Friends, pastors, and counselors can be valuable resources; however… ….you will ultimately be the one who has to live with your decision about your marriage and answer for it before God (see 2 Cor 5:10). One of my mistakes in my marriage’s dissolution years ago was allowing far too many people into the inner sanctum … Continue reading “A Hindsight Lesson”
Category: Encouragement
God loves justice!
8 “For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them.” -Isaiah 61:8, NIV This verse comes just a few verses in the same chapter of Isaiah quoted by Jesus in Luke 4. I think that is significant. God still loves … Continue reading “God loves justice!”
Feeling like used, discarded 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 thrust of what she said. The message was unmistakable. This brave pastoral spouse shared to a young Vineyard Church about her experience of being sexually … Continue reading “Feeling like used, discarded tissue”
Happy Easter, Faithful Spouses!
…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 Sunday. I am sure many of us have heard stories about God doing the impossible on Resurrection … Continue reading “Happy Easter, Faithful Spouses!”
Happy? Holy Saturday
And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there. -John 19:42, NLT Dreams shattered. Hope stolen and crushed on the cross. His political enemies seemingly victorious having executed Jesus in the most humiliating and excruciating way known to … Continue reading “Happy? Holy Saturday”
A Decade Already!
Today, Mrs. DM and I celebrate ten years of marriage! I share this as a word of encouragement to those in the midst of “the suck.” It can and does get better on the other side of the divorce. Looking back, I felt like my world ended with my divorce. So many dreams died with … Continue reading “A Decade Already!”
Lifting the curtain
17 And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. -2 Kings 6:17, NIV Often times, we do not see what God is doing in the background and the darkness. Then comes a … Continue reading “Lifting the curtain”
Can’t go back. Must move forward!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. -Psalm 23:4, KJV You cannot go back. Time does not work that way. You cannot un-know what you now know. Knowledge does not work that … Continue reading “Can’t go back. Must move forward!”
Just a footnote to your awesome story!
The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. -Job 42:12a, NIV Looking back is odd these days, I feel like I am considering a stranger as I think about my first marriage. God has truly blessed the second part of my life. I feel tremendously grateful for all He has poured … Continue reading “Just a footnote to your awesome story!”
Consider a pastor who exhibit empathy
Then Jesus wept. -John 11:35, NLT When looking for a pastor, I would encourage you to consider empathy and compassion as necessary traits. The “answer man” or “answer woman” is not what a hurting heart needs. Today, I read an excellent article about the importance of this trait in pastors. It was written by … Continue reading “Consider a pastor who exhibit empathy”