Comments on: How the Stories you Believe are Screwing with Your Mind http://donmilleris.com/2009/07/31/how-the-stories-you-believe-are-screwing-with-your-mind/ Best-Selling Author Of Books, And Stuff Sun, 14 Mar 2010 02:28:43 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Sarah http://donmilleris.com/2009/07/31/how-the-stories-you-believe-are-screwing-with-your-mind/comment-page-3/#comment-9171 Sarah Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:54:55 +0000 http://donmilleris.com/?p=1046#comment-9171 "...I find myself in a room with white, twenty-something males whose parents are paying for their education and, like me when I was their age, think they know everything, think only in black and white, and defend their ideas as mingled with their identities. It kills the soul." This is an exact, 100% description of the reason why I left seminary. Fortunately, these types are easily avoided by: a) not going to seminary and b) remaining on guard for people in heavy black glasses. It's a sure sign, especially in places with more Baptists than beatniks. (Maybe not as useful in the Northwest) “…I find myself in a room with white, twenty-something males whose parents are paying for their education and, like me when I was their age, think they know everything, think only in black and white, and defend their ideas as mingled with their identities. It kills the soul.”

This is an exact, 100% description of the reason why I left seminary.

Fortunately, these types are easily avoided by: a) not going to seminary and b) remaining on guard for people in heavy black glasses. It’s a sure sign, especially in places with more Baptists than beatniks. (Maybe not as useful in the Northwest)

]]> By: Sarah http://donmilleris.com/2009/07/31/how-the-stories-you-believe-are-screwing-with-your-mind/comment-page-3/#comment-8215 Sarah Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:58:32 +0000 http://donmilleris.com/?p=1046#comment-8215 "Until the wedding, though, just have faith. It’s as though it’s already done. But it’s going to kind of suck until then." I was just thinking that meanwhile, God is doing everything perfectly. He is planning my story exactly the way it is meant to play out, even though it hurts like hell sometimes. But then I thought, where does that phrase come from - "like hell"? Maybe that's what hell really is. We're all characters in this big story, and some of us just try to wait as long as possible before living out our character arcs, by actively and humbly engaging in whatever conflicts we're presented with. But those of us who wait plunge deeper and deeper into darkness. By the time we realize what happened it takes going through hell to be lead us back to God. Just a thought. Please ignore if it messes with your faith. “Until the wedding, though, just have faith. It’s as though it’s already done. But it’s going to kind of suck until then.”

I was just thinking that meanwhile, God is doing everything perfectly. He is planning my story exactly the way it is meant to play out, even though it hurts like hell sometimes. But then I thought, where does that phrase come from – “like hell”? Maybe that’s what hell really is. We’re all characters in this big story, and some of us just try to wait as long as possible before living out our character arcs, by actively and humbly engaging in whatever conflicts we’re presented with. But those of us who wait plunge deeper and deeper into darkness. By the time we realize what happened it takes going through hell to be lead us back to God.

Just a thought. Please ignore if it messes with your faith.

]]> By: Rachel http://donmilleris.com/2009/07/31/how-the-stories-you-believe-are-screwing-with-your-mind/comment-page-3/#comment-7340 Rachel Sat, 05 Sep 2009 03:13:05 +0000 http://donmilleris.com/?p=1046#comment-7340 Thank you. I do believe that our main reason for living is so that we can be united with Christ one day and yes this is our hope. To view the scriptures through any other paradigm than a bride to a bridegroom doesn't make sense and makes it harder to be in a relationship with Jesus. We are the bride of Christ. I spent 6 months at the international house of prayer where they talked and preached on the Song of Solomon. They talked about Jesus looking for followers who are voluntary lovers. Emphasis on voluntary. The greatest news that anyone can hear is that He is our bridegroom. And yes he should fullfill us, but that doesn't mean that we don't have times of sadness or harship. However, he is suppsoed to fullfill us. Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my shepheard, I shall not want. " Thank you. I do believe that our main reason for living is so that we can be united with Christ one day and yes this is our hope. To view the scriptures through any other paradigm than a bride to a bridegroom doesn’t make sense and makes it harder to be in a relationship with Jesus. We are the bride of Christ. I spent 6 months at the international house of prayer where they talked and preached on the Song of Solomon. They talked about Jesus looking for followers who are voluntary lovers. Emphasis on voluntary. The greatest news that anyone can hear is that He is our bridegroom. And yes he should fullfill us, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t have times of sadness or harship. However, he is suppsoed to fullfill us. Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my shepheard, I shall not want. “

]]> By: Amanda http://donmilleris.com/2009/07/31/how-the-stories-you-believe-are-screwing-with-your-mind/comment-page-3/#comment-7173 Amanda Mon, 31 Aug 2009 06:31:47 +0000 http://donmilleris.com/?p=1046#comment-7173 Don, If you wanted to attend seminary where would you go? Amanda Don,

If you wanted to attend seminary where would you go?

