Sprinkled and Dunked: A Story About Giving Others a Chance to See

I grew up in a church where baptism was done as an infant. I was sprinkled on the head by my pastor when I was a baby. And all was well with the world.

But as I got older and had kids of my own, it bothered me that I had nothing to do with my baptism. In the Bible, being baptized made a statement about a person's belief in Christ. As a baby I hadn't done that. Would God take my commitment to Him seriously if I wasn't willing to make my own public declaration? I decided I wanted to be baptized again, this time dunked (immersed).

I wasn't sure how to tell my parents. I didn't know if they would understand. Their church didn't dunk. Would they think I was nuts? Would they take it wrong and be offended? Would they find me uppity and ungrateful? It wasn't that I thought my first baptism was wrong. I wasn't critical of the church I grew up in at all. I came to know Jesus through confirmation classes there. But I really wanted to profess that I was a follower of Christ. Being dunked seemed like a good way to do it.

I wasn't sure I could explain it, so I considered not telling my parents about it. I didn't take a chance of hurting their feelings then, right?

Unless they heard about it after the fact and hadn't been invited.

So I told them. I can't remember the conversation now, except for emphasizing that they didn't need to feel obligated to come. I thought my mom probably would, but I didn't know about my dad. I was pretty sure he'd find the whole thing a little crazy, maybe even radical. I told them about it and gave them an out if they wanted one. I was off the hook.

The day of the baptism service came and so did they. Both of them. I was nervous about sharing my testimony, about what they might think of what I said and how they may react to the actual dunking. Would they find me weird, think me off the deep end? Would they feel uncomfortable in a setting they'd never been in before? I swallowed hard, pushing the throbbing heartbeats back to my chest. I knew what I had to do and did it.

Afterwards I was so relieved, thankful we could all get on with our lives. But soon my dad, all alone, walked up to me, a strange look in his eye.

"I'm proud of you," he said and gave me a hug, which wasn't a common occurrence.

It's the only time I remember him saying that to me, not at any graduation or my wedding day or after birthing his grandchildren. "I'm proud of you" came at the baptism I almost didn't invite him to, the baptism where my goal was to declare my faith in Jesus.

Apparently he understood more than I thought.

Why am I so quick to assume others won't get my faith? Why do I think they'll find me nuts if I talk about what God's teaching me or saying to me or changing in me? Why am I afraid to look stupid? Why would I hesitate to invite people to watch me obey God, even if they may not understand it?

They might get it. My dad did.

My baptism reminds me to live my life as God leads and let others in on it. Pussy-footing around those we think won't understand doesn't let our lights shine, does it? We don't give them a chance to see God if they aren't there for it. I've got to share my spiritual life just like I share what's going on with my kids or how my day's going or what great movie I saw. Is there anything more important to talk about?

Who do you need to let in to your spiritual life?

The Dirty "E" Word

I've always hated the word evangelism. And witness. And testimony.

I promise I'm not a heathen. Or a really poor excuse for a Christian (at least I hope not). I am definitely NOT ashamed of Jesus. I'm not trying to hide my faith. Those words just rub me wrong.

I've had perfectly polite people knock on my door to talk to me about God and though I try to be polite back, I find myself feeling annoyed. I don't like the assumptions they've made about me, especially when they don't know me. Why do they assume I need something they have? Why do they assume I'm lacking? Why do they assume I need "saving?" Why have I been lumped into a group of "sinners" when we've never met?

So when I think about evangelism, this is what stirs in my gut. I don't want to do this to other people. I don't want to make them feel inferior or talk down to them. How is that respectful? Or loving? Is it necessary to divide people into "saved" and "unsaved" categories? Can't we love them without knowing their spiritual status?

Yet whenever evangelism is talked about in church, I feel uneasy. Am I doing it right? Am I sharing the gospel as I should? Am I proclaiming Christ? Am I ignoring the needs around me so others will think well of me? Am I big fat chicken? There must be a better way.

