Mike Hukabee is Wrong

 

By now it is very likely that you have heard the Mike Hukabee said the quiet part out loud in his interview with Tucker Carlson. My favourite thing about the Trump administrations is how often this happens. Stuff that people have gathered, or researched and know to be the case, or at least have gathered or assumed to be the case, are often revealed by Trump and his officials to be what they really think. In this case Mike Hukabee, a former Baptist minister, has publicly shown that very high ranking officials would be fine with Israel taking much of the Middle East,

“The US’s ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, has contended to the podcaster Tucker Carlson that Israel has a biblical right to take over the entire Middle East – or at least the lion’s share of it.

“It would be fine if they took it all,” Huckabee said to Carlson during an interview posted on Friday. The Trump administration appointee and former Arkansas governor discussed with Carlson interpretations of Old Testament scripture within the US Christian nationalist movement.

Carlson – who recently made disputed claims that he was detained at Tel Aviv airport in Israel – asked Huckabee about a biblical verse in which God promises Abraham that his descendants will receive land “from the wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates – the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites”.

Carlson pointed out that this area in modern geography would include “like, basically the entire Middle East”.

“The Levant … Israel, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon – it’d also be big parts of Saudi Arabia and Iraq,” Carlson said.

Huckabee said: “I’m not sure it would go that far, but it would be a big piece of land.”

He continued: “Israel is a land that God gave, through Abraham, to a people that he chose. It was a people, a place and a purpose.”[1]

I am not taking the Guardian’s or second hand sources word for it, either, when it comes to what he said. I heard him say it in the interview of which I watched the entire thing.

As a Baptist pastor, I find it shocking how biblically illiterate Mike Hukabee, another Baptist pastor, is. Above is a picture of the land promised to Abram's descendants in Genesis 15. Look at how much of the Middle East that incorporates. Hukabee’s statement might be amongst one of the biggest diplomatic blunders in the history of diplomacy. It has certainly caused an uproar across the Middle East. How could it not?

But it should also be stated that what he said is not correct anyway. This promise in Genesis 15 was not a promise to or for Israel alone. But for Abram's extended descendants. God had other nations in mind who were going to inhabit that land as well. Just two chapters later God tells Abraham that he would be the father of many nations (Gen. 17:4-8). In fact let’s read that passage,

“5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you. 7 And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. 8 And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.”

So God clearly has more than just the nation of Israel in mind when it comes to who would inhabit this land, from a physical perspective.

This is also explained clearly in Deuteronomy 2 to 3. That God intends to give the land to the Israelites, yes, but also Abrahams descendants (Edom) and kin (Lot).

About Edom, we read in Deuteronomy 2:2-5,

"2 Then the Lord said to me, 3 ‘You have been traveling around this mountain country long enough. Turn northward 4 and command the people, “You are about to pass through the territory of your brothers, the people of Esau, who live in Seir; and they will be afraid of you. So be very careful. 5 Do not contend with them, for I will not give you any of their land, no, not so much as for the sole of the foot to tread on, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau as a possession."

About Moab, we read in Deuteronomy 2:8-9,

"And we turned and went in the direction of the wilderness of Moab. 9 And the Lord said to me, ‘Do not harass Moab or contend with them in battle, for I will not give you any of their land for a possession, because I have given Ar to the people of Lot for a possession.’"

 About Ammon, we read in Deuteronomy 2:16-19,

"16 So as soon as all the men of war had perished and were dead from among the people, 17 the Lord said to me, 18 ‘Today you are to cross the border of Moab at Ar. 19 And when you approach the territory of the people of Ammon, do not harass them or contend with them, for I will not give you any of the land of the people of Ammon as a possession, because I have given it to the sons of Lot for a possession.’"

God, through Moses, makes clear in the law of Moses, that not all the land was to go to one particular segment of the Abraham’s kin. God had much more in mind than that.

Mike Hukabee is making a mistake many Christians make. Many Christian read the start of the story and ignore how the rest of it goes. It is like watching the first episode of a 30 season T.V. show and thinking you have a handle on who the characters are and how they will end up. You don’t, and if you ignore all that comes after this, then you are simply being irresponsible.

The promise to Abram extended beyond the land given to Israel. Many Christians do not even know this, though it is in the Bible, that God gave land to many other peoples. In this passage three descendants of Abraham are mentioned. Acts 17:26-28 mentions the rest of the ancient nations, as does Deuteronomy 32:7-9. God made the special unique covenant with the ancient Israelites, but this does not mean he did not give others their lands. He says explicitly that he has. Also, included in the Covenant of Israel was the command to not touch the lands of other people. All of these nations in Deuteronomy 2 are within that land mentioned in Genesis 15. Therefore, it is highly irresponsible to say that Israel has any kind of claim to the land to that extent. Incredibly irresponsible.

