Posts Tagged ‘evangelism’
14Oct
By Toni Birdsong
It feels good to be with friends. We feel loved around people who affirm and encourage us. And, we feel safe—even empowered—when we strike the sweet, unmistakable note of common ground. For Christians, fellowship in the body of Christ can be one of the purest, most powerful forces we experience here on earth.
But what happens when we spend all of our time with people just like us when we log online? Blinders form. Exclusion creeps in. Well-worn digital paths emerge. Soon, we become blind to the brokeness and deaf to the need that pulsates around us.
As believers, we have three callings while we walk the earth:
- To know God and enjoy His presence personally. Deut. 4:29-31
- To worship God and grow within a body of believers. Phil. 2:1-4
- To share God’s Truth and love with the people who still don’t know Him. Acts 1:8
Tags: body of Christ, Courage, digital outreach, evangelism, prayer, share your faith
Posted by Toni Birdsong. Posted in Engage, Equip, Uncategorized
Read More
27Sep
by Toni Birdsong
A question I get a lot on the topic of evangelism (the “e” word) is this: Do you ever get scared when you share your faith?
It’s a great question to which I answer: not as much as I used to.
My personal evangelism story begins with going to Ft. Lauderdale during Spring Break with InterVarsity to share the gospel with other college kids fixed on partying (pretty extreme, right? And yes, s-c-a-r-y). Since then, I’ve shared my faith with countless neighbors, co-workers, and strangers that God has put in my path. I’ve shared with large and small groups. I’ve seen God move in both subtle and dramatic ways. Sometimes I’d give myself a 7 in ability. Other times, I’d be exaggerating to give myself a 2. Each time I was faithful.
My fear dramatically decreased when I understood 3 Key Things:
Tags: evangelism, experiencing God, InterVarsity, Jesus Christ, salvation, sharing your faith
Posted by Toni Birdsong. Posted in Christ, Equip, Uncategorized
Read More
31Aug
....but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. ~ John 15:19
by Toni Birdsong
The direct message in my Facebook inbox was titled “enough Jesus already.”
The message, sent by a longtime friend, just got better from there. “I regret having to do this but I have to defriend you. I’m seriously over the 24/7 Jesus feed. If you want to go to church, do you really have to do it on Facebook? So that’s it. Don’t take it personally.”
I logged-off and prayed. A few hours later I wrote my friend back. I told him I would miss the great updates about his life and the pictures of his adorable kids but that I respected his point of view and still loved him.
Then I told him this: “You said not to take it personally but I’ll confess, I’m actually overjoyed to take it personally. You see, to be associated with Jesus Christ is my highest honor. You don’t know Him yet but He’s amazing! Who else do you know who would willingly climb up on a cross and suffer a violent death in your place? When He did that for me, and I truly understood it, it “clicked” in my heart in a huge way. His gesture meant that I—a total misfit and sinner—would get to experience God’s friendship and love . . . forever. So, you see, you defriending me is one ‘nail’ I can take. If this is the price I have to pay for sharing that miracle, then please, defriend me.”
Tags: defriend, evangelism, Facebook, Paul, persecution, perseverance, share your faith, Voice of the Martyrs
Posted by Toni Birdsong. Posted in Christ, Culture, Uncategorized
Read More
15Aug
by Toni Birdsong
It’s way too easy to light up your computer or mobile phone each day without even thinking. Sending an email, posting a tweet, or rattling off a digital reply becomes ordinary, kind of like background music.
But that’s where those of us who have agreed to drop our nets and follow Christ need to stop and pause . . . as the world stampedes past.
There’s nothing ordinary about the words that come from our mouths or the thoughts we share online, especially if they are God’s words. My spiritual mentor and uncle, Frank Kenyon, taught me: “no matter how long you’ve been a Christian, you should always tremble when called to speak or teach the Word of God.”
Uncle Frank went to heaven at 90 carrying the Truths of a worn-out bible and a torch of reverence for the Word of God now burns in my heart.