Amanda

]]> By: robyn rochelle eubanks http://donmilleris.com/2009/07/31/how-the-stories-you-believe-are-screwing-with-your-mind/comment-page-3/#comment-6835 robyn rochelle eubanks Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:55:15 +0000 http://donmilleris.com/?p=1046#comment-6835 Hello- I'm just a missionary in Germany. I love story. I am thankful to be in this story with the lover of my soul. He does amazingly wonderful acts of kindness in this very dark Europe - a place that once was filled with a desire to serve Him. And yet, today He reaches down and captures a heart here and a heart there - and I sit back in wonder. Glorifying Him and living in enjoyment Him while in the story He has placed me in. mutating missionary & ebenezer Hello-
I’m just a missionary in Germany. I love story. I am thankful to be in this story with the lover of my soul. He does amazingly wonderful acts of kindness in this very dark Europe – a place that once was filled with a desire to serve Him. And yet, today He reaches down and captures a heart here and a heart there – and I sit back in wonder. Glorifying Him and living in enjoyment Him while in the story He has placed me in.
mutating missionary
& ebenezer

]]> By: Carrie Blanks http://donmilleris.com/2009/07/31/how-the-stories-you-believe-are-screwing-with-your-mind/comment-page-3/#comment-6828 Carrie Blanks Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:17:23 +0000 http://donmilleris.com/?p=1046#comment-6828 Don, I am grateful that you have the courage and gift to put words to the truth and show its beauty. The way I see God using your talent and passion for writing gives me hope. love, Carrie www.missionyear.org/blog/carrieblanks Don,

I am grateful that you have the courage and gift to put words to the truth and show its beauty. The way I see God using your talent and passion for writing gives me hope.

love,
Carrie

http://www.missionyear.org/blog/carrieblanks

]]> By: matt http://donmilleris.com/2009/07/31/how-the-stories-you-believe-are-screwing-with-your-mind/comment-page-3/#comment-6822 matt Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:36:41 +0000 http://donmilleris.com/?p=1046#comment-6822 Christina, Wow. You have been through and realized a lot...probably kind of overwhelming...huh? I am glad that you are experiencing healing and restoration with your father. I do understand how that twists up relationship with heavenly father. My own father was active in the church where my sexual abuse occurred. He allowed me to spend the night with the youth pastor way more than I would allow my own kids to spend the night in a safe place. When I revealed the abuse to my dad earlier this year...he cried and said, "I am mad at two people...the youth pastor for obvious reasons and himself for not protecting." This was healing as I have viewed God as this passive being that lives way up in heaven and really doesn't care or interact much with us. Now at age 38 I am starting to catch a glimpse of what our heavenly father might look like. I hope your healing goes this deep and you can realize our heavenly father's intentions. Peace, Matt Christina,
Wow. You have been through and realized a lot…probably kind of overwhelming…huh? I am glad that you are experiencing healing and restoration with your father. I do understand how that twists up relationship with heavenly father. My own father was active in the church where my sexual abuse occurred. He allowed me to spend the night with the youth pastor way more than I would allow my own kids to spend the night in a safe place. When I revealed the abuse to my dad earlier this year…he cried and said, “I am mad at two people…the youth pastor for obvious reasons and himself for not protecting.” This was healing as I have viewed God as this passive being that lives way up in heaven and really doesn’t care or interact much with us. Now at age 38 I am starting to catch a glimpse of what our heavenly father might look like. I hope your healing goes this deep and you can realize our heavenly father’s intentions.

Peace,
Matt

]]> By: Christina Joy Alexander http://donmilleris.com/2009/07/31/how-the-stories-you-believe-are-screwing-with-your-mind/comment-page-3/#comment-6680 Christina Joy Alexander Wed, 12 Aug 2009 02:50:17 +0000 http://donmilleris.com/?p=1046#comment-6680 Sarah #40 What you said to Matt resonates in a deep place in me. I wasn't sexually abused but experienced profound emotional abuse and repeated physical violence from my father. and it was only recently that i realized my mother, whom i had previously held on a pedestal and whom also is now passed away, abused me in a way too because she didn't protect me, neither emotionally nor physically. i have experienced a lot of healing with my earthly father, we actually seem to have a great relationship now. but my relationship and my view of God as my heavenly father has suffered immensely for it. but your words here have helped me. so thank you for allowing God to speak truth to me through you! blessings! Sarah #40

What you said to Matt resonates in a deep place in me. I wasn’t sexually abused but experienced profound emotional abuse and repeated physical violence from my father. and it was only recently that i realized my mother, whom i had previously held on a pedestal and whom also is now passed away, abused me in a way too because she didn’t protect me, neither emotionally nor physically. i have experienced a lot of healing with my earthly father, we actually seem to have a great relationship now. but my relationship and my view of God as my heavenly father has suffered immensely for it. but your words here have helped me. so thank you for allowing God to speak truth to me through you! blessings!

