|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2011 0:33:45 GMT -5
Hey guys, my friends mum is awake and well!  Thanks for the prayers. I actually caught up with her at an engagement party the other night. She seemed in good spirits. Her only struggles was figuring out what to do for dinner each night. Her mum's back injuries were actually just a flare up from older back problems. I think they are all going to be okay! Thanks for the prayers. I'm glad that your Aunt Susan was okay! |
|
|
|
Post by Pacmanite on Sept 1, 2011 5:53:11 GMT -5
I'm glad to hear your aunt is better now, Azzie. ^_^ And Makimia, it's great that your friends mum is doing all right as well!
---------
I need prayers and help now.
Yesterday I became intensely aware that I am the only Christian in my friendship group, the group I love a lot. We were having a conversation about Biblical translation, actually, and they were all quite relaxed about talking about it. And then I don't know how the conversation went this way, but suddenly each person in turn said, "I'm going to go to Hell." With a casual toss of the head... and maybe a tinge of that very Australian strain of self-conscious insecurity. I didn't know what to say at the time. All I could bring myself to say was "Mmm. =/" And wait until someone started talking about something else.
That night I prayed to God as I usually do but then for the first time in ages I broke down crying. Crying. All I could think of was the sound of them all saying it. All of them. How could they accept such utter defeat like that. Just listen to them all, saying "I'm going to go to Hell."
It's only now that I realise that I'm really not very good at bringing the gospel to people. Maybe I'm too hypersensitive. I'm often a bit paranoid about what other people think of me. For a long time these friends didn't even know I was Christian. And also I'm a social coward. And when I see a bunch of awesome, intelligent, thoroughly secularised people I just have no idea what could possibly happen to them to make them want to be Christian. I've already let them be darned through my sheer wanton cowardice.
But. There is this possibility that God put me among these great friends to be a light unto them. And I want so badly for them to have what I have, what I already take for granted. And I want to give something back to them for all the friendship they've shown me. Wouldn't that really be the best gift they could ever have....
I just don't know where to start, how to start, how to get them there, it seems so far away and I don't even know if I'll succeed or if they'll all go to Hell like they said they would. I've never brought anyone to Christ before. I have no idea how they will react to anything I say. And I don't want to say the wrong thing and alienate my best friends from seeking God.
So I would really appreciate prayers. And if you have any advice for a total novice missionary, a noob, a coward. I would really like to hear it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2011 6:11:11 GMT -5
Oh Pac, you're not alone. In fact, some of the biggest names in evangelism and apologetics have confessed to being a bundle of nerves even after they've been doing it for their adult lives. I'm exactly the same, and I have a whole bunch of excuses to tell God every time He wants me to do something.
Something I've found helpful, though, is this little course called Two Ways to Live. It's a course on how to speak the gospel breifly, easily and in a way that is both challenging and non-confrontational. It breaks the gospel down into six parts, each with a little picture and a Bible verse to go with it to help with the memory side of things. They've got a website and I'm sure you can find a group that's doing it. If not, doing it on your own isn't quite as appealing, but it can still be a lot of fun.
Beyond that, one of our biggest problems is thinking we have to go out and do this on our own strength, when the truth is we don't really have to do anything beyond taking that first step. We can have faith that, if we're courageous, God will be faithful and give us the strength and words we need to see the thing through. I know it's hard and I struggle so much with this, I don't want to get in people's way or offend them. I forget that the gospel is urgent, and that life is fleeting.
I will pray for you, and for all of your friends. I know the Lord will be with you and strengthen you. <3
|
|
|
|
Post by Pacmanite on Sept 1, 2011 8:32:53 GMT -5
Thanks Sarn. It's very comforting to know I'm not the only one who struggles with this. And to know that I can trust this will be in God's hands so long as I can rely on him. I'd also like to state another worry of mine, which is that one of my friends is gay, and I think I can't help but offend him (and by extension everyone else in the group) if he ever raises questions/objections regarding the Bible's view on homosexuality. It's tough to even think about this. But thank you so much for your prayers, Sarn.  (I also checked out that Two Ways to Live website, and found it great how approachable the language was phrased in describing both sin and salvation, so thank you for pointing it out)
Edit: I've had a talk with my Mum, about how to witness to people, and I'll relay what she said here because it was helpful and comforting advice. She said it's best to talk to people one on one, rather than in a group. In a group, if a single person says a negative thing they can all turn against you. And a one on one is more personal. She told me that the first thing is to let the person open themselves up... ask a gentle question about what do they believe in, if anything, and listen to what they say first. Then they will, out of courtesy or curiosity, ask of your beliefs and you tell them what your beliefs are. That's how the dialogue starts. Listen first, always. And always be careful to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit... if the time is not right, don't go too fast, but if the Spirit leads, say what He prompts you to say. Thank you Mum. <3 This is a difficult thing but I know I need to do it too, I think it will help me grow and shed my cowardice when it comes to talking to people about my faith. Also, I'll get my youth cell group to pray for my friends as well. Because as Sarn said and as my mother later reiterated... it's really God's work, not my own, and I definitely can't do it of my own effort nor ever claim that it was my own labour that did it. |
|
|
|
Post by Zylaa on Sept 3, 2011 12:04:54 GMT -5
I'm another utterly insecure person when it comes to spreading the word... I hope that I'm doing a lot by example, but that's probably my cowardice making excuses. Pacmanite, I'll pray for you, and thank you so much for sharing the advice from your mother. ^_^
As for your friend, well, I don't know if we want to get into the discussion of homosexuality and its morality in this thread, but you can always point out that Jesus didn't say a single thing about it. And the greatest virtue is love, above all things.
