“Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good … Continue reading “Celebrating Father’s Day…It’s complicated”
Category: Grief
Surreal
This weekend happens to be my ten-year college reunion. I went to an elite liberal arts college in the Midwestern part of the United States. We take our reunions seriously as the college had a way for forging lifelong relationships during those short four years together. Back then the community was small and tight. That … Continue reading “Surreal”
Internal Pressure To Reconcile
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”
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”