Life Over Coffee

The struggle with pornography is a significant issue that affects both men and women, though it might manifest differently and need somewhat nuanced approaches to overcome it. In the context of biblical teaching, the use of pornography is a misdirection of the God-given desire for love and intimate connection, which becomes corrupted by sin, making our normal desires self-centered. Women may struggle with pornography for several reasons, including a longing for relational connection, past trauma, curiosity, or habitual sin patterns that develop over time. This issue often thrives in secrecy and shame, making it challenging for many to seek help. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website: https://lifeovercoffee.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officiallifeovercoffee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officiallifeovercoffee/ X: https://twitter.com/lifeovercoffee1 Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/LifeOverCoffee Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheLifeOverCoffee/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFvkS-BMYH2a_CKmqSHF1Hw

If you are going to imitate the Lord in your marriage (Ephesians 5:1), being for your spouse must be a logical and loving objective and practice. That is how Paul talked to the Romans about the Lord’s attitude toward them. He said God was for them. God is for you, too. Think for a moment about how God is for you and how that motivates you to love Him. God being for us is one of the most significant highlights of the gospel. He is the one person we cannot have against us. Before Paul told the Christians in Rome that God was for them in Romans 8:31, the apostle provided a few practical examples of how God was for them (Romans 8:29-30). He talked about God’s active goodness on behalf of those He loves. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website: https://lifeovercoffee.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officiallifeovercoffee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officiallifeovercoffee/ X: https://twitter.com/lifeovercoffee1 Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/LifeOverCoffee Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheLifeOverCoffee/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFvkS-BMYH2a_CKmqSHF1Hw

The person who wants to experience soul restoration, regardless of their relationships or the world in which they live, must walk in paths of righteousness. Others may not go with you, but their lack of obedience must not deter you from doing what you know is right and walking in paths of righteousness is right.

How honest can you be with your spouse? Is your marriage vulnerable and safe enough to communicate transparently? Are you free from critique and condemnation, which releases you to be vulnerable? A good way to consider my questions is to reflect upon how you relate to the Lord. I suspect you are honest, transparent, and vulnerable with Him. You freely talk to Him (prayer), and He freely talks to you (Bible). He knows you through and through, and though your relationship is not perfect, you are in a safe place as you mature with Him. Because of your call to imitate God, you have a remarkable opportunity to export your relationship with the Lord to your spouse (Ephesians 5:1; Philippians 4:9). Think for a moment about what it could look like if you chose to imitate God in your marriage. Let’s focus on only one of the ways God relates to you: He does not condemn you. God never condemns, mocks, criticizes, or puts you down when you share your heart with Him (Ephesians 4:29). He is always ready to listen and willing to help. The Father knows your frame and understands your weaknesses. He encourages you by speaking into your various situations with love (Psalm 103:12-14). Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website: https://lifeovercoffee.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officiallifeovercoffee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officiallifeovercoffee/ X: https://twitter.com/lifeovercoffee1 Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/LifeOverCoffee Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheLifeOverCoffee/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFvkS-BMYH2a_CKmqSHF1Hw