Finally, if you guys wouldn't mind saying a quick prayer for my mom-- she had a spell of chest/abdomen constriction and numnbess last night, which went away quickly, but freaked us all out. We convinced her to go to the ER, and thankfully the round of tests she did came up negative for everything, but I want whatever-it-is to be diagnosed and cured without too much trouble.
|
|
|
|
Post by Pacmanite on Sept 4, 2011 8:49:13 GMT -5
I'm another utterly insecure person when it comes to spreading the word... I hope that I'm doing a lot by example, but that's probably my cowardice making excuses. Pacmanite, I'll pray for you, and thank you so much for sharing the advice from your mother. ^_^ Thank you for your prayers. I hope that someday, we will all find a way to bring others to God. ^-^ As for your friend, well, I don't know if we want to get into the discussion of homosexuality and its morality in this thread, but you can always point out that Jesus didn't say a single thing about it. And the greatest virtue is love, above all things. Ah yes, I probably should have avoided mentioning homosexuality because of its tendency to lead to debate, and this is a support thread, not a debate thread. I do have a theological problem with what you said but I will refrain from arguing about it here. And I don't particularly have the strength or willingness to start a whole post on the Discussions & Debates about it. If you want to know where I tentatively stand on the issue and why, then feel free to PM me but otherwise I will move on. Finally, if you guys wouldn't mind saying a quick prayer for my mom-- she had a spell of chest/abdomen constriction and numnbess last night, which went away quickly, but freaked us all out. We convinced her to go to the ER, and thankfully the round of tests she did came up negative for everything, but I want whatever-it-is to be diagnosed and cured without too much trouble. Sure thing, I will pray that your mother will be all right and any kind of problem that she may be harbouring will be found and cured before she comes to further harm. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2011 9:15:52 GMT -5
Shall pray for your mother, Zyzy. I'm sure it's nothing too serious. *hugs*
|
|
|
|
Post by Alyssa on Sept 4, 2011 9:59:27 GMT -5
I'll be prayin' for your mom, Zylaa
I hope the doctors can figure out what's up very soon.
|
|
|
|
Post by Zylaa on Sept 5, 2011 10:38:16 GMT -5
Thanks everyone! ^_^ And Pacmanite, I quite possibly did say something theologically wrong without realizing it in making a quick summary. I'll probably PM you sometime, I'm curious, but I've got a lot of stuff to do today.
|
|
|
|
Post by Alyssa on Sept 6, 2011 8:32:38 GMT -5
Please keep Bastrop County, TX in your prayers.
There's an awful wildfire, and as of yesterday it's burned nearly 25,000 acres and almost 500 homes have been destroyed.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2011 16:08:56 GMT -5
Please keep Bastrop County, TX in your prayers. There's an awful wildfire, and as of yesterday it's burned nearly 25,000 acres and almost 500 homes have been destroyed. I saw that on the news the other night.  I'll certainly pray. |
|
|
|
Post by Zylaa on Sept 13, 2011 22:14:46 GMT -5
Guys, the doctors figured out what was wrong with my Mom! It's nothing dire, she still has to do uncomfortable tests but that is perfectly fine with all of us. ^_^ Thanks for your prayers.
|
|
|
|
Post by Celestial on Sept 15, 2011 12:39:57 GMT -5
Guys, the doctors figured out what was wrong with my Mom! It's nothing dire, she still has to do uncomfortable tests but that is perfectly fine with all of us. ^_^ Thanks for your prayers. *comes out of lurkage* That's great news! ^_^ I'm really happy for your mum. *goes back into lurking since technically she has no right to be here* |
|
|
|
Post by Komori on Sept 15, 2011 14:03:55 GMT -5
Guys, the doctors figured out what was wrong with my Mom! It's nothing dire, she still has to do uncomfortable tests but that is perfectly fine with all of us. ^_^ Thanks for your prayers. Yay! That's great news! Thanks for sharing the update, Zylaa. (: |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2011 16:27:49 GMT -5
Guys, the doctors figured out what was wrong with my Mom! It's nothing dire, she still has to do uncomfortable tests but that is perfectly fine with all of us. ^_^ Thanks for your prayers. *comes out of lurkage* That's great news! ^_^ I'm really happy for your mum. *goes back into lurking since technically she has no right to be here* Piffle. Everyone has a right to be almost everywhere. =3 Zy, I'm so glad! ^_^ <3 |
|
Thanks for the prayers.
(I also checked out that Two Ways to Live website, and found it great how approachable the language was phrased in describing both sin and salvation, so thank you for pointing it out)
