You're Saved, You're Sexual ... You Struggle, Let's Talk
All a man, a church or a denomination needs to guarantee deterioration of doctrine is to take everything for granted and do nothing. The unattended garden will soon be overrun with weeds. -A.W. Tozer I once heard a wise Rabbi say, “It’s no mystery how things happen. They’re allowed to happen, that’s how.” Continue Reading
Walls work both ways. Some keep enemies out, guarding the freedom and safety of the citizens, while others make captives out of free men. The difference is in the purpose. One wall protects; the other enslaves, and the contrast between a fortress and a prison is a mighty big one. So it was with real joy that we celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Berlin Wall’s demise yesterday. Erected in 1961 and intact until 1989, it prevented East Germans from leaving their Communist society, while claiming to protect the very people it imprisoned. Continue Reading
“And having been set free from sin you became slaves of righteousness.” -Romans 6:18 Pop singer Lady Gaga made a huge splash with a dance single extolling the virtues of self-love, self-congratulations and general self-celebration in her song Born This Way. The lyrics proclaim that whatever we are must be good simply because it is, so God must have intended it. There’s plenty of room for theological debate right there, in light of scripture’s clear explanation of our fallen nature, but never mind. A primary point the Lady makes is that birth Continue Reading
“Strut on a line, it's discord and rhyme, I howl and I whine I'm after you Mouth is alive all running inside and I'm hungry Like the wolf” - Duran Duran, “Hungry Like the Wolf” Does anyone call men “wolves” anymore? 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
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
“Every relationship that has hit a crossroads has asked, ‘What is it that you want from me?’” ― Shannon L. Alder Guys talk a lot about making points with their ladies. Continue Reading
If you’ve ever dieted, you know the difference between your hunger and your appetite. Continue Reading
Every Thursday I’ll post an article having to do with either relational or emotional matters. Hope it helps. — A Desolate Epitaph “He passed away, to no one's regret --- ”(NIV) - II Chronicles 21:20 King Jehoram’s history could hardly have been uglier. First born son of righteous King Jehoshaphat, he had all his brothers killed when he took the throne, grabbed Ahab’s daughter for a wife, established and then sanctioned national idolatry, and, as the text states in general, “did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord.” (II 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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