Sharing My Faith

"1 Peter 3:15 (NIV). But 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, .......... Thoughts on This Verse... How do we effectively share our faith, especially in situations hostile to faith? First, we consciously submit our hearts to Christ as Lord. Second, we prepare a presentation of faith that focuses on the hope we have in Jesus. Finally, when we share our reason for hope, we do it with respect, gently sharing our faith with others. Of course we would never have an opportunity to share our faith if we don't live a life of faith that makes an impact on those around us."

This is from the "Verse of the Day" website, one to which I subscribe for a daily meditation. Daily meditation and quiet time is important to me because it's what helps me keep my faith centered and renewed. I don't know, though, that I've really thought lately about sharing that faith with anyone. Living as I do in the South, I generally assume that most people are Christians unless they say differently (or unless, these days, it's a woman walking around in a burka). What I do try to do is live my life as a follower of Christ and hope that people notice the difference between me and others around me.

I'm sure that my faith gives me tools that help me live life better now than I did before I made a conscious decision to walk in it. Let me explain: I've been a Christian virtually all my life, at least since the age of 12, and have always tried to be a "good" person and behave as I was taught a Christian does. However, it wasn't until I really started reading the Bible and meditating on it in my quiet time that my faith became deep enough that I didn't have to try to behave. I just did. The tools were just there. Instead of church and Christianity being about a bunch of do not's, it's really about a bunch of do's -- and I can do that.

For example:

• Give people the benefit of the doubt (instead of don't judge)
• Smile nicely and say nothing (instead gossiping or spreading rumors)
• Say, "well, you're certainly entitled to your opinion," (instead of arguing)
• Walk away (instead of screaming & yelling, or punching their lights out!)

To me, that is what sharing my faith is about: the real, practical, everyday things of life that we all go through.

New journals and fountain pens

I've always enjoyed starting a new journal. The feel of a new book and putting pen to paper -- especially if I'm using a fountain pen -- makes me happy even if I've had a rotten day. There's just something about the heft of a good pen scratching along on 60 pound paper that's very satisfying. So why, you ask, are you sitting there typing? Well, that's a very good, one might even say cogent question.

I guess it all goes back to several years ago when I became ill and started going through some things that I didn't think I could ever make it through. Oddly enough, though, here I still am alive and kicking. So my husband and my matchie bestie told me that I should write about getting through the bad times since I journal fairly continually anyway. That sounded like a pretty good idea to me (those two being the brains of the outfit), and here I go with my little experiment. I'm sometimes serious, sometimes silly, and almost always a smart alec. So, no promises about getting to this every day or anything, but here is one of the first things I learned about tough times:

If the last few years of trials have taught me anything at all, it's that patience and endurance are not the same thing. Most of the time endurance comes long before patience, and the grace that comes from having endured results in patience when you least expect it.

Grace & peace,

Jane