The Girl in the Tuxedo: Two Variations on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
If she speaks of her religion and says there are faith convictions at stake that matter deeply to her, the therapist tries to help her overcome her “homophobic” values and free her from the “false consciousness” and oppression to which she is clearly subject.
And if she finally discusses the still unrevealed secret of sexual abuse—the fifty-year-old uncle and the summer six years ago? Exploring its possible connection with her same-sex attraction is forbidden. Any such discussion or treatment must still affirm her same-sex orientation and disassociate the abuse from her sexual development. She is, after all, only fifteen, and must be protected from dangerous ideas that might depress her further and chip away at her fragile self-esteem.
Jesus’ Kingdom isn’t one that flexes its trillion dollar military budget, or one that appeals to good citizenship and social responsibility. No. It’s not one that can be won through violence or conquest – Jesus says that right here…it can’t be bought with bullets, bombs, or research and development. It can only be GIVEN by the Son of God and preserved entirely by Him who is so far above the affairs of governments, courts, and war.
Why the Bible is NOT a Practical Guide to Life
But Jesus didn’t tell us to be meek, to turn the other cheek, to love our enemies, and to humbly serve others because these are practical strategies for achieving our desired goals. He told us to do this because in so doing, God is glorified by our faithful obedience.
10 Traits of Inwardly-Focused, Ineffective Churches
- Worship wars.
- Prolonged minutia meetings.
- Facility focus.
- Program driven.
- Inwardly focused budget.
- Inordinate demands for pastoral care.
- Attitudes of entitlement.
- Greater concern about change than the gospel.
- Anger and hostility.
- Evangelistic apathy.
Why do we talk too much about ourselves? Why do we get so defensive when someone challenges us? A very helpful diagnosis comes from the Apostle Paul. He writes, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment.” (Romans 12:3, NIV)
I’m deeply persuaded that we’re addicted to the pursuit of self-glory because, when we look in the mirror, we think we see someone who deserves to be glorified. Instead of using the mirror of God’s Word to keep our judgment sober, we see an aggrandized version of who the Bible says we actually are.
The “Plus One” Approach To Church
When you meet people who feel disconnected from church, start with this question: Are you committed to worshiping with us every Sunday unless you are providentially hindered? If they say yes, then move on to “Plus One.” Is there at least one other activity in the life of the church in which you are consistently and wholeheartedly participating? Usually the answer is no.
The Paradigm Shift That Helped Me Defeat Perfectionism Once and for All
What helped me was to think of my work like software. When I started doing that, it was like the shackles came off and the iron door inside opened up. Here’s how it works.
All software contains bugs, but, as those imperfections are reported, developers correct them and issue updates. Users expect this cycle as a normal part of the process.
In fact, the more successful and useful the software is, the more likely it is to go through numerous iterations. The best programs are practically in a state of permanent beta.
When I started thinking along those lines I was finally freed to finish. My projects didn’t have to be perfect. They just had to be good and useful today. I could always update it tomorrow.
Man pauses for nap during police pursuit
The deputy reportedly chased Barbour through several yards before losing sight of him.
A K-9 unit was deployed to the scene, and the dog led deputies in a large circle before returning to the area where the deputy lost sight of Barbour. The group heard a loud noise loosely described as a “snorting wild boar,” which officers discovered was the sound of Barbour snoring while sleeping underneath a nearby trailer.