Some Are (story)

* I wrote this in response to a prompt for a writing contest.... (that I didn't actually enter, but I thought someone might enjoy reading this anyway. :-))



Some Are

               A somber silence settled on the school room as the bell chimed the students’ dreaded death knell. It was now 8 AM on another Monday morning and the fall term had begun. As the teacher began writing the first assignment on the board, the children stared in numb shock and listlessness. Once the ominous omen had been read, the odiferous pungency of its directives consumed the olfactory senses of the slaves now firmly refastened to their stocks for another grueling seven hours of torture. A collective groan escaped from the lungs now tainted with the putrid air of forced education. Yet amidst the gasps of horror and despair, on the back row of the Coliseum of death, two small grins emerged.
                It had been a wide open world of wonder at first in the golden days. The sweet release of freedom rang loudly in the air with the rush of a thousand voices singing with glee. This is what real living was meant to be- a walk in the park or a day on the beach with none, no-never, nary a care. The possibilities were endless and so were the days it seemed. Oh, the expeditions to be mounted- the explorations to be endeavored! The pursuits of a myriad of activities lay stretched before all the willing participants of the intoxicating allure of such holiday pleasures. Time was a loyal and trusted ally then.
                Somewhere between the fanciful flights of the crimson marred streaks of light and the subtle creeping of the nomenclature of learning’s renewed siren call, a change came over the terrestrial ball and its congregants. It came with its share of hints- a rustle in the breeze, a purple haze at close of days and a baleful rooster’s crow in the morning. Somehow the signs were missed by many and the adrenaline rush drenched the world with energy but not perspicacity. “Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,” came the old refrain from which many did indeed refrain. The days left unseized by unseasoned had been seized by another.
                Then it was that distant doldrums came, beating out their rhythm of quiet despair and gathering gloom. Whence came the mourning mist that envelopes everyone everywhere in the midst of halcyon heights marked by a barefoot blazed trail? The gleam of gold wanes as a maze of gazes questions the questions in the malaise that travails upon their travels. Oh, the eternal paradox of the vernal equinox! All the time in the world available for the asking but nothing to do in the days passing! The strawberry fields are ripe for but a short stretch of Father Time’s arms. The fields are plentiful in harvest, but those who would be workers work hard in flittering frivolous pursuits.
                So the story begins as it ends. No matter how tenuous its hold amid enchantments of warm star-lit nights, the clarion call rings true in the end with the experiment house in session once again. Oh, the cruel tests of inhumanity to be wrought upon an unsuspecting class of young pupils- it’s too much for the eyes to take in. Look and see, hear and be amazed! Yonder light still shines from golden shores in those who boldly face the entrenching entrapment with a lion’s roar. No vanity in the lion’s pride, but an informed hope that spans the ages enraptures each soul with an unthinkable delight. Through conniptions aroused at the cavalcade of crosses and bars set forth from the teacher, the cavalcade becomes the calvary that keeps the summer sun rays glowing with the joyous thought of the glory coming.

Forever Loved (song)

I just very recently completed this song and it's become very fitting for this next post. A dear friend that I've known since childhood succumbed to a battle with cancer and died just the other day. It was interesting to me that it happened I was celebrating my day of birth on that day- and then I also found myself mourning her day of death on the same day. It reminds me of Ecclesiastes 7:2 "It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart." A sober reminder indeed.
      But I take heart in knowing that as a follower of Christ, I mourn with hope. I know that my Redeemer lives and He will stand upon the earth at last. He died to pay for all sins and defeated death when He rose again. And because He lives, I know that those who put faith in Him will live too. And I know I will see my friend in Heaven again one day because we both put our faith in Jesus as Savior. Thank You, Lord!
        Thank You for Your eternal love that takes us out of Alphaville or whatever other town we live in and at the end of the ride of life takes us by Your side forever in Heaven. Hallelujah! :-)