Growing up in a world untouched by the great tragedies that shaped the generations before them—events like 9/11, the Vietnam War, the Korean War, or the World Wars—this generation often finds itself insulated from the stark realities that demand resilience and grit. In this bubble of relative peace and prosperity, it is easy to cultivate what some call luxury beliefs. These are convictions held without the weight of personal cost or the risk of genuine consequences. These beliefs can be flaunted as badges of progressive thinking without ever being tested in the crucible of real adversity. The Luxurious Purpose Many of us have a sense of God, an inherent awareness that eternity is written in our hearts, compelling us to seek a purpose beyond the mundane. However, absent the unique talents that enable us to contribute meaningfully to society, we often latch onto the causes and agendas of others. Sometimes, these causes are noble, but often, they are driven by ulterior motives—climate change hysteria, vaccination debates, defunding the police, anti-marriage and anti-children rhetoric, and calls for free college tuition. These beliefs are marketed as solutions to existential threats, yet they often carry hidden short- and long-term consequences. The allure of luxury beliefs lies in their apparent righteousness. Risk-free Causes Advocating for these causes from a safe distance incurs no personal risk. Our young adults enjoy the luxury of liberalism, advocating for radical changes without having to face the immediate repercussions. It is only when we step into roles that require real responsibility—like parenting—that the inconsistencies between our professed beliefs and our actions become glaringly evident. Suddenly, the electronics we once advocated for are withheld from our children, and the open borders we championed give way to the erection of fences around our homes. The High Cost This incongruence between orthodoxy (what we profess) and orthopraxy (how we live) is often overlooked. Still, it reveals a deeper issue: a lack of courage, humility, and integrity to admit when we are wrong. Rather than confessing our misguided beliefs, we double down, even as our fortified homes betray our fears. This is the high cost of luxury beliefs—the reluctance to face the truth because doing so would require a humbling admission of error. When Reality Bites Consider the political figure who, after being mugged and seeing her children endangered, reversed her stance on defunding the police. Or Eric Adams, who shifted from advocating for sanctuary cities to demanding a halt on sending illegal aliens to his city once the consequences became too dire. These examples illustrate how luxury beliefs can crumble under the weight of reality, forcing a re-evaluation of what we once held dear. Luxury beliefs give us an air of righteousness and feed the fever of fame. But when the chickens come home to roost—when our cities are decimated, or our children are harmed—reality bites hard. Confession and Repentance At this juncture, we face a choice: continue living in the delusion of these beliefs or take a courageous stand by confessing our mistakes. This path of humility is arduous but necessary for true transformation. The Bible speaks to this need for humility and confession. In James 4:6, it says, "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." Admitting when we are wrong aligns us with God's heart, which calls us to live in truth and love. It is through this process of confession and repentance that we can move beyond luxury beliefs and embrace a life of genuine impact and integrity. Make a Genuine Difference In conclusion, luxury beliefs are a byproduct of a sheltered existence, free from the immediate costs and risks that test our convictions. They offer a false sense of righteousness that can only be sustained until reality intervenes. When faced with the consequences of these beliefs, we must choose between doubling down on our errors or embracing the humility to admit our mistakes. True courage and integrity are found in the latter as we align our lives with God's truth and seek to make a genuine difference in the world. Peace, Rick #covid, #vaccination, #borders, #Defund, #ClimateChaos, #defundpolice, #climatechange, #existentialthreat, #existential, #righteousness, #beliefs, #liberalism, #radical, #protest, #progressive, #marriage, #children, #antimarriage, #antichldren, #abortion, #abortionrights. #abortionlaw, #abortionishealthcare, #abortionban, #abortionpills, #climatecrisis, #climateaction, #climate, #climateimpact, #climateofchange, #normandy, #worldwar, #vietnam, #911, #dday, #dday2024, #greatestgeneration, #risk, #riskmanagement,

This month, the Leaders Over Coffee meeting is open to the public. We will have Vaneetha Risner as our guest. The meeting is Tuesday, May 21, from 8:30 to 9:30 PM ET. ANYONE CAN REGISTER You may watch or listen to my interview with Vaneetha here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/ep-232-vaneetha-risner-the-scars-that-have-shaped-me/ If you want to attend our meeting, please go here to learn more: https://lifeovercoffee.com/product/leaders-over-coffee-monthly-meeting/ If you're already a Leader Over Coffee, please sign up here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/join/ Finally, please provide me with a list of questions that I may use to get the ball rolling. Place them in this thread. Of course, you can ask her questions at the meeting. Peace, Rick

