Golden Keyes Parsons's Blog, page 9

31 Ways to Mess Up Your Marriage – #27 – Problems With In-Laws

31 Ways to Mess Up Your Marriage
#27 Problems with In-Laws

I’ll have to admit that I have very little personal experience with in-law problems. My husband’s mom and dad were wonderful parents and equally wonderful in-laws. My husband grew up in the ideal home environment – lots of love, laughter, acceptance and most importantly, a household that honored and followed Jesus. Do you remember “Leave It To Beaver?” Or “Ozzie and Harriet?” Well, that was the kind of household in which my husband grew up. For that reason, I never have thought mother-in-law jokes were funny. The main in-law problems I had seemed to be trying to live up to their example.

One of the stresses in the in-law situation, particularly the husband’s mother, is that she may feel she is being replaced, and is not loved or needed anymore. It is up to her son (your husband) to reassure her that she is just as loved and appreciated as ever. Her role has simply shifted. Daughters seem to be better at conveying that reassurance to their parents than men most of the time, so help your husband out here and encourage him to do so.

My favorite philosopher, Dr. Phil, urges his clients to own the responsibility for their respective parents. And I think this is a good rule-of-thumb. A husband should not allow his mother or father to disparage or criticize his spouse, and should speak up if they do. (Tweet this!) A wife should not allow her parents to run her husband down, and should confront the issue if they should do so. (Tweet this!)

Problems with in-laws can become very complicated, but as with all relationships, the bottom line is to love and accept them, in spite of faults and shortcomings. Many times hurt feelings or insensitive comments simply need to be overlooked, and grace extended to the offending party. Many times there are customs or traditions among family that might seem silly or even stupid to the new in-law. It’s best to be gracious and accept the idiosyncrasy or strange custom as long as it doesn’t offend your convictions. (Tweet this!) Be careful that it’s not just your touchy feelings. It can be anything from a meal tradition to the way a holiday is celebrated. One thing I’m thinking of is the fact that I found out quickly in my husband’s family nobody read the newspaper until my father-in-law had read it. I made that mistake only once! It embarrassed me, and I think I probably teared up when chastised for messing up Dr. Parsons’ newspaper, but I honored it, because it was important to him. It was something that was just understood in their family.

Sometimes relationships can become toxic, in which case do not hesitate to consult a professional … your pastor or a counselor. If you find yourself in a toxic relationship with your in-laws, take the road of humility. And let your mate handle his/her parents. (Tweet this!) Calling upon the Holy Spirit to energize you, love and honor them the best you can. “Honor thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord God giveth thee” (Exodus 20:12).

Questions for my Readers

Have you struggled in your own marriage with in-law issues?
What other Godly advice have you heard that has helped you navigate these difficult relational waters?
How have the issues with in-laws that you’ve dealt with helped to mature you as an individual?

 

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends and subscribe to my blog and newsletter below. You will receive my modern short story version of ‘Trapped: The Adulterous Woman’ in your thank you email.

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HIDDEN FACES GIVEAWAY!

Enter your email below to subscribe to Golden’s blog and you will automatically be entered into the drawing for a free copy of ‘Hidden Faces: Portraits of Nameless Women in the Gospels’. Golden sends out two blogs each week. One blog is focused on her non-fiction topics and one blog is focused on her fiction writing. The giveaway winner will be announced on the blog and social media in the first week of November.

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Fiction Friday! – Interview With the Woman at the Well – Part 3

A Fictional Interview With the Woman at the Well
Part 3

Taken from the Biblical Account in John 4

We are continuing with our interview with the Samaritan woman, who has become known as the woman at the well. Her story is a pivotal one in Scripture.

Q – I want to ask you about the part of the book where I pictured your son, Matthew, as the Good Samaritan. As I was writing, it struck me that I could portray him as such, another well-known biblical character. This was not in my plans initially to do that, but everything seemed to fit — the timeline, the race. What are your thoughts on the artistic license I took in casting him in that role?

A – I loved it. There are so many characteristics of the Good Samaritan my Matthew possessed as well — kindness, compassion, generosity. And the Jericho Road which he was traveling at the time was treacherous and dangerous. When he was late in coming home that day, I was frantic. He was all I had left of my David. I couldn’t lose him too. When he arrived home and told us what had delayed him, it frightened me even more, but I couldn’t have been prouder of him.

