Streams of Consciousness & Thoughts~~~

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sydlit

Guest
I just read 3 books in 3 days. Does that make me one?
A book? Not really, but you're quite novel.;)

Trying to get back online... trying to give up meat... trying to get back in shape.... trying to be a better me... :) Hi there, everyone!! :)
Hi, Carol, so glad to see you again.
I've missed my second favorite drummer. :)

Y'know, talking with non-Christians is really interesting sometimes. I've realized more and more that to show Jesus to someone, it's not about mentioning Him every other sentence. It's treating them with love and respect. Loving them like Christ would. Talking with them respectfully. Taking into consideration what THEY say and think about God and Christianity.

Their thoughts and opinions are important. They might not be true, but they are important, so don't brush them off. If you have answers for them, great. If you don't, you say you don't. Don't get defensive and upset when they bring up negative things about Christianity, because we can't ignore the negative, and God doesn't need defending. He is God. It's God's kindness that brought us to repentance in the first place, not His being offended (which He would have every right to be offended by us and our sin).

And just because we're not trying to convert them all the time doesn't mean we're "ashamed" of the Gospel.

When you're planting a garden, you have to cultivate the soil, loosen it, make sure the seeds can grow, and they can become well-rooted. You don't just put the seeds in the ground and hope and pray that it grows okay.

I realize a lot of people might not agree with me on this, but this is what I have found to be true. And I'll be praying for my non-Christian friends today.
So nicely written, and such an important reminder in my own life.
Thank you, lil_sister. God bless you. :)
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
16,422
5,363
113
Y'know, talking with non-Christians is really interesting sometimes. I've realized more and more that to show Jesus to someone, it's not about mentioning Him every other sentence. It's treating them with love and respect. Loving them like Christ would. Talking with them respectfully. Taking into consideration what THEY say and think about God and Christianity.

Their thoughts and opinions are important. They might not be true, but they are important, so don't brush them off. If you have answers for them, great. If you don't, you say you don't. Don't get defensive and upset when they bring up negative things about Christianity, because we can't ignore the negative, and God doesn't need defending. He is God. It's God's kindness that brought us to repentance in the first place, not His being offended (which He would have every right to be offended by us and our sin).

And just because we're not trying to convert them all the time doesn't mean we're "ashamed" of the Gospel.

When you're planting a garden, you have to cultivate the soil, loosen it, make sure the seeds can grow, and they can become well-rooted. You don't just put the seeds in the ground and hope and pray that it grows okay.

I realize a lot of people might not agree with me on this, but this is what I have found to be true. And I'll be praying for my non-Christian friends today.
Hey Lil,

Lately I've found myself working around a lot of young people (teenagers.) It makes me sad to hear them talk:

"If we could just get invited to such-and-such party, we'd be LIT!! There would be so many (derogatory term for women) there!! It would be totally sick!" (Yes, it would, but not in the way they're thinking.)

"Why can't we all just love ourselves?" (One teen has very obvious cuts all up and down their arms, and makes no effort to hide them.)

"What's it like to have parents who are married to each other?" (A young girl actually asked me this.)

"All my friends identify as something different... 'gay', 'bi', 'pan-sexual', 'semi-sexual'... I'm not sure where I fit in but I'm going to keep experimenting in order to find out."

There are so many times I want to just jump up and give these kids a hug. We don't know what they've been through, and many of them have probably been through as much or more as I've been through in my adult life. I'm a Christian who's been deeply wounded by religion and other Christians, so I can only imagine what some non-Christians have suffered at the hands of "the church" and its people.

I think many Christians don't realize that witnessing is like talking to someone from a foreign country. You can't just speak to them in your native language and expect them to conform to you (though there are many people who do that, both literally and figuratively.) You have a to learn a little of their language and find some sort of common ground in order to meet them on their own territory. For me, my preferred "languages" of choice are identity (Why makes you feel like you do or don't belong?), pain (everyone is hurting over something), and laughter. I've found that if I can find some kind of common ground in any of these areas, you can establish a level of trust that opens the door for other topics, including spiritual things. I have been praying for a way to talk to some of these kids, just about their own lives, because it's a start.

I also heard a sermon a long time ago that I'll never forget. The pastor was saying it might take 17 more steps and meeting 8 more people before that person comes to Christ, and you may be Person #2 and working on steps 3 and 4 with them.

I think so many Christians (including myself) feel the need to take the person by the hand and drag them over the Salvation Line, whether they're willing or not. And then they say, "Oh well, if they won't accept what I'm saying, they have to take it up with God because I did my part," and will quote the passage about Paul shaking the dust off his feet and moving on.

These Christians might mean well but they may actually be doing a lot more harm than good. And while they're telling everyone else to "take it up with God", they fail to realize that maybe it's them who need to go to God--about revising their methods.
 
