[Faith-talk] Sharing my Audio Devotionals

[Debby Phillips]

Hey Poppa Bear, this is great for you! Perhaps this simplifies 
some other decisions I know you have been praying about and 
considering.  I'm very happy for you.  You have been going 
through a lot in the past several years.

I am feeling very burdened lately because I have met so many 
people who have been turned off by Christianity, both Catholic 
and Protestant.  We are not doing a good job of showing people 
the love of Christ.  Here is an example of what I mean.  I have a 
friend at work who had attended church, not sure about her belief 
in or relationship with Jesus.  She went to a church and was 
warmly welcomed.  The lady who welcomed her asked about her 
husband.  When my friend said that she was divorced, the woman 
drew back as if my friend had leprosy.  Suddenly a place that had 
seemed warm and welcoming was now cold and empty.  She has not 
been in a church since, and now considers herself a Nordic 
Shamanic witch.  People who are divorced or in other things that 
certainly are not considered good things, are often turned off by 
our condemnation.  I'm not saying that divorce and other things 
aren't sinful, but for are sad, those people are suffering, and 
instead of showing mercy and love and helpfulness, we judge and 
criticize.  We do not provide a listening ear, or a place where 
they might come and feel safe, where healing could happen and 
where Christ's love could be shone.

I'm not saying that we have to approve of other people's 
lifestyle, but honestly it does not help anything or anyone when 
people are turned off by holier-than-thou Christians.  My friend 
knows that I do not agree with her beliefs, and the fact that she 
is a witch does make me a little wary, but I will continue to 
show her friendliness, pray for her, and love her.  I will do my 
best to show her Jesus' love.  Shunning her and condemning her 
would only make it harder for her to ever accept that she could 
be loved by God.  I wonder what other people think.    Blessings,    
Debby