Too Christian??

I'm reading the book Too Christian Too Pagan for my Youth Culture class... yeah, it's late, but oh well at least I am getting it done and it will not be a 0 in the book.... ANYWAYS! The author is Dick Staub and so far I've been challenged. We are to live, play, and work in the world. Hang out in places you normally wouldn't. I love going to the grocery store here in ghetto because most seminary students don't shop there. What about going to sports bars? Go and become a regular (they have good food so you don't have to drink) but the regulars know each other and help each other out! What about a breakfast place that you know a lot of people hang out. Go to the park and ask to play on a team if they are short a person. Join a group of stay at home moms that don't meet at a church. TEENAGERS - join a club or try out for a sport, band, or play that you know doesn't have a lot of Christians. Ask people to hang out on the weekends that you know aren't the best people! BUT we aren't suppose to get too close to the world where we are influenced in a bad way. We are to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all the people around us and with whom we have contact. If we don't have any friends who aren't Christians are we really doing our jobs as Christians?

(pic from http://peaceineternity.blogspot.com/)

Now, think about the Christians in your life.... Do they hang out with people who don't go to church often? In the South we have a hard time getting out of our little group of church friends. We have our work friends and our "real friends." This is something that really grates at me.

So, is there really a way to be too Christian? YES! When we don't leave our "church" worlds to get out there and talk/ reach those who don't know Christ! I used to eat dinner every Tuesday night with girls who weren't leading their lives for Christ, but they let me come in and hang out! It was awesome! I have heard of people who use the same bank teller all the time so they can share Jesus with them. When my family went to Las Vegas I shared Jesus with a lady in the bathroom... Yeah, it's a strange place, but she was crying so we talked and I asked her if she would mind if I prayed for her, then I got to share Jesus! My best friend Kim is known as Jesus at her work because she is the only Christian! Her job is her mission field! So, get out in your community and be active, sharing Jesus as you go!

pic from http://donnamerrilltribe.com

Do you feel trapped yet? This is a double edged sword. We don't want to get so wrapped up in the world that we become no different from the world! We need to set ourselves apart, but not to the point that we have no friends in church or in the world. We should go and hang out with different people! I work in a Gymnastics, Cheer, and Acro Gym. Everyone comes from different backgrounds... not everyone are Christians, but we love our jobs! God has given me a job that I love and can share Jesus as I am coaching... I don't go overboard, but I might say, "God wants us to do everything to the best of our ability so get your bootie in the air and stick it!" haha true story! But the way I act as I am coaching or hanging out in the office reflects on Christ because everyone knows I go to seminary.