Life of the Lay, I wish I could send this comment to you without other posters reading it as I wish to respond not to embarrass you but to speak the truth in charity.  You ask why people get personal with you.  I don't like it when people get snarky with you (or anyone else) as it diminishes the quality of the comments board.  However, I will respond to your objection to "going personal" by stating that the real is the personal.  A truth is not meaningful on paper (or computer screen), a truth is meaningful when it is lived.  Your posts are long on didactics and piety, and short on any personal story of God's grace manifest in your life, being surprised by joy, or specific, real experiences of personal transformation.  The gist of your ideas often have merit, but I think they would be better received if you could show some vulnerability and share your concrete human experience.