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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 7:08:26 PM
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SavedByGraceMD
Posts: 905
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From: the poconos
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quote:
ORIGINAL: GroupW
quote:
ORIGINAL: SavedByGraceMD
I spend most of my free time home with my family. So there is not much to say here.
MD's have free time?
when MD's are not doctors they do. I am not a doctor, M and D, first and last initials.
_____________________________
Isaiah 41:10
"Fear not for I am with you,
Do not be dismayed for I am your God,
I will strengthen you and help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand"
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 7:09:20 PM
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GroupW
Posts: 2911
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From: Up in the hills of Colorado (very BIG hills...)
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Had to ask. I've been wondering about that for a while now.
Edit to add: you write like you've got a fair bit of school behind you. Thought it was a reasonable guess at any rate.
_____________________________
“For every problem, there is a solution that is simple, elegant and wrong.” -H.L. Mencken
"Most people would rather die than think; in fact, they do so." -Bertrand Russell
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 7:12:13 PM
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Newine59
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I'm around Christians on Sunday and around my immediate family but while there are a few Christians at work, there are also many who are not Christians and a few who say they are but you wonder if they know what being a Christian really means. Then I try to walk around while at work (the block, to the store, at Walmart, etc..) and bring up God's name or Jesus. that I am blessed, some way to let people know that God is alive and well in today's world. If I see someone hurting, I might ask if I can pray with them. I get such a blessing from that, more than they do, I believe. 
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 7:12:38 PM
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SavedByGraceMD
Posts: 905
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From: the poconos
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quote:
ORIGINAL: GroupW
Had to ask. I've been wondering about that for a while now.
Yeah I get a lot of people who ask the same thing. I didn't really think about it until the first time someone thought I was a doctor. Nope, I was going to be when I was younger, I have the initials for it  M.D. MD,  my middle initial is E, M E D, med, I was born to be one I think, but low and behold, I am not.
_____________________________
Isaiah 41:10
"Fear not for I am with you,
Do not be dismayed for I am your God,
I will strengthen you and help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand"
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 7:28:14 PM
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icerapture
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Joined: 9/22/2008
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I SPEND 100% of my time with none Christians, therefore by putting two and two together (or rather one and nothing) you can guess that I am not Christian. I spend my days with my friends who consist of Atheists, Protestants, Catholics, Muslim and many other different religions. My message here today is to have as many friends with different beliefs as possible, unlike what you may fear, the conversations are not always based on religion when in discussions with people of a different faith. But rather, if you have friends in different religions, and should the conversation be based on religion (rarely it is), it will be a discussion rather than an argument.
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 7:34:26 PM
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GroupW
Posts: 2911
Joined: 11/16/2007
From: Up in the hills of Colorado (very BIG hills...)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: icerapture
I SPEND 100% of my time with none Christians, therefore by putting two and two together (or rather one and nothing) you can guess that I am not Christian. I spend my days with my friends who consist of Atheists, Protestants, Catholics, Muslim and many other different religions. My message here today is to have as many friends with different beliefs as possible, unlike what you may fear, the conversations are not always based on religion when in discussions with people of a different faith. But rather, if you have friends in different religions, and should the conversation be based on religion (rarely it is), it will be a discussion rather than an argument.
Welcome Ice. I agree - some of the most calm and fun discussions I've had have been when there's been a big variety of views. The greater the variety, the more careful we have to be about how we present our views. The more careful and considerate we are, the better the discussion.
BT
_____________________________
“For every problem, there is a solution that is simple, elegant and wrong.” -H.L. Mencken
"Most people would rather die than think; in fact, they do so." -Bertrand Russell
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 9:49:29 PM
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Robert_G
Posts: 187
Joined: 1/8/2006
From: British Columbia, Canada
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I have nothing against being friends with 'certain' non Christians.
For example...
A person who does nothing but mock Jesus and go out of their way to put down Christianity....I won't have ANYTHING to do with a person like that. I believe THESE are the ones that scripture says to ignore.
ie..."Shake off the dust when you leave"
I find that most Unbelievers that I fish with or work with, are quite curious and always asking me spiritual things, or you could say they seem to be in a constant 'searching' mode. They have genuine questions and are NOT in a Jesus-mocking or Christianity-bashing state of mind.
THESE people should NEVER be ignored by Christians.
However...that all being said, most of my friends are Christians. I find it hard to find things in common with unbelievers, unless again...they are searching for God, and then I'm right there to do God's work whatever it may be.
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 9:59:25 PM
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CoeurdeLeon_
Posts: 9474
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quote:
ORIGINAL: GroupW
Lioness - You're a book fan. There's a book I keep pitching here by Rodney Stark on the rise of christianity. His basic argument is that the early church grew at about the same pace as some other faiths (mormons particularly).