Forever Loved
(parody of "Forever Young" by Alphaville; copyright by Nathan Ludwick June 2014)
(Acts 26:14-19, Jude 1:24-25, Philippians 1:6, Hebrews 9:27-28, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, James 4:13-17, Psalms 8, 1 John 4:10, Romans 5:8, Romans 10:8-13, Jeremiah 31:3, John 10 [especially verse 10], Zechariah 1:1-6, 1 Peter 1:23-25, Psalms 103, Psalms 136, 1 Corinthians 15:50-58, John 3:16-17)

Life's dance is wild- we dance for a while
Heaven is waiting- we are watching the skies
Hoping for the best, but expecting the worst
When they go and drop the bomb, we're gone
We all die once but want to live forever
We don't have the power but we think science delivers
Flitting away like mist, life is a short trip
The funeral's where the ride ends
Can you but fathom when this race is done
Through the Pearly Gates into Heaven
Praising my Jesus He's getting me in too
My dues are paid by His cross, man

So there with God, I'm going to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever? John 3 verse, 16 yeah!
For God so loved, He sent us Jesus for our wrongs
If you believe- going to live forever
Forever, son!

Mother and father, brother and sister (and) me
We fade to memories and on goes the beat
Sooner or later we all will be gone
It don't take that long
It's so hard to kick goads without our God
You don't have to perish while you fade to dust
New life abundant (in) 10:10 John
Abundant now and forever
Eternity's adventures- more than we can say
As we read on- better than the last page
So trust in Jesus- He's taking all of our blues
In Heaven, they're untrue

Jeremiah- Love! 31:3- Forever loved!
Did you read it? You are loved forever by God the Good Shepherd
So there with God, we can all be forever young
Do you really want to live forever, and ever, in Heaven?
Go there now, bud- You need to read in Romans 10
If you believe Jesus rose by Father, confess Him as Lord, yeah!
Forever God's- you then are saved forever!

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Diversity and your cup of tea...

http://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/time-be-candid-google-admits-lack-workplace-diversity-n116866

