Comments on: Can Christians be Friends with Witches? http://doableevangelism.com/2007/03/04/can-christians-be-friends-with-witches/ What if evangelism meant just being yourself? Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:44:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ronnie http://doableevangelism.com/2007/03/04/can-christians-be-friends-with-witches/comment-page-3/#comment-19407 Ronnie Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:49:54 +0000 http://doableevangelism.com/2007/03/04/can-christians-be-friends-with-witches/#comment-19407 Beth, many people know scripture, including atheists...and religious zealots, and theologian professors, etc etc. However, I find MYSELF wanting in many areas because there is so much more for us to know as Abraham knew firsthand. Abram, of course, experienced many things in his lifetime and the beauty was his walk with God and trusting Him. I am not offended. Christ says we are not to be offended, and if so, then we need to let that get fixed right away. :) Beth, what I do know is that we must look to the scriptures and surely you agree with this? Today, we have homosexuality being encouraged in different churches, we have new age philosophies of self well encouraged, we have many who now talk as though every religion are under the same creator/God and that they can all worship Him whatever way they please. Truth be told, we are so caught up doing our own thing that we take what we want from the bible and ignore the things that are not a convenient truth! I am not going to say you should not have a relationship with whomever, but what I will say is that Jesus Christ must be first, and if that is the case, then everything else will follow. What I do find though is that people often use the excuse that they have relationships with certain people and they do so because the relationship has more meaning to them then Jesus Christ, they are pulled by the world and desires of it. WE all experience many desires and what we give ourselves to can lead us to many different roads. Your relationship with the Lord may be wonderful and your relationship with whomever may also be wonderful,but the reason I have posted on this board to begin with is this idea that we befriend people to get them saved and then ease them into it...and to me there is some legitimacy to it, and then there is the other side of mere cowardice found in modern day Christianity, with fears of rejection from those around us. I am all for this talk that many speak of loving those around us, we all can do well to love as Christ loved us. I find that the world (anyone) will talk of love, but what we need is the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the Spirit of God to break us where we are not full of ourselves but full of God! So, my desire is just that, and it could be that the things you may disagree with me is where I am full of myself! In any case, we should be able to agree that we need to yield ourselves wholly, fully to the One who was murdered and put on a cross, so that we may also see that this is love, and what else, for us to walk a walk as this. Beth, many people know scripture, including atheists…and religious zealots, and theologian professors, etc etc. However, I find MYSELF wanting in many areas because there is so much more for us to know as Abraham knew firsthand. Abram, of course, experienced many things in his lifetime and the beauty was his walk with God and trusting Him.

I am not offended. Christ says we are not to be offended, and if so, then we need to let that get fixed right away. :)

Beth, what I do know is that we must look to the scriptures and surely you agree with this?
Today, we have homosexuality being encouraged in different churches, we have new age philosophies of self well encouraged, we have many who now talk as though every religion are under the same creator/God and that they can all worship Him whatever way they please.

Truth be told, we are so caught up doing our own thing that we take what we want from the bible and ignore the things that are not a convenient truth!

I am not going to say you should not have a relationship with whomever, but what I will say is that Jesus Christ must be first, and if that is the case, then everything else will follow.

What I do find though is that people often use the excuse that they have relationships with certain people and they do so because the relationship has more meaning to them then Jesus Christ, they are pulled by the world and desires of it. WE all experience many desires and what we give ourselves to can lead us to many different roads.

Your relationship with the Lord may be wonderful and your relationship with whomever may also be wonderful,but the reason I have posted on this board to begin with is this idea that we befriend people to get them saved and then ease them into it…and to me there is some legitimacy to it, and then there is the other side of mere cowardice found in modern day Christianity, with fears of rejection from those around us.

I am all for this talk that many speak of loving those around us, we all can do well to love as Christ loved us. I find that the world (anyone) will talk of love, but what we need is the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the Spirit of God to break us where we are not full of ourselves but full of God!