That part of the book doesn't thrill me much, but then he goes into the reasons for the early church's growth and why other vibrant movements follow the high growth patterns that we observe.
His answer? Involvement in other people's lives and living out the tenets of our faith in ways that directly impact individuals. A big example for him was the way Christians stood in front of the bus in Rome during periods of disease. They put themselves at risk ministering to the sick and dying when most everyone else was heading for the hills. He thinks this was responsible for much of the vibrancy we observe in the early days of the faith.
A good thought to ponder.
I'll have to check out that book, BT. For me, being what I believe is important. I might not ever talk about Christ with an employee but they know from their first day of work what my ethics are. And they know I care about them personally. It takes a whole lot of actions speaking louder than words to overcome many of the barriers and misconceptions people have regarding Christianity.
_____________________________
This morning I was awakened by the sound of purple
colliding with the fragrance of laughter.
Eutychus
10.13.08
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 10:07:16 PM
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KuKu
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I work with mostly non-believers- as an in transition missionary it's interesting to say the least. But, sadly, the non believers are more genuine and honest (in the say and act as they REALLY are sense) than the believers in either place I've been.
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 10:11:38 PM
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CoeurdeLeon_
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quote:
I find it hard to find things in common with unbelievers, unless again...they are searching for God, and then I'm right there to do God's work whatever it may be.
Huh. I'm way different. I can find things in common with lots of people regardless of their beliefs. Dogs, books, kids, history, birds, forums, needlework, papercrafts...the list goes on.
_____________________________
This morning I was awakened by the sound of purple
colliding with the fragrance of laughter.
Eutychus
10.13.08
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 10:26:04 PM
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Robert_G
Posts: 187
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From: British Columbia, Canada
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quote:
ORIGINAL: CoeurdeLeon
quote:
I find it hard to find things in common with unbelievers, unless again...they are searching for God, and then I'm right there to do God's work whatever it may be.
Huh. I'm way different. I can find things in common with lots of people regardless of their beliefs. Dogs, books, kids, history, birds, forums, needlework, papercrafts...the list goes on.
Um....that's not what I meant.
At work, conversation among unbelievers is usually comprised of how much beer will get drunk after work, or "which club are you going to party at this weekend?"
On Mondays, I sometimes hear, "Who did you bang this weekend?" in conversation.
I'm hoping you don't have those things in common with unbelievers, cause I sure don't.
_____________________________
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 10:29:29 PM
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Robert_G
Posts: 187
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quote:
ORIGINAL: KuKu
But, sadly, the non believers are more genuine and honest (in the say and act as they REALLY are sense) than the believers in either place I've been.
I'm getting tired of hearing people say this.
Have you ever stopped to think that maybe they might just NOT be believers...maybe?.....possibly?
As per the entire New Testament......The light of Christ will SHINE through true believers.
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 10:47:37 PM
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CoeurdeLeon_
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Robert_G
quote:
ORIGINAL: CoeurdeLeon
quote:
I find it hard to find things in common with unbelievers, unless again...they are searching for God, and then I'm right there to do God's work whatever it may be.
Huh. I'm way different. I can find things in common with lots of people regardless of their beliefs. Dogs, books, kids, history, birds, forums, needlework, papercrafts...the list goes on.
Um....that's not what I meant.
At work, conversation among unbelievers is usually comprised of how much beer will get drunk after work, or "which club are you going to party at this weekend?"
On Mondays, I sometimes hear, "Who did you bang this weekend?" in conversation.
I'm hoping you don't have those things in common with unbelievers, cause I sure don't.
Thanks for your concern.
Like Kuku, my employees and colleagues don't have those conversations around me. I could speculate on the reason, but I think I'll let it be.
_____________________________
This morning I was awakened by the sound of purple
colliding with the fragrance of laughter.
Eutychus
10.13.08
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 10:53:20 PM
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thedivabrat
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Other than at work most of my time is spent with Christians. My intimate friends are Christians. They are the ones that even though we are really different our foundation is the same and we build our friendships on that. I do have friends who are not believers and I love them--- but---there is a distance or feeling of restraint. Those friendships only go so far then there is a place that cannot be reached together.
_____________________________
This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it. Ps 118:24
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 10:56:44 PM
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Roberta_
Posts: 6963
Joined: 9/28/2007
From: East Bay Area
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quote:
ORIGINAL: icerapture
I SPEND 100% of my time with none Christians, therefore by putting two and two together (or rather one and nothing) you can guess that I am not Christian. I spend my days with my friends who consist of Atheists, Protestants, Catholics, Muslim and many other different religions. My message here today is to have as many friends with different beliefs as possible, unlike what you may fear, the conversations are not always based on religion when in discussions with people of a different faith. But rather, if you have friends in different religions, and should the conversation be based on religion (rarely it is), it will be a discussion rather than an argument.
