Testimony / Intense Emotions

Posted on September 23, 2011 by RichWildman

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.

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God’s Love and Never Giving Up

Posted on September 22, 2011 by RichWildman

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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIjV0xTf8nM

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He Heals The Brokenhearted

Posted on September 21, 2011 by sewildman

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.

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Testimony / Libraries

Posted on September 20, 2011 by RichWildman

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.

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Hope for Separated Men

Posted on September 19, 2011 by RichWildman

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.

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Affair Resources

Posted on September 16, 2011 by RichWildman

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.

Things You Need to Know About Affairs

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Testimony / Encouragement Just When Needed

Posted on September 15, 2011 by RichWildman

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.

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The Skies

Posted on September 14, 2011 by sewildman

 For who in the skies above can compare with the LORD?

~ Psalm 89:6

(The skies above our farm last night.)

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Testimony/Surviving Down Days

Posted on September 12, 2011 by RichWildman

There were days during our separation where I was so down it was hard to function. One thing I found helpful on those days was to speak aloud the Lord’s Prayer and the 23rd Psalm. Usually, a little while later I would have at least a ray of hope again. I looked at those two scriptures sort of like a soldier does his rifle. He never wants his rifle too far from him in a danger zone because even though it is simple it is his most basic defensive weapon.

In Ephesians 6:10-18 the Apostle Paul mentions one piece of our spiritual armor being the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. These two scriptures were so simple but so powerful for me. If you are struggling please pick out a couple of verses that give you hope and write them on index cards and carry them with you to pull out and read as a reminder that God is with you.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. ~ Eph. 6:10-18 (NIV)

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Nurturing Sexual Intimacy in Marriage

Posted on September 9, 2011 by RichWildman

This was  a great post by Julie Sibert about how important sexual intimacy is in marriage. She emphasizes that when sexual intimacy in marriage is going well the couple does better in all of life, and if there are struggles there is help.

What I like about Julie is that she is open about her past mistakes in this area of her first marriage, but has chosen a new path in her second marriage.

Married Couples Having Great Sex

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