So, my desire is just that, and it could be that the things you may disagree with me is where I am full of myself! In any case, we should be able to agree that we need to yield ourselves wholly, fully to the One who was murdered and put on a cross, so that we may also see that this is love, and what else, for us to walk a walk as this.

]]> By: beth http://doableevangelism.com/2007/03/04/can-christians-be-friends-with-witches/comment-page-3/#comment-19406 beth Sun, 09 Oct 2011 17:45:31 +0000 http://doableevangelism.com/2007/03/04/can-christians-be-friends-with-witches/#comment-19406 Thankyou Randy, I was touched by what you said:) And Ronnie im sorryy if our relationship offends u at all, but please dont think I dont know about what the bible says, i know it well and i know it says love your neighbour as yourself which is what i will do. Thankyou everyone for your comments i appreciate everyones different views and opinions : God Bless you, Beth x Thankyou Randy, I was touched by what you said:)
And Ronnie im sorryy if our relationship offends u at all, but please dont think I dont know about what the bible says, i know it well and i know it says love your neighbour as yourself which is what i will do.
Thankyou everyone for your comments i appreciate everyones different views and opinions :
God Bless you,
Beth x

]]> By: Frankè http://doableevangelism.com/2007/03/04/can-christians-be-friends-with-witches/comment-page-3/#comment-19402 Frankè Fri, 07 Oct 2011 19:03:43 +0000 http://doableevangelism.com/2007/03/04/can-christians-be-friends-with-witches/#comment-19402 the reponce me and beth have had is quite overwellming! thankyou for all your opinions, its been very much a time to think and learn when talking about others beliefs. Ronnie, it seems you have great faith in your god/saviour and this does warm my heart, its how beth talks about him, loving and kind, i bet since you found the lord in your life you have been having a easier more sincere life! your passion for your religion shows and this should be applauded, dont let anyone- christian, muslim, jewish or wiccan tell you otherwise! april- you have the same religion but a different perseption and this to is extremely applaudable! you seem to take the lord in your stride and accept those around you which is an extremely beautiful characteristic! your religion seems to lift you and this interests me a lot! And randy, its nice to no that you have took interest in me and beths story its been a privalege to tell it and i bet beth agrees that we didnt expect this type of responce! im always open to talk so you can ask me anything you want right on here but just dont expect a reply right away i have school and i think most of you are from america??? if not im english so im not sure what the time difference is! Ronnie and april keep letting your lord inspire you! i hope you carry on with your religion and others benifit from it!! blessed be :) francesss xxxxxxxxxx the reponce me and beth have had is quite overwellming! thankyou for all your opinions, its been very much a time to think and learn when talking about others beliefs.
Ronnie, it seems you have great faith in your god/saviour and this does warm my heart, its how beth talks about him, loving and kind, i bet since you found the lord in your life you have been having a easier more sincere life! your passion for your religion shows and this should be applauded, dont let anyone- christian, muslim, jewish or wiccan tell you otherwise!

april- you have the same religion but a different perseption and this to is extremely applaudable! you seem to take the lord in your stride and accept those around you which is an extremely beautiful characteristic! your religion seems to lift you and this interests me a lot!

And randy, its nice to no that you have took interest in me and beths story its been a privalege to tell it and i bet beth agrees that we didnt expect this type of responce! im always open to talk so you can ask me anything you want right on here but just dont expect a reply right away i have school and i think most of you are from america??? if not im english so im not sure what the time difference is!

Ronnie and april keep letting your lord inspire you! i hope you carry on with your religion and others benifit from it!!

blessed be :)

