But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace. -I Corinthians 7:15, NKJV What ought a Christian do if he or she is married to someone with an opioid or meth addiction? ***IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER*** I am not … Continue reading “On Divorcing an Addict”
Happy Easter–Resurrection Sunday!
He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. -Matthew 28:6, NIV To all those wondering if life exists after discovering infidelity and divorce, I would point to Resurrection Sunday. Hope exists even when it might look hopeless. I remember a particular Easter now five … Continue reading “Happy Easter–Resurrection Sunday!”
Mailbag: Repeated Emotional Affairs
Dear Divorce Minister, My husband has had emotional affairs during our marriage and has physically cheated once during the dating time while in a serious committed relationship (which was disclosed to the me 9 years into our marriage). While he says he’s never crossed the line physically during the marriage, there has been a series … Continue reading “Mailbag: Repeated Emotional Affairs”
Called Good Friday 4 Good Reasons!
“But this is your hour—when darkness reigns.” -Luke 22:53b, NIV Good Friday is good news for all who have experienced times when darkness reigned. What I mean about that is how the Cross speaks to the darkest of evil–namely, the killing of God–and yet also speaks to how that darkness cannot triumph even when it kills … Continue reading “Called Good Friday 4 Good Reasons!”
Ought NOT to be Radical!
14 Thou shalt not commit adultery. 15 Thou shalt not steal. 16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife…. -Exodus 20:14-17a, KJV Apparently, a pastor taking adultery seriously is controversial! What has this world come to that a pastor insisting on obedience … Continue reading “Ought NOT to be Radical!”
Savior You Are NOT!
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. -John 3:17, KJV Jesus is the only One who is able to save someone spiritually. How well or poorly we respond to discovering infidelity ought never to be construed as causing the cheater … Continue reading “Savior You Are NOT!”
When “good” is not an option
Let her remove the adulterous look from her face and the unfaithfulness from between her breasts. -Hosea 2:2b, NIV What drives me nuts about how some pastors speak of divorce is how they assume a “good” option is left on the table for a faithful spouse. Sadly, following infidelity this just isn’t the case! The faithful … Continue reading “When “good” is not an option”
Like a super suckerpunch to the gut!
“At every street corner you built your lofty shrines and degraded your beauty, spreading your legs with increasing promiscuity to anyone who passed by. … You adulterous wife! You prefer strangers to your own husband!” -Ezekiel 16:25,32, NIV Nothing really prepares you for that moment of discovery. Nothing. You might have suspected the … Continue reading “Like a super suckerpunch to the gut!”
Divorce Minister: Palm Sunday Reflections
See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. -Zachariah 9:9b, NIV With the kick-off of Holy Week, I was pondering how this season parallels life for faithful spouses and marriages ended via adultery. The wedding day is like Palm Sunday: … Continue reading “Divorce Minister: Palm Sunday Reflections”
Mars Hill Church, Mark Driscoll, Shame-Based Teaching, and My First Marriage
***Pastor Mark Driscoll is popping back up in the church world and in the media (see here). I thought this would be a good time to run this post again–with minor edits–to talk about the very personal damage I experienced as a result of his distorted theological teachings.*** “But if any provide not for … Continue reading “Mars Hill Church, Mark Driscoll, Shame-Based Teaching, and My First Marriage”