Sexual Satisfaction

Psychology Today labeled monogamy “impossible.” Could fidelity in marriage be an unreasonable demand?

Wisdom literature calls the husband to permanent captivation with his wife’s body and love. Such fascination releases an overflowing fountain of sexual satisfaction, (Proverbs 5:15-23). She is more than enough to satisfy, but she must be cherished.

Failure to cherish, understand, and desire her, leads to other attractions. These reduce sex to a business transaction: buying porn, lapdances, or prostitutes, (Proverbs 6:25-26).

Sexual expression outside of marriage is life-draining; inside it is life-giving. 

Marriage is a reservoir of sexual satisfaction; a fresh-flowing, spring-fed well.

Effort is required.

Why I Turned Down a Pay Raise

Today, I start the process of telling 30 staffers their salary for next year. Everyone gets a cost of living increase, and I deliver the news with the performance review. 

These salary decisions aren’t mine. They are determined by Compensation, confirmed by Personnel Relations, approved by the Board.

There won’t be an increase for me…by my own insistence. Why?

I am already well-compensated.

The salary gap between me and my direct reports is wide enough.

Additional compensation won’t further motivate me.  

I struggle enough with Jesus’ words to give up everything and follow him.

I follow him, and get paid.

Names You Might Never Include in Prayer

Have you ever prayed for one of these names?

Actor Charlie Sheen?

Celebrity NeNe Leakes?

Billionaire Bill Gates?

Atheist Christopher Hitchens?

Dictator Mohamar Ghdaffi?

Rapper Jay-Z?

Businessman Donald Trump?

Singer Rihanna?

Movie star Angelina Jolie?

Congressman Anthony Weiner?

They may not come to mind for prayer, yet Scripture urges us to make all kinds of prayers for all people. Not being narrow, small, local, nationalistic, elitist, or racist in prayer is challenging. Move beyond the circle of personal and probable to remember rich, poor, black, white, Democrat, Republican, Afghans, Iranians, royalty and rednecks.

Enlarge your prayers to embrace the world.

One Simple Question Enables More Effective Ministry

In serving Jesus, we take “customer” satisfaction seriously. Understanding expectations is key.

I could be satisfied with a tough steak from a place offering it all “for around $10,” though unacceptable at an expensive restaurant. It’s about expectations.

I’ve learned to start interactions initiated by others with:

“What outcome are you hoping for?”

or

“How are you hoping I can help you?”

Knowing expectations helps position your service in the most satisfying way possible. Often complainers haven’t thought about outcome. Expressing it helps both of you.

Discovering they simply want to be heard saves you from trying to fix things. 

Would You Die for Her?

Jason was 30, divorced, with two little boys when Jesus transformed him. Jason told everybody. He influenced many lives, especially his old friend Jimmy. When Jimmy got out of prison with no one and nothing, Jason took him in. Jimmy met Jesus too.

Jason brought his boys to church. He told his ex-wife, “Just come to church with me. That’s all I want.” She refused.

A motorcycle accident ended Jason’s life at 31. His Good Friday funeral was unbelievably powerful.

Jason’s ex-wife has been in church most every Sunday since.

What a price.

We miss him.

Glory be to God.

A Church Planter's Lie

While guest speaking at a conference, I heard a church planter’s presentation.

He said, “There is no gospel witness in many US cities.”

That got my attention. He repeated.

“Many of our biggest cities no longer have any church that preaches the gospel.”

Afterward, I told him I personally knew many great churches in his target city.

“They’re good,” he replied unconvincingly.

Apparently churches not using the right Bible version or in the wrong political camp don’t really count.

I’ve heard the “no gospel witness” phrase from missionaries my whole life. I wonder. Did any of them also distort reality?

Squabbling Church Disproves Christianity?

After a troubled church in Middletown, Pennsylvania had four pastors in eight years, the denomination sent a new guy to "clean house." It's not going well. 

In his July 10th sermon, the pastor said, "if you aren't  willing to accept my authority, there's the door." Some stood up declaring he should leave, calling him dangerous, and voicing other complaints. 

The arguing and name calling have spilled into the community and onto the internet. One non-Christian commented: "This fragment of idiots is more evidence of...how untrue Christianity is."

What an egregious spiritual collapse. Only God can resurrect ministry from such death.