They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. – I John 2:19, KJV Recently, I had a dream. In this … Continue reading “Internal Pressure To Reconcile”
Category: Grief
The Air Wave War
In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines. -Proverbs 18:17, NIV Stories are powerful. They give hope in hopeless places. And they can crush the spirit as well. Stories are well known as effective manipulation tools. Despots the world around recognized this and engage in promoting propaganda for … Continue reading “The Air Wave War”
Lament and Michael Card
So often the church has lost sight of how important lament is. God wants our honesty. And sometimes all we can give God is our tears and protests of pain. The following series of YouTube videos linked below lay out a teaching by the Christian musician, Michael Card, on the topic of lament. It blessed … Continue reading “Lament and Michael Card”
On the “Bitter Card”
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. – Hebrews 12:14-15, NIV I am suspicious of … Continue reading “On the “Bitter Card””
Grief and Divorce
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. – Romans 12:15, KJV Recently, a tragedy struck a community to which I am connected. A young man died in a car accident while going to work. In response, people are sending card(s), flowers, and prayers to his mother plus the work community directly … Continue reading “Grief and Divorce”
“He Took My Sins And My Sorrows”
“He took my sins and my sorrows, He made them His very own; He bore the burden to Calvary, And suffered and died alone.” -“I Stand Amazed In the Presence” words by Charles H. Gabriel (1905) What a powerful hymn on about Jesus’ death on our behalf! This old hymn has so many incredible truths. … Continue reading ““He Took My Sins And My Sorrows””
Dismembered
I work in hospice and have the opportunity to watch the poignant beauty of marriages that have lasted well past fifty years. I say, “poignant” because I feel both awed by the sheer beauty of a couple still caring for each other after many decades together as well as sad by my own loss. Recently, … Continue reading “Dismembered”
Helping A Shattered Spouse
A Christian brother comes over one night. He crumples onto your couch tears overflowing. Through his heaving sobs, you learn his wife has left him and is having sex with another man. The hollow and desperate look in his eyes tears at your heart. What can you do? I will start with the negative first. These dangerous responses … Continue reading “Helping A Shattered Spouse”
The Awful Truth
Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. -Proverbs 27:6, NIV Knowing the truth is freeing. But this is often denied faithful spouses as their world is caved in by the terrors of trickling truth and horrors of betrayals both large and small. I can still vividly remember feeling the shock. … Continue reading “The Awful Truth”
Godly Sorrow And Advice
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. – 2 Cor. 7:10, NIV When you see the fruit of advice destroying someone or yourself, you are seeing something bringing death as this verse tells us. This is not from God. God is not one who came … Continue reading “Godly Sorrow And Advice”