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May 16, 2013

Without Provocation?

friends

Every Thursday I’ll post an article having to do with either relational or emotional matters. Hope it helps. — Without Provocation? “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.” - Hebrews 10:24 An unprovoked life is incomplete. Convenient, probably, and certainly free of unwanted feedback, but incomplete. Someone should know you, and someone should have access to your heart and mind to the extent that she or he can speak to your blind spots. That’s a critical part of discipleship, often overlooked Continue Reading

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May 15, 2013

We Who Are Seen

Jesus hand

Every Wednesday we’ll post something to do with doctrine and recovery. Hope it helps. — We Who Are Seen  “And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, “Thou God seest me” For she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?” - Genesis 16:13 Hagar isn’t the most sympathetic of Bible characters. Handmaid to Abraham’s barren wife Sarah, she had become pregnant by Abraham at Sarah’s insistence. (Genesis 16:1-2) You’ll remember that God had promised them a son, but Sarah, Continue Reading

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May 14, 2013

The Minimalist

Remind him that you’re his partner and want the best for him, your marriage and your family.

Every Tuesday we post something about strengthening or rebuilding marriages. Hope it helps. — The Minimalist  “Men do not differ much about what things they call evils; they differ enormously about what evils they will call excusable.”  - G. K. Chesterton Over the years I’ve seen too many Christian husbands in my office who’ve perfected the art of minimizing. I’ll begin by asking, “OK, what brought you here?” Some actual responses I’ve gotten:      “I sometimes find myself using Continue Reading

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May 13, 2013

Thinking it Through

the-compartmentalizer

Every Monday we’ll post something to do with maintaining sexual purity. Hope it helps. — Thinking it Through  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. - Philippians 4:8 We’re largely where we are today because of the decisions we’ve made. Not completely, I know, because plenty of things Continue Reading

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May 9, 2013

When Truth Isn’t Enough

hands

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 8, 2013

Anticipation

Jesus Hands

Every Wednesday we’ll post something to do with doctrine and recovery. Hope it helps. — Anticipation Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.  (I John 3: 2-3) Love it, or sick of it already, I know you’ve heard this sung repeatedly by now: “Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow Will find it hard to sleep Continue Reading

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May 7, 2013

Business As Usual

concept couple

Every Tuesday we post something about strengthening or rebuilding marriages. Hope it helps. — Business as Usual Someone to hold you too close Someone to know you too well Someone to sit in your chair And ruin your sleep And make you aware Of being alive -“Being Alive” by Stephen Sondheim I got an education from my wife and son last Saturday on the subject of predictability. We were gathered around the kitchen counter when I started to sneeze, and between my ‘ah-choos’ I noticed Renee counting out loud. I finished 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 29, 2013

About Jason Collins, Homosexuality and Christianity

Jason collins

Every Monday we’ll post something to do with maintaining sexual purity. Hope it helps. — About Jason Collins, Homosexuality and Christianity Two weeks ago I posted about a then-unknown pro athlete who was shortly going to “come out” and declare his homosexuality. Yesterday NBA pro Jason Collins ended the suspense by announcing not only that he was the one, but that he’s also, in his own words, someone who “takes the teachings of Jesus seriously.” So this is how I’d respond to him if given the Continue Reading

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April 25, 2013

The Unscheduled Appointment

child plane

Every Thursday we’ll post something to do with relational or emotional concerns. Hope it helps. — The Unscheduled Appointment I love what I do for a living, and count myself hugely blessed when I remember how rare it is for your work and your first love to be the same. I come alongside men getting serious about their holiness, I write on subjects that matter to me, and I speak to churches and conferences, all of which I’d do as a volunteer if I had to do something else for income. My work is my passion, so I’m a pathetic brat if Continue Reading

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