The family is good. We still look to fellowship with strong God-fearing believers in the area, but for the time my wife has slipped back into her fathers church. That place is a death trap right now and I am praying that God give her the grace to see it. I am also praying that God give me the grace to know how to intercede in that situation as it continues to unfold. I pray that God allow me greater wisdom about His love. I am praying for more godly humility and more accurate responses to things we know and see.

Well said. We should always keep our “natural” actions, thoughts and inclinations in mind before we pursue a course of action, what we would do normaly and naturally in and of ourselves is almost always not Christ like. Being Christlike is almost always the opposite of what our flesh wants to do.

Is your approach risky? Sure, it could also expose us to painful experiences, just like it does not seem normal, natural or reasonable that The Kinmg of Glory should suffer and die at the hands of sinners in order to redeem a people for himself.

Victory in the Christian life is through the grave and death always precedes resurrection.

This is not an indictment on Javetta, this is an indictment on how I think much of the time as well.

Do we want to do what the world does in reponse to how people treta us and justify it or do we really want to be Christlike?

Those were some great answers, and as many who know me know: I am a recovering cynic and it doesn’t help that it seems like every time I start trying to do the community thing I end up getting hurt…repeatedly! So, more often than not, I feel like, “What’s the use of me opening myself to people if I’m going to keep getting hurt???” But I think the key is to use WISDOM just like you said. I think that’s the element that’s been missing….I think…

Scary-good – like I’m thinking along the same lines?
Or
Scary-bad – like you’re way off base here?
Or
Scary-something else?

Thanks for kind words.

Next your response to Vetta is scary. And I will talk about that in my next post coming soon.

I actually have a post coming about your IC comment should be fun

Hi V! – In response to your questions-

How should we handle other Christians rejection to “bearing with?” – Sometimes we have to be the example. It could be a foreign concept to them (like it used to be for me). I think when others feel safe and secure, and come to trust you, this will be easier to do. Also, pray for them.

How should we go about building relationships with them? One step at a time, find common interests and build from there and over time. Give them them the opportunity to learn about you and your character.

Should we open ourselves up to Christians who don’t want to open themselves up to us? I believe we should definitely use wisdom in this, and what we reveal to these specific individuals, but I believe so. It helps others to know that we’re genuine and then they may feel more comfortable reciprocating.

Should we still open ourselves up to Christians if we have been hurt by them before? I think so. This could be a process but I’ve been hurt by the actions and/or words of others on numerous occasions. I’m sure I’ve hurt others as well. I forgive them (sometimes through much prayer) and pray that others have forgiven me. It may not be a next-day type of thing where I feel comfortable sharing again. It may be a few weeks or months but if you know that a person is genuinely concerned, loving, caring, etc. then I think we should. I used to be the type where if a person made 1 mistake, they would get the boot from my life. It’s been a process to get from that point to where I am now but now I forgive and continue the relationship as if nothing happened.

What do you think about that?