“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!”
Category: Encouragement
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”
A Life Without Intense Family Stress
This past week I had a particularly stressful day. I called my father the day after to talk about various things and mentioned to him that the other day was stressful. He asked if it was work stress or family stress. Family stress? That never even entered my mind. Not that it was an unfair … Continue reading “A Life Without Intense Family Stress”
Beauty for Ashes…Three Years And Counting!
Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours. -Isaiah 61:7, NIV Today marks three years since I stood at my in-laws’ porch and exchanged marriage … Continue reading “Beauty for Ashes…Three Years And Counting!”
On Dating: Be willing to walk away!
…I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. … For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. -Philippians 4:11b, 13, NLT I am a firm believer in not off-sourcing personal responsibility for important life decisions. Get advice, sure. But do not let someone decide your life for you. When pastors … Continue reading “On Dating: Be willing to walk away!”
God, not you, is the Source of Strength!
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. -Psalm 46:1-3, KJV Let … Continue reading “God, not you, is the Source of Strength!”
Silence Helps Evil
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. -Ephesians 5:11, NIV I am several years removed from my divorce and all the sinful, destructive shenanigans my cheating ex pulled. In fact, Mrs. DM and I will be observing our 3rd wedding anniversary later this month. So, why keep talking … Continue reading “Silence Helps Evil”
A Hint from “Lover, Lover” by Jerrod Niemann
I like this song. It is a catchy tune, and the fact that my (ex) wife hated the song–as I remember it–does nothing to diminish my enjoyment of this song. In fact, it probably increases it. Her dislike of the song around the time it came out makes we wonder how long she had been … Continue reading “A Hint from “Lover, Lover” by Jerrod Niemann”
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?”
On 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 “On Self-Righteous, Religious Pricks”