Divorce, Turtle Style...

[betnich]

After only 115 years together:

http://shine.yahoo.com/love-sex/115-years-together-tortoises-separate-ways-182500381.html

And it was because of Backbiting!

I wonder, how often does this happen in ministries? Do people take others' good qualities for granted, focus on their flaws, and just get sick of each other?

I think of Paul and Barnabas' breakup in the Book of Acts (acts 15:36-40); they said it was because of John Mark, but I wonder if that was just the precipitating event - did Barnabas just get on Paul's last nerve?

What do you think? Any experiences with the "familiarity breeds contempt" syndrome?

[SirTJ]

Using the divorce of two turtles as a lead in to a ministry question. That's new. 

Familiarity breeds contempt depending on what you focus on. Most people tend to focus on the negatives by default, which is why they grow weary of others so quickly. What you feed will grow.

[Hasmonean1]

I think of Paul and Barnabas' breakup in the Book of Acts (acts 15:36-40); they said it was because of John Mark, but I wonder if that was just the precipitating event - did Barnabas just get on Paul's last nerve?

I think their break up was solely due to contentions related to John Mark.  I don't think he had the same zeal as Paul and Barnabas so Paul saw him as not being useful for what they were doing.  Barnabas didn't want to kick that brother to the curb and both guys would not budge from their opinion.  If there is no compromise in disagreements, it could lead to total separation.

What do you think? Any experiences with the "familiarity breeds contempt" syndrome?

Yes I have.  I wouldn't call it contempt but similar feelings are present when it comes to my local gospel FM radio station.  They seem to play the same songs over and over again.  I've gotten to the point where I listen mostly to Sports Talk Radio or an AM Gospel Station.  Every now and then I'll flip back to the FM station and nothing has changed.  Some of that inspirational music already don't sit well with me and then they try to shove it down my throat or into my spirit. 

[under13]

Even the animals are smart enough not to put up with a back biting woman, Why aren't we?

[betnich]

Yes I have.  I wouldn't call it contempt but similar feelings are present when it comes to my local gospel FM radio station.  They seem to play the same songs over and over again.  I've gotten to the point where I listen mostly to Sports Talk Radio or an AM Gospel Station.  Every now and then I'll flip back to the FM station and nothing has changed.  Some of that inspirational music already don't sit well with me and then they try to shove it down my throat or into my spirit. 

Yes - Lately, too much Christless 'Inspirational' music gets on my nerves - much like New Age and Word-of-Faith influences... I can take a little here and there (as in a Joel Osteen message, I realize it's a partial, not whole Gospel) but too much irritates me...

[Gibby]

Even the animals are smart enough not to put up with a back biting woman, Why aren't we?

pwa!

[phbrown]

My wife loved this article just wanted to say thank you for posting it