“If a man is discovered committing adultery, both he and the woman must die. In this way, you will purge Israel of such evil.” -Deuteronomy 22:22, NLT After posting about how cheating affects the whole family, I was struck by a popular Country song. This song isn’t about marriage. It is about dating relationships designed … Continue reading “More hearts broken than “just” the faithful spouse’s”
Category: Grief
Mailbag: What is our role?
Pastor David, I did want to ask your opinion/insight on something else if you don’t mind. I am struggling with what our role is as Christians when it comes to this sexual sin that is permeating our society and destroying marriages. I don’t want to let my pain blind me from the truth of the … Continue reading “Mailbag: What is our role?”
Is the cheater seeking forgiveness or really just accountability?
Then David confessed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “Yes, but the Lord has forgiven you, and you won’t die for this sin. Nevertheless, because you have shown utter contempt for the word of the Lord by doing this, your child will die.” -2 Samuel 12:13-14, NLT Is the cheater asking for forgiveness or simply seeking to avoid … Continue reading “Is the cheater seeking forgiveness or really just accountability?”
Tears of gratitude for kindness
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. -Galatians 5:22-23, NIV (emphasis mine) Without fail, I find myself tearing up when I hear stories of kindness. The stranger that stops for another in need and offers of themselves when they didn’t have to. I … Continue reading “Tears of gratitude for kindness”
Eight years. Another divorce anniversary.
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: -Ecclesiastes 3:1, KJV Eight years ago to this day, I received a message informing me that my divorce was finalized. It was a “congratulations” that felt very inappropriate at the time. So much has changed since that day. I … Continue reading “Eight years. Another divorce anniversary.”
Grief is a funny thing.
His family all tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “I will go to my grave mourning for my son,” he would say, and then he would weep. -Genesis 37:35, NLT Even years after a divorce, grief can still surprise. That is how grief works. It ambushes. The heart has a way … Continue reading “Grief is a funny thing.”
Burning bridges is sometimes wisdom in action!
I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people. – I Corinthians 5:11, NLT Some bridges need burning! I am thinking of … Continue reading “Burning bridges is sometimes wisdom in action!”
Treat faithful spouses as adults, not children.
When I was a child, I as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. -I Corinthians 13:11, KJV Something about the infidelity and divorce surviving experience seems to encourage other Christians to see themselves as our parents. … Continue reading “Treat faithful spouses as adults, not children.”
“Right” belief does not always mean the person is “right” with God
A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he … Continue reading ““Right” belief does not always mean the person is “right” with God”
The loss of friends
Yet my friends laugh at me, for I call on God and expect an answer. I am a just and blameless man, yet they laugh at me. -Job 12:4, NLT Years removed, it is still difficult to think of old “friends” and accept the friendship is over for good. These could have been relationships developed … Continue reading “The loss of friends”