Born Again Christians Thread-No Bashing please

[luvthatduke]

Hi Deb! Thanks for the post, definitely praying for your family/friend.

Is there any family that can stay with Joe in the Rehab,
at least check in several times a day - even if it's only before/after work?
I know so many in the healthcare field, and even tho most are
wonderful, everyone I know says the best way to get the best care
is to have someone with the patient constantly, to make sure they
are getting the prescribed care, are eating/drinking,
and to also prevent abuse.
The demands put on nursing staff is incredible,
and to be honest they rarely have time to even feed their patients.
If the patient can't reach the food tray that the orderly plopped down,
well - lots of times they just go hungry.
I know staying or visiting frequently can be an unrealistic demand
to put on a family, especially if they work or the Rehab is not close by,
but it may be worth thinking about.

I do hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year's celebration,
thought I'd give an update on my sister:

I feel so bad for her. I know too well how she can put off doing what people
advise her to do (meaning professionals who are "in the know"),
but she actually picked up the phone and called the Atty. General.
She spent hours on the line being passed through their infuriating
automated system, only to reach a live person who told her
"we don't give legal advice to private citizens,"
and DSis was advised to contact her local consumer group!
This, after she told them the whole story!

Needless to say, she was absolutely deflated emotionally,
thought she was doing the right thing by calling the office
every attorney and police officer in our family/circle of friends had told her to,
only to have the proverbial door slammed in her face.
Now, she's trying to figure out where to live, as she can't stay
where she is for too much longer, and I think she's going to contact
a special fraud attorney group in a nearby town.
I don't know if they're the kind that advertise on late-night TV,
or if she was given their names by someone who wanted to help.

Thanks again to all the ladies here who pray
- as if that were a bad thing!! ...

 

[ead79]

Deb, I’m sorry to hear that Joe’s nursing home isn’t taking proper care of him. I will pray that the Lord will show you a place where he can be looked after. Cancer is such a terrible disease, and I’m sorry that you have both a MIL and friend affected by it. They are in my prayers for treatments that are not riddled with bad side effects and for success for those treatments.

luvthatduke, I’m sorry to hear that your sister has had a door slammed in her face like that. I certainly pray that this fraud group is legitimate and has her best interest in mind. Prayers continue for her and Mikey, as well as for you.

 

[gr8ful4Him]

Hi again
Just want to thank all of you who have been praying for my family and friend. It's difficult to watch the people you love go through these difficult times. I am thankful to know that they all are believers.
So this got me to thinking...I know that we are to share the Good News with everyone, whether they are ill or not. I'm not very good at it probably because I don't practice enough! Do any of you find it hard to do? How do you go about it. Do you just let your actions speak for you and hope they will ask you someday or do you get proactive about it?
Anyways, just trying to get some "feedback" and ways to feel more "at ease" sharing the gospel.
God bless!

 

[Grandma Bear]

To all my fellow Christians, I wish a happy healthy and prosperous New Year. I will continue to lift up the prayer requests and know that God will answer above and beyond what we expect. I'm grateful we serve a mighty God who heals,restores, refreshes and renews us in body, mind and spirit. When we band together in prayer we become a mighty voice.

 

[luvthatduke]

Deb, That is a great question!
I find myself relying more & more on God
to open up avenues & create opportunities for me
to ask someone a question, or to share something from my life.
I have found that the more "natural" I am about it,
the better the flow of the conversation.
Because knowing Jesus is and should be the largest part
of who I am, talking about Him personally comes naturally,
just like if I shared anything else from my life or
talked about how much an earthly friend means to me.
If I ask God - many times right then & there -
to open up a door or to put something on my heart
to share with that person, He usually (not always) blesses
me with an interesting answer!

Because God has done so many amazing things in my life,
long ago He placed the story of the demon-posessed man
in my mind - forever.
That man, who was so grateful to Jesus, begged to be able
to go with Jesus and follow Him.
Jesus answered, "No... go and tell..."

Of course I want everyone around me to accept Jesus,
because I believe what's written in the Bible
and I want us all to be together in Heaven.

