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Topic : 07/17 Living on a Prayer

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Created on : Friday, February 08, 2008, 12:25:06 pm
Author : DrPhilBoard1
(Original Air Date: 02/15/08) What happens when a parent’s agenda becomes so extreme that his or her children are forced to live a harsh, stoic existence? Dan and Janna are a college-educated couple married for 15 years with seven children, ages ranging from 2 weeks to 14. They have no income, no heat, no running water and are about to lose their house. Dan and Janna believe that their primitive lifestyle is God’s will, and that they are being led by the Lord. Janna’s mom, Carol, and stepdad, Rich, are worried about the health of their grandchildren. Are they eating enough? Are they warm enough? They say because the children are home schooled, they live in a cult-like home environment, and are not exposed to the outside world. Carol and Rich are willing to bail this family out one last time, but why are Dan and Janna refusing the help? After eight failed businesses, why won’t Dan get a job to support his family? Where will they go when they are forced out of their home? Talk about the show here.

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February 15, 2008, 9:28 am PST

Living on a prayer

Hi Dr. Phil,

I have sent other emails and I am not sure if you received them  I have registered also with all my pertinent information.  Could you let me know if they have been received. 

 
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February 15, 2008, 9:29 am PST

Glory to God!

You are in this world to glorify God.  Where did you think that your letting millions of unbelievers see this would glorify God?
 
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February 15, 2008, 9:30 am PST

Quiverfull/Brain Empty

 We are a family who, like the one featured, adhere to the "quiverfull" philosophy. We firmly believe that
ALL children are a blessing from the Lord and He is the giver of life. My husband and I would never try NOT to get pregnant. I guarentee you this is where the family featured today stands on this issue however: that's where we part company. If you're going to stand on the Bible, you have to stand on ALL OF IT -- even the scriptures that command a man to provide for his family. Proverbs says "if a man does not work, neither shall he eat".    Janna should not divorce her husband but she certainly needs to pack those kids up and head to her parents' home. When he is ready to man up and take care of business, she should come back. (In the meantime, I hope Dan gets a psychiatric evaluation. I think he's cuckoo for coco puffs).
Janna is very blessed and lucky to have those parents standing by her.
RUN, Janna, RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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February 15, 2008, 9:31 am PST

Perhaps You as well, missed the whole picture

Quote From: thetajon

Parents - One of you needs to grow up, face your responsibilities as a parent and get a job.  What kind of role models do you thing you are giving your children?  They deserve to live in an environment where they feel safe and happy.  My heart really breaks for the baby.  None of these kids asked to be  put into this "lifestyle".  Use your college educations and get work - Dan obviously you could work in landscaping since you seem to be so gifted with growing things or perhaps you could work in a pet store.  Break some sweat, and get a job!

 

Grandparents - Stop giving them money!  This is only enabling them!  Further, if you have not thought about it, make sure your wills are up to date.  If  you are wanting to leave anything behind, make a trust fund for the children and appoint someone to be the guardian of that trust fund for them...not their mother or father!

 

Leave God out of this.  He gave you life, he died for you and all  your sins.  Show Him some respect.

 

Dan has put four or five applications out there.  In today's world, just because you have a college degree...doesn't insure that you will get a job over someone perhaps with more work experience and such..besides nothing was ever stated as to what his college degree was in...he could have majored in sociology like the 27 year old who decided yesterday to end the lives of others at a leading university in Illinois...

 

Or Dan could have majored in History or other fields that working in a pet shop...the owners would take his formal education to not be applicable for the job situation...

 

Do employers discriminate for the over trained as well as under trained.  Yes they do for if the employer feels that a applicant holds too much education, for the job and pay they would be a granting them...they also know that the applicant will never be satisfied for long a doing it...and all of their training expenses and such will be out the door as they look towards a lesser educated one to take his place...

 

So it is easy to sit with the television set a beaming out the life and habits of a person...getting inside their real life situation is a much more different and complex ordeal...

 

That is why I never leave God out of anything...God brings me the clarity that the large portion of mankind refuses to see clearly...  "judge not, least thee be judged."

 

Just my thoughts for whatever they are worth

Love, Light and Peace

Tonie

 
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February 15, 2008, 9:36 am PST

02/15 Living on a Prayer

Quote From: toniecw

Dump this man because he is a dreamer whose dreams didn't come out the way he had hoped...that makes him a bum.  Wow.

