You're Saved, You're Sexual ... You Struggle, Let's Talk
In the classic movie farce Some Like It Hot, Jack Lemmon, disguised as a woman, dances a tango with a gent who thinks Lemmon’s a lady, and a lovely one at that. But the man has one complaint. “You’re leading again!” he keeps pointing out. Accustomed to taking the lead as a male, Jack’s now finding it hard to dance as a follower. But unless one of them yields, the tango’s going nowhere. Continue Reading
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. -Galatians 6:9 I’m going into training for the April Bike-A-Thon our church sponsors every year. Proceeds go to send abused kids to camp, and I’m always blessed and proud to participate. 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
“ --- neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing.” - II Sam 24:24 “The battles that count aren't the ones for gold medals. The struggles within yourself - the invisible, inevitable battles inside all of us - that's where it's at.” -Jessie Owens, Olympic Gold Medalist This morning I offered my body up to God. Besides my wife, I really think He’s the only one who wants it, but from what I read above, He does. And somehow today the reason He does seems unusually clear: My body is essentially Continue Reading
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. -Ephesians 4:29 We get warnings before watching certain movies on TV, explaining why a film is rated PG-13 or R. Often the rating is earned because of “adult language” – read ‘dirty words’ – so we’re prepared to hear expletive deleteds we normally would avoid. Continue Reading
"I'm hoping this (decision to hire openly gay employees in same sex marriages) may inspire unity among others as well, to say how can we come together across some differences and still join together as brothers and sisters in Christ in our common mission of building the kingdom." -World Vision President Richard Stearns Another one bites the dust. Christianity Today broke the story this afternoon that World Vision, the well known Christian charitable organization which has fostered sponsorship of needy children for over 60 years, is Continue Reading
Make a generalization about men and women and someone will point out an exception, proving that generalizations are only generally accurate. Continue Reading
If you’re a guy in the Orange County area, let me invite you to a new Men’s Bible study I’ll be teaching at Newport Mesa Church in Costa Mesa. Beginning Wednesday March 5 from 7:00-8:30 PM, we’ll be doing a 15-week series on the Book of Romans, taking it verse by verse and learning more about our standing in grace, the struggle between the flesh and spirit, and our responsibilities as Christian men and citizens. We’d love to have you come! So if you’re interested, please contact me at [email protected] so we’ll know to expect you. The Continue Reading
“I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.” -Jeremiah 31:33 Thirty years ago I decided to come out and be myself, to be true to my real nature, and to listen to my own authentic voice rather than those around me. So I said no to sexual sin, walked away from it, and determined by the grace of God never to practice it again. Continue Reading
Every Monday we’ll post something to do with maintaining sexual purity. Hope it helps. — Three Reasons I Honestly Thank God for the Struggle “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” - I Thessalonians 5:18 I’m a Christian man who wrestles, on a fairly regular basis, with sexual temptation. That hardly puts me in a special category and, in fact, makes me nothing more than the average Joe. Those temptations don’t come because of deficits in my life, since I’m married to a wonderful and 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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