gdp's Comments

http://www.rageagainsttheminivan.com/ : What I Want You To Know About Being A Widow

Wed, 4 Jun 2014 17:49:03 +0000

My mom was a young widow when she was just 22 years old. My dad died on Dec 23 in their home when his heart had an aneurysm. She found out a few days later that she was pregnant with me. She did remarry, and that man is the dad who raised me as his own. Even adopted me. Things haven't always been easy for her as she's processed that. It's heartbreaking and complicated. Thank you for sharing your story today. I am so sorry for all that you and your kids have lost.

http://www.rageagainsttheminivan.com/ : Questions of eternal significance: Is it rude to ask people to remove their shoes at your home?

Thu, 21 Nov 2013 17:46:37 +0000

Exactly! I grew up with shoes on. But after having friends who are Malaysian and removing our shoes in their home I adopted the custom. Yes, the house is cleaner -- not just what you can see, but the pesticides, allergens, mold, floor of the grocery store ick, etc. that you can't see. Most people are gracious. Some look at me like I've asked them to remove their pants. We hosted our house church every week several years ago. A couple who were attending noticed we didn't wear shoes. When she asked about our shoe rule she told me I should ask everyone else to remove theirs. I said I wasn't sure how that would go over. She encouraged me to just ask people to remove their shoes. So, I did. And have ever since. With a few exceptions, it hasn't been a problem.

Jennifer V Davis : To Speak Blessings

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 19:52:10 +0000

This hits me especially close today. My oldest daughter was just diagnosed with ADHD and a mood disorder. Sometimes I have been beside myself trying to discipline her and understand why she acts how she acts. In the heat of the moment when I have felt completely helpless I've said things to her I wish I hadn't. Over the past few weeks we sought some professional help, and as I've come to terms with her diagnosis, I find myself spending more time heaping hugs and words of blessing on her. Her diagnosis hasn't disappeared, but some of the horrible symptoms and behaviors are better. I can't help but wonder if some of that doesn't have to do with my change in attitude.

Maurilio Amorim : How Are You Wired for Creativity?

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 14:07:03 +0000

I'm with Lawrence. I can see all four of those in myself. Part of the mystery of creativity to me is being open to which one will descend on me at any given time. Yes, there's work and intentionality. But, often either the idea takes flight or it doesn't regardless of how intentional I am.

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Listening to devil music.

Mon, 8 Nov 2010 13:56:01 +0000

My youth pastor used to show us videos about how satanic heavy metal music was. They talked about backward masking and Ozzy Osborne biting the head off a bat because the devil told him to do it or something like that. Now I know that was all a bunch of made up crap. I didn't particularly care for heavy metal at the time anyway. So it didn't affect my choice in music. I can laugh about those videos and how adults overreacted and tried to "protect" me and my peers. But, once I grew up and realized a lot of that stuff was made up to manipulate me, it just made me cynical and I began to wonder what else I was taught at church that wasn't true. This had led to a season of questioning and doubt about a lot of things. While I still hold to the basic tenants of the faith, I've changed my views on most fringe issues. (I even voted for a Democrat <gasp!!> and Armageddon was *not* ushered in.) I'm sure my years of doubt, questioning, and cynicism weren't the desired outcome of my youth pastor or the other adults in my life.

Michael Hyatt Blog : Why Great Teams Tell Great Stories

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 18:10:21 +0000

Yes! I would love to have a copy of this book!! Yes, I would read it!! As a former worker in the service industry I am fascinated in what makes good customer service. I've worked in a grocery store, hotel call center doing customer service for properties worldwide, and tech support for a business information hub. Also, as the daughter of a pastor our family worked as a team to help members of our congregation as well as random people who found us via the phone book. Now, as a mother of two young children I want our family to function as a team empowering my children to make decisions and contribute to our family. I'm also part of a house church where the emphasis is on everyone contributing rather than on a few people leading everything. This sounds like my kind of book!

Mary DeMuth : When the Wolves Howl from a Sheep’s Mouth

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:11:41 +0000

Yep. I was on staff at a church plant that was led by someone who fits this description. I was badly wounded. Others were, too. Even now, though, I am somewhat remiss to call this person out as a wolf. I want to give the benefit of the doubt; I want to believe the best. I'm also a pastors kid. Growing up, we PKs see a lot of wolves dressed up like something else!! The Church is broken because it's full of broken people. We all need the grace God gives us in Jesus. But, once you're bitten by someone you should be able to trust, it's hard to trust others. I'm currently in a church under leadership that is wholesome, healthy, and good. I've healed a lot. But, sometimes the jaded voice creeps in and mistrust forms. It's quite a path this following Jesus business...