If you put two sinners in a box, a room, or a home for an extended period with no plan for escape, you can expect problems. There may be a lot of love along the way, but there will also be unavoidable disappointments, arguments, and conflict. The dating couple can break up and go on to the next relationship. Vocational workmates are similar. If you don’t like your boss or the environment in which you work, you can move on to the next big thing. Marriage is different. Though it’s easy to get into, there is no escape plan other than death. Sadly, too many couples ignore the hardness of their hearts and create an alternate plan: divorce (Matthew 19:8). By the time two people enter a dating relationship, they come together with their unique baggage: fallen shaping influences given to them by Adam, others, and their personal choices. After you commingle their baggage, there is no way to avoid sinful combustion in the home. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website: https://lifeovercoffee.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officiallifeovercoffee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officiallifeovercoffee/ X: https://twitter.com/lifeovercoffee1 Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/LifeOverCoffee Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheLifeOverCoffee/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFvkS-BMYH2a_CKmqSHF1Hw

I watched my wife go through three miscarriages. They happened to her. It was her pain, her disappointment, her fear, but they were my miscarriages, too. I did not feel hurt the way she did. I have no idea of the physical, mental, and emotional agony of a miscarriage—at least not the way she does. But I hurt because she was hurting. I hurt because I lost something, too. We are one flesh. When someone murdered my brother in 1997, my wife hurt along with me. She did not hurt the way I did, but she hurt because her husband was hurting. We are not two people acting independently of each other. We are one body (Hebrews 13:3). When I sin—no matter what it is—my wife has a responsibility for that sin. She would never say, “That’s Rick’s problem. That’s his sin.” No, it’s our sin. She is not guilty of my sin, she does not repent of my sin, and God does not consider her guilty for my sin, but she has a role to play because she is me, and I am her—we are one. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website: https://lifeovercoffee.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officiallifeovercoffee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officiallifeovercoffee/ X: https://twitter.com/lifeovercoffee1 Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/LifeOverCoffee Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheLifeOverCoffee/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFvkS-BMYH2a_CKmqSHF1Hw

I watched my wife go through three miscarriages. They happened to her. It was her pain, her disappointment, her fear, but they were my miscarriages, too. I did not feel hurt the way she did. I have no idea of the physical, mental, and emotional agony of a miscarriage—at least not the way she does. But I hurt because she was hurting. I hurt because I lost something, too. We are one flesh. When someone murdered my brother in 1997, my wife hurt along with me. She did not hurt the way I did, but she hurt because her husband was hurting. We are not two people acting independently of each other. We are one body (Hebrews 13:3). When I sin—no matter what it is—my wife has a responsibility for that sin. She would never say, “That’s Rick’s problem. That’s his sin.” No, it’s our sin. She is not guilty of my sin, she does not repent of my sin, and God does not consider her guilty for my sin, but she has a role to play because she is me, and I am her—we are one. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website: https://lifeovercoffee.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officiallifeovercoffee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officiallifeovercoffee/ X: https://twitter.com/lifeovercoffee1 Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/LifeOverCoffee Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheLifeOverCoffee/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFvkS-BMYH2a_CKmqSHF1Hw

What is the most important quality you would like to have in your marriage? Of all the qualities to choose from, there is one transcending quality that must be at the top of your list. That one transcending quality is God’s glory. If your desire to glorify God is the chief aim of your life and marriage, there is a fantastic chance you will experience a meaningful and satisfying relationship with your spouse, even should your spouse not meet all of your expectations. There is nothing that transcends this God-centered quality in His image bearers. Suppose your chief aim in life is to spread the fame of God. In that case, you can be comforted by the fact that even sin or non-sinful disappointments and let downs will not overcome your dogged and steadfast determination to be like Jesus—a primary way to glorify God (Ephesians 5:1; 1 Corinthians 11:1). Whenever sin makes its advances, your determination to glorify God will win the war against sin’s intent. When the guardian of your heart is the glory of the Lord, you’re in the best place to be a good friend, a great lover, and a wonderful spouse. There are many tools available to help you more effectively glorify God. May I share three of them with you? Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website: https://lifeovercoffee.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officiallifeovercoffee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officiallifeovercoffee/ X: https://twitter.com/lifeovercoffee1 Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/LifeOverCoffee Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheLifeOverCoffee/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFvkS-BMYH2a_CKmqSHF1Hw

