QUESTION: Your last few journal entries have had the same theme, basically about drawing closer to God, and how He desires us to be closer to Him.  There's a part of me that really responds to that, and yet another part keeps Him at arms length with a "this is just too good to be true" attitude.  Can it really be as easy as it seems when I read your words?  How do I "get there?" 

ANSWER: The funny thing is the answer is most certainly, "Yes, it is that easy."  The thing that makes it difficult is, well, "us."   

And that's nothing new or extraordinary.  It's been going on since the beginning of time.  People have always been people and I guess it's part of our fallen nature that we tend to be the ones who get so much in our own way all the time.  Whether that means outright sin or just bowing to fears and the like, "We have met the enemy and they are us."  Amen and amen! 

And don't feel alone--a lot of people can say the exact same words--"I want to get close to God but I keep Him at arm's length."  It's as common a reality as anything and it comes from a whole lot of different places.  Maybe deep down inside a person doesn't feel "worthy" of God's love and attention.  Yes, it's true that none of us is--but that's the thing that needs to take deep root in a person's heart--that doesn't matter to Him!  It has nothing to do with anyone's worthiness or lack thereof.  It's all Him, and He chooses to lavish His love on us anyway!  Glory to Jesus! 

I think there's a thing that happens in human situations also, that gets in the way.  A person has bad experiences with an earthly father or whatever and however subtle it may be he/she subconsciously learns to "keep love at arm's length."  Yes, I think that's a big one. 

On top of that we have a tendency to distrust anything that says, "It's free!"  Yes, I am convinced that the biggest stumbling block to folks when it comes to the love of Jesus is that it's free.  I mean, "How can something so wonderful be entirely free?  Certainly there must be a catch somewhere?  Certainly there must be something expected of me?"   

That tendency is so strong an impulse that entire denominations have been organized and continue to thrive built around "this is what God expects of you."  It's so heartbreaking I can't begin to tell you--"Yes, the gift of eternal life, but I need to do this and this and this... be good, follow these rules, do this service..."  No, man, it's free--entirely, 100%, no obligation, no money down and no money at the tail end... free!  Glory to Jesus! 

So there are a whole lot of reasons a person would keep God at arm's length--in fact, I think I can safely say that on one level or another we probably all do it to some degree. 

But I tell you, God is a whole lot bigger than our fears or feelings of unworthiness or need to achieve or whatever else you can come up with.  He just is plain old, much, much, much bigger!  Glory to His Name! 

And to Him it is so, so simple--yes, it is so, so easy.  Jesus said, "Ask and you will receive."  (Gee, that sounds pretty cut and dry to me, no fuss, no muss).  "Come to Me and you will find rest for your soul."  (You mean all I need to do is come?).  "When you seek Me with all of your heart I will be found."  (Wait a minute--you mean the only thing I need to do is seek you with all I've got?). 

And His answer to all those questions is "Yes, yes, yes.  Ask, seek, come..  It is that simple, My child--it is that easy.  I love you with all that I am, My child, and all you need to do is come.  Come, come, and keep right on coming--and I will do all the rest."  Glory to the Name of Jesus! 

So I tell you, seek Him with all your heart.  You've got to take time--and I mean "time."  He's not a fast food operation.  You've got to separate yourself and "sit with Him" in His Word and prayer and worship... say, "No" to some things and just sit with Him and be with Him and "lean yourself into" Him...  

Push past what you know is only little fears and bad past experiences or whatever--don't let those things sit on the throne of your life or get in the way of all He has for you.  Seek Him and seek Him and seek Him... with all, all, all of your heart," and He 100% promises to be found. 

Now that's exciting!  He's waiting, I tell you!  Glory to the Name of Jesus!

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QUESTION: Dear Bruce, Is it alright to be hooked into Christian Rock music?   

ANSWER:  Well, now you're really putting me on the spot.  I've learned from a lot of ministering to teenagers that's there's a couple places you just don't go--relationships, fashion--and music!  Yikes!  But me, well, I'm just blockheaded enough to jump in the shark pond, so here goes.  Gulp! 

First of all, it's your terminology that troubles me a bit.  I don't like the word "hooked" when it comes to anything other than Jesus.  That may sound like I'm playing semantics but I'm not really.  It's a serious pitfall that a lot of good children of God fall straight into--they become more "hooked" by whatever--music, prophesy, gifts of the Spirit, word studies...  Even in ministry guys can get "hooked" on preaching, leading worship, serving in homeless shelters, going on missions trips...  It's all good stuff, but when it becomes what "turns you on" as opposed to just pure Jesus, hey, I think a guy can get into trouble. 

I remember ministering with a guy once and man, did he preach up a storm.  After one service it was like he was walking ten feet above the ground and with fire in his eyes he said to me, "This is what I live for, brother!"  He's a great guy and a precious man of God, but I tell you, those are dangerous words.  It's got to be Jesus and Jesus alone that a child of God lives for and gets excited about.  Nothing--and I mean "nothing" else can take that place.  Glory to Jesus!   

For all of us, if we remove all of the "trappings"--the music, and the service, and the concerts, and the conferences, and, and, and... and there's just this Man/God named Jesus standing there with none of it...  how would many of us react?  Would we still be so excited?  I don't know, but I certainly hope so. 

And when it comes to music, we are all thankful for musicians of all styles that glorify God--assuming that is what they are authentically doing (and Jesus is so big He uses it all to reach people anyway, all human good or not-so-good motivation notwithstanding).  And we've all heard things like, "These days you've got to reach kids on their level--got to relate to them in their culture..."   

I'm sure that has merit but I'm just a little different about it--not to say I'm right--I very well could be very wrong.  But I don't see that kind of "strategy" coming from Jesus or Paul or any of those guys 2000 years ago. They didn't devise strategies to reach certain groups or whatever--they just stood on street corners and spoke truth and sought the power of the Holy Spirit and let the chips fall where they may.   

You see, for my money we've come so heartbreakingly far from just relying on the power of God and His hope to change lives--we're working so hard in our own strength to "bring people in."  Forgive me, but I don't think we have to.  He's the one who draws people.  He and He alone. 

If I need to put on a "song and dance" to get someone to sit still long enough to hear God's Word, well, that's the saddest comment in the world.  And if I have to fit the Word of God into a certain song style or whatever to get a kid to want Jesus--as much as the Lord uses it all, that too is a sad reality.  And now here are some words that I think I can safely say in a "Paul-like" fashion are "worthy words:" It's not Jesus that needs to fit into a kid's world or anyone else's for that matter--it's you/me that need to fit into His world.  Amen and amen! 

So forgive me for maybe being naive, but as good as all that stuff is and as much as God uses it because He uses everything, I'm one who thinks Jesus just as Jesus is more than enough--Jesus presented in His true reality and not religious misrepresentation.  I tell you, people young and old would flock to Him in droves no matter what kind music was playing at the time.  Glory to the Name of Jesus! 

