The Looking Glass: seeing clearly in a confusing cultural moment
Have you ever wondered how you see the world—and why? It’s because of your worldview, a set of beliefs and assumptions that shape how you interpret life, make decisions, and find purpose. Everyone has one, whether they realize it or not. More than just culture or religion, a worldview underpins how we answer profound questions like, What does it mean to be human? and What is the definition of a man or a woman?
Is Sex the Most Important Thing in Life?
The lie of this modern culture, which is the same lie that God’s people have always faced is, “This life is all there is. Eat, drink, be merry, for tomorrow we die.” The lie is, “Seek pleasure, because that will satisfy you.” And the lie morphs further, “If you can get enough sex, you will be satisfied.” But if sex were the end goal, the epitome of human living, then wouldn’t the prostitute be among the happiest individuals on earth?
Is God Anti-Sex?
Within the church at large, the messages about sex are often reduced to a prohibition, “Sex outside of marriage is bad.” But said often enough or carelessly enough, and that message starts to sound like, “Sex is bad.” Add to that the negative personal experiences that people are having, and it is no wonder that the lie “God is anti-sex” gets propagated.
Thank God I Am Not Like Them: The Double Standard Of Sin (ours vs THEIRS)
If we were honest, most of us have two different scales we use to measure sin. There’s the one we use with our sins and the one we use with others. If we aren’t careful, the tendency is to make the sins of others out to be more disgusting than our sins. Others have to live under a microscope of judgment while we need…grace. This should not be so.
Transgendered: is there room in the church for them?
The flood waters are rising and we are seeing surging levels of desolation and desperation. No amount of public parading or community affirmation can soothe the wounds or remove the sexual shame that has been heaped onto a young generation.
That being said, I’m concerned that the people of God won’t know what to do when the Good Shepherd brings these lost sheep into the fold. Will we have room in our services, in our homes, and in our hearts?
Falling On Deaf Ears. The Danger Of God Becoming Background Noise
Jesus' perception and answer is the only one that matters. Jesus says to us, just as he did to the church of Thyatira, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’This means allowing His words to pierce through the noise and grip our hearts. When we really do this, conquering power works in us and begins to work through us. When we overcome the persuasive seduction of the enemy working in this fallen world, we can help liberate others through the victory and good news of Jesus. This is what gospel-centred sexuality is all about.
A Deeper Kind of Sexual Purity
Remember that “courage” is not one of the fruits of the Spirit, nor is it one of the gifts that is imparted to us. It is a choice. You’ll have to decide - is Jesus worth laying everything else down for?
Finding Your Way in a Sexually Confused Culture
There is no question that the landscape of our culture when it comes to sexuality and identity is disorienting and confusing. Who would’ve thought it would be offensive to ask, “What is a woman?” Or that an idea such as “men can have periods” would be celebrated as “brilliant progressive thought”? How can the church respond? How can we regain confidence when so many foundations are being questioned?
Safe sex: why consent alone will never satisfy
Despite the strong cultural pull in the direction of “greater sexual choice,” it’s increasingly clear that this generation is not actually any happier with how things are going. Maybe there is more to “safe sex” or even “good sex” than merely two consenting adults.
Putting Out Fires: How Churches Can Respond to Sexual Scandal
As a person who believes that we are meant to thrive in healthy communities of faith, recent news headlines about sexual scandal are troublesome and grievous. And I know that I’m not alone in the desire to make the bleeding stop. The problem is not a new one, but the solution will be uncomfortable.
Living with a Pure Heart in an Pornographic World
We see and hear things all the time that are trying to distort our mindset about sexuality. Maybe it starts as a seed, but if it remains unconfronted, it can grow to a place that wreaks havoc.
You can read some key truths here that will help you know what to do.
Surviving an Affair: Staying Whole When You are Broken
As I’ve walked with other women through healing from affairs, I’ve been able to identify several lies that the enemy uses to try to take us down. These are common to anyone who has been sexually violated, but they cannot compete with God’s truth. If you have been wounded by someone else’s sexual sin, let me encourage you that you can trust God’s word over your feelings, fears, or what anyone else has told you. If you recognize any of these lies, know that you are not alone!