Yes, we are to fulfill the Great Commission,
but when I examine how Jesus "witnessed" one-to-one,
He rarely, if ever, was aggressive about it.
He asked thoughtful questions (that He already knew the answer to),
and showed love & compassion to those who were truly seeking.
Of course, he was straightforward with His answers,
leaving no doubt that accepting Him was the only way to God.
However, the ones who were hypocrites, the ones who claimed
to preach the O.T. but did not live by it's rules,
or did not see their need for their own relationship w/God to improve,
well... it wasn't pretty.
Jesus showed some righteous anger, and called a spade a spade many times!

I have found that the $64,000 question that works very well
with pastors doesn't always work for me,
especially if I haven't tried to honestly get to know a person,
or at least show honest interest in listening to what they think.
That question, "If you were to die today, do you know for sure
you're going to Heaven to be with God? How do you know?"
sometimes can follow a heart to heart talk,
but personally I have found that being a true friend first
will prevent me from giving off the radar,
"I just want another soul notched in my belt,"
that so many non-believers accuse us of.
That is, in my opinion, an accurate accusation of many people,
and I'm sure I've come off that way sometimes.

I think every believer should always be looking for opportunities,
and even creating them if God has put that on their heart.
After all, the missionaries of this day are being used to hasten Christ's return.

Sorry for the long reply - it's late (as usual) and I've had to spend the
last several hours cleaning so I'm wired, not tired - LOL!

Blessings!

 

[Grandma Bear]

Beautiful answer, Luvthatduck

 

[gr8ful4Him]

I have to agree. That is a great answer
I know when we weren't Christians, my dh got a ride to work everyday with somebody who was. He got to know him a little bit, but from the very beginning of the ride-share, my dh would come home telling me about the bible basher he got rides with. I guess the guy felt as though he had a "captive audience"! lol Of course now we realize that God was trying to reach us even back then, but we were so worldly that we really didn't want to hear any of it and only dealt with it because he really needed the ride.
I try to become friends with folks too, but sometimes when they hear I'm a "pastor's wife", they put their guard up and it makes it tough. I just try to be myself and chip away at their expectations of what I should be like until they too can feel confident about just being themselves. It works with some people but with others they just don't get past my label.
I think that's one of the toughest things about being "in the ministry"...people are afraid to just be themselves around you. Once the barber found out my dh was a pastor, all of the "male talk" ended in the shop as soon as he'd come in because the barber would greet him very loudly with a "hi Pastor!" lol I didn't know my dh felt this way, but on our way home from visiting our family and friends over Christmas, he told me it was refreshing to be around our "old" friends who were just themselves while we were there. I had to definitely agree with him.
Anyways, now I'm rambling! lol
I gotta get out of here and go to praise band "practice"
Blessings to you all!

 

[Talking Hands]

Hi again

So this got me to thinking...I know that we are to share the Good News with everyone, whether they are ill or not. I'm not very good at it probably because I don't practice enough! Do any of you find it hard to do? How do you go about it. Do you just let your actions speak for you and hope they will ask you someday or do you get proactive about it?

While I don't have a difficult time sharing with deaf friends and even deaf I don't know for some reason I find it hard to share the gospel with hearing people. Very hard. I try to show Christian love and behavior at all times, but to actually be comfortable talking to a hearing person and explaining the gospel is really hard for me. It is easier with deaf people because they take things literally and their thinking is very straight forward. They rarely try to twist your words. When you give a visual explaination of Salvation they either get it or don't.
And they really love it when you take the time to reach them through their language.

 

[luvthatduke]

I try to become friends with folks too, but sometimes when they hear I'm a "pastor's wife", they put their guard up and it makes it tough. I just try to be myself and chip away at their expectations of what I should be like until they too can feel confident about just being themselves. It works with some people but with others they just don't get past my label.

Deb, I can really appreciate your answer, and I have sympathy.
While I haven't been on your side of it, I have friends that are.
The quote I lifted reminded me of my friend, M.
I met her in a Bible Study for post-abortive women,
so I knew most of her secrets - she is an interesting & likeable young woman.
Anyways, her DH became a pastor, so all of a sudden "just M., friend",
became overnight "the pastor's wife."
Her DH wasn't my pastor, but being with her through his struggles
to discover where God wanted him, knowing both of their shortcomings
(via her testimony), knowing her pain and her "human-ness",
I really felt for her as she started in her new role.
Please know I wasn't judging her or him - on the contrary!
I knew her personal struggles, and she shared so much with us
up until the time he accepted the position of pastor and they moved away,
that I cried with her, and cried in my heart as well,
because she felt so overwhelmed and was so frightened that she would fail.
Now, several years later, she is still known to me as "just M., friend,"
but she has served those years in the same church
and I'm sure the Lord has used her in tremendous ways as "the pastor's wife."
Knowing M. has made me look at every pastor and his wife
entirely differently - hopefully with much more compassion
and a lot less expectation...