It is incredible to see someone of such stature applying the Bible so incorrectly. But this particular approach to these passages in Genesis is common in our day and age. It is often read without thought to the rest of the story.

Now, of course, you are likely looking at this and thinking, but Matthew this is ultimately fulfilled in Christ and is truly for the children of faith. And the answer is yet, it is indeed. Romans 4 shows us that the fulfilment in the Old Testament was simply a picture pointing to a greater fulfilment, “13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.” Ultimately the promise was looking to Christ (Gal. 3:16). But I think it is important to show that you do not even need to look beyond the Pentateuch itself to see that Huckabee’s interpretation is very wrong. Of course, in light of the New Testament it is even more wrong.

List of References

---

[1] Edward Helmore, 2026, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/20/mike-huckabee-israel-middle-east-tucker-carlson

Galatians Study #2 – Not By Works – Study Notes

 

You can watch the video of this sermon on YouTube here at 8pm AEST.

Paul Accepted by the Apostles

1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. ² I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. ³ But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. ⁴ Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— ⁵ to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. ⁶ And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me. ⁷ On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised ⁸ (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), ⁹ and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. ¹⁰ Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

Paul Opposes Peter

¹¹ But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. ¹² For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.^[a] 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. ¹⁴ But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

Justified by Faith

¹⁵ We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; ¹⁶ yet we know that a person is not justified^[b] by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

¹⁷ But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! ¹⁸ For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. ¹⁹ For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. ²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ²¹ I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness^[c] were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.

Footnotes

1. Galatians 2:12 Or fearing those of the circumcision
2. Galatians 2:16 Or counted righteous (three times in verse 16); also verse 17
3. Galatians 2:21 Or justification

 

Analysis of Galatians 2: New Testament Background

Galatians 2 is a pivotal chapter that sits at the crossroads of theology and church practice in the early New Testament church. Its background is defined by a critical controversy: must Gentile (non-Jewish) converts to Christianity first become Jews by being circumcised and obeying the Mosaic Law?

1. The Jerusalem Council Context: While the full "Council of Jerusalem" is described in Acts 15, many scholars believe Paul's account in Galatians 2:1-10 refers to the same event or a private meeting that occurred alongside it. Paul's journey to Jerusalem "after fourteen years" (v.1) was to secure apostolic confirmation that his gospel to the Gentiles—a gospel of grace through faith alone, without the requirement of the Jewish law—was the true gospel.
2. The "Pillars" of the Church: James (the brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church), Cephas (Peter), and John (the apostle) were recognized as the central leaders (v.9). Paul's interaction with them was not to seek their approval for his message, but to ensure unity in the mission. Their endorsement ("the right hand of fellowship," v.9) was a monumental affirmation that the Holy Spirit was indeed working through Paul's ministry to the Gentiles, just as through Peter's to the Jews.
3. The Core Conflict: Justification by Faith vs. Works of the Law: The incident with Titus (v.3) sets the stage. He was a living test case—an uncircumcised Greek Christian. The "false brothers" (v.4) were Judaizers, Christians who insisted on adherence to the Mosaic Law. Paul's refusal to circumcise Titus was a defense of the fundamental truth that justification (being declared righteous by God) comes through faith in Christ, not by works of the law (v.16). This doctrine is the theological heart of the letter and the entire Reformation.
4. The Antioch Incident (2:11-14): This is perhaps the most dramatic moment. Peter (Cephas) had been freely eating with Gentile Christians in Antioch, signifying their unity in Christ. However, when men from the conservative Jewish-Christian faction in Jerusalem arrived, he withdrew out of fear (v.12). This act of hypocrisy, followed even by Barnabas, implied that Gentile Christians were second-class unless they adopted Jewish customs. Paul's public confrontation was necessary because Peter's actions were compromising the "truth of the gospel" (v.14). It demonstrated that this was not a minor disagreement but a battle for the soul of the Christian message.
5. Theological Exposition (2:15-21): Paul transitions from narrative to a powerful summary of the gospel. He argues that even Jewish Christians like himself have come to understand that they are not justified by law-keeping but by faith in Christ (v.16). To return to the law after finding life in Christ is to make Christ "a servant of sin" (v.17) and to nullify God's grace (v.21). The famous declaration "I have been crucified with Christ" (v.20) signifies that the old, law-bound self has died, and the new life is lived by faith in the Son of God.

