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Post by username on Jul 18, 2007 21:19:09 GMT -5
I've been wanting to start a forum like that myself...you beat me to it!
Anyway, I checked out Helium.com last night after you told me about it (you probably know who I am now if you didn't before). It does look like a good place to get some ideas out, and I plan on writing a couple of articles to post.
However, I'm not sure if that is the target audience that JC and I are trying to reach. The people on there seem to be more of the intellectual type. Not that we are trying to skip the intellectuals (I try to be an intellectual myself once in awhile), but I think JC and I are thinking more of the kids that are our age. Most kids our age don't go to Helium.com to disseminate their ideas and pick up new ones. No, we need to find a way to go where most of the kids our age go, or find a way to bring them to us.
As JC said: our generation is lost and floundering in the darkness. They need other kids their age to come down to their level and "be" Christ to them. Only then will they begin to see who Christ really is, and who Christians really are supposed to be.
So here's my challenge: whatever comes of this idea, let's have it up and running by the time school starts.
P.S.--I'll join your forum Figs, once I have time and can pick a good username.
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Post by lordofthesquishies on Jul 19, 2007 9:13:02 GMT -5
I joined last night... reason I have 2 accounts is because my first activation key took awhile and I thought there were issues. But as far as Helium goes, I've dipped in with 3 articles. Anyone who's lost needs help, and anywhere we can reach them is a good place for us to be.
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Post by username on Jul 19, 2007 11:27:36 GMT -5
Yes, you're right.
But, I still think we need to get something going that focuses on kids our age.
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Post by lordofthesquishies on Jul 19, 2007 11:57:16 GMT -5
Oh, definitely. We can always run both though... Ach... busy busy busy.
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Post by figs and urns on Jul 19, 2007 21:50:04 GMT -5
sounds good guys--but let me tell you something: you dont need to talk to people on the internet to get their attention--in fact, in most cases, i have found that most people won't open up very much online (contrary to popular belief). we may think it's easier to talk to somebody online who we don't know or can't see, but it's also a lot easier to lie when you can't see the other person face to face. here's my point... we all seem to want to impact people...let's use this forum as a means of discovering how we can do that. the MySpace thing and the Helium thing and anything else we can think of on here are good ideas---- ---but there are 40,000+ people in this valley who need to hear the message just as much as some stranger on the internet. why not try focusing on them? yeah, i know...it's a whole nother ball game when it comes to speaking to people face to face. i know. i'm not real thrilled about it. i'd rather just talk everybody to death on a forum until i convert them.... ...but it usually doesnt work that way. people don't think a whole lot about something somebody says to them when they don't even know the person--especially kids your age. no...they respond much more readily (even if it is negative) when you confront them personally. and that is what is going to make or break it for you--how personal you can get with people. i'm not talking about pestering people like a telemarketer or like a bible bowl coach--dont tell anyone i said that paul tells us in galatians that faith enacted through love is "all that counts". just be friends with people--even if you are the only one. show everyone you care enough to listen to them--even if they hate your guts. the greatest influencers are the best listeners.
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Post by figs and urns on Jul 19, 2007 21:51:23 GMT -5
S.T.A.N.D. for Him
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Post by lordofthesquishies on Jul 20, 2007 8:24:50 GMT -5
Well I try pulling it off during school... appropriate opportunities seem rare, mainly occuring at lunch when we're allowed to talk ( lol ). But that's still a relatively small sphere of influence... maybe 5 of my friends? How do you think we could pull off more? I mean we already have Jen Minnier trying with X-treme Club... But 2 of the guys I know who go there aren't exactly... Christian period, and most of the school just laughs at her. Any other ideas?
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Post by figs and urns on Jul 20, 2007 9:19:12 GMT -5
you have to look beyond your borders. look at some kids you regularly would never talk to--popular or not.
see, even today, the mentality is that we can only talk to the people that make us comfortable, and only then in rare instances when we sense an open heart.
but here's my thought...
instead of pushing Christianity on to someone from the start, begin by just finding out about the person. don't even bring up the subject that you are a Christian (chances are they know it already anyway). if you come across trying to promote your faith right off the bat, it may backfire and you'll lose connection. you don't want to do that.
instead, you gotta connect with people at the same level they're at. don't look up to them or down on them--just look straight at them. every person has something to say. you'd be suprised...
you don't have to know someone to make a connection. building relationships with people begins with a first conversation.
i was in Borders once, just minding my own business and delving into some new bestsellers on the shelves, when a woman came up and asked me, "so, what was the last good book you read?"