           Why does the article treat this like it's a problem? Why can't it just be that the demographics are simply how the numbers worked out for... Google? Why must it be perceived like Google has some nefarious plot to mainly hire Caucasian men and snub others? Why are Caucasian males not considered "diverse" in and of themselves? (As if they all think exactly the same and have the same backgrounds, etc. As if that's true of any group of people...) And why are churches with predominantly African-American congregations and clergy not considered to be lacking in diversity? Why are Native American reservations not considered to be lacking in diversity? Why is it an issue at all? Why can't we just see people as human beings made in the image of God who are all infinitely important and loved by Him?
          I got the impression the attitude adopted by the company was saying that if we don't have this much quotient for this race, and this much for this gender and this much for whatever other category one wants to list- we must be racist, sexist, etc.. and thus, there must be a problem. I agree that if a company like Google is actually consciously or subconsciously discouraging anyone from applying (other than reasons of not being qualified- i.e. not having a computer science degree)- then, yes- there is a problem that needs to be corrected. But if that's just how the numbers played out, that's okay too. I think society at large tends to steer men and women to certain professions and that's not any one company's fault. Certainly things can be done to improve that so all boys and girls are encouraged to pursue whatever career they feel God has prepared them for. I only mentioned churches and reservations as examples- I don't consider them racist (unless they are actively discouraging others from coming- with a race-predominant church, that's a huge issue because The Gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone! With the reservations, I understand the desire for Native Americans to practice their way of life in seclusion and having spoken with a full blooded Native American who has lived on a reservation, I have learned some more about them in recent times. (At least some reservations do have a deal about not allowing American Indian/non-American Indian marriages to live on a reservation together though- which is a bummer, but that's their thing if they choose to be separate.)         Why should a business pick a minority out of two equally qualified candidates? I understand that's the goal of affirmative action, but I find that equally racist. I don't think hiring someone "because we need a black guy to meet racial quotas" is a good reason to hire someone. I think that's more patronizing than anything.
          I didn't say predominantly black membership churches and Native American reservations are being racist or anything of the sort and I definitely do not mean to imply that. I understand the historical reasons for their existence. The 1964 Civil Rights Act is a great achievement that needed to happen and I applaud it. (I just wish its ideals had been applied back around 1620 or so and that America and all other countries had never gotten into the slave trade to begin with, as it is obviously morally wrong and a sin to treat anyone as less than a human being made in the image of God and eternally loved by Him. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.)
My comparison with them and Google was just to point out that no one criticizes these groups for not being "diverse" (even though they are diverse by virtue of having more than one person there), but Google is criticized for not being "diverse". I don't see why that is a concern, unless of course, they are actively trying to discriminate against and discourage any particular group of people from getting jobs there (outside of the unqualified applicants who don't have the necessary Computer Science degrees of course.)
        I have also been to different churches that have predominantly African-American congregations and I have been totally welcomed in The Name of The Lord. :-) (There is certainly a different style though from Caucasian-predominant Baptist churches- but that's cool. Diversity in that sense is good. We all worship the same Lord God Christ for all His followers. And Jesus prayed that we would be one in John 17. And Galatians 3:26-29 says that there is no Jew or Greek or male or female in Christ; rather, we are all one in Christ. :-))
Anyway, that's mainly what I was trying to say. I also disagree with the thinking that says that a bunch of people of the same race, gender, age, religious background, etc. are all the same in thinking and thus, not diverse. I tend to think that's rather prejudiced in itself. We are all unique with our own thoughts and we all add something of value because God made us all in His image. (Genesis 1:26-27) That's why I like to say that God thinks we are all infinitely important and so do I. He proved that by sending Jesus to die for all our wrongdoings and failures and rise again so that we could put our faith in Him for salvation! The Bible says He has loved us with an everlasting love! (Jeremiah 31:3) And He commands all who follow Him to show that same love to everyone. (John 15:12 - Jesus says it quite a few times in this chapter. They will know we are Christians by our love- that's what Jesus says.)
*As to the example of Native American reservations and single race-predominant churches, they are just examples. As C.S. Lewis (more or less) said once, if they are helpful- cool. If not- discard them. 
        

Reborn This Way (song)

Ladies and gentlemen, I have yet another parody to share with you that hopefully you'll go ga-ga for in this post. :-) This is another one I completed fairly recently but have held off on sharing for a while. And as I noted on the last post, this parody song flows well with the nature of my last two devotional posts regarding the difference between shoving beliefs and a holier-than-thou attitude down someone's throat and just plain showing them real love as Jesus showed us. My aim is always the latter.
       The point of this parody song to address a subject that has become a controversial issue today of which many have strong opinions and beliefs regarding it. The goal of this song (along with anything else I write) is to show love for God above all else- with all my heart, soul, mind and strength- and to show love for my neighbors as I love myself- and to speak the Truth in Love. I ask that people keep in mind again that one can only say so much in a song (especially in the confines of a parody song that is attempting to maintain the same rhyme structure) and it's easy for things to be misconstrued. In an effort to avoid that, I want to clarify here- I am not trying to call anyone names and try to condemn anyone, but rather to state what The Bible says regarding sexual matters.
         (On this note, I want to clarify the meaning of a phrase used within the song. As you may notice, the tone of the song shifts from the world's point of view regarding sexuality and life in general after the first verse and chorus to my point of view as a Christian. The term "let your freak flag fly" is referenced in the first chorus. This phrase is not intended to be derogatory in any way. It is a phrase that may well have its origins in the 1960s as a rallying call for hippies, but it's become adopted into the common vernacular as an exhortation to allow all one's true colors to show- to embrace the person you are, no matter how "freaky" the rest of the world may view it, and flaunt it, revel in it and enjoy it. Here are some references for further reading. This is the Urban Dictionary's listing for the term. [Please note that this site contains some vulgar references.)
Also worth noting, within the song I referenced a wonderful book that offers a Christian perspective on the topic this song addresses and I highly recommend giving it a read.
        And most of all, I want to remind people that no matter what sin you've done (and we're all in the same boat in that area)- Jesus can forgive you of all of them. He loves us all like crazy and wants to have a relationship with us all. He forgives all of us when we ask Him and He gives us a spiritual rebirth. As He said to Nicodemus in John 3:3, we all must be born again. And when we're in Christ, we're no longer slaves to sin, but instead we're slaves of Christ! (as Romans 6 talks about.) 2 Corinthians 5:17 says that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation! The old has gone and the new has come. And as 2 Corinthians 6:2 says, today is the day of salvation! Jesus has died to pay for all our sins and He rose again to give us all salvation if we will trust Him in faith and follow Him. And when we do that, we truly are reborn His way. :-)

