Book #14: "I Can" Evangelism

How do I share my faith? I can't find fancy, eloquent words. I can't attest to bringing lots of people to their knees and accepting Christ as their Savior. I can't get past the fact that I might be rejected, denied, or embarrassed. I don't want to offend anyone. I don't have a dramatic story to tell. I don't have all the answers. I don't want to fail - myself or God.......This book is entirely dedicated to taking the "I can't" out of sharing your faith. So, lose the I-can't-disease and get equipped with God's grace, wisdom, and protective armor to say I CAN do this for His praise and glory!

Everybody knows the song/nursery rhyme "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star," so let's sing it together now:

Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are.

Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky.

Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are!

 

I happily admit one of my all-time favorite songs is "This Little Light of Mine." When there are candlelight services at church for various holidays and celebrations, I always think of this message and hum it to myself. I also remember Y.E.S. and Chrysalis weekends that, as part of the fourth-day commission, we would hold small candles, lift our voices and sing to God:
 

This little light of mine, I'm gonna get it shine.

Let it shine, let it shine, let is shine.

 
I accepted Christ as my Savior at Vacation Bible School when I was 13 years old. I remember the day as if it were yesterday; it was a personally and spiritually special day. But, as a mature in age - and in faith - I am constantly aware that I am in continuous transformation. Evangelism, I've learned with this book, is a layered process, offering our light, over time, in multiple degrees of brillance to those whom God puts into our lives. Sometimes dim. Sometimes clear. Other times bright and clear. The fact of the matter is, simply, my light is always on.  
 

Evangelism is a process...We need to shine, and shine, and continue to shine...While we don't have control over when and how the one in darkness will respond - that is truly the work of the Holy Spirit - we do have the choice to be bright lights to light the way of hope for others. In time, the results will be revealed.

 

We live in a dark world. But God's light has come into us, and he calls us to twinkle...We need to move beyond a posture of fear, face the possible dangers of simple approaches, and make room for what God is doing in new ways of thinking. Nothing around us is a surprise to Him.

 
I want to share the story below (also from the book) because it truly defines the significance we each have within ourselves. I love this story for its truth, and inspiration, to never - ever! - give up. There are so many lessons to be learned if we are willing to accept their truths. I think this is a great philosophy for teachers too, you never really know the impact you might have on ONE student. Beautiful.
 

A young boy walked along the beach one evening. He came upon a starfish, stranded yards from the tide, struggling for life. The boy reached down and gently lifted the starfish and returned it to the ocean.

 

A man approached the boy and asked, "Why are you bothering with that starfish? They die up tide all the time, by the hundreds. That won't make a difference."

 

Raising his eyes to the man, the young boy said, "It'll make a difference to this one."

 
Other truths and declarations I CAN do now:

...accept people just as they are.

...be a friend.

...be real.

...help the children in my life know the Jesus I know.

...offer hope in the daily minutes of life.

...partner with others.

...offer help and hope in crisis.

...serve.

...accept the doubts in others.

...share my faith at holidays.

...leave room for wonder.

...keep trying even when it seems hopeless.

...trust God with the results of my efforts.

...leave a legacy of light.

Twinkle, twinkle litte star. This little light of mine, I will make it shine for others to see. I can make a difference with my God-given light.

Peace and love,
Nicole

Book #13: How Women Help Men Find God

I'm on a reading rampage - book #13: "How Women Help Men Find God" is complete.

This book is dedicated to three women:

She who prays for a man but sees no change; she whose son has abandoned the faith; and she who searches for a Christian mate but finds none. THERE IS HOPE.

Let me preface this post with this: I think there are good things, great things, and not-so-great things in this book. But I bought it for two reasons, I love the title and I want to know how to help men find God. Afterall, I have several men in my life that I continuously pray will accept, deepen, and strengthen their relationship with God. It's a prayer of mine, but not a priority of theirs. But I have hope. That's enough for me.

To me, this book is an instructional manual to get males in the pews. I'm sure you've heard it before, "A man wants to be a man.....they are adventurous and take risk.....flowers and lace in the church drive men crazy.....he'll lose Man Points if he hold hands with strangers during prayer.....a nagging wife pushes the husband over the edge."

Blah.....blah.....blah. I hope (and pray!) that I do not cause my husband to be anything except himself. He can proudly carry his "Man Card," I certainly don't want it - I'm perfectly happy with my Woman Card!!!!!! And Lord, if I nag, please stop me.

Certain requests of my husband have been silenced - truly, it's not worth the discussion - but my prayers to God are loud and clear - - - remember, I have hope!

So what did I learn about bringing men closer to God? These three things:

1. Let go. - God, I acknowledge you are all powerful, all knowing, and all I need. I step aside to allow the Holy Spirit to work in me, through me, and with me to fulfill your purpose with all the men in my life. Not my will, but thine.
2. Keep an open mind. - I am willing to accept what God provides.
3. Commit. - I will allow God to use me in whatever way possible in order to fulfill His purpose, for His glory and praise.

This book has been an excellent source of suggestion for teaching and engaging boys. I'll use many of these tactics in my future classroom, because I think it's important to engage ALL students, not just the participatory ones. It's not my favorite book, but I enjoyed it. Afterall, I did read it in less than 12 hours!

Peace and love......and women, keep praying for your men,
Nicole