 

Whatever, you see it one way and I see it another.

 

Do I agree that he should be a working a full time job for another that will pay him a steady income until he gets back on his feet and can bring his dreams into reality...by all means yes!

 

Did you not catch that he is a doing exactly that?

 

He has 4 or 5 applications out there and is in the process of waiting for responses...

 

He like the average American today is facing the same job market results...our stock market has been unstable since the report in January of the number of Americans that are without work.  Not because they are lazy, yet because our Government during the Clinton-Gore fiasco...put together NAPTA...that gave large tax incentives and subsidies to large companies that would re-locate to other countries...

 

I was told the other day by a Republican party basher that former president Bush first had the idea and Clinton-Gore put it on the ballot for the American people telling them how wonderful and sound it was...

 

I knew because I can walk, talk and chew gum at the same time...that the American people would eventually suffer the outcome of big businesses re-locating to other countries and I don't have a college degree behind me...

 

I have met many people with college degrees that have to work more than one job to keep ahead of the wolves at the door.  So a college degree in today's world is not necessarily a carte blanc card to success...we are in troubling times people...

 

This man was not allowed to speak freely his mind about his acrylic invention company that grossed over a million dollars.  Gross is a random figure for what he made and what he got to keep after the expenses are two different commodities...

 

I wished that he could have taken his invention to the next step for it sounded from the brief description of it...that a large exercise company found his invention useful...did this large corporation, who do him...because he lives a life of trust, faith and belief...would he have been the first to ever get taken down by the large guy in business, just because they had all the capital and attorneys behind them?

 

No, I for one am another dreamer that prays more than complains...I am one that believes that "vengeance is mine saith the Lord."

 

All please remember one valuable thing here with this show and all other shows that are geared towards making changes in our land...one hour, is not enough time in which to adequately sum up any one's life style choices...

 

Was this guy's father a dreamer and an inventor as well?  Do children not copy the perceptions and habits of their parents?

 

Those are my thoughts, I am sure that I am not done posting...for this subject is a touching my heart more than it did when it aired...just by the responses I am a reading...so far.

 

We Are All Blessed

Love, Light and Peace

Tonie

I have not seen this episode yet. So, I will try not to make judgements but, I would ask, why can't he work at least  a "dime a dozen ' job?  Something, anything, to provide for his family? His wife, while homeschooling, could also be couponing, and rebateing... throw it in as part of the children's education. I'm a huge coupon/rebater and have found it is better for us financially for me to only work outside the home for a few hours a week (while my kids are in school) and otherwise do all I can to save the money we bring in.  I can't understand why they're not at least doing something. And, IMO and experience one doesn't wait on applications, a  person should check back frequently and do as much proactively as possible.

 

 
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February 15, 2008, 9:36 am PST

Speaking Ones Truths

Quote From: cschin

Dan - Wake up.  Life isn't all about you, what your dreams are, what kind of job you want, etc.  You have a very poor knowledge of scripture.  The Apostle Paul took great pains to not be a burden to others.  He worked making tents.  If the Apostle Paul was not too important to do menial labor such as making tents, then why are you absolved?  Or what about Jesus who was a carpenter?  If he was a carpenter he obviously spent time making things with and doing work.  And, his life was poured out for others not spent doing exactly what he wanted to do whenever he felt like it. 

  So, sorry Dan.  You need to look in the mirror.  You are completely selfish and self-absorbed.  You are not providing for your family because you simply choose not too!  You wife loves you and wants to support you.  However, you are completely WRONG.  So, the end result of your selfishness is that your wife will eventually leave with the children and/or the children will be taken away from you because of your living conditions.

  If you truly love and care for your family, you will go out and work and earn income.  And, sorry, you don't even have to "like" your job in anyway.  If you can earn money cleaning sewers, picking up trash, scrubbing floors, then that is what you should be doing.  I highly respect anyone who works in ANY job doing their work.  So, stop deluding yourseld and telling us how "hard working" you are.  That is pure nonsense.  Your sin is staring you in the face - the sin of laziness.  However, you are defiant and I saw no inkling that you are even willing to hear.  He who has ears to ear, let him hear.    

I didn't see one that was defiant.  I saw one trying to explain what happened to his past large failure...he never got a chance to air it...so if anything here...what I saw was a man on trial for being a dreamer...

A man needing a break until his ship came a floating in...

 

He will make it...you will see.

