Comments for More than listening

Comment on A letter to the dad i never met by Jamie

Jamie — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 04:31:54 +0000

I can identify with you 100%. and while reading you letter, I felt I was reading one that I had writen myself to my father. Like you, I never met my biological father. All I ever had were some pictures of him and some of him and my mom from back in the late 70′s, early 80′s. He left my mother before I was born and I found out in HS that he always lived in the same town as my aunt and uncle. So close, but yet so far. My mom married when I was 5 and he adopted me, so he has always been my father. I also have two younger “half sisters” that I have always seen as my sisters. But there was always a part of me that never felt quite whole. As I turned 17, 18, the feeling became stronger but as I got into my 20′s I let it go and tried to forget. Now at 28, I recently decided to look up my father’s name and the town he lives in to see what infomation I could find online. Of course I got his address and phone number, but it also listed 2 people he lived with. One being a female around his age. Im guessing his wife, and another male aged 20. So I took a hunch and looked up the boy on facebook, and what do you know. There he was, my half brother I never met. Now that feeling is coming back to me full force. I really want to write a letter to my father, I just dont know how and where to start and that is how I found your letter. I’m glad I did because it is so beautifuly written, but I think I still want to keep mine short and to the point. But I’d love to use some of your ideas if you didn’t mind. I also decided that if I didnt hear back from him in a few months, I would send a letter on facebook to my brother and try to explain myself to him and hope he believes me. If I have to, Id show him a picture of his young dad. If anything, Id love to get to meet my brother.

Thanks again for posting this inspiring letter, and hope that someday your father does decide to respond.

Comment on A letter to the dad i never met by Selena

Selena — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 02:21:10 +0000

Hi Michael…. I googled for the same reason as these other folks but my story is a little bit different. I met my father when I was 16 years old. he showed up at my door and said “Hi Im your dad” we spent the weekend together and then poof gone again…never to be heard from again! I am now almost 28 years old and have two little girls and a soon to be step son and in the midst of planning my wedding… i have thought about him alot lately. i am having an inner struggle weather to contact him or just leave it be! any advice??

Comment on A letter to the dad i never met by michaelmears

michaelmears — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 03:38:29 +0000

Hey Jonathon thanks for the comment. Its amazing how the internet works and makes connections. In terms of wisdom I too felt the same way you do now that he should be the parent and reach out to me. At the same time I really began to think about how much my heavenly father had forgiven me. That was the only way I could extend forgiveness to him. I also realized that forgiveness was something the scriptures did not take lightly. Whenever I would read about forgiveness I realized that there was unforgiveness that in my heart towards my dad. I began to take that up with God long before writing a letter. The letter was just me sharing with him that I had forgiven him. It was extremely freeing for me to write the letter and feel freedom from the hurt. I also realized that forgiveness was one directional and reconciliation goes both ways. Some days are hard when I think about my dad but God has been really amazing in those times of reminding me of the grace He has extended to me… I hope that helps

Comment on A letter to the dad i never met by Jonathon

Jonathon — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 07:49:56 +0000

Michael, I too googled what to say to a dad I have ever met. Thank you, your letter has given me some things to think about. I feel like we are very similar. From your letter, we are the same age. I became a dad in 2010. I am also in full time ministry, Youth Pastor. I am still praying about contacting my father. I feel like, he is the parent and should be the one to make the first contact. Do you have any words of encouragement or wisdom to share? Thanks again for sharing.

Comment on Connor’s video testimony by Jo Blevins

Jo Blevins — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:37:10 +0000

Michael, I’m so happy that God grabbed hold of Connor’s heart and that you were and are there for him. You do so much for the students just by being Michael, the real guy –so in tune with what the kids face today.
God bless!
Jo

Comment on Connor’s video testimony by candi

candi — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 01:10:46 +0000

Very powerful for kids today who deal with stress!!!!!

Comment on Connor’s video testimony by Janet

Janet — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:30:33 +0000

Michael, thank you so much for passing this link on to me…I was moved to tears myself. The struggle of sins that students (of all ages) have…are insurmountable in this day and age. In my opinion it is impossible to live without depression if you don’t have a personal relationship with Christ. It was no coincidence that Connor was accepted to FSU; it was no coincidence that he visited CCF and heard from Christ followers as to what to do to be “real”… and only please “an audience of One”…Connor had empathy and wise counsel from a “grace-given” mentor, Stephen, but we give the glory to Jesus Christ for convicting his heart as a seeker. It is obvious Connor is now living a life of freedom that he has sooo powerfully shared in this video…millions need to see/hear this testimony…I pray for CCF regularly, but now I appreciate more the work that you and all the staff are doing in reaching out to a lost world on your campus…my prayerful as well as financial support will be added to your Mission. Kudos to the staffers/students who filmed and edited this video…It is sooooo powerful!!!!!! Thank you again for “keepin’ it real”, Michael, cause that’s what Jesus would do! I’m passing it on!

Comment on My sermon writing process by Stephen

Stephen — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:42:41 +0000

3b. Blog about writing a sermon?

Comment on 7 GOOD Reasons Not to Go on Beach Trip by Stephen

Stephen — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:10:41 +0000

What about ‘I dont want a Christian alternative to going to the beach, I just wanna go to the beach.’ … Sorry, bad joke.

Comment on One of my biggest struggles in ministry by dave

dave — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 11:16:56 +0000

In this day and age , i think that people tend to put all their energies into their interests.In that people tend to have their security and identity intertwined with what they do moreso than who they are,.they tend to become the expert in the field so to speak, and pay less attention to the one who wrote the book they learned from. I notice in churches today that christians are so busy ministering, that they forget who the ministry is really about.The ministry becomes more about filling the gaps and needs in their own lives rather than the “good Sam” mentality of helping others.Sometimes we just have to let God be God, and get in the boat with Jesus, withdrawing from the crowds to pray.Sometimes a smile or a statement that changes their perception helps more than an hour long sermon.Christianity is about relationships and if we are carrying the light,it should shine in us so that others will see and believe