no one free in Auschwitz. You were there to be worked to death, or put to death. Continue Reading
Hoping you’re having a wonderful, blessed celebration of the many freedoms we’ve been blessed with. Renee and I are enjoying, right along with you, a day long fest of friendship, crazy fun and lots of all the wrong kinds of food. Continue Reading
“Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts.”-Psalm 139:23 Renee and I were reading Psalm 139 this morning when something in the New King James version caught my eye. I’ve known and cherished this Psalm for years and, being used to the Old King James, I knew verse 23 to say, “Try me and know my thoughts.” But the New King James says, instead, “Try me and know my anxieties.” That got my attention. Know my anxieties, not my thoughts? Surely someone goofed. 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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