Ok, so now back to "is it wrong to be hooked on Christian rock."  Forgive me for sounding hard, but if you're really serious about Jesus you'll get "hooked" on Him and maybe "just enjoy" other things that are righteous and good, uplifting and honoring to Him.  Be honest with yourself--where would you be with Him if there was no such music around.  Think about a Christian teenager sitting in the Kalahari Desert or something.  All you've got is Him and other people who love Him.  Would it be enough for you?  Would you stick with Him or wander off to something more eye-catching? 

And therein is the rub--the question that really needs to be asked/answered, and not just regarding music but for all these things that so catch our attention.  So is it really Jesus that you love, or is it the music?  Answer that question and you're well on your way.  Christian rock or no Christian rock, all glory to the living God!  Amen and amem!

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QUESTION: Bruce, I have three young children.  One of them asked me about spiritual warfare. I talked about good and evil fighting against each other but I am not sure if they understood what I was talking about. My question is How would I explain Spiritual Warfare to my children? 

ANSWER:  Hey, now this is a different one... Praise God for a mother who wants to impart real truth to her kiddies--glory to Jesus! 

Now, if you have picked up anything about me through my writing and all, it's that I'm the first to stand up and say, "I don't know!" if I truly don't know.  One of the things I've noticed as I read books and all is that for some reason people think they need to know and can't "not know," and sometimes kind of "make things up" under some sense or obligation to know.  Yikes! 

I'm in the middle of these teaching tapes by a guy named Chuck Misler and one of the things I so appreciate about these tapes is that over and over Chuck says, "But keep in mind this is just my thinking and there are many scholars who would argue with me, so go to the Scriptures for yourself and do your own research--I may be entirely wrong."  Praise God for selflessness and humility like that.  Glory to Jesus! 

But getting to your question, as you can guess where I'm going, having never had kiddies I'm way out of my field on this one.  It would be easy for me to toss a few lines out and move on, but until a guy is "in the saddle" so to speak he can't begin to know how to ride a horse, so...  to answer your question, I really don't know how to reach kids on such a subject without scaring them and all.  I just don't know... 

But that having been said, two things come to my mind which may or may not be right...  The first that comes to mind is the Scripture that says, "The truth will set you free."  When Jesus said those words as recorded by John he was specifically talking about himself--saying, "I am the Truth and I will set you free," but in the broader application it is a kingdom principle that is entirely infallible (Is that the right word?  It sounds right!).  

I have experienced countless situations where "the truth" felt like it was going to be the most harmful and destructive way to go, but when I forced myself to go there it was like a wide open highway of goodness, peace, and ease, and everything came right and fell into place.  Truly, I could tell many, many stories... 

So all that to say, the thought that comes to my mind is just to simply (and obviously, sensitively) tell them the truth.  I think kids are much smarter that we think they are--at least that's what I've experienced in ministering to them--that they "get it" better than we think they do--even better than us adults (gulp).  What's that Jesus said, "Unless you come to me as a child..."?  Man, is that theology to live by or what!  Glory to Jesus. 

And that brings me to what is probably the bottom line...  God through His Spirit is a whole lot bigger than any of our human "strategies" for doing things like answering these kinds of questions.  He is so much more interested in your children's welfare--he is so much more interested in your children's understanding of kingdom things than you can ever be.   

So just "go for it" and do the one thing that is probably the least done thing in the family of God (sorry, but I think it's sadly true-er than true): Trust God and trust His Holy Spirit to do that work of understanding in your child's heart/mind.  Just tell them the truth--maybe read out of 1 Peter 5 where it says we have an enemy and we need to be sober and diligent.  Maybe explain to them that's why God wants us to live righteous lives--so that the enemy can't get an entry point into our lives with which to hurt our lives.  Maybe explain to them it's like the bully on the playground who just likes to push smaller kids around--but then whenever Daddy or big brother are around he runs away (I love it!).   

Yes, that's what it's like--he likes to push people around but when Daddy or "Big Brother" Jesus come around he runs for the hills!  Make sure they understand God is so much bigger and that he comes immediately whenever we call on him--so the trick is to just keep on calling Him and calling Him.  Glory to Jesus!  Keep on calling!

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QUESTION:  Dear Bruce,
I was reading an email today that had a verse from Galatians in it that said "share with each other your
problems and fears." So I have decided to share mine, because it is absolute torture and I cannot take it
anymore.

About eight years ago I came across a soft core porn site. and when I say soft, I mean no nudity. But it
hooked me, and until earlier this year I finally got rid of the internet in my computer and have not looked
at an image online since. But the problem is that every morning when I wake up, I am bombarded by every
single image, every thing I ever did with those images, fantasy involving those images, everything..over that eight year period. and nothing I do or have tried to do has gotten rid of them.

I have dreams of me going online looking for images. Sometimes I wake up right after I find one in my
dream. Creating diversions takes incredible work...and on those times when it is successful, it doesn't matter..because the images return. It just takes one second.

Now I have heard from former alcoholics how God removed their need for alcohol and they live in
freedom. What I need is FREEDOM from this--complete, total freedom. I cannot live like this anymore having
these images follow me wherever I go, every day. It's torture. It's like withdrawal symptoms that never go
away. I just want these voices to stop.  Is there some kind of step by step thing I can do that
will help me get freedom?

 

ANSWER:  I printed out your entire question because it's my guess that there are countless guys walking in the same struggle--I even got an email from a woman once who was going through this--and I am hoping by reading through your question someone out there who is still "behind closed doors" and their life is falling apart because of it will realize it's a killer and seek help and save their family or whatever else is being destroyed.

 

My answer is going to sound very "pat" and like I'm dodging the issue, and maybe in a sense I am because I'm way out of my league on this one.  There are no simple answers to something like this--there's no way either me or anyone else can toss out a few lines that can be the key to you being free.  Lust is a serious "monster" and it doesn't go easy.  It takes work, and day-to-day commitment, and time--and more than anything else, the power of God to break the back of evil.  Glory to Jesus!

 

You need someone close to you, someone local, someone who can walk with you step by step, day by day, inch by inch.  Someone you can call when the going gets tough, someone who will hold you accountable, someone who cares and prays for you and will see this thing through with you.  Have you ever watched Animal Planet and seen those images of a lion pouncing on the back of an antelope and digging its claws in and just hanging with all its weight until the antelope collapses and then when it falls, starts eating it alive.  That's the hard reality of what's "on your back," and just like that antelope needs help if it hopes to survive, you do, too.  I know it's tough and that same "lion" would whisper in your ear, "they'll laugh at you," because he doesn't want you to get help, but you've just got to force yourself.  Find someone you can fully trust--someone who won't reject you and is willing to walk with you--and ask them to hold you accountable.  That's a huge first step.