In summary, the background of Galatians 2 is the tense and critical struggle to define Christianity: would it be a sect of Judaism, or a new covenant of grace and faith open to all people? Paul's account establishes his apostolic authority, defends the doctrine of justification by faith, and shows the practical consequences of compromising that doctrine.

Bible Study Questions:

1.     In verse 2, Paul says he presented his gospel "in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain." What does this reveal about the importance of unity and accountability in gospel ministry?

• Cross-reference: 1 Corinthians 9:24-26

2.     Why was the fact that Titus was not compelled to be circumcised (v.3) such a significant victory for Paul’s mission and message? Did Paul do the wrong thing in circumcising Timothy?

• Cross-reference: Acts 15:1-2

3.     Paul describes "false brothers" who sought to spy on their freedom and bring them into slavery (v.4). What is the "freedom" we have in Christ, and what does the "slavery" represent?

• Cross-reference: Galatians 5:1

4.     Verse 5 states that Paul did not yield to the false brothers "for a moment." Why was such uncompromising stand necessary, and what was the goal?

• Cross-reference: Jude 1:3

5.     The Jerusalem leaders "added nothing" to Paul (v.6). What does this say about the divine origin and sufficiency of the gospel Paul received?

• Cross-reference: Galatians 1:11-12

6.     Verses 7-9 describe a division of labor in mission: Paul to the Gentiles, Peter to the Jews. How does this principle of different callings working toward one goal apply to the church today?

• Cross-reference: 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

7.     The one request the Jerusalem leaders made was to "remember the poor" (v.10). How does caring for the poor demonstrate the truth of the gospel in a practical way?

• Cross-reference: James 2:15-17

8.     What was the specific nature of Peter’s hypocrisy in Antioch, and why was it so damaging (v.11-13)?

• Cross-reference: James 2:1

9.     Paul confronts Peter publicly because his conduct was "not in step with the truth of the gospel" (v.14). What does this teach us about when and how to confront error in the church?

• Cross-reference: Matthew 18:15-17

10.  In verse 16, Paul states the core doctrine of justification. In your own words, what does it mean that a person is "not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ"?

• Cross-reference: Romans 3:28

11.  Paul asks a rhetorical question in verse 17: "Is Christ then a servant of sin?" How does his answer "Certainly not!" protect the character of Christ and the nature of grace?

• Cross-reference: Romans 6:1-2

12.  What does Paul mean in verse 19 when he says, "through the law I died to the law"?

• Cross-reference: Romans 7:4-6

13.  Reflect on the profound statement in verse 20: "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." What are the practical implications of this truth for your daily life?

• Cross-reference: 2 Corinthians 5:17

14.  How does the truth that "Christ... loved me and gave himself for me" (v.20) personalize the gospel and fuel a life of faith?

• Cross-reference: 1 John 4:19

15.  Paul concludes in verse 21 that if righteousness could come through the law, then "Christ died for no purpose." Why is it crucial to reject any teaching that adds human effort to what Christ accomplished on the cross?

• Cross-reference: Hebrews 10:10-14

Our Culture is Anti-Children

 

Here is another excerpt from my upcoming book on marriage and family. Children are one of God’s greatest gifts in this world. But our modern culture is very much against having children, in practice, if not always exactly in statement. I have seen the teaching which I share in this section of the book actually encourage people to invest in their marriages and take delight in having children. I will explore this topic in much more detail in the book.

“Since we have covered in detail how marriage is a sexual union, it is more than appropriate that we move on to talking about the blessing of children. This is the natural fruit of sex in marriage. We are still going to be looking at this from the lens of Matthew 19, and as we move forward we are going to look at marriage from various angles, we will even address the topic of singleness. But it would be remiss of me if I wrote about marriage and did not contemplate the blessing of children. Which is part of this passage anyway.

I want to state right from the start here that I understand not everyone can have children. Maybe you never married and therefore children are off the cards, unless you fall into sin of course. Maybe you are married and this just never worked out for you. If you are in this bracket, I understand that this chapter could bring up some pain and difficulty for you, but I have some stuff for you towards the end, so hang in there.

Even though things can go wrong for some people, that does not mean that we should ignore what the Bible teaches us about one of the core purposes of marriage, or of one of the greatest possible joys you can have in this world. No career matches the joys of being a parent. If you doubt that, just remember how many famous people with dream careers end themselves in tragic ways, or work themselves to the top of the social hierarchy, and find that they are still unhappy. Also consider how many successful people are lonely because they chose career over family.