Typically, when people think about modesty, their minds immediately go to what a person wears and arbitrary preferences rather than the heart’s motivations that influence their external choices. Perhaps when I mention “modesty,” your impulse was similar: “Great, he will tell us what to wear!” If so, you’re normal. But my goal here is different from mandating universal clothing stipulations. I am not going to suggest what you should wear. I want to focus on something more vital—our hearts, the genesis of all of our thoughts, attitudes, words, and behaviors, including how we adorn our bodies. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website:https://lifeovercoffee.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/officiallifeovercoffee Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/officiallifeovercoffee/ X:https://twitter.com/lifeovercoffee1 Rumble:https://rumble.com/c/LifeOverCoffee Pinterest:https://www.pinterest.com/TheLifeOverCoffee/ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFvkS-BMYH2a_CKmqSHF1Hw

One of the more common complaints I hear from spouses is when one of the partners in the marriage talks about being alone in their marriage. These lonely spouses perceive a seemingly invisible barrier between each other. It’s a communication breakdown they cannot change because the deepest and most intimate component of marriage communication is uniquely spiritual. While couples can relate in many ways, there is one way that is non-negotiable if you intend to engage each other like Christ and His church (Ephesians 5:25-33). That spiritual component is an intimate three-person dynamic between the husband, wife, and God. I’m not necessarily talking about praying together, going to church, reading the Bible, or doing other churchy things—all vital aspects of a sound relationship. I’m speaking of in-depth and comprehensive spiritual communication. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website: https://lifeovercoffee.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officiallifeovercoffee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officiallifeovercoffee/ X: https://twitter.com/lifeovercoffee1 Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/LifeOverCoffee Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheLifeOverCoffee/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFvkS-BMYH2a_CKmqSHF1Hw

The sex talk begins in a child’s toddler years as they learn about sexuality, intimacy, and relationships through the attitudes, words, and interactions of their parents. Sex is a shame-laced subject because of our mutual fallenness. One talk just before they head off to high school is not enough to help them think right about gender, identity, and sexuality. Even our worldly counterparts—though they give the appearance of no sex shame and have all the answers—are not free from sexual entanglements. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website:https://lifeovercoffee.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/officiallifeovercoffee Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/officiallifeovercoffee/ X:https://twitter.com/lifeovercoffee1 Rumble:https://rumble.com/c/LifeOverCoffee Pinterest:https://www.pinterest.com/TheLifeOverCoffee/ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFvkS-BMYH2a_CKmqSHF1Hw

One of the most exciting and bittersweet times in a parent’s life is walking their child through the sex talk. It’s the season that leads them into adulthood. It’s the secret handshake that lets them know that the curtain of childhood is dropping and a brave new world is in front of them. It’s exciting because you are the one leading her. It’s bittersweet because your little kid is growing up. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website:https://lifeovercoffee.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/officiallifeovercoffee Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/officiallifeovercoffee/ X:https://twitter.com/lifeovercoffee1 Rumble:https://rumble.com/c/LifeOverCoffee Pinterest:https://www.pinterest.com/TheLifeOverCoffee/ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFvkS-BMYH2a_CKmqSHF1Hw

The sex talk is a transitional time in a child’s life, but long before you have the talk, your child will have a worldview and practice in place that will form the backdrop for how he will process what you’re telling him during the sex talk. His home environment forms that worldview and develops his relational habits long before he learns about the most intimate aspects of male and female relationships. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website:https://lifeovercoffee.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/officiallifeovercoffee Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/officiallifeovercoffee/ X:https://twitter.com/lifeovercoffee1 Rumble:https://rumble.com/c/LifeOverCoffee Pinterest:https://www.pinterest.com/TheLifeOverCoffee/ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFvkS-BMYH2a_CKmqSHF1Hw