 

I've also got to imagine there are volumes and volumes written on these things, all of which you'll find in a Christian bookstore.  I'm sure Focus on the Family has all sorts of resources that can help.  I mean, really, help is out there all over the place--you just need to reach out and grab it and accept nothing less than full freedom.  It may not come overnight--it may take years as it's taken years for these images to build and build in your thoughts--but just keep going and keep going.  "With God all things are possible," so just keep going.

 

And now this is really the bottom line of the bottom line...  You have to want the images to go away.  I mean, really, truly, deeply want them to go away.  This may sound like a crazy question, but deep inside do you really, truly want these "partners" to go away or have they become your life?  Have they become your wife, or possibly husband?  Are you "married" to them deep inside, and as much as you hate them inside you could it be that you really are afraid to live without them?  I'm not suggesting that's the case--I don't know you at all and so I have no way of knowing.  It's just a question only you can answer for yourself and only you (and Jesus) truly know, and only you can truly face.  But therein is the key.  The power of God is ready and available to free a person where a person truly and deeply wants to be free. 

 

So if that's where you're at, on top of all I've suggested above, take a week or more and go off by yourself and confess the images one by one.  "Command" them one by one out of your heart, if you know what I mean.  If you have to do it 1000 times or 10,000 times then do it 1000/10,000 times--just keep doing it.  The Word says, "Take captive every thought that exalts itself above the knowledge of God."  So you recognize the thought--the image--and you "jump on it" in prayer straight off.  You begin to take your soul back one day at a time and one image at a time.  You get on your face and cry out to Jesus and cry out to Jesus and "sweep out" your thought life with the broom of His power.  Glory to Jesus!

 

Now know that those images will probably "laugh" at while you're praying and it's no quick fix, but when you stand firm, deeply deciding and declaring, "My heart belongs to Jesus.  My thought life belongs to Jesus.  My body belongs to Jesus..." one by one those "ions' will look around and say, "This guy's no fun anymore," and vacate the premises.  God can do that--maybe in a moment and maybe in more than a moment--I don't know--but just keep going and don't accept anything less that total freedom.  Glory to Jesus.

 

I'll never forget a woman coming to us in Africa once and asking for prayer as she was not feeling good.  The African pastors began praying for her and praying for her and then one of them stopped.  He grabbed a necklace from her neck and pulled it out of her shirt.  It was an "amulet"--an African witchcraft thing. 

 

But here's the thing--she didn't want to give it up.  He told her that she couldn't expect Jesus to help her and still hang on to these things.  But she wouldn't give it up and so walked away still sick.  All that to say, you need to make sure, sure, sure that deep inside you aren't hanging on to these images.  Therein is the open door for the power of God to come and "set you free."  Glory to the Name of Jesus!
 

ANSWER:  Number one God asks (tells?) us to go to church as Paul writes very clearly, "do not forsake the assembly of the saints."  So it's really a point of obedience.  But there's a purpose behind that obedience as God's rules and ways are never arbitrary, never Him just shoving us around, and always Him calling us to step into the fullness of goodness and victory and everything our lives can be.  Yes, in church we glorify God, but it's also in church that we find strengthening to face the challenges of life, encouragement, instruction, leadership, building up, shepherding, accountability, inspiration, vision, relationship, growing in Jesus...  At least we're supposed to be finding these things in church--and if you're not then you need a new church!  Glory to Jesus!

 

There's also a "spiritual dynamic" to assembly.  Jesus said, "Where two or more are gathered in My name..."  It's just the way His kingdom is set up--He calls us to "gather" and unify in His Name, and in that unity of praise, intercession, fellowship, focus... He comes and comes and comes and does extraordinary things!  Exciting!

 

I know that I don't know where I'd be if not for my church.  I tell you, there are weeks when I "run" there--that place where all the shouting and slamming of everyday life in our broken world is cut off and kept "outside" if at least for a couple hours.  It's like going to the chiropractor and getting an adjustment--everything is brought into order and aligned--everything of my soul.  It's girded up, empowered, lifted, pulled back into God's borders, blessed with leadership and instruction.  I walk out "knowing who I am" all over again.  I walk out challenged to be all that God wants me to be.  I walk out blown away by the depth and wealth of His Word.  I walk out blown away by the fellowship of His Spirit.  I walk out feeling "like the head and not the tail."  I walk out longing to know Him more and more.  I walk out with new "equipment" and "armor" to face life's challenges and make life's decisions...  I walk out with more hunger for Him and His Word...  I could go on and on and again, if you're church isn't drawing you into these realities then start looking around.  So many of our churches are just "going through the motions" and more entertaining people than anything else.  As comfortable and "easy" as that might be for anyone, I tell you, you're only cheating yourself. 

 

God gives us "tools" that we can either pick up and use or choose not to use (to our own detriment)--tools by which we can draw as close to Him as is humanly possible, rise into the fullness of all our lives can be, live in the realities of His kingdom promise and power, rest with our eyes firmly on Him and His faithfulness and the eternity that lies before us...  He gives us His Word, He gives us His Spirit, He gives us His fellowship in prayer, He gives us the privilege of intercession... and He gives us "the assembly of the saints."  Don't "forsake it" whatever you do.  Find a life-breathing assembly and dive on in!  Glory to His Name!

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QUESTION: When you are praying , how do you know if the Holy Spirit is talking to you?.

ANSWER: This is one of those HUGE questions and one of those that is also impossible to do justice in a short word like this. I mean, there's been entire books written--loads of them--to help people discern God's voice from all the others. But let me touch on a couple things because it was just recently that God showed me some neat things in this regard... Hearing God's voice is really very simple and it's recognized because it entirely lines up with Scripture. God will never contradict Himself and in fact every word in The Word is Holy Spirit inspired so therein is page after page of God's voice. So rule number one, if you're praying and "get a sense" about something check it with Scripture. If it lines up 100% then God is probably speaking to you.

Let me give you an example... Just last week I was seeking God for counsel with regard to a work relationship that isn't 100% where it should be. It's sad, really, because this guy and I have been friends for a long time but he hasn't been pulling his weight for one reason or another. It's been sitting on my shoulders for months but since we're such good friends I just was kind of not dealing with it and doing that thing of praying and praying and hoping it would change.

Well the day came last week when I just had to deal with it and so I prayed and prayed and asked God "for a word" of counsel. It was so cool--it just popped into my mind, "the truth will set you free." Then a little while later, "I am the good shepherd and I love my sheep. I look after my sheep and will not let my sheep get lost or tangled in thorn bushes and all cut up. I will look after My sheep."

