Category: Perspective

The (real)First Step

The first step in bringing people to faith in Christ is to get to know them. BUT before that, we need to understand how they see is. One of the ways I find out what people think about us it to ask them.

Here’s a video of just such conversations.

So when you leave your computer/phone, immerse yourself in the lives of your friends and workmates. Start by ASKING questions like:

1.What do you enjoy most about your life?

2. What is the most fun thing you’ve ever done?

3. What was it like growing up?

4. What has been your experience with Christianity, good and bad?

5. Describe your religious beliefs now. What does your spirituality offer you that Christianity does not?

6. To what extent do your beliefs influence your decisions and life motivations?

7.What problems do you have with the Church and/or Christianity?

8. How do you feel when a Christian tries to convert you?

9.How would you like Christians to treat you?

10. If you could change anything about the church, christians or Christianity what would you change?

11. How do you know that you are loved by someone?

Then after you have won the right to be heard, (maybe months or even years later) tell them about the God who created them, who loves them and who wants to give them everything He has to offer. Tell them about the God who offers his forgiveness to them for all the times they dishonored him. Tell them about the God who wants to make them WHOLE persons again.

 

 

 

The perfect song for the new year

Thank you King and Country. I couldn’t have said it better.

Rosa Parks, Tim Tebow, and Cultural Condemnation

rosa parks, civil rights, tim tebow, olivia culpo, communication, loveOn a cold December day, today, 60 years ago, Rosa Parks (Feb. 4, 1913 – Oct. 24, 2005), an African American, in Montgomery, Alabama, refused to give up her seat to a white man in the colored section when the whites-only-section was filled. For this simple act, she was arrested and branded as a criminal. It is without dispute that her courage sparked what we now call the Civil Rights Movement.

 

Our world today would find this action ludicrous. Yet, in American culture of 1955, this was an act of defiance; defiance that declared I am an American too, with rights and responsibilities just like you. And all she did was stand up, or, sit-down, for her right to a seat on a bus. For this, she raised the ire and spite of much of our country.

 

Just this past Thanksgiving, a former Bronco’s QB, Tim Tebow, stood up for his right to refuse to have sex with his now former girlfriend, Olivia Culpo, this year’s reigning Miss Universe. Once again, our nation rises in protest as his Christian faith takes a stand on pre-marital abstinence, in opposition to our pervasive, permissive cultural standard. For this, Tebow has raised the ire and ridicule of a large part of our country.

 

So…, have we really come so far? Comments welcome.

 

 

For what it’s worth,

  Gary

I love Charlie Sheen

378976-1g

My love for Charlie Sheen

Sometimes I think our whole world has gone crazy. Throughout my life I have loved so many people—both men and women. I dated at least 26 women before I married my wife. Since then I’ve loved at least that many more. And the men? Really? I’ve lost count. My wife, Starr, is absolutely OK with all of it. Of course, none of my relationships involved sex. But I still loved intently.

Charlie has loved so many women it’s out of control. He’s been out of control, in control, then out again, then in again, so many times. It’s unimaginable.

Yet he’s the one who gets condemned and told, “You got what you deserved.” “You reap what you sow.”

Here is a man who has just been told he has the HIV virus and the first thing that comes to people’s minds is he deserves it. Incredible!

Let me ask you, do you want to get what you deserve? I certainly don’t. A lot of my Christian friends ask me if I’m looking forward to heaven. I tell them that I’ll be damn lucky (Calvinisticly speaking) to squeak in by a side door. I deserve to have my ass fried in hell for all eternity. But God has never played fair with me…, or you, or Charlie.

Cut the guy a little slack! He doesn’t deserve this.

For what it’s worth,

  Gary

My Apologies to Howard Schultz & STARBUCKS Baristas

starbucks, coffee, christmas, christian, gary, davisDear Howard Schultz (CEO), & Starbucks Baristas everywhere,

By now most of you have heard of the RANTFever that is sweeping our land over your attempt to de-Christianize Christmas on your bright RED holiday cups. I truly am sorry for all this hubbub. It’s just wrong.  “Christians are being persecuted,” some Christians cry! One man, Paul Matthew Turner, on returning from India to the US, remarked somewhat incredulously over all the fuss over the Starbucks stuff. I’ll just quote one of his less vitriol reactions here— “what a shallow, disgusting, and completely moronic portrayal of “faith” this is!” You can read more here—https://www.facebook.com/MPTAuthor?fref=ts

Josh Feuerstein, a Christian protagonist (read Idiot), offers us a more inappropriate response in his simple RANT on his Facebook page—https://www.facebook.com/joshua.feuerstein.5/videos/689569711145714/ Really, watch it to see what NOT to do! And read the first link as well.

What amazes me is that anyone is so surprised in 21st Century America that Starbucks is not overtly “Christian” on its holiday coffee cups! Why should they be? Since when have we been a Christian nation, or Starbucks a Christian business?!? One ABC news commentator (whom I have a secret crush on so will not reveal her name) actually said, “If you want the Starbucks cup to be more Christmasy draw a snowman on it.”

During this Holiday Season, do I expect my Volvo mechanic to stamp my bill with a manger-scene— in red & green? Do I expect my doctor to wish me Merry Christmas; he’s Jewish. (He did anyway. Go figure.) Nor do I expect St. Nick to slide down my chimney. He’d get his butt fried.

I do expect people, at this time of year, to be more joyful, loving, suicidal (I do counseling.), sacrificial, and considerate. I even expect (some) drivers to let me to cut into their lane when I use my turn-signal. It’s just “the Season.”

For Christians everywhere, genuine Christians, not the whatever-they-are Christians, take this Season of the year to honor your neighbors. DO NOT give them a fruit-cake. Don’t be one either. Invite them for Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas dinner, a New Year’s party! Learn to make Wassail together. DRINK Wassail together (hic). Share your family’s celebrations together.

So, dearest Howard Schultz & Starbucks Baristas, THANK YOU for your Red Cups this Season! They’re bright & cheery! I need that. Honestly, I need your coffee just as much. Especially the Gram Latte’s! They’re great! Thank you very much for them.

And, not to be offensive in any way, Merry Christmas to all of you at Starbucks! You’re doing a great job of encouraging a lot of people at this time of year. Particularly me.

…and a Happy New Year, too,

  Gary

Letter to Leah

Dear Leah,

            It must have been a very difficult decision to leave a faith you had known since you were young. It was your whole world. As you uncovered lies and inconsistencies along the way the confusion you felt must have seemed incomprehensible. You had to be shaken to your core.

            All the training, all the “testing,” you had known throughout your life left you even more unsure about where you stood in Scientology than when you were young. How could you ever have come to the decision to leave? Yet, you did.

            You knew the threats that Katie Holmes had endured, the isolation she suffered. You knew it would follow you and you might lose your family too. Yet, you left.

            You must be a woman of great integrity and forthright honesty. Too many of us cave in to the status quo, majority rule, and cultural mores that surround us. You did not.

            I have a question for you—what do I, as a genuine Christian, have to offer you? Given the immorality and slander and infighting you see in so many so-called “Christian” sub-groups, how can I explain that the heart of the Christian faith is rich with love, acceptance, and safety?

            Beyond the health & wealth plasticity of so many Christians there are genuine followers of Christ who are tired of all the games, tired of all the show, tired of all the fakes. We own up to being imperfect, not quite there yet, but deeply in love with the God who made us. And in love with this world and all, ok most, of its peoples.

            Join the safety and adventure we are on; never knowing what the future holds, but always knowing we are safe.

Much love to you, girl,

Gary Davis