And lately, I'm seeing it.

I've had all kinds of people asking me about my upcoming trip to Uganda--people I know well, acquaintances, even eavesdropping strangers. They ask and I talk. I start off pretty calm and formal, but as I go on I can't help but get excited at how God has orchestrated this. I tell them of the "coincidences" which led me to believe God was asking me to go. I talk about how He's soothed my apprehensions and the miraculous way He's provided a TON of money. I even share how becoming a Christian was difficult for me because I was afraid God would send me to Africa for Jesus and how crazy it is He's doing it 35 years later. I am astounded at how interested people are, even people I don't know! Their eyes sparkle, and not just the ones I know to be Christians. They offer their own God stories. They ask questions. They say, "wow" and "cool" and "awesome." Some merely nod their heads in confusion, but that's okay too, because I've pointed them to God and His weird ways. Sharing what God's doing in my life engages them, piques their interest, stirs them to know more. Are they hearing that God gets personally involved in people's lives? Are they yearning for the same involvement in theirs? Will they go home and pray that God might move in their life too?

It shows me evangelism is nothing more than telling people how God is working in my life. It's talking about Him openly, honestly with the same enthusiasm you might have talking about your vacation or the close game or a new opportunity. It's assuming the other person will "get" it and if they don't, being willing to answer their questions. I don't have to "save" them. I shed light on who God is and let the Spirit work. I speak. I listen. I make myself available. GOD does the rest.

We don't have to be afraid of evangelism or witnessing or giving our testimony. All we have to do is be willing to openly share our faith stories and how God has shown Himself in every day life. We bridge the gap between religion and reality when we display a genuine relationship with Jesus, one that goes beyond the church doors or privacy of our home. When we share what God's done for us, we love others. We are a witness.

How do you view evangelism?



Photo Credit: Realistic Imaginations

How Can I Do That?!

“You are the only Bible some unbelievers will ever read, and your life is under scrutiny every day. What do others learn from you? Do they see an accurate picture of your God?”

John MacArthur

Can you say PRESSURE?!

I get huffy with my husband and yell at my kids and speed when I'm running late and get sassy with the Verizon clerk and mumble under my breath about all the church activities I have to attend. I'm emotional when I'm tired, snarky when I'm hormonal, dwell on myself too much and whisper curse words when I bump my leg on the dishwasher door for the 100th time.

And I'm supposed to be a BIBLE?!

I'm not perfect and I can't be perfect. How can I have the loving, gracious spirit I'm supposed to display at all times? How can I possibly live up to this responsibility?

I don't have to.

Yep, you heard me right. I don't have to live up to this microscopic scrutiny.

JESUS does.

Your very lives are a letter than anyone can read just by looking at you. Christ himself wrote it--not with ink, but with God's living Spirit; not chiseled into stone, but carved into human lives--and we publish it.

2 Corinthians 3:3

I can only be a living Bible through Christ's touch, through His Spirit living within me. Left to myself, I will fail. I will disappoint. But in the loving hands of a skillful potter . . . ah, now we're talking.

. . . by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect.

1 Corinthians 15:10

HE will make me a Bible. His grace will fill in my cracks. His work will open the eyes of others, not anything I do.

Come, Lord Jesus, come. Clean me up. Shine in me.

Make me a Bible.

Find more ideas spawned by this quote or link up yourself at Sunflower Faith.

Wanting to Make a Big Difference

I want to do big things for God.

I want my time here to matter.

To be honest, I get a little jealous of people God uses in big ways. I read blogs and envy the followers others have. I long for opportunities to talk about God. I read books and wish I had written them. I want to be used by Him.

But in my pursuit of big things, I overlook things that are big to God. I am intimately involved in the lives of some amazing people, getting a front row seat to God's work. It is my profound privilege to walk alongside them, nudging them along in obedience to God. I have opportunities to proclaim Him in my little community. I regularly interact with others spiritually.

