Comments on Jon and Kate Prayers: I Can Honestly Say Jon Is My Best Friend

Anonymous, thanks so much for sharing your thought...

2009-06-08T22:43:44.392-04:00

Anonymous, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts here. Indeed, this situation could result in many asking essentially "where is your God now?" because it seems like He's not in control. Fact is, He's always in control...but all situations happen the way they do for a reason. Some are horrific in appearance but even in that tragedy, there is a plan. Others are of our own design and disobedience. But the beauty is God can still bring a blessing out of our disasters, if we only turn to Him.

You are so right: "There is definitely no limitations on who or what to pray for. God puts burdens on our hearts for a reason."

May the grace, love and mercy of Jesus Christ cover you!

The whole situation breaks my heart, not only for ...

2009-06-08T18:13:21.764-04:00

The whole situation breaks my heart, not only for the kids, or Jon and Kate, but for Christians and the effect it will have on His (Christ's) word. I have been really cheering them on since I found out they were Christians. But hearing of all the turmoil that is going on in their lives and that they might not last just gives non-Christians another reason to say "where is your God in this situation, or your God really worked in their lives didn't He?"

I really hope and pray that they can keep the faith, pray for each other, their marriage, and to deny themselves and listen to what the other needs and wants. I hope for Christ and the Gosselins that they make it and they are stronger and better for it. I really hope that God is glorified in this, that all can see how He worked with the two of them through all of this.

God's will is perfect and who knows this could be His will.

However, I think prayer is definately in order for the couple and their children. Everyone all over the world needs prayer including the children in 3rd world countries, governments, and yes, even the Gosselin's. There is definately no limitations on who or what to pray for. God puts burdens on our hearts for a reason.

Thanks.

Angie,I caution you as I have others on placing co...

2009-06-02T11:18:36.156-04:00

Angie,

I caution you as I have others on placing conditions on prayers. While the Gosselins are indeed better off than many families in this country and certainly others, they are no less deserving of prayers. Pray as you are led but check your heart first so that you approach God's throne with humility.

I am with Jackie on this one. There are thousands,...

2009-06-02T08:23:58.782-04:00

I am with Jackie on this one. There are thousands, if not millions of children in this world who have it a lot worse than the Gosselin kids. These eight Gosselin kids wear cute, name brand outfits 24/7, take fancy vacations, live in a huge house, and eat organic food. Hardly what I would call a dire situation. Think of the kids in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sudan, Darfur....the list goes on. The children in these countries do not have any of the perks these Gosselin kids have, some don't even have food, shelter, or parents. So, while the Gosselin's lives may not be perfect, they are a heck of a lot better off than most kids in this world. My prayers will be for this show being pulled off the air.

Anonymous, Lot's of good points in this article. M...

2009-06-02T01:18:02.832-04:00

Anonymous,

Lot's of good points in this article. Moral of the story, prayer can highlight areas in our lives and the lives of others that need to change. I'm certain Jon & Kate have had prayer support but not all along. It's easier to pray when things seem wrong than to realize that praises and prayers are needed in the good times, too.

Finally, a Christian publication speaks out! http:...

2009-06-02T00:56:06.620-04:00

Finally, a Christian publication speaks out!

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/juneweb-only/122-11.0.html?start=1

"Wicked men and impostors have advanced from bad t...

2009-05-30T13:12:12.267-04:00

"Wicked men and impostors have advanced from bad to worse"-2 Timothy 3:1-5,13.

Luke 8:17 "There is nothing hidden that will not b...

2009-05-30T01:06:28.978-04:00

Luke 8:17 "There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and there is nothing secret that will not become known and come to light."

Hope the investigate if those children have money ...

2009-05-29T15:40:12.661-04:00

Hope the investigate if those children have money set aside for them also! Now if they could only get the IRS involved to see if they declared their 'love" offerings on their tax returns

Anonymous #1,I don't disagree with the comparison ...

2009-05-29T02:51:06.651-04:00

Anonymous #1,

I don't disagree with the comparison to the Dionne Quintuplets in the entertainment factor. I do caution this notion that the children need to be "freed" or "rescued". It's unwise to presume what is or isn't going on from a parenting standpoint. Jon & Kate are their parents and if you disagree with their methods, that's your opinion but it's still their choice. Prayer can change hearts and minds which is what needs to happen first and foremost. THEN, the children can be better protected and perhaps removed from the fishbowl.

Anonymous #2 and Caleb's wife,

TLC is a media business so they cannot be called evil for how they conduct their marketing. How little or how much Jon & Kate allow themselves and their children to participate can be controlled. But when one is so wrapped up in a business and its consequences, it's not very easy to see a clear path. Hence the need for prayer!

