4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. … 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. -Matthew 5:4,7, NIV Experience is not a fail-safe teacher. After all, you have to be paying attention to learn. That said, I have noticed people who have gone through … Continue reading “Words seasoned with mercy born of experience”
Author: Divorce Minister
Many Miserably Married Yet Don’t Cheat!
Christians seem especially invested in the marriage autopsy. I think this is part of the control fascination. It is the idea that we control whether or not our spouse cheats and/or abandons us. For us to accept the truth–i.e. we do NOT control whether or not our spouse cheats on and/or abandons us–makes us feel … Continue reading “Many Miserably Married Yet Don’t Cheat!”
Adultery, Divorce, and My Situation in the EFCA
Recently, I came across an article written by my endorsing organization, The National Association of Evangelicals. This article is entitled, “Can Pastors be Restored After Adultery.” It was posted in May 2012. The article is more or less a report from a poll taken from evangelical leaders on the question posed as the post’s title: … Continue reading “Adultery, Divorce, and My Situation in the EFCA”
Not up to you to stay married…
It is not up to you alone to stay married. This is a painful truth that the church needs to internalize. Divorce need not be chosen by both partners. One spouse can unilaterally decide to leave… …for any–or no–reason whatsoever! It is possible to have one spouse invested in seeing the marriage work 100% plus. That does … Continue reading “Not up to you to stay married…”
Spiritual Suffering Best Addressed By Spiritual Counselors
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. -Proverbs 17:22, NIV Much of the suffering faithful spouses experience is spiritual in nature. Writing this blog for a couple of years, the questions I encounter center around deep spiritual pain and confusion. These are not so much the nuts and … Continue reading “Spiritual Suffering Best Addressed By Spiritual Counselors”
Movie Review: The Shack–Idolatry or Iconoclasm?
The Shack: Idolatry or Iconoclasm? Having read the book and personally met the author years ago, I was very interested in seeing how the book was translated into a movie. So, yesterday, I went to my local theater and watched it. I was not disappointed in what I saw. The movie was a well executed piece … Continue reading “Movie Review: The Shack–Idolatry or Iconoclasm?”
Cheaters as Predators
Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice. -Isaiah 59:15, NIV Sound familiar? Can you relate? -Trust is repaid with treachery. -Love repaid with contempt. -Honesty repaid with injustice. Such is the all too common lot for faithful spouses. … Continue reading “Cheaters as Predators”
Be Present For Break-Off!
Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. -Proverbs 12:22, KJV Liars lie. And cheaters by the fact that they cheated are liars. A wise person does not just take them at their word. Words need to be verified by action. I do not recommend trusting a cheater … Continue reading “Be Present For Break-Off!”
Life is too short!
The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. -Psalm 103:15-16, NIV Yesterday, we celebrated Ash Wednesday. It is a day when we are reminded of our mortality. “Ashes to ashes, dust … Continue reading “Life is too short!”
Attempting to normalize cheating…
Thou shalt not commit adultery. -Exodus 20:14, KJV Cheaters often use the same plays. This is why I believe a dark spiritual element is evident in all cases of infidelity. The commonalities in behavior are too eerily alike to be just be coincidences. Some wicked force is coordinating this evil! One thing I remember my (now) … Continue reading “Attempting to normalize cheating…”