Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. -Ephesians 1:4, NLT I love the feeling of being “wanted” or “needed” by someone. It is the feeling of knowing your love and attention are welcomed and desired. How about you? I … Continue reading “You ARE wanted!”
Category: Grief
Adultery impacts the community
If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel. -Deuteronomy 22:22, KJV Too often, adultery is treated as a private matter between the faithful … Continue reading “Adultery impacts the community”
Anger fades with work and passage of time
God is a just judge, And God is angry with the wicked every day. -Psalm 7:11, NKJV Anger is a healthy, godly response to adultery. I will say that again: Anger is a healthy, godly response to adultery. When we do not feel angry over such injustice and wickedness, something is seriously wrong with our walk with the Lord. He is angry … Continue reading “Anger fades with work and passage of time”
But they’re prospering!
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.’” -Luke 16:25, NIV “But they’re prospering! How is that just?!” -Faithful Spouse I am not immune to the feelings of frustration over my cheater’s apparent … Continue reading “But they’re prospering!”
Cheaters devalue.
Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours. -Isaiah 61:7, NIV Cheaters devalue. They will run you down, figuratively speaking. The whole point is to make it seem like … Continue reading “Cheaters devalue.”
Opening one’s heart takes courage
It takes courage to open up one’s heart. For a while, I have been selective where I work and interact about to whom I have shared the part of my story where my first marriage ended. People sometimes react oddly to such disclosures. And not everyone needs to know. A common response that I have … Continue reading “Opening one’s heart takes courage”
Privilege says, “Move on!”
“You need to move on,” says the Privileged. When something as traumatic as a surviving the adultery and divorce from a cheater happens, you are forever marked. Over time, I have found the scars fade. However, they will always be there. People pushing for one to “move on” are pushing denial of these scars. It … Continue reading “Privilege says, “Move on!””
Link to Sermon: Bildad or Barnabas?
Yesterday, I was the pulpit supply at a local church I call home, Destiny Church Rochester (MN). The theme of my sermon was how to be an effective encourager. I drew on passages from Job and Acts touching on difficult subjects of grief and forgiveness along the way. A key quote from my sermon: An … Continue reading “Link to Sermon: Bildad or Barnabas?”
It DOES get better!
My heart is sick, withered like grass, and I have lost my appetite. -Psalm 102:4, NLT Grief is very heavy in the initial stages of infidelity discovery. I remember having to tell myself to eat. My appetite had left me when I made the awful discovery. If my memory serves me correctly, I dropped about … Continue reading “It DOES get better!”
Holy Saturday Meditation
And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there. -John 19:42, NLT How were the Disciples feeling on the day after the execution of Jesus? Holy Saturday. I imagine a great deal of disbelief. The death of more than … Continue reading “Holy Saturday Meditation”