Grace and Frankie: What’s So Funny?

“'He is making a joke, no,' Will said. 'But he likes to think he is making a joke, yes.” - John Flanagan, The Emperor of Nihon-Ja We’re think laughing at someone’s pain is nothing more than petty cruelty, and we think most people agree. Continue Reading

Three Obstacles to True Forgiveness

For a wife who is dealing with her husband’s sexual sin, part of the process of forgiveness includes coming to an understanding of what she has truly lost by the betrayal, and then beginning to release the debt of the offense against her. If she doesn’t go through this process, I’m not sure she can truly say “from her heart” she has truly forgiven. (Matthew 18:32-35) But forgiveness can be a challenge because the hurt may still resonate, and the emotions and fears combine to add confusion as to what true forgiveness looks like.  Here are Continue Reading

Cultivating your BFFs

A few years ago, there was a short-lived reality show called My New BFF, where young women competed for the privilege of being Paris Hilton’s “New Best Friend Forever”.  It was a one-sided proposition where Paris the celebrity, auditioned those eager to earn the privilege of entering her world. The title of Friend came at a price, and I couldn’t help but think of the popularity contests in my high school that only fed teenage angst and left many of us feeling insecure and unsure of ourselves. But even as adults, friendship can still be Continue Reading

Questions Wounded Wives Ask

Renee, you've been telling us about the WIFEBOAT Online Support Groups.  What sort of topics will you cover in this program? The WIFEBOAT Online Support Group will be 2 hours a week for 12 weeks.  After we take some time to share our stories, each session will have a short teaching on subjects relevant to their recovery--boundaries, wounded femininity, children and family issues--then we'll have a group discussion on how this issue is affecting each one. I even have a special guest facilitator planned--my husband Joe will be on hand for a Continue Reading

Expectant Waiting

We are the people of instant gratification.  We put things in the microwave and they’re cooked within seconds, we get food out of windows within two minutes of ordering, have information instantly available at the touch of our fingertips and travel at speeds unheard of in previous generations.  So having to wait for something important can seem unreasonable; even cruel at times. It’s hard to wait for a job after months of interviews, for a relationship to heal, or for a long illness to be over.  In all our waiting, we may wonder if God’s Continue Reading