now, my personality told me to tuck tail and run, or simply pretend i was deaf or from a foreign country. but, my conscience got the best of me, and soon we were into a meaningful discussion. now, i only talked for about ten minutes, because i had to leave, but in those few moments i learned a great deal.
one conversation. just think what would happen if you reached out and INTENTIONALLY made contact with somebody new each day.
i say INTENTIONALLY because most of us think we can just wait for the opportunity to smack us across the face. but we don't have that luxury.
in my line of work, the customer doesnt come to me. i have to hop in my car with a boatload of supplies to show them and i have to get out there and just do it, or i dont bring home any bacon.
evangelism is the same way, and you don't have to be Billy Graham to minister in somebody's life. all you have to do is listen, learn, and then, once the person's heart is open for a relief, you tell them how to find the peace they seek. but you have to be willing to get "saddled up" and get at it. everyone, including your friends, family, AND enemies all seek, but few ever find what they are looking for. if we are Christians, then we are those few, and ought not to hoard the wealth.
i regret that i had not the courage to speak with some of my co-workers about my faith in the past. i fear i may have totally blown it with them now. i was simply too afraid--but you know what i've discovered (and not too long ago at that)? people everywhere enjoy talking to you. my job now has taught me that--people generally talk when you say something to them, and, for the most part, they'll listen, too. curiosity goes a long way. they want to know something new, something better. and you can show them--not because you are any better, or have never fallen, but because you HAVE fallen but have chosen to GET BACK UP.
that's the difference, and by just listening and loving people, you'll make it--whether you see the complete results or not, well, that's not up to you. do your job, and then let the Spirit do his. but don't be disheartened if you only seem to reach a minority--remember that the faith we believe in is always the underdog.
keep at it, and trust God to work--he won't let you drown if you have faith he'll keep you afloat.
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Post by username on Jul 20, 2007 14:53:33 GMT -5
"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you togive the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear consciensce, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander." ~1 Peter 3:15-16
You bring up some good points there, Figs. I think this is stuff that we've all known for a long time. However, knowing it and doing it are two completely different matters. Just like you said: let's move beyond idle talk and get on with what is really important--taking people bound for hell and turning them around.
Every time we come in contact with a non-Christian we have an opportunity--an opportunity to make a difference in their life for good or ill. We must take every opportunity we have, because we never know when we will be the one who must make all the difference.
Fifteen
Performed by Greg Long
Words and Music by Greg Long, Don Koch, Dave Clark
I was sitting at the table As the waitress took our order In her eyes I knew that something wasn't right And before I saw it coming I was caught up in her story Of the storms that she had weathered in her life My friend said can we pray for you She said I think I'd like you to She walked away, we bowed our heads But then he turned to me and said
If it takes fifteen times To hear about Jesus For someone to believe Wherever I stand in line I've got to make a difference In case it comes down to me 'Cause, I may be the third, may be the seventh There may be years in between But what if I'm fifteen What if I'm fifteen
Just a chapter in a story With the ending still unwritten Do they find the truth of Jesus after all As I listen for the whispers And I follow where they lead me I pray that I'll be faithful to the call If I'm who I'm supposed to be I know that God can work through me I may not understand it now But I believe somehow
If it takes fifteen times To hear about Jesus For someone to believe Wherever I stand in line I've got to make a difference In case it comes down to me 'Cause I may be the third, may be the seventh There may be years in between But what if I'm fifteen What if I'm fifteen
God I don't want to miss the chances When you open the door What may seem so insignificant You see so much more
If it takes fifteen times To hear about Jesus For someone to believe Wherever I stand in line I've got to make a difference In case it comes down to me 'Cause I may be the third, may be the seventh There may be years in between But what if I'm fifteen What if I'm fifteen
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Post by username on Sept 19, 2007 20:22:25 GMT -5
Here's a cool quote I ran into today...
"Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words."
~ St. Francis of Assisi
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Post by lordofthesquishies on Sept 19, 2007 20:24:56 GMT -5
ach! STill here??? Check your pmS!
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Post by Pastor Scott on Oct 5, 2007 8:13:58 GMT -5
We will be sending survey sheets to school with everyone after the Eternal Treasure series. This will be good prep work before we launch out the second half of the year.
I am still looking for someone (or some group) to head up the completion of the project. Let me know if any of you are interested. We really just need a point person that can line things up and give us updates each week. We already have a lot of stuff (and people willing to get more interviews/info).
Let me know...
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Post by Peaches on Oct 5, 2007 9:16:48 GMT -5
ohhh the way you make it sound it sounds like something i could do, like organize everything that happens during the "series" of surveys and interviews? i could do that im pretty good with it but probably will need some help.
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