21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22 They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” 23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and … Continue reading “Arrogance and Contempt – Twins of Doom”
Category: Reconciliation
Handling Self-Righteous, Religious Pricks
“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? … Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye…” – Matthew 7:3, 5a, NLT When I was going through my trials, I had no shortage of religious people willing to “help” me see my “sin” or … Continue reading “Handling Self-Righteous, Religious Pricks”
But…but I want to stay married!!!
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” -Job 1:20-21, NIV Shame … Continue reading “But…but I want to stay married!!!”
Cheater-speak: “God forgives me. So, what’s your problem?!”
Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. -Matthew 5:23-24, NKJV “God forgives me. So what’s your problem?!” -Cheater Does … Continue reading “Cheater-speak: “God forgives me. So, what’s your problem?!””
Broken Vase Illustration
Another thing you do: You flood the Lord’s altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer looks with favor on your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. You ask, “Why?” It is because the Lord is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been … Continue reading “Broken Vase Illustration”
Disagreeing with Rick Warren’s Devotional on Reconciliation
In his devotional entitled: “Restoring Relationships: Take the Initiative,” Rick Warren writes, Whether you are the offender or the offended, God expects you to make the first move. Don’t wait for the other party. Go to that person first. I was horrified to read this coming from such a well-respected pastor. He used a paraphrase Bible, … Continue reading “Disagreeing with Rick Warren’s Devotional on Reconciliation”
John Piper is wrong on prohibiting divorce following adultery.
Pastor John Piper is a major figure in Reformed, Evangelical Christianity in the United States. He hails from Minnesota. Having heard him preach myself years ago, I would say that he is a very gifted communicator, and I do not doubt his passion for Christ. He strikes me as a man who is sincere about … Continue reading “John Piper is wrong on prohibiting divorce following adultery.”
Adultery is much bigger a problem than the singular sexual act!
“‘But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a person….’” – Jesus in Matthew 15:18-20a, NIV. While one act of adultery is horrible enough, I suspect … Continue reading “Adultery is much bigger a problem than the singular sexual act!”
Helping The Broken-Hearted Betrayed 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 The Broken-Hearted Betrayed Spouse”
Worst piece of advice given to me was …
“Contend with your mother, contend, For she is not my wife, and I am not her husband; And let her put away her harlotry from her face And her adultery from between her breasts…” -Hosea 2:2, NASB While I do not mind the end result–the merciful divorce paving the way to my marriage to Mrs. DM–I am still … Continue reading “Worst piece of advice given to me was …”