www.joedallas.com
Eugene, Oregon (August 3, 2021) —In this internet-fueled era of fading morality, herd hostility, and swift retribution for every misstep, Christians share a common concern: When it comes to sensitive topics like abortion, homosexuality, and transgenderism, how can they defend a worldview that is seen as not only uncool, but unacceptable? This worry rears its head again and again, both in the public sphere, where Bible-believing individuals risk losing credibility, reputation, and even employment for refusing to deny God’s truth, and in the personal sphere, where Christians fear alienating loved ones who hold opposing views.
Author and counselor Joe Dallas knows how difficult it can be to stand up for what’s true when it’s easier and safer to keep quiet. But Joe has also been on the other side of the conversation, and his own life is a testament to how powerfully God’s Word can speak to a misguided soul seeking spiritual peace. A former member of the LGBTQ+ community, Joe spent years wrestling to reconcile the Christian faith with his same-sex attractions, only to have his desires redeemed when he finally embraced the Bible’s teachings as the God-given authority over his life.
His renouncement of his old identity and subsequent advocacy for a biblical view of sexuality is often met with anger and contempt: “Early on, I realized I wouldn’t be allowed to just minister to people who wanted to reject sexual sin,” Joe says. “I’d also have to articulate a defense for their decision, and mine as well, both as a counselor to them and an advocate for their choice.” Because he’s spent decades under scrutiny for his views, he understands how important it is that Christians be prepared to answer for their beliefs—not only to advocate for God’s truth in an antagonistic world, but to use that truth to minister to those who haven’t yet found it.
Joe’s new book Christians in a Cancel Culture addresses head-on how today’s believers can understand and defend the aspects of their faith that have now been deemed hateful and harmful. “This book was written in hopes of answering the ‘How do we stand?’ question when we as Christians are charged with homophobia, sexism, racism, transphobia, and judgmentalism,” Joe explains. “At some point, you’re likely to be accused of one or all of the above, and you’ll need to give an answer.” Joe tackles the pressing conversations around abortion, homosexuality, transgenderism, critical race theory, and progressive Christianity, taking a compassionate look at the arguments often made in support of them and then refuting these views with biblical truth.
Christians in a Cancel Culture also walks readers step by step through the difficult discussions they are likely to have with friends, family members, and colleagues who see Christian doctrines in a threatening light. Joe reveals how these conversations can be used by Christians as opportunities to show empathy, encouraging them to hear the other person’s beliefs, wounds, and struggles and, in return, demonstrating to them Christ’s profound love and mercy.
As he prepares for the publication of his book, Joe is also launching a weekly companion podcast of the same name with the goal of continuing to equip Christians to speak wisely on these difficult topics. His first episode will premier Friday, July 23. On the podcast, Joe will interview well-known apologists like Becket Cooke, Sean McDowell, and Alex McFarland, as well as other ministry leaders who will lend their expertise on the weekly subject matter. This relevant podcast will be a tremendous resource for Christians looking to stay attuned to the controversies of the world while learning what the Bible has to say about them.
Whether someone lacks the courage to speak up for what’s true, or whether they’re searching for compassion to balance their boldness, Joe encourages every Bible-believing Christian to know that these are conversations they can—and should—have with confidence and grace. Now more than ever, this confused world needs to hear the Bible’s truth. “However dark and confusing the times may be, I’m more convinced than ever that the Word of God is still the answer,” Joe says, “and that it remains exactly what it’s always claimed to be.”
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About Joe Dallas:
Joe Dallas is an author, speaker, and counselor who speaks nationwide. The founder of Genesis Biblical Solutions in Tustin, California, he has written nine books on human sexuality from a Christian perspective, including the bestselling Desires in Conflict and The Gay Gospel? His articles have been featured in Christianity Today and the Journal of Psychology and Christianity.
About Harvest House Publishers:
Harvest House, a Christian publishing company based in Eugene, Oregon, publishes more than 100 books per year and carries a strong backlist offering more than 1,200 titles. Over 140 million Harvest House books have been sold worldwide through diverse distribution channels, and additional millions have sold in over 75 different languages.
 
About the Author
Joe Dallas is an author, conference speaker, and ordained pastoral counselor. He directs a Biblical counseling ministry for those dealing with sexual and relational problems, and for their families as well. He received his master’s degree in Christian counseling from Vision University, San Diego, CA and is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. He is also the author of the daily blog Joe Dallas Online.
Joe has authored nine books on human sexuality from the Christian perspective, including Desires in Conflict (Harvest House, 1991), The Game Plan (Thomas Nelson, 2005), When Homosexuality Hits Home (Harvest House, 2004), Five Steps to Breaking Free from Porn (Harvest House, 2013), and Speaking of Homosexuality (Baker, 2016).
He is a contributing writer for The Christian Research Journal, and his articles have appeared in Christianity Today (cover story June 1993), The Journal of Christian Healing, and The Southern California Christian Times. His work has also been featured in The Los Angeles Times, Moody Monthly, New Man Magazine, and The Boston Globe. For over three years Joe taught and conducted the nationally recognized Every Man’s Battle five-day conference as the originating program director, and from 1991 to 1993, he served as the president of Exodus International. He was a regularly featured speaker with the Focus on the Family Love Won Out conference.
Dallas has represented the Christian viewpoint through a number of media appearances, including Focus on the Family Daily Broadcast, Family News in Focus, the ABC Evening News, The Joan Rivers Show, The Bible Answer Man, New Life Live, The 700 Club, Jay Sekalow Live and Concerned Women of America. He has spoken at conferences, churches, and universities across the country, including the Promise-Keepers Men’s Conference, The Moody Church of Chicago, The Christian Association for Professional Studies, Princeton Theological Seminary, and the Experience Conference. He has also lectured and debated in Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Hong Kong, and Spain.
Joe and his wife Renee reside in Orange County, California, with their two sons.
 
