gdp's Comments

http://reachinghurtingwomen.blogspot.com/ : Fantasy Shockwaves

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 18:23:26 +0000

Excellent post, Tamara. Our fantasies are powerful things, and we have to be extremely careful what we focus our thoughts on. I've seen the Casting Crowns video and it's powerful! On a related note about the power of thoughts: During my second pregnancy, I used to lay awake at night, all the worst-case-scenarios going through my head: what if I get post-partum depression? post partum psychosis? what if, what if, what if... I finally decided to put that insomnia-and-fears to work and make up a fictional character who DID have these things happen to her. Wa-la! The birth of my first novel.

Crave Something More : The Realness of God

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 12:34:45 +0000

Great post. One thing that helped me was Richard Foster's book on Prayer, where he writes about different types of prayer. Sometimes I think we make it too complicated and simple prayers throughout the day help us connect with God as much as long times in prayer do. Both bring us to God, just in slightly different ways. I wish my prayer life was better, though. And the communion wafers aren't dry at my church! Someone handmakes them in the traditional Mennonite way and they are wonderful tasting (just like Jesus!) My recent post Ripping apart a novel and starting over in real life

Crave Something More : Convicted On Judgment Day

Thu, 9 Jun 2011 12:18:17 +0000

Ouch. That question always hits me hard. I confess that I'd want to have published my novel before Jesus comes back. Ouch, ouch, ouch. Thanks for the reminder, even though I didn't really want it! My recent post A halo or a noose How your strengths can be weaknesses

Crave Something More : Another Update In Thoughts

Mon, 23 May 2011 12:22:26 +0000

What have I been learning? How impatient and angry I can be. Not a pleasant lesson to learn. And yes, feeding babies real food definitely changes things (and leads to more unpleasant diaper changes.) But it's just one step closer to them being independent enough to feed themselves. My recent post Hold up the mirror and share in the blame

http://reachinghurtingwomen.blogspot.com/ : undefined

Mon, 23 May 2011 12:15:28 +0000

Great thoughts, Tamara. I agree, it definitely needs to be someone of the same gender and who is outside the situation, and who is absolutely, totally trustworthy. I've had people betray my confidence before (thankfully not over anything major) and it hurts. I hope many women follow your advice; there's a lot of wisdom here.

http://movethemountains.blogspot.com/ : Pistachios: Don\'t Eat Them At My House

Thu, 19 May 2011 12:08:37 +0000

Oh gosh, too many to mention! We, too, have had the unwashed hands experience, though not with pistachios. Will you ever each pistachios again?!

Kristine Remixed : Stepping Out In Something New...or Not

Thu, 19 May 2011 12:05:32 +0000

I remember some of the teachers who encouraged me to write, specifically my 9th grade English teacher and my thesis director in college. Recently, I came across his comments on my thesis, and started crying. It was such an affirmation that I am a writer, that I must be a writer. Thank you for sharing about your teacher.

http://movethemountains.blogspot.com/ : Just Give Me Jesus/Refections on the Trinity

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 15:05:10 +0000

I thought about one principle in Lewis' quote this morning. I tend to have an easier time showing grace to myself (not always) and to those who are broken/needy/obviously-screwed-up-their-lives types. But the judgmental people? I've got a hard time forgiving their sins and showing them grace. I have to remember that they're as much my neighbor as the homeless guy on the street.

http://movethemountains.blogspot.com/ : Just Give Me Jesus/Refections on the Trinity

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 21:41:37 +0000

I love your philosophy to err on the side of grace! To do otherwise makes us run the risk of being arrogant at best and at worst, divisive & slandering, willing to cause others to reject Christ because we are so "right" that we can't show love to others. I've seen it happen and it's sad.

Crave Something More : I Am God's Gift To...

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 18:50:18 +0000

I think most of us haven't thought about this reality. Maybe it's because we don't feel like a "gift", more like a burden, our hearts filled up with awful stuff, a burden that Christ groans over. ("Man, do I have to deal with that horrible Laura ONE MORE TIME?!") But truth is, he rejoices over us and loves us and delights in us. Amazing. My recent post The realm of abstraction

http://reachinghurtingwomen.blogspot.com/ : Who Do You Think You Are?