The modern-day reader is unable to fully appreciate the danger which was involved in that simple act of kindness to the injured man on the road. First of all, the robbers who had beat the man up and taken all his money could have still been lurking among the rocks, waiting to attack whomever stopped to help, if anyone.

Secondly, because all of the man’s clothing had been stripped from him and he was unconscious, Matthew had no idea what race or creed he was. If he was a Jew, he would have not wanted a Samaritan to even touch him. All Matthew saw was a man in need.

Lastly, when Matthew took the man to an inn, the innkeeper could have very well assumed he might have been the perpetrator. However Matthew did what was good and right, despite the danger to himself. I was so very proud of him.

Q – Yes, when one looks deeper into the account, it is an amazing story. One of courage and compassion. You have every right to be proud of your son. I understand he observed some individuals who passed the victim of the robbery without helping him.

A – Matthew told me two Jewish holy men passed him by. They had to have seen the man on the side of the road. Their duties at the Temple probably restricted them from stopping to help, but …

Q – Matthew had plenty of reasons not to stop as well. You obviously brought him up well and were an example of courage and compassion to him yourself.

A – Oh, no! Not I. I failed in so many ways.

Q – But your encounter with Jesus changed all of that. All is forgiven. He extended his grace to you, and you believed Him. All we have to do is accept that grace and follow Him. Next time I want to talk about the astonishing revelation Jesus made to you.

If you would like to order a copy of “Alone” CLICK HERE.

If you would like to read the first chapter of “Alone” CLICK HERE.

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends and subscribe to my blog and newsletter below. You will receive my modern short story version of ‘Trapped: The Adulterous Woman’ in your thank you email.

 

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31 Ways to Mess Up Your Marriage – #26 – Harshness

31 Ways to Mess Up Your Marriage
#26 Harshness

I’ve never seen this subject addressed as such in marriage books or at marriage conferences. It is a subject covered under anger most of the time, I suppose. But this is something that slips in under the cover of familiarity in the marriage and probably does far more damage than we can imagine. I’m talking about harshness in attitude, in words, in discipline, in everyday situations.

As I discussed in the previous blog, sometimes we get so accustomed to being around each other we forget to treat our spouse with the same courtesy we afford to strangers on the street. Early in our marriage my husband had a pretty short temper fuse, whether it was yelling at his favorite football team or at a driver who didn’t execute as quickly as he thought they should. Or whether it was when the pancakes I served for breakfast were not hot enough for him. He’s generally a very happy, laid-back type of guy, but then this volcano would erupt out of nowhere. When I’d ask why he was mad, he would respond with “I’m not mad!” But he was exhibiting a harshness, which said to everyone around that he was angry. I’m happy to say he has allowed the Lord to smooth down those rough edges, and that short fuse is not there any longer. I suppose perhaps harshness many times is the symptom of underlying anger. However, what I am talking about here is when we get in the habit of addressing our mates and family with a curt word or a critical attitude rather than with a soft answer and edifying remark. That kind of daily treatment causes our mate to either withdraw or to become defensive. Neither behavior is conducive to a healthy marriage. “A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger” (Proverbs 15:2). (Tweet this!)

A young woman sat in my office and told me that after 17 years of a verbally, emotionally and sometimes physically abusive marriage, it was the harsh verbal abuse on a daily basis that finally broke her. (Tweet this!) All of the drinking, drug abuse and affairs with other women were hurtful, but the harshness of the verbal abuse caused her finally to leave her marriage. Scripture is clear as to how we are to treat one another. I love how Eph. 4:31-32 reads in the Amplified: Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind). And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another (readily and freely) as God in Christ forgave you. It’s a tall order, but with the energizing power of the Holy Spirit let’s love one another well.

Would you be willing to ask your spouse if there is any area where they feel you are being overly harsh with your family? With the children? With him or her?
If there is, determine to ask their forgiveness.
Do you find it difficult not to talk harshly to your spouse?
What ways have you found to calm yourself down when you start feeling angry?

 

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends and subscribe to my blog and newsletter below. You will receive my modern short story version of ‘Trapped: The Adulterous Woman’ in your thank you email.

 

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Fiction Friday! Interview With the Woman at the Well – Part 2

A Fictional Interview With the Woman at the Well
Part 2

Taken from the Biblical Account in John 4

Q – We left our readers hanging last week after I said we would tackle the issue of your five husbands in a subsequent interview. Honestly, I had not given that issue much thought previously, other than the fact that Jesus did not let you get by with a half-truth there. Tell us about your marriages.

