Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. – Romans 12:15, NIV Our churches and families would be so better off if we lived by these words. “…mourn with those who mourn.” Mourning is what is happening for faithful spouse upon discovering the dastardly betrayal. We mourn so much: lost dreams safety and … Continue reading “Mourn with those who mourn”
Category: Grief
Vulnerable In Grief
So be careful. If you are thinking, “Oh, I would never behave like that”—let this be a warning to you. For you too may fall into sin. But remember this—the wrong desires that come into your life aren’t anything new and different. Many others have faced exactly the same problems before you. And no temptation … Continue reading “Vulnerable In Grief”
Love is…
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. – I Cor 13:4-6, NIV Adultery and … Continue reading “Love is…”
What To Do With Good Memories?
And this second thing you do. You cover the Lord‘s altar with tears, with weeping and groaning because he no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand. But you say, ‘Why does he not?’ Because the Lord was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you … Continue reading “What To Do With Good Memories?”
Job’s Story of Gifts and Grief
So the Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning. For now he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 teams of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. He also gave Job seven more sons and three more daughters. – Job 42:12-13, NLT Today is an important day for me. Or should … Continue reading “Job’s Story of Gifts and Grief”
Collateral Damage Of Adultery
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. – Hebrews 13:4, NIV Today, I am going to share on one of my pet-peeves. Treating adultery as if it is a private issue between only the faithful spouse and his/her cheater. It is … Continue reading “Collateral Damage Of Adultery”
You Never Really “Get Over It”
All his sons and daughters came to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said, “I will continue to mourn until I join my son in the grave.” So his father wept for him. – Genesis 37:35, NIV Perhaps, I have grief on my mind today as I did a funeral and graveside service this … Continue reading “You Never Really “Get Over It””
Lock the Doors, Grieve the Death
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.” -Psalm 34:18, NASB Metaphors, while being imperfect approximations, often can help us grasp difficult and complex truths conveying both intellectual and emotional freight with vivid imagery. Here’s my shot on explaining by metaphor why focusing on forgiveness first after adultery is cruel: Imagine you … Continue reading “Lock the Doors, Grieve the Death”
Grief and Forgiveness
“My soul refused to be comforted.” – Psalm 77:2b (NASB). “‘For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.’” – Jesus (Matthew 6:14-15, NASB). I suspect that most Christian survivors of adultery have been told that they have to … Continue reading “Grief and Forgiveness”
Mrs. Divorce Minister Speaks
Guest post from my wife today. Good stuff! Here you go: Pain is something that we all feel. It’s also something that we seem to try so desperately to avoid. Pain sucks. Yes. We all understand that. Yet the pain we go through is also the key piece when it comes to ministry, … Continue reading “Mrs. Divorce Minister Speaks”