Be Broken Ministries - Blog

The Next Chapter

Jonathan Daugherty — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 22:01:12 UT

A Follow Up on Dennis Jasso's Story

Some articles are harder to write than others. This one may be the hardest. Some of you may know the story of Dennis Jasso from our 2009 year-end newsletter. For those of you who don't, Dennis is a man who was charged in 2008 with possession of child porn and has been plugged into our ministry (& Shadow of His Wings) for recovery help ever since.

Tags: blog, dennis, dennis jasso, real stories

My New Year's "Anti-Resolutions"

Jonathan Daugherty — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 15:00:00 UT

"To be alive is to be broken; to be broken is to stand in need of grace. It is only through grace that any of us could dare to hope that we could become more like Christ."

-- Brennan Manning, The Ragamuffin Gospel

Sometimes to improve, you must remove. To enhance, you must lance. Increasing might require decreasing. You get the idea. For example, to improve your health might require reducing or eliminating certain foods from your plate and other practices from your routine. Or, to get your finances healthy, you might need to eliminate debt and curb undisciplined spending. Less can be more.

Tags: blog, grace, resolutions

What is Advent, Really?

Lee Sherry — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:52:33 UT

Waiting is not something most of us desire. We are able to warm up meals in seconds through the technology of microwave ovens. We communicate globally through the Internet. We have cell phones for instant communication through voice and text messaging and many other sophisticated devices to keep us plugged in and up to date every second. But Advent Season is a time of waiting—of looking forward with anticipation. You might ask, to what?

Tags: faith, patience

The Joy in...Trials?

Jonathan Daugherty — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:50:54 UT

I've been studying the book of James lately. Well, more reading and re-reading than actual "study." But God seems to speak most personally to me when I just commit to meditating on various sections of Scripture. One such portion I have pondered recently is James 1:2 - "Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy." (NLT)

Trials as opportunities for joy. Hmm...

Tags: blog, test, trials

Why Faithfulness Matters

Jonathan Daugherty — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:57:03 UT

Have you noticed that the value placed on faithfulness has plummeted in recent years? It seems that everywhere you turn in our culture the message against being faithful is growing louder and louder. The idea of staying committed to one person in marriage for a lifetime is portrayed as antiquated and silly. From the White House to the Waffle House this mantra is resounding: me, me, me.

Tags: blog, faith, fidelity, marriage, relationships

But I Don't Want to Obey!

Jonathan Daugherty — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:46:52 UT

We have all said at one time or another in our lives (whether out loud or silently in our heads), "But I don't want to ______." And whatever fills in the blank is irrelevant. When our will is set against something, there is usually only one of two outcomes that occurs: 1) You get your way and don't engage in the activity demanded, or 2) You are overpowered to do the activity against your will. In either of these outcomes, it is rare that the activity is performed or avoided with a positive heart attitude. The will is essentially tied to attitude.

Tags: beliefs, blog, faith

Self-Esteem is Wrong!

Jonathan Daugherty — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 05:36:23 UT

I expect that many who begin to read this article will do so with a bad taste in their mouth, having taken offense at the title alone. And it is precisely such an individual that I hope will read this article to the end because I believe you are the one who needs to hear its message most (and just so you know, I was offended writing the title; so I need this message just as badly!). The truth is, self-esteem is flat out incorrect thinking. Period.

Tags: blog, faith, self-esteem

Freedom (in)Dependence

Jonathan Daugherty — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:35:09 UT

July 4th is a significant day for Americans each year. It is a day in which every citizen of the United States is invited to pause, reflect, and celebrate the liberty our nation's forefathers provided through their sacrifice and resolve. We remember such significant historical documents as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Emancipation Proclamation. We are reminded that freedom came at a high price, and therefore we honor the many defenders of our country, past and present.

Tags: blog, faith, freedom

Is Purity for Everyone?

Jonathan Daugherty — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:18:13 UT

I'm going to do something an author really isn't supposed to do when titling an article with a question. I'm going to give you the answer right up front (and keep my fingers crossed that you will still read the rest of the article).

Is purity for everyone?

No...

Tags: blog, faith, purity

What can you learn from a Caterpillar?

Clint Fiore — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:49:38 UT

I think all of nature can be a shadow of greater spiritual realities we could never comprehend without its context. With that in mind, I submit a poem:

Chrysalis

She thinks only of herself.
Relentlessly consuming and often consumed,
Destined for more, a way has been made.

Tags: poetry, prophetic

Does Size Really Matter?

Jonathan Daugherty — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:24:21 UT

I figured that title would get your attention, so I hope I don't waste that great teaser with a lousy article. I have been focusing lately on something that I believe is very easy for us to overlook in the busyness of our everyday lives: the infinite size of God and the limited size of us.

Tags: blog, faith, life

Building a Life of Purity Amidst Opposition

Jonathan Daugherty — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 16:03:48 UT

I have been reading through the book of Nehemiah again. I get charged up every time I read this book. It paints a great picture of what rebuilding a broken down life should look like. I want to point out some key principles that are fundamental to building a life of purity, even in the midst of growing cultural and spiritual opposition.

Tags: blog, faith, life

Waiting on God

Lee Sherry — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:24:58 UT

The Convair 880 had taxied out to the strip approaching the runway. The voice of the captain came over the intercom announcing, “Ladies and gentlemen, we are number 12 in line for takeoff. We may expect a delay of 15 to 20 minutes.” His words brought a concerted groan of impatience from the passengers in the plane.

Chafing restlessness and desire for action seem to be trademarks of our age. The business of waiting is difficult. Christians sometimes display the same trait in their attitude toward God and His dealings with them—especially when His providence seems strange or restricting. We can never lose time, however, by waiting on the Lord.

Tags: faith, hope

Life is Precious!

Jonathan Daugherty — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 07:30:03 UT

"Little Whiskers" died last week. He was only 15 months old and the news hit our family hard. My youngest, Megan, took the news especially hard, just crying and crying over the loss. The truth is we all cried and grieved. It was a sad week in the life of our family. I dare say that there may never have been such love ever bestowed in all of history on one so cherished as Little Whiskers, our hamster.

Tags: blog, life, worth

Exposing the Lies of Lust

Jonathan Daugherty — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 07:30:06 UT

The devil isn't creative, just persistent...

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I have come into contact with thousands of sex addicts over recent years. I myself was bound up in sexual addiction for 13 years. In all my interactions with the issue of sexual lust, I have come to realize one fundamental characteristic that is common to its nature: lies. There is never one moment in which lust tells you the truth. And it is this key insight that can actually help you break free from the chains of lust...for good.

Tags: blog, lust