The emotional connection your marriage is missing 0

Ask any marriage therapist, and they will tell you… emotional connection (or lack thereof) is one of the biggest marital struggles they see. Here’s where Certa author and marriage counselor Bruce Lengeman is well-suited to offer advice...

The truth you need to hear 0

The voices are many. Facebook friends. Political pundits. Opinionated family members. Even our own thoughts.

These voices can murmur worries, shout frustrations and whisper lies.

For a moment, let's tune them out and tune in to some truth. We asked some of our JPL authors this question:

We were delighted (but not surprised) to see their answers full of scripture. They've tuned into the truth. Let's join them:

bruce lengeman

"Peace comes with surrender and trust. When circumstances are unchangeable, it seems glorious to be content in what I can't change. When my agendas are sabotaged, I can curse the opposing circumstances, or find the what now? A mantra branded into my spirit contains two words applicable in everything life throws at us—BUT GOD! I can complain or find the but God. In the midst of it are two incredibly applicable passages of scripture—Romans 8:28, and Habakkuk 3:17-10. These truths help me live above the arch-enemy of trust—fear!"

—Bruce Lengeman
To Kill a Lion

linda knight

"I am reminded of 1 Peter 3:15 "but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." As Christians, we always need to be prepared to give testimony to the HOPE we have in Christ no matter the circumstances.

I personally claim several of God's promises: Psalm 46:1-3 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling." God is with me no matter what is happening in and around me- the storms of Covid-19.

Lamentation 3:21-23 states, "But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." I can rely upon God's faithfulness and each day is new with more of His mercies.

And last but not least- my go-to verse is 2 Corinthians 12:9, which states, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." I can trust that His grace is sufficient and will see me through."

—Linda Knight
Fearless Living and
Promises for Dynamic Living

dr john fesko

"I try to remember that we are not the first Christians to suffer—whether David in the Psalms or John the Baptist in Herod’s prison—God has been faithful to his people through Christ in times of plenty or want. Romans 8:29-39 helps remind me to look upon all of my life through the lens of God’s love in Christ.

A second thing resonates in my mind, namely, the first question and answer of the Heidelberg Catechism: “What is your only comfort in life and in death? A. That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and death—to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ."

—Dr. John Fesko
The Christian and Technology and
Christ and the Desert Tabernacle

Putting Sexual Addiction in a New Light 0

For years the church has struggled to adequately address sexual addiction. We are grateful for JPL author Bruce Lengeman's courage to speak truth into this issue. Today he challenges us to look at sexual addiction in a new light:

So many “Sexual Purity” programs of the past have failed for several reasons. For one, pouring on guilt and shame as a lust-fix will make the problem worse, since a large part of why men struggle with lust is that the brain creates sexual fixes attempting to ease unhealed emotional pain. Guilt and shame exacerbate the problem.

There are two major categories of addictions: substance and process. If you have a substance addiction, as in drugs or alcohol, you must separate yourself from the controlling substance. Historically, misguided counselors have made people who struggle with lust feel as if their sexuality is their enemy. How wrong! God made us sexual. Sexual addiction is a process addiction, meaning you must learn to manage and master a necessary physiological process so that it remains a healthy process, and that puts it into a totally different category and summons a different grace.

Can you imagine if we treated food addiction by making transgressors think food is bad? In my book To Kill a Lion, I point out that the process of recovery from sexual dependency begins with a healthy view of sexuality—sex is a God-designed process driving personality, intimacy, creativity, in addition to reproduction and love-making. But the traditional guilt and shame therapies to cure sexual addiction in sincere people drive people to rely on behavior modification instead of finding victory through heart transformation.

So I’ll leave you with a question to meditate on: In light of the difference between a substance addiction and a process addiction, how can one deal with the issue of sexual addiction most effectively?

Bruce Lengeman is a pastor, counselor, business motivation speaker, and the author of several works. He has a passion for seeing people set free & living to the fullness God has for them. He has worked in ministry for over 30 years and has had the privilege of seeing countless lives changed by the Lord.

Bruce is the author of Kingdom Culture: Uncovering the Heart of What Empowers Teams and To Kill a Lion: Transforming Your Life Through Sexual Freedom.