While I don't have a difficult time sharing with deaf friends and even deaf I don't know for some reason I find it hard to share the gospel with hearing people. Very hard. I try to show Christian love and behavior at all times, but to actually be comfortable talking to a hearing person and explaining the gospel is really hard for me. It is easier with deaf people because they take things literally and their thinking is very straight forward. They rarely try to twist your words. When you give a visual explaination of Salvation they either get it or don't.
And they really love it when you take the time to reach them through their language.

Talking Hands, I just want to say thank you for opening
my eyes to something I never thought about before!
Lord bless you in your ministry...

 

[Aidensmom]

I have to agree. That is a great answer
I know when we weren't Christians, my dh got a ride to work everyday with somebody who was. He got to know him a little bit, but from the very beginning of the ride-share, my dh would come home telling me about the bible basher he got rides with. I guess the guy felt as though he had a "captive audience"! lol Of course now we realize that God was trying to reach us even back then, but we were so worldly that we really didn't want to hear any of it and only dealt with it because he really needed the ride.
I try to become friends with folks too, but sometimes when they hear I'm a "pastor's wife", they put their guard up and it makes it tough. I just try to be myself and chip away at their expectations of what I should be like until they too can feel confident about just being themselves. It works with some people but with others they just don't get past my label.
I think that's one of the toughest things about being "in the ministry"...people are afraid to just be themselves around you. Once the barber found out my dh was a pastor, all of the "male talk" ended in the shop as soon as he'd come in because the barber would greet him very loudly with a "hi Pastor!" lol I didn't know my dh felt this way, but on our way home from visiting our family and friends over Christmas, he told me it was refreshing to be around our "old" friends who were just themselves while we were there. I had to definitely agree with him.
Anyways, now I'm rambling! lol
I gotta get out of here and go to praise band "practice"
Blessings to you all!

Deb,

Perhaps the people that can't get past your label as a pastors wife are not the people that God intends for you to reach. The way I look at it is that it is not any of us that opens someone's heart to God, it is God. God, in turn uses us for some things, and our "witness" may be part of His plan in reaching certain people. I know that a lot of people don't agree with me, but I don't think our "witness" is meant to be aggressive. I don't believe we should be knocking on doors, or asking people if they know Christ. I believe God will work in their hearts, and they will ASK US, and that is when we are to tell them about the gospel. They will know to ask us because of the "witness" of our lives, that we go to church, have faith in God, look to him for guidance. I think our "witness" is the way we live our lives, and the people who God has moved to find out more about Him will know by our lives that we are who they can ask questions to.

 

[disneyaggie]

I have to agree. That is a great answer
I know when we weren't Christians, my dh got a ride to work everyday with somebody who was. He got to know him a little bit, but from the very beginning of the ride-share, my dh would come home telling me about the bible basher he got rides with. I guess the guy felt as though he had a "captive audience"! lol Of course now we realize that God was trying to reach us even back then, but we were so worldly that we really didn't want to hear any of it and only dealt with it because he really needed the ride.
I try to become friends with folks too, but sometimes when they hear I'm a "pastor's wife", they put their guard up and it makes it tough. I just try to be myself and chip away at their expectations of what I should be like until they too can feel confident about just being themselves. It works with some people but with others they just don't get past my label.
I think that's one of the toughest things about being "in the ministry"...people are afraid to just be themselves around you. Once the barber found out my dh was a pastor, all of the "male talk" ended in the shop as soon as he'd come in because the barber would greet him very loudly with a "hi Pastor!" lol I didn't know my dh felt this way, but on our way home from visiting our family and friends over Christmas, he told me it was refreshing to be around our "old" friends who were just themselves while we were there. I had to definitely agree with him.
Anyways, now I'm rambling! lol
I gotta get out of here and go to praise band "practice"
Blessings to you all!

