User Comments

1. 

   3/07/08

   jjloch

   By listening to their hearts, being there for them, showing them through the glow in your eyes that you have found the peace-of-spirit that they are searching for.
   
   Blessings, JJ

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2. 

   3/07/08

   inhisgloriousname

   I like that JJ. Great advise.

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3. 

   7/08/08

   LoriLaws

   I find that if someone is hurting...I ask them if they would like to pray with me

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4. 

   7/09/08

   inhisgloriousname

   I have found that rarely when I ask someone if I can pray for them is the response no. 99% of the time the response is yes. I have also found that by simply getting to know someone, (not as how I think they should be) but for whom they are, and within their circumstances opens a door for further communication.
   
   No one likes to be preached at. However when you take the time to build a friendship and trust, it comes easy to share the love of Christ with others.
   
   That is also why I dislike "debates". It sends a very wrong message, creates strife, contention, arguments, and so on.

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5. 

   7/09/08

   LoriLaws

   Debates aren't my thing either.
   
   Yes...relationships. Build bridges instead of burning them.

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6. 

   7/11/08

   inhisgloriousname

   I second that...

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7. 

   7/13/08

   inhisgloriousname

   It's not always easy loving the unloveable. What causes people to become hardened, bitter, and difficult to love?

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   1. 

      7/26/08

      Tamela

      I think about Peter in the scriptures sometimes when it comes to receiving love. It is easier for most to give love than receive it. When Jesus knelt to wash Peter's feet he rejected Jesus at first but when Jesus told him, " Peter you can have no part of me if you don't allow me to wash your feet" Peter then replied, well then wash my head and hands as well. Peter didn't like the idea of not having a part with Jesus. And if this is what it took to be a part than he was all for it. He sure wasn't going to let pride stand in his way. It is like that with Grace. Grace is an umerited favor of love that is shown toward us by Jesus. Grace is not something that we earn. I truly believe the reason some have troubles receiving love is because they feel as though they should earn it, they don't feel worthy if they haven't earned it. They have yet to learn the lesson of Grace. The sad part about that is Grace is what it takes to be saved not by works but Grace. I once heard someone say if we earned the love of Christ than His salvation plan was in vain and we become our own gods that have no need for Jesus. I believe Grace/umerited favor/love was a lesson that Peter needed to learn. Because if you remember, Peter said, "Lord i should be washing your feet" Jesus was trying to teach Peter how to receive His Love. Peter needed to learn to receive Jesus's loving Grace toward Him because in the end it is the only way that we just like Peter can have a part with Jesus. I truly believe that people who are hardened and bitter and difficult to love they must get a revelation of the Grace of God for themselves so as they can begin to recieve. I believe that we can pray for them to get this revelation. I know at times we just want so bad to reach out in hopes that they will change but this can make things worse sometimes. Praying for them to get a revelation of the Grace and love of God is what i do in these instances.
8. 

   7/27/08

   inhisgloriousname

   May all be washed!

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9. 

   8/04/08

   BrianThetford

   Interesting question, how to love those that reject Christ, I'll try to keep it brief...In my experience it comes down to action on our part. While it is far easier to talk about the Lord, it makes far more of an impact for someone to see the Lord in action, and that means you and me in action. Christ came for the sinners, not the wicked. He was often accused of hanging out with the riff raff. There was a reason for that. He knew that by showing these people how to live, instead of just telling them, would make a huge difference. For example telling people to forgive others is easy. Hanging on a cross, and asking God to forgive the very people that crucified you while accepting the sin of the entire world as your own makes quite an impact.
   
   For us to be someone to follow we have to show the world through our actions, that we can live the same life in the same world, and do it all the while praising the Lord. Only then will the unbeliever start to pay attention. When a person sees that you are genuine in your intentions, they well listen. Then they will want to know how you do it, which will always lead to why.
   
   We all deserve love, it has been beaten out of some, stolen from others. When they see how we can live our lives full of love, they will want what we have.
   
   For the Love of the Lord,
   Brian

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   1. 

      4/09/09

      RealTalktime

      That is so true, very touching and thought provoking.
      
      By doing what you said and showing them through our actions it not only helps them but it can help us. Sometimes while we are trying to help them, their resistance can help us grow even closer to the Lord because we have to put into action our faith that He will not give us more than we can bare and we can't just give up because things get hard and we may even have to turn the other cheek at times just so that they can see the strength that the Lord has instilled in us. So in the end everyone involved wins. God is Good!
   2. 

      6/12/09

      Aussiewife

      That is a wonderful post! Thanks...
10. 

    8/04/08

    inhisgloriousname

    Great post Brian.

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11. 

    7/03/09

    CuraAnimarum

    Loving the most difficult and challenging...that's our Christian challenge and I agree, it can be the hardest call of all. We're called to love the enemy, the one who hates, the murder.And our culture as a whole scoffs at this kind of love. I think what helps me the most is knowing that I belong to a family of persons who all struggle with this, and yet remain faithful in carrying it out. Praying for others, being with others, especially those who present a challenge sometimes that's all we need to do. and when it's done out of honest care and concern, I find it very quickly shifts from chore, to gift.
    
    Peace and God Bless,
    
    CA

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