]]> By: Shelly http://donmilleris.com/2009/07/31/how-the-stories-you-believe-are-screwing-with-your-mind/comment-page-2/#comment-6674 Shelly Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:07:13 +0000 http://donmilleris.com/?p=1046#comment-6674 This is stupid, but I can be at times...I read through the comments again today and realized that I spelled recognizing, reckonizing (What on earth!)...been playing too much LIFE with my nieces and nephew "Day of Reckoning". Ouch...seriously, I take pride in my spelling and I had to make the correction. :) Now, back to the stuff about God and salvation and difficult issues in life...Carry on! This is stupid, but I can be at times…I read through the comments again today and realized that I spelled recognizing, reckonizing (What on earth!)…been playing too much LIFE with my nieces and nephew “Day of Reckoning”. Ouch…seriously, I take pride in my spelling and I had to make the correction. :)

Now, back to the stuff about God and salvation and difficult issues in life…Carry on!

]]> By: Shelly http://donmilleris.com/2009/07/31/how-the-stories-you-believe-are-screwing-with-your-mind/comment-page-2/#comment-6671 Shelly Tue, 11 Aug 2009 19:26:49 +0000 http://donmilleris.com/?p=1046#comment-6671 Stephanie, to say that I'm in awe of your strength and utter determination to stay with God is an understatement. Life definitely has its peaks and valleys. Unfortunately, being in the wilderness is part of God's story. We must all travel it. In fact, that is when a faith is born and when a faith grows strong. (Joy in our trials...) I once heard that one of the greatest gifts God can give us is for US to know what is in our hearts. I had a treacherous year in 2008...2 worst case scenarios happened to me, but it was also the most incredible year of my life. I realized that nothing could take my faith in God away and that nothing could take me away from God's love. Today's words by Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest were so great for me and I feel it would be great for you too ..."If you truly want to know whether or not God is the God your faith believes Him to be, then go through your 'Jordan' alone"...and then... "At your 'Bethel' you will find yourself at your wits' end but at the beginning of God's wisdom. When you come to your wits' end and feel inclined to panic - don't! Stand true to God and He will bring out His truth in a way that will make your life an expression of worship." Your tenacity even when life is the hardest, at its most ho-hummest, while you feel desperately alone is definitely a vision of worship to God. I so admire you! Be blessed...seasons change, they always do...whether we think they will or not. :) "I am confident and have no doubt that I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord. Be strong, be courageous, be resolute; for He will strengthen your heart. Wait for the Lord. Yes, STAY WITH GOD!" Psalm 27:13-14 In Him, Shelly PS - Still praying for you each day. PSS - My mom used to walk around talking to God..."audibly" having conversations with Him. For years I thought she was talking to herself, then I asked her about it and she told me a great story. To sum up, at the age of 7 she had realized that God wanted to be her friend, so she took Him up on it. He really was her best friend. She died last June and got to finally see her best friend face to face. Beautiful! I talk to God "audibly" a whole lot more these days... Stephanie, to say that I’m in awe of your strength and utter determination to stay with God is an understatement.

Life definitely has its peaks and valleys. Unfortunately, being in the wilderness is part of God’s story. We must all travel it. In fact, that is when a faith is born and when a faith grows strong. (Joy in our trials…)

I once heard that one of the greatest gifts God can give us is for US to know what is in our hearts. I had a treacherous year in 2008…2 worst case scenarios happened to me, but it was also the most incredible year of my life. I realized that nothing could take my faith in God away and that nothing could take me away from God’s love.

Today’s words by Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest were so great for me and I feel it would be great for you too

…”If you truly want to know whether or not God is the God your faith believes Him to be, then go through your ‘Jordan’ alone”…and then…

“At your ‘Bethel’ you will find yourself at your wits’ end but at the beginning of God’s wisdom. When you come to your wits’ end and feel inclined to panic – don’t! Stand true to God and He will bring out His truth in a way that will make your life an expression of worship.”

Your tenacity even when life is the hardest, at its most ho-hummest, while you feel desperately alone is definitely a vision of worship to God. I so admire you!

Be blessed…seasons change, they always do…whether we think they will or not. :)

“I am confident and have no doubt that I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord. Be strong, be courageous, be resolute; for He will strengthen your heart. Wait for the Lord. Yes, STAY WITH GOD!” Psalm 27:13-14

In Him, Shelly

PS – Still praying for you each day.
PSS – My mom used to walk around talking to God…”audibly” having conversations with Him. For years I thought she was talking to herself, then I asked her about it and she told me a great story. To sum up, at the age of 7 she had realized that God wanted to be her friend, so she took Him up on it. He really was her best friend. She died last June and got to finally see her best friend face to face. Beautiful! I talk to God “audibly” a whole lot more these days…

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