I remember reading an op-ed in a prominent magazine years ago written by a woman who worked her way to the top of her industry. She was the CEO of an important company. Yet, she found herself walking down the beach one day while on holidays and she realized at that moment that she did not have anyone in the world who she could share such a moment with. It hit her in that moment that she had given up every opportunity to become a wife and mum, and she now regretted that. Sure, it is also true that plenty of parents can become depressed as well, but that is more about how they approach parenting and life, rather than it being a result of being a parent. Parenting is something powerful that God offers to the simple and the great. What a great gift.

It is also important to teach this message to push back against our freedom worshipping anti-children culture. This world goes out of its way to encourage people to avoid having children altogether. To such a degree science has even been corrupted to make it possible for people to enjoy sex without receiving the historically common fruit of sex; children. So, we are going to look at what the Bible says today about the blessings of children, but before we do that, we have to address why our culture hates children so much.

We Live in an Antichrist culture (Matt. 19:13-15)

You might think that this is a strange title for a point about why our culture hates children so much, but it really isn’t, because the passage we are beginning with says this,

“13 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, 14 but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And he laid his hands on them and went away.”

Jesus Christ honoured children in a way that few others have in history, probably like no other. We even see with his disciples that they disdained children because they tried to keep them away. But Jesus had already shown back in chapter 18 that we should regard children highly,

“1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”

We are going to come back to these passages soon, but it is vital to start here because it is important to show that when we say that we live in an anti-child culture that is equivalent to saying we live in an antichrist culture. It is vital that we understand that. It is vital that you understand that. If you have disdain for children you are in opposition to Jesus, it is that simple. There is no room for ambiguity here. In some way, for whatever reason, you have been severely broken, because that is what it takes to hate that which God loves. Sadly, though, this is a common perspective amongst modern people. So why is our culture so antichildren? Well, I think there are many reasons.

Hyper-individualism

We live in a hyper-individualistic, consumeristic culture. This is not an exaggeration, either. The signs of this are all over the place. You see it in how advertising is designed to provoke the love of self. You see it in how politicians seek to put forward policies serving people’s self interest. You see it in how contracts in sport, and other parts of society, really do not mean much today. Self-interest is the highest priority of almost every aspect of our society. Even many people apply this to how they choose their own church and how they choose to leave that church.

We are also a people who want to have experiences, because we are addicted to that. Some people really want to travel overseas and see the world. Kids make that harder, much harder, even if you have money, having children in tow limits what you can do right? Some people just want to van it up and travel the country in their twenties and get their experiences in before they are bogged down with a job, family and kids. Some people just want to experience non-stop socialite culture or be perpetual adolescents.  

Have you seen that T.V. show Friends? It is an older show now, but it still rates high on modern streaming platforms. The show is funny at times, but really it is about a bunch of losers who were acting like immature 19 year olds well into their early 30’s. That is what makes the show funny. Their lives are easily made light of, because they act so ludicrously. There was a whole storyline for one of the characters about how terrified he was to turn 30, because that meant he had to “grow up.” The show should really have been called “Arrested Development”, though, of course a show called that does exist, and is also funny, because it touches on some very similar themes.

I watched Friends again not too long ago. I actually never enjoyed it when I was younger, but I wanted to see what it was like to watch one of the most popular nineties comedies in our day and age. Of course, the show is hyper-individualism incarnate. Part of the reason shows like this are funny is because the characters’ lives are a tragedy. The difference between tragedy and comedy is timing, right? But what is a greater tragedy is how many people want to emulate this way of life. You are not supposed to want to be the clown, people, just laugh with and at him. 

We are incredibly self-focused, but in a destructive way in this culture. Selfishness exists in all cultures, but at least many other cultures direct it towards production, we westerners direct it mostly towards consumption, and this influences our anti-child philosophy. In the minds of many people children make it harder to consume what they want, and therefore harder to enjoy life. Hence, for people such as this, their motivation is to avoid having children, as much as possible.  

Education

More specifically the way we do education. Our schooling system, its structure, philosophy, and emphasis is antichildren. Some people will find this incredulous, as the system is created to serve children, and the private system especially requires a steady inflow of new students to make the incredible profits that many Christian schools make. But, let me make my case and then you make your own mind.

Kids are being put into the school system earlier and earlier, and they are trained from almost day dot to answer this one question: what do you want to do when you grow up? The focus of the schooling system is to make sure that young men and women are forged into worker drones and because of this many of them often lack basic life skills. As you have heard many young people say, “Why was I never taught how to do my taxes?” This is just one example of this situation. In high-school young boys and girls are at their most susceptible position in their lives to the suggestions of those they believe to be authorities. This just happens to be exactly when they are filled with all kinds of confusing identity issues and secular values that are designed to trend them towards a sterile economic and self-indulgent existence, and away from thinking about family for some time, often well into adulthood. At this vulnerable age they are constantly asked by their guidance counsellor, career advisor, teachers, parents, youth pastors, friends, parents friends, and basically every single person that they meet: "What do you want to do?" This is because multiple generations have now been conditioned by this very system.

