Journal - Comments

Lisa comments on Don't Give Up : Part 2

Lisa — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 23:46:15 +0000

Thanks so much, Dan! Your words are making me cry. Seriously, this is what I needed to hear today.

Dan comments on Don't Give Up : Part 2

Dan — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 17:45:01 +0000

Lisa - I think the key word (for me) that you used that I can really identify with in these situations is OVERWHELMED. It's a horrible feeling; I know it all too well. One thing we must remember is that growth and CHANGE go hand in hand. We can't ever experience growth without CHANGE. We can't be afraid of change or resistant to change (when we know it's of God). Sure, some feelings are going to get hurt in the process, but we must make sure we are ALWAYS growing in our relationship with the Lord; He desires that.

When we find ourselves in situations that involve others, many times the struggle comes in our emotions when we have a desire to break free. We will ALWAYS find folks (Believers, family, clergy,whatever), that are resistant to change. They refuse to change, and they don't want to see us change either. Hence the struggle. We must always follow God. May the Lord give you wisdom, guidance, and peace.

Lisa comments on Don't Give Up : Part 2

Lisa — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 00:37:03 +0000

Thanks for these posts, Dan! I really needed to hear this. I have never been so confused and unsure of what I need to do, where I need to go, and who I should listen to. It can be overwhelming and I have said, I quit so many times. I don't, but that is the attitude of my heart, and unfortunately, that is what counts the most. I think I need to go read those verses again. And again. Then again.

Lisa comments on Don't Give Up

Lisa — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:50:02 +0000

That's me right now. Worn-out, battered, and totally confused. I will take this message to heart. Thanks!

Dan comments on Walking in Someone Else's Shoes, Part 2

Dan — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 01:54:27 +0000

Lisa-

The statement you made about the "layers" is very profound. It's so true. It takes the Lord to bring us to the place where we even REALIZE that we have been "stand-offish" in our attitudes toward folks. Once we get the revelation, then the Lord can reveal the "layers" to us.

The one thing for us to always remember is to remain engaged in the process. It becomes harmful when we allow the devil to have us think we must get completely "on top" of this horrible attitude overnight, or we've missed it. We must avoid the condemnation and continue to allow the Lord to change us. Thanks for sharing that.

Lisa comments on Walking in Someone Else's Shoes, Part 2

Lisa — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 15:41:14 +0000

I have had similar thoughts, and sadly, about my family. Almost as if they are too far gone, so why bother trying to get into their world. At my brothers wedding in Oct, I had a totally different mindset (thank the Lord.) I stayed at the reception until the end, danced a little, and drank pop. There were raunchy, completely "unacceptable" moments, and way too much drinking on their part. Every time someone would do something "questionable" my mom and brother would look at me with fear in their eyes, like I would blow up or run or something. I smiled at them and continued on in my conversations with Aunts and Uncles, and even my brother's heavily pierced, tattooed and drunk friends. It's amazing how that one day has opened up relationship with my mom and brother that previously wasn't there! I'm so thankful that God opened my eyes how to be "in the world but not OF it" that one day.
I just wish I could break out of the bubble I live in here in IN to have the same kind of experiences. Problem is, going to PA for that wedding was a bit like going back to Egypt for me. That is the place where I was, this is the place where I am. Make sense? I'm working on breaking out of this bubble, but it's got way more layers than I thought.

Dan comments on Walking in Someone Else's Shoes

Dan — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 00:54:11 +0000

Thank you all for the comments! Lisa - that sounds like a great idea to me. 2 weeks off..... just the sound of that .... yeah, back to reality!!! Let us know when you would like to get together.

Lisa comments on Walking in Someone Else's Shoes

Lisa — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 22:37:26 +0000

Hey, I miss you guys! We should go out for dinner or something sometime soon. I get two whole weeks off for Christmas!

Debbie O comments on Walking in Someone Else's Shoes

Debbie O — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:07:58 +0000

Great article, Dan. I'll print it for you to read again when the first big snowstorm hits in 2009. :-)
Experience IS a great teacher...if we choose to listen and learn from it. If we don't, then all we've done is chalk up another bad time to reflect on and when a friend is about to go through what we went through, we have nothing to offer them other than "Yeah, that happened to me and it was horrible...but I'll pray for you". What good is that? I want someone to say "Hey, I was where you are and this is what God showed me on how to deal with the situation so that I didn't go insane or want to give up or die or whatever". Someone speak HOPE for crying out loud!! As you said, Dan, Jesus walked in our shoes....but He always had trust in His Father to see Him through and He always had hope. This is what we should have...and what we should have to offer to others.
Thanks again Dan for writing a great article.
Deb

Dan comments on Walking in Someone Else's Shoes

Dan — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:22:54 +0000

Wendy-

Thanks for sharing that story. That's really a great example. God has given us the gift of remembrance - it is a very powerful thing. Most of the time we use it to remember negative things. I'm glad that you used a difficult time in your life to relate to someone else and be a blessing! Merry Christmas.