“Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, ‘What are you seeking?'” ~John 1:38 Do you know what you want? For what do you wish? What do you seek? Each human being, every day of their life, wrestles in some way, shape or form with desire. As human beings, made in the image of God, the pull of desire is built into us, it is part of our DNA. Because desire is God...
Sexual Sin and Self-Sufficiency
Overcoming life-dominating sinful behaviors often begin with a crisis of truth. Everyone who struggles with sexual sin or any other kind of pervasive sinful behavior will have such a moment in their lives when they will be faced with the truth of God’s word and the resulting decision(s) they make in the face of that truth. When we choose to follow God through the saving grace of His son Jesus, we...
Five Things I Do When I’m Tempted to Lust
There was a time when it didn’t seem I could resist the urge to lust. The temptation to lust felt like a tidal wave overpowering all my resolve. Lust is not just sexual desire. Lust visually or mentally uses another person for one’s own selfish sexual gratification. You can read more of a Definition of Lust here. I’m still on the journey away from lust, but I enjoy a great deal of freedom...
In the Flesh
I know what sin feels like in my body. I’ve experienced the momentary bliss of sexual sin. I know all too well the pleasure of indulging in too much food or drink. I’ve felt the pulsation of anger and rage in my members. I’ve hurt others with my eyes, my voice, my hands, my body. And so, oh, how I resonate with Paul’s cry: Who will save me from this body of death? A friend this week referred to...
Looking (Down) for Joy
Aside from the flip, flip, flip of his thumb on the small screen in his hand and one moment of audible laughter that started as quickly as it stopped, the man sitting across from me in the waiting room didn’t move and didn’t look up for the entire hour we were there together. The expression on his face remained the same throughout, too. It was that kind of neutral, vacant, expressionless...
Advent and Idolatry
Christians everywhere observe Advent as a season to prepare ourselves not only to celebrate Christ’s birth, but also to prepare ourselves for His second coming. Which has me thinking this year about how we all—marrieds and singles alike—view marriage in our culture. I know, marriage doesn’t sound like an Advent kind of thing, but hear me out. Marriage held in its proper place is meant to serve as...