*[Yes, I realize I went even more than usual on the heavy side on the Bible verse references. ;-) The main reason for this is that, though this list is of course far from comprehensive, there are a number of Bible verses, commands, principles, teachings and examples that I think should be considered in how we navigate this and other controversial issues that are complex and simple at the same time. Many times, I may have directly referenced some verses or drew some inspiration from them in writing some lines- and others I simply researched and read in the course of putting the song together as The Lord guided. And others are just for further reading reference. :-) That is generally true for most all of my songs and poems and writings in general. As Rich Mullins was known for saying, I'd rather you get to know the Scriptures more so than these song lyrics- and ultimately, the Lord God Christ who provided them all. :-)]



Reborn This Way
(parody of "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga; copyright by Nathan Ludwick 5/7/2014)
(1 Corinthians 13 [especially verse 6], Proverbs 8:12-13, Proverbs 9:10, Proverbs 8:1-11 and 32-36, Proverbs 9:13-18, James 4 [particularly verses 11-12], Galatians 3:26-29, Psalms 19:7-11, Ephesians 4:20-24, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Colossians 3:1-4 and 5-17, Romans 6:1-14, Galatians 6:14, Ephesians 2:8-10, Romans 8, John 12:25, John 3:1-21, 2 Corinthians 4:16, Galatians 5:16, Isaiah 64:6, Hebrews 9:14, Ephesians 1:1-14, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, 1 Peter 2:24, John 15, Romans 12:1-2, Philippians 2:1-18, 1 John 2:1-17, Romans 1-3, Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 2 [especially verse 24], Genesis 3, Exodus 22:19, Leviticus 19:20-22, Exodus 20:1-17, Leviticus 18, Leviticus 20-21, Leviticus 11:45, Deuteronomy 5, Deuteronomy 6:4-19 and 8:19-20, Deuteronomy 21-22, Deuteronomy 23:1-14 and 17-18, Deuteronomy 24:1-5, Deuteronomy 25, Deuteronomy 28-31, Judges 19, 1 Corinthians 7, Mark 7:20-23, Matthew 15:18-20, Galatians 5:19-21, Philippians 4:13, Romans 3:23-24, 1 John 1:8-9, 1 Timothy 3:1-13, Genesis 1:31, Psalms 145:8-9, Romans 5:8, Romans 6:23, Matthew 18:15-20, 1 Timothy 5:17-25, Matthew 25:31-46, James 2:10-13, John 8, 1 Timothy 1:8-10, 1 Corinthians 6:9-20, John 1:16-17, Galatians 2:20, Matthew 16:24-28, Luke 9:23-27, Mark 10, Matthew 19, Romans 14, Matthew 22:23-40, Matthew 7:1-5, Matthew 5:43-48, Matthew 9:9-13, Luke 7:36-48, Luke 18:9-14 and 18-30, Hebrews 10:30-31, 1 Corinthians 4:5, Romans 7, 1 Peter 1, 2 Corinthians 4:7-18, 2 Corinthians 6:1-2, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Ephesians 6:5-8, Colossians 3:18-25,1 Peter 2:13-25, John 10:10, John 14:6, Acts 4:12, John 6:68)