About the Book
Title: Christians in a Cancel Culture
Subtitle: Speaking with Truth and Grace in a Hostile World
AUTHOR: Joe Dallas
ISNB-13: 978-0-7369-8354-9
RELEASE DATE: August 3, 2021
FORMAT: Trade Paper
MSRP: $15.99
LANGUAGE: English
The WHO, WHAT, and HOW of Responding to Those Who Want to Silence You
You’ve based your understanding of today’s sensitive social issues on the Bible’s truth. Mainstream culture not only sees these issues differently but calls you bigoted for rejecting views they’ve deemed self-evident. So how do you witness Christ’s love to those ready to write you off as hateful?

#joe #dallas #christians #cancel #culture #truth #grace #hostile #world #believers #author #bible #jesus #god #rejecting #christ #hateful #christianity #church #healing

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Actually I have nightmare every day and I am scared to death as to the outcome, my bothers and fist cousin keep threatening to evict and move my mother to a small one bedroom in Queens. They have hired two attorneys that are specialists (That are being paid by my father’s estate) that are against my mother and I. Everyday we read about elderly women prayed upon and raped in nursing homes, caregivers that overmedicate and abuse their patients. Cruelty that is unjust and one of the consuming and overwhelming reasons that my grandparents and parents worked so hard to flee for their lives and from the nightmares of the ghettos of Russia, Away from the fear of death and bullying of the “Pogroms”. My mother’s father never left his home for over two years. My mother still has nightmares of the soldiers coming to her door asking if they were Jewish, while they were hiding in a closet in the dark, afraid for their lives. I hold her hand while she is going through this recurring nightmare. As I am next to her I too start crying at the fear and cruelty I am living for giving up my life to move back home and live like a child again and questioning everyday if I did and do the right thing. Desperately trying and searching for approval from friends and acquaintances, as family members only see me as blocking them from getting their money. Fearing that this will happen to me , knowing I have hostile trustees that will get back at me later. Just as my mother has fears when I’m not around. I fear for my mother’s life, as it will take a sheriff, doctors, sedation and the police ambulance before I will let anyone move my mother from her home of 46 years. I have sleepless nights about the possibility of that outcome. I read everyday about supposedly close families and then the disgusting family situations. On the other hand I think and pray that my mother would be better off not being here on earth and seeing the obvious. Nobody comes to break bread with her anymore. My mother was nobodies fool. She always had the ability to go right to the heart. I know she still sees. Relatives call at night to make their obligatory daily call and she says “I love you, when are you coming to see me?” and then the caretakers and I hear their bullshit answers. On the other hand I am frustrated and confused that I have this conflicting feelings.

Didn’t I come from the same womb? Is there a right or wrong? I thought everyone was taught to honor their mother and father. Didn’t they get the same love I did? Why do I feel so alone in the family? Am I right? Am I doing the right thing? Why do I let that Devil and Angel struggle throughout me everyday? Why don’t I walk away, let them move my mother, hire cheaper care givers, overmedicate her, sell the apartment, call home everyday, get the same amount of money, live my life, my mother’s 96 – she lived her life, liquidate all the assets of the estate now, so when my mother dies everything is done . No body will be obligated to come from Florida, Syracuse, California, Kansas City, Delaware , Brooklyn , Rockville Center after the funeral.

Additional thoughts

My mother and father earned the money, not I or my brothers.

The agony of the indecision and fear of not knowing

I am on an emotional roll a coaster every day going through the gamut of emotions.

I am afraid to go out grocery shopping or to a meeting for fear that my brother’s will have her taken out by medication and force.

My note to my dad – laid on his heart , under the shroud in his casket

My Aunt Darolyn suggested I write a note and put him under his shroud next to his heart so he could read it on his way up to heaven. I also said I will email him in heaven on Facebook. I placed a bell in your left hand and said “if you need me for anything on your way to heaven, just ring the bell and I’ll be right there. I also placed a black Grenadine tie, that you love so much. Ties were your way out of Palooka-ville and making a better life for you, mother and your family.

Errol

The post My Life today – living with my mother 96 with Alzheimer’s and Dementia by: Errol Rappaport appeared first on Good News!.