And yet I want to do more. I pray, like Jabez, for God to expand my "territory." I pore over statistics and marketing advice and wonder what I'm doing wrong. Why can't I be satisfied with what I already do?

As I pray about this, God halts my flawed thinking.

Are three people not as important as 300? Are masses more consequential than individuals? Doesn't an impact on one life count? If I would have died for one person, shouldn't you be willing to expend yourself, give up anything for only ONE?

I am humbled. Who do I think I am? ANY work done for God is big. Huge. Numbers mean nothing.

My attitude is an indication I'm looking through human eyes, trying to get validation from my world, not my God. I'm focusing on me and what I can do, not on what God is doing.

Sigh.

I can't do anything for God. Only God working through me helps others. I want to make a big difference, but I forget HE defines difference and HE does the work.

So maybe my prayer should be, "Lord, empty me and fill it with You." Only then will any work matter.



Photo Credit: dr_relling

An Effective Witness

I'm taking this week off to celebrate with my husband. I hope you enjoy this from the archives, originally posted January 23, 2007.

"You act more like a Christian by your influence on the lost, than the saved people you impress"
~ Dr. Alvin Reid ~

Influencing the lost. Impressing the saved. Both sound like a lot of pressure. If I consciously have either in the forefront of my mind, I already feel defeated. For me, the best way to act like a Christian is to be united with Christ. I will have no effect whatsoever on anyone without His divine touch in me, without His Spirit guiding me.

Okay, now I feel better. We've established the ground rules. We are all ineffective without Him.

Now I know this quote is a statement about how we Christians spend more time trying to look good to each other than we do loving others, but it naturally pulls my thinking to evangelism. I'm not crazy about the word. It sounds so ominous and scary and CHURCHY. Talking about evangelism makes me uncomfortable. I'm afraid my witnessing (another scary, ominous, churchy word) will come off like a telemarketer and I'll immediately turn people off. I imagine people rolling their eyes and looking for any excuse to get away.

So I've started thinking of it differently. I figure God made me who I am for a reason. Instead of "witnessing to the lost," I should be myself with everybody. The sharing of my faith should be an outpouring of His Spirit within me, a natural flow of His work in my life, not a dreaded chore. I've decided the best way to approach it is to assume whoever I talk with will understand exactly where I'm coming from. My words concerning God's influence and power in my life should not change depending on who I am with, should they? Truth is truth, right? For instance, let's say I'm standing in line at the grocery store, chit-chatting with the person in front of me about the weather. I like snow because the softness and stillness is soothing to me. It's God sending down a blanket with the message, "Hey, slow down. Sit with Me for a bit." Whether the person in front of me is a Christian or not, I should tell them how I really feel, unashamedly. If they are a Christian, they will appreciate it. If they aren't, they will walk off wondering what I meant, which one day may lead to a conversation about faith. It's win-win. They may think I'm a kook, but I will have made an impression, right? Letting people see our honest thoughts and feelings is honoring, whether they "get it" or not. It says, "I trust you." We love (and maybe even influence people) by showing them how Jesus is part of our everyday. It doesn't matter if they agree or understand. That's the Holy Spirit's job. We are to show them Christ.

It's all matter of me being me without fearing what others will think (This will be a life long lesson--WOW, do I have a hard time with this!). I have to remember I am His creation, whether anyone else thinks I am wonderfully made or not. You are too, my friend. Don't be ashamed of who you are. You are no fluke. Your being, your personality, everything about you has been intentionally designed. You are needed. Love others by being who God created you to be. Don't hold back.

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart."

2 Corinthians 3:17-4:1

Reflect God's glory to all, Christians and non-Christians alike, by being you.

