Comments on: When You Are In a Dark Hole and Can’t Get Out http://godhungry.org/2009/10/28/when-you-are-in-a-dark-hole-and-cant-get-out/ Attempting to connect life to what matters most Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:24:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jim Martin http://godhungry.org/2009/10/28/when-you-are-in-a-dark-hole-and-cant-get-out/comment-page-1/#comment-8892 Jim Martin Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:24:35 +0000 http://godhungry.org/?p=3182#comment-8892 Carolyn, your comment really touches on something that is very important. You are so right about the importance of having friendships that go beyond the church family. I have done this for years and this practice has helped me in many, many ways. Most of all, it has helped to keep me from getting totally enmeshed in whatever might be happening in the congregation. Hope that you and Matt are doing well, Carolyn. Good to hear from you. Carolyn, your comment really touches on something that is very important. You are so right about the importance of having friendships that go beyond the church family. I have done this for years and this practice has helped me in many, many ways. Most of all, it has helped to keep me from getting totally enmeshed in whatever might be happening in the congregation.

Hope that you and Matt are doing well, Carolyn. Good to hear from you.

]]> By: Jim Martin http://godhungry.org/2009/10/28/when-you-are-in-a-dark-hole-and-cant-get-out/comment-page-1/#comment-8891 Jim Martin Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:58:12 +0000 http://godhungry.org/?p=3182#comment-8891 Greg, as I read your note I was struck by the "walking, praying, running." I thought back to the number of people who I have talked with who found help in such a time by prayer as well as physical exercise. You are blessed with Janice's support. How wonderful. Greg, as I read your note I was struck by the “walking, praying, running.” I thought back to the number of people who I have talked with who found help in such a time by prayer as well as physical exercise.

You are blessed with Janice’s support. How wonderful.

]]> By: Carolyn http://godhungry.org/2009/10/28/when-you-are-in-a-dark-hole-and-cant-get-out/comment-page-1/#comment-8890 Carolyn Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:47:21 +0000 http://godhungry.org/?p=3182#comment-8890 I really appreciate you posting about this, Jim. I lament over how many churches serve as a source of anxiety, hurt and sadness rather than life-giving places of hope and love; particularly for the ministers and their families. I think it is a huge problem, and one that doesn't get very much attention. I know what has helped us is maintaining relationships with other Christians that are not members of the same congregation. This can be difficult, particularly in a small town, but it has been worth the effort to reach out to others in ministry or other Christians we trust who are not enmeshed in the same church family. I really appreciate you posting about this, Jim. I lament over how many churches serve as a source of anxiety, hurt and sadness rather than life-giving places of hope and love; particularly for the ministers and their families. I think it is a huge problem, and one that doesn’t get very much attention. I know what has helped us is maintaining relationships with other Christians that are not members of the same congregation. This can be difficult, particularly in a small town, but it has been worth the effort to reach out to others in ministry or other Christians we trust who are not enmeshed in the same church family.

]]> By: Greg England http://godhungry.org/2009/10/28/when-you-are-in-a-dark-hole-and-cant-get-out/comment-page-1/#comment-8889 Greg England Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:28:40 +0000 http://godhungry.org/?p=3182#comment-8889 You pretty much described the last seven of the eight years of my stay in Florida. I did a LOT of walking, praying, running (I was a high school basketball official for 20 years), and venting to Janice and a few closer friends, who are still close friends. Janice's support was what ultimately pulled me through. She didn't give any answers, but she listened. And she loved me, unconditionally. You pretty much described the last seven of the eight years of my stay in Florida. I did a LOT of walking, praying, running (I was a high school basketball official for 20 years), and venting to Janice and a few closer friends, who are still close friends. Janice’s support was what ultimately pulled me through. She didn’t give any answers, but she listened. And she loved me, unconditionally.

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