I am terrified to share my faith. I'll be the first to admit that telling a stranger about Jesus scares the dittles out of me. I can always come up with a an excuse like, "I'm too busy... I'll be late to work." (I work at a church, by the way) =or= "I don't want to offend this person." =or even better= "What if I tell this person about Jesus and I make it seem lame? I'd rather someone cooler come along to share the Gospel with this person." (that's an actual fear of mine... lame? YES!)
Well I was exploring the blogosphere today and found this video on another blogger's site (you must visit this blog, by the way).
The guy in the video is Penn Jillette (of the magic duo Penn and Teller). Penn is an outspoken athiest. You might call him a super atheist. Mr. Jillette himself has said, "I believe there is no God. I'm beyond atheism."
If you're like me, and you can come up with a thousand reasons to not tell others about Jesus... then heed the words of the Super Atheist.
How do you get over the fear?
Showing posts with label blogosphere. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blogosphere. Show all posts
Monday, December 22, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
The Prodigal Jon
This week I thought I'd highlight another of my favorite bloggers. His name is Jon Acuff and he writes a couple of blogs. The one I frequent most often is called Stuff Christians Like. That blog is dedicated to the wonderful world of the 'christian' subculture. For example, here's one of my favorites: #277. Crazy rapture products.
Most of the time they are just plain funny. But from time to time (and I'm sure this is Jon's point), I get convicted, or angry, or frustrated because he's right... we do some dumb things. I should probably point out that Jon is a very committed Christ follower. He's not just some angry guy out to get us 'real' Christians. He seems to truly love Jesus. He also doesn't seem like one of those super cynical Christians that says "I love Jesus, but I hate Christians." You know the type, they think most Christians are entirely too judgmental and will be the first to throw that stone.
Every once and a while, Jon inspires me. Today was such a day. At another blog of his (the guy writes like 20 blogs!!), he wrote this. Thanks for the swift kick, Jon.
I will not fall asleep
Most of the time they are just plain funny. But from time to time (and I'm sure this is Jon's point), I get convicted, or angry, or frustrated because he's right... we do some dumb things. I should probably point out that Jon is a very committed Christ follower. He's not just some angry guy out to get us 'real' Christians. He seems to truly love Jesus. He also doesn't seem like one of those super cynical Christians that says "I love Jesus, but I hate Christians." You know the type, they think most Christians are entirely too judgmental and will be the first to throw that stone.
Every once and a while, Jon inspires me. Today was such a day. At another blog of his (the guy writes like 20 blogs!!), he wrote this. Thanks for the swift kick, Jon.
I will not fall asleep
Thursday, November 27, 2008
6YearMed: Dayenu
I love stories. I love telling them... I love hearing them. That's why the 'blogosphere' has such a draw to me. All over the world, stories are unfolding. And all over the world, people are desperate to share their stories with whomever will listen.
One particular blog that I follow is written by a woman named Danielle. She is currently a "6th year med student." She is currently working in a Neonatal ICU. She is a deep and passionate and gifted writer. As a doctor, she is close to many beautiful, or heartwarming, or funny, or sometimes tragic stories.
Dayenu
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is by far the most emotionally charged placed I have ever stepped foot in. The highs are high and the lows are devastatingly low. It is the first time since becoming a physician that I actually feel like someone's doctor. My parents will see me in the hall and wave, and every family member who visits their respective isolette asks to shake my hand. "So YOU'RE Sophie's doctor! Nice to meet you."
I recently discharged a baby boy home to his parents who had been waiting years for a baby. They struggled with infertility and multiple pregnancy losses until one day, they found themselves pregnant with twins. Two boys, who they gave strong, Biblical names. And then one day, and many weeks too soon, they met them. And while all I could think of was how unfair and sorry I was that they would only take one baby home from the hospital, their mom, a strong and compassionate woman with happy eyes, came back on Monday with a basket full of cookies. She brought them to the front desk, and asked to see, me, her boy's doctor.
She was thankful for all the care they received, and for her one baby who was home asleep on his daddy's chest. And for the moments she was allowed with her other son, right here, in this very hospital, before he had left us.
If I would have become a mommy, even for a moment, it would have been enough, and we are thankful.
But now I have one son, and he has blue eyes and perfect, kissable cheeks.
Dayenu.
If I had been born in the most prosperous country in the world, it would have been enough.
If I had been given shelter and food and education, it would have been enough.
If I had been raised by loving and gentle parents, it would have been enough.
If he had recovered from cancer, it would have been enough.
If I had been granted a job and friends and stability, it would have been enough.
But it's always more.
It would have been enough, and I am thankful.
One particular blog that I follow is written by a woman named Danielle. She is currently a "6th year med student." She is currently working in a Neonatal ICU. She is a deep and passionate and gifted writer. As a doctor, she is close to many beautiful, or heartwarming, or funny, or sometimes tragic stories.
Dayenu
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is by far the most emotionally charged placed I have ever stepped foot in. The highs are high and the lows are devastatingly low. It is the first time since becoming a physician that I actually feel like someone's doctor. My parents will see me in the hall and wave, and every family member who visits their respective isolette asks to shake my hand. "So YOU'RE Sophie's doctor! Nice to meet you."
I recently discharged a baby boy home to his parents who had been waiting years for a baby. They struggled with infertility and multiple pregnancy losses until one day, they found themselves pregnant with twins. Two boys, who they gave strong, Biblical names. And then one day, and many weeks too soon, they met them. And while all I could think of was how unfair and sorry I was that they would only take one baby home from the hospital, their mom, a strong and compassionate woman with happy eyes, came back on Monday with a basket full of cookies. She brought them to the front desk, and asked to see, me, her boy's doctor.
She was thankful for all the care they received, and for her one baby who was home asleep on his daddy's chest. And for the moments she was allowed with her other son, right here, in this very hospital, before he had left us.
If I would have become a mommy, even for a moment, it would have been enough, and we are thankful.
But now I have one son, and he has blue eyes and perfect, kissable cheeks.
Dayenu.
If I had been born in the most prosperous country in the world, it would have been enough.
If I had been given shelter and food and education, it would have been enough.
If I had been raised by loving and gentle parents, it would have been enough.
If he had recovered from cancer, it would have been enough.
If I had been granted a job and friends and stability, it would have been enough.
But it's always more.
It would have been enough, and I am thankful.
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