tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8199619079407388156.post3137629561574819740..comments2019-06-22T21:00:05.937-05:00Comments on The Fallen Pastor: Common Traits Of The Fallen Pastor, Part 4: Tough TimesDimmesdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01111207027397156020noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8199619079407388156.post-57497935330489965122010-05-22T17:38:57.316-05:002010-05-22T17:38:57.316-05:00And I didn't take your comment wrong at all. ...And I didn't take your comment wrong at all. Believe me, I'm so glad you asked. It was never a problem with me.<br /><br />I was so pleased you asked. It helped me understand what people were thinking. I was more than happy to answer it.<br /><br />By asking it, I was able to answer it and help others. If I gave the impression I was upset, I'm sorry. I value you reading my blog and I value what you write. You've been a good friend to me.<br /><br />God bless,<br />ArthurDimmesdalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01111207027397156020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8199619079407388156.post-40003885656069203832010-05-22T17:35:19.707-05:002010-05-22T17:35:19.707-05:00It's hard to help those who don't want hel...It's hard to help those who don't want help and don't want to be reached out to. <br /><br />But I'd say one of the best things that can be done is recognize that these people are weak and human. Know that often, they just need a friend and someone to just listen. Often, they don't need counseling or advice, because they know the advice they'd give themselves.<br /><br />Sometimes they just need to be ministered to. To know someone cares about them for a change. You'd be surprised (or maybe not) what a difference a card or an encouraging email will do to let someone know you care. It can open up a new world for them. <br /><br />That's a great place to start. But it's hard to reach people without building a relationship first.<br /><br />Great question, as always.<br /><br />God bless,<br />ArthurDimmesdalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01111207027397156020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8199619079407388156.post-40365162750537332982010-05-22T16:13:41.940-05:002010-05-22T16:13:41.940-05:00"Their spiritual lives were weak and they wer..."Their spiritual lives were weak and they were dealing with some very difficult circumstances as well."<br /><br />1.This is how the enemy works: take a person who is not spiritually strong, too busy, working too much for God, too tired to stay close with God, throw in a difficult circumstance and most of them will fall. Not just pastors, not just church employees, but all of us. <br /><br />ONLY God can fill our needs, every kind of need and when we don't stay close and we don't get refilled by the Spirit, by God... we become vulnerable. <br /><br />We just can't make it on our own. That's why we should never judge others, the Bible clearly says if you stand watch that you don't fall. Just because someone is strong now, it's no guarantee that you'll be strong a year from now. <br /><br />2. How can you reach out to a pastor who doesn't want to recognize that he needs help? If you can see that he has weakness, a pattern of living which destroys the church but he is not willing to recognize his fault.<br /><br />How can you help in these circumstances?Work In Progress Online Bible Communityhttp://www.work-in-progress-online.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8199619079407388156.post-19267843791685242852010-05-22T15:59:35.227-05:002010-05-22T15:59:35.227-05:00Arthur,
I didn't mean to hurt you when I aske...Arthur,<br /><br />I didn't mean to hurt you when I asked how was your personal relationship with God before your fall. I asked because I know from my own experience that when I don't stay close to God I make worse choices. <br /><br />I didn't ask to judge, I asked to understand.WIP Online Bible Communityhttp://www.work-in-progress-online.comnoreply@blogger.com