Wow! What an awesome perspective! As a Christian, I, of course, hang out with several in roles of ministry. I never even thought of how some people tend to tailor who they are around you. How interesting.

May God continue to bless you and yours.

 

[pamlet]

Deb,

Perhaps the people that can't get past your label as a pastors wife are not the people that God intends for you to reach. The way I look at it is that it is not any of us that opens someone's heart to God, it is God. God, in turn uses us for some things, and our "witness" may be part of His plan in reaching certain people. I know that a lot of people don't agree with me, but I don't think our "witness" is meant to be aggressive. I don't believe we should be knocking on doors, or asking people if they know Christ. I believe God will work in their hearts, and they will ASK US, and that is when we are to tell them about the gospel. They will know to ask us because of the "witness" of our lives, that we go to church, have faith in God, look to him for guidance. I think our "witness" is the way we live our lives, and the people who God has moved to find out more about Him will know by our lives that we are who they can ask questions to.

Hi Aidensmom -
I agree that for some of us our role in witnessing is the way we lead our live - but I truly believe for SOME they are called to be vocal witnesses. Not all - but some. I think this is because God calls different people to reach different people if that makes sense.

I struggled with this for a long time - in high school I was in a very "Bible thumping" Baptist church - I'd been save when I was very small and was/IS very sure of my salvation. I must admit that I was frustrated with those who felt we ALL needed to go out and stand on street corners. Yet I KNOW there were people who came to know the Lord in that way. I felt like I was falling short somehow because I did NOT feel called to be VOCAL.

I've really just come to understand this recently I think... at least understand it clearly. I recently read the Mitford book by Jan Karon. In it there are a few characters that are of the Bible Thumping variety - and they play a very imporatant role ... as to those who live a quiet witness. God uses us all -

These books by the way are great! They give such a wonderful perspective on the variety of Christianity out there... showing Christians how to love one another no matter their "denomination" or quirks that seemingly seperate their beliefs.

 

[gr8ful4Him]

Just thought I'd check in and say "Hi" to everyone.
Hope you are all having a wonderful week.
God bless!
Deb

 

[luvthatduke]

Right back 'atcha!

 

[ElizK]

Hey, ya'll! Gotta ask if you've heard the CD "Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia"? WOW!! What an awesome CD! Each song is performed by a different Christian artist. Steven Curtis Chapman's "Remembering You" is on it. Just great!


Pamlet... I read and loved the Mitford books, too. Have you read the newest one yet? It came out just before Christmas... I think it's called "Light from Heaven".

 

[pamlet]

Good Morning!!

No - I haven't read all the books - just 1 - 4... I can't wait to read the rest. I loved the way she incorporates the fact that the truth of Christianity is common to many denominations. Plus they're fun to read ... it's easy to get attached to the characters...

 

[gr8ful4Him]

Hey, ya'll! Gotta ask if you've heard the CD "Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia"? WOW!! What an awesome CD! Each song is performed by a different Christian artist. Steven Curtis Chapman's "Remembering You" is on it. Just great!

I haven't heard the whole CD, but I like what they've been playing of it on the local Christian radio station...maybe I'll have to get the CD. Thanks

 

[Grandma Bear]

Love the music and the movie. My granddaughter loved it too! I believe this
will reach people for the Lord in ways we have yet to imagine.

 

[pogopossum]

hi gang,

speaking of reading material, i heartily recommend how now shall we live? by chuck colson and nancy pearcey. it really offers some great insight into how we as christians need to be committed and doing our part affect our beliefs, "worldview" upon our society in all aspects of life. a big problem for us seems to be that we tend to turn inward and focus on personal salvation instead of going outside the building and taking our beliefs to our society at large.

it gives great answers to combatting humanism and secularism around us.

 

[ElizK]

hi gang,

speaking of reading material, i heartily recommend how now shall we live? by chuck colson and nancy pearcey. it really offers some great insight into how we as christians need to be committed and doing our part affect our beliefs, "worldview" upon our society in all aspects of life. a big problem for us seems to be that we tend to turn inward and focus on personal salvation instead of going outside the building and taking our beliefs to our society at large.

it gives great answers to combatting humanism and secularism around us.

I did this Bible study a year or two ago and really enjoyed it, though it wasn't quite what I expected.