“That is why your daughters turn to prostitution, and your daughters-in-law commit adultery. But why should I punish them for their prostitution and adultery? For your men are doing the same thing, sinning with whores and shrine prostitutes.” -Hosea 4:13b-14b, NLT Notice how this passage from Hosea assumes punishment of the sexually immoral by God? … Continue reading “Assumption is God Punishes Adultery”
Category: Emotional Affair
Please give divorcing faithful spouses the benefit of the doubt
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. -Matthew 1:19, NKJV With famous Christian author, Lysa TerKeurst, opening up about divorcing her unfaithful husband, I am struck by how the Christian community demands faithful spouses to explain themselves when … Continue reading “Please give divorcing faithful spouses the benefit of the doubt”
Raise Your Expectations!
Excuses might be found for a thief who steals because he is starving. But if he is caught, he must pay back seven times what he stole, even if he has to sell everything in his house. -Proverbs 6:30-31, NLT One of the maddening aspects of being a faithful spouse is how Christians will look to you to … Continue reading “Raise Your Expectations!”
Hardened
But this time also Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not let the people go. -Exodus 8:32, NIV The reality of one’s powerlessness is one of the most difficult aspects of going through an unwanted divorce. Yet this very real powerlessness can serve as a comfort after the fact! As an introspective person, I find … Continue reading “Hardened”
When the “dog” poos in your bed…
Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge. -Hebrews 13:4, NASB When the dog* poops in your bed, do you respond by telling your dog… “You’re such a good boy!” No? I suspect you do not spend time trying … Continue reading “When the “dog” poos in your bed…”
Dear DM, I read Piper’s book and thought I had to stay in my marriage.
Hi DM – Today was rough for me. A woman at my church asked how I was, and I answered where things are at…awful and that court is next month. Once she learned we were actually divorcing and not just staying separated she shared her stand that divorce is always sin, and how God hates … Continue reading “Dear DM, I read Piper’s book and thought I had to stay in my marriage.”
PSA: The Doormat Is NOT the High Ground!
I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing to you that you must not associate … Continue reading “PSA: The Doormat Is NOT the High Ground!”
Adultery Is a Bigger Problem Than Just One Sexual Act!
“‘But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a person….’” – Jesus in Matthew 15:18-20a, NIV. While one act of adultery is horrible enough, I suspect … Continue reading “Adultery Is a Bigger Problem Than Just One Sexual Act!”
Shake Off Their Dust!
And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. -Luke 9:5, KJV Jesus gave us a ministry of reconciliation (see 2 Corinthians 5:18), yet Jesus told His Disciples to move on if this ministry was rejected! Cheaters reject godly reconciliation … Continue reading “Shake Off Their Dust!”
My Evangelical Marriage Helpline Experience
Calling the Focus on the Family® Helpline When the Other Man was revealed to me, I called a helpline to figure out my next steps. Specifically, I called the Focus on the Family® Helpline (1-855-771-HELP (4357)). It actually was supportive for me. My mother had called earlier and had a very bad experience with the … Continue reading “My Evangelical Marriage Helpline Experience”