Comments for Grace For Today

Comment on Faith is a Dangerous and Wonderful Thing: part 1 by Jesus Girl

Jesus Girl — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:42:33 +0000

Wow – Summed up those questions brilliantly! I plan to save this response and even send it to others, as we are getting attacked with questions every day now in NC. The devil is so disappointed in NC and I am very thankful for that fact. Thanks so much for all your clarification and words of encouragement.

Comment on The Evolution of the Views of a President- Ken Ham by Fiona

Fiona — Mon, 14 May 2012 18:43:26 +0000

I think the president made his comment based on greed.
He needs money for his campaign and will do anything
To get it. Either way it’s disgusting.

Comment on I Am Intolerant!? by ann horan

ann horan — Thu, 03 May 2012 22:05:54 +0000

I believe I am intolerant, I pray that God by His grace will enable me to be faithful. America is great not because of her founding fathers but because the Christians who were intolerant, who made a stand in her history past and hopefully till the Lord comes back!!! I am not an American but I have faith in the Christians in America who will continue to be intolerant and defend the faith for which they (we) stand. Praise the Lord for such a moving declaration!

Comment on Tapped Out: Depression that Leads to Suicide by Judy Ratcliffe

Judy Ratcliffe — Thu, 03 May 2012 17:59:00 +0000

I’ve been there too, but I never wished for death, I just wished I would get better–and by God’s grace I finally did. It was a long and exhausting journey….

I was hospitalized back in 1986. My pastor at the time gave a sermon on how “Christians Should Not Get Depressed” and he made me feel so guilty. I had other well-meaning Christians tell me just to read the Bible and I would have victory. I realized they didn’t understand.

My depression was due to a chemical imbalance also. It caused mental AND physical pain. Like Kelly says, “it’s like living in a dream world”. I also know that a couple of my aunts had depression years ago. I think there’s a gene that can be passed down amongst families.

Now I understand and can help others because of what the Lord allowed me to go through.

Comment on Tapped Out: Depression that Leads to Suicide by Kelly Cason

Kelly Cason — Wed, 02 May 2012 20:09:00 +0000

I believe depression is a subject that some in the Christian community need more education on. I have been living with depression for several years and am thankful that I have a strong family support system because there were times in the past that I was made to feel that depression was my fault. That it was the cause of sin in my life. Though this can be true in some instances you can’t assume it is in every instance. As Tony said, it can be caused by choices in your life, or a side affect of medications or in my case a chemical imbalance. From my own experience the best thing for someone with depression or suicidal thoughts is to have those around them know what to look for. Know the signs, and be there for them even when they push you away or refuse help. I have been in such deep depressions that I wanted my life to end so the pain would go away. It feels like you are having an outer body experience. You feel so burdened and heavy with sadness but have no control over it. And for me to ask for help when going through this , is difficult. I am thankful to have a supportive husband, friends and family who have stepped in when I couldn’t ask for help. My hope is that churches would become more educated on the signs of depression as well as how they can help and support those who suffer from it.

Comment on Tapped Out: Depression that Leads to Suicide by Tony Soucier

Tony Soucier — Wed, 02 May 2012 18:41:23 +0000

Depression & Suicide
How often these are linked together. Suicide is not always the result of depression but depression is certainly the number one cause. Sometimes the depression is brought on by bad choices or circumstances or in my case by chemical reactions. Often we are prescribed medications that benefit us greatly and even help prevent the crippling effects of disease. Some of these wonderful medications come with their own baggage. Side effects. Warnings about drowsiness and don’t operate machinery are on even the medicine that is taken to prevent drowsiness in the first place. One of the medications I have to take for my lifelong disease comes with a warning that it can cause depression and suicidal thoughts. And unfortunately it does. So I take another medication to offset the effects of the first. I suppose this is better living through chemistry. I am so glad God is in control. He watches over us and gives us a desire to watch out for each other.

Comment on Tapped Out: Depression that Leads to Suicide by Robin Gibson

Robin Gibson — Wed, 02 May 2012 18:17:47 +0000

I have a very close friend who is closer than a brother to me. I have known him for almost 30 years. He has been in full time ministry for the last 20 years and has been a Pastor for most of them. I can’t tell you how many times I have talked him off the ledge. One of the reasons that I think Pastor’s are depressed and suicidal is because they can’t line up who they are and what they do with other people’s expectations of them. They are only human. They make wrong choices. They feel guilty. They don’t practice what they preach. Then they feel unqualified to tell others how they should live their lives. They don’t feel justified to counsel others when their lives are just as messed up – behind closed doors. Pastor’s are expected to be everything to everybody when and where they are needed. Is that really fair? Is it realistic to think that one person can do it all: Preach, teach, counsel, comfort, answer the phone anytime of day or night and drop everything they are doing at a moment’s notice. And then if they don’t respond the way they are expected they are criticized and talked about. Everyone thinks they can be the armchair Pastor. If we really believe that we should expect one person to do it all, then we haven’t read the whole Bible. Others are supposed to be appointed to assist in these areas – to help out. None of us could ever live with those kind of expectations on us. As a parent, we can barely be all that to our own family. Now multiply that by every family in the congregation. That kind of pressure is overwhelming, even to the strongest of heart.

Comment on I Am Intolerant!? by Wain L

Wain L — Wed, 02 May 2012 02:06:17 +0000

This is wonder, as he spoke about some of the thoughs I have, we all as Christ followers should not be offended of this letter.I hope alot those tolerant people will read it! Good work Pastor J may GOD continue to inspire you.

Comment on I Am Intolerant!? by Cheryl

Cheryl — Tue, 01 May 2012 13:28:21 +0000

Wow – Powerful! That very much summed up the “great divide” that is occurring in this country. We are voting on a Marriage Amendment in NC this next week — Please pray that the general public votes FOR this amendment. Thanks for your devotions/blogs!

Comment on Church: The Greatest “Show” On Earth? by Robin Gibson

Robin Gibson — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:05:12 +0000

I love my church. Not because it fulfills my every spiritual need, and the people are perfect, and the sanctuary is decorated and there are many programs to choose from. I love my church because my church loves Christ. And they show they love Him by loving others. By loving ME. We melt together – similarities and differences – making a lovely Bride that adores it’s Bridegroom

I agree with Pastor Jason that church should not be only to entertain us. And on the other hand, it can’t be sterile either. We should come “filled” and ready to lavish and pour out our adoration on the Lover of our souls – in hymns, worship songs and prayer. We should also come to church “empty”. We need to be filled with spiritual food that adds to our spiritual health. But empty because we didn’t just take it in and never give it back out to others. That just makes us spiritually fat.

I love my church because I can be filled, I can pour out, and I can be loved… unconditionally. Thank you Lord!