Thought: If I can extend more grace and mercy to those I love than I think God would extend to me, maybe I don’t really understand God’s love for me. A common theme for faithful spouses is a willingness to be harder on ourselves than we ever would be on those we love. We probably … Continue reading “Just a thought…”
Used tissue.
“I felt like a used piece of tissue paper. Just thrown away in the trash.” – Vineyard pastor The quote might not be exact. However, I will never forget the idea. This brave pastoral spouse shared to a young Vineyard Church about her experience of being sexually assaulted. She vividly described how she felt the … Continue reading “Used tissue.”
John Ortberg Re:Willow Creek Church Leadership and Bill Hybels Matter
Former leader at Willow Creek Church and one of the parties referring the disturbing allegations to leadership, John Ortberg, speaks out on his blog regarding the investigation of those allegations (link here). Please read Ortberg’s entire statement as I believe it is well-written and makes important points about how the church ought to better handle … Continue reading “John Ortberg Re:Willow Creek Church Leadership and Bill Hybels Matter”
Mailbag: What does forgiveness look like for an unrepentant, remarried adulterer?
JannaG asks: What should forgiveness of an unrepentant adulterer look like when you’ve divorced and they’re remarried and you haven’t had any contact in years? Well, I will begin by saying the spiritual well-being of the adulterer is not the responsibility of the faithful ex-spouse. You are under no obligation to reach out to this … Continue reading “Mailbag: What does forgiveness look like for an unrepentant, remarried adulterer?”
A Resurrection Is NOT Normal!
….but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body.” -Mark 16:6, NLT Resurrection is unexpected. It is not how things normally go. This is in part why Jesus coming back from … Continue reading “A Resurrection Is NOT Normal!”
Hope with Holy Saturday
Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. -Luke 23:53-54, NIV The disciples thought it was all over. Jesus was dead. The light had gone … Continue reading “Hope with Holy Saturday”
God CALLED Hosea!
When the Lord began to speak by Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea: “Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry And children of harlotry, For the land has committed great harlotry By departing from the Lord.” – Hosea 1:2, NKJV What strikes me as in the last post is how biblically educated men can miss how this was a very special call upon … Continue reading “God CALLED Hosea!”
Fourth Anniversary Yesterday!
He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord. -Proverbs 18:22, NKJV Yesterday, Mrs. DM and I marked our fourth wedding anniversary. I cannot imagine my life without Mrs. DM and Munchkin in it. They have truly transformed my life for the better. I have found favor from the Lord, indeed. For … Continue reading “Fourth Anniversary Yesterday!”
Not condemned.
It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me. Who will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up. -Isaiah 50:9, NIV God is on the side of righteousness. In the case of adultery, that means God is on the “side” of the faithful spouse. He is not participating in their condemnation. I … Continue reading “Not condemned.”
Cheaters with the “Divorce” Card
“I don’t think I feel God has told me to take divorce off the table.” – Cheater Cheaters are awful. They torture faithful spouses with glimpses of hope. Then they continue to lie and cheat leading the faithful spouse to believe the faithful spouse was why the marriage died. It is one thing for a … Continue reading “Cheaters with the “Divorce” Card”