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Why wear one?
Why not wear one?
Are we broadcasting our identity?
Or
Are we broadcasting a hoped for identity?
Fashion statement?
Just for reference....a cross is not pleasant. It's a "death by torture" device. Not exactly humanity's finest hour.
But you can't easily make an empty grave fit on a piece of jewelry either.
Why not wear one?
Are we broadcasting our identity?
Or
Are we broadcasting a hoped for identity?
Fashion statement?
Just for reference....a cross is not pleasant. It's a "death by torture" device. Not exactly humanity's finest hour.
But you can't easily make an empty grave fit on a piece of jewelry either.
I wear a small plain silver cross and I'm convinced that's why so many people talk to me when I'm out and about shopping etc . I literally cannot go anywhere without strangers striking up a conversation with me . Men , women , old , young , it makes no difference . I like people to know that I'm a Christian , it's an easy way to communicate that I am . I'm totally convinced that if I took it off strangers wouldn't talk to me anywhere near as much as they do now .
I also wear one.
It's a wooden one now which i got from Israel from an olive tree.
When i was young i used to wear a golden one but i can't sleep with metals anymore ... i'm too old now.
That's why the wood one is better and it has a unique smell.
It's a wooden one now which i got from Israel from an olive tree.
When i was young i used to wear a golden one but i can't sleep with metals anymore ... i'm too old now.
That's why the wood one is better and it has a unique smell.
I don't wear a cross, but I don't wear much jewelry, either.
But there's a specific reason I usually don't wear one.
God calls me to people who have been abused, usually in childhood, by people claiming to be Christians, and/or their abusers were enabled by people claiming to be Christians.
I once read a story about a middle-aged man who was repeatedly abused as a boy by a priest. He said that he always saw the priest's silver cross shimmering in the light while this priest was abusing him.
For him, the cross symbolized people claiming to have a direct line with God, then using it to abuse others in terrible ways.
I tend to have a very neutral (harmless) appearance to others (or I try,) and after some time (at work, in volunteer groups, etc.,) people often open up to me about their deepest hurts. Imagine what it's like for the many people who have been sexually abused from the time they were toddlers by someone claiming to be a Christian, while others (their other parent, for example,) who also claimed to be a Christian, looked the other way. One woman I talked to was abused by a pastor and a policemen, with a coach also later attempting.
Some were even told, "This is how God wants you to express love," or "God made you for this."
Can you imagine?!!
I'd be pretty apprehensive about anything having to do with God or Christianity, too.
So, I just try to hang back and get to know people, let them vent their hurts, get a feel for where they are in their journey.
I then usually ask, "Have you ever tried... talking to God about how you feel?" and kind of go from there.
I have no qualms about sharing my faith -- I used to have an "In God We Trust" license plate, and, when I got to know some fellow employees, carried a Bible to read on my breaks. This began an interesting conversation with an atheist and a Jehovah's Witness.
I just choose to be selective about when to share and how much as I learn what others share and see how they respond.
I like to say it's my "Ester calling."
Like Esther, I started out life as an orphan, was adopted, and have found my witness most effective when I share my faith strategically.
But there's a specific reason I usually don't wear one.
God calls me to people who have been abused, usually in childhood, by people claiming to be Christians, and/or their abusers were enabled by people claiming to be Christians.
I once read a story about a middle-aged man who was repeatedly abused as a boy by a priest. He said that he always saw the priest's silver cross shimmering in the light while this priest was abusing him.
For him, the cross symbolized people claiming to have a direct line with God, then using it to abuse others in terrible ways.
I tend to have a very neutral (harmless) appearance to others (or I try,) and after some time (at work, in volunteer groups, etc.,) people often open up to me about their deepest hurts. Imagine what it's like for the many people who have been sexually abused from the time they were toddlers by someone claiming to be a Christian, while others (their other parent, for example,) who also claimed to be a Christian, looked the other way. One woman I talked to was abused by a pastor and a policemen, with a coach also later attempting.
Some were even told, "This is how God wants you to express love," or "God made you for this."
Can you imagine?!!
I'd be pretty apprehensive about anything having to do with God or Christianity, too.
So, I just try to hang back and get to know people, let them vent their hurts, get a feel for where they are in their journey.
I then usually ask, "Have you ever tried... talking to God about how you feel?" and kind of go from there.
I have no qualms about sharing my faith -- I used to have an "In God We Trust" license plate, and, when I got to know some fellow employees, carried a Bible to read on my breaks. This began an interesting conversation with an atheist and a Jehovah's Witness.
I just choose to be selective about when to share and how much as I learn what others share and see how they respond.
I like to say it's my "Ester calling."
Like Esther, I started out life as an orphan, was adopted, and have found my witness most effective when I share my faith strategically.
D
DOUGLASPAUL
Guest
I wear a Cross to show people that I'm a Christian; and then hopefully someone will ask me about my Faith; So I see it as a form of Evangelism.
We don't all have to b the same , God uses our different personalities and abilities according to the situation He puts us in . We r members of the same body , 1st Corinthians chapter 12 .
God calls us all to different things and I have no doubt you are extremely effective in ways I never could be!
I love your honesty and realism.
And wearing a cross an be a wonderful way of starting meaningful conversations with others.
Woah woah woah....
Stop.the.presses.
You are uniquely you and designed by God to be you. Don't try to be someone that you aren't. (I wouldn't wish for that either)
All that God wants is for you to be unashamedly his kid. If you can manage that....you will have won the race for the prize.
Oh....I get that we always wish to be smarter, prettier, stronger, faster, more coordinated, wealthier and etc.
But contentment is a great advantage over Satan and all his schemes.
I have tried so very hard most of my life to just be average....and at times that bar seemed so high out of my reach that I'd never make the cut of average.
Jesus wants me just like I am....warts and all.
The cross reiterates the passage,by his wounds we are healed.
Understandable if a Christian would choose to wear one.
And elsewhere too. Different styles than that one.
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=empty tomb pendant&ko=-1&iax=images&ia=images
There are Jesus ascension pendants as well.
I don’t believe I outwardly have to look the part. I may work for God but He doesn’t require a uniform.
It allows me to reach those who may be skeptical about Christian’s. So as they get to know me and like me, then find out that I’m a Christian, they are more susceptible to wanting to know more about Christ because you don’t fit the every day mold of a church going Christian.
It allows me to reach those who may be skeptical about Christian’s. So as they get to know me and like me, then find out that I’m a Christian, they are more susceptible to wanting to know more about Christ because you don’t fit the every day mold of a church going Christian.
I believer if you have to outwardly prove that you are a Christian by what you wear and not by the fruit of the spirit, which is way more noticeable to people who don't know Christ. It's saying something.
Or, a Christian can choose to wear a cross for their personal reasons and deserve not to be judged for it.