A Wish to Be Used

Prayer of Mother Teresa

Dear Jesus, help us to spread your fragrance
everywhere we go.
Flood our souls with your spirit and life.
Penetrate and possess our whole being so utterly
that our lives may only be a radiance of yours.
Shine through us and be so in us
that every soul we come in contact with
may feel your presence in our soul.
Let them look up and see no longer us, but only Jesus.
Stay with us and then we shall begin to shine as you shine,
so to shine as to be light to others.
The light, O Jesus, will be all from you.
None of it will be ours.
It will be you shining on others through us.
Let us thus praise you in the way you love best
by shining on those around us.
Let us preach you without preaching,
not by words, but by our example;
by the catching force -
the sympathetic influence of what we do,
the evident fullness of the love our hearts bear to you.

Amen.

Am I Walking the Talk?

"I could tell right away," he said, "it was the kind of place where people would cuss, then ask forgiveness, but then turn around and swear again."

This was my fifteen-year-old son's assessment of a Christian event he attended with a friend. What was he saying exactly? Was it a place where people were not concerned about their sin or flippant about their faith? Did he sense a spirit of complacency or hypocrisy? And how could he tell? How did he come to this realization so quickly?

People, even young people, can sense a fraud. When our walk doesn't line up with our talk, others take note.

"It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching."

Francis of Assisi

There is no place in Christianity for "do what I say, not what I do." If what we say doesn't match up with what we do, our words are nullified. Who trusts a doctor who tells us to watch our cholesterol, yet eats pizza every day for lunch? Would you rely on an accountant who throws away every receipt? Would your kids respect a teacher who harped on homework yet never graded it? We won't be taken seriously unless our behavior mirrors our words. Proverbs tells us, "Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right." Even a child.

It's not enough to say all the right things. We must DO all the right things. My son's observation spoke volumes to me. He didn't take a group of Christians seriously because their actions suggested they weren't sincere. Our walk has to match our talk. When it doesn't, we leave the door open for doubt and mistrust.

Lord God, help me walk my talk. May my actions speak louder than my words. Gently show me my inconsistencies and give me the courage to change. Teach me how to preach by walking.


I'd love to hear what you think about this. Leave a comment or if you have a lot to say, chime in with your thoughts by linking up here:

BE a Book

You know how sometimes you look at your life and wonder what you've accomplished?

Birthdays do that to me. For the past few weeks I've been thinking about the direction of my life. I've shared before about my dream to have a book published someday, but it's a huge mountain. Ginormous, humongous, colossal. With the glut of writers out there, the odds of becoming a published author is similar to winning the lottery. Everybody and their Aunt Sally wants to write a book.

Plus it takes a lot of time and a major commitment to write. I'm a stay-at-home-mom with children in school all day, yet somehow my days are very full. There never seems to be enough time. Something else is always more pressing, pulling me away. I have to fight and sacrifice other things to go beyond writing blog posts and Bible study e-mails. It isn't easy. Not at all.

I get discouraged. Should I shed activities to devote more time to the impossible dream? Or am I wasting time which could be spent on more worthy pursuits? What am I doing with my life?! People ask, "What do you do?" and I'm at a loss for words. Can I say I'm a writer if I have no publishing credits? Does anything I do have significance when I can't identify it in ten words or less?

Enter my wonderful, deep, insightful friend who knows how I kick myself around about this. "Tami, it's better to BE a book than to write one," she said, "I know it is your dream, but just know you are living the life God wants you to for Him. Jesus shows up in you very clearly! You will leave a legacy!"

clearly you are an epistle of Christ . . . written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.

2 Corinthians 3:3

I AM a book. Wow.

She made me cry. Have I been so focused on the task that I've missed what God's already doing? My goal in publishing is to point people to God. If my LIFE does that, does it matter if there is an actual physical book with my name on it?

I am a book. YOU are a book. We do more for the kingdom of God by how we live than by the blather we expel. We encounter way more people in our lifetimes than our words will ever reach. It's better to BE a book.

