….but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. -James 1:14-15, NIV (emphasis mine) James gives us clear teaching on the origins of sin. And adultery is … Continue reading ““The Devil Made Me Do It” Excuse”
Author: Divorce Minister
Pastoral Resource: Addressing Adulterous Situations
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may … Continue reading “Pastoral Resource: Addressing Adulterous Situations”
Christian Divorce Support and Feeding “Miracle” Thinking
DivorceCare did me a great deal of good. I know I will forever be thankful for the people I met in the DivorceCare group while I was working in St. Cloud, MN. God definitely directed me to that community and group. As you can tell by visiting my RESOURCES page, I encourage people to find … Continue reading “Christian Divorce Support and Feeding “Miracle” Thinking”
It is a choice–bad one, yes–but still a choice.
I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For … Continue reading “It is a choice–bad one, yes–but still a choice.”
Fellowship With Darkness?!
For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? -2 Corinthians 6:14b, NIV Wicked or evil people may sometimes appear–or even be–good in some settings. This truth is well-illustrated in a recent interview with the 105-year-old secretary of Nazi Germany’s propagandist, Joseph Goebbels (see here). Adultery is … Continue reading “Fellowship With Darkness?!”
Another Anniversary–God Vindicates!
Ten years. Today, I would have been married ten years. But different plans were in the works…. God has taken the shipwreck of my first marriage and built a new, better life out of the reclaimed wood. I am so thankful for the new life He has given me. God has truly been my Vindication. The … Continue reading “Another Anniversary–God Vindicates!”
Forgiveness: A Drywall Parable
The Drywall Parable: Sam and Sue were having a disagreement over the color of the drapes. Sam got so overheated in the disagreement that he put his fist through the drywall next to Sue’s head. Later, he apologized for loosing his temper and punching a hole in the wall. Sue told him that she forgave … Continue reading “Forgiveness: A Drywall Parable”
The Difficulty in Forgiving
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”
Answering Well-Meaning Busybody Christians
“Sure, he cheated. But what was your part in all of that?” – Well-Meaning, Busybody Christian If you are a faithful spouse having gone through or going through a divorce, you likely have encountered this person: The Well-Meaning, Busybody Christian. Oblivious to how hurtful their comments and questions are, these individuals actually believe they are doing faithful spouses … Continue reading “Answering Well-Meaning Busybody Christians”
Thankful
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. -I Thessalonians 5;18, KJV Much wisdom is in this little song from my childhood. Giving thanks for the gifts God has given us even while feeling discouraged, anxious, or depressed seems to help. At least, I have found … Continue reading “Thankful”