Even God Requires Repentance First!

“If you want to come back, O Israel,     you must really come back to me. You must get rid of your stinking sin paraphernalia     and not wander away from me anymore.” -Jeremiah 4:1 (from 1-2 block), THE MESSAGE This verse comes on the heals of the chapter where God declares His divorce of Israel over … Continue reading “Even God Requires Repentance First!”

Care about the healing of victims? Preach perpetrator repentance then!

God is an honest judge. He is angry with the wicked every day. -Psalm 7:11, NLT Pastors, do you really care about the healing of infidelity victims? If so, then please preach that the perpetrators need to repent. One of the many things that bothers me about Christians responding to infidelity situations is how they seem unconcern … Continue reading “Care about the healing of victims? Preach perpetrator repentance then!”

Seeking Forgiveness or Accountability Avoidance?

Then David confessed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “Yes, but the Lord has forgiven you, and you won’t die for this sin. Nevertheless, because you have shown utter contempt for the word of the Lord by doing this, your child will die.” -2 Samuel 12:13-14, NLT Is the cheater asking for forgiveness or simply seeking to avoid … Continue reading “Seeking Forgiveness or Accountability Avoidance?”

Cheater, focus on YOUR part!

“She will just keep this hanging over my head. I don’t think she will ever really forgive me.” -Cheater to pastor Cheater, focus on YOUR own part! A wise pastor and Christian counselor will not take this bait to bash the faithful spouse. Instead, he or she will remind the cheater that he only controls … Continue reading “Cheater, focus on YOUR part!”

Naive Christians Will Never Understand

“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 Some cheaters are unfit company. The best we can do is limit or end our contact with some individuals who refuse to bend the knee to … Continue reading “Naive Christians Will Never Understand”

An Analogy: If you were violently mugged….

Some Christians do not get “it.” In fact, pastors and Christian counselors can be some of the worse offenders as it comes to spiritually abusing faithful spouses. I  cannot imagine most pastors or therapists dispensing the same sort of advice if faced with a different situation of abuse. Yet they think they are dispensing “wisdom,” … Continue reading “An Analogy: If you were violently mugged….”

DM on Chris Hill’s Restoration to Ministry by TD Jakes

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXwEqnPDCZl/ *Clip with “restored” Reverend Chris Hill preaching on “How to Recover All.” Back in April 2017, Pastor Chris Hill resigned his senior pastor role at The Potter’s House of Denver after his alleged affair came to light. His wife alleged he had been cheating with their goddaughter (see link here). T.D. Jakes restored Chris … Continue reading “DM on Chris Hill’s Restoration to Ministry by TD Jakes”

Reminder: You don’t have to agree!

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God,so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly … Continue reading “Reminder: You don’t have to agree!”

Cheaters, Beware!

“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars–they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” -Revelations 21:8, NIV (emphasis mine) What if pastors led with this verse from Jesus to cheaters as opposed … Continue reading “Cheaters, Beware!”

Thoughts on Forgiveness

Recently, I came across a blog post on my social media feed. It is found on Dr. Henry Cloud’s website teaching boundaries. The way the author–Dr. Cloud?–frames forgiveness is helpful. The article is entitled, “Just Because You Forgive, it Doesn’t Mean You Have to Trust Again.”  Three important points are laid out as follows, 1. Forgiveness … Continue reading “Thoughts on Forgiveness”