Recent reports are suggesting that Anna Duggar has decided to divorce Josh Duggar. This is a couple who rose to fame through TLC’s reality TV program “19 Kids and Counting.” It was a show following Josh’s parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar plus their growing tribe. It is emblematic of a very conservative–some might say Fundamentalist–form … Continue reading “Divorcing a Duggar?”
Category: Sin
On Being 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 “On Being Dismembered”
What if pastors had skin in the “game,” too?
What if pastors had to pay a faithful spouse $10,000 or more if they were wrong about the cheating being over?! In my opinion, faithful spouses who stay in marriages for subsequent infidelity discoveries are loosing more than just $10,000. They are loosing precious time, emotional well-being, and physical well-being (e.g. risk of contracting life-altering … Continue reading “What if pastors had skin in the “game,” too?”
Who is doing the leading astray?
For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly. -Proverbs 5:23, NIV …but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. -James 1:14, NIV The proverb quoted above comes at the end of a chapter where the wise teacher is giving instruction … Continue reading “Who is doing the leading astray?”
Why bother with divorce then?!
To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife. … But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother … Continue reading “Why bother with divorce then?!”
Don’t be their “play thing!”
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. -Matthew 7:12, NIV One of the aspects of working with faithful spouses that disturbs me greatly is how their cheaters use them and essentially make them their “play things.” The cheater goes … Continue reading “Don’t be their “play thing!””
Fruit of God’s Remarriage
You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. -Romans 11:19-21, NIV Often times, … Continue reading “Fruit of God’s Remarriage”
Faithful spouses, please do NOT “fight for your marriage.”
“‘If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death.” -Leviticus 20:10, NIV Please do NOT fight for your marriage, faithful spouses! Doing that simply perpetuates the wrong idea that a cheater is entitled to a marriage they have discarded … Continue reading “Faithful spouses, please do NOT “fight for your marriage.””
Cheater-Speak: “Well, I never said anything bad about you to our friends.”
“Well, I never said anything bad about you to our friends.” -Cheater Show of virtual “hands:” Who has heard a version of this from his or her cheater? I “see” those “hands.” Permit me to share a couple observations of what is happening when a cheater speaks like this: 1. This is a damage control … Continue reading “Cheater-Speak: “Well, I never said anything bad about you to our friends.””
Learning from Jonah: Do NOT Build a “Smiting Shelter!”
Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. – Jonah 4:5, NIV And so, Jonah built himself a shelter to watch God, hopefully, smite the Ninevites. He made … Continue reading “Learning from Jonah: Do NOT Build a “Smiting Shelter!””