 (Intro: [spoken]) It doesn't matter how you love, kid- for capital I, you live ["live" echoed x3]
Forget the laws- yup
'Cause you were born to be free, baby- yeah

Verse 1
The Bible told us when we were formed
We were all born sinners, ya'll
We rolled our eyes- it's just religion
We're long past all those myths- so there!
"There's nothing wrong with loving who you want,"
They said, " 'Cause He made you perfect, babe"
"So go your heart's route, girl and you'll go far"
"Listen- your dreams lead the way"

Chorus 1
You're beautiful just that way
'Cause God makes no mistakes
You've got the right to, baby
Do what your truth says
Don't hide yourself- just flaunt it
Just love yourself and you're set
So fly your freak flag, baby
You were born this way [echo: "born this way"]

Verse 2
Ooh, how quaint- The only Way
Hear me- you were born sin's slave
Baby, Jesus bore our shame [echo: "bore our shame"]
Ooh, there ain't another Way
Save me, Jesus Lord
Come on, invite Him to save ya
Be reborn today!

Bridge
Dump filthy rags- that's our "good deeds"
Isaiah writes- 64:6 - see?
No room to brag- just Jesus cleans
Trust Him!

Verse 3
If you have prudence, see Proverbs 9:10
Seek wisdom- rejoice with Truth
In the keeping of God's Word is great reward
I have died to self- instead Christ rules!

Verse 4
A same sex lover- that is a sin
Believe capital H-I-M (Hey, hey, hey)
Husband and wife is God's marriage plan
Jesus told us- Matthew 19 (Trust and obey)

Chorus 2
It's beautiful what He's made
'Cause God makes no mistakes
But Adam jumped tracks, baby
Now we're born sin's slaves
But Christ just died in our stead
He loves us all and beat death
Get brand new life, stat- baby
Be reborn His Way

(Repeat Verse 2 with first line changed as follows:)
Ooh- hear what I've got to say
Hear me- you were born sin's slave
Baby, Jesus bore our shame [echo: "bore our shame"]
Ooh, there ain't another Way
Save me, Jesus Lord
Come on, invite Him to save ya
Be reborn today!

Verse 5
Kind of a drag just bein' me
Whatever your lot, not easy bein' green
These black/white/grey labels- let's end
We're sexual beings- we orient
If your same sex tendencies
Left you outcast, bullied or teased
Rejoice- God loves you! Me too, babe
In Jesus, we are washed and waiting!

Verse 6
No matter gay, straight or bi
Lesbian, transgendered life
All bow to Christ on Last Day, so
Make Him Lord while there's time
All that come after Christ are changed
2nd. Cor. 5:17
Strap on my cross and deny me
I'm reborn and Christ's slave

(Repeat Chorus 2)

(Repeat Verse 2 with first line changed as follows:)
Ooh- hear what I've got to say
Hear me- you were born sin's slave
Baby, Jesus bore our shame [echo: "bore our shame"]
Ooh, there ain't another Way
Save me, Jesus Lord
Come on, invite Him to save ya
Be reborn today!

We were born in sin, babe!
But Jesus bore our shame
I asked Lord Christ to save me
I'm reborn His Way!
Now's the time to get saved
Jesus Lord- He is waiting
Go ask Lord Christ to save ya
And be reborn today!