francesss xxxxxxxxxx

]]> By: Ronnie http://doableevangelism.com/2007/03/04/can-christians-be-friends-with-witches/comment-page-3/#comment-19400 Ronnie Thu, 06 Oct 2011 20:14:39 +0000 http://doableevangelism.com/2007/03/04/can-christians-be-friends-with-witches/#comment-19400 I am somewhat familiar with Wicca. I do not fear it. As far as being a sinner, no, I am a saint! When I became born again, I became a new creation, so no, I am not a sinner. Do I sin, or can I sin? yes. As odd as that may seem or sound, I am no longer the sinner, that old nature. So, I do not fear sin but was born to overcome it. When I accepted Christ, the Spirit of Christ came in me. I have known pastors who have feared unbelief like it was the plague. We are only to fear God. Franke, when I speak of anyone being a sinner, I am referring to anyone who has not been born again, saved. I am not above you in the least, nor want to be. I know Jesus saved me by His mercy, something I could never earn. We all can sin, that is a no brainer. Christ came to save us from our sins, our rebellion, our broken walk without our Creator, without union. Many claim they are self-sufficient, content as is, have high moral standards, and do not give God a place. Man is always saying I know a better way, he repeats the fall of Adam over and over, as if he was his own savior. But the fact is, man sins, and God proved His love for you when He sent Jesus to die in your place for your sins. AS far as being perfect, He is perfect. Each day, I have to walk with the Spirit and the union itself, is grace, Jesus united with a sinner where a saint is born. I respect you Franke, it does not matter if you are a witch or common Jane, but what does matter is that you are loved, and loved fully in the way of Christ. I hope to get to know you better. Ron I am somewhat familiar with Wicca. I do not fear it.
As far as being a sinner, no, I am a saint! When I became born again, I became a new creation, so no, I am not a sinner. Do I sin, or can I sin? yes. As odd as that may seem or sound, I am no longer the sinner, that old nature. So, I do not fear sin but was born to overcome it. When I accepted Christ, the Spirit of Christ came in me.

I have known pastors who have feared unbelief like it was the plague. We are only to fear God.

Franke, when I speak of anyone being a sinner, I am referring to anyone who has not been born again, saved. I am not above you in the least, nor want to be. I know Jesus saved me by His mercy, something I could never earn. We all can sin, that is a no brainer. Christ came to save us from our sins, our rebellion, our broken walk without our Creator, without union. Many claim they are self-sufficient, content as is, have high moral standards, and do not give God a place.

Man is always saying I know a better way, he repeats the fall of Adam over and over, as if he was his own savior. But the fact is, man sins, and God proved His love for you when He sent Jesus to die in your place for your sins.

AS far as being perfect, He is perfect. Each day, I have to walk with the Spirit and the union itself, is grace, Jesus united with a sinner where a saint is born.

I respect you Franke, it does not matter if you are a witch or common Jane, but what does matter is that you are loved, and loved fully in the way of Christ.

I hope to get to know you better.

Ron

]]> By: Randy Siever http://doableevangelism.com/2007/03/04/can-christians-be-friends-with-witches/comment-page-3/#comment-19399 Randy Siever Thu, 06 Oct 2011 19:11:51 +0000 http://doableevangelism.com/2007/03/04/can-christians-be-friends-with-witches/#comment-19399 Beth and Franke: I haven't wanted to interrupt this conversation, but I wanted you to know I've been eavesdropping. Thanks for being willing to share your story here. You have made a lot of us DE stalkers think long and hard about what it means to love those who don't believe what we believe. I wish we could sit down in a coffee shop somewhere and just talk for hours. I'd love to hear more of your stories. Thanks again for being willing to share your beautiful friendship with us here. Beth and Franke: I haven’t wanted to interrupt this conversation, but I wanted you to know I’ve been eavesdropping. Thanks for being willing to share your story here. You have made a lot of us DE stalkers think long and hard about what it means to love those who don’t believe what we believe. I wish we could sit down in a coffee shop somewhere and just talk for hours. I’d love to hear more of your stories. Thanks again for being willing to share your beautiful friendship with us here.

