gdp's Comments

Struggle to Victory : The Reality of Your Focus

Tue, 2 Feb 2016 14:55:46 +0000

Thanks, Kari!

Struggle to Victory : A Pleasant Aroma?

Mon, 24 Aug 2015 22:37:40 +0000

Love the analogy, Kari, and the great way you have of writing it! Hope you're having a fun summer! We've been extremely smoky lately, but no fires threatening us. Looking forward to a camping/hiking trip to Yellowstone on Wednesday which should give us a respite!

Struggle to Victory : Preventing Decision Fatigue

Tue, 9 Jun 2015 22:20:04 +0000

Love those points, Kari. I have a history of agonizing over decisions - still struggle with it, but much better than I was. I love point #5 - that's the one I need to work on. Also, If I do #6, it's much easier to make the decision - but I don't always do #6!

Struggle to Victory : Some Days...

Tue, 17 Mar 2015 17:42:41 +0000

I like your writing today, Kari! I thought it was great! One helpful thing to remember is that we're often our own worst critic. I wrote the questions (and gathered the Bible verses) in my latest book (The Renewing of the Mind Project) to help me when I'm having those days where I feel like my writing is terrible or can't get myself to write. They help me have conversations with God that take off the lies and put on the truth and encourage me to put my fingers to the keyboard again. I'm glad you didn't throw your computer against the wall - loved your post. :)

Struggle to Victory : What To Do When You Don't Know What To Do

Tue, 3 Feb 2015 17:31:12 +0000

Same with me. It doesn't become bad until I use it in the wrong way. My recent post 13 Questions to Ask Before You Give Advice

Struggle to Victory : What To Do When You Don't Know What To Do

Tue, 3 Feb 2015 17:10:10 +0000

This a great list of what do to when you don't know what to do, Kari! I'm always happier when I do these things rather than going the escape route - not that I always do the things that make me happier! My recent post 13 Questions to Ask Before You Give Advice

Struggle to Victory : Socialize Your Blues Away

Tue, 13 Jan 2015 19:50:04 +0000

This is an interesting discussion, Kari. I'm an extrovert, and yes, I've struggled with depression on and off! I think you might not see it with extroverts as often because we're usually not depressed when we're with other people - we're energized. When I've been depressed, it's usually because I'm not getting enough social interaction. This happened for me when my kids were young and I was homeschooling, and it sometimes happens because I'm a writer, which is a very non-social profession. One of the things I do which really helps is to write at the bakery or coffee shop where I'm surrounded by people. My recent post 13 Questions to Ask Before You Give Advice

Struggle to Victory : How to Retreat With Purpose

Tue, 18 Nov 2014 19:56:27 +0000

Congrats on making your goal, Kari - that's amazing! My recent post 16 Help for Depression: Part 2

Struggle to Victory : How to Retreat With Purpose

Tue, 18 Nov 2014 16:42:30 +0000

This sounds great, Kari - Did you make it to your goal of 50,000 words? That is a huge goal in two days! I don't think I could ever do it. I love going on retreats - mine are usually one day retreats to spend with God, praying, renewing my mind, and reading my Bible. Sometimes I go with a friend and when I do that, we include walks, lunch, and visiting about what God is teaching us during the time we're alone. Interestingly, sometimes God seems to bring ME on retreats! This happened just last week. My daugher called at 11:30 Friday morning and said, "Mom, you should come visit me this weekend." I through a bunch of stuff in the car, took off and was there in time for dinner. (She lives 4 plus hours away." I was thinking of how boring it would be to drive all that way by myself, but I listened to a couple of podcasts and then God started talking to me and I had a big breakthrough in the area of perfectionism. I honestly think He planned that trip because He wanted to talk to me. And interestingly, even though I was a bit reluctant to go because I was overwhelmed with finishing up my book, the things He taught me about perfectionism along the way were far more productive than staying home writing all day Friday and Saturday. Plus my daughter and I had a great time walking on the trails all over and around town and just a fun, relaxing visit. My recent post 16 Help for Depression: Part 2