[whispered echo: "I'm reborn His Way! Be reborn His Way! Be reborn today!"]
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A Baby's Cry To The Lord (song)

I'm cutting right to the chase on this one, crew. I had the idea for this parody song a while back and I've waited a while to post it. It actually worked out to be good timing along with my last two devotional posts, as both of those inform the approach I am taking with this song. I want to make sure that I make clear that I offer this as a voice crying in the wilderness, looking to speak truth and life to a controversial issue of our day. Keep in mind that you can't always say everything you want to say in a song, but I hope some things come across very clearly in this piece. For one, we are all sinners in need of the Savior's forgiveness. And secondly, no matter what you've done, Jesus Christ loves you with an unending love- in fact, Jeremiah 31:3 says that God has loved us with an everlasting love! And that eternal Love has restored our relationship to God through Jesus' death and Resurrection if we will only trust Him in faith for it. And though we still deal with the consequences of a sin-fallen world, one day He will ultimately right all wrongs and make everything sad come untrue.

A Baby's Cry To The Lord
(parody of "(I Just) Died In Your Arms" by Cutting Crew; copyright by Nathan Ludwick 3/4/2014)
(Ecclesiastes 11:5, Job 33:8-18, Job 10:8-12, Job 1:20-22, Job 34:10-22, Job 34:31-33, 1 Samuel 24, 1 Samuel 26, Genesis 2, Romans 1, Romans 2:14-16, Hosea 2, Hosea 11, Exodus 20:13, Deuteronomy 5:17, Isaiah 65:17-25, Psalms 27:10, Genesis 9:1-7, Matthew 19:13-15, Matthew 18:1-14, Matthew 21:15-16, Psalms 116:15, 1 John 1:7-10, Psalms 130, Amos 5:24, Amos 5:14-15, Ecclesiastes 12:7, Ecclesiastes 7:27-29, Proverbs 31:8-9, Colossians 1:13-23, Romans 5, Isaiah 49:13-18, Isaiah 49:1-7, Jeremiah 1:5, Genesis 1:26-27, Psalms 140:12, Isaiah 57:3-6, Psalms 143, Genesis 4:1-18 (especially v. 10), Psalms 139:13-18, Proverbs 6:16-19, Isaiah 5:20-21, Isaiah 66:7-16, Revelation 21:1-5)

(Pre-Chorus)
Oh, I, I just died in your arms tonight
I must have been one of "those kids"
They'll just pry out my skull and spine

(Verse 1)
She kept looking for love but got pregnant
Broken hearts and lies all surround her
Abortion seems an easy way to get out of this

The Bible says- Isaiah 49- hey, ya'll
God forms us in the womb- knows us before the cradle
Who would've thought that our liberty would come to this?

(Chorus 1)
Oh, I, I just died in your arms tonight
I guess my mom had a death wish
Better I go than Mom tonight
"Just a zygote" quells qualms- not child
I guess we get one life to live
Unless you're borne of rape; unless you're their mistake

(Verse 2)
Is there any just cause for choosing life's end?
Job asserted The Lord takes and He gives
Colossians 1:17- by Christ all things exist

Life lost its value- didn't start with Roe v. Wade
(In) 5 Romans, the pox has been given by Fall's stain
So baby's killed from adultery and everyone's fine?

(Chorus 2)
Oh, (but) I, I just died in your arms tonight
Through murder- and yes, it's a sin!
I'll just fly to the arms of Christ
That's why Christ just died for our sins and did rise
I trust you know Christ can forgive
He shouldered all the weight; He's still there offering grace

(Bridge)
It was a long hard fight
Snake made it easy; he made it feel right
And now it's worded as women's choice and bod
The Law's been written on our hearts- we know it is wrong

(Repeat Chorus 2)

Oh, my blood just cries to The Lord
Oh, my blood just cries to The Lord...