Socialists and communists worked out a long time ago that the longer you keep women in the education system the less children they are likely to have. Did you know that? And as many women find out, the longer you delay having kids the harder it becomes. Often, once a not-so-young-woman starts looking around to find someone, they find that it is not as easy to select someone to have children with as they thought it would be. On top of that, they often find out, quite cruelly, that their body is not as willing as it would have been if they had begun when they were younger. This leaves many women bitter. 

You do not even have to really tell these young women not to have kids, they are trained to suppress all motherly instincts by the system. The boys are also not being trained to be fathers either. How many young men enter adulthood as actual young men, and not oversized boys? This happens in large part because of our current education system. Most parents just expect the schools to teach their kids everything they need to learn. Most schools just assume parents are teaching them the things they are not. Kids sit in the middle of this and miss out on many important aspects of life that they need to be taught to be wise and functioning adults and then move on to this in marriage and family life. In fact, in many ways they are actively steered away from planning for it. And then when they finally do enter it, they are forced to learn how to approach family life while hitting the ground running and when they are already far behind the eightball.   

What impact do you think this has on their psyches as they develop? It causes a delay in development into adulthood. Instead of seeing 18 as adulthood, as it once was, or even 21, like Joey in friends, some think adulthood is for much older people. Now these ages of 18 and 21 are just the legal age where you can act like a cashed-up kid who can drink alcohol and get a credit card. Our western way of raising kids is delaying their development. We have taken Arrested Development and made it a societal strategy…”

 

Please Pray With Me

 

 

“1 In my distress I cried to the Lord,
And He heard me.
2 Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips
And from a deceitful tongue.

3 What shall be given to you,
Or what shall be done to you,
You false tongue?
4 Sharp arrows of the [a]warrior,
With coals of the broom tree!

5 Woe is me, that I dwell in Meshech,
That I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6 My soul has dwelt too long
With one who hates peace.
7 I am for peace;
But when I speak, they are for war.

Psalm 120

 

It looks like the Warmonger Netanyahu is going to get his Iranian war, as many Warmongers in the US also want it. They appear to have been able to push the Trump administration to the threshold of a serious war with Iran.

“A large wave of American airpower is heading toward the Middle East to bolster forces already there as U.S. President Donald Trump considers an attack against Iran. Online flight trackers are showing F-22 Raptors, F-16 Fighting Falcons, E-3 Sentry radar planes and a U-2 Dragon Lady spy plane either in transit across the Atlantic or newly arrived in Europe. In addition, a seventh Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer, the USS Pinckney, has recently deployed to the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility (AOR) as well, a U.S. Navy official told us.

While we don’t know whether Trump will decide to attack Iran, these are exactly the movements we’ve been expecting, but so far not seeing, in advance of a sustained operation, both defensive and offensive. The U.S. aircraft heading east represents the most intense phase of a force plus-up that began after Trump started threatening Iran over its harsh treatment of anti-regime protesters. Taken together, the force now assembling in the Middle East, combined with the Israel Air Force’s capabilities, including hundreds of fighter aircraft, as well as USAF ‘global airpower’ bomber flights, would be enough for a major operation that could last weeks not days. We will likely see additional assets deploy in the coming days.”[1]

I say it looks like they are getting the war they want, because Trump has shown he can be unpredictable to both enemies and allies. This could all just be posturing to threaten Iran to cave in to a deal. But history shows threats can often turn into fights. So, we will have to wait and see what happens.

However, all of the necessary assets are being moved into place. The propaganda campaigns in our own country and across the West are seeking to tell people this is about "democracy" and "Peace through strength" and how these country destabilisers are different this time (they aren't). The Christian Zionists are chirping loudly about how this is a prophesied confrontation (it is not).

It all looks to be coming together. Just as many want it too.

Yes, the Iranian regime is bad. No doubt. But when has any US intervention in the Middle East succeeded in creating a more stable country? Christians are currently suffering more than ever in Syria, as a result of a past intervention.  

We can debate back and forth here about how evil or necessary this is (it is evil by the way).

But I want to invite you all to appeal upstairs with me. Pray that our Lord and God frustrates the plans of the warmongers. Pray that he turns their plans into snares. Pray that the evil forces wanting to bomb the country where the Church is growing the fastest in the world, would be halted. Pray that those who cheer on such wars will be rebuked and shamed. Pray that God opens up Iran through the spread of his gospel, not the poorly employed use of foreign interventions.