I remember I wrote those both down and just kept praying. When I was done I looked them over and thought and thought and realized that God was saying, "Just speak the truth. Just talk openly to him in truth--the truth is what sets men and their situations free." God was calling me to simply confront the guy and stop "lying" in the sense of just not saying anything. He was also saying, "I'll take care of him, Bruce. I love him and am not in the business of hurting. I'll take care of both you and him." Pretty cool, isn't it!

So I called the guy and we talked and I tell you, it was so easy. The guy was just so soft about the whole thing understanding it from one end to the other. I even told him I needed to find another partner in this and he was just 100% cool about it. God had spoken--it was straight out of His Word and so obviously in line with His heart and ways. I took the chance--which is really risk-free when it comes from God--and here we sit today with the situation all solved and everyone happy. Glory to Jesus!

At the same time God showed me something really cool about this whole issue. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, "If you forgive men when they sin against you then your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive men when they sin against you then your heavenly Father will not forgive you." Yikes!

In that Scripture God showed me that unforgiveness and He are 100% diametrically opposed. God "is" forgiveness, so anything of unforgiveness contradicts Him. All that say, where there is unforgiveness He cannot come. The two cannot exist together, so (and here's the punch line) where a man or woman is praying about a situation or whatever and there's unforgiveness, anger, bitterness... brewing in his or her heart about it then God is simply nowhere to be found, if you know what I mean. Whatever "voice" or prompting a person feels even while praying will undoubtedly be the voice of all those emotions whose strength to grip a heart and understanding cannot be underestimated.

The same goes for angst or anxiety, impatience or want... These things "crowd God out" of a person's thinking and feeling, and oh the tragedy of decisions made in response to those voices having been falsely identified as God by a person who's hurting or wanting so much they grab on to anything and just go. I tell you, the fall-out of brokenness...

So when you need to really "hear" from God, number one, examine your heart. Without calm and freedom from bitterness or whatever it just won't be possible. You'll hear "voices," sure, but they won't be God's. Examine your heart and go down the list and do whatever it takes because a true word from God is precious, precious, precious and we all need it in every moment of every day. Amen!

Another thing is worship. Worship and praise are the keys to His courts and that's where you hear his voice (it's so simple) in His presence--not your own or the presence of attitudes and emotions and logic--in His presence. It's so utterly simple. And how do you get there? Praising Him and worshipping Him. I tell you, I never even begin to pray until I've spent considerable time just praising his Name. Praise his wondrous Name!

So number one, cleanse your heart from top to bottom--you don't want to be carrying that stuff around anyway. Be free! Number two, worship and worship and then when you're done worship Him even more. Number three, look to His Word. He'll never contradict Himself. And number four, just step out! Trusting His voice and that it is His voice takes practice, if I can put it that way. The more you do it the more you realize that's what it is and the more you get comfortable and confident... Walking with Jesus, Him ahead of you every step of the way. I tell you, there just is no other way to live. Glory to Jesus!

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QUESTION: My name is Emily and I am a 12 year old girl who is eager to know more about Christ. I do go to church and a full believer, but I feel I need to know much more. By watching the movie "Matthew" I was able to understand how Jesus might have felt and acted like. This movie has changed the way I feel about Christ. I read the Bible more and pray more. I do have a couple questions. Did you ever have doubts about Jesus Christ before you made this movie? Also, did you feel, in a way, how Jesus felt sometimes? Thanks Mr. Bruce Marchiano for making such a great movie that has really changed my life! Thank you!

ANSWER: All I can say is you sure know how to make a guy's day, Emily. Thanks to you for such gracious words. I tell you, a 12 year old girl who loves Jesus--you're so far ahead of so many you have no idea. Praise God for you!

Did I ever have doubts? Sure, of course. Even today sometimes doubts come into my head. I never had or have doubts about who Jesus was/is--He's the Son of the living God, pure and simple. But sometimes especially when you get tired or things don't work out the way you'd like your mind can wander a little bit and you think things like, "Does Jesus really love me the way He says He does?" "Will He really be faithful all the time?" "How come...?" I mean, of course I know those are silly questions and to be honest a person grows and grows over his or her whole life in knowing those things 100%. It's just that sometimes you get, well, tired or something. You see things going on that don't make sense or whatever, and a little doubt creeps in. It's entirely normal and really nothing for anyone big or small to worry about. Just keep going back to Jesus! He understands those doubts and just opens His loving arms wide. Glory to His Name!

About feeling "like Jesus," well, I don't know 100%. I can say I certainly hope so! The things I felt were things like compassion and love, hope and joy. These things are surely in Jesus' heart, so I guess in that sense there can be no doubt I "felt like Him." Exactly what He was feeling at exactly what moments no one can say, but to be really honest I am confident that I did "tap into something real" when we were filming. I was seeking an understanding and identity with His emotions all the way every day. I tell you, I was praying and praying like crazy. And incidentally, those are prayers anyone can pray--God loves it when His kids ask to "feel" like He does. It blesses His heart when any of His kids love Him that much. But I have to believe that on some level God honored those prayers and blessed me with some tiny bit of understanding. Like I said, it was just love and compassion, care and kindness, anger toward evil and love for all people no matter what, confidence and hope, strength and excitement, joy and more joy... These are the things I felt out there (and hopefully feel in my real life) and these are the things of Jesus!

I can also tell you that when you see my heart break on screen that's not acting--my heart was really breaking. It was breaking for all the brokenness in people's lives--people who only need to, well, be like you--a girl who looks to Him and desires Him. It's kind of like when you see some of the kids and you know they get into trouble or whatever and it breaks your heart because you know it doesn't have to be that way. That's what it's like--and that's what Jesus is like, too.

God bless you, little sister! God's glory just shines in you! Glory to Jesus!

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QUESTION: Bruce, what do you think about fear? Does Jesus get sad when I get afraid? I'm in a wheelchair and sometimes I get these bad dreams and all that I fall over and there's no one there to help me. Sometimes I think thoughts like that and I know Jesus will never let me down but sometimes I just get really scared. Is He disappointed in me?

ANSWER: No, of course not. Jesus has one attitude toward you 100% of the time--He loves you. Nothing you can ever think or do can ever change that and that's just the way it is. Amen!

At the same time Jesus is not the "author" of fear. He is the opposite of fear. He is total security and calm. Fear jumps out of our own emotions and insecurities, and it's so incredibly understandable that you would have the dreams you have and think thoughts like you do--so, so understandable. Jesus is not angry at you or anything--He's just reaching out and reaching out to free you more and more from ever thinking those things ever. It takes time and it's step by step one day at a time, but when you feel those fears come on just start praying and worshipping Jesus. Just tell those fears to go away in the name of Jesus, if I can put it that way. Just keep praying and praying and singing His praises and it may take some time but they will go. The bible says, "perfect love casts out fear." What is perfect love? It's Jesus! So when the fear comes You just cuddle up closer and closer to Him and the fear will slowly but surely disappear. Glory to Jesus!