Have you wished to do great things for God? Do you long to make a mark on your world? Have you worked so hard on the goal you've missed the way He uses you already?

Don't miss the forest for the trees, friends. Keep pursuing that dream, but don't discount the journey as wasted time. The roads you travel write your story.

Make every day count. BE a book.

Learning from My Mistake with Grandpa

Though Grandma never missed a Sunday, Grandpa rarely went to church. The only time he graced the doors of the building were when we'd ask him to come watch us sing in the kids' choir. Not once did I hear him speak of God, either in a positive or negative light. He didn't mention Him at all.

So when he laid in a hospital bed dying of cancer I wondered about his eternal home. Did he believe in Jesus? Did he know how to get to heaven? Had he been told? My doubts wore on me, causing me to ask God for a chance to speak with Grandpa privately. This would take a miracle, as Grandma hardly left his side and members of my large extended family dropped in on him constantly. But I prayed anyway, knowing God could do anything, but thinking it improbable.

Leave it to God to make the impossible happen. Against all odds I found myself alone with Grandpa one afternoon. On entering the quiet hospital room, my heart beat in my throat. I knew immediately God answered my prayer and I was far from ready. A million thoughts raced in my head. What is the best way to bring this up? How do I ask him about God when we've never talked about Him before? How could I, an 18-year-old girl, tell this 70-year-old man who'd lived through years of trials, the meaning of life? How would he ever take me seriously? How could we have this discussion when we'd never talked about anything at length? What could I tell him?

Feeling uncomfortable, Grandpa kept shifting in his bed, perfectly representing my own inner uneasiness. Words failed to escape my mouth. Time passed quickly and soon I had to leave. Saying nothing.

He died a week later.

At his funeral I gazed at the casket, wondering where he was, dealing with my guilt. God miraculously gave me an opportunity to have peace in this moment when He granted my request for time alone with my grandfather, but I chickened out. I ignored His nudge. For twenty-eight years I've wondered.

Where is Grandpa?

Lucky for me the Lord redeems our failures. He causes ALL things to work together for our good. He reminds me the job of drawing people to Him is not mine. Only He can adopt a person into His family. He can use me, but is not dependent on me. I missed the boat when alone with Grandpa, but his eternal salvation is not in my hands. Only God can do that. I choked and will have to answer to Jesus for that some day, but my efforts (or lack thereof) did not determine my grandfather's eternal resting place. I missed the blessing of knowing where he is and the privilege of an intimate, important conversation, but I didn't sentence Grandpa to hell by keeping my mouth shut.

Do I regret it? You better believe it. But since blowing it years and years ago, such an awkward moment as the one in his hospital room has presented itself a few times. Do you think I repeated that scene, walking out without saying a thing? God took my mistake and turned it into motivation to do better the next time and the time after that and forever. Remembering my failure gave me the courage to approach the subject with others, including my father. In the same way Jesus redeemed Peter's denial of Him by asking him if he loved Him three times, God redeemed my error by allowing me to have the discussion with my dad I wanted to have with my grandfather.

God is good, even when we fail.

What burden do you carry from your mistakes? Admit it to Jesus and release it. Could He be using it to motivate you to greater good?

Me and the Guy at the Y

I wish I knew more sign language. Me and the guy at the Y (whose name is John, by the way) now have a relationship of sorts. He finds all kinds of ways to communicate with me.

He notices if I come in a little later, points at me and rests his head on his hands as if to say, "Oh, so you slept in today." If I'm on a bike, he'll take a gander at my screen, motion to the cliff's edge and steer his hands. He'll tease me a little as I get hot and sweaty, pumping his arms. If he wants to get my attention he sounds like he's clearing his throat saying "Aaa!" He tells me I'm okay when he pats my shoulder and smiles. When I try to leave, he'll stop me, shake a finger in my face and tap his watch. I get the message--"You haven't worked out long enough."

