Do you get fed or do you feed?

[honeybunny]

My Grandmother (most religious person I've ever known) almost never talked about her faith.
Her life was a shining beacon of kindness and selfless devotion to others... she led by example.

:love

That's awesome, but why wouldn't she talk about her faith? :dunno

She simply had no need... her actions spoke louder than words.

 

[LisaC]

My Grandmother (most religious person I've ever known) almost never talked about her faith.
Her life was a shining beacon of kindness and selfless devotion to others... she led by example.

:love

That's awesome, but why wouldn't she talk about her faith? :dunno

She simply has no need... her actions spoke louder than words.

Then while she may have shown others a Christ-like love, she never publicly professed her faith/"made disciples." That was typical in that generation and I think that is what has led to the sedentary lifestyle of many Christians.

 

[ShoeDiva]

I'm going to need a thorough background check on all you weirdos before you try and disciple me!!

Smart man.

 

[LisaC]

I'm going to need a thorough background check on all you weirdos before you try and disciple me!!

Smart man.

He likes GD. Smart might be a bit of a stretch... :whistle

 

[ShoeDiva]

Example: I work with a woman that praises God for every thing - good, bad, indifferent. If you tell her thank you for helping you with something, she will always say "I praise God that I am able." It has led her to tons of discussions about her faith. Some people are interested in hearing all that she has to say, but a lot of people only want to hear the 30 second story but listen only to be polite. Either way, she openly talks about all of the great things that Jesus has done for her and she constantly praises Him. She doesn't worry about offending anyone because it is more important to her that she tell them about Jesus.

Love that!

 

[ShoeDiva]

I'm going to need a thorough background check on all you weirdos before you try and disciple me!!

Smart man.

He likes GD. Smart might be a bit of a stretch... :whistle

Point. :snick_bunny

 

[Guard Dad]

Lisa - All I'm saying is that the Great Commission doesn't mean we have to act like sidewalk preachers all the time. There are many ways to share our faith, the best one being the one that works in a particular situation.

 

[honeybunny]

My Grandmother (most religious person I've ever known) almost never talked about her faith.
Her life was a shining beacon of kindness and selfless devotion to others... she led by example.

:love

That's awesome, but why wouldn't she talk about her faith? :dunno

She simply has no need... her actions spoke louder than words.

Then while she may have shown others a Christ-like love, she never publicly professed her faith/"made disciples." That was typical in that generation and I think that is what has led to the sedentary lifestyle of many Christians.

She left this world with an entire community of disciples, all of us strive to emulate her example.
God's message is one of unconditional love, and she lived that message every day. Telling folks
about God is fine, but showing them his love can also be a very powerful testament to one's faith.

 

[LisaC]

Lisa - All I'm saying is that the Great Commission doesn't mean we have to act like sidewalk preachers all the time. There are many ways to share our faith, the best one being the one that works in a particular situation.

But what I am saying is that we don't talk about Jesus to others enough (and some of us not at all). We believe that if we "lead by example" and treat others with kindess, that people will automatically learn about Jesus through osmosis or something. And, we feel like if we go to church on Sunday and Wednesday and do a little Bible study, that Jesus is going to pat us on the head and say "good job." I'm thinking that we are going to get to heaven and be shocked if we get told of all of the times that we had an opportunity to witness to others, but we decided to keep our mouths shut because we didn't want to be too "aggressive."

 

[mei lan]

My Grandmother (most religious person I've ever known) almost never talked about her faith.
Her life was a shining beacon of kindness and selfless devotion to others... she led by example.

:love

That's awesome, but why wouldn't she talk about her faith? :dunno

She simply has no need... her actions spoke louder than words.

Then while she may have shown others a Christ-like love, she never publicly professed her faith/"made disciples." That was typical in that generation and I think that is what has led to the sedentary lifestyle of many Christians.

She left this world with an entire community of disciples, all of us strive to emulate her example.
God's message is one of unconditional love, and she lived that message every day. Telling folks
about God is fine, but showing them his love can also be a very powerful testament to one's faith.

AMEN AND AMEN.

 

[LisaC]

My Grandmother (most religious person I've ever known) almost never talked about her faith.
Her life was a shining beacon of kindness and selfless devotion to others... she led by example.

:love

That's awesome, but why wouldn't she talk about her faith? :dunno

She simply has no need... her actions spoke louder than words.

Then while she may have shown others a Christ-like love, she never publicly professed her faith/"made disciples." That was typical in that generation and I think that is what has led to the sedentary lifestyle of many Christians.

She left this world with an entire community of disciples, all of us strive to emulate her example.
God's message is one of unconditional love, and she lived that message every day. Telling folks
about God is fine, but showing them his love can also be a very powerful testament to one's faith.

It can be, but to a stranger that doesn't know Jesus, that could be interpreted as just Grandma's love - not the Father's. I believe that you have to walk it and talk it. Too many folks tend to think that life is all about them, not about Jesus.

 

[deewee]

I have found that many people are drawn to me when they have a problem. They come, sit down and open up. It is at that point that I can effectively disciple them. People know I am a Christian, not because I wear a button on my shirt or talk about it all the time. That is what draws them in...and that is what opens the door for conversation about God. It's not up to me to make it happen. God sends these people into my life at the right time/place. I trust He will continue too.

^This all started a number of years ago immediately after my pastor prayed protection & blessings over me (was married to abusive alcoholic at the time), then he felt lead to speak 1 Chronicles 4:10 over me. Since then God has honored that prayer time & time again. He's removed me from my comfortable places and put me in positions to be used by Him.


And Diva, If I've ever rudely dismissed you then I apologize.

 

[Guard Dad]

My Grandmother (most religious person I've ever known) almost never talked about her faith.
Her life was a shining beacon of kindness and selfless devotion to others... she led by example.

:love

That's awesome, but why wouldn't she talk about her faith? :dunno

She simply has no need... her actions spoke louder than words.

Then while she may have shown others a Christ-like love, she never publicly professed her faith/"made disciples." That was typical in that generation and I think that is what has led to the sedentary lifestyle of many Christians.

She left this world with an entire community of disciples, all of us strive to emulate her example.
God's message is one of unconditional love, and she lived that message every day. Telling folks
about God is fine, but showing them his love can also be a very powerful testament to one's faith.

It can be, but to a stranger that doesn't know Jesus, that could be interpreted as just Grandma's love - not the Father's. I believe that you have to walk it and talk it. Too many folks tend to think that life is all about them, not about Jesus.

And to a stranger who doesn't know Jesus, a Christian who is being very aggressive with his faith can look like a kook or extremist.

 

[Hankster]

My Grandmother (most religious person I've ever known) almost never talked about her faith.
Her life was a shining beacon of kindness and selfless devotion to others... she led by example.

:love

That's awesome, but why wouldn't she talk about her faith? :dunno

She simply has no need... her actions spoke louder than words.

Then while she may have shown others a Christ-like love, she never publicly professed her faith/"made disciples." That was typical in that generation and I think that is what has led to the sedentary lifestyle of many Christians.

She left this world with an entire community of disciples, all of us strive to emulate her example.
God's message is one of unconditional love, and she lived that message every day. Telling folks
about God is fine, but showing them his love can also be a very powerful testament to one's faith.

It can be, but to a stranger that doesn't know Jesus, that could be interpreted as just Grandma's love - not the Father's. I believe that you have to walk it and talk it. Too many folks tend to think that life is all about them, not about Jesus.

And to a stranger who doesn't know Jesus, a Christian who is being very aggressive with his faith can look like a kook or extremist.

I agree here. I'm still learning and want to become a good Christian but I'm the type that if you come at me too strong, you will just push me away.