 

He has all the right ingredients...A good and loving wife, beautiful children...faith enough to fill a mustard seed and we all know what having faith the size of a mustard seed can do...the moving of mountains in our life...

 

Watch his smoke...

May You Be Blessed

Love, Light and Peace

Tonie

 
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February 15, 2008, 9:41 am PST

You are not listening to God!!!

This is just another great example what I call "Stinken Thinken".  Wake up people God is sending help, and has spoken, But if you don't make an effort and help yourself, you thwart his helps.

God does help, But you have to do your part too.

Ex.:

It's like the man that  was hangin on for dear life,

to the top of his house, as a flood, had engulfed his home

and even though prior to that, there was time to escape,

the man stuck around to wait on God - because he knew God would tell him what to do and bring him help.  The rains came and he watched the water rise and did nothing because he just knew God would do something and or let him know when he should leave, even though he ignored multiple warnings from news cast, family & friends; and  He would have had time to save nearly everything he had, yet he waited, and still ignored his friends and family's  many warnings and willingness to help him, because he was waiting on God to send help.  so he found himself clinging to the roof of his house as it floated down what was rapidly becoming a river; several boats had gone by and and the people pleaded with the man to come with them, but he refused becaused he was waiting on God to do something, and bring him help. the police came by , but again he refused their help because God was sending him help. A helicopter came to help him, yet he refused the help, because he was waiting on God, and as they watched  in horror, the house was pulled apart by the current and the man drown. the entire time refusing their help because he just knew God would send him help.  And then...As he stood beforeGod asking in despiration, "Why didn't you come??? Why didn't you listen???"  God answered, "My child, I sent you many warnings... But you would not heed... you would not listen; I sent help even to the end, but you refused, you would not come.

 

What I 'm  trying to say is, Buddy, When you know how to swim, but all your willing to do is dog paddle, you'll get nowhere,fast.  Sadly, all your teaching those babys to do, is dog paddle, and not to swim, you  have a choice to better yourself, but what  you are giving them, is nothing short of dooming them to drowning.And fast! Not to mention  setting into motion what lies ahead for all your grandchildren and future heirs as well.  And God; in know way has taught  or tells us to do that, in fact He tells us in His Word, Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

It's great that you are so creative and a go getter...but your priorities are misplaced,  the things you are teaching your children are something you can still give them on the side, while consciously setting an example of a hard working (in other words providing for your family - which you aren't doing right now), God fearing, familyman, with an American heritage worth defending; and a God they can grow up to love instead of Blame. 

 Here's a little something to think about: Author Unknown

 

 The Man in the Glass

 

When you get what you want in your struggle for self

and the world makes you king for a day

Just go to a mirror and look at yourself

And see what that man has to say.

 

For it isn't your parents-- your children-- or wife

Who judgement upon you must pass

The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life

Is the one staring back from the glass.

 

Some people may think you a straight-shooting chum

And call you a wonderful guy

But the  man in the glass says you're only a bum

If you can't look him straight in the eye.

 

He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest

For he's with you clear up to the end

And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test

If the man in the glass is your friend.

 

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of life

And get pats on your back as you pass

But your final reward will be heartaches and tears

If you've cheated the man in the glass.

 

 

 

Now,  God  is the One that can and will, help you be Friends with that man in the Glass!!! If you Let Him!!!

 
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February 15, 2008, 9:46 am PST

Being a Believer Myself

Quote From: feenterprises

You are in this world to glorify God.  Where did you think that your letting millions of unbelievers see this would glorify God?

You are absolutely right...all are here to glorify God.

 

What this show did for me was this:

 

It made me see that even if tomorrow all falls down and I have to start all over again...my faith, belief and trust...will eventually help pull me out of harms way...for this will happen for Dan...wait and see...if Dr. Phil can tell a ex con a acting deceptive and a writing a book on how to deceive large corporations and such in gaining employment and acting as a this or a that and not having one ounce of educational background that when he gets his book published, he will bring him back on the show.

 

It is my hope that he will do the same for Dan...

 

"Faith, Trust and Belief, the size of a mustard seed, and one can command mountains to move in ones life."  That is what the show gave me...

 

It wasn't Dan or his wife's idea to come on the show, it was Dan's wife's parents who were tired of handing over money in which to help them stay tangent...

 

Dan didn't want to take anymore assistance from his wife's folks, perhaps due to all the belittlement they were a giving him...for they held no faith, trust and belief in him at all...and were only a doing it I believe for their daughter and grandchildren...

