Why is sex so powerful? If you’re like me, the power of sex has been an unwelcome reality in your life or in the lives of loved ones. So I want to dive back into the question I opened up last week – this question about why God created sex to be so powerful. To understand the why we have to first clarify the what or, better said, the who. See, sex is not an entity in and of itself. Sex is...
Believe a Little
I believe in Jesus. But I know I also don’t. What we believe comes through most in what we do much more than in what we say or think we believe. I can say I trust Jesus, but my stress, vanity, self-centeredness, busy-ness, and gluttony reveal something else. What we turn to in our times of need, these are the things we really trust in. Where do you turn when you need comfort, validation, money...
Different
As a kid, I remember watching an animated film depicting an island populated with men who hunted and built things and women who cooked and sewed. One day, an earthquake split the island in two, stranding the men on one half by themselves and the women on the other. At first, each group thought all was lost, until a few brave women tried their hand at hunting and building and a few brave men tried...
Be One Who Illuminates
Bob Ragan is the director of Regeneration’s Northern Virginia office and is an ordained deacon in the Anglican church. He graciously wrote this week’s post for us. If you live in the DC Metro Area, please consider joining Bob for Into His Marvelous Light, our annual Sweet and Savory Fundraiser. You can learn more or register here. A few weeks ago, I had surgery performed in my left...
Scars and Mirth
Jesus’ scars remain. I was talking with a man recently who was lamenting that, even though he knows he’s been forgiven for the many sexual sins he’s wrestled with throughout his adult life, he remains ashamed of this part of his life. He wishes it could all just go away. What does it mean then that Jesus’ scars remain after His resurrection? Will ours? When the final Resurrection comes and...
Gravity
Sin isn’t making any Top 10 lists of popular topics these days, even in many of our churches. Sin feels somewhat old fashioned. After all, haven’t we learned the power of positive motivation to bring about life change? But if we’re going to walk intimately with Jesus in this Lenten season, we cannot ignore or even downplay the seriousness of sin. Scripture teaches that sin, as a condition, has...