Tags: evangelism, holy spirit, obedience, prayer, scriptures, spiritual disciplines
Posted by Toni Birdsong. Posted in Devo, Equip, Uncategorized
Read More
8Aug
Will you share the book of your heart?
God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes. ~ Psalm 18:24, The Message
By Tami Heim
It’s amazing to live in a time when your faith story can transmit digitally and be received globally. In our book @stickyJesus, and on this site, we’re passionate about what’s possible when you share and live out your faith online. Imagine what God would do if the body united digitally to make Him known.
Are you be willing to make that happen?
Everyone has a story to share
King David knew how desperately he needed God to cleanse his heart and rewrite the text of his life. Imagine if David hadn’t shared his story? Think about how his experiences bring us joy, comfort, and assurance in moments of great need. We see his checkered life and what God can do even in times of great weakness. We connect with his exuberant triumphs and agonizing failures. In his story we relate, find hope, and understand the consequences of sin.
Isn’t it possible that your story could do the same for someone else?
Tags: Christ, Christianity, Christianity for Seekers, evangelism, faith, God, God the Father, His Is Mine, holy spirit, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Max Lucado, outreach, Religion and Spirituality
Posted by Tami Heim. Posted in Culture, Engage
Read More
19Jul
Nations will come to your Light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. - Isaiah 60:3
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. ~John 14:12
by Toni Birdsong
We are God’s beloved. We are heaven’s people; the blood-bought, Calvary claimed sons and daughters of the Most High King. We are the rescued ones empowered by the Holy Spirit to cover even greater earthly ground for the gospel than Christ himself.
But do we really get what that means? Better yet: Do believe it? If so, we should log online each day with the untamable expectation that through our words, ideas, and interactions, Jesus Christ will be seen. When we truly believe and live out Jesus’ words in John 14:12, then The Great Commission stops being an ideal and becomes a personal, burning, reachable charge.
5 questions to consider before you log on today:
Tags: Christians online, evangelism, holy spirit, social media plan, The Great Commission
Posted by Toni Birdsong. Posted in Culture, Engage, Equip, Uncategorized
Read More
7Jul
“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” – George Bernard Shaw
by Toni Birdsong
Christianese. It’s easy to fall into and entirely logical for a Christian—after all, it’s our cultural code; the mother tongue of heaven. Still, it can become a colossal stumbling block if you are interested in sharing your faith online.
Simply defined, Christianese is the jargon, terminology, and exclusive language used by Christians that usually only Christians can understand. Christianese isn’t a bad thing (despite the jokes around it)—in fact it’s a positive that we share this powerful fellowship.
But when communicating with non-believers (and anyone else), speaking Christianese can sink a conversation quickly. Use it enough and you’ll find yourself on the outside of the influence circle looking in, which can put a real damper on The Great Commission.
Tags: Christianese, Christians online, comedy, communication, evangelism
Posted by Toni Birdsong. Posted in Equip, Uncategorized
Read More
6Jun
For no word from God will ever fail. Luke 1:37
By Toni Birdsong
Our words awaken us. Even unspoken they have the power to pry open our eyes and chase the sun as it begins to rise. Our words stampede the hours; wild horses on fire in a race to ignite significance. Human words can rally enthusiasm, stir a heart, and quiet life’s throbbing—for a little while.
Tags: blogging, evangelism, God's word, scripture, writing
Posted by Toni Birdsong. Posted in Christ, Culture, Uncategorized
Read More
30May
The Author and Finisher of Our Faith
Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:2
By Tami Heim
Spiritual transformation is a process where surrender and sanctification bring about passion, purpose, and action. You understand who you are, why you’re here, what’s going on in the world, and how you fit into it. Divinely ordered, this holy sequence is intentionally directed and mapped out for eternity.
Here’s how it unfolds….
You decide.
You commit to follow Jesus and the life-altering work of the Holy Spirit begins. The combination of your resolve and His indwelling sparks a massive recalibration of your desires and destiny.
Life changes.
Strongholds from