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sydlit

Guest
Hey Lil,

Lately I've found myself working around a lot of young people (teenagers.) It makes me sad to hear them talk:

"If we could just get invited to such-and-such party, we'd be LIT!! There would be so many (derogatory term for women) there!! It would be totally sick!" (Yes, it would, but not in the way they're thinking.)

"Why can't we all just love ourselves?" (One teen has very obvious cuts all up and down their arms, and makes no effort to hide them.)

"What's it like to have parents who are married to each other?" (A young girl actually asked me this.)

"All my friends identify as something different... 'gay', 'bi', 'pan-sexual', 'semi-sexual'... I'm not sure where I fit in but I'm going to keep experimenting in order to find out."

There are so many times I want to just jump up and give these kids a hug. We don't know what they've been through, and many of them have probably been through as much or more as I've been through in my adult life. I'm a Christian who's been deeply wounded by religion and other Christians, so I can only imagine what some non-Christians have suffered at the hands of "the church" and its people.

I think many Christians don't realize that witnessing is like talking to someone from a foreign country. You can't just speak to them in your native language and expect them to conform to you (though there are many people who do that, both literally and figuratively.) You have a to learn a little of their language and find some sort of common ground in order to meet them on their own territory. For me, my preferred "languages" of choice are identity (Why makes you feel like you do or don't belong?), pain (everyone is hurting over something), and laughter. I've found that if I can find some kind of common ground in any of these areas, you can establish a level of trust that opens the door for other topics, including spiritual things. I have been praying for a way to talk to some of these kids, just about their own lives, because it's a start.

I also heard a sermon a long time ago that I'll never forget. The pastor was saying it might take 17 more steps and meeting 8 more people before that person comes to Christ, and you may be Person #2 and working on steps 3 and 4 with them.

I think so many Christians (including myself) feel the need to take the person by the hand and drag them over the Salvation Line, whether they're willing or not. And then they say, "Oh well, if they won't accept what I'm saying, they have to take it up with God because I did my part," and will quote the passage about Paul shaking the dust off his feet and moving on.

These Christians might mean well but they may actually be doing a lot more harm than good. And while they're telling everyone else to "take it up with God", they fail to realize that maybe it's them who need to go to God--about revising their methods.
How wonderful the diversity in getting the word out...
Music, comedy, compassion, healing, helps, etc.,
So many ways the love of God can be ministered
to others, both within And without the Body of Christ.
How much more joy would manifest if more of us spent
more effort supporting each other as brosters, and less
time judging each others methods and motives.
God bless you, seoul, ministering to teens,
No easy task in any capacity, by any stretch.
If you ever hit one of those 'moments' when
you just wanna bust something, pls don't hesitate
to pop in to pm for a word or a prayer.
God give you more grace and strength in Jesus' name.
 

lil_christian

Senior Member
Mar 14, 2010
7,489
73
48
27
Hey Lil,

Lately I've found myself working around a lot of young people (teenagers.) It makes me sad to hear them talk:

"If we could just get invited to such-and-such party, we'd be LIT!! There would be so many (derogatory term for women) there!! It would be totally sick!" (Yes, it would, but not in the way they're thinking.)

"Why can't we all just love ourselves?" (One teen has very obvious cuts all up and down their arms, and makes no effort to hide them.)

"What's it like to have parents who are married to each other?" (A young girl actually asked me this.)

"All my friends identify as something different... 'gay', 'bi', 'pan-sexual', 'semi-sexual'... I'm not sure where I fit in but I'm going to keep experimenting in order to find out."

There are so many times I want to just jump up and give these kids a hug. We don't know what they've been through, and many of them have probably been through as much or more as I've been through in my adult life. I'm a Christian who's been deeply wounded by religion and other Christians, so I can only imagine what some non-Christians have suffered at the hands of "the church" and its people.

I think many Christians don't realize that witnessing is like talking to someone from a foreign country. You can't just speak to them in your native language and expect them to conform to you (though there are many people who do that, both literally and figuratively.) You have a to learn a little of their language and find some sort of common ground in order to meet them on their own territory. For me, my preferred "languages" of choice are identity (Why makes you feel like you do or don't belong?), pain (everyone is hurting over something), and laughter. I've found that if I can find some kind of common ground in any of these areas, you can establish a level of trust that opens the door for other topics, including spiritual things. I have been praying for a way to talk to some of these kids, just about their own lives, because it's a start.

I also heard a sermon a long time ago that I'll never forget. The pastor was saying it might take 17 more steps and meeting 8 more people before that person comes to Christ, and you may be Person #2 and working on steps 3 and 4 with them.

