Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words. – Job 2:13, NLT Adultery effects more than just the couple. So does divorce. After preaching, I was pulled aside and asked about … Continue reading “Parents of Divorcees And Disenfranchised Grief”
Category: Grief
The Heart Knows…
The heart has its reasons, which reason does not know. – Blaise Pascal (1623-1662), French Philosopher, Thoughts, #277 It was three years ago this past Monday… ….when I was served the divorce papers by a marshal on my way to celebrate my graduation from my very first unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). That day seems … Continue reading “The Heart Knows…”
“I care about you…”
The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. -Proverbs 12:18, NIV I care about you but not enough… …to end my friendship with the adulterous spouse until she repents. My thoughts: “Sorry, your concern for me sounds skin deep. Scripture is clear that a person who … Continue reading ““I care about you…””
When you know enough…
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. – John 3:19, KJV In the early stages of discovery, I can remember being downright obsessive in trying to find out the facts. It was all-consuming for a good deal of … Continue reading “When you know enough…”
When Kids Are Involved…
Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; And then the Lord‘s wrath be kindled against you…. And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, … Continue reading “When Kids Are Involved…”
Celebrating Father’s Day…It’s complicated
“Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good … Continue reading “Celebrating Father’s Day…It’s complicated”
Surreal
This weekend happens to be my ten-year college reunion. I went to an elite liberal arts college in the Midwestern part of the United States. We take our reunions seriously as the college had a way for forging lifelong relationships during those short four years together. Back then the community was small and tight. That … Continue reading “Surreal”
Internal Pressure To Reconcile
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. – I John 2:19, KJV Recently, I had a dream. In this … Continue reading “Internal Pressure To Reconcile”
The Air Wave War
In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines. -Proverbs 18:17, NIV Stories are powerful. They give hope in hopeless places. And they can crush the spirit as well. Stories are well known as effective manipulation tools. Despots the world around recognized this and engage in promoting propaganda for … Continue reading “The Air Wave War”
Lament and Michael Card
So often the church has lost sight of how important lament is. God wants our honesty. And sometimes all we can give God is our tears and protests of pain. The following series of YouTube videos linked below lay out a teaching by the Christian musician, Michael Card, on the topic of lament. It blessed … Continue reading “Lament and Michael Card”