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May 10, 2013

Weekend At The Movies

film

If you’re off to the movies this weekend you might consider Robert Redford’s new film “The Company You Keep.” Being at odds with Mr. Redford on virtually all things social and political, I went to the theater expecting a left wing sermon, especially considering the supporting cast of Susan Sarandon, Nick Nolte and other notable Hollywood liberals. But I actually liked it so much I took my wife and son to see it with me for a second viewing, and it opened up a long and interesting family discussion on guilt, youthful zeal, Baby Continue Reading

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May 9, 2013

When Truth Isn’t Enough

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Every Thursday we’ll post something to do with relational or emotional concerns. Hope it helps. — When Truth Isn’t Enough  Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. - Romans 12:15 One of my worst memories ever is of a funeral service I conducted as a young minister. A twenty-something mother contacted our church asking if someone would do a eulogy for her baby, who’d just been violently killed by her boyfriend. The offender was in prison; she had no family, only a few friends, so would we Continue Reading

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May 6, 2013

When Hurting is Helpful

prayer

Every Monday we’ll post something to do with maintaining sexual purity. Hope it helps. — When Hurting is Helpful “ --- neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing.” - II Samuel 24:24 I see nothing in scripture or common sense leading me to believe life shouldn’t be savored. Paul told Timothy that God has given us all things richly to enjoy (I Timothy 6:17) and I say bring it on. There are walks to take, movies to see, waves to ride, footballs to toss, and an endless variety of Continue Reading

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April 23, 2013

Hear Ye

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Every Tuesday we’ll be posting an article about restoring and strengthening marriages that have been damaged by sexual sin. Hope it’s helpful. — Hear Ye 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 Continue Reading

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April 15, 2013

Walking Strong

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Every Monday we’ll post something to do with maintaining sexual purity. Hope it helps. — Walking Strong This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16) I’ve finally gotten back into serious workouts after a more than twenty year hiatus, and I’m glowing. Energy’s high, stress is hugely reduced, sleep is deeper, and – (drum roll) – I’ve all but lost my taste for fast foods. That may be the biggest miracle, because hamburgers and burritos have been my bad company for Continue Reading

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April 11, 2013

Getting the Sound Bite Right

gold apple

Every Thursday I’ll post an article having to do with either relational or emotional matters. Hope it helps. — Getting the Sound Bite Right “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a picture of silver.” -Proverbs 25:11 My lovely wife gets all the breaks. She’s warm and inviting, a friendly woman who extends herself easily. I’m reserved, somewhat shy, not good at small talk and, according to feedback I’ve gotten since I was 3 months old, not friendly looking. So everybody loves Renee, and wonders what she’s Continue Reading

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April 6, 2013

Prayers and Mercy for Rick Warren and Family

WarrenRick

Pastor Rick Warren’s beloved son Matthew just took his life, leaving behind a devastated family and a multitude of unanswered, and probably unanswerable, questions. I’ve wrestled with depression for decades and was diagnosed, during one horrific period of my life, as suicidal. It’s been decades, but I’ll never consider myself immune to depression’s pull. When it hits, it’s a tsunami, and swimming against it seems all but fruitless. So to a point, I strongly empathize with Matthew, even as I want to kick his butt and say Continue Reading

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April 2, 2013

Seven Habits of Highly Effective Husbands

couple praying

Every Tuesday we’ll be posting an article about restoring and strengthening marriages that have been damaged by sexual sin. Hope it’s helpful. — Seven Habits of Highly Effective Husbands Renee and I celebrated the big 25 last week, a milestone to any couple. I like to see our marriage as its own entity, commenting on its development as it grows, so on our first anniversary I said, “Our marriage should be walking any day now.” On our tenth, I noted it would go through puberty soon; on the sixteenth I moaned it could drive; on Continue Reading

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March 25, 2013

Some Thoughts About the Marriage Debate

rebuilding-her-shattered-trust-marriage-matters

This week we will hear arguments presented to the US Supreme Court which will, most likely, settle the legality of same-sex marriage once and for all. So far the justices are predictably divided – 3 for the traditional view; 3 for revision; Justice Kennedy  providing the swing vote.  Two cases are under consideration here: The Defense of Marriage Act and California’s Proposition 8, voted into place by California voters in 2008 as a defense of traditional marriage. Whatever the outcome, there’ll be anguish and elation, simultaneously, Continue Reading

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March 21, 2013

Releasing My Wounder

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Every Thursday I’ll post an article having to do with either relational or emotional matters. Hope it helps. — Releasing My Wounder We’ve all got them – wounds, past injuries of the soul that still show themselves, either in current pain or current behavior. They can show themselves in current pain through memories that just won’t die. Sometimes a mental picture of a traumatic event, like a childhood humiliation or tragedy, keeps intruding into your thoughts. Maybe you let yourself relive it, and all the pain of the event Continue Reading

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