So they sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great. -Job 2:13, NKJV I remember being asked a form of the question so often asked of faithful spouses. We are asked, “What did you … Continue reading ““What did you learn?” Crosses A Line”
Category: Grief
Death Leading To New Life
Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. -John 12:24, NKJV Death is not pleasant. I do not care how prepared one is. We were not made to die; rather, we were made to live … Continue reading “Death Leading To New Life”
Pastor to Faithful Spouse
It is no longer a matter of speculation: Your spouse has admitted to cheating. Besides you have the evidence of this awful truth going back months–or even years–in your hands. The world has stopped, and you are in shock. You think, “This sort of thing happens to other people. Not us!” How might a pastor help … Continue reading “Pastor to Faithful Spouse”
Flaky Forgiveness Trivializes Trauma!
They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace. Jeremiah 6:14, NIV Unconditional forgiveness pushers are like the people mentioned here in Jeremiah 6:14 treating gaping wounds with boo-boo kisses. Either they do not know the first thing about dealing with the … Continue reading “Flaky Forgiveness Trivializes Trauma!”
When it is not up to you…
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” -Matthew 23:37, NIV An injustice faithful spouses experience when divorce is on the table is being blamed for … Continue reading “When it is not up to you…”
Yes, it happened. Yes, you didn’t deserve it.
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 “Yes, it happened. She cheated on you. And yes, you didn’t deserve it. It’s not your fault.” You really want to help a faithful spouse. These are the sort … Continue reading “Yes, it happened. Yes, you didn’t deserve it.”
3 Points For Christian Counselors – From A Christian Client Perspective
During my first marriage, my (now) ex and I attended counseling sessions from a variety of individuals. Some were okay and others were downright destructive. Today’s post is about three charges I wished all those “Christian” therapists would have grasped and honored. ***I am speaking not as a therapist, but rather as a pastor and faithful spouse … Continue reading “3 Points For Christian Counselors – From A Christian Client Perspective”
Actions, actions, actions!
Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. -Proverbs 20:11, KJV Reality can be a slippery thing to grasp sometimes. Nowhere is this more evident than coming to terms with the actual person one has married upon discovery of infidelity. The temptation is to ignore the … Continue reading “Actions, actions, actions!”
THOSE “Friends”
If a man is found sleeping with another man’s wife, both must die. Purge that evil from Israel. -Deuteronomy 22:22, The Message (emphasis mine) Those “friends” One of the most difficult lessons I learned from discovering my first wife’s adultery and going through divorce is that it is okay–in fact, good–to have deal-breakers in friendships. … Continue reading “THOSE “Friends””
Protestantism, Forgiveness, and Failing Adultery Victims
So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great. -Job 2:13, KJV Protestantism is big on sin and forgiveness. Emphasis on sin and forgiveness is pervasive through evangelical teaching and preaching. That is good. … Continue reading “Protestantism, Forgiveness, and Failing Adultery Victims”