Also please know that you are far from alone. Everyone has different fears and all. As an actor I can't tell you how many times I've been woken up by this funny nightmare that I'm standing in front of a camera and the director yells, "Action," and I completely forget my lines! Is that funny, or what! Just last night I had a terrible dream that I was being chased and it was really terrible and I know it comes as a result of being attacked in South Africa in March. You know what I did? I sat up in bed and just started praying, "Jesus, I give you total rule over my imagination and dream life. Push that darkness away, Jesus, and give me light in my dreams--Your light! Glory to Jesus!"

So no matter what feeling it is, if it's dark or whatever just run, run, run to Jesus, Jesus, Jesus! Ok? Glory to Jesus!!!

P.S. I saw Joni on Larry King Live last week. Tell her I said she just did great. Just very real, open, and down to earth, and a strong testimony to the goodness of Jesus! Glory to Jesus!

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QUESTION: Recently the Lord has convicted me of expecting and pushing my husband to be head of the household and spiritual leader of the household when he possibly is not ready or willing. What is God's idea of the head of household? Where can I read about it?

ANSWER: This kind of question scares me a whole lot because there's a mountain of facts that I just don't know about the two of you and your history and all. For someone to really speak into your situation he needs to be a person who seriously knows you and your husband and family history... It needs to be someone who can call you both on the carpet, someone you both trust, someone who has "earned the right" to speak into your lives and hopefully help your family out.

In terms of just generalities... The key for a man is to be like Jesus in all situations of his life--as a single man, as a husband and father, in the workplace... It's so simple--just model Jesus. Christ-likeness is the key to it all--even how to run a household. Amen and amen.

Then I'm sure you've read what Paul writes about a man "loving his wife as he loves his own body" in Ephesians 5. It basically means self-sacrifice--again, being like Jesus! Then there's a whole lot of other stuff--a man needs to provide for his family, be a decision-maker, take command of the spiritual life of his family... There's just so much. So what I'd suggest is you find that someone who you both trust to walk you through it and stop trying to figure it out for yourself. My guess is that your husband is tired of being told where he's insufficient and all--after a while a guy just tends to shut down. I don't know--maybe there's a door that swings both ways--maybe in the same way he needs to take command you need to give him command and not challenge his command--and I'm just talking off the top of my head there--just tossing things out at random.

But speaking of which, I am thinking the way we all as people tend to be--we can see everything the other party is doing wrong but we tend to be blind to our own responsibilities. Yeah, maybe that's a start--instead of looking to your husband's shortcomings, maybe take a look in the mirror--look at it from his side. Seek to control those factors in yourself that are adding to whatever problem there is. Hey, that might relieve a good measure of the problem! Who knows--I sure don't--but it might be a place to start! Glory to Jesus!

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QUESTION: Hello Bruce, Before I get to my question, I'd just like to say thank you, thank you, thank you for your amazing ministry! God is powerfully using you. Now to my question... In the realm of Christianity today, we hear so much about the love of God. Christian artists sing about it, pastors preach on it, and Christian radio broadcasts focus on it... Is it possible to over-emphasize the love of God? The Bible describes Him as a consuming fire. Do you think that Christians today have "watered down" the Gospel?

ANSWER: Now you've got me--I mean, if there's anyone who talks a lot about the love of God in ministry it's me! Glory to Jesus!

But seriously, my answer is going to "stretch" you a bit because it's a little different angle, I think... From where I sit, the problem (if there is one) is not so much an emphasis one one aspect of God as opposed to another--it's that we compartmentalize and separate out the aspects of God one from another, as if one stops when the other begins which just simply is not the way He is. In other words, we tend to think in terms of God ceasing to be loving when He becomes a consuming fire, and that just is not the case. God is God is God and He's all that He is all the time and though it doesn't quite fit into our limited understanding the two--the fire and the love--actually fit together perfectly in Him. They are both 100% Hi, 100% of the time.

Does that make sense? The two are inseparable--one in the same. And here's the thing: If God is a consuming fire--which He is--He's a consuming fire (big words coming) because he loves you so much! Yes, the fire flows out of His love. He loves you too much to allow any unrighteousness in your life or to allow you to act in righteousness in your life. He doesn't want you to miss out on even a tiny measure of all his goodness in your life so He consumes like a fire all that is not of Him in your life. Glory to the Name of Jesus!

I mean, think of it this way--in relationship to your kids, do you often have to be "a consuming fire?" Don't they have to understand you that way and at the same time know 100% that you love them. Do you stop loving them when you discipline them--when you "consume" the unrighteousness in their lives? That's right--multiply that scenario a billion times and you've got the living God. Glory to His Name! The all-loving, all-to-be-feard, mighty and glorious, awesome and powerful God, God, God! Glory to His Name!

So the way I see it, it's not that we emphasize one over the other, it's that we don't convey that one "is" the other. Glory to the Name of Jesus!

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QUESTION: Bruce, I was wondering what you think about all these "Christian online dating services. This seems to be popular in my area. I know people who get online and talk to total strangers and some actually meet. A girl from California actually flew out here to Alabama to meet a guy from my church that she met online. I am just not comfortable with this and wondered what your thoughts were on this subject.

ANSWER: Hmmm... you've got me on this one. To be straight and honest, it "feels" a little funny to me--as evidenced by the fact that I've never done it! Yikes! AT THE SAME TIME, that's not me saying it is wrong or anything--I mean, I don't even know if there's an issue of wrong or right involved, and I'm going to guess that a lot of people have been blessed with a husband/wife through these "services." At the same time, again, to me personally, for no reason I can put a finger on, it just "feels funny" to me. It's just me, I guess.

But the issue to me is more like, what on earth is a girl doing flying to Alabama to be with some guy she's never met? Forgive me, but shouldn't it be the other way around? I mean, I don't know the facts but it sure seems to me that it's the guy's place to fly to her and if he isn't up for that then she already knows everything she needs to know about him. In other words, "Lose the guy, honey!" Ha ha ha!

And the bottom line to these kinds of things is that God has a plan for your life and for everyone's who is reading this page. And just yesterday I was reading that infamous Scripture, "Not by might, not by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord." I tell you, anytime I find myself looking for ways to "push something along"--in other words, using my own might--I know I'm way out of His order and headed for trouble. And in the area of relationships, you're talking about serious trouble. I mean, I for one don't want a relationship that's built on "chemistry" or "she's a nice woman" or anything that is not, "Is this what God is doing?" I tell you, that's all anyone needs to know about anything, really. It truly is that simple--"Is this what God is doing?"