A – My first marriage, David, was the love of my life. We were very young–and in love. We had started building a good life. I became pregnant very soon after we married, but I loved children, and we were happy. However, he was trapped in a fire in our vineyard and killed. Then I married Simon, the overseer of the vineyard, innocently thinking he would be like David and take care of us, but he was brutal and abusive. He simply didn’t come home one evening.

Q – And you suspect that your brother did away with him, don’t you?

A – Yes, but he never admitted it, and I didn’t pursue it. Deep down I have to say I was relieved.

Q – You know, Marah … or I suppose you’d rather I call you by your “new” name, Abigail.

A – You can even call me Abby if you like.

Q – I like Abigail fine. What I started to say was you don’t have to go into detail about each marriage. Our readers can get the book to find out about all of those. What I’m interested in is your feelings about having so many husbands.

A – I was embarrassed when Jesus verbalized it to my face. I never meant to have so many husbands. I was widowed three times, abandoned once, divorced once. I was a disgrace in our village, and kept myself isolated. I felt “less than.” Shame followed me around everywhere I went and nipped at my heels like a yapping little dog. I never felt clean or free from the whispers and gossip. That’s why I went to the well at mid-day. Most of the women went earlier in the day or in the evenings when it was cooler. So I chose to go during the heat of the day to avoid them. And it was so very hot that day. I can remember Jesus wiping the beads of perspiration away as we talked.

Q – I’m curious about what Jesus looked like – his physical appearance.

A – Very ordinary – average stature, a pleasant tanned, but not overly handsome face, a quick smile, kind eyes that drew me in. There was nothing about his appearance that made him stand out — it was his demeanor.

Q – Explain that.

A – I don’t know if I can. His presence created an atmosphere of peace, of kindness, of acceptance, which put people at ease and drew them to him. His smile disarmed me immediately. So warm.

Q – And nobody else was around?

A – Only the one disciple, John. He’s the one who recorded the story.

Q – I know. I read the Book.

A – (Chuckling) Ah, yes. That’s right.

Q – And I also have been to the well.

A – Really?

Q – Yes, in 1998 we were given a trip to Israel by a dear friend, and we visited the site. I stood beside it and thought of you.

A – That touches me.

Q – Your story has touched many people through the ages. Next week I want to discuss your son, Matthew’s, encounter on the road to Jericho.

A – Yes, I would like to tell you about that.

Q – He became known as the Good Samaritan in another one of the most beloved stories in Scripture. Stay tuned until next week.

Questions for my readers. Please leave your comments below…

What do you imagine Jesus’ demeanor to be like? Do you picture him smiling?
Had you ever realized that the disciple, John, was with Jesus during this beautiful encounter and witnessed it firsthand?
Can you identify with the shame this woman felt and her desire to isolate herself because of it?
When has Jesus met you in a personal way and removed your shame and replaced it with hope?

 

If you would like to order a copy of “Alone” CLICK HERE.

If you would like to read the first chapter of “Alone” CLICK HERE.

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends and subscribe to my blog and newsletter below. You will receive my modern short story version of ‘Trapped: The Adulterous Woman’ in your thank you email.

 

 

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31 Ways to Mess Up Your Marriage – #25 – Failure to Express Appreciation

31 Ways to Mess Up Your Marriage
#25 Failure to Express Appreciation

Thank you. You’re welcome. I appreciate you. Words we teach our children, but sometimes we forget to verbalize them to one another.

I’m thinking about the holiday season, which is just around the corner. I don’t know of a season that women work any harder for the family than during the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. In addition to our regular duties of being wives and mothers, we are hostesses, chefs/cooks/bakers (being careful to prepare everyone’s particular holiday favorite), interior decorators, shoppers and wrappers of gifts, event planners and for some of us, members or directors of choirs and Christmas programs. It’s easy to get burned out and approach the holidays running on empty. A few simple words of appreciation can give us the impetus to continue.

My mother-in-law taught me early in our marriage that men thrive on praise. An occasional word of appreciation – “Thank you, Honey, for servicing the car,” or “I appreciate how hard you work for our family,” will give your husband fuel to run on for a long time. (Tweet this!)

