Divorce Care at Westside

11/16/2020

https://tinyurl.com/y5ed5eod

A lot of people encourage divorcing parents to come together for holidays, such as Thanksgiving. People think it is in the best interest of the children. The premise is to create the image of one b…

11/11/2020

First class is starting tonight!! We look forward to meeting you 😊 if you have any questions please let me know.

10/22/2020

NEW CLASS STARTING NOVEMBER 11TH

02/15/2020

Hello! We are on a break right now. We will let you know when we plan to launch the next session.

11/11/2019

Join us Wednesday night at Westside!

11/09/2019

Friends - plan to join us Wednesday night for this special session of Surviving the Holidays. 6:30pm room 106 at Westside

“Instead of dealing with the pain of the holidays, I decided to go to work 7 days a week—which I realize now was insane.” – Wesley

After divorce or separation, people often turn to unhealthy methods of coping with the holiday season. The thought of being alone is overwhelming. Overworking and overindulging are common escapes.

But there’s a better way.

DivorceCare Surviving the Holidays helps people learn how to handle the holidays after divorce or separation. It helps them learn how to face alone time, or time without the kids, or time without their spouse.

This 2-hour seminar offers advice from divorce recovery experts on how to survive these times—and even thrive—this holiday season. Participants hear from others who have successfully navigated the holiday season after divorce; they learn practical steps to take and walk away with a new perspective and fresh hope.

Surviving the Holidays events are happening in your area. Click below to find one near you.
http://ed.gr/bxdxm

09/27/2019

Divorce brings with it many losses, some not even realized for months or even years. Will you allow Jesus to fill the gaps with his grace and love?

Losses leave a wake
that wakes you
to the meaningfulness of what was,
& why it deeply mattered,
&what message you want to live now.

It takes uncommon courage to believe:
Losses take but losses give.
Every loss gives you
space for something else.

You bravely have to ask -- what else?

Because:
No emptiness ever stays empty.
Empty places always fill.

And we choose what fills the empty places: anger, bitterness, distractions, hardness -- or hope & dreams & love & legacy & more life.

Losses are only wasted if we don't let them give us what they long to give us:
More love, more grace, more gratitude, more wisdom, more Jesus.

It takes uncommon courage to ask:
How might this emptiness be filled with more that's fulfilling?
from my journal

09/11/2019

See you all tomorrow!

08/20/2019

See you all Tomorrow! Take just 15 minutes today and do the On Your Own segment.

08/16/2019

Missed you this week? Join us next Wednesday. The sessions are independent, so you can always join us.

08/07/2019

Forgiveness isn't easy. Anyone who's been truly hurt will agree. In fact, many who have walked the path of forgiveness in their marriage will tell you that it's a journey, and you often start it without fully knowing where you'll finish. It takes grit and guts to start down the path, and even more to finish. But as always, you can have hope in Christ.

As followers of Jesus, we're taught to "forgive each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." (Eph 4:32, see also Col 3:13) Here's the catch: there's nothing in there about it being an easy process. Forgiveness is messy, it takes time, and it takes work.

Perhaps that's why Dr. Chapman said it's a commitment and not a feeling?

God's command to forgive is for our own good. Harboring bitterness and unforgiveness is like poison. It kills you from the inside out over time. Forgiveness in light of God's forgiveness, however, is always the cure.

Does forgiving mean you immediately trust again? No. Trust takes time to rebuild. Does forgiveness mean you stop feeling pain at times? Not necessarily. Healing takes time and help from outside counsel. Does forgiving your spouse mean you're committed to reconciling as far as it's up to you? Yes, it does. But that's why it's a commitment. True reconciliation isn't a quick fix. It takes dedication, communication, work, rebuilding trust, and plenty of time.

Whatever you've dealt with, and whatever you're currently dealing with, we urge you to hope in Christ. Look to him and behold the gift of forgiveness you've received when you are in him. He, of all men, has every right to feel wronged and to hold our wrongs against us, yet he freely forgives. He forgives, he loves, and he accepts because of his merit, not yours. Let that sink in.

If you're feeling hurt, sad, or hopeless right now, our hope is that you'd know that forgiveness is possible though it may not feel like it at times. Trust God as you forgive. It's a journey, and at times the path may feel unclear—you won't always feel it—but your destination is sure.

Stay the course and trust your Guide; he is faithful to bring you to the other side.

Stay fierce,
Ryan & Selena

PS: Our latest podcast episode is all about forgiveness if your looking for additional teaching on this topic.