And in the case of relationships, I'm not so sure that answer is discovered through flirting and chatting and romantic situations where everyone is "wearing" their best behavior. And there's another thing--and you can either face the truth of this or one day face it the hard way: The emotions and deep longings in these areas are so strong and powerful that they tend to cloud a person's perception of what God is or is not doing. And that deserves a huge "Amen."

The heart is deceptive above all things. I tell you, the "pull" is so incredibly strong--so much stronger than what we give it credit for--and that's how we fall into bad relationships. We make the mistake of thinking that "pull" is God's voice when it isn't necessarily so. We build on that "good feeling" instead of God's leading. And this will sound funny, but I have met some incredibly desperate people on both sides of the fence out there. I mean, "Run for cover!" And that desperation will sink your ship every time, I'm telling you. Impatience, desperation, deep longing, pressure... these things are so much louder and stronger than any of us thinks, and they will drag you so far from God's will it isn't funny.

Anyway, all that to say that God has a plan and your job is not to "make it happen" or speed it along or determine his timing by "emotional clock" or anything like that. Your job is to trust Him--and wait. He knows, He knows--and His call is always, "Wait. Be still. I know the plans I have for you. Come close to Me--I'm the safe place--I'm the one who knows..." Running around, sticking your neck out--I tell you, you're just asking to get your heart beat up. Just get busy with what God's given you today and leave tomorrow to Him. Amen!

One of my "beefs," in fact, is all these single people in the body of Christ running around looking for their own satisfaction in personal needs--when there's a world lost and dying out there and they, in their single-ness are the ones who have the freedom from responsibility to do something about it! I'm serious--this is a huge thing. I tell you, it makes God cry His eyes out that His children are so consumed with personal issues they completely miss--big words coming now: HIS WILL FOR THEM, which I can promise you is "Get out and go" as your responsibilities or lack thereof allow you to. Amen!

So I guess what I'd like to say is, "Single brothers and sisters, stop worrying about that stuff--really! Let's get busy and get out there and get some folks saved, for crying out loud. And wouldn't it be just like the Lord to introduce you to your partner in that "least likely" place--when the last thing you were doing was looking for one. In fact, I'll have a video of a singles conference I did available soon (keep an eye on the web site) where I tell several stories where that very thing happened. God is faithful, God is faithful... We don’t need to be running around chasing these things. We just need to get busy with the deep longings of His heart and trust that He is faithful. Glory to His Name!

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QUESTION: Bruce, I'm a singer in the secular world. I love the Lord so much and it is getting harder and harder as this profession has such a dark side that constantly tempts an innocent person to surrender all good beliefs. My question is, do you think it's possible to be in this world and still live a Christian life, a wholesome life?

ANSWER: Do I think it's possible? Of course it is possible! Is it easy? Not on your life. Can you make a strong living and be successful and still walk in righteousness and represent Jesus? Probably, maybe, I think so. I know a few folks who have done it and are doing it--that should encourage you. But they aren't singers--more studio musicians and guys who tour with top names. But here's the thing--they are beyond good at what they do. I'm going to guess that at the end of the day it's your level of excellence and professionalism that counts more than anything else in terms of getting work.

Now a singer is probably more difficult--you're up front and sadly, there are many different factors that go into a singer's success, most of which are out of the singers control. Then there is what you are talking about--the "pull" to become something that you aren't--become more marketable--sing songs that are less than godly, present yourself in less than godly ways and create relationships that will benefit you professionally but pull you into less than godly situations and activities.

Forgive me for such a blanket statement, but you just don't want to "go there." Jesus said, "What will it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose His soul." Whether that means losing it eternally or just losing what He has for you in the riches of your inheritance as His adopted child, "Yikes!" Again, you just don't want to go there. Better to stay home and sing for your kiddies. Glory to Jesus!

I was flipping through the channels recently and there was this music video of a girl singer--you would know her name if I mentioned it. I tell you, this girl was writhing all over the floor, hanging out all over the place, wet and wild and the whole "cootchy-cootchy" number--anything but a godly presentation. The reason the video caught my eye is that I was reading an interview with this girl recently--an interview in which she was sharing her Christian witness--saying how she loved Jesus and He was the center of her life.

Now forgive me for what might sound like judgmental--maybe He is the center of her life, but He sure wasn't when she was writhing on the floor like that. I mean, really--who does she think she's kidding? She's surely not kidding Jesus and she isn't kidding the public either. And the point is obvious--you can "talk" Jesus all day long, but it's what you do that people see and demonstrates His reality in your life. Titus 1 talks about people who claim to know God but their actions deny Him. Yikes!

Anyway, I know I'm rambling on, but the bottom line is this--whether you're a coffee shop waitress or a pop singer, you will have choices to make every day--every moment of every day. And the choice is always the same: Am I going to honor God in this situation or am I going to deny Him? That can mean getting up and politely walking away from an ugly conversation or it can mean saying, "No, I won't sing this song." Am I going to build His kingdom or am I going to build my own. Am I going to make Jesus my ambition or am I going to choose my career? Am I going to sacrifice Jesus to further my career or sacrifice career progress for Jesus? Simple, simple, simple... Not easy, but very simple.

Even in one's personal life. The Word is simple and clear: "Do not be unequally yoked." Am I going to go out with this guy who doesn't know Jesus or am I going to bow to God's leadership which says stay clear. There are a million examples of a million choices that every one of us has to make every day--and on the aside, that unequally yoked thing doesn't just apply to dating. I know Christian companies which have gone under because they made partnerships with guys who didn't know the Lord and basically "sold out" to the dangling dollar.

In my own career I've had to make hard choices--I tell you, not so easy. And I'm sure I've not batted .1000 in that regard either, if you know what I mean--again, it's not so easy when you're living is at stake. But I can also tell you that the times when I've drawn a clear line and risked my career to honor God instead of the other way around, He always blew my mind with faithfulness in response. He is not a God who squeezes the life out of you and leaves you out in the cold, I can promise you that.

So all that to say, is it possible to succeed as a singer and hang on to your Christian witness? Sure it is! It won't be easy and maybe you won't reach all the levels of success that you have in your heart--just maybe you'll have to sacrifice some of that. But at the end of the day, when all is said and done, where will all those songs and awards and all be? They'll be a pile of ash, and the only thing standing is you and Jesus and how you've honored Him and what you've done for His kingdom with the talents and gifts He gave you.

That's what's at the end of all our roads--Him and more of Him--the "Audience of One"--the only Audience you or any of us should be playing to. So keep your eyes on Jesus. He's got a plan one way or the other. If the oven is too hot, climb on out--all the success in the world isn't worth getting your soul "singed." Live for Jesus, live for Jesus! Glory to His precious Name!