Every so often my husband will say to me, “I am so blessed to be married to you.” Just for no reason! That also goes a long way to making me feel appreciated. Don’t neglect to speak words of appreciation to your spouse. (Tweet this!) We tell the waitress in the restaurant, “Thank you,” for serving us a meal. We certainly can thank our spouse for cooking a meal or mowing a yard.

A member of our church asked us one time if this was a second marriage for us. Rather surprised we replied that it was a first marriage for both of us. I asked the young woman, “Why did you think it was a second marriage?”

Her reply was eye opening. “Well, you all are so respectful and courteous to each other, I just thought you couldn’t have been married very long.”

The truth is that familiarity sometimes makes us careless about extending common courtesies to the people we love the most. (Tweet this!) “Pass the salt, please.” “Thank you.” Opening the door for one’s spouse. The dozens of simple expressions of appreciation that need to be expressed every day to our loved ones.

Colossians 4:6 – “Let your conversation be always full of grace … ”

Thoughts and Questions for my Readers

Have you perhaps grown careless about expressing word of appreciation to your mate? How about determining to begin to express appreciation in small ways?
Are you teaching your children to be appreciative?
Please share stories of where someone went out of their way to express appreciation to you and it made all the difference in your day.

 

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends and subscribe to my blog and newsletter below. You will receive my modern short story version of ‘Trapped: The Adulterous Woman’ in your thank you email.

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Fiction Friday! – Interview With the Woman at the Well – Part 1

 

A Fictional Interview With the Woman at the Well
Part 1

Taken from the Biblical Account in John 4

Today I am visiting with the Samaritan woman whose encounter with Jesus is recorded in John 4. To begin our conversation, I want to thank you for being with us … and right off I want to tell you that yours was the most difficult story of the four Nameless Women to write. 

A – Really? What was the reason for that?

Q – When I started doing the research, I ran into a brick wall. Even with the Internet, I found only a few resources, which gave me information about the Samaritans … and even less information on Samaritan women. I only found one image of a Samaritan woman.

A- I see. Yes, Samaritan communities are very ingrown, even today, and do not like any kind of publicity or intrusion into our way of life.

Q – And Samaritan women?

A – Very private, and undervalued.

Q – Do you think Jesus singled you out for that very reason?

A – (A soft chuckle) I’ve thought about why Jesus chose to talk to me that day for so long. And there are many perspectives from which to observe this encounter. First of all, I’ve since learned he intentionally chose to travel through Samaria when the traditional route for the Jews was to go around. We were a hated race because of our intermarriage with pagans who conquered Israel, and because of our belief that Mount Gerizim was the proper place for worship rather than Jerusalem. Jews would avoid going through Samaria to avoid becoming contaminated, but Jesus purposefully went to Jacob’s well to seek me out.

And I’m sure you know that noon was not the usual time for the women to go to the well. I always went then to avoid the gossipy women. I was not exactly considered proper company.

Q – So you were surprised that he spoke to you?

A – “Surprised” is a mild description. I was stunned. I perceived from his clothing he was a Jew. Not only was I a Samaritan, but for a Jewish man to speak to a Samaritan woman. I almost dropped my water pot. And he spoke so strangely.

Q – What do you mean?

A – He’d asked for a drink, but he had nothing with which to draw water from the well. Then he started talking about living water. I was very confused.

Q – In my fictitious recounting of the incident, I gave you the name “Marah,” which means “bitter” in Hebrew. Was it a fitting name for you?

A – Very. By the time I met Jesus, I had become bitter and hardened through my life experiences. Having been widowed and divorced and abandoned. I was an embittered woman.

Q – What was it that made you realize this man was different, that what he was offering you was something beyond physical water?

A – It took me a while. I thought if he gave me “living” water I would never have to come to the well again to draw water for our household. Honestly I didn’t know what he meant. Then when he told me to go tell my husband, and he knew the man I was living with wasn’t my husband … well, I knew something supernatural was going on. There was no way he could have known that except God had revealed it to him. My legs started trembling, and I didn’t know whether I could remain standing. Suddenly the mid-day heat seemed intolerable. I set my water pot down, and sat on the edge of the well.

Q – I want to ask you about your five husbands before we continue, but that will have to wait until next week. I’m finding our conversation very interesting. Stay tuned for Part 2 next week on Fiction Friday!

Questions for my readers. Please leave your comments below…

What do you think about Jesus breaking all of the cultural rules by speaking to this woman?

What would you have thought when Jesus started talking about ‘living water’?
When has Jesus come to you in your life when you least expected Him to show up?

