Steps Toward Forgiveness

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Eph. 4:31-32) As a way to end the 3 part series on...

The Perils of Unforgiveness

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” (Mt. 5:44) I recently read an article about a woman named Shaynna who enterered a funeral home and cut off the breasts, toe, locks of hair and slashed the forehead of a dead...

When Restorative Justice is not Possible

“But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” (Amos 5:24) I am grateful for the efforts that are happening today for victims and offenders of crime to experience healing and reconciliation. When I worked as a...

Do Your Boundaries Love or Self-Protect?

“Hatred stirs up conflicts, but love covers all offenses.” (Proverbs 10:12) “What is love? Baby don’t hurt me. Don’t hurt me. No more.” As I have been reflecting on what to write about love this month, I cannot get this high school song from Haddaway out of my head!...

Marriage: Bunny slopes and double blacks

“I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” Romans 7:18 NIV How in the world does this verse relate to marriage? Couldn’t I have picked the more lovely wedding verses from I...