Once I was staring off into space while I caught my breath and apparently he thought I was ogling some people in the gym. He pointed to me, then them and rubbed one finger over the other to say "shame on you." He shared his theory about the cracked window in the Wellness Center too. I think he actually ribbed me about pushing my husband into it! He went, "Aaa!", touched his left ring finger, motioned to me, tightened his lips and brow, made fists, then pretended to shove a head toward the window!

I'm never sure how to respond to him. Mostly I smile and shake my head, but since I'm not sure if he reads lips or not, often I say something. I have no way to know if he understands what I'm trying to communicate. But I know we are friends and wonder where God is going with this. Last week I was reading a book while pedaling away and saw him saunter over. I expected him to suggest I go faster or wipe his forehead, but when he got up to the bike, he noticed my bookmark, a leftover from our summer musical at church. He adjusted his glasses and leaned in to see it.



"Aaa!" he said, tapping it gently. He nodded his head and tapped it again.

"Aaah," he said softer before walking away.

What do you make of that?! I wish I knew how to ask him about it. Who knew a silly bookmark I absentmindedly threw into my book would start my head spinning about how to talk with my deaf friend about his relationship with Jesus? It confirms every action, no matter how minute or insignificant it seems, can be used by God.

I'm relying on Him to guide me in this relationship, to give me the right motions since I can't rely on my words. I want to be a good friend to John. And I'm thankful for this unexpected, kind of cool new adventure He's put me in. I know I will learn so much.

If you think of it, pray for John and me, 'kay? I don't want to miss out on what God has planned here.

A Tough Lesson

Poor Miss Innocent One. I may have to change her name.

The girl's had a rough go of it this fall. First she had to hear about S-E-X and gain the icky understanding of what goes on behind her parents' bedroom door. Then one friend told another she "talked about Jesus too much."

And today after school she got another dose of growing pains. As I approached the school to pick her up, she didn't give her customary wave. The van door slid open and she blurted through tears, "Well, _______ hates me now."

_______ is the girl she's been inseparable from for a good year and a half, the one she exchanges best-friends-forever jewelry with, the one who bought her a matching best friend t-shirt for her birthday.

"She told this other girl I was too churchy."

Oh dear. I'd seen the signs for a few weeks--defensive questions, tiffs on the playground, a general annoyance in __________ face, not waiting to walk out of the school building together.

"It's not like that's all I talk about," Miss Innocent One rattled on, "I just ask kids if they want to come to the plays. That's not talking about church. I don't talk about it 24/7."

She cried and spilled her raw thoughts, talking through big tears, wiping her nose. I listened, blinking back my own sadness.

"I'm sorry, honey," was all I could say at first, "That stinks. You didn't do anything wrong."

"I don't care what she thinks," my daughter declared, surprising me with her firm tone, "I'm not going to change for her."

Miss Innocent One, the girl who wants everyone to be happy, has limits to her accommodation.

"I'm proud of you," I said, giving her a hug, "Some people would change to be popular. I'm glad you're not one of them."

And I showed her a verse,

If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

1 Peter 4:14

"See?" I told her, "This means the Spirit of God rests on you. That's a really good thing."

She smiled, kissed my cheek, then skipped out the door to ride her bike, ready to move past it.

My heart ached for her, knowing she faced a lifetime of these moments, realizing her childhood slowly slips away. Yet I couldn't help thanking God. He's working in my daughter's heart.

What more could a mother ask for?

What is the right way?

Can I let you in on a little secret?

I've always had a hard time with witnessing. To be honest, the word itself makes me clench my teeth. It seems like it sets we Christians up as the superior, all-knowing people out to save the ignorant saps below.

Okay, okay, I know that's a little strong and not fair at all. I have great respect for people who are good at evangelism (I much prefer this word to "witnessing"), great respect and awe. Perhaps the devil has planted these images in my head to discourage me from participating. I assure you I understand my responsibility to tell others about Christ. More so, I desire to be obedient to the God I love. I purpose to do it, though I often question myself wondering if I've done it "right" or done enough. And I'm usually scared spitless.