-He's still there offering grace... (and fade)

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Brotherly love and/or shove

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

      Isn't that what it seems like many times when you talk with people about any controversial topic? It's particularly true when it comes to spiritual conversations, as the verses indicate. And of course, there is a spiritual reason for this. As 2 Corinthians 4:4 tells us, "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the glory of the Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God." As Ephesians 6 makes clear, our struggle is not against flesh and blood- it's against the spiritual powers of darkness in the heavenly realms! There is a real, unseen battle going on for the hearts and souls of people. While The Lord Jesus desires to bring all to salvation, offered to us through His death and Resurrection, the devil still wages war, seeking any whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
       And as Jesus Himself told us, people are going to hate us because of His Name. So we know that we can expect many to reject us and our message of hope and salvation in Jesus. John 3:16-21 talks about this phenomenon as well. Even though God loves the whole world and has offered us free salvation- it's there for whosoever will take Him up on it- many in the world still reject Him and His offer because to partake of His offer would mean they would have to fully admit what they are in His sight and reveal their deeds. The truth is- like it or not- we're all sinners and we all have done wrong, do wrong and without the grace of God working in us- will keep doing wrong. And to come to the Light of Christ means we have to bring all our ugly, dark deeds into light. And Jesus said that many refuse the Light because it exposes their deeds and they know their deeds are evil and thus don't want to reveal that about themselves. But that's the whole point of Christianity- admitting that we are poor in spirit ragamuffins who can't help ourselves and desperately need God's grace and mercy. And instead of beating ourselves up about it, God decided to beat Himself up about it- Jesus was beaten and whipped for us- and by His stripes we are healed. And when we're honest enough to admit our need and accept the only cure for our disease of sin- the Truth sets us free indeed. :-)
      So what do we do as followers of Christ when people tell us that we're shoving our religion and Bible down their throats? That's an interesting phrase to me. How does one measure when the conversation has shifted from friendly and informational to the forcible entry of Scripture and doctrinal teachings down another's oral orifices? What's the difference between "shoving down the throat" and simply relaying information? Surely people need to hear the Truth- as it is, their throat is an open grave! (Romans 3:12-14). And ultimately, we just pray "the high praises of God be in their throats" (Psalms 149:6). I think the answer to those questions is found in one word- love.
As 1 Corinthians 13 describes for us, love is patient and kind. Love does not envy, does not boast and is not proud. Love is not rude, self-seeking or easily angered and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. And as Ephesians 4:15 tells us, we must always be "speaking the truth in love".
      1 Peter 3:15 tells us to set apart Christ as Lord in our hearts and always be ready to share the reason for the Hope that we have- but do this with gentleness and respect. Love must always be our motivation in sharing anything- love for God and love for the people He's made. And it's that love for Christ and the people He's made, all of whom He loves and desires to be with Him in Heaven (2 Peter 3:9), that compels us to share The Gospel in gentleness and respect with all whom God gives us opportunity to speak with. (And of course, it's Christ's command to preach The Gospel in all the world that also drives us. [Matthew 28:18-20].) But witnessing is simply testifying to what Jesus has done in our lives. It's testifying to what He has done for us all on the cross, how we personally came to believe in Him and receive Him and follow Him as Lord and Savior- and how He's been working in our lives since. And we leave the results to The Holy Spirit. No one has ever been argued or insulted into Heaven and no one ever will be. Don't look to your great oratory skills and don't worry about your lack thereof- look to God The Holy Ghost and pray and trust Him to work. And speak the Truth in Love wherever God gives you opportunity.
       It's important to note too that no matter what the outcome of the conversation is (and remember that that outcome is up to God alone), the relationship still stays on a good level, hopefully. I always look to praise the things someone else holds to and believes that are truly praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8) and agree with them on the things I can Scripturally agree on first. Then from there, I have to respectfully agree to disagree and leave it at that. We have to agree to disagree agreeably. ;-) And in the end, I'm still on good terms with the person and still consider them a friend and still love them with the love of Christ, whatever they decide at that moment. (After all, God always loves everyone no matter what they choose about Him.) And we must love everyone too just as God has loved us. (John 15:12)
       And what do we do indeed when someone has determined that our heartfelt and impassioned spiritual conversation with them, motivated by love for God and them which continues no matter the outcome, has moved beyond the realm of sharing information and is now shoving Jesus and/or The Bible down their throat? (And remember, that while I'm poking a little fun at our inability as a society as a whole to tolerate opinions and values different from our own- and that goes for Christians as well [If you want people to be willing to listen to your point of view, you must be willing to listen to theirs as well. From there, apply 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 "Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid all appearance of evil."]- I don't mean to belittle people's feelings in saying this. But it is important to remember that this phrase can genuinely be accurate when we refuse to listen to people who plainly tell us that they are not interested in a spiritual conversation and when we as Christians put them in an uncomfortable spot [like the infamous bait-and-switch deal where we invite non-believer friends to a church sponsored event of some sort- dinner, sports tournament, movie, etc.- while neglecting to tell them that there will also be a Gospel presentation]. I know that we see the urgency and need to get people introduced to Jesus as soon as possible with all of eternity at stake (2 Corinthians 6:2, Revelation 20:15), but even so- we must see their point of view and remember that Jesus also commanded us to do unto others as we would have done unto us. (Matthew 7:12 and Luke 6:31). So we need to be honest with people and let them know all that is involved when inviting them to evangelistic outreach events. And ultimately, we keep persevering and reaching out to others in love with the love of Christ. And we keep being their friend no matter what their response is- and thereby prove to them that they are more than just a project or point on our Heavenly crown- but rather a person made in the image of God whom He loves dearly and we are commanded to do the same.
       "But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry." (1 Timothy 4:5) Keep fighting the good fight, running the race and keeping the faith. (1 Timothy 4:7)
       
