I first read the novel Redeeming Love years ago, and like so many people, the story drew me in immediately. It's emotional, compelling, and deeply moving. It's the story of a man who refuses to give up on the woman he loves, no matter how many times she walks away. It’s a story that stays with you, and for many readers, it reshapes the way they think about love. But over the years, I’ve noticed something about how people often apply this story. People don’t just see it as a powerful illustration of God’s love—they begin to see it as a model for their own relationships. The takeaway shifts from “this is how God loves us” to “this is how I should love someone else.” And that is where things start to go wrong. The book—and eventually a movie—is based on the story of Hosea. God commands Hosea to marry Gomer, a prostitute who is unfaithful to him. Over and over again, she leaves. Over and over again, God tells Hosea to go after her. It's uncomfortable, and it's p...
In March, executive orders from governors across the country forced us to stay home, to close schools and churches and to shut down private businesses. Businesses were classified as either "essential" or "non-essential." All businesses deemed "non-essential" were forced to close. This included markets, clothing stores, boutiques, dine-in restaurants, and beauty salons. State parks, city parks, beaches, walking trails, lakes, and other wide open spaces were closed as well. Many people feel that the "social distancing," as it has come to be known, and stay at home executive orders violate their constitutional rights, such as our First Amendment right to freely exercise our religion, our right to peaceably assemble, and that we shall not be deprived of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Some of the people who feel their rights have been violated have decided to exercise their First Amendment right to protest. Some have even chosen...