Anonymous #3,

You're entitled to pray for this couple and family however you are led. It's not mine or anyone else's place to dictate what those prayers should be able. God's Will be done.

Anonymous #4,

Prayer can help change hearts and lives, if they are willing to be willing.

Jon and Kate made a deal with the devil when they ...

2009-05-28T23:11:53.896-04:00

Jon and Kate made a deal with the devil when they chose to put themselves and their 8 kids on the tube. The kids had no say in this...now they are the ones who pay the price for their parents greed. I feel very sorry for the kids who will be taunted by other children no matter where they go. Jon and kate need to pull the plug on the show, get everyone into therapy and quit blaming everyone but themselves for where they are at. Money does not buy happiness and they have not been happy for years...look at their body language. Kate loves the camera and the attention unless she can call the shots...Jon obviously sick of it. The children nothing but little money makers.

While I agree "it's sad how we as a society enjoy ...

2009-05-28T17:39:11.961-04:00

While I agree "it's sad how we as a society enjoy watching the destruction of lives," sadder still are parents who put their love of all things "celebrity" over love for their children.
I HAVE been praying for this family, sir. Though, perhaps, in a way different than you.

The love of money is the root of ALL evil. That's ...

2009-05-28T15:02:51.508-04:00

The love of money is the root of ALL evil. That's all that TLC and Kate care about is the money, not the kids. It's all very, very sad. Collin is seen rocking back and forth and blinking rapidly in the birthday photos. Those kids are stressed out from having cameras in their faces. Someone needs to do something and soon.

they have 10 millon in the bank and plus book sale...

2009-05-28T13:05:41.760-04:00

they have 10 millon in the bank and plus book sales if there show stops there not going to be poor. They have sold 2 diffrent books Kate wrote people dont want these little kids to have a normal life why? Kate and Jon have alot of money now TLC wants to cash in on there marriage how sick. TLC will use them and in the end get rid of them when they tear the marriage apart how sad no money is worth ending your marriage over. TCL people are not christians they are prettty evil the way there useing this family so sad.

Please folks, these kids are nothing more than the...

2009-05-28T08:18:34.236-04:00

Please folks, these kids are nothing more than the modern equivalent of the Dionne Quintuplets: with every moment videotaped for the cameras and shown pretty 24/7 every where. The show went from being fairly sweet to this train wreck because the parents seem to be greedy. Did they really NEED a 1.1 MILLION mansion? $1,600/day bodyguard for the wife? Will these poor kids ever see a PENNY of the money their childhood's earned? Not to mention, if we're seeing the birth mother on every magazine and news show or out signing autographs, and the birth father is out drinking - who IS REALLY PARENTING THOSE KIDS? Paid help. Sad, sad, sad. ALL CHILDREN IN ENTERTAINMENT - whether scripted or not - need the SAME compensations across the board in all 50 states - as California enacted, along with a new version of "Coogan's Law" to protect their earnings. FREE THE GOSSELIN EIGHT!!!!

Kay,Thank you so much for sharing your kind and th...

2009-05-28T01:24:28.925-04:00

Kay,

Thank you so much for sharing your kind and thoughtful words of encouragement. You are a blessing to the readers and me!

Debbie,I've heard this phrase before and it's mere...

2009-05-28T00:47:11.708-04:00

Debbie,

I've heard this phrase before and it's merely truth to me that NO ONE is perfect and we are ALL human. Everyone makes mistakes and they shouldn't be condemned, humiliated, or shunned. They need to be loved and prayed for. That's what so great about prayer, it takes the focus off oneself and places it on someone else and their needs. Certainly, we should pray for our own needs but even then it's seeking God's Will in those wants or needs. Thanks for praying!

Anonymous,

No, THANK YOU for YOUR words of wisdom. Praises be to God for you helping to stop the gossip!

Hello Rick,Thank you for encouraging people to pra...

2009-05-28T00:22:07.577-04:00

Hello Rick,

Thank you for encouraging people to pray for Jon and Kate Gosselin. The only thing we can do now is to pray and seek God on behalf of this couple during this challenging and difficult time in their lives. No one can understand the turmoil and the anguish that they are experiencing. All we can do is to support them in prayer.

Rick, "...know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58

Keep up your fantastic work. Your mature and biblical responses are much appreciated. God bless you.

Kay

Rick Garner, I have just stumbled on to your blog ...

2009-05-27T23:26:59.788-04:00

Rick Garner, I have just stumbled on to your blog while reading another sad article about Jon & Kate. After the non-stop, negative headlines piling up on this tragic situation, your words are the first and only words of true concern and reason. You are so right, we all need to turn our channels AWAY and PRAY for these people and these sweet kids. I also wish for us all to pray for ourselves, that we can stop feeding on the ruin and carnage of the tabloids. I see more now than ever, that we are all discustingly hanging on every word of the celebrity gossip shows and magazines. We should stop gossiping and start hoping and praying for all of these living, breathing and feeling souls out there having thier private business splashed about for the world to see. I will gladly and whole heartedly accept your challenge and pray for them...and all of us. Thank you for your words of wisdom.

someone told me once that the Christian army is th...