Who knows what God might do?

List of References

---

[1] Howard Altman, 2026, Final Pieces Moving Into Place For Potential Attack On Iran, https://www.twz.com/news-features/final-pieces-moving-into-place-for-potential-attack-on-iran?fbclid=IwY2xjawQDdsxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeuCZ0gQdwzLTeU0cBJr0UE99oIc6ePvlN73xrqanRLc6ZPS-m1nBoDDalzIk_aem_fNFEdmlXis6ExqGQeZbJMA

A Sexless Marriage

 

Sadly some people live in sexless marriages. Some figures I have seen show that about 10 to 20 percent of couples live in sexless marriages. Though precise numbers are hard to nail down. However, this is a known problem, a serious problem, and a thoroughly avoidable problem. Here is an excerpt from my upcoming book on marriage about the issue:

Now, of course, there are heaps of reasons why a marriage could become a barren wasteland in the realm of sex. I want to put aside all of the health reasons for now, because that is why we take the vows “for better or for worse” remember. But if you find yourself not wanting to have sex with your husband or your wife, it is usually for one of these reasons:

Maybe the man is being…what’s the word?

You know the word? It is what you get when you cross a male donkey with a female horse…not mule, the other one. Maybe the man is being an ass.

As Mark Gungor says, “Be nice to the girl. Be nice to the girl.” By nice, I do not mean be subservient or weak either. Men you are to lead, you are to take the initiative, but don’t let this cross over into domineering behaviour or neglectful behaviour. Being excessively weak and excessively domineering will not help your wife want to love you. If she feels you are strong and your strength is there for her benefit, this will help you in incredible ways. If she feels that you cherish her, then this will also help you in incredible ways. Men should just be aware that their behaviour matters in regards to this issue.

Maybe the woman is being sexually lose

By this I do not mean actually cheating on her husband, though that can become a version of this. What I am referring to here is the woman being flirtatious, or overly friendly with other men. I have seen wives do this and it and it is awful. It undermines your husband and believe me he is not ok with it, even if he does not appear to say anything. This will kill a man’s desire for his wife as quickly as anything. It is sinful, wrong and disrespectful. A woman who cannot reign her behaviour in around other men will find her husband turn away from her. Though, if she is like this, there is probably a part of her that wants that to happen, hence you have a whole range of problems to work through in that case.  

Maybe little wounds have added up

Sometimes you have just hurt each other so many times in so many ways that you look at each other and see an open wound and there is little to no sexual desire left for either spouse. I once heard a Christian marriage counsellor advise that if you find yourself in this situation sleep naked together at night until things change. He predicted that it would not take too long for the situation to change. Remember, God created sex in part to work like a reset button. Sex and forgiveness are equally powerful for achieving regular resets in your marriage. But holding on to little hurts and allowing them to fester can become a major road block to intimacy in marriage.

Maybe you have just forgotten to delight in each other

Maybe neither of you have done anything drastic or terrible to each other, but simply from busyness, or distraction, or the complexities of life, you have just neglected each other. This is a dangerous and all-too-common possibility in our double income, extra-curricular, middle-class society. After you have both worked, picked up the kids from their expensive school, done the swimming lessons, music lessons, sport sessions, done the washing, mowing, cooked dinner, watched 3 more episodes on Netflix than you intended, after all of that, delighting in each other just doesn’t sound all that delightful sometimes. But remember this is a vital part of marriage, as the Bible tells us:

Proverbs 5:18-19, “18 Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, 19 a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love” (Prov. 5:18-19).

Song of Solomon 1:2-4 , “2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine; 3 your anointing oils are fragrant; your name is oil poured out; therefore virgins love you. 4 Draw me after you; let us run. The king has brought me into his chambers.”

Song of Solomon 5:1, “Eat, friends, drink, and be drunk with love!”

Solomon made sure he did not forget this, and he had a thousand wives. You think you are busy? But in all seriousness to neglect this is to wave a flag to the devil and draw his attention.

Flirt with each other. Show affection to each other throughout the day. And don’t neglect this area of your life.

One or both of you is addicted to porn

This can kill desire. Boy can this kill it. Some people argue that porn is even a legitimate reason for divorce. Jesus does after all say “sexual immorality,” and porn is sexual immorality. Many sexual predators in jail began with porn addictions. I have heard of wives turning on their husband’s computer and finding not just sinful but criminal stuff on there. How is that not a legitimate example of “sexual immorality”? In any measure porn can kill sexual desire in a marriage. So, you need to head this off at the pass, remember the words of Johnny Cash, “You can run on for a long time, run on for a long time, you can run on for a long time, but sooner or later God will cut you down.”

