The world defines intimacy as a sexual encounter, to be 'intimate' with someone. But really, casual sex encounters have no intimacy in them, and I would argue that any sexual encounters outside of a marriage hold very little intimacy, if any.
The truth is that God is a God of redemption! Remarried husbands and wives: It takes the power of God to take dysfunctional situations and make something beautiful with them. Remarriage is real-life beauty for ashes (Isaiah 61:3).
When it comes to broken relationships, it’s important to remember that there are two battles taking place. Not only are we fighting the battle of human brokenness from within our marriage, but there is an enemy from without- working his hardest to tear down this safe place that God has built up.
I’m concerned that in our zeal to keep marriages together—a good and noble thing to do—we have completely marginalized an entire people group, who, by the way, are often in immense pain! We’ve marked divorced people as our modern day lepers and banished them from connection to the Church family. In some church circles, divorce is equal to the unpardonable sin. People who have been divorced are treated as if they have the plague.
Being single in the holidays can be hard for many people. This can be especially difficult for those that have just suffered a loss, a divorce, or have children that are away with their ex-spouse. I know this scenario full well. The traditions that you created over the years have to be tossed out or re-adapted. Your home feels emptier and the loss feels greater particularly on Christmas day.
In some circles of the Church, divorce is equal to the unpardonable sin. People who’ve been divorced are treated as if they have the plague. They can’t serve in their church and they’re not trusted. Having suffered through a divorce…
Character, communication and choosing love will sustain, revive and renew a relationship for the long-haul. “Personality” is easy to understand. Your “personality” is how people experience you. It’s your public persona. Character is who you are when no one…