Controversial issues abound these days. It’s not just that they abound but the divisions seem to be deeper and more contentious. Controversial issues come up on social media, from political platforms, in the public square, on the news, on talk shows, and all across the internet. But they will also come up across Thanksgiving tables in a few days.
How do we decide when to engage in those conversations and how can the love of God and His wisdom help us navigate those controversial issues?
Do our associations really matter? If we know who we are in Christ, is it acceptable and wise to have close friendships with unbelievers? After all, didn’t Jesus hang around with prostitutes and tax collectors? What do we need to consider as we develop friendships, form partnerships, even choose a mate?
We all know forgiveness is important. In fact, if we have been a believer for any length of time we know that God commands us to forgive. But sometimes, we just don’t know how to do it.
So what is forgiveness? Does it require us to forget or to act like the hurt or the sin never happened? What does it mean to forgive as God forgives us?
Maybe you have questions, too. I hope to answer some of them in the next two posts.
This week’s subject may seem like a no-brainer to some. But even though we may claim to know these things, actually living as if we do can be challenging at times. So, what do you believe about God’s Word? Do you know how and why taking God at His word can rock your faith? And the most important question, do you act on it?
We are in a series called “Rock Your Faith.” The principle in this week’s post, Personal Accountability & Snowplow Parents” is at the heart of our ability to grow and change. Without it, our growth will be stunted at best. It’s something with which most of us struggle. It affects our relationships with God, with others, and our ability to parent well. Yet, much of what has been written about it is far from helpful.
Last week I shared about something that happened almost 20 years ago that rocked my walk with God and my husband’s, as well. The change that God did through it eventually rippled out into every part of our lives. Today I’m going to talk about a principle that will not only rock our lives personally but will lay the foundation for understanding and obeying the other principles we find in God’s Word.
Almost 20 years ago, something happened that rocked my walk with God. He had been prodding my husband and I to get more involved in our church. You see we had been wounded a few years before and we were leaving behind one of those “we’ll-just-go-to-church-and-leave-right-afterward” seasons. Maybe you’ve had one. As you may have learned, God is never content to leave us there.
Marriage is hard. It takes work. It takes staying committed in a world that says, “If I’m not happy, I’m outta here.” Yet, none of us marries with the idea that it won’t last. We get married thinking our relationship will be different. We’re in love and plan to live happily ever after. That lasts about a week-and-a-half.
Instead, marriage is like God’s sandpaper. It exposes our basic selfishness and all our rough edges. But if we let God teach us where we need to grow and change … if we learn to forgive … if we learn what it means to give grace to one another … if we stay committed through the good times and the bad, marriage can be one of God’s greatest gifts.
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