There are probably other things, aside from medical issues, that can cause this. Some mothers become distant during the early years of having children. Some people simply feel much less need for sexual intimacy and this can cause issues. Whatever the causes, remember that regular sex with each other will draw you closer together, it will make your marriage a stronger place for your children, it will help relieve stress, it will help you sleep better, it will help you fight temptation. If you are struggling to sleep well try this before you try medication or anything like that.

Even though this is a book, this is not simply an academic exercise. So, if you are having issues in this area you need to speed, as a couple, to trusted friends, family, your pastor, or an experienced and respected elder in your church to begin working on this area. Because sex is powerful and the devil can run riot in your life if you don’t steward this well.

This is an area that you can easily avoid if you approach it with wisdom and godly intentionality. God designed us to flourish with regular affection. Allowing this area of your marriage to be neglected is very dangerous. It is known to have broken the foundations of many marriages. Therefore, don’t neglect this area.

 

Marriage is a Sexual Union

 

 

I am currently working on a book about marriage, but I think it might be helpful to people to share some of what is in it from time to time as I continue to work on it. Here is a section where I am discussing the sexual nature of marriage. Something that needs to be emphasized in our day and age.

Because sex makes marriage different to any other relationship Jesus says that if you are not interested in sex, marriage is not for you, “10 The disciples said to him, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” 11 But he said to them, “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given.” There are those who read this to mean that staying single is the superior way of living. For example, Augustine says, “…but those who live at the higher level, who are not entangled in the meshes of marriage life…”[1]

The Apostle Paul even seems to agree with this, as he says, “38 So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better.” (1 Cor. 7:38). Paul and Augustine appear to agree. Paul seems to imply that marriage is a concession for those who cannot control themselves. And that to be unmarried is the higher state of living, as you can focus on serving God. So, you can read Paul as teaching this. And many have. I would argue that what he says here is tied to a “present crisis” that Paul addresses in Corinthians, but many Christians have read him and Jesus to teach that single life is superior to marriage life.

But I think it is better to read Jesus to mean this, “If you are not prepared for the sexual covenant you have entered, then you are not fit for marriage. If you are not prepared to stay faithful, don’t marry. If you are not prepared to enjoy sex with only your husband or wife, and to fulfil this part of your relationship, don’t marry. If you are not prepared to tie yourself to that person relationally and sexually for life, marriage is not for you.” Marriage is not just about companionship. If you want companionship get a dog, join a knitting club, or get a roommate.

Companionship IS a big part of marriage, please don’t misunderstand me. But that is not all that it is. The problem is that some people only want that, and they hoodwink their husband or wife into thinking they wanted a marriage, when all they wanted was someone there when they come home. Jesus drives this home with what he says next,

“12 For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.”

(Now we all remember what a Eunuch is right?) In other words:

Jesus says that there are some who are born with no sexual desire or ability. I believe Jesus uses this word Eunuch here both literally and metaphorically at the same time, which is something the Bible does more than we would all like. These people are effectively like Eunuchs. 

He then says there are some who are made Eunuchs. This was a common practice in the ancient East. Court Eunuchs were often the highest rank of slaves, even sometimes being next in line to a king in terms of practical power. It is likely that this is what happened to Daniel and his three friends, as they were given to the chief Eunuch. Sometimes this was a form of punishment by cruel rulers. Even up to very modern times there still existed castrati who were made that way to be singers. Modern sex change surgery is like being made into a Eunuch, and many find this out the hard way.

He also says that there are some who become Eunuchs for the sake of serving God. This is why I think Jesus uses this word both literally and metaphorically. Because some people are made Eunuchs, and others, like Paul, choose a life of celibacy to serve God. I do not believe Jesus would affirm somebody literally making themselves a Eunuch. He is not encouraging self-harm here, which was a pagan practice, never a Christian or Mosaic Law practice.[2] Jesus is telling us that if you can accept what he is saying, you can choose the right path, to marry or not to marry. Some people cannot accept that marriage is a life-long sexual commitment. Or that it at least is meant to be.

This is not just true of the sexually unfaithful.[3] There are both men and women in marriage who come to resent their wife or their husband’s desire for regular sexual connection. They scorn it. This can come in various extremes.

