Life

Your Brain On XXX

Pornography has been around for a long time. However, now with the coming of the Internet it is becoming epidemic in scope. It is no respecter of gender, age or any other socio-economic demographic. It is free, private and easily available in unlimited variety. Some people see no problem with pornography. Others think it is just a matter of moral or spiritual differences in people. This article will look at pornography from the physiological, neurological and relational perspective; what you could call the practical problems of pornography. Brain neurochemistry and pornography The human brain operates on chemicals and electricity to […]

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What Women Want in a Man

Women are looking for exactly what you see on the cover of magazines—a tanned guy with 8-pack abs, a sports car and loads of cash. That is all… if she is completely vapid and shallow, of course! Seriously speaking though, what does a woman look for in a man? Typically when women consider relationships, they are looking at a variety of things—from your character and personality, right down to what kind of husband and father you will one day be. Believe it or not, women really are not as complicated as they are made out to be. According to family […]

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How to Be A Man

Somewhere in the soul of man is this unarticulated, self-realized notion. The unspoken, yet undeniable “Bro-Code.” We all know it. Some of us have been called out on it. But there is a greater standard to which we have been summoned. God’s Way, his Code, is the true way of life. He wrote the manual of manhood. Masculinity was his idea, and he formed it from his own image. This list is by no means exhaustive, but here are ten rules for the Christian man from the Man himself: Follow God The first rule for the Christian man is to […]

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Team Building

Being part of a team is a basic human need. We would all like to be part of a great family, circle of friends, or workgroup. Only it’s not always that easy to break the ice for the first time. Neither is solving the conflicts which often emerge. Even if you are not a leader, it is always good to have some ideas handy. So here are some tips for employees, teachers, parents, and really anyone to try. First of all, it is important to lay down some rules so nobody’s feelings get hurt. These, of course, should always fit […]

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Good News for Hurting Moms

“It is with great pleasure and joy, that it is hereby declared, that you are the best mom in the whole entire history of the world. Happy Mother’s Day!” This is an extreme example of a Mother’s Day card gone terribly wrong. However, it is one of thousands of cards speaking to moms everywhere and assuring them they are the best. Peruse the drugstore and read the glowing and flattering phrases; “Thank you Mom, you are the best! You add love to everything you do! You are the greatest mom! You are unselfish, patient and gentle!” I am thankful for […]

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Separation – Pros and Cons

A question that occasionally comes up in the counseling room during couples counseling is, “We are thinking of separating, what do you think we should do?” In marital counseling, as a general rule, I am not a big fan of separation. While there are some legitimate times to separate, this intervention must be used with structure if it is going to be a part of saving the marriage. Why are you separating? For many, separation accomplishes nothing for two main reasons. One is that either spouse is not honest about the reason for the separation. The other is that there […]

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Healthy Indulgence

What is your first impression when you think of health food? Do you think of all the good things you must give up? Or maybe you think of boring rabbit food. Certainly you’re not thinking of enjoying the things you’re used to. However, there are ways to stay healthy while at the same time enjoying some of your favorite indulgences. What does it mean to indulge? It means “to yield to, satisfy, or gratify desires or feelings.” Is this entering some forbidden territory for a Christian? Aren’t we supposed to crucify the desires of the flesh? It is a common […]

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The Benefits of a Roth IRA

A Roth IRA is an individual retirement account that offers a valuable future benefit: tax-free income in retirement. Although there is no up-front tax deduction for Roth IRA contributions as there is with a traditional IRA, Roth distributions are tax-free in retirement… when you follow the rules. Imagine saving the maximum into a Roth IRA of $5500/year ($458/month) from age 25 to age 60, successfully saving $192,500. Now imagine that the account was invested and earned an average of 8 percent annually… that account would have grown to $1,023,563. Wow, that is $831,063 more than you invested, and it is […]

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The Gospel Unchains Hearts

If we understand that the gospel frees us to love and to be spontaneous with our love, it begs the question; “What does the gospel in action look like?” What does a life set free by grace free us to do? In considering the implications of the gospel, we love the question; “What will you do now that you don’t have to do anything?” However, our relentless desire to perform creeps in and we ask; “Okay, now what? What must I be doing? What exactly does it look like to love this way?” A friend shared a recent experience she had with her […]

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The Upside-Down Religion

Imagine yourself walking home from work and suddenly having the idea to stop at the local confectionery. Do you see yourself choosing your favorite cupcake? The waitress places it on a plate for you while you pull your wallet out of your pocket. Only before you could ask about the price, the waitress says it is for free for the rest of your life. How do you react? Are you getting suspicious? What kind of thoughts cross your mind? “Free? There may be a hidden camera or something.” Now, using this same scenario, let us randomly zoom in on three […]

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