“Here I stand; I can do no other.” – Martin Luther On this day five hundred years ago, Martin Luther famously nailed his 95 theses to the doors of Wittenberg church. Many mark this as the beginning of the Protestant Reformation(s). One man and his sincerely held convictions transformed the world. October 31st, 1517 was … Continue reading “Happy Reformation Day! 500 Year Anniversary.”
Category: Sin
God does NOT think…
I am convinced God does NOT think… …you are responsible for your ex-spouse cheating on you and discarding you. God is just. God holds the actor responsible for the actions he or she did, not their victim (see 2 Corinthians 5:10). No matter what your cheater or even a pastor might say, God does not … Continue reading “God does NOT think…”
Forget the Script! Burn it.
The Christian family script that I was taught as a teenager goes something like this: Meet a Christian. Marry a Christian. Have children and build a life together ,forever. Then you will be blessed and considered wonderful by church folks. But that script is out of the reach of many faithful Christians. In fact, it … Continue reading “Forget the Script! Burn it.”
On Punishing Adultery
“If a man commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, both the man and the woman who have committed adultery must be put to death.” -Leviticus 20:10, NLT I do NOT advocate bringing back the death penalty for adultery.* However, I DO believe something ought to exist legally to right the myriad of injustices faithful spouses … Continue reading “On Punishing Adultery”
Outrage Over NOT Punishing Faithful Spouse MORE
Recently, the news has taken up a story coming from the Portugal courts about a faithful spouse who beat up his adulterous ex-wife. Here is CNN’s take on it (click here). The Portuguese judge dared take into consideration how the adultery impacted the accused when laying down the punishment for the crime he committed. What most of … Continue reading “Outrage Over NOT Punishing Faithful Spouse MORE”
Spiritual Battle!
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. -I Peter 5:8, NLT When talking about infidelity, many fail to state an obvious spiritual truth: This is spiritual warfare! The Devil wants to devour Christians. I personally believe he is having great … Continue reading “Spiritual Battle!”
Not a communication problem. A SIN problem.
Thou shalt not commit adultery. -Exodus 20:14, KJV And Jesus replied: “‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely.” -Mathew 19:18, NLT A running “joke” among marriage therapists I understand is that every issue is a communication issue among couples. I disagree. Adultery is not a communication … Continue reading “Not a communication problem. A SIN problem.”
Therapy alone, a good marriage does NOT make!
If attending pre-marital counseling, marriage therapy, and individual therapy could make a good marriage, then my first marriage ought to have been amazing. It wasn’t. Instead, my current marriage with Mrs. DM–where we have attended nearly zero therapy sessions together–is thriving. Attending therapy does not make a good marriage. Other elements are far more important … Continue reading “Therapy alone, a good marriage does NOT make!”
“Do you hear yourself, cheater?”
“Do you hear yourself? That is what we call making excuses.” -Wise Pastor to Cheater Labeling matters appropriately does not only help the cheater, but it also helps their victim, the faithful spouse. Proper labels expose the deeds of the dark to light (see Ephesians 5:11). It is astounding to me how so-called Christian pastors … Continue reading ““Do you hear yourself, cheater?””
Possible. But likely? Doubt it.
As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly. -Proverbs 26:11, NIV Within the Christian community, so much pressure is placed upon faithful spouses to “reconcile” with their cheating partners. Sometimes lip service is given to the importance that the cheater has actually changed and will not cheat again. However, the general … Continue reading “Possible. But likely? Doubt it.”