A Word on Temptation

The fourth chapter of Luke’s gospel relates Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. The narrative concludes with these words (Luke 4:13): Καὶ συντελέσας πάντα πειρασμὸν ὁ διάβολος ἀπέστη ἀπ᾽ αὐτοῦ ἄχρι καιροῦ. And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time. The Devil exposed Jesus to an array of [...]

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The Battle: Fight On Until “It Is Finished”

Today marks one year since I attended the one-day Battle event at Evergreen Church in Bloomington, Minnesota.  I went to the Battle as a broken man — a man enslaved to internet pornography with little hope of breaking the cycle of addiction.  I left that day with a sense of hope. The Battle came with [...]

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Reflecting on a Turtle Getaway

A WEEKEND IN SOUTH DAKOTA The Turtle has been away. The Turtle was out of town for three days. The Turtle was in South Dakota. The Turtle was not alone … I had a chance this past weekend to take my two children from my first marriage and go to Watertown, South Dakota for a [...]

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Be Merciful – Neither Judge nor Condemn

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; [...]

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SALT Meeting: The Power of Three

HAIL TO THE SALT BRIGADE! The SALT Brigade met again this morning. We are three brothers — Standing Against Lust Together — who have a weekly conference call to check-in and pursue purity together. The meeting format is very simple: Open with Prayer Check-In using the F-I-N-S format (Feelings, Issues, Needs, Sobriety) Discussion of Issues [...]

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The Coming Dawn

Now we celebrate the entrance of light into a world shadowed in darkness. By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.’ -Luke 1:78-79. [...]

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Theology of the Body – The New Ethos

Christ begins his teaching about lust with a reference to the law of Moses: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’” As Christ indicates, all those gathered on the mount to hear his words were certainly familiar with this norm. However, Christ’s further words, “But I say to you …,” [...]

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Battle for Purity – Going Beyond Excellence

Question: What’s your aim in life — excellence or obedience? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. + Jesus, Matthew 5:48 To aim for obedience is to aim for perfection, not “excellence,” which is actually something less. * * * Excellence is a mixed standard, while obedience is a fixed standard. We want [...]

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The Call of the Shepherd

Thus says the Lord God: Ah, you shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fatlings; but you do not feed the sheep. You have not strengthened the weak, you have not healed the sick, you [...]

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We Praise What We Enjoy

WE PRAISE WHAT WE ENJOY! We praise what we enjoy because the delight is incomplete until it is expressed in praise. If we were not allowed to speak of what we value and celebrate what we love and praise what we admire, our joy would not be full. –John Piper, Desiring God.

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