Hi and welcome to the boards!
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 11:56:57 PM
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Robert_G
Posts: 187
Joined: 1/8/2006
From: British Columbia, Canada
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quote:
ORIGINAL: CoeurdeLeon
Like Kuku, my employees and colleagues don't have those conversations around me. I could speculate on the reason, but I think I'll let it be.
Well, they don't exactly have these conversations right near me. Its just that where I work, sound travels really well, and I could be sitting across the room, and hear them loud and clear. If I was 'in' the conversation, then they would be more polite.
I think you're missing my point though.
What I'm trying to get at is that these people are more interested in things like drinking, partying and looking for one night stands.
THAT is what I don't have in common with them. Their complete disregard for the morals God set before us...not to mention many of them bash Christianity, and mock Jesus.
I look at it like this. If they are interested in Jesus, I will happily do everything I can to lead them to him, but if they are in the "shake the dust off your feet" category.....why hang around them at all?
I'm not going to see them in heaven, so why be friends with them now?
Besides...we are supposed to be keeping our eyes open for other people who 'may' be more responsive to the gospel....not the same stale people who reject Christ every day of their lives.
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/26/2008 9:41:41 AM
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stellaluna
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I tend to agree with you, Lion.
The only thing that remotely was okay about me pouncing on that poor girl is that we were talking about the validity of the bible and not...whether there's a God or something more profound. IOW, the conversation was centered totally on historic texts and archaeological evidence. Still, what happened was that in defending my belief, I uncovered her complete lack of knowledge regarding what she was talking about. She believed what someone else told her and couldn't defend it.
And actually, that's a good point to make here. If you don't know what you believe and can't defend it, then you pretty much don't have any business going head-to-head with an intelligent unbeliever.
_____________________________
Who should be allowed to attend church?
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/26/2008 9:58:38 AM
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CoeurdeLeon_
Posts: 9474
Joined: 9/4/2005
From: Inside my head
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quote:
And actually, that's a good point to make here. If you don't know what you believe and can't defend it, then you pretty much don't have any business going head-to-head with an intelligent unbeliever.
I couldn't agree with you more.
quote:
ORIGINAL: stellaluna
The only thing that remotely was okay about me pouncing on that poor girl is that we were talking about the validity of the bible and not...whether there's a God or something more profound. IOW, the conversation was centered totally on historic texts and archaeological evidence. Still, what happened was that in defending my belief, I uncovered her complete lack of knowledge regarding what she was talking about. She believed what someone else told her and couldn't defend it.
Then I think this is probably a very good thing. Sounds like that was a discussion on an intellectual level and that was what was required at the time.
_____________________________
This morning I was awakened by the sound of purple
colliding with the fragrance of laughter.
Eutychus
10.13.08
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/26/2008 10:09:56 AM
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Focusing
Posts: 6043
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quote:
I'm not going to see them in heaven, so why be friends with them now?
How could one ever know this as a certain? I view my role for God as one to be used, and pray that He uses me to help point the way to those who are wandering off the path.
I am thankful for the steadfastness of others and that they didn't just dismiss me as a lost sheep. I don't even want to consider where I would be if it were not for the believers who were around me who continually shone a light that eventually attracted me to Him.
re the OP: I spend a lot of time around non-Christians. They are everywhere. There is no way I can avoid them short of locking myself in my house.
_____________________________
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/26/2008 11:24:47 AM
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gr8tful1
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I spend a lot of time with non-believers at work and quite a bit outside of work since my husband is a non-believer and we have a lot of friends who are non-believers naturally. They all know where I'm coming from and how important my faith is to me.
I try to remember that I am in this world but not of it. I try to be ever ready (in season and out) to give an account of what I believe, yet with gentleness and respect. I try to be that light on a hill, the salt that hasn't lost it's saltiness. Basically I try to live my faith out regardless of whether I am in the presence of believers or non-believers or God alone and let things fall as they may.
I am ever aware of my own weakness. Daily I confront temptations just as an unbeliever does...the only difference is that I have the Holy Spirit to help me resist, God's words to guide and strengthen me and God's love to encourage me to do what is right. If a person causes me to regress (because of my own weaknesses) I will limit my interaction with them. I think that that is only wise.
I have Christian friends and I love my church family and I love spending time with fellow Christians.
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Anyway, I don't think I did the right thing.