 

If you would like to order a copy of “Alone” CLICK HERE.

If you would like to read the first chapter of “Alone” CLICK HERE.

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends and subscribe to my blog and newsletter below. You will receive my modern short story version of ‘Trapped: The Adulterous Woman’ in your thank you email.

The post Fiction Friday! – Interview With the Woman at the Well – Part 1 appeared first on Golden Keyes Parsons.

31 Ways to Mess Up Your Marriage – #24 – Failure to Prioritize Time Together

31 Ways to Mess Up Your Marriage
#24 Failure to Prioritize Time Together

We all know that we need to spend time together as husband and wife. We realize that we will grow apart if we do not communicate with each other–and communicate well.

One of the saddest situations that we have encountered as we’ve grown older is observing friends and acquaintances marriages that have entered into the final years in a state of bitterness, or indifference, or separateness. One couple we know live basically in different towns. One couple never eat their meals together. Another spends copious amounts of time in separate hobbies and recreation. They have decided to remain married, but there is not the vibrancy, mutual respect and deep mature love that should be true of a long-term marriage.

One of the reasons for this, in my opinion, is the lack of putting time with one’s mate in the early years at the head of one’s list of priorities. If we do not intentionally carve out time to spend with our mates, the demands and busyness of life will crowd it out week by week until we are looking at months and then years of neglect of the relationship. (Tweet this!) In ancient Jewish culture, when a couple married the groom took off the first year of marriage to simply spend with his bride, getting to know her, learning her likes and dislikes, learning how to please her. He was excused from military duty, and the couple built their house during this year (Deut. 24:5). Doesn’t sound like a bad idea to me!

Turn off the television and computer, put down the phones and tablets, and set aside time to talk at the end of the day. Plan a date night at least a couple of times a month – just the two of you – no children. (Tweet this!) We recommend that couples go to one marriage conference a year, just to fine-tune their marriage.

Little foxes spoil the vine, and not being intentional in spending time together can be a huge vine spoiler. Sit down with your spouse this week and decide to spend more time together.

What is the biggest obstacle in your marriage to finding quality time together?


What are some ways you have successfully overcome this obstacle so far in your relationship?
What benefits do you see when you have spent true quality time with your spouse?

 

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends and subscribe to my blog and newsletter below. You will receive my modern short story version of ‘Trapped: The Adulterous Woman’ in your thank you email.

 

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Fiction Friday! – Interview With the Woman Caught in Adultery – Part 3

A Fictional Interview With the Woman Caught in Adultery

Part Three
Taken from the Biblical Account in John 8:1-11

I want to thank you again, Anna, for spending this little bit of time with us and answering some questions. For the last part of our interview I’d like to ask:

Q – What did you do immediately after you left the Temple courtyard? Where did you go? You had to be dazed and physically spent.

A – Yes, I was. Absolutely confused and bewildered. I was too ashamed to return to my family immediately. The details of where I went and what occurred to me as far as my life with Jeremiah and Eli are not really the important lessons to be learned from my story.

Q – What would you say are the most important lessons?

A – Jesus’s words rang in my heart as I left the Temple courtyard that day: “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” A kind soul, whom you depicted as my cousin Nathaniel, helped me from the scene, covered me with a robe and dressed my wounds. I was almost unconscious from the physical and emotional battering. But something new was bubbling up in my spirit. Like fresh spring water breaking forth from the ground.

Q – Did you know that shortly before His encounter with you, Jesus said, “He who believes in Me, From his innermost being shall flow springs and rivers of living water?” (John 7:38).

A – (Smiling) I heard later.

Q – In my book, Trapped!, I picture you as one of the women who followed Jesus to the cross. Why do you think women had the courage to stay the course through the crucifixion when most of the disciples fled?

A – There are probably several reasons, but as far as I was concerned, Jesus had saved my life – literally and spiritually – and I was not going to abandon Him in his hour of need. I cared not what the soldiers might do to me. I was going with Him.

Q – Did you think it was all over at that moment?

A – Of course. We all did. We spent a couple of very dark nights, but then word spread like wildfire of his resurrection.

Q – Our time is coming to a close. What one thing would you like to leave our readers with.

A – The main thing I would like my story to convey is that forgiveness is for all who come to Him. No one’s sin is so heinous that Jesus won’t reach out in compassion, (Tweet this!) mercy and grace. Accept his gift of forgiveness. Many times the most difficult one to forgive is ourselves, but if Jesus is willing to forgive us, who are we to hold condemnation for ourselves? (Tweet this!)

