read this. amazing story. do you agree with that last part? sometimes a stronger witness can come in our actions. we don't need to be standing on street corners with a bullhorn, yelling that judgement is coming. it seems like such a great idea to go to the mall and just witness to random people. ask them questions about what they believe. rip it apart. and who knows, maybe god can work through that. but all you're doing is hardening people against christianity. shutting their ears for the next time. christianity has never been about making anyone believe. that's not our job, our job is to be a light on the hill.
take a couple of hours, look someone in the eyes and listen to them. head to starbucks, buy them a latte, and when it comes up, ask them what they believe about god. if you're immediately telling them your thoughts or why they're wrong or how they're not being consistent, they're only going to be like 'great, another christian trying to force the world to be christian. another person who is only pretending to be my friend, they only want to make me a version of them.'
christians are viewed as being argumentative, closed-minded, selfish, and judgemental. all too often, it's true. if we want to overcome that, we have to have a vibrant dark blue kind of love and compassion for the world. even for the people that we know are wrong.
remember, "preach the gospel everywhere you go. and if you have to, use words."
-st. francis of assisi-
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10 comments:
That seems really true.
Once a visiting pastor from, I think it was Spain, told us about how when he and his wife went to missionary their, they started to get to know the local people, and had all sorts of meetings, not related to God. The preacher's wife held knitting classes or crocheting classes. Something like that. And people as they came, (the meetings were held at the church,) would ask about what things, such as Bible verses on the wall, what they said and then what they meant. Instead of pushing religion on them, the people wanted to know.
I want to go.
Man...
I'm still shivering from the chills that gave me. That is soooo powerful.
I'm doing my speech on this. It's 'inspire your audience,' too, so it should work perfectly.
Hi Sam!
I defiantly agree with you. I am not very religious, but I would be much more willing to discuss religion with someone if they were nice about it and didn't have their heart fixed on converting people.
And I was wondering if you could make me a team member. Thanks!
-El
El, you've been invited.
although I have to warn you we're all Christians and we do talk about christianity a lot.
but if that doesn't bother you, then join.
well cool. glad that inspired you, emily.
that's really amazing, beth.
cool elliot, i'd be happy to talk to you sometime. apparently anna is going to invite you. and ryan has been invited too.
goodtimes, guys, ryan and elliot have both joined. this is going really well. feel free to post, mostly stuff has been going along a christian vein, but politics, life and relationships are welcome!
Who's Ryan?
remember, anyone can comment on these. the only reason anyone needs an invite is to post. tell people-inthevillagesquare.blogspot.com
ryan is a benedictine monk who i met on the bus one time.
Really?
That totally gave me shivers too. Most of you guys know that is a subject pretty close to my heart. And it's totally true too - people either view Christians as those people with bullhorns on corners condemning non-believers, or they see them as people just like them, so figure why would they need to change? That was really neat.
I want to go back...
Hi El. Hi Ryan. *waves*
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