easy

During my drive yesterday I was talking with God about a friend at work. She says she is a Christian but she doesn't want to hear about Christ, she doesn't want to read about Christ, she doesn't want to go to church (unless there are lots of single men there) . . . but she does listen to Charlotte and I when we are talking and she does add her opinion.

Well, at lunch yesterday she was talking about how she hates it when people quote scripture and how 'they think they've changed and maybe they have' . . . I know you've heard the same words she has said by lots of your friends. I told her right then and there that God does change people. She started talking about how she is working on herself and she is trying to be better. I said it again - God changes people. We can't change ourselves AND God's grace is freely given. You don't earn Him by being a better person.

When I got back to the office I wrote her an email and then on my drive home I was worried about the email. What if I told her something that was wrong. I don't want to lead anyone astray. So I was talking with God about that. I asked Him to let me know if I was saying the wrong thing. Well, twice already He may have given me some hints.

Just now, at work I'm reading a blog post from American Catholic Blog by John Feister, titled: Things You say.

Posted by John Feister on Aug 21, 2013

A few weeks ago, some old friends rolled through town on their way to the Appalachian missions. You can see them in the featured image, left to right: Sister Pat Himmer, Sister Ann Redig, and Sister Marcan Freking—all Rochester Franciscans—accompanied by Glenmary Brother Dennis Craig.
My wife, Cathy, and I had worked with three of them in various ways—and knew of Sister Pat via friends—during our mission years. We remain close to Dennis, who lives not far from us. The sisters are another matter. There are many miles between here to Minnesota.
Many moons ago, Brother Dennis and these sisters, in various locations, taught my wife and I about what it means to work with poor, and how to do it both effectively and with a spirit of joy. We had been friends of Glenmary before that; these sisters were the first Franciscans I met.  I never imagined that I would spend so much time among Franciscans in the following years!
It is said that you never know just how something you do or say might influence someone, even years later. That’s certainly the case with these four. The little things they said, the important works they did, smile after smile—all of these changed me and they changed Cathy in the best of ways.
It makes me pause for a moment. How have I encouraged the people who crossed my path today?

http://blog.americancatholic.org/2013/08/a-ministry-of-service/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

I've tried to attach the picture that I saw and it isn't cooperating but I can type what it says:

People say, "God will love us if we change."

The Gospel says, "God's love changes us."

 

Here is the email I sent her:
I wasn't meaning to come across bossy (heck, I am naturally) but being a Christian isn't hard. Being a Christian means we have accepted Jesus as the Lord of our lives.

Think about it this way.

If Jesus is the Lord of your life you have realized that He is the love of your life. After all, He is the one who saved you. He will be the one to transform you. He has given you eternal life (that begins the minute you ask Him into your life.)

If you find yourself being irritated by people talking about Him . . . should that be happening? If He is the love of your life - why would that irritate you? If you were in love with a man, would it irritate you if someone wanted to talk with you about him? Or if they wanted to talk about your daughter?

In the Bible it tells us how we can know if we are truly saved - we will be sealed by the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 1:13 - And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,) The seal shows certain traits - things you can't bring about on your own.

Galations 5 talks more about how you know - what traits show up if you are really of the flesh/world, or if you are from Spirit. It outlines which traits define which world you are of/in.

(22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.) 

You don't have to be the one controlling your passions - the Holy Spirit does it for you. :)

Being a Christian isn't hard.