You're Saved, You're Sexual ... You Struggle, Let's Talk
“Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” - Proverbs 27:6 37 years ago I was hugely backslidden. Since I’d been in full time ministry before my fall, quite a few people had known me and were, I’m sure, perplexed and angry at my rebellion. Some of them contacted me, in person or by mail, trying to reason with me and persuade me to turn back, and I cannot describe how weird and miserable that felt. Continue Reading
“Unstable as water, you shall not excel.” -Genesis 49:4 When Jacob was dying, he called his sons together for blessings and predictions. He began with his firstborn Reuben, who should have received double inheritance and assumed spiritual headship of the family once his father passed. Recognizing his great potential, Jacob declared “You are my might, the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity and the excellency of power.” Continue Reading
Certain words – important ones - simply don’t mean what they used to. “Christian” traditionally meant born again, believing in the authority of scripture, and seeking to have one’s life conformed to God’s will and teachings. Now it’s become an ambiguous label for all things nice or spiritual. “Evangelical” referred to those believing the essentials of the faith while striving to share the Good News wherever they could. But like “Christian”, it too is fast losing its defining features, as more and more of those using the term are simultaneously Continue Reading
“— a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan sent to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.” - I Corinthians 12: 7 No one knows for certain what Paul’s thorn was, but I know mine. I’ve got a handful, actually, but depression is one of the strongest, most stubborn and noticeable thorns I’m stuck with. Continue Reading
"Bad marriages don't cause infidelity; infidelity causes bad marriages." -Frank Pittman While watching a remake of Anna Karenina (Tolstoy’s classic take on infidelity and tragedy) I was reminded that adultery, once a scandalous topic, is now the stuff of everyday news and routine tv shows. It’s one of the commonest sins practiced today, so the act of straying outside covenant bonds may have lost its shock value. But its entertainment appeal is solidly intact, since the sin of saying I Do to one then Let’s Do It to another still draws Continue Reading
Every Thursday we’ll post something to do with relational or emotional concerns. Hope it helps. — Dropping the S-Bomb “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” - Proverbs 27:6 34 years ago I was hugely backslidden, having chosen to give myself over to sexual sin despite knowing better as a believer. Since I’d been in full time ministry before my fall, quite a few people had known me and were, I’m sure, perplexed and angry at my rebellion. Some of them contacted me, in person or by mail, trying Continue Reading
Every Wednesday we’ll post something to do with doctrine and recovery. — Handle With Care There has been grave error. I do not mean so much error of doctrine as error of emphasis. A.W. Tozer Let’s not be too quick to say how much we love the truth. People avoid standing on their bathroom scales because they’re not at all sure they want the hard facts. Checkbook registers are ignored, along with ATM receipts, because plenty of consumers prefer not knowing how low their balance really is. Medical checkups get put off for years Continue Reading
I see a lot of conservative salivating over the scandals plaguing President Obama, and indeed, it looks grim for the man who ran on a hope ticket and promised unprecedented transparency. The possibility of deliberate cover-ups or misinformation regarding Benghazi, the IRS targeting of conservatives, and federal snooping of select AP journalists, all put an undeniable cloud over this White House, and each day seems to promise more rain. The specter of Watergate is already being invoked by talking heads, not all of whom tilt right and Continue Reading
Every Thursday I’ll post an article having to do with either relational or emotional matters. Hope it helps. — The Dark Plunge “--- a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan sent to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.” - I Corinthians 12: 7 I’ve wrestled with depression since I was a teenager. I mean real depression, mind you, not the occasional “blues”, moodiness, or sadness we all experience from time to time. Depression is to a blue mood what a migraine is to a headache, which is to say there’s no Continue Reading
Every Tuesday we’ll post something to do with restoring marriages. Hope it helps. — The Other Bond Adultery is trending. Anna Karenina opened in movie theaters last week, updating one of literature’s most renowned extra marital affairs. Liz and Dick, the Lifetime Channel’s biopic on the notorious Taylor/Burton relationship which began with infidelity and became a national obsession, aired Sunday night. And, of course, we’re still sorting out the confusing, tangled elements of the Petraeus scandal. So the act of straying outside 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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