You Have a Problem with Porn

The headline may appear rude, but if statistics are anywhere close...I have very strong odds that the headline is accurate with you. If not, thank God and continue to read; if so, read as if your life depended on it.

Sexual Detox by Tim Challies is a small size book of less than 100 pages...no fluff, no waste, just straight talk (aimed at guys, though women would benefit from its principles) about a subject too often ignored, misunderstood, or elevated.

It not "only" describes the problems, it offers strategic solutions.

No easy fixes, no "just trust Jesus" cotton candy...but a clear recognition that it is a war and there are casualties and wounds...but victory can be attained.

I again give it my world-famous guarantee...if you buy it by using the link below and don't like it, I'll buy it back. (and as you purchase it on the link a small percentage will be applied to this home missionarie's account) 

Maybe you don't have a problem with porn. I'd bet someone in your immediate sphere of influence does.

Buy it.

Cat's in the Car Seat with the Police

If you are a parent of a certain age, you remember the tremendous song...tremendously convicting...authored by Harry Chapin (who in this music video says "Frankly, this song scares me to death.") "The Cat's in the Cradle"...Here it is:



A few years ago came a sort-of-similar song with the same conviction/challenge/comfort:



Then of course there is the legendary....



Common thread? 

Duh.

Your kids...and others...are watching.

You're writing a gospel,

a chapter a day;

by the things that you do;

by the words that you say

People read what you write,

Whether faithless or true,

Tell me, what is the gospel?

According to you?

Huge responsibility...marvelous privilege...

Tackle the day "bragging on Jesus" and walking in His ways...

What the Hell?

With ding-a-lings of all types playing games with the reality of hell, this quote is pertinent, important, and I dare you to share it with others on your facebook wall, blog, or whatever.

"The traditional doctrine of hell seems terrible to our modern ears because it is out of step with our modern intuitions about how God should behave. But our intuitions about these matters are hardly a reliable guide, given what Scripture says about the noetic effects of sin. To put it another way, the fact that an infinite punishment for sin seems an appalling, even disproportionate, punishment to contemporary human beings does not necessarily mean it is an appalling, disproportionate punishment. It may be that this is simply testimony to our failure to take with sufficient seriousness the idea of sinning against a being of infinite beauty and value. "

--Oliver Crisp, defending Edwards' understanding of hell, in "Karl Barth and Jonathan Edwards on Reprobation," in Engaging with Barth: Contemporary Evangelical Critiques (T&T Clark 2008), 316-17 

Remember this Coming Out?

Jason Collins public declarartion of an active homosexual lifestyle reminds me of the resignation of New Jersey governer Jim McGreevey in 2004.

In my earlier posting I refer to a statement Collins made that depicts the error so many professing Christians make in trying to, for instance, justify homosexual behavior, ignore the doctrine of hell, or play games with the exclusivity of the Gospel.

Collins' statement, though, is not an attempt on his part to "justify" anything. Yet Collins saying that he pays "particular" attention to some of Jesus' teachings parallels McGreevey's statement:

"At a point in every person's life, one has to look deeply into the mirror of one's soul and decide one's unique truth in the world,

not as we may want to see it or hope to see it, but as it is.

And so my truth is that I am a gay American."

There you have it...Collins decides which of Jesus' statements to pay "particular" attention to...McGreevey opts to talk about "my...unique" truth.

Pilate wondered, "What is truth?"

The Lord Jesus..who lived the life we couldn't live and died the death we should have died...declared "I am the truth."

TRUST ME - Get This Album!

I do not listen to a lot of music...there are many artists with whom I am not familiar.

But "Casting Crowns" has been a favorite for many moons. I had the unique opportunity to hang out with them when I was on staff at Family Life in NY...the real deal...solid, consistent, humble, genuine.

I just bought this album and have listened to it consistently in my car doing windshield time. 

It is very mellow, the words are not lost in the melody (don't read anything into that, just sayin')...in a couple numbers band members get featured in ways I've not heard before.

It contains some of their greatest hits...and all of their music honors God and the gospel; is often convicting, challenging, and yet comforting.

If you buy this (off the link below) and don't like it, I'll buy it back from you. 

Trust me on this!

Unwittingly Describing THE Problem...

First, allow me to be clear:

I would much rather live next door to Jason Collins than to a member of the Westboro Baptist Church, or any other supposed-Christian who writes, thinks, or speaks hatred toward a particular type of sinner.

That said, I should not, can not, and will not back down on the issue that homosexual activity (as opposed to temptation etc) is sinful behavior, as is premarital sex, extramarital sex, lying, lusting, gluttony, etc.

