Message Boards

Home

Message Boards

Topic : 07/17 Living on a Prayer

Number of Replies: 987

New Messages This Week: 0

Last Reply On:

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.

Find out what happened on the show.

As of January, 2009, this message board will become "Read Only" and will be closed to further posting. Please join the NEW Dr. Phil Community to continue your discussions, personalize your message board experience, start a blog and meet new friends.

( Subscribe to this Topic )

kel1978

User Mood
Happy

Message Emote

July 17, 2008, 3:02 pm PDT

I love Dr. Phil

Dr. Phil is the best. I think it is so refreshing to watch a psychologist/talk show tell it straight. The father on todays show is neglectful, and mislead to say the least. Dr. Phil told this father exactly what he has been needing to hear, no frills attached.
I know this is said about Dr. Phil all the time but I created a user account just to say thanks to Dr. Phil because he makes a difference in my life just by telling it like it is.

Read Replies to this Message

rebalacia

User Mood
Mellow

Message Emote

July 17, 2008, 3:05 pm PDT

07/17 Living on a Prayer

Quote From: shijokingo

Don't any of you Christians know your own religion? Sermon on the Mount by Jesus Christ, "The birds don't work and yet the Lord feeds them, the flowers don't work either and yet the Lord clothes them." That doesn't sound like He is encouraging anyone to work. Of course that is bad advice but that's what He said. Actually, nobody knows what He said because, apparantly, He was illiterate and couldn't write down even one lousy sentence. We all know that God is a fantasy which is why Dr. Phil said "Pray to God and then start rowing". Why bring "God" into it at all. Why not just start rowing. I suggest that the Christians either start following their nonsensical "scripture" (as Phil calls it) or just admit that it doesn't make any sense. Dr. Phil said you shouldn't cherry pick from the Bible and yet that is what all Christians do, including Phil and his friend in the audience. I seriously doubt that Jesus was the "get rich" motivational speaker that all the materialistic, hypocritical Christians try to make Him these days. Dr. Phil, get back to Science and leave the superstition stuff in the distant past where it belongs.

I certainly don't consider myself a true Cristian but I am a confirmed Roman Catholic and I take offense to that. The bible is a story and I guideline created to help the human race live a peaceful and hopefully prosperous life. Anyway, at least most bible thumping Christians are a kind and gentile people. They are often generous and thoughtful although bullheaded at times and mainly closed to other world experiences. My experience is that those who are gracious and full of prayer are usually kind. Anyone has the capacity to be whatever they choose to be.......lets not insult other peoples choice of faith as those are usually issues and very personal views that come from a deep, meaningful, and very interconnected place in a persons life K! Peope who have a sense of spirituality truly are blessed.........except in the case of using religion as a way out

Read Replies to this Message

greying71

User Mood
Peaceful

Message Emote
confused

July 17, 2008, 3:11 pm PDT

God made me do it?

Quote From: susie0624

Exactly!!! How did the parents know to give the exact amount $7???? to purchase a van and other items if someone had now asked them for the money? I have a college degree with honors and was out of work for two years--- I sure sent out more than 5 resumes to Pet Shops -- in fact I sure sent out more than 5 resumes per day. I hope someone from the child protective services steps in and forces these parents to step up or place those kids in homes where someone can help them. It was APPALLING for the wife to sit there at the end of the show rubbing his neck like a wounded animal while her children are being forced to live in a third-world country under our flag!

He should have gotten a job when the first child was born. He sounds like he has a real mental problem., and she must be brain washed. After a few more kids if not after the first. When his sceams failed.

Read Replies to this Message

dsbowles

User Mood
Happy

Message Emote
angry

July 17, 2008, 3:12 pm PDT

Disgusting

The couple who is "living on a prayer" makes me sick. It was all I could do to watch the entire show. That man is a monotoned, brainwashing moron. His wife had a moment here and there when speaking that made me think she might be a couple of brain cells smarter. But between the two of them, they aren't sane enough to deserve custody of ANY of those children.

Read Replies to this Message

kjk2327

User Mood
Happy

Message Emote

July 17, 2008, 3:12 pm PDT

What about the wife?

All the focus is on the husband. What about the mother? Regardless of the fact they have a two week old, this situation didn't arise over night. Not only that, as far as I know it still takes nine months to give birth. What concessions were made in preparation for another child? NONE! I'd like to talk with the mother about her self esteem. Seems she spends so much time supporting her husband that she isn't helping to support her children. That's a classic sign that a woman has little or no self esteem. I know, I've been there. I think that Janna should take a good like at her role in all of this before it's too late.

Read Replies to this Message

robfra611

User Mood
Happy

Message Emote

July 17, 2008, 3:13 pm PDT

07/17 Living on a Prayer

Reminds me of my wife who said God told her to divorce me. We had a near perfect marriage. She always had her hand in mine. The went in the hospital and thought she was going to die. Then God told her that he checked the books and found he made a mistake in letting us have a 15 year marriage with two church marriages. So God was out to hurt me. See it makes no since. This man on the show is answering his own prays. He doesn’t want to work unless he is in total control. Fish in a pond and a mango tree. The has a sever distortion of reality. He blames God for failing to provide for the family instead of taking responsibility. God should see he gets serious mental evaluation.

I am a dreamer too but I work while dreaming.

Read Replies to this Message

mirtica

User Mood
Happy

Message Emote

July 17, 2008, 3:13 pm PDT

living on a prayer

Quote From: luvncheers

Yeah this family needs alot of prayers. I am sure their self pride is preventing them from getting the financial help they need from extended family members (and they should not have to be in the position to have to help). Their pride has closed their heart and mind to wise and sensible living.

The first thought that went through my mind is that is alot of kids to provide for. Businesses fail alot and that is no excuse to continue to have more kids. They definately need a better plan then the one they have!

It really is troublesome when people throw the term "God's Will" around like they have! It is their wrong definition of "God's Will" and it has also been their excuse for continuing to live the way they have!

My understanding of God's will is it means the same for everyone who chooses to follow God. God's plan does not lead families in the ditch, humans do that on their own will!

I want to know the name and church of the pastor in the July 18th show, "Living on a Prayer"

Thank You

Read Replies to this Message

gemfam_5

User Mood
Mellow

Message Emote
frustrated

July 17, 2008, 3:16 pm PDT

Using God is Wrong

I grew up in a family that was very religious, but it ended up that my father used God and the Bible to make his point, and shaped the Bible around what he wanted to do. We lost our house because my dad wouldn't pay taxes. He used God and the constitution to justify that. When he died, we ended up in a fight with my grandparents over his things (he and mom were divorced), but we couldn't go to court because it had been 23 years since he had paid taxes, and most of his things were in relatives' names to hide it. His five children got very little of his posessions. Three of the kids were under 9 years old at the time, and it was a miracle that my mom was able to get social security for them.

This man is using God and putting his family in jepardy. What seems to be more important to him than his family is the ideals of bucking the system, he seems to me to be against government authority. "The Lord" has been reduced to his justification, not his Leader, Savior, Redeemer and Friend. What Friend or Leader would encourage this? God of the Bible, God of true Christians is not that way. He expects us to be responsible.

Read Replies to this Message

dianemcf

Message Emote

July 17, 2008, 3:21 pm PDT

Living on a prayer

I am a Christian woman who understands the views of the parents on the show today. I would like to offer some advice that I heard years ago and feel that I need to pass it on.

Although God provides enough food for the all the birds in the world, he does not toss it directly into their nests. I will pray for this family that they can actually find the path that they all should be walking on. Blessing to all.

Read Replies to this Message

outlawjw

User Mood
Happy

Message Emote
embarrassed