Today, I am responding to an write-in article posted on RELEVANT Magazine. This is an explicitly cutting edge evangelical Christian magazine designed to engage culture from a Biblical Christian perspective. Here is the link to the article: I’m Getting Divorced. Why Won’t My Church Help Me? | RELEVANT Magazine. This exchange between a man, Marc, and … Continue reading “When Supporting Divorce Is Viewed As Worse Than…”
Category: Sin
Did Jesus “Nice” the Pharisees Back?
“In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness…. You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?” – Matthew 23:28,33, NIV These are Jesus’ own words to the Pharisees and other religious Jewish leaders in … Continue reading “Did Jesus “Nice” the Pharisees Back?”
No Honor Among Thieves
To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the devious you show yourself shrewd. -Psalm 18:25-26, NIV During the last ditch effort to save my first marriage, my (now ex) wife was constantly talking about how I needed to rebuild her trust and … Continue reading “No Honor Among Thieves”
Don’t Eat Rocks
The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’” – Luke 4:3-4, NIV Even legitimate needs can be filled illicitly. Today’s verses come from the story of The Great Temptation. It was Jesus versus Satan. And … Continue reading “Don’t Eat Rocks”
Some Prefer Darkness
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. – John 3:19, NIV Why not tell the truth? The answer is simple. It would exposed the evil deed to light. Humans for thousands of years have been running from such light. They … Continue reading “Some Prefer Darkness”
Dealing With 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 “Dealing With Self-Righteous Religious Pricks”
Loves At All Times
A friend loves at all times… -Proverbs 17:17a, ESV The question of reconciliation is not limited to the relationship between the husband and wife when adultery has taken place. If you are at all like me, you opened you life to others who played instrumental roles either for the good or ill of the marriage. … Continue reading “Loves At All Times”
Top Three Texts Used To Abuse Faithful Spouses
Having started Divorce Minister: Taking Adultery Seriously just last summer, I have had the opportunity to read and hear a variety of faithful spouses’ horror stories with the church. Literally thousands of individuals visit this website monthly from over 110 unique countries around the globe. Themes are starting to emerge. The following are the top 3 most … Continue reading “Top Three Texts Used To Abuse Faithful Spouses”
What if the church treated widows like faithful divorced spouses?
Can you imagine church leaders (or simply other Christians) treating a widow/widower in the same way they treat a faithful spouse who is now divorced from the adulterous one? And before anyone cries “Foul!” on this analogy suggesting that its too strained, I will point out this is the state Old Testament spouses would find … Continue reading “What if the church treated widows like faithful divorced spouses?”
Anger Baiting
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. -Proverbs 29:11, NIV Anger Baiting… The other day this dynamic was brought to my attention in a discussion with Mommythree. It was after my post: “God Wants Passionate Pastors.” Our interaction got me thinking. I wonder how many of us, … Continue reading “Anger Baiting”