Unless you've been on another planet you know that Jason Collins has become "the first openly gay athelete in a major American team sport.(his words)"

The current issue of Sports Illustrated "breaks" the story. I bought a copy last night (in Mall of America, by the way; here for the Bible Quiz Fellowship planning/committee meeting)

The article is written by Collins (with help from Franz Lidz).

Though not explicit in the SI article, Collins professes to be a Christian.

Here are his words:

"I'm from a close-knit family. My parents instilled

Christian values in me. They taught Sunday School,

and I enjoyed lending a hand.

I take the teachings of Jesus seriously,

particularly

the ones that touch on tolerance and understanding."

Words matter.

"Particularly", whether intentionally or not, reveals selectivity. Bible reading according to Thomas Jefferson...don't like it, cut it out...or, don't pay particular attention to it. (yes, I know the Scripture does not record the Lord Jesus directly discussing the issue of homosexuality; but He quotes extensively from the Old Testament and speaks of the Bible as the very Word of God)

Yes, I am "one of them." I believe the Bible is the Word of God (not that it merely contains the Word of God). I can't cut-and-paste; I must take it all...which is not to say I understand it all, but I don't let what I don't know mess up what I do know.

Homosexual behavior is sin.

And standing-His-ground on that issue may result in being called a hater, being arrested, being incarcerated, or more...

But, in the words of that great social observer, Tom Petty:

O What A Savior!

While serving with Family Life in New York, I had the privilege of meeting and hanging with the Cathedral Quartet on a few occasions.

Frankly, their music was/is not my favorite.

In fact, the first time...years and years ago..I heard them was simply because I had to be there, per my superiors.

It was a venue in Elmira, NY...a union house, we couldn't touch anything.

There was a union guy whose job was to open and close the curtain. He had an aroma of booze on him, and the telltale signs of a serious drinking problem.

The Cathedrals did their sound check, and a little while later I went backstage to check on something. I rounded a corner and stopped...Ernie Haase...the guy who sings the following song...was seated next to the curtain-puller, with his arm around the guy's shoulders, sharing from a pocket New Testament. I prayed for them both and thought, "I don't give a rip what kind of music you sing, you be one good man."

I woke up this morning thinking of this song...and grabbed it and now I share it with you:

Blessed to be Stayed

The last several mornings I have awakened very early. 

The first couple mornings I tossed-and-turned, trying to get back to sleep.

But now I get up pretty soon after wakening.

Though a nap appeals in mid-afternoon, feel great and productive and enthusiastic all the live-long day!

The cool thing is...I wake with my heart/mind focused on Jesus in a much stronger, focused way than usual.

I'm not trying to sound super-spiritual; I'm just blessed...probably because some of my supporters have been praying?

All I know is that I'll take it!

And two songs play background music in my skull as morning breaks the dawn...



Back to the days of my youth:

A GREAT Resource..for you and/or for a gift

Just received a fantastic book/resource...haven't read the entire book...but I unashamedly and without reservation recommend you get a copy...and if you are looking for a gift to give to a high school or college graduate...or "just" a birthday gift...consider this.

The title: Tough Topics - Biblical Answers to 25 Challenging Questions

In days when the Christian faith is being challenged, ignored, misunderstood and more...this is a God-send...

Some of the 25:

• Is the Bible Inerrant? (HUGE!)
• What did Jesus Mean When He Said, "Judge Not, that You Be Not Judged?" (worth price of book in itself)
• What is Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?
• Will People Be Condemned for Not Believing in Jesus though They've Never Heard His Name?
• Will There Be Sex in Heaven? (well....)
• Should All Christians Speak in Tongues

Obviously some will disagree with some of his conclusions as he operates out of his theological lens. We all do...

But this is a tremendous resource...I can't recommend it highly enough.

So once again I'll put my personal money-back guarantee...if you purchase it by clicking on the amazon link below and don't like it, contact me and I'll refund your dough. No questions.

Get the book! (and by so doing, yeah, a small portion of your purchase will be credited to me)

Not Cheap...Free

Brennan Manning died a couple weeks ago.

I never really got "into" Manning; found his stuff hard to read (this is not a general criticism, just a personal taste thing)

Some of his writings made me a bit nervous, but quotes like this trumped what I found difficult to swallow:

"My life is a witness to vulgar grace—a grace that amazes as it offends. . . . A grace that hikes up the robe and runs breakneck toward the prodigal reeking of sin and wraps him up and decides to throw a party, no ifs, ands, or buts. . . . 

It’s not cheap. It’s free, and as such will always be a banana peel for the orthodox foot and a fairy tale for the grown-up sensibility."