We got the idea of weekly devotions from our friends, Clint and Penny Bragg at Inverse Ministries. Here is a post from them about how they do their weekly devotions.
We actually started our own devotions by using their book “Dance Lessons” which you can purchase here. You can even download a couple of sample lessons.
To read more about how we do our Sunday devotions read our earlier post here.
As a break from some of the heavy stuff I share I thought this might be worth a chuckle. I was someone’s worse date one night when I forgot her name. Never admitted it to her, but I probably had a puzzled look on my face and wasn’t the best conversationalist for awhile.
During our separation sometimes I would go from crying to being in a rage within just a few minutes, and sometimes it was from raging to crying. Over time I learned to process these intense emotions with God through worship and prayer, often very vocal prayer. My emotions were more intense during that time than almost any other time in my life.
If you are in a marital crisis right now be aware that your emotions can be quite intense. If they are getting out of control, or you are afraid they will get out of control, please get help from a pastor, counselor, or trusted friend.
If you have a friend going through a marital crisis be aware that they may express emotions that are quite out of character for them. Try to be a sounding board for them and encourage them to get help if they are teetering on the brink of doing something you know they will regret.
I think this is a great song by Misty Edwards who leads worship at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City. The lyrics emphasize God’s love for us and that we should never give up. I think this might really minister to someone who is struggling right now.
Look at this picture and ponder the fact that Psalm 147:4 tells us that God determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. In verse 147:3 that same God tells us He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Yes, the same God who numbers the stars and calls each of them by name is the same God who heals your broken heart and binds up your hurts and wounds. The Creator of the stars cares deeply about you and what you are going through. The words “bind up” come from the Hebrew word, “chabash.” It means “to tie, bind, bind on, bind about (like a headband, turban, tiara), to restrain, to bandage.” The word “heal” in verse 3 is the Hebrew word “rapha” which means “to heal, to sew together or mend.”
Remember, God acts as physician to bandage and mend you together again when you are hurting and He does it tenderly and lovingly as a mother would her little child.
I personally have always enjoyed libraries.
During our separation I lived in our RV. I went into our house to work in my office when Sharon wasn’t there. Lots of times I just needed someplace to go that was quiet, was away from home, didn’t involve eating and had internet service.
I found libraries were great places that met all of the above requirements. When I traveled I often went into libraries in other towns. One advantage to an out of town library is that sometimes they had a different selection of books about marriage, separation and divorce than my home library.
If you have slow or no internet service at home, check out a library.
I just recently came across a Facebook page for separated men connected with Saddleback Church in California. It looks pretty good. Check it out at this link on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/SeparatedMen (need to be signed into Facebook) or here on the web: http://separatedmen.info/
Their list – Top 10 Must Do’s For The Separated Man – is pretty solid, although not easy to hear or to do. If you sign up for their emails you get access to some good videos.
Marriage Missions International has this post that links to several organizations who have lots of information about affairs. If you are hurting because of an affair, please take time to read the information found here.
During our separation there were times when God brought some amazing encouragement to me just when I needed it. Once I was at a church in Michigan that was pastored by a friend. At the end of the service they had time for people to come forward for prayer, so I did. I was amazed that the couple that prayed for me had been through their own major marital struggles.
Another time I happened to attend a men’s breakfast at a church away from home. I briefly shared that I was separated. Two men came up to me afterwards who had gone through their own separation but reconciled. They spent all day encouraging me and that evening I had supper with one of the men and his wife and received more encouragement. I was just so grateful to Jesus for these amazing lifelines of encouragement.
stubborn-pursuits.com 