2009-05-27T22:36:07.072-04:00

someone told me once that the Christian army is the only group that shoots at it's own wounded. Sadly, after reading many of the remarks ..it is certainly in evidence.
I had been irritated with alot of the J&K stories and saddened by the opening show, but as much as we think we know what is going on, unless you are in their skin and in their heads we really don't know what is truly going on.
Thank you Rick for the reminder to pray and for staying true to what you feel called to do....

Caleb,Don't believe everything you read.

2009-05-27T20:00:33.959-04:00

Caleb,

Don't believe everything you read.

Rick,You call it "negative speculation." But what ...

2009-05-27T19:32:07.399-04:00

Rick,

You call it "negative speculation." But what it really is is "reality."

mirele/Deana,Thanks for your continued feedback. I...

2009-05-27T17:28:53.639-04:00

mirele/Deana,

Thanks for your continued feedback. I was hoping you found my reply to your last note at:

http://richardtgarner.blogspot.com/2009/05/i-can-honestly-say-jon-is-my-best.html?showComment=1243125426209#c3923480408362633166

Indeed, you have seen links about this post commented to relevant stories (all negative) about the Gosselins. No, I'm not being paid to post links nor am I being paid to write anything about the Gosselins.

I've no interest in praising or boasting my self worth since my worth is found in Christ. My goal is to drawing people away from gossip and negative speculation towards praying for this family.

Why is that important to me? I was and continue to be sick of hearing and seeing the negative speculations and dribble in print and video about this family. You and I are certainly in agreement that priority here needs to be on family - both couple and children - and regaining privacy.

As for my views about "separation of church of state" and them being ultraconservative, it's quite likely that those views would be enhanced living in a state such as Utah but I have no desire to move my family West. Wouldn't mind visiting there, though. I do stand by those thoughts and my social networking for sharing the link.

As mentioned on the link above, let me know if you wish to speak further about your experiences. Thanks, again, for your sharing your thoughts.

Rick,I've changed my mind. Leave what I've said up...

2009-05-27T14:06:13.370-04:00

Rick,

I've changed my mind. Leave what I've said up here.

Why? Because it seems that wherever the Gosselins are being discussed on the Net these days, you too are there, plugging this prayer page and saying that "the media and others continue their campaign of gossip and hate." (From Today NBC Philadelphia comments.) That's not the only place, btw, and it makes me wonder if you're being paid to go around and say these things.** Of course, you could just be naturally self-aggrandizing, but one wonders why this is so important to you.

As to why it's important to ME: I am old enough to remember when the first "reality family" was shown on PBS in 1973. Yeah, that was ALSO a family that was falling apart due to divorce and other strains and the cameras did not help at all. Since then, it's been one reality show trainwreck after another. Kate Gosselin is on record as saying that the marriages of families with high order multiples break up more frequently than those without. However, the stats for reality families are worse. We KNOW, we have a track record for how reality shows affect families. It's not a good track record. Anyone who cares about their family would NOT want to have them in front of a TV camera on a regular basis. Even the idea that they can be a good Christian model falls by the wayside in the face of an unblinking camera lens.

Not only that, the children themselves are basically being exploited for their money-making ability. Nobody would care for Jon and Kate; their children are the draw. However, the kids have no say in the fact that they're being filmed, but the parents are continuing this nonsense in the face of what is apparently a marital breakdown. If Jon and Kate cared about their marriage and their family, they'd do what it took to break their contract and take their family's privacy back. In that, I think they'd win a whole lot of respect from many, many people (including myself) for putting their children and their marriage before everything else.

mirele

**[On the other hand, it may just be self-promotion on your part, since I discovered in my googling that you have also pushed the standard ultraconservative understanding of "separation of church and state." If you think religion has been purged from the public square, as you say, then you REALLY need to live in a state like Utah, where, when you're the minority religion, you'll *appreciate* the separation of church and state for what it is. I can say that as I lived in Utah for seven years. And I have a juris doctor, so I know what the First Amendment says. I also know what Article VI says about religious tests for office. That's s neither here nor there, but I STRONGLY recommend to anyone who thinks that separation of church and state is a bad thing that they live a couple of years in Provo, Utah and then get back to me about their experience.]

Claudia,Indeed, we have so much for which to be th...

2009-05-27T07:49:07.688-04:00

Claudia,

Indeed, we have so much for which to be thankful. Praises be to God!