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QUESTION: My teenage daughter and I left a church because of a lot of judgmental things that have been said to us. For example, someone came to me and said that her clothing was not what a "young woman of God" should be wearing. Her clothes were clean and all of her body parts were covered, so what's the problem? Now because of these things my daughter has turned her back on the church. She says that it is all hypocrites. How can I get her interested in God again?

ANSWER: Yeah, self-righteousness... It's the disease of the Pharisees 2000 years ago and it is surely alive and well these 2000 years later. Now first off, I can't truly throw that stone at the church folks for two reasons--I don't know all the specifics or the whole story and second, I'm just a crummy sinner, too, outside of Jesus. I have to guess that I've had my share of self-righteous attitudes, too, though in different ways. I mean, haven't we all? In fact, just the fact that your daughter--as justified as it may be--is herself judging those people and turning her back on church is its own brand of that same self-righteousness! I mean, really, throwing out the whole church for the actions of a few--a little over the top, though again, perfectly understandable.

And that is the whole thing, really. Self-righteousness is so rampant and so damaging--the simple attitude of "I'm right and they're wrong." It's in the church, out of the church, in and out of the church... And as I'm sitting here thinking about it, isn't it self-righteousness that is really the bottom line of pretty much all of our troubles? "I'm right and you are wrong." Isn't that what wars are predicated on, and broken families, and 9/11 disasters, and, and, and...? No wonder it is the one thing that really got under Jesus' skin, if I can put it that way. It's the one thing that got Him going with, "Woe to you!" Amen and amen!

Ok, so what do you do now as the damage is done. There's a whole lot you can do. The first thing is the point out to your daughter how that kind of hypocrisy isn't just in the church--but everywhere. Ask her about her own friends--don't they judge and poke fun? Don't they criticize the way other kids dress, exhibiting the same judgmental sense? Of course they do--they're not only human, but kids also! Does she then abandon her friends? No. Does she say, "All friends are hypocrites so I just won't ever have any." Of course not. So just talk her through this and she'll see how she's "picking and choosing" her hypocrisies.

I can remember having a similar discussion with a guy once who said to me, "Christians are hypocrites--I'll never become one." So I asked him what political party he was in and asked him if there were any hypocrites in the party. "Of course!" "Well, why are you still in it? Why do you go to work--surely there are hypocrites where you work. Why do you---?" Needless to say he was a little cornered. I mean, if a guy is going to live free of all hypocrites he's going to live in a closet--but then he would be in that closet, so....

So you can sit her down and talk her through such a thing. But what you can do that's far more "piercing" is talk her through Jesus. Talk with her about how he ran into the exact same things--unto the cross. Show her the passage when Jesus was hanging on that cross--crucified by hypocrites--and His response was, "Father, forgive them." His response was to love them and give His life for them. Point out to her the ways she has judged and done the same kinds of things. Show her in Romans where it says, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"--in other words, we're all guilty. Assure her that it's her relationship with Jesus that is her Christianity, not the silly behavior of His imperfect children--of which she is also one. And more than anything else--pray. Pray for your daughter and pray for your daughter. Pray, pray, pray. Glory to Jesus!

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QUESTION: Dear Bruce, I'm writing this because I need to tell someone and there's absolutely no way I could tell anybody I know. I can't believe I'm actually doing this but here it goes. I suppose the best way to start this is to say that I'm 16 now and until recently God was the center of my world. I had accepted Jesus as my Savior and He was my Best Friend. A little while ago I was surfing the web when I stumbled onto some porn site. There's no good reason for why I stayed on it but I did and there's no good reason for why I didn't go to Jesus but I didn't. It was the first thing ever I tried to hide from Him. I couldn't get what I had seen out of my head. I don't know why but I went back to that site. I got sucked into this world and while it didn't become the center of my world it did push God out of that place. I still prayed but it was really routine and meaningless. I finally got to the point where I would look at myself in the mirror and just want to throw up so I made a commitment to just quit. I haven't been to a porn site since and now I'm trying to get my life back. I want to go back to God but I don't know how. I'm so ashamed and I'm so scared. What if He doesn't want me back? How can I go back after I turned my back on Him? I miss Him so much and I just want my Daddy back but I just can't seem to go to Him. I don't know what to do anymore. Scared, lost, and confused.

ANSWER: I have responded to this email personally because it was so important and needed immediate attention. But I wanted to share it with everyone because I don't think this (get ready to be surprised) girl is so alone in this. Whether it's the porn or just the sense of condemnation and fear of God rejecting her because of bad choices made, I can promise you, she's far from alone. So I just needed to answer publicly, too, to help folks out there who are secretly harboring these kinds of things: the sin and the sense of failure and condemnation.

It's interesting, but condemnation even because of simple temptation not acted on--I've run into it all over the place, especially in kids and teenagers. It's like as much as they understand grace and that they walk in a sin nature, they don't quite get it. They think because they're saved that means they'll never again do bad thing or have a temptation. Really, I've met kids who have just given up on Jesus because of the temptation they struggle with--something we all struggle with--something the apostle Paul struggled with!! I mean, talk about a guy who should have been free from sin!

In fact, let's talk about Paul for a minute, because if we can understand what he understood--as long as a person walks in human flesh he/she will struggle with human temptation and a sin nature--man, the freedom from condemnation that can flow!

Check out what Paul writes in Romans 7--and as I begin to quote him I think, man, here this girl feels she can't tell anyone (which is as heartbreaking as can be, and I hope it is just how she feels and not a reflection of her pastor or father/mother) and Paul blasts his dirty laundry in a letter that will be canonized in the Bible for the whole world to see! He writes, "I have the desire to do what is good but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep doing."

I tell you, wow, wow, double wow! Next to Jesus this guy is probably the premier captain of all Christianity, and he's blowing it in sin like that!! He goes on in verse 24--check this out--"What a wretched man I am!" Are you kidding? Paul, a wretch??

But then he goes on--and you can just feel the rest in his soul in the knowledge of God's grace like no one else--in the knowledge that no matter what happens He is a child of God and God smiles on him through and through. He says, "Who will rescue me from this... Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Glory to Jesus! Let's face it--we're sinners. We harbor a sin nature--the best of us does. In spite of that, God not only accepts us but adopts us as His children (Ephesians 1:5)! He loves you! No matter what, He's the living God and He loves you! And freedom is found in running to Him with all the dirt and all the mistakes and all the ugly places and things that cause shame. "Freedom," He cries! "Be free, be free!"

And Paul literally celebrates this grace that so covers his darkest corners in the first verse of Chapter 8--maybe one of the most important verses in the whole Bible--astounding, remarkable, mind-blowing, life-altering, sin-removing, hope-birthing, confidence-enhancing, peace-establishing, joy-exploding... words. Words for this precious girl and everyone who reads these words whether it be something as haunting and ensnaring as what this little girl has tapped into or some other habit or brokenness or past sin or abortion or you-name-it-fill-in-the-blank....