         

Take Me Home To Christ (song)

For those of us who know Him, He’s the sweet aroma of life- the power of salvation through God. And we want everyone else to come to know Him. So while I’m thankful for the ways He uses me for those ends while on Earth- and while there are things I’d like to see Him do here in my life still- ultimately, I just want to be with my Savior and family in The Lord in Heaven for all eternity. All the money in the world couldn’t keep me away. You can have all this world affords- just give me Jesus.

Take Me Home To Christ
(parody of “Take Me Home Tonight” by Eddie Money; copyright by Nathan Ludwick 4/17/2014)
(Romans 8:9-27, Philippians 1:21-26 and 2:1-11, Song of Songs 8:6-7, Romans 5:8, Romans 10:8-21, Romans 15:20-21, 2 Peter 3:8-9, Colossians 3:1-4, Psalms 16:11, Psalms 73:23-28, John 6:25-58 (particularly 6:35), Acts 26:28-29, Romans 1:16-17)

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Yeah, yeah-eeh, yeah-eeh, yeah

You feel a hunger- it’s a hunger
That tries the meaning we attach to life
I tell you The Answer- the signs and wonders
When you feel they whet your appetite

With Spirit power, sharing Jesus
For Heaven’s sake ‘cause all the cities are His alone
Emancipation’s coming through Him
‘Cause Christ’s the key Who turns this engine on

If you will believe
He can seal your heart (for) hereafter

Chorus 1
Take the road to Christ
I don’t want to let you go ‘til you see The Light
Take 10 Romans 9
Listen honey
Just like Romans said
Believe on Christ The Savior
Oh, oh, oh!

Christ has brightened me from all darkness
To live is Christ and I long to see God’s throne
Colossians chapter 3- In God’s my real self
I’ve been reborn and The Lord lives in me now

Phil. 1:23
I wanna leave; but church needs me here

Chorus 2
Take me Home to Christ
I just want to let it go and be in Paradise
Take me Home tonight
Listen honey
Just like Romans said
Read in 8:23
Jesus, we are waiting!

Just like what it says
In Psalms 73- it says
He fulfills my cravings
Jesus- my everything! Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh!
He feeds my hunger
6:35 [six three five] John- yeah!

(Repeat Chorus 1 twice)
(Repeat Chorus 2 [with background vocal- “He’s my everything”])

Chorus 3
Take this world- leave Christ!
I just want to let it go and stay at His side
Take me Home to Christ
Listen honey
Just like Romans 7
He’s my loving Savior
Jesus- You’re all to me!

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