 

I too think that I would starve to death before I would accept such type of treatment myself...

 

Obviously Dan had to have worked in the past...for he couldn't have gotten a mortgage based on dreaming dreams...perhaps Dan became despondent from the way that the last employer/corporation treated him...guys don't bounce back so easily as women when it comes to relationship failures...that is a fact, Jack!

 

That is perhaps when Dan decided that being self employed was the best way to proceed...for it is a common knowledge fact that one can never recoup their dream worth by a working for someone else...

 

I too am in the self employment world and I too have gotten similar blasting's from those just a casual looking into the window of my life...so I can feel for him...truly.

 

Dan and his family are in my prayers and on God's Altar for protection

May You Be Blessed

Love, Light and Peace

Tonie

 
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February 15, 2008, 9:56 am PST

What I believe Dan is a teaching his kids:

Quote From: mykidsrdebest

This is just another great example what I call "Stinken Thinken".  Wake up people God is sending help, and has spoken, But if you don't make an effort and help yourself, you thwart his helps.

God does help, But you have to do your part too.

Ex.:

It's like the man that  was hangin on for dear life,

to the top of his house, as a flood, had engulfed his home

and even though prior to that, there was time to escape,

the man stuck around to wait on God - because he knew God would tell him what to do and bring him help.  The rains came and he watched the water rise and did nothing because he just knew God would do something and or let him know when he should leave, even though he ignored multiple warnings from news cast, family & friends; and  He would have had time to save nearly everything he had, yet he waited, and still ignored his friends and family's  many warnings and willingness to help him, because he was waiting on God to send help.  so he found himself clinging to the roof of his house as it floated down what was rapidly becoming a river; several boats had gone by and and the people pleaded with the man to come with them, but he refused becaused he was waiting on God to do something, and bring him help. the police came by , but again he refused their help because God was sending him help. A helicopter came to help him, yet he refused the help, because he was waiting on God, and as they watched  in horror, the house was pulled apart by the current and the man drown. the entire time refusing their help because he just knew God would send him help.  And then...As he stood beforeGod asking in despiration, "Why didn't you come??? Why didn't you listen???"  God answered, "My child, I sent you many warnings... But you would not heed... you would not listen; I sent help even to the end, but you refused, you would not come.

 

What I 'm  trying to say is, Buddy, When you know how to swim, but all your willing to do is dog paddle, you'll get nowhere,fast.  Sadly, all your teaching those babys to do, is dog paddle, and not to swim, you  have a choice to better yourself, but what  you are giving them, is nothing short of dooming them to drowning.And fast! Not to mention  setting into motion what lies ahead for all your grandchildren and future heirs as well.  And God; in know way has taught  or tells us to do that, in fact He tells us in His Word, Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

It's great that you are so creative and a go getter...but your priorities are misplaced,  the things you are teaching your children are something you can still give them on the side, while consciously setting an example of a hard working (in other words providing for your family - which you aren't doing right now), God fearing, familyman, with an American heritage worth defending; and a God they can grow up to love instead of Blame. 

 Here's a little something to think about: Author Unknown

 

 The Man in the Glass

 

When you get what you want in your struggle for self

and the world makes you king for a day

Just go to a mirror and look at yourself

And see what that man has to say.

 

For it isn't your parents-- your children-- or wife

Who judgement upon you must pass

The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life

Is the one staring back from the glass.

 

Some people may think you a straight-shooting chum

And call you a wonderful guy

But the  man in the glass says you're only a bum

If you can't look him straight in the eye.

 

He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest

For he's with you clear up to the end

And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test

If the man in the glass is your friend.

 

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of life

And get pats on your back as you pass

But your final reward will be heartaches and tears

If you've cheated the man in the glass.

 

 

 

Now,  God  is the One that can and will, help you be Friends with that man in the Glass!!! If you Let Him!!!

How to live life simply, yet devoutly and that when things don't go as one plans...you make other plans...he again, according to his wife on the show...has four or five job apps out there...

 

May You Be Blessed

Love, Light and Peace

Tonie

 
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February 15, 2008, 9:58 am PST

02/15 Living on a Prayer

 What a load of crap. Two lazy people with many excuses for not working. The wife is no better, having babies to avoid work. So many excuses. They are a lost-cause. I hope children's services steps in soon. before there is  a kool-aid incident.  Better still. You (parents )drink the kool-aid.
 
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