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus... through Christ Jesus the law of the Sprit of Life set me free from the law of sin and death" Oh glory, glory, glory, glory to His Name!

So I tell you, my precious sister--just like I did in the email I sent you--be free! He loves you and is so excited that you care enough to concern yourself with how He feels, and even more delighted that you want Him. Hallelujah! He has a future for you--you haven't ruined it. He has a precious and beautiful personal future for you, too--no, you haven't ruined that, either. And in the strength of His Spirit and all the different ways He girds you up through it, you have all the equipping you need to cast this filth aside forever! He is so much bigger than that stuff--so much bigger than any sin--and His heart says, "Be free!" Glory to the Name of Jesus!

In terms of practical things, you know that you need to "flee from the evil," as the Word says to do and you're doing it. That means doing whatever it takes--throw that stinking computer out the window if you need to--to cut this thing off from you. I would also suggest you tell your mom/dad assuming they'll love you and respond like Jesus and not get all freaked out on you. And I suggest that only because it's tough to go it alone--someone to be accountable to will be like a pillar of strength for you.

And finally, as Paul also writes in Philippians 3, "Forget what is behind" and "press on toward the goal to win the prize for which Christ Jesus has called you." And I can promise you, most precious little sister--and everyone who identifies with you--it's an incredible prize! You're an adopted daughter of the living God--march forward in the confidence of His grace.

"I'll never leave nor forsake you," He says--no matter anything, no matter what. He loves you, He loves you, He loves you.... JESUS!!

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QUESTION: At work, how should I react when I'm being treated disrespectfully and taken for granted by my boss? Should I turn the other cheek and forgive? Is speaking up about it wrong or arrogant or ungrateful? I have spoken up and my boss is not taking it too well. Thanks for your input and God bless!

ANSWER: This is a question that is very difficult for me to answer just because I don't know all the details and the history you have with your boss and, and, and... But I can maybe suggest a couple general basics. It's interesting, though--I tell you, I just couldn't work for a "boss." I just love running my own show and not having anyone over my shoulder and all these funny company agendas and politics... Yikes!

I see these corporate guys and women running through the airports and it gives me shivers. You can see in their eyes they've been at it since before dawn, the cell phone in one ear, the laptop open, making call after call and it's already 8 o'clock at night... Man, some people love it, I know, but me? Give me a cup of coffee and a quiet morning in my garden, and taking the phone off the hook if I want... Ahhhhhh--now that is what suits me. Glory to Jesus! But let me get to your question...

It's difficult, to be sure. Just last night I was talking with a friend who works for a Christian company dealing in Christian media (sorry but it's true...). She has been working from her home since day one but then her boss gut this bee in his bonnet about her coming into the office every day. But here is the problem--she had an apartment overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the office is a grueling hour-plus drive in LA traffic. She made a decision to give up her apartment and move inland--man, she loved living at the beach. Come to find out the guy just "liked" her and was playing this game to somehow get close to her. And here's the thing--the guy is married! Yes folks, we who are saved are truly sinners outside of Jesus. Amen and amen.

So she phoned me and asked what she should do. I said, "Before or after you crack him one in the nose?" Not very Scriptural counsel, but I meant it--The Gospel According to Bruce, I guess. Ha!

But really, what do you do? In your situation your boss is not treating you properly and you are stuck with him all day long, and that adds up to miserable. Number one--and I know this is not the answer you want--but it might be time to look for a new job. I'm one of those people who won't stand for disrespect for a moment. People make mistakes, but it sounds like you've just got this raving guy (I assume it's a guy) who has no regard for other people. But other than respecting yourself to the point of moving on, I would say you must indeed "turn the other cheek," because that's what Jesus said to do.

The question then becomes, "What does that mean?" I'm not so sure it means allowing people to walk on you. For me in the situation, I would say you exercise the Holy Spirit fruit of self control (Galatians 5) which means not firing back and lashing out. You make an appointment to meet with him privately. You walk in the room and tell him you are having a hard time with the way he is acting and would like him to consider approaching you with proper respect. Tell him you're not angry because you understand he has a lot of pressure on him, but that you would prefer that he treat you with proper human respect. Then you go back to your desk or whatever, and you work harder than anyone else there ("...as unto God") and make sure you treat him with the proper respect you are hoping to get back.

Don’t' talk with other employees behind his back. Don't give him cold shoulders. As it is right now, as tough as it is, he is the authority you've chosen to work under and that requires surrender of "But I'm right" and submission. Again, if the oven is too hot, move on out. I can promise you, "No" is the most powerful word in the English language and it is the one word that garners the most respect. When you say no, you take control.

But you know what just popped into my mind--a ministry event I did recently. I was to minister to two different groups of people under the same ministry. They put on luncheons as outreaches on these two consecutive days.

Well, I went into the first lunch and just did what I felt the Lord leading me to do which is what I pretty much always do--the love of Jesus. And it was a bull's eye--there were tears of God's goodness welling in eyes all across the room and the response was great. I remember driving home so excited to be used by God.

But then I got this email from the leader saying he would like me to do things differently the next day. He said that though the ministry was great, the people more wanted to hear what it was like to play Jesus and what it is like to be an actor in Hollywood.

Well, I tell you, words like that cannot frustrate me more. I mean, here's the Holy Spirit trying to reach into people's lives and really, the bottom line of what he was saying was, "Keep it lighter." I mean, God forbid we take the risk of really trying to impact people!

Anyway, there I was facing a hard choice--do I just go in and do what I do or do I (here's the operative phrase) bow to his authority? I tell you, it was not nice to toss and turn over that one...

In the final analysis I just took the microphone and did what he asked me to do--and that isn't wimpy, it's right. He's the guy God gave authority to--not me. And God's order is for me to bring myself under that no matter how much I disagree or maybe even know how to do it better. God will always call us as His children to submit and surrender, meekness and humility.

And here's the thing--the big point: God really touched lives in that meeting just like the other one--maybe more. And the lesson is simple--in taking the God-route (which is never the easy route) God's blessing flows. Glory to His Name! So however you choose to approach your boss, stay within those Word-aligned guidelines and you can't go wrong. I won't say it will be easy, but you can't go wrong. Honor God above all--play to the audience of One--and you do that by walking in His ways no matter how hard it is--and He will bless your booties right off your feet. Glory to His Name!

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QUESTION: As I watch Matthew new things keep hitting me--passages I've read before but suddenly are "alive" and change my views of them and awaken other possible interpretations. One thing I'm mulling over is the parable of the talents. I'd always seen it strictly in terms of being a good steward of my finances. But now I'm wondering--is it only about money or other things, too? I'm unsure how to best be a steward. I tithe, but maybe not enough. If Jesus is talking about service, how would you give twice as much as you get? Do you have any thoughts? <