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.

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.

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.

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!

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...

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.

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.

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

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!

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."