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Helping friends - 8/3/2008 1:52:55 PM
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TMarkert
Posts: 12
Joined: 8/2/2008
From: Philly suburbs, PA, USA
Status: offline
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Not sure where to put this, so I guess the mods can move it as needed.
I have two friends, one closer then the other, both of which know that I am a born again Christian. I would love to see either or both of them come to terms with things in thier life and seek out a relationship with Christ.
First Billy. We go back to the age of 15 (almost 25 years) as best friends. He says that he's too far gone to be loved and so on. Even has "God hates us all" tattoo'd on his arm. He has a 9 year old son and two beautiful twin baby girls that love him to death, I just wish there was something I could get him to read or something I could say to spark his interest. I stick by his side just to hopefully put a bit of Christ into his life and hope that maybe someday he will ask about things.
Then Matt. Matt's wife was pregnant with thier first baby when his father passed away. Matt is still very angry with God and says that if God loves us so much why would he take away a good man that was still fairly young. Matts also the burly and somewhat obnoxious type and I think his attitude stems from his thinking that life owes him something.. He's losing friends because of his attitude!
What can I say? What can I talk about? How do I bring it into conversation? Do I just leave it lay and wait for them to speak up?
signed,
Confuzzled! LOL
_____________________________
Proverbs 23:17 NIV
Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord
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RE: Helping friends - 8/3/2008 3:17:50 PM
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terryjohn
Posts: 469
Joined: 3/23/2007
Status: offline
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Because they are your friends I have found that you can really get away with just about anything if you are real, sincere and care about them. I have found there to be no problem with asking friends who are totally anitchristian if they want to go to Church this weekend. At best such friends are real in their unbelief and their concerns real. Many times they ask us these questions becasue they really want answers. However, above all else they want to see that our faith is real and our love and joy in Christ is unshakeable. Like all those addicted to drugs, alcahole and unbelief they need to see something in life that they are really willing to die for or at least fight for whether it be righteousness, joy or love.
The one thing I have found with bikers and other gang members in our area is that many have become christian for their childrens sake. In the end for them it was a matter of honour that they give a god example of a man to their children and they could only do that in Christ. Nevertheless they want to see that in us before they will want it for themselves.
Do not worry about such friends but simply love them and be there for them while not forgetting to come with you from time to time to see how Christ can help them be all they really want to be.
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RE: Helping friends - 8/3/2008 3:31:42 PM
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slushie
Posts: 1946
Joined: 4/30/2006
Status: offline
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Continue to love and pray for them... and be there when you need them to be.
For Billy - when he brings it up, what I'd do is tell him that God does care for him. Hmm... ask him if his baby girls - if they ever did something terrible - would he continue loving them or would he not?
Like terryjohn said, you could always invite them to church, or church events.
_____________________________
Testify to Love
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RE: Helping friends - 8/3/2008 6:21:11 PM
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Liveloved
Posts: 2080
Status: offline
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Dear Confuzzled,
The Lord knew what He was doing putting you in Matt & Billy's lives. We can't talk people into believing. But we can be there with them through the thick and thin of life and it sounds like you have been and are. Don't give up. Continue to pray and believe that God has a plan and purpose for these men's lives and that purpose and plan includes a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Don't talk about what they need. Talk about Who you know. Talk about Jesus to your friends. Talk about sin, repentance, and the grace, love and forgiveness you know through Jesus. Talk about the difference He makes in your life. How do you respond to tragedy, such as the death of a loved one? Share openly, truthfully with these men. Let them see a real living faith. Your life can teach them and show them more than you know. And believe for them. Hold faith over them. God has put you in this place for this very purpose. Bless you, brother!  LL
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