It's not because I don't have experience. I've done stints with different organizations where I've gone door to door to strangers and was so uncomfortable I thought I would vomit. I've felt an actual physical ache to share my faith with others, but heard my pulse in my ears when I recognized the opportunity I'd prayed for. I've chickened out and lived to regret it. I've let it rip and lived to regret it. I've talked to people purely out of obedience to God, taking me out of every comfort zone I've ever known, and yet seen no result. I've talked to people who have responded and to those who've looked at me as if I actually DID vomit on their living room carpet.

I fear coming off condescending. I hate it when someone assumes I need spiritual help and I don't want to belittle anyone that way. I don't want to offend. Yes, yes, I know the gospel is offensive to those in darkness. I understand all that. It's just that I want a softer approach. I want to show sincere love and respect. I want people to be drawn to me as they were to Jesus. Lest you think me full of myself, let me remind you people SHOULD be drawn to His Spirit living in me.

And then there's the whole issue of how you actually EXPLAIN God. Is that truly possible? I am very secure in my relationship with Jesus and wholeheartedly believe He is the way, the truth and the life, yet how do you EXPLAIN that to someone? How can we ever do Him justice?

Now I know there are times we must be ready to give an account. When my father turned to me in the oncologist's office and said, "It kind of makes you think about the after life," I needed a reply. I blew it the first time, but God was gracious to give me another shot and my dad died in peace. So I get that. I have to be ready, but man, the whole evangelism burden gets awfully heavy some days.

Some of you may think me crazy, but I've decided to approach evangelism kind of backwards. Instead of assuming the people around me are "lost", in need of Jesus, and I am their only connection (wow, that's a LOT of pressure), I assume others believe the same way about Christ as I do. I work very hard to converse with people as if we're all on the same page, as if they sat in on Bible study every Wednesday at my house. I find I don't fear their reaction so much and am more sincere. I'm telling them how Jesus fits in my every day life. Plus I'm being true to the uniqueness of me, created specifically by God and feeling more natural and comfortable doing it. I'm just being me. That isn't scary at all (shh, don't say it, no comments, please!). I am not trying to be the authority or point out their "needs" and they are still exposed to the living God in an ordinary woman.

I suppose everyone has their own ideas about evangelism. Don't let this be one-sided. What are your thoughts on it?

Am I My Brother's Keeper?

What is my responsibility?

C.S. Lewis said, "You have never met a mere mortal."

Every person you meet is immortal. Every human will live forever, somewhere.

I have been consumed lately with how mere belief in God doesn't cut it when it comes to experiencing Him as He desires. If our belief does not transform us, we are no better than Satan himself. Lately I feel a heaviness for people who've been blinded by him and realize they have no compass if they don't follow Christ. We have to help them navigate. We are the only defense for unbelievers against the devil's attacks, against his lies. But what can we do? How do we lead the blind?

Of course I know the best thing to do is pray and I have been, perhaps impatiently, but still doing it.
I know I have to care about others, not just be sympathetic, but CARE. Their pain should matter to me (This is a little scary. Carrying the burdens of others is HARD and can be very time consuming). I know I'm supposed to "share" and "witness" and "proclaim the Truth", but how can I do that when such exclusive evangelical lingo even turns ME off? How do I remain "authentic" (a word I see becoming new church lingo) as I relate to others? I know only the Holy Spirit draws people to God, but I also know I bear some responsibility.

We are surrounded by people who acknowledge God, but their belief does not translate into peace or good choices or sincere relationship with Him. Does that honor Him? Does it save them? Do they go to heaven? What am I supposed to do?

Help me out here. How have you reconciled this in your own life? How do you make the most of every encounter? How do you "be Jesus" to those around you?


Thanks to NIKON D2X PHOTOGRAPHER for his photo.