Unforgiveness is rooted in the fear that God will not repay evil according to justice. -International House of Prayer This quote from a Christian organization out of Kansas City hit home for me. In just a mere fifteen words, they cut to the heart of the struggle to forgive. This is really a question about … Continue reading “The Difficulty in Forgiving”
Category: Forgiveness
Cheater-speak: “Let’s not talk about that. It is in the past.”
“It is in the past.” – Cheater But is “it” really in the past? The effects and consequences of the cheating are very much in the present. -A late night “at the office.” -Another “business” trip. -That song on the radio. -A strange charge on the credit card. -An unknown phone number calling your spouse’s cell. … Continue reading “Cheater-speak: “Let’s not talk about that. It is in the past.””
Mailbag: This weekend I had a conversation with a Christian “friend”…
Michael wrote: This weekend I had a conversation with a Christian friend that really bothered me. It’s days later and I’m still bothered, hurt by his comments. Long story short, we got onto the topic of my divorce. Normally, I avoid this topic with this specific person. He is the one who told me about … Continue reading “Mailbag: This weekend I had a conversation with a Christian “friend”…”
Signs of Real Repentance
And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.” -Luke 19:8, KJV (quotation marks added) So, you think your cheater has hit rock bottom and is truly … Continue reading “Signs of Real Repentance”
Rebuking is Christ-honoring behavior, too!
When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned…The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy…. -Galatians 2:11, 13a, NIV Sometimes a rebuke is in order. Cephas, aka the Apostle Peter, needed a rebuke by the Apostle Paul for doing what he knew was wrong and leading others astray … Continue reading “Rebuking is Christ-honoring behavior, too!”
Disgusted with Evangelical “Leaders” Meeting Trump
Recently, prominent evangelicals met with GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump in an effort to shore up evangelical voter support for Trump come election day. Such leaders included Rev. Franklin Graham, Jerry Falwell Jr, Tony Perkins (President of the Family Research Council), James Dobson (famous Christian psychologist), former Gov. Mike Huckabee, Ronnie Floyd (Outgoing President of … Continue reading “Disgusted with Evangelical “Leaders” Meeting Trump”
Pastor to Faithful Spouse
It is no longer a matter of speculation: Your spouse has admitted to cheating. Besides you have the evidence of this awful truth going back months–or even years–in your hands. The world has stopped, and you are in shock. You think, “This sort of thing happens to other people. Not us!” How might a pastor help … Continue reading “Pastor to Faithful Spouse”
Flaky Forgiveness Trivializes Trauma!
They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace. Jeremiah 6:14, NIV Unconditional forgiveness pushers are like the people mentioned here in Jeremiah 6:14 treating gaping wounds with boo-boo kisses. Either they do not know the first thing about dealing with the … Continue reading “Flaky Forgiveness Trivializes Trauma!”
Is God’s Forgiveness Unconditional?
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said unto them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye … Continue reading “Is God’s Forgiveness Unconditional?”
Forgiveness Does Not Change Facts!
It still feels strange for me to even speak about how my first marriage ended. I feel internal pressure and accusation as if speaking the facts means I have not forgiven her or am bitter. That’s a lie, by the way. But it is a hard one to shake growing up amidst a Christian … Continue reading “Forgiveness Does Not Change Facts!”