Family Camp A week later, Pine Cove Family Camp started, as did my first week to not preach of the 6 weeks in a row I would not be preaching. Family Camp was, as expected, a great time to connect and hang out and enjoy family. In 2017, it carried an extra sentimental power since the…Continue reading Sabbatical (2017) Report III
Sabbatical (2017) Report II
In the end, here is how the schedule worked out: Week 1: Family Camp at Pine Cove Woods Week 2-3: Time at Home and visiting church Week 4: Time away with Ginger Week 5: Isolation Week 6: Preparation to come back Surprise! Week 1 – I was speaking at Family Camp at www.pinecove.comWoods. Traditionally, I…Continue reading Sabbatical (2017) Report II
Sabbatical (2017) Report
A little over 2 years ago, I took a sabbatical. A sabbatical is a special sort of time away that people in ministry or other all-enveloping roles and jobs will take periodically to get a chance to rest and recharge. “Sabbatical” is taken from the Hebrew word “Shabbot” – where we get the word “Sabbath”.…Continue reading Sabbatical (2017) Report
Hated and Not Hated about Star Wars Ep 9
Everyone who knows me asks about my opinions about Star Wars stuff. If nothing more valuable than my personal opinion isn’t meaningful to you, then these aren’t the droids you are looking for… move along… move along. These movies were super important to me as a kid for so many reasons. Here is a very…Continue reading Hated and Not Hated about Star Wars Ep 9
Navigating Adolescence Seminar!
This seminar would be valuable for anyone who works with, ministers to, has, will soon have, or is an adolescent. This will help you understand the unique challenges of this stage of life and how to best navigate those challenge. You can register here.
John MacArthur’s “Truth Matters Conference” comments about Beth Moore
John MacArthur and the “Truth Matters Conference” comments about Beth Moore The Setup Listen to the recording of the event. Then come back and read. It is only about 7 minutes long. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeNKHqpBcgc During the “Truth Matters Conference,” held Oct. 16-18 at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, where he is pastor, MacArthur and other panelists were asked…Continue reading John MacArthur’s “Truth Matters Conference” comments about Beth Moore
Future Secession? Part 1
I have a new thought about the future division in the US. My thoughts on this topic were crystalized with the report that the Colorado Secretary of State (Jena Griswold) is forbidding her staff from traveling for job reasons to the state of Alabama because of the new abortion laws. As a citizen of Texas,…Continue reading Future Secession? Part 1
Guest Article: Getting Sleep Back on Track after a Devastating Loss by Sara Bailey
I don’t know Sara personally, but she communicated with me last year via the website. She knows from my site that I am interested in helping people with many different issues, including grief. As someone who has faced grief, she asked if I would post an article from her website www.thewidow.net about helping people get…Continue reading Guest Article: Getting Sleep Back on Track after a Devastating Loss by Sara Bailey
Southern Baptist Convention Abuse Scandal
On Sunday, (Feb 10, 2019), the Houston Chronicle reported in a first-of-three-parts article about issues of sexual abuse within the ranks of Southern Baptist Churches. Today, I spoke to a reporter here in Tyler about the same issues. I look forward to seeing that article and the ones to follow in the Chronicle. As we…Continue reading Southern Baptist Convention Abuse Scandal
Report on Recent Abortion Laws in NY – part 2
New Legislation First, let me note that 7 other states plus DC already had similar laws in place to the ones that NY just passed. Some of them are merely ratifying at the state level what has been, or is, legal at the federal level (out of concern that the Supreme Court might overturn Roe…Continue reading Report on Recent Abortion Laws in NY – part 2
Report on Recent Abortion Laws in NY – part 1
Report on the recent New York State abortion decisions. My readers know that I think most topics that matter deserve more than a meme’s worth of treatment. I know that means less people actually read things like this all the way through, but I still think it is the right call to make. My goal is…Continue reading Report on Recent Abortion Laws in NY – part 1
Of Course There is Toxic Masculinity – part 2
Go back and read part 1 if you haven’t yet. It ended with: “This doesn’t call for abolition, it calls for wisdom.” Later in the conversation about the ad, I wrote: I know that I cannot know the motives or internal workings of the company… maybe they meant it to be shaming or scolding or…Continue reading Of Course There is Toxic Masculinity – part 2
Of Course There is Toxic Masculinity – part 1
Of Course There Is Toxic Masculinity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koPmuEyP3a0 This recent commercial by Gillette has created some stir among men. I have been teaching and lecturing as a therapist and pastor for more than 25 years on the topic of masculinity and have published multiple articles here and elsewhere on the topic. Consider articles about manhood rites,…Continue reading Of Course There is Toxic Masculinity – part 1
Marriage Conference Talks
Here are the three recent talks I gave in South Houston at Heritage Park Baptist Church. Part I – The Biblical Basics of Marriage Part II – Loving Each Other Well Part III – Understanding Sex From Each Other’s Perspective
What to do with Santa?
We “do” Santa Claus at our house. You might be surprised… That means we have a special gift near the fireplace that is “from Santa” … and that the gifts in the stockings are from Santa too. Somewhere around age 7-10, depending on the child, we let them in on the “secret” … Being a…Continue reading What to do with Santa?
Guidelines for Giving Gifts (to women)
Give Gifts “The supreme happiness of life is the conviction of being loved for yourself, or, more correctly, being loved in spite of yourself.” Victor Hugo I am not writing this because I think I am God’s gift to women. I have just done hundreds of hours of counseling with women and I hear how…Continue reading Guidelines for Giving Gifts (to women)
General Questions and Thoughts about Christmas & Santa
Ok, someone asked about my thoughts about the celebration of Christmas, especially for Christians. I assume this is in response to my thoughts about Halloween… and I will refer you to the history of Halloween article to offer some of the overall history of Christmas as well. I think it is tough to understand the…Continue reading General Questions and Thoughts about Christmas & Santa
Alethia Houston to open next month
I am proud to introduce ALETHIA HOUSTON. Our beloved Josh Berger, LPC is going to be opening a family counseling center and seeing clients in Houston, starting in November, 2018. You can schedule with him there at 713-628-8197. The address will be 1638 W Alabama St, Houston TX, 77006. If you live in Houston, please…Continue reading Alethia Houston to open next month
Social Justice – Part II
Go back to part I, if you want to get the background. Back to roots So, it didn’t come from what some in Christianity think of as “social justice” – meaning the Church taking care of people in need in the Name of Christ. That Christian version is in opposition to the social justice movement and…Continue reading Social Justice – Part II
Response to Men Prefer Debt-Free Virgins Part 3 (and most important part)
Examining the article recently published about Men preferring Debt free virgins without tattoos – To summarize: in an article that makes the claims she makes, I see no research and no scripture that defends the actual claims.! This is purely an opinion piece. It doesn’t represent anyone at all except herself (and the original writer perhaps).…Continue reading Response to Men Prefer Debt-Free Virgins Part 3 (and most important part)