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 12:19:54 +0000

This is such a hard thing for me! I have a hard time seeing the truth about my circumstances and my identity, and focus on the negative, the lies that have defined me for so long. My husband pointed this out to me yesterday. Thanks for re-affirming what he said!

Crave Something More : Don't Ignore...Submit

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 13:22:33 +0000

Do I find it racing with worries? Every day! It does help to pray and admit this to God. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this with us. This was very encouraging, a great reminder to me when I am overwhelmed and anxious (like today). My recent post What If- why this question wastes our time

http://reachinghurtingwomen.blogspot.com/ : Walking Crutch Free

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 22:27:18 +0000

Good post. I've used caffeine as a crutch for a long time (Diet Coke is my drug of choice) and now I've given it up for a while. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this. I hope it helps many people to throw away their crutches!

Crave Something More : 25 Things I’d Rather Do Than Pray

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 19:48:18 +0000

Hard time praying? Oh yeah! I found a quote by John Piper that speaks to #17: "One of the great uses of Twitter and Facebook will be to prove at the Last Day that prayerlessness was not from lack of time." (Ouch!) My recent post My circumstances determine my attitude and other stories I tell myself

Crave Something More : Trust Me Because...

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 12:58:54 +0000

Split #1 involved both finances and sexual infidelity of a previous pastor. Split #2 involved a more complicated situation that's too hard to explain. But I think what we have to watch out for is any time a divisive creeps in (think racism, bickering over trivial things, gossip, marriages falling apart and no one caring) or a particular person has too much power (which leads to all kinds of problems, IMO). To prevent it, we've all got to stay humble, in touch with God, and be willing to confront division/conflict head on without sweeping it under the carpet. Leaders need to be willing to confront divisive people. My recent post My circumstances determine my attitude and other stories I tell myself

Crave Something More : Trust Me Because...

Sat, 12 Feb 2011 19:56:44 +0000

Do I have a hard time? Oh yeah. I especially have a hard time trusting fellow Christians because I've been deeply hurt by some, and because I've witnessed 2 church splits. It's hard to trust people who call themselves Christ followers but treat people on the other side of the church divide with hatred, contempt, etc. (and fling Bible verses at them, too). All that spills over into my ability to trust God. Thanks for the reminder that God is trustworthy, even when his people are not. My recent post How to create an enemy

http://reachinghurtingwomen.blogspot.com/ : Book Review

Fri, 4 Feb 2011 13:14:05 +0000

I really appreciate Don's "take" on things. I don't always completely agree with him, but I enjoy his writing tremendously. Thanks for the review; I'll check out the book. :)

Crave Something More : Be Overwhelmed

Thu, 3 Feb 2011 00:54:17 +0000

Your last few lines reminded me of what my pastor has been preaching recently. Until I know the depth of my sin, I won't realize the depth of my need for grace, and I won't realize how scandalous and amazing and outrageous grace is. Sometimes (okay, often), I don't want to know the depth of my sin; I want to look like I "deserve" grace. But I'm learning (okay, slowly!) to ask God to look at what's in my heart. Then I know how much I need grace & that knowledge is overwhelming.

Laurinda On Leadership : The Black Professional's Social Media Start-Up & Survival Guide

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 21:30:13 +0000

Thanks, Laurinda, I went to wefollow.com, and listed myself, and found lots of people to follow. I'll see how this goes. Thanks for the advice; I never would've found wefellow by myself, and I never thought about looking at similar writers and their followers. Thanks!

Laurinda On Leadership : The Black Professional's Social Media Start-Up & Survival Guide

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 13:08:34 +0000

Laurinda, I started a Twitter account and I'd like to ask your advice. How do I determine who is best for me to follow? I'm a Christian novelist, working toward publication in the general market. Who are the categories of people I should be following? (I have a similiar dilemma on Facebook when I wonder who to send friend requests to.) Right now, I'm following a few agents, publishers, a few other writers & friends, and some groups/people that are into issues of interest to me. (For example, I follow a group that works with women with eating disorders/self-mutilation; in the future, I want to write a novel that involves a woman struggling with these, and I thought the contact/info would be useful.) I'd like to follow those who are following me, but sometimes I"m not sure if that's beneficial to me. Then again, I don't want to be self-centered, thinking only of myself. What are your thoughts?