]]> By: April Terry http://doableevangelism.com/2007/03/04/can-christians-be-friends-with-witches/comment-page-2/#comment-19398 April Terry Thu, 06 Oct 2011 17:49:48 +0000 http://doableevangelism.com/2007/03/04/can-christians-be-friends-with-witches/#comment-19398 Franke, As far as the Christian faith goes, everyone is a sinner, so you shouldn't take any offense to that. Ronnie and I are both sinners, so you're in good company. :-) Your friendship with Beth is beautiful and honest and it would be wrong to try to make it into something less than what it is. Your friend Beth seems like a special person and a great example of the loving person that Jesus was. Ronnie is just one of those people who have been raised to build walls around their faith. They worry that the devil is going to creep into their lives, but I believe in a Christ who is stronger than that. I believe in a Christ whose power of love changes people from the inside out and through that power he transforms their lives so that they no longer need to build walls. Your friend Beth knows this truth. She believes in a Christ that powerful and doesn't need to build walls. We all know that there is true evil in the world, and the word sin is not a synonym for evil. Sin is a symptom of the fallen part of mankind. Humanity is capable of great evil, but all of us have varying degrees of sin in our lives. We all know it's wrong to lie, etc., but we have all been guilty of it. So, that's why I say that you are in good company. The last message that Christ gave to his disciples was to love each other and go out into the world with love. He said that we would be known by our love. I hope that you know that God is loving you right now, and that while people like Ronnie worry about the sin and the evil in the world, love always wins. Franke,

As far as the Christian faith goes, everyone is a sinner, so you shouldn’t take any offense to that. Ronnie and I are both sinners, so you’re in good company. :-)

Your friendship with Beth is beautiful and honest and it would be wrong to try to make it into something less than what it is. Your friend Beth seems like a special person and a great example of the loving person that Jesus was.

Ronnie is just one of those people who have been raised to build walls around their faith. They worry that the devil is going to creep into their lives, but I believe in a Christ who is stronger than that. I believe in a Christ whose power of love changes people from the inside out and through that power he transforms their lives so that they no longer need to build walls. Your friend Beth knows this truth. She believes in a Christ that powerful and doesn’t need to build walls.

We all know that there is true evil in the world, and the word sin is not a synonym for evil. Sin is a symptom of the fallen part of mankind. Humanity is capable of great evil, but all of us have varying degrees of sin in our lives. We all know it’s wrong to lie, etc., but we have all been guilty of it. So, that’s why I say that you are in good company.

The last message that Christ gave to his disciples was to love each other and go out into the world with love. He said that we would be known by our love. I hope that you know that God is loving you right now, and that while people like Ronnie worry about the sin and the evil in the world, love always wins.

]]> By: Frankè http://doableevangelism.com/2007/03/04/can-christians-be-friends-with-witches/comment-page-2/#comment-19397 Frankè Thu, 06 Oct 2011 17:27:19 +0000 http://doableevangelism.com/2007/03/04/can-christians-be-friends-with-witches/#comment-19397 so im a sinner...... well ive been called worse and to be honest me and beths friendship has nothing to do with god? i just dont see that if he is so amazing why would he have an issue with me and beth or any other christian and wiccan friendship? you quote your bible, the holy book but i dont really understand, i think your worried i am going to "convert" beth and thats not the case, i dont want to convert anyone and it seems to me you want to convert ME! you say that there will always be a barrier between us? why? what we belive in doesnt affect our behaviour towards eachother, beths like my sister, and i am not from the "dark side" or satans best friend either i am just not convinced by your story of god, but it makes sense to beth and it helps her guides her and she loves god with a passion, and i dont see a problem with that, she will always be my best friend and if god has a problem with that then he is gonna have to go through me first because there aint no way im losing this amazing girl <3 but from what i hear from her god dont have a problem with anybody because he accepts everybody, wicca is not a satanic form of rituals dancing naked around fires, or pretending you have a magical power like superman, its about respecting verything around you and accepting that perhaps there are different gods and godesses not just one, i dont believe jesus didnt exsits i believe he was a awsome teacher who did a lot of good things and probably got nailed to a cross for what he belived in, but i dont believe he is the son o a almighty god, people have to accept others opinions, the mind is a great thing, you have to have faith, i classed myself as a christian before i found wicca, but i thought, its not FAIR on god to keep saying i believe when i just dont, with the way beth talks he deserves to no the truth and thats that i dont believe but i respect and thats the most important emotion of our relationship respect for one an other, respect for god and respect for the divine, because beth and her god deserve that X and if you have any questions i will answer them the best i can x so im a sinner…… well ive been called worse and to be honest me and beths friendship has nothing to do with god? i just dont see that if he is so amazing why would he have an issue with me and beth or any other christian and wiccan friendship? you quote your bible, the holy book but i dont really understand, i think your worried i am going to “convert” beth and thats not the case, i dont want to convert anyone and it seems to me you want to convert ME! you say that there will always be a barrier between us? why? what we belive in doesnt affect our behaviour towards eachother, beths like my sister, and i am not from the “dark side” or satans best friend either i am just not convinced by your story of god, but it makes sense to beth and it helps her guides her and she loves god with a passion, and i dont see a problem with that, she will always be my best friend and if god has a problem with that then he is gonna have to go through me first because there aint no way im losing this amazing girl <3 but from what i hear from her god dont have a problem with anybody because he accepts everybody, wicca is not a satanic form of rituals dancing naked around fires, or pretending you have a magical power like superman, its about respecting verything around you and accepting that perhaps there are different gods and godesses not just one, i dont believe jesus didnt exsits i believe he was a awsome teacher who did a lot of good things and probably got nailed to a cross for what he belived in, but i dont believe he is the son o a almighty god, people have to accept others opinions, the mind is a great thing, you have to have faith, i classed myself as a christian before i found wicca, but i thought, its not FAIR on god to keep saying i believe when i just dont, with the way beth talks he deserves to no the truth and thats that i dont believe but i respect and thats the most important emotion of our relationship respect for one an other, respect for god and respect for the divine, because beth and her god deserve that X and if you have any questions i will answer them the best i can x

