Social Pressure, Body Image, and Looks Maxing: A Christian Perspective
The idea of shaping external appearance is not a new one and not even an inherently bad one. It is completely appropriate and natural. Scripture affirms this physical care for the body:
“After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church—“ (Ephesians 5:29)
As followers of Christ, the question I think we need to be asking is, “to what extent is our care about physical appearance appropriate and ordered?” By nature, humans have a tendency to take something that can be good and elevate to a place of obsession—even to a place of idolatry.
Does God Want Women to Be Weak?
It’s strange to me now that a younger Bonnie used to get ruffled by this New Testament passage that directs husbands to act like gentlemen. “Live with your wives in an understanding way,” said wise ‘ol Peter, “as with a weaker vessel.”
A weaker vessel. Why did he have to say it like that? And why did it get tucked in as part of the inspired Word of God? Are women actually weaker? And if so, does God want women to be weak and passive?
When Glory Fades: The Emptiness of Life Apart from Jesus
We live in a culture that glorifies self—self-expression, self-discovery, self-fulfillment—but apart from God, our glory always fades. Like a tree cut off from the sun, our souls wither when disconnected from the Source of life. In this article, Bonnie Pue explores the profound truth that there is no glory for man separate from the glory of God. Drawing from Romans 1, she reveals how humanity’s pursuit of independence from our Creator inevitably leads to emptiness and brokenness, yet how God in His mercy calls us back through Jesus Christ. This piece is both a warning and an invitation—to turn our faces once again toward the Son and find abundant life, healing, and hope in Him.
How to Be Clean Again
As we have ministered with churches over the last number of years, bringing messages about God’s design for sexuality, we have recognized the way that sexual experiences deeply mark people—they feel unclean. We’ve heard countless confessions about how bypassing God’s moral instructions has caused them to feel defiled. And the shame, left unaddressed, has amplified to the point where they isolate themselves. They keep secrets and draw back. But this is not God’s heart for people!
Dis-Integrated Discipleship: finding the answer for modern gender ideology
If you’re called to youth ministry, you’re stepping into the front lines of a rapidly shifting culture. To navigate this, one quality is non-negotiable: a passion for discipleship. Discipleship—a term frequently mentioned in church culture—is often misunderstood or reduced to attending services, serving on a team or simply knowing about Jesus. However, the Biblical model is far more demanding. And transformative.
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?