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Making horrible trades.

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 02:37:22 +0000

I'm glad to know my girls aren't the only ones who make these completely nonsense trades. My oldest often takes advantage of my youngest in a trade. In our house it's Littlest Pet Shop toys. The power of the Silly Bandz have yet to penetrate my household.

Mary DeMuth : Breathing is Better than Kicking

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 13:27:07 +0000

This is something I'm learning. Last week I had a tough time. I was kicking and kicking when I needed to be breathing and resting instead. Like you, I wrote about the experience on my blog.

Lindsey Nobles : My Terrible Tally

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:41:38 +0000

I used to keep tally more than I do anymore. It's not worth the energy, is it? And it does damage to relationships. More often now I worry about whether I owe a friend something -- a returned favor or reply to an email. I need to learn more about receiving and letting people give to me w/o expectation of anything in return. I appreciate your honesty, Lindsey. My recent post I know how you feel

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Pastors who read sermon notes from an iPad.

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:09:44 +0000

Definitely. All that grey area is what makes it so tricky. "Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial." And sometimes we don't want to give up our rights and independence for the sake of others. "It's not my fault if so-n-so is being petty about my iPad." Or sometimes we want to be petty and judge someone to make ourselves feel better about ourselves. "He/she's consumeristic and just showing off the newest toy so everyone thinks they're cool." Tricky grey area!

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Pastors who read sermon notes from an iPad.

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:24:28 +0000

Your point is subtle and well-made, Jon. It's a grey area. No one can say that having an iPad is wrong, or that preaching from one is wrong, but is it wise? The whole "cause your brother/sister to stumble" argument. Also, I think advertising and marketing is tricky. You're right about the Apple logo and the distraction of watching your pastor use the iPad which leads you to think about the iPad, not about God. Makes me want to paraphrase John, "He must increase, iPad must decrease."

Michael Hyatt Blog : The Most Important Part of Your Story

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:55:51 +0000

The part about asking the right questions is key for me. When my questions are negative -- is this worth it? how much longer can i go on? etc. my energy is depleted and my attitude becomes increasingly negative. The questions you suggest can help see the growth and potential for me coming out of a difficult situation. I loved A Million Miles!

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Secretly being liberal.

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 17:56:33 +0000

What a great post! Thanks, Rachel and Jon.

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Becoming an expert on Africa after a 6-day mission trip.

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:08:23 +0000

About rattlesnakes -- I live in Austin and there's a new development north of town some friends of ours moved to. They kill at least 6 rattlesnakes every summer since they moved in!!! I'll stick to my 30-yr-old, rattlesnake-free neighborhood, thank you very much.

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Becoming an expert on Africa after a 6-day mission trip.

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:14:58 +0000

These are hilarious, and I've been guilty of some of them myself as a veteran of several youth group mission trips and a stint with YWAM. However, I think the reason we do those silly things is because those trips, no matter how short or long, change us. We do come back to the US with an understanding of how different things are in other parts of the world. We do fall in love with the people and places we visit and want to share that with our friends. We bring home mementos like machetes and sandals. And we do appreciate what we have here in the "West" more than we did before. Usually we're young and immature when we have opportunities for mission trips, and when we come home we don't know how to process what we've experienced. It comes across as obnoxious or just dorky. I hope if I were to go on a mission trip now, at the age of 36, I'd handle my return home with more grace than I did when I was 16.

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Overcommitting to God in Worship

Fri, 9 Jul 2010 13:20:26 +0000

I can't stop laughing at this.

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : When Christians try to convert Christians.

Thu, 8 Jul 2010 15:51:09 +0000

Woah. Well, that just makes me angry someone would do that to your daughter. Grrr... A "prophet" at church camp told me I wasn't saved one year. I was about 16. It troubled me deeply for a long time. Wish I would have thought of your daughter's response! ...and pepper spray!

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : When Christians try to convert Christians.

Thu, 8 Jul 2010 15:13:59 +0000

PK here. My favorite is when I visit the church where my dad pastors and someone who doesn't know me welcomes me to the church like I'm some drunken prostitute stumbling in from the ditch outside. It's awkward because I don't want to throw down the, "I'm the PK" card, but I also don't want to let them continue to embarrass themselves.

Michael Hyatt Blog : Three Reasons You Can’t Afford That High Maintenance Client

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:37:17 +0000

I was thinking along the same lines, Terri. You can't always fire the high maintenance person in your life. There are times we have to love the unlovable and learn to not take their stuff personally.