]]> By: Ronnie http://doableevangelism.com/2007/03/04/can-christians-be-friends-with-witches/comment-page-2/#comment-19396 Ronnie Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:40:43 +0000 http://doableevangelism.com/2007/03/04/can-christians-be-friends-with-witches/#comment-19396 April, I figured I might here from you. :) Yes, I would not knock a good thing, please excuse me if it is being perceived that way. Now as far as learning from one another...I recently heard of a Catholic Bishop in my area welcome Islams to use their church to pray to Allah...and what else, learn from each other. We only need to learn from Christ, but there is that practical element that is relevant as I believe you are alluding to. Now as far as pointing the rules, you got me wrong there, definitely. Although I do know the rules are important, many use it to put others in bondage and give themselves a false and deceptive sense of control. Every Christian does well to come out of bondage. What I am trying to say is simply, point to Christ, and as long as we are looking at Him, then if somebody else sees by revelation of the Spirit manifested before them that life, then they too will want to follow. But we must remember what Christ said, Matthew 10:34-38 "34Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me." You see there must be division, even in the face of love, as seen in the life of Christ. Yes, many loved Him, but many also hated Him! Many have focused so much on the Pharisees who hated Jesus but many sinners hated Him too because they did not want to repent or turn from their sins! April, I figured I might here from you. :)
Yes, I would not knock a good thing, please excuse me if it is being perceived that way. Now as far as learning from one another…I recently heard of a Catholic Bishop in my area welcome Islams to use their church to pray to Allah…and what else, learn from each other.
We only need to learn from Christ, but there is that practical element that is relevant as I believe you are alluding to.

Now as far as pointing the rules, you got me wrong there, definitely. Although I do know the rules are important, many use it to put others in bondage and give themselves a false and deceptive sense of
control. Every Christian does well to come out of bondage.

What I am trying to say is simply, point to Christ, and as long as we are looking at Him, then if somebody else sees by revelation of the Spirit manifested before them that life, then they too will want to follow.
But we must remember what Christ said,
Matthew 10:34-38
“34Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.”

You see there must be division, even in the face of love, as seen in the life of Christ. Yes, many loved Him, but many also hated Him! Many have focused so much on the Pharisees who hated Jesus but many sinners hated Him too because they did not want to repent or turn from their sins!

