Reducing External Sexual Triggers

I talked with a man who told me about all the external sexual triggers that hit him every day.  He said he finds it so frustrating — at least that’s what he said — to be constantly barraged by explicit and erotic sexual images.  And yet, he’s so accustomed to letting the triggers set hisContinueContinue reading “Reducing External Sexual Triggers”

Crucify the Flesh … again and again and again

Since the Champaign-Urbana Vineyard men’s retreat last weekend, several men have confessed that they struggle powerfully with objectifying women.  It has become a deeply ingrained habit that started for them at a young age.  You can objectify women you have never met, and sad to say, you can objectify your own wife.  The spectrum ofContinueContinue reading “Crucify the Flesh … again and again and again”

The battle of Sexual sobriety

Men who have not felt the pull of sexually-driven behaviors, have not really entered the fight.  One of the great battle stories in the Bible is in Revelation 12 where "there was war in heaven.  Michael and the angels under his command fought the dragon and his angels.  And the dragon lost the battle andContinueContinue reading “The battle of Sexual sobriety”

Only God can redeem the time

I have always admired the faith and spunk of the prolific British writer and intellectual Dorothy Sayers (1883-1957).  Years back a friend gave me Sayers’ A Man Born To be King.   These are plays about the birth and life of Jesus.  In the heart of her writing, Sayers always stressed four ideas.  They always causeContinueContinue reading “Only God can redeem the time”

Objectifying women is a deeply ingrained habit!

The road to sexual purity and sexual sobriety is a long road of obedience and accountability.  There’s no way around it.  This past weekend more than 100 men came to a men’s retreat at the Vineyard called "Warriors and Worshipers."We wounded soldiers — all determined to stay in the fight — spent a lot ofContinueContinue reading “Objectifying women is a deeply ingrained habit!”

Can I truly assess your commitment?

I have come to trust and enjoy the work done by the Barna Research group.  Barna’s group has just  surveyed nearly 627 Protestant pastors, asking them to assess the level of commitment among their church members.  Most pastors call the commitment of their church members very high.  Just imagine the graphic I’ve included as aContinueContinue reading “Can I truly assess your commitment?”

Greatness is not a business principle

When I started seeing pastors name Jim Collins’ Good to Great as a book that influenced their ministry, I discounted what they said.  After all, Collins’ book looks at how good companies become great.  How could business principles help the church?Well, I read Good to Great over Christmas break, and I must confess:  "It’s reallyContinueContinue reading “Greatness is not a business principle”