Is there a terrific way to introduce the sex talk to your child? Every parent is faced with the challenge, though every parent does not think about sex the same way. Of course, there are a few parents who kick the sex talk can down the road, assuming they will learn eventually. I suspect if you brought the sex talk up to a group of adults, there would be a mixed bag of responses. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website:https://lifeovercoffee.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/officiallifeovercoffee Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/officiallifeovercoffee/ X:https://twitter.com/lifeovercoffee1 Rumble:https://rumble.com/c/LifeOverCoffee Pinterest:https://www.pinterest.com/TheLifeOverCoffee/ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFvkS-BMYH2a_CKmqSHF1Hw

The wedding day is not the best time to learn how to be a spouse. Too many young couples begin this way. Without prior marriage training, they had to figure out how to get along with each other in the school of hard knocks. Some of them do not endure their marriage, which is why we chose to give our son three wives. If practice makes perfect, the assumption is that we could help him get close to what it means to be a biblical husband—should that day come. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website:https://lifeovercoffee.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/officiallifeovercoffee Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/officiallifeovercoffee/ X:https://twitter.com/lifeovercoffee1 Rumble:https://rumble.com/c/LifeOverCoffee Pinterest:https://www.pinterest.com/TheLifeOverCoffee/ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFvkS-BMYH2a_CKmqSHF1Hw

Statistically speaking, the chances of your son or daughter being married are greater than them spending their adult lives as singles. This likelihood is not inside information but public knowledge. Boys like girls and girls like boys, and most boys and girls will tie the knot in holy matrimony, even though there has been a multi-decade assault on marriage between a man and woman. How do you prepare your son to be an excellent future husband to a wonderful lady? When would you begin? My answers may surprise you. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website:https://lifeovercoffee.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/officiallifeovercoffee Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/officiallifeovercoffee/ X:https://twitter.com/lifeovercoffee1 Rumble:https://rumble.com/c/LifeOverCoffee Pinterest:https://www.pinterest.com/TheLifeOverCoffee/ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFvkS-BMYH2a_CKmqSHF1Hw

It is impossible to engage our culture at any level and not hear their language, including curse words. Whether it is social media, a television show, or a stroll in the park, our culture’s words do not discriminate or care about our worldview. Because of the unending assault of their language upon us, the questions every caring parent must answer are: Who is going to teach their child the culture’s language, and when is the proper time to do it? Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website:https://lifeovercoffee.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/officiallifeovercoffee Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/officiallifeovercoffee/ X:https://twitter.com/lifeovercoffee1 Rumble:https://rumble.com/c/LifeOverCoffee Pinterest:https://www.pinterest.com/TheLifeOverCoffee/ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFvkS-BMYH2a_CKmqSHF1Hw

