Confused? Me too. But from what I've been told, you can't post in any other topic unless you first check out any and all posts having to do with personal problems happening in any of the other posters' lives...If you don't see to their posts first, miss their posts and reply late to their posts (I don't know how late, but obviously there's some time limit) for any reason...

Then any well wishes posted by yourself after you've posted elsewhere will be considered you being selfish and insincere in your concerns posted to them about their problems...

I never knew that myself...But I have it on 'good' authority that tardiness in responses is BAD!!!

Hmmm....Maybe we need a 'Members Life Update' section? That way, when we log in to read posts, we'll be able to go to that section right away and it'll help us not miss anything important happening in other member's lives...

I don't know how to answer that, Ali, except to tell you a little story. . .

Two men who had survived a shipwreck became washed up on a deserted island. Their prospects of being rescued looked pretty bleak. . .

Anyhow, God appeared to them both. He said, "I will give you both one prayer and it will be answered!"

The first man knelt down and said a prayer that went something like this: "I pray to receive an infinite amount of blessings - and for all my prayers to be answered."

The second man knelt, but didn't say anything out loud.

Days and weeks passed. The first man proceeded to get everything he prayed for - including food, shelter and (yes) women. In the meantime, the second man remained on the other half of the island - and he remained without food, shelter, or the like. He watched the other man get everything he prayed for, but didn't say anything. Nor, did the other man offer him a share of any of his blessings. "Why should I?" (he said to himself) "My 'friend' is obviously insincere and doesn't believe in God. He doesn't deserve any of the fruits of my own labor."

More weeks passed. One day, a ship appeared, signaling rescue for both men. However, the ship was the answer to the first man's prayer, and he didn't think that his "friend" deserved to be rescued as well, since he was obviously insincere and didn't believe in God. . .

So, the first man swam out the ship. "Thank you, God, for rescuing me!" - He exclaimed. "There is proof that you answer prayers!" God replied: "Hold it - aren't you going to take your friend with you?"

The man replied: "Of course not!!!! His prayers didn't get answered! That is because he is insincere and doesn't acknowledge your greatness!"

God replied: "Wrong again, my friend! You see, he had just one prayer. His prayer was for you (for all your prayers to be answered)."

Point being - sometimes the fruits of our labor aren't the result of our own prayers, but are the result of someone else quietly praying for us. . .

I've been praying for Bonnie, Ali. Please let it go at that. . .

oh my....

First of all, I am clueless about the response time as a measure of sincerity. Forums have so many posts and topics, and here at a secular board, one can't possibly be responsible for finding prayer requests.

And fact is that Nightrider said he saw it and spent his words in prayer, which is valuable whether or not he posted to tell me or others what he was doing.

And Night, I do not have your email addy. But you can send it to me in a PM if you would.

And Tia thank you for your affirming words and comfort.

Mark is on the vent and heavily sedated. In critical condition and no change for days.

And as to me, I am especially feeling a need for strength and comfort today. I visit him and talk to him. I kiss his forehead and take his hand. I stroke his hair. And I get so close to him. I don't know that it even matters at all but I do it perhaps as much for me as for him.

Thank you all of you!

OhDear

Like I said Night...It wasn't my opinion but another's opinion. I happen to believe you're sincere...Just as I've been sincere in my own well wishes and thoughts to others in their time of need....But I was told that because I hadn't replied to their posts in a timely manner...I was being insincere and selfish by not responding quickly...

Sorry if you took my words personally, but they truely weren't aimed at you nor were they represenative of my own personal opinions either.

OD, that's my experience as well. Because of the number of posts done, I'm continually missing posts of this nature. I didn't see your post till 1 day later? And it wasn't until Akuma posted to another's need for emotional support, that I saw their post and was able to post to it...

But because I was late in responding, I was informed that my doing so, that I was being 'insincere, showed an inability to show concern for others, and selfish' for not responding in the timely manner they said I should have.

Anyways OD...I hope you can forgive me for not posting sooner to your own tragedy...I hope that you know that although my response was 1 day late, that those feelings were sincere.

Thank you so much CF...

I will let you know.

Ohdear

Bonnie you and Mark have my prayers. Do not give up hope or positive thinking. I work in the medical field, so I know healing is an up and down process. Some days things imporve, the next they are back a step. The body and mind work in mysterious ways, but your presence, your words, are what will help Mark the most. Do not give up, always encourage, and keep the faith.

DMK

Thank you Sgtdmski,

Tonight he responded though under heavy sedation. He moved his mouth to say, "I love you" and he showed emotion. He nodded to things I said and he held my hand back.

They suctioned him some when I was there. He is so uncomfortable with the vent tubes and all.

I so much value your prayers and the prayers and dear wishes of so many here at the DtT. This is not just a community of so many folk airing their opinions about this and that. And I am happy for a place online to come to and learn and grow from the thoughts expressed, but even so very important, to be met with true caring hearts.

Thank you one and all.

OhDear

Hi Bon:

I can remember when my dad had the suction device while he was alive. Just seeing those things attached to him, It was so sad to see him like that.

I really do pray and hope Mark can recover so that you and he can be at one at home again.

H80W