Letter from an Atheist

2006-08-27T20:59:00.000-05:00

While surfing through The Great News Network forum recently, I came across a post from a fellow seed sower. Its a letter written by a young man who is an atheist.

"Friday, July 01, 2005 I'm not sure how controversial this post will be, or is. But It has the potential to be. Thats for sure. The taboo issues are religion, politics, and sex. And religion is probably the most controversial of all of them. And I am about to touch that issue. So...dont read it if you think you might be offended. And if I get hate mail from this post....its your own fault for reading it, not mine for posting it. Question: I have heard may Christains who say something like: "I am a Christain, but it's my choice, and I don't believe anyone should try to push Christainity on anyone else. I don't think thats a nice thing to do. We should let people believe what they want to believe." This view is very tolerant. It is very multicultural. But I have a question. Most people who know me well, know that I am not a Christian. Most people are fine with that, especially in the college community, because people are tolerant like that. But: Most people who are Christains also hold the view that if you do not believe Christ died on the cross for your sins, and that if you do not accept him as your personal saviour - you will go to hell. So - while trying to be nice, by not pushing your views on people...you are allowing them to go to hell for all eternity. Wouldn't it be better to violate some friendship, to push the envelope and maybe be a bit intolerant if you knew that trying to get them to convert would save their eternal lives? Are you really doing me a service by being "nice" and not trying to convert me? It seems the nicer thing to do, if you truly believe that I am darned to hell for eternity if I don't change soon, is to be a bit pushy - and try to challenge me to change my views. I say this not because i think you will be successful in such an endeavor, but because I think you might be compromising your own belief system. If you really do think you are right, I think you should take own thoughts seriously, and think about the true implications. For example, if I were a Christian: I would see many people each day who I knew were not Christains, and thus were not going to Heaven. I would have to ask myself which is the nicer thing to do. Should I be nice in the short term and let them continue to be wrong and avoid confrontation. Or should I confront them and hope to God that I can put them on the right track. Just food for thought. You are probably thinking right now, why the hell is an Atheist trying to convince me to try and convert him. The answer: because I like to see people take their beliefs seriously instead of half-heartedly. I think that if people truly believe in something, they should follow it's rules. If they don't, it seems hypocytical. The Bible says: "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation" - Mark 16:15 If you feel like you are being judgemental when you try to convince someone that their religion is wrong, or that they need to be a Christain then I ask you: Arent you supposed to be judgemental? After all the Bible says: "For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?" - 1 Peter 4:17 If the reason you do not try to share your religion with others is that you think people will brush you off, and call you a "bible-thumper" then I have another question for you: Shouldn't you be proud to be a bible thumper? The Bible says: I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.- Romans 1:16 "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."- Mark 8:34-38 But I don't think most Christians preach. Are you intentionally disobeying the word of God? Ask yourself: Are you really taking your religion seriously? If you are not, shouldn't you? "

Such an amazing letter to come from someone who professes not to believe in God. I have a challenge for any Christian who reads this, but is not sharing the gospel. This week, pray and ask God to bring one person across your path. Then, don't just 'be nice' to them, share the full gospel. Take that person through the law, judgement, hell and if they are humble (James 4:6) give them the good news. I can tell you from personal experience, when you share with one person, you won't be able to stop there. God will give you many, many divine appointments where you will be able to share with all different kinds of people. If you have never shared before and do not know what to say, go to Way of the Master and click on 'Learn to share your faith'. By the way, this young mans' name is Mike. Please pray that God will continue to work on his heart that that he will repent and be saved!

What was I saying?

2006-07-23T14:57:00.000-05:00

Ever have those days where you have SO MUCH to say that you don't know where to start so you end up having nothing to say?

Yeah. That happened today.

The joys of being a 'planner'

2006-07-21T15:54:00.000-05:00

I am a planner. What does that mean? It means that anytime there's an expected event on the horizon, I start planning for it. It began long ago when I was old enough to tell when my birthday was. I'd plan my party a month in advance. Then six months. And then soon right after New Years, I was planning my birthday. [side note: my birthday is in September] Now, anytime anything comes up, I'm there with my little calendar and my trusty web-browser. Planning.

A busy weekend on the streets

2006-07-17T11:45:00.000-05:00

Franklin Street on Friday was so much fun. I had been preparing for OA, and had been practicing in my car. It seems I usually get too nervous and tongue tied or think that I won't be loud enough when the time comes. Kerrigan went first, and then asked if I wanted a turn. I said yes, then got scared and almost chickened out. I began to pray asking God for the words He wanted me to say, and that there would be ears to hear them. Kerrigan introduced me to the crowd and I opened my mouth and God gave me the words, a loud voice and people to hear them. Praise Him for His faithfulness.
I thank God for bringing Harlan and Blair out to sow with us!Sunday, I went out sowing with the youth group. I've been involved as a leader for the junior high girls in and that has allowed me to grow closer that age group. The youth has been planning on going on a missions trip to England and yesterday I helped them prepare for that. We began by showing them episode three of WOTM (The motive of the sinner). The kids were so receptive! Then we took them to downtown Raleigh to immediately put those new principles into action. My Dad joined us, and I am so thankful to God for him being there. I have to admit that I am a bit frustrated that 25 young people are being sent to a different country with so little training but I know God has begun to work on their hearts and minds so they never use the modern gospel when witnessing.Praise the Lord for new, young, eager seed sowers with hearts for the lost!

Jude OneTwoThree

Letter from an Atheist

What was I saying?

The joys of being a 'planner'

A busy weekend on the streets