In the not-too-distant future, in a world eerily similar to our own, the city of Veritas stands as a beacon of progress and innovation. However, beneath its gleaming exterior, a complex web of intentions and motivations simmers, threatening to unravel the very fabric of society. Chapter 1: The Seeds of Chaos In Veritas, a group of influential policymakers, known as The Committee, gathered in secret. Their discussions revolved around a grand vision for the city—a vision of complete control and order. "To achieve absolute order, we must first understand chaos," declared the head of The Committee, a figure known only as the Architect. The Committee devised a multifaceted plan. They began by covertly influencing media outlets to manipulate the news, painting a picture of a society on the brink of collapse. Meanwhile, they pushed for policies that exacerbated tensions, such as drastic changes to law enforcement funding and controversial political mandates. Chapter 2: A Society Divided As The Committee's machinations unfolded, Veritas became a city divided. Public protests became a daily occurrence, with clashes between different societal groups growing increasingly violent. The city's resources were stretched thin, and lawlessness began to take root. Simultaneously, The Committee facilitated the influx of individuals from outside the city, including those with questionable intentions. These newcomers were given opportunities and rights, but also weapons, subtly stirring the pot of existing tensions. Chapter 3: The Trojan Horse One of The Committee's most daring strategies involved allowing foreign interests to acquire land near critical infrastructure. Ostensibly, these transactions were for benign purposes, but in reality, they served as a Trojan horse, further compromising the city's security. As fear and uncertainty grew, the citizens of Veritas cried out for stability and safety. The Committee, having anticipated this, unveiled their solution—a comprehensive surveillance state under the guise of public safety. Facial recognition cameras, phone tracking software, and omnipresent surveillance became the new norm. Chapter 4: The Illusion of Order With the surveillance infrastructure in place, The Committee tightened their grip on Veritas. Public dissent was quickly quelled under the pretext of maintaining peace. The citizens, once advocates for freedom and privacy, now accepted the surveillance state as a necessary evil. However, a small group of individuals began to see through the veneer of safety. They recognized that the chaos had been meticulously orchestrated to justify the invasion of their privacy and freedoms. Chapter 5: The Spark of Rebellion Led by a charismatic figure known only as the Catalyst, this group started a clandestine movement to expose The Committee's machinations. They worked tirelessly, leveraging the same technologies used to surveil them, to spread the truth. The movement grew, sparking debates and discussions among the citizens of Veritas. The city found itself at a crossroads, with the future of its society in the balance. Would they choose safety at the cost of freedom, or would they fight to reclaim the liberties they had so willingly sacrificed? Conclusion: Reflection As you ponder this pedantic prose, quietly thank your lucky stars it's a work of fiction and how such nefariousness would never leach into our culture, forming a contagion for catastrophe.

Though it would be simpler to place the lust problem in the lap of one gender, it would bring harm to God’s Word because lust is every person’s temptation. Perhaps a couple of synonyms for lust will level the playing field, holstering our tongues to where we’re less likely to go, “Ready! Fire! Aim!” and react more soberly as we consider the wisdom in the sequence of the log and speck (Matthew 7:3-5). I was thinking about these things when I received this letter from a friend. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website:https://lifeovercoffee.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/officiallifeovercoffee Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/officiallifeovercoffee/ X:https://twitter.com/lifeovercoffee1 Rumble:https://rumble.com/c/LifeOverCoffee Pinterest:https://www.pinterest.com/TheLifeOverCoffee/ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFvkS-BMYH2a_CKmqSHF1Hw

If you want to put a man down, call him a woman. The way someone emasculates a male is by name-calling: “You’re a sissy,” which used to be a common refrain during my generation, making God’s curse on the Egyptians all the more striking. “In that day the Egyptians will be like women, and tremble with fear before the hand that the LORD of hosts shakes over them” (Isaiah 19:16). In examining the passage from Isaiah 19:16, where a curse is pronounced upon Egypt, symbolized by men acting out of fear and thus likened to women, we delve into the blurring of gender roles not as progress but as a harbinger of societal decline. I will explore this viewpoint, considering the implications of straying from gender realities, which could not be clearer in God’s Word. Biblical Foundation and Traditional Roles The prophecy in Isaiah 19:16 serves as a stark warning against the consequences of societal upheaval, where men’s adoption of characteristics of women—specifically, fearfulness—is symbolic of a deeper disarray within the nation. From this perspective, the Bible is not merely commenting on fear but is using gender roles to illustrate the loss of divine order and natural law. Men and women possess distinct and complementary roles. Men are the protectors and providers, and women are nurturers and caretakers, roles ordained by God, ensuring societal stability and continuity. Cultural Degradation through Role Reversal The concern raised in Isaiah about the blurring of gender roles is a critique of modern movements toward gender fluidity and the breakdown of gender distinctions. The argument is that such blurring leads to confusion, loss of societal cohesion, and, ultimately, the degradation of cultural values that have historically been the bedrock of civilization. The shift away from these roles is seen not as an evolution but as a deviation that risks the foundational structures upon which societies are built. The Curse of Role Reversal From this viewpoint, when men and women step outside their God-given roles, it is not just an individual choice but a collective shift that has far-reaching consequences. The assertion that men becoming more like women and vice versa is a curse speaks to the intrinsic value of maintaining clear, distinct roles for the health of society. This perspective posits that such changes weaken the social fabric, leading to a loss of identity, purpose, and direction for individuals and the community at large. The Importance of Preserving Traditional Gender Roles The preservation of gender roles is advocated not out of a desire to limit individual freedom but from a conviction that these roles are essential for the well-being of society. The argument extends beyond mere social order to encompass the moral and spiritual health of a nation. The roles men and women play are not arbitrary but are part of a divine design, with each gender fulfilling its unique purpose. Straying from this design is seen as a rebellion against natural law and divine intention, leading to moral decay and societal instability. Conclusion The interpretation of Isaiah 19:16 as a caution against the blurring of gender roles reflects the sanctity of traditional values as the cornerstone of a stable and thriving society. From this perspective, the adherence to distinct roles for men and women is not a matter of cultural relativism but a universal principle that, when violated, heralds the decline of civilization. This viewpoint advocates for a return to or preservation of traditional gender roles as a bulwark against the forces of societal disintegration, arguing that in the divine economy of human society, each gender has a specific, non-interchangeable role that ensures the collective well-being and continuity of culture. Grace and peace, Rick

