Communication FUNdamentals

Jan. 19, 2009

If being a Christian was a crime, would there be enough evidence to convict you?

Question of the Week This is a new segment for my blog and I ask you to help me out by adding your comments and posting them on your blog as well.  I have been doing a "Question of the Week" on my homeschool Yahoo group for a few years now.  It's been a fun way to discuss issues and share ideas as well as get to know each other better.  How it Works: Each Monday I'll ask a thought provoking question about life.  Pose the same question to your blog readers on your own blog along with your answer to the question.  Then come back here and post a comment with a link to your blog post so we can all read everyone's answers!  Should be a lot of fun! This week's question: If being a Christian was a crime, would there be enough evidence to convict you? With all the sensitivities about evangelism, the ACLU (and others) working hard to take God out of everything in the public arena, the replacement of "Merry Christmas" with "Happy Holidays" and all the media hoopla where folks like Rosie O'Donnel say that Christianity is just as much a threat as radical Islam, it's a bit more intimidating to display our Christianity at times.  Does this influence you in any way?  Does it make you think twice about wearing a Christian Tshirt?  Does it make you careful about how much Christianity you want to show on your blog or website?  JoJo's Answer: Being raised in a family where I am the only Christian, I know how intimidating it can be to be the odd man out.  I just have always believed that if it wasn't worth showing on the outside, I must not believe it very much on the inside.  I mean, I never did understand why someone would say they believed in something and never act on that belief.  This applies not just  to religion, but to all things like: smokers who say they know smoking is bad, but they don't really want to quit; people who make New Year's resolutions, but don't even remember what they were a day later; college students who say grades are important, but never crack open a book.  Though many people may say they believe something only because they think they should and not due to a strongly held belief, some actually believe it and don't actually live it.  If you believe it, why not do it?  Why say it if you don't really believe it?   It just never made sense to me.  When I accepted Jesus, I began learning what He wanted me to do. I began making changes in my life.  Sometimes the changes were slow, but they were all steps toward being the JoJo I felt God asking me to be.  At this point in my life, there is so much more of me that is the Lord's and I can't help but show that on the outside.  Here are a few of the things others can plainly see that identify me with Jesus. You're mileage may vary... 1. When I am asked what my favorite book is, I always say the Bible, even in a secular forum where that is not as welcome. 2. My website and blog clearly states my belief in Jesus as do all of my studies and articles. 3. I always give credit to God for my blessings even when talking to those who are not Christian. 4. When I am asked about what is good luck, I always say that I don't believe in luck, I beleive in God's miracles. 5. When I am asked why I won't take the "God parts" out of my studies because I could make more money if I made a secular version and what does communication have to do with God anyway, I always say that God invented communication and His Word is filled with hundreds of communication lessons and because a study of communication apart from the Lord is incomplete.  6.  I love to wear Christian Tshirts and have a conversation start up because someone asks me what they mean.  I know that an outward show of Jesus doesn't make one a Christian, but being a Closet Christian doesn't minister to anyone either.  What do you do to identify yourself with Jesus?  Post your answers on your blog and come back here and put your link in so we can read it!  If you don't have a blog, just post your answers here.  From JoJo's Purple Crayon Learning Speech Communication Skills can ALSO be fun with Art of Eloquence!

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Comments

Jan. 19, 2009 - Evidence of Being a Christian

Posted by Anonymous

Hi JoJo, Well, I have taken up the challenge! I posted this same question on my blog at http://www.christianhomebusinessconnection.com/blog Great question! Laurie Neumann

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Jan. 20, 2009 - I am not ashamed of the Gospel!

Posted by servingtheKingofkings

Great post, JoJo! You and I are the same from 1-6 (except 5). I hope and pray that everything I say and do honors the Lord and draws people to Christ. One of my favorite quotes is "Live in such a way that those who know you but don't know God, will come to know God because they know you." (Anonymous) Speaking of crime, I wrote "Have We Committed a Crime?" in 2007. You can find it at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/servingtheKingofkings/353459/ . I also just reposted it on Facebook (I'm Fruit Bearer there).

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Jan. 20, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by servingtheKingofkings

To clarify...when I said, "except 5," I meant...nobody has asked me that/I haven't written books on communication :). I totally agree with what you said.

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