Comments on: Practically Speaking http://www.culturaldichotomy.com/2008/07/31/practically-speaking/ living in one culture trying to impact another Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:04:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Makes me think… | camel crossing http://www.culturaldichotomy.com/2008/07/31/practically-speaking/#comment-115 Makes me think… | camel crossing Tue, 02 Sep 2008 06:06:33 +0000 http://www.culturaldichotomy.com/?p=38#comment-115 [...] ran across a great article from the writers of Cultural Dichotomy.  They were asked some questions about evangelism from a friend of theirs and these are excerpts [...] [...] ran across a great article from the writers of Cultural Dichotomy.  They were asked some questions about evangelism from a friend of theirs and these are excerpts [...]

]]> By: shorty http://www.culturaldichotomy.com/2008/07/31/practically-speaking/#comment-83 shorty Mon, 04 Aug 2008 10:03:12 +0000 http://www.culturaldichotomy.com/?p=38#comment-83 @mentanna - I hadn't really thought about a series, but that's a good idea. I'll let it brew for a while and see what I come up with. @meriwether - I don't think loving them and "what am I supposed to say to point them toward Christ" are mutually exclusive. In fact, I think they're one in the same. To love someone is to point them to Christ. You point them to Christ by being Christ to them, talking about Christ to them, teaching them about Christ, etc. I do agree that we shouldn't "worry" about the end result of the conversation, but for those that don't know the first few steps in how to engage someone, either of their own culture or of another, telling them to just love isn't going to result in anything. Which, by the way, is why the overwhelming majority of christians sit on the pew on Sundays and do nothing to live out their faith during the week...but I think I've already written about that. I don't know, maybe we're saying similar things, but I know that Margie's advice has to be the beginning. We have to have a broken heart for those around us. @mentanna - I hadn’t really thought about a series, but that’s a good idea. I’ll let it brew for a while and see what I come up with.

@meriwether - I don’t think loving them and “what am I supposed to say to point them toward Christ” are mutually exclusive. In fact, I think they’re one in the same. To love someone is to point them to Christ. You point them to Christ by being Christ to them, talking about Christ to them, teaching them about Christ, etc. I do agree that we shouldn’t “worry” about the end result of the conversation, but for those that don’t know the first few steps in how to engage someone, either of their own culture or of another, telling them to just love isn’t going to result in anything. Which, by the way, is why the overwhelming majority of christians sit on the pew on Sundays and do nothing to live out their faith during the week…but I think I’ve already written about that.

I don’t know, maybe we’re saying similar things, but I know that Margie’s advice has to be the beginning. We have to have a broken heart for those around us.

]]> By: Meriwether Lewis http://www.culturaldichotomy.com/2008/07/31/practically-speaking/#comment-82 Meriwether Lewis Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:44:03 +0000 http://www.culturaldichotomy.com/?p=38#comment-82 I think one thing I'd like to point out is the love (or lack thereof) we show all people, created by Him (intergenerational, believers, hypocrites, and non-believers). Many times we (I) try to overanalyze situations with non-believers. Don't get me wrong, we definitely need to continually have a focus on Christ while interacting, sharing, working with, or coming in contact with - everyone, but sometimes our focus moves from love to 'what am I supposed to say to this non-believer to point him or her toward Christ'. We are called first to love the Lord, and second to love our neighbor. Why is it so hard to push our analytical thoughts aside and simply show love toward one another. Wasn't that the way it was meant? James covers this in Chapter 2 of his book/ speech. Simply love people (not so simple), based on your faith, meeting the needs of those who need the Lord. I know that seeking to learn how to love people starts with a deep introspective analysis on how we view/ treat people (making sure it is in accordance with God's Word), but it transforms into a love for people that only Christ could have given you. What a great thing to have. This is where James 2 comes in. What good is it to know how to love without demonstrating that love to people we come into contact with daily, our mission if you will. At this point, it is not our job to worry about the end result of a conversation (whether or not we gave someone enough information to get saved), we can rest in the comfort, for that particular instance, that we were able to be obedient in loving someone who was not like us. I think one thing I’d like to point out is the love (or lack thereof) we show all people, created by Him (intergenerational, believers, hypocrites, and non-believers). Many times we (I) try to overanalyze situations with non-believers. Don’t get me wrong, we definitely need to continually have a focus on Christ while interacting, sharing, working with, or coming in contact with - everyone, but sometimes our focus moves from love to ‘what am I supposed to say to this non-believer to point him or her toward Christ’. We are called first to love the Lord, and second to love our neighbor. Why is it so hard to push our analytical thoughts aside and simply show love toward one another. Wasn’t that the way it was meant?

James covers this in Chapter 2 of his book/ speech. Simply love people (not so simple), based on your faith, meeting the needs of those who need the Lord. I know that seeking to learn how to love people starts with a deep introspective analysis on how we view/ treat people (making sure it is in accordance with God’s Word), but it transforms into a love for people that only Christ could have given you. What a great thing to have. This is where James 2 comes in. What good is it to know how to love without demonstrating that love to people we come into contact with daily, our mission if you will. At this point, it is not our job to worry about the end result of a conversation (whether or not we gave someone enough information to get saved), we can rest in the comfort, for that particular instance, that we were able to be obedient in loving someone who was not like us.

]]> By: mentanna http://www.culturaldichotomy.com/2008/07/31/practically-speaking/#comment-81 mentanna Fri, 01 Aug 2008 07:03:39 +0000 http://www.culturaldichotomy.com/?p=38#comment-81 i think this could be a blog series don't you? thanks for publishing it. i think this could be a blog series don’t you? thanks for publishing it.

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