“…you won’t be defensive or angry or proud or bitter. A contrite heart makes no demands and has no expectations. Broken and humble people are simply grateful to be alive.” -Charles Swindoll, A Man of Passion and Destiny: David, Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1997, pp207. The question about how to tell if a cheater is … Continue reading “Signs of a really repentant person per Author Chuck Swindoll”
Category: Sin
A resource on narcissists by Dr. Les Carter
One of the biggest things I learned through my divorce was how we walk in a world with people who lack empathy on a pathological level. They lie without remorse. Psychology labels them with a variety of labels (I am not a psychologist). Today, I just want to pass along a resource for those who … Continue reading “A resource on narcissists by Dr. Les Carter”
Cheater, you are the aggressor, not victim, here!
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! -I Corinthians 6:15, NIV Cheater, you are the aggressor, not the victim, here! For whatever reasons, people are often taken in by the pity story a caught cheater spins … Continue reading “Cheater, you are the aggressor, not victim, here!”
Choices, choices, cheater choices!
“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!” -Deuteronomy 30:19, NLT Choices, choices, and cheater choices! The thing with cheaters is … Continue reading “Choices, choices, cheater choices!”
Real, good friends suffer with you.
“Let Me Show You the Way” is an old but favorite song from Michael W. Smith. He really captures the heart of true friendship. This song by MWS speaks to what I believe is a human longing. It is a longing for a good friend who loves at a deep, heart-level. These are the friends … Continue reading “Real, good friends suffer with you.”
Is repentance about earning forgiveness? No.
Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift … Continue reading “Is repentance about earning forgiveness? No.”
What kind of harvest do you want?
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in … Continue reading “What kind of harvest do you want?”
Pastor to DM: What DO I say to an adultery victim?
“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” -Matthew 10:42, NIV What DO I say to an adultery victim as a pastor? Yesterday’s post raised this question. Dr. Skinner suggested a … Continue reading “Pastor to DM: What DO I say to an adultery victim?”
Cheater: “I talked it out with my therapist. We’re good now.”
“I talked through my issues around the affair with my therapist. We’re good now,” says Cheater. He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her.“ -Mark 10:11, NIV An affair is a violation of the marriage vow to “forsake all others.” The cheater has sinned against their spouse–whether physically or … Continue reading “Cheater: “I talked it out with my therapist. We’re good now.””
Sometimes the criticism just reveals the critic.
In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise. -Proverbs 10:19, NKJV People’s criticisms say a lot… …but not necessarily anything about the one criticized. This is a lesson impressed upon me during my formal training in clinical pastoral care. It is an important lesson to remember … Continue reading “Sometimes the criticism just reveals the critic.”