Such a marriage is a contradiction in terms. Marriage is a sexual relationship. That is not all it is, of course, but it is central. Sex in marriage is both a gift and an obligation. If it feels more like an obligation for one or both of you, then you are doing something wrong, I would say. And you really need to work on this area. Especially if one or both of you were sexually active before you were married. This can leave all sorts of relational and even physical scars in your marriage that you need to keep on top of. Don’t just expect things to get better, you need to take intentional steps to improve in this area. The quality of your marriage depends on it. Maybe even the existence, or lasting nature of your marriage, depends on it. In fact, in many cases you can say that many marriages fail because people do not actively seek to heal in this area.

Look I need to reiterate this too, we also take vows, “for better or worse.” If there is a medical reason why someone is not able to have sex then that is part of your cross to bear. We live in a fallen broken world, and sometimes really bad things happen.

This idea obviously needs more unpacking and I do so in the book, including bringing in what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 7 which reinforces what Jesus says here. However, I think it is important for people to reminded that marriage is a sexual union, not simply a union. Too often Christians forget this. Don’t neglect this area, don’t give the devil the opportunity to mess with your marriage.

List of References

---

[1] Augustine, City of God, p12.

[2] C.F. 1 Kings 18:28 where we see the prophets of Baal cutting themselves.

[3] Might need to reword this part.

You Are Not American Bro

 

Our society has done a lot of people a great disservice in many ways in recent years, especially by telling them they are entitled to things that they are not: like expecting a foreign country to submit its will to their feelings, rather than living according to the rules of the country they want to live in.  

This man only has himself to blame for his situation,

“An Irishman who overstayed his 90-day tourist visa more than 15 years ago has been held in a Texas immigration detention facility for nearly five months rather than be deported, despite calling it a form of “torture.”

Seamus Culleton, who is married to an American woman, told Irish media that he has a valid US work permit and a pending green card application when he was suddenly picked up by agents in Boston, where he runs a construction company.

He was cuffed and eventually flown more than 2,000 miles from home to a camp facility at Fort Bliss Army base in Texas, where he alleges he’s been locked in the same “filthy” room.

“It’s a nightmare down here,” Culleton complained to RTE, caiming he is “in fear for my life.”

“It’s just a torture, I just don’t know how much more I can take.”

The Kilkenny native claimed that he did not know why he was being held — while admitting that he refused to sign papers approving his deportation.

Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin cited that as proof that the Irishman chose to stay in detention, while stressing he was only in the country by overstaying his initial tourist visa.

“He entered the United States in 2009 under the visa waiver program, which allows you to stay in the US for 90 days without a visa. He failed to depart the US,” she said in a statement on X.

“He received full due process and was issued a final order of removal by an immigration judge on September 10, 2025,” McLaughlin continued.

“He was offered the chance to instantly be removed to Ireland but chose to stay in ICE custody, in fact he took affirmative steps to remain in detention,” she stressed.[1]

“The Kilkenny native claimed that he did not know why he was being held — while admitting that he refused to sign papers approving his deportation.” Seriously bro, it is simple, you are not American and therefore have no right to stay in America. They have every right to ask you to leave and then make you leave when you don’t want to. Your ability to dodge being sent home for so long does not change this.

He stayed illegally. He was offered a quick flight home. And he refused it, because he feels like America is his home. But what people feel about their situation is not the reality of their situation.

Nor is it cruelty or injustice to send people home, even those who don't want to go.

The central narrative of the Old Testament proves this. It was injustice to keep the Hebrews in Egypt, but it was not injustice to send them home.

Some will say, “But they wanted to leave? Because they were slaves in Egypt remember.”

They did?

Read it again. Read how many times they wanted to be back in Egypt. Seriously, many had no desire to leave.

Here is one example, “Numbers 11:4–5 “4 Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat! 5 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic” (Numbers 11:4-5). The Hebrews tried to go back before they crossed the Red Sea, as well. They even tried to stop Moses from agitating for their freedom.

Sending people home cannot be called injustice, because it was part of a central act of justice in the Bible to send people home. This man should take his free ticket, thank them for their gracious offer, and repent for creating a situation where his family could be sundered like this. He should also apologize to his family and their extended family for what he is seeking to put them through.

The entitlement of foreigners to come to another country and then expect that country to mould their laws around their desires has gone way toooo far for way toooo long. It is not cruel to turn this around.

List of References

---

[1] https://nypost.com/2026/02/11/us-news/irishman-seamus-culleton-in-ice-custody-for-overstaying-visa-16-years-ago/?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=nypost&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawP6Us1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFnMzRhRlBySVNZY2xIWU9Oc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHohmN99WwJ1SuXO89Dozy0a0gH3_ZOeX04-rUdFEFavmUJch4YoohabH88cM_aem_p2qNbwXANqE2jN5Ul5eVkw#Echobox=1770827994-1