“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” -Isaiah 43:18-19a, NIV Sometimes ruminating on the past just inflicts more suffering. Not doing this is easier said than done, of course. We do need space to tell our stories plus acknowledge what happened actually happened. That is … Continue reading “Stop digging up those old “bones.””
Category: Forgiveness
Dispersed Anger
God is an honest judge. He is angry with the wicked every day. -Psalm 7:11, NLT Oddly enough, my anger was often directed to other bad actors in my divorce instead of the prime character–my (now) ex-wife. Certainly, I had good reason to feel angry towards those others. It was actually healthy to feel this feeling … Continue reading “Dispersed Anger”
Nothing like THOSE “you are doing the Christian thing wrong” lectures…
Got to love those “you are doing the ‘Christian’ thing wrong” lectures from the naive Christian leaders or cheater apologists! Right?! These lectures are really simply another way people blame faithful spouses for their marriages imploding and–sometimes–even for the cheating. It is disgusting. They might take the form of blaming you for not “forgiving” well. … Continue reading “Nothing like THOSE “you are doing the Christian thing wrong” lectures…”
False Grace: Tullian Tchividjian starts new church
Tullian Tchividjian, grandson of Rev. Billy Graham, is back in the news today. Apparently, he is starting a new church. This is the same person who was caught cheating on his wife with a congregant and being removed from a prominent Presbyterian church over this moral failure (see here). He found another job with a … Continue reading “False Grace: Tullian Tchividjian starts new church”
Even God’s forgiveness requires a response from the forgiven!
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. -Colossians 3:13, NIV “If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” -John 20:23, NLT If we confess our sins, he is faithful … Continue reading “Even God’s forgiveness requires a response from the forgiven!”
Beware of power struggles!
But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them.” -Matthew 20:25, NLT “You will just keep that [her cheating] over her head forever [if she stayed married to you].” -Cheater apologist Some people view all relationships … Continue reading “Beware of power struggles!”
The Wicked Prospering
In this life, good people are often treated as though they were wicked, and wicked people are often treated as though they were good. This is so meaningless! -Ecclesiastes 8:14b, NLT These words seem like they were written today and not as they were–i.e. thousands of years earlier! I bet many here can relate to … Continue reading “The Wicked Prospering”
Trust God for Justice
He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered.He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. -I Peter 2:23, NLT The secret to dealing with injustice is remembering a higher court exists and we know its Judge is good. Faith in this Judge allows us to let … Continue reading “Trust God for Justice”
Dear DM, This sucks.
Dear Divorce Minister, Five years later, and I’m still numb or in an fog or angry/depressed. I was pregnant with our third child when my husband met a woman on an online game. The gist of it is that she started out “fun and flirty” and then they proceeded to talk about more deep stuff. … Continue reading “Dear DM, This sucks.”
Mailbag: Is there forgiveness without divorcing again?
Dear Divorce Minister, So I remarried and my circumstances aren’t clear. If I think I’ve sinned in doing so, is there forgiveness without divorcing again? I’m curious your toughts [sic]. -Sean Dear Sean, Since I do not know the circumstances surrounding the question, I am going to have to make some assumptions and give you … Continue reading “Mailbag: Is there forgiveness without divorcing again?”