Struggle to Victory : Struggling with Pride

Fri, 31 Oct 2014 15:36:31 +0000

That's interesting. I'm never hard on myself when I teach. Only when I write. I wonder why we're hard on ourselves in some areas and not in others? But I'm having some breakthroughs in that area! (After 2 1/2 years of renewing my mind a million times!) My recent post 015 Help for Depression with Betty Mullaney

Struggle to Victory : Struggling with Pride

Fri, 31 Oct 2014 13:32:45 +0000

Great post, Kari. For the last two mornings I've been spending time in Romans 1, I think it is, the verse about how they did not honor Him as God or give thanks and so He gave them over to their lusts. I've been thinking about what does it mean to honor God as God and in what areas do I not do that? One of the things God is impressing on me is that part of honoring God as God is to recognize that He's in control, not me and He gets to call the shots, not me. I can't stand on rights or what's fair. He is God! And being thankful is what helps me recognize that and be grateful for it and not mind when it seems like things aren't fair in my mind. I loved your insights on pride and noticed you spoke about it at church - how did that go? My recent post 015 Help for Depression with Betty Mullaney

Struggle to Victory : Pursuing Unity

Thu, 9 Oct 2014 15:52:08 +0000

I love all these ideas for unity, Kari. Our churches would be in much better shape if we were all to practice them!

Struggle to Victory : Where Should You Place Your Trust?

Tue, 23 Sep 2014 22:50:15 +0000

Amen! And it's nice to know He works all things for our good. :) My recent post 12 Learning to Adjust to a Different Life Than You’re Used To

Struggle to Victory : Where Should You Place Your Trust?

Tue, 23 Sep 2014 16:56:23 +0000

Great analysis, Kari. I love your logical mind. For me the key isn't to trust in people. It's to trust God to be enough when people let me down. In a sense it's holding their love and acceptance with open hands, willing to risk rejection to love them well. My recent post 12 Learning to Adjust to a Different Life Than You’re Used To

Struggle to Victory : Depression Series

Thu, 3 Jul 2014 19:28:27 +0000

I liked it! It was also interesting to read all of the comments. I think it would be really helpful to anyone struggling with depression. My recent post Do You Eat When You’re Tired? 8 Questions That Will Help

Struggle to Victory : Depression Series

Thu, 3 Jul 2014 15:46:33 +0000

THanks, Kari - I'll have to check that out! My recent post Do You Eat When You’re Tired? 8 Questions That Will Help

Struggle to Victory : The Role of Accountability in Balance

Thu, 12 Jun 2014 21:48:37 +0000

Great post, Kari! I don't have an accountability partner right now but I've had them in the past and it's been very helpful. Especially if I'm trying to either establish or break a habit. My recent post How to Walk in the Spirit – Part 2

Struggle to Victory : Struggling for Balance

Thu, 5 Jun 2014 15:58:37 +0000

I did listen to those podcasts and thought they were great. I need to get the book! Thanks for the reminder. My recent post How to Walk in the Spirit – Part 1

Struggle to Victory : Struggling for Balance

Thu, 5 Jun 2014 15:49:12 +0000

I like the needs focus point, Kari. I think I need to stay really focused on what I want my day to look like and also really focused on keeping work work and recreation recreation. Then with work I need to keep focused on the task at hand because I tend to be easily distracted by other pressing tasks. I know i've been saying this forever, but I'm definitely starting to experience some victory! My recent post How to Walk in the Spirit – Part 1

Struggle to Victory : Overcoming Overload with Balance

Wed, 4 Jun 2014 17:24:53 +0000

I can see we're working on the same things these days, Kari! Thanks for all the examples of what different people are doing. It's fun and helpful to see how others approach the problem. My recent post How to Walk in the Spirit – Part 1