God doesn’t merely recruit silver-tongued orators or skilled apologists for his quest for friends. The silver and the skill can at times inhibit the Spirit’s efforts to find his way into a person’s consciousness. Rather than clarify, many words may confuse instead.Defense SecretaryCaspar Weinberger, assessing an international crisis said in a “briefing” (an oxymoron if …
Non-Christians in Need of a Christian Friend
When Richard Nixon resigned and held up in isolation no one visited him for fear of sullying their reputation, no one except Chuck Colson who risked the trip many times. When asked about it later he said, “To let Mr. Nixon know that someone loved him.” The way I read it Jesus was the sinner’s …
Continue reading "Non-Christians in Need of a Christian Friend"
Befriending The Banished
“I used to think that to be Christlike meant to be alienated and put off by the sin of others. But it’s quite the opposite. Refusing to be alienated and put of by the sin of others is what allows me to be Christlike.” Brant Hansen “If you owned a Rembrandt covered in mud, you …
Exchange Your Weapons For Invitations
Brothers James and John (also in the garden that night) were no better at charming people toward Jesus than was Peter. They tipped their hand when they made a bid to edge the others out for the top posts in Jesus’ administration (seats “at his right hand and left”). Not only that, these were the …
How God Makes Friends
While Peter did his Lancelot imitation on a man he perceived as a threat, Jesus saw him as a man in need. Being more concerned about Malchus’ welfare than his own, Jesus reached out and made him well––evangelism the Jesus way. Jesus’ “enemy love” is always a better apologetic than the sword-swinging aggression of Peter. …
barney wiget 