]]> By: April Terry http://doableevangelism.com/2007/03/04/can-christians-be-friends-with-witches/comment-page-2/#comment-19395 April Terry Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:54:39 +0000 http://doableevangelism.com/2007/03/04/can-christians-be-friends-with-witches/#comment-19395 Ronnie, I don't really see what you're saying in the context of Christ's command to love our neighbors as ourselves. He knew that we really love ourselves, and that if we love others in that way, our love would be the greatest evidence of what Christ's love can do to a person's life. He never commanded us to wait until they accept Him before we start to love others. He commanded us to love others. Period. That's what's happening here. You want to point the rules at them, but the love of Christ works beyond rules and regulations. He knows that love between two friends is a powerful force. We don't know what the future is for either of these two friends, but God knows. Let Beth and Franke love one another, and be happy for them that our loving God has put them together to learn from one another. Ronnie,

I don’t really see what you’re saying in the context of Christ’s command to love our neighbors as ourselves. He knew that we really love ourselves, and that if we love others in that way, our love would be the greatest evidence of what Christ’s love can do to a person’s life. He never commanded us to wait until they accept Him before we start to love others. He commanded us to love others. Period. That’s what’s happening here.

You want to point the rules at them, but the love of Christ works beyond rules and regulations. He knows that love between two friends is a powerful force.

We don’t know what the future is for either of these two friends, but God knows.

Let Beth and Franke love one another, and be happy for them that our loving God has put them together to learn from one another.

]]> By: Ronnie http://doableevangelism.com/2007/03/04/can-christians-be-friends-with-witches/comment-page-2/#comment-19394 Ronnie Thu, 06 Oct 2011 12:47:48 +0000 http://doableevangelism.com/2007/03/04/can-christians-be-friends-with-witches/#comment-19394 Frances and Beth, Why is it that both of your profiles have very simpilar activity...? As far as being friends, a Christian can befriend their neighbor who may be a serial killer, and they may engage in a mutual friendly relationship, but they are limited. The church is not called to befriend the community as though another social committee, no different then the world, rather, it is called that people be aware of needing to repent and to live for righteousness. That righteousness only comes from one person, Jesus Christ. Any person can be moral or look good to man, but the nature of man is the problem to be dealt with. That sinful nature must be killed, buried, and be One with Christ, His "HOLY" Spirit. Then you are a new born creation with a new nature placed inside of you. AS long as you do not have that person put inside of you, then you will remain a slave to sin, to the powers that are not of God. One may have peace with their enemies...the spirit of the anti-Christ, all who have not yet received Christ have it. But yes, we must love our enemies as Christ speaks. In saying that, you can love a person but there must be a separation where your path is different then an unbeliever. Paul speaks of this in scripture. Why? Because the unbeliever is still under the influence of something other than Christ, sinning, and anyone who has Christ does sense a pull in the direction away from sinning. Frances and BEth, may you be blessed by the power that comes from Christ to overcome sin and be overcome by God's calling and wooing of your creator. Frances and Beth,
Why is it that both of your profiles have very simpilar activity…?
As far as being friends, a Christian can befriend their neighbor who may be a serial killer, and they may engage in a mutual friendly relationship, but they are limited. The church is not called to befriend the community as though another social committee, no different then the world, rather, it is called that people be aware of needing to repent and to live for righteousness. That righteousness only comes from one person, Jesus Christ. Any person can be moral or look good to man, but the nature of man is the problem to be dealt with. That sinful nature must be killed, buried, and be One with Christ, His “HOLY” Spirit. Then you are a new born creation with a new nature placed inside of you. AS long as you do not have that person put inside of you, then you will remain a slave to sin, to the powers that are not of God.

One may have peace with their enemies…the spirit of the anti-Christ, all who have not yet received Christ have it. But yes, we must love our enemies as Christ speaks. In saying that, you can love a person but there must be a separation where your path is different then an unbeliever. Paul speaks of this in scripture. Why? Because the unbeliever is still under the influence of something other than Christ, sinning, and anyone who has Christ does sense a pull in the direction away from sinning.

Frances and BEth, may you be blessed by the power that comes from Christ to overcome sin and be overcome by God’s calling and wooing of your creator.

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