How do you..or do you...

Subject: How do you..or do you... Sat Mar 08, 2008 12:05 am

Does anyone here witness to others on a regular basis? Or really ever?
I really wanna try witnessing but I don't know how to "start the conversation"
I mean I am around quite a few people total strangers at least a few times a week, at truck stops, at shippers/recievers, at...ok so that's all the places I go. But I just don't know how.
Usually people will start talking to me cuz I'm a "pretty" (their words not mine I am so far from conceited ) lady or because of my tats or my hair ("Why's your hair like that?") so how can I use this to my advantage to start talking about Jesus?
Or use anything for that matter to wintess to people.
Any advice would be helpful. I really can feel God calling me to do this in my personal life and I don't want to ignore this feeling.
Anyone?

I may not be back online for a few days so talk amongst yourselves and I'll be back when I can but PLEASE give me some advice info or help here.
_________________
And (Saint)Peter goes ‘If you know about mans suffering on earth, why do so many horrible things happen to good people?’ And God said, ‘Because I love them so much that I pour pain upon them so that the transition from life to death will be more profound for them and they will appreciate my gift more than the others - Peter Steele

The real question is :What would Jesus watch on YouTube?

Subject: Re: How do you..or do you... Sat Mar 08, 2008 9:26 am

unfortunately, that is my biggest downfall as a christian, and especially as a catholic...

im very...lets call it quiet, so i dont really want to talk to anybody about it, so a protest against abortion electronicly XD
_________________
Love is like a flower; even the most beautiful kind dies.

Subject: Re: How do you..or do you... Sat Mar 08, 2008 12:41 pm

I dont anymore, but I witness to myself.
_________________

MY MYSPACE PAGE www.myspace.com/jimburns65

Subject: Re: How do you..or do you... Sat Mar 08, 2008 1:57 pm

I try to do my best to find people to witness to. Not an easy task, but God will do what He will. Often times, I end up witnessing to my family.

Age : 47 Joined : 21 May 2007 Posts : 280 Location : Omaha

I know in my life I tried to witness for along time when I was younger in the faith and it just seemed so forced. I have learned that people are looking for "real" more than anything.

2 things that have helped me grasp this over the years. There is a verse that says if we lift Jesus up, He will draw all people to Himself. That was very freeing to learn that my responsibility is to lift Jesus up. The burden is His, not ours.

2- I also learned the evangelism is being ready to explain the hope that is in me.
15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
I try to look for common ground with people and God usually opens a door for dialog. Tattoo's and music are always a good icebreaker. Wink

Here's a Pastor Bob article on the subject, very encouraging:

Harvest And Evangelism

LORD, BRING REVIVAL! That is the battle cry heard around the world. Christians everywhere are sharing strategies, teaching conferences, and writing books. We talk a lot about evangelism. But few Christians are actually involved.

We think of evangelism as “US” against “THEM”. We set ourselves up as “big brother” and adopt a spiritual posture of superiority. But our biggest problem is that we forget what true evangelism is really all about. Through the years, I have put together four ingredients of what I believe to be God’s formula for evangelism.

The first ingredient is to get your life right with God. 1 Peter 3:15 says, “Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of your life. Always be ready to give an answer when someone asks you about your hope.” Surprised? Don’t be. Your personal relationship with Jesus Christ has always been the most important thing to Him. When that is in order, wonderful things begin to happen. People begin to come to you for answers.

The second ingredient in God’s formula for evangelism is to keep your eyes open. Sound simplistic? Not really. When the first ingredient is in order, it follows naturally. John 4:35 says, “You may say that there are still four months until harvest time. But I tell you to look and you will see that the fields are ripe and ready to harvest.” Here is the key: You can only really see the harvest when you are able to feel God’s heart. Your own burden for people will always be motivated by programs and seminars. When your burden comes from God’s own heart, you will see the harvest and respond today. Others keep planning for the future!

The third ingredient in God’s formula for evangelism is personal testing, or “refiners fire”. We see spiritual “drop-outs” all along the journey. Many give up as God takes them through the fire. But He promises a harvest to those who hang in there! Galatians 6:9 says, “Do not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a HARVEST if we do not give up.” God is a loving Father. He disciplines his children. Much of that discipline has to do with harvest. Hebrews 12:11 says, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a HARVEST of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

The final ingredient in God’s formula for evangelism is to sweat the small stuff! God wants us to be faithful with what He has given us today. What He involves you in tomorrow depends on today. Luke 19:17 says, “Well done my good servant. Because you have been trustworthy in small matters, take charge of ten cities.”

I was recently in a discount warehouse looking for “deals” when a very nice woman came up to me and asked me if I was a Christian. When I told her that I was, she began to tell me that she was desperate, and began trying to spot someone who “looked like” they might know the Lord. As she began telling me about her situation, I knew this was not a chance encounter. She needed answers to my “peace”. She needed hope. We stood by the chocolate chip cookies (resistance is futile) and chatted for a couple of hours. She left with peace.

You will begin to find that the most successful times of evangelism will be those spontaneous, off-the-cuff times when someone will come “out of nowhere” and begin to ask you about the Lord. Nothing can prepare you for those times except for your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. You will find yourself sharing the most recent things the Lord is doing in your heart. The things that excite me the most about the Lord are the things that are happening TODAY! That’s revival. To have your heart in a constant state of revival! Personal revival is a current position, not a past event!

A very famous evangelist was asked what his formula for revival was. His reply was this: “Draw a circle on the ground. Step inside. Pray for revival for everyone inside the circle. When revival happens inside, it will begin outside the circle as well.” ‘Nuff said
_________________
peace and grace,

gary

If you feel far from God, guess who moved...

http://myspace.com/rock4king

http://www.sanctuaryinternational.com/

http://sanctuary.forumotion.com

Check out Intense Radio: http://www.live365.com/stations/rock4king

Subject: Re: How do you..or do you... Sun Mar 09, 2008 2:39 pm

Very helpful Pastor Bob article!

I just kinda feel that in today's age that I should be loud and proud about my love for Christ. You know what I mean?
You can't go anywhere today without seeing people announcing to the world whatever they have love for. I see hundered of bumper stickers every week for honor student,gay pride, nationalities whatever - don't get me wrong I also see a lot I mean a LOT of Christian car stickers too.
Sometimes I just feel that the same way I show off my tats (they're mostly in places that are visible if I'm wearing a tank top) and the same way everyone can see my blue or pink hair or my trusty favorite accessory - my dog collar! People should also be able to see something that says
"Yes I am a Christian"
I am still in the process of working on myself, but I know there's people who haven't even really begun their journey towards Jesus and I want to give them a helpful hand.
I dunno, sometimes I think the same way that if you're in love or exited about a concert or a vacation or whatever you're excited about and you just wanna share your joy with the world - I think that maybe I should be like that with my love for Jesus.
I mean not like totally over board scaring people off but just a little more willing to share.
But I do understand that He will bring people around me who He knows I can help somehow.
_________________
And (Saint)Peter goes ‘If you know about mans suffering on earth, why do so many horrible things happen to good people?’ And God said, ‘Because I love them so much that I pour pain upon them so that the transition from life to death will be more profound for them and they will appreciate my gift more than the others - Peter Steele

The real question is :What would Jesus watch on YouTube?

Subject: Re: How do you..or do you... Mon Mar 10, 2008 4:51 am

Personally I've found that the best witness I have ever been able to be, is when I keep my mouth shut and my arms open.