And then to heed his words, “Go, and sin no more.” One must not continue in sin. It would be nailing Him again to the cross. I don’t mean we never sin again. Of course we do. We are human, but to willfully continue in sin is to grieve the Holy Spirit and bring shame to the name of our Savior. I would beg your readers to not do that. “Go, and sin no more.”

Q – Thank you for your very transparent interview, Anna. I have loved getting to know you better. Thank you for your testimony of the forgiveness offered by our Savior to all who will accept it.

Questions for my readers. Please leave your comments below…

What do you believe Anna’s future was like after her personal meeting with Jesus?
In what ways do you identify with Anna in your own life?

 

If you would like to read the first chapter of “Trapped” CLICK HERE.

If you would like to order a copy of “Trapped” CLICK HERE.

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends and subscribe to my blog and newsletter below. You will receive my modern short story version of ‘Trapped: The Adulterous Woman’ in your thank you email.

The post Fiction Friday! – Interview With the Woman Caught in Adultery – Part 3 appeared first on Golden Keyes Parsons.

Fiction Friday! – Interview With the Woman Caught in Adultery- Part 3

A Fictional Interview With the Woman Caught in Adultery

Part Three
Taken from the Biblical Account in John 8:1-11

I want to thank you again, Anna, for spending this little bit of time with us and answering some questions. For the last part of our interview I’d like to ask:

Q – What did you do immediately after you left the Temple courtyard? Where did you go? You had to be dazed and physically spent.

A – Yes, I was. Absolutely confused and bewildered. I was too ashamed to return to my family immediately. The details of where I went and what occurred to me as far as my life with Jeremiah and Eli are not really the important lessons to be learned from my story.

Q – What would you say are the most important lessons?

A – Jesus’s words rang in my heart as I left the Temple courtyard that day: “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” A kind soul, whom you depicted as my cousin Nathaniel, helped me from the scene, covered me with a robe and dressed my wounds. I was almost unconscious from the physical and emotional battering. But something new was bubbling up in my spirit. Like fresh spring water breaking forth from the ground.

Q – Did you know that shortly before His encounter with you, Jesus said, “He who believes in Me, From his innermost being shall flow springs and rivers of living water?” (John 7:38).

A – (Smiling) I heard later.

Q – In my book, Trapped!, I picture you as one of the women who followed Jesus to the cross. Why do you think women had the courage to stay the course through the crucifixion when most of the disciples fled?

A – There are probably several reasons, but as far as I was concerned, Jesus had saved my life – literally and spiritually – and I was not going to abandon Him in his hour of need. I cared not what the soldiers might do to me. I was going with Him.

Q – Did you think it was all over at that moment?

A – Of course. We all did. We spent a couple of very dark nights, but then word spread like wildfire of his resurrection.

Q – Our time is coming to a close. What one thing would you like to leave our readers with.

A – The main thing I would like my story to convey is that forgiveness is for all who come to Him. No one’s sin is so heinous that Jesus won’t reach out in compassion, (Tweet this!) mercy and grace. Accept his gift of forgiveness. Many times the most difficult one to forgive is ourselves, but if Jesus is willing to forgive us, who are we to hold condemnation for ourselves? (Tweet this!)

And then to heed his words, “Go, and sin no more.” One must not continue in sin. It would be nailing Him again to the cross. I don’t mean we never sin again. Of course we do. We are human, but to willfully continue in sin is to grieve the Holy Spirit and bring shame to the name of our Savior. I would beg your readers to not do that. “Go, and sin no more.”

Q – Thank you for your very transparent interview, Anna. I have loved getting to know you better. Thank you for your testimony of the forgiveness offered by our Savior to all who will accept it.

Questions for my readers. Please leave your comments below…

What do you believe Anna’s future was like after her personal meeting with Jesus?
In what ways do you identify with Anna in your own life?

 

If you would like to read the first chapter of “Trapped” CLICK HERE.

If you would like to order a copy of “Trapped” CLICK HERE.

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends and subscribe to my blog and newsletter below. You will receive my modern short story version of ‘Trapped: The Adulterous Woman’ in your thank you email.

The post Fiction Friday! – Interview With the Woman Caught in Adultery- Part 3 appeared first on Golden Keyes Parsons.