Every home is a laboratory where parents have the privilege of incrementally introducing their children to the culture around them. This incremental child development process prepares children to live in and engage in their world as adults while not being overcome by the culture. The proactive and intentional parent does not wait until the child is an adult to teach them how to live like an adult. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website:https://lifeovercoffee.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/officiallifeovercoffee Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/officiallifeovercoffee/ X:https://twitter.com/lifeovercoffee1 Rumble:https://rumble.com/c/LifeOverCoffee Pinterest:https://www.pinterest.com/TheLifeOverCoffee/ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFvkS-BMYH2a_CKmqSHF1Hw

Pornography is a pervasive sin in the sense that the outward behavior—viewing porn—speaks to a heart idolatry that is not as evident at first glance. Though there is wisdom in cutting off porn behavior (Matthew 5:29-30), the only way to be truly free is by rooting it out at its source, which implies identifying the idol that feeds the porn addiction. There will be many idols operative in a porn person’s heart. You may find the idol of comfort, respect, control, power, or reputation. Though this chapter will not deal with the rooting out of these idols, it’s vital for those caring for the caught individual to understand that there is more happening with the person in porn than what meets the eye. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website:https://lifeovercoffee.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/officiallifeovercoffee Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/officiallifeovercoffee/ X:https://twitter.com/lifeovercoffee1 Rumble:https://rumble.com/c/LifeOverCoffee Pinterest:https://www.pinterest.com/TheLifeOverCoffee/ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFvkS-BMYH2a_CKmqSHF1Hw

As you might imagine, when writing a book on sex, temptation, and modesty and talking to a few friends about the project, it elicits lively conversation, including what a person wears at the beach or around their pools. And why not? The Bible provides all we need for life and godliness, including beachwear. Though what you wear to the beach is a tertiary matter, our clothing choices should never be divorced from community input. Our physical bodies are part of a greater body of Christ that requires a corporate responsibility of putting the beauty of Christ on display in a fallen culture, making the beach question a relevant one. No Christian should say, “It’s none of your business.” Christians must not be that rude or aloof. We care for each other, which is why I want to share a question put to me about our beach clothes. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website:https://lifeovercoffee.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/officiallifeovercoffee Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/officiallifeovercoffee/ X:https://twitter.com/lifeovercoffee1 Rumble:https://rumble.com/c/LifeOverCoffee Pinterest:https://www.pinterest.com/TheLifeOverCoffee/ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFvkS-BMYH2a_CKmqSHF1Hw