I think so many Christians (including myself) feel the need to take the person by the hand and drag them over the Salvation Line, whether they're willing or not. And then they say, "Oh well, if they won't accept what I'm saying, they have to take it up with God because I did my part," and will quote the passage about Paul shaking the dust off his feet and moving on.

These Christians might mean well but they may actually be doing a lot more harm than good. And while they're telling everyone else to "take it up with God", they fail to realize that maybe it's them who need to go to God--about revising their methods.
All of what you said is so true. I love what you said about it being like a foreign language, because so many people use "Christianese." LOL
 
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Susanna

Guest
To my recollection they had some real good songs...rest in peace, mr. Glenn Frey.
 
C

crosstweed

Guest
- Glenn Frey
- Alan Rickman
- David Bowie
- Rene Angelil (Celine Dion's husband)
- Daniel Dion (Celine Dion's brother)

Wow.


Seems like I'm missing one...
 
Sep 6, 2013
4,430
117
63
- Glenn Frey
- Alan Rickman
- David Bowie
- Rene Angelil (Celine Dion's husband)
- Daniel Dion (Celine Dion's brother)

Wow.


Seems like I'm missing one...
Dan Haggerty (Grizzly Adams), though it appears he was in his 70s.
David Margulies (Ghostbusters), also in his 70s.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,344
13,716
113
So much death! Let me share of new life...

I'm loosely involved with a monthly worship/prayer event for our city. Last night, while we were chatting afterward, the song leader announced that a young lady in attendance had accepted the Lord during the worship. Praise the Lord!

There were some shouts of joy, and some quiet tears; the young lady has been coming to the youth outreach centre, and was at church yesterday morning. The event last night was at the youth centre, so it was a big blessing to the head of the centre to be there when she accepted Christ! God is sooooo good! :)
 
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sydlit

Guest
- Glenn Frey
- Alan Rickman
- David Bowie
- Rene Angelil (Celine Dion's husband)
- Daniel Dion (Celine Dion's brother)

Wow.


Seems like I'm missing one...
Father, help us to see the importance of abiding in you and holding each other up in love and reconciliation as we see all the more how fleeting life is in the light of these announcements. Please bless the family, friends and fans of these different ppl, comfort them with the knowledge of the love and forgiveness of our Saviour Jesus, and we thank you, Lord, that we can lift each other up to your throne of grace. We thank you for the resurrection and eternal life in Jesus' name, Amen.
 
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blueorchidjd

Guest
I liked what you said.
Big picture.

It seems to be the case. Great empires of our time seem to have risen to new peaks, only to fall so gracelessly. We see evidence of greed and grief ripple its way through our immediate and larger communities. The systems we have so diligently put in to place are now failing us, and tragedy after another is sensualised all over the news media. (In response to the 'world' world, I don't know if you're talking about global warming or something along those lines.)

But even in the chaos and the panic there is a hope, for the Hope of glory has made His home in us. We carry the good news, a message of redemption and freedom for it is a freedom we have experienced and tasted ourselves. I believe the state of the world is meant to frustrate us as believers, for out of that frustration is awaiting a response. We can either look at the world and glorify the darkness as we moan in despair, or we could arise to the calling and be everything Jesus has called us to be; the light of this world, a city on a hill, people of unveiled faces and representatives of Christ with dual citizenship in heaven and on earth. So weighty is our calling and destiny. There are so many promises in the Word for the children of God to hold to and stand firm with.

So blueorchidjd, you can either let your frustration eat you with worries and anxiety, or you can make something of it, or of this moment, to shine a light that releases a fragrance of hope to an orphan planet.
 
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Tintin

Guest
Thanks.
But I'm ok, I just don't understand why no one is concerned about it.
Plenty of people are concerned about the world falling apart. They just don't have the media mega-phone/bull-horn.
 
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Tintin

Guest
I agree with both Evie and Kim. I don't try to Jesus Juke conversations, but I'm sure I've done just that more than a few times in my life. But for the most part, I just live my faith and speak my beliefs in a very natural way. I'm not afraid to talk about God and the Bible with my non-Christian friends (at gatherings or whatever), but I don't think it's wise to sermonise either. There has to be a natural balance.

And yet, there is that desire for them to become Christian (I love them dearly) and when you've known some of them since early high school days and they clearly know what you believe, but still haven't seen the 'light', it can get rather frustrating and you start to wonder if you're doing enough to share God's good news with them. And I don't think anything good would come of sitting them down and asking them, "So why haven't you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour?" That's not honouring the person and that's certainly not honouring God.

I like to reason the faith and a well-reasoned faith is a faith worth having, but again, the best arguments for the Christian faith being true are little more than dirty rags without Holy Spirit's leading. If we try, we'll do it in our own strength and the whats-it will hit the fan. I want to step further into these conversations with my friends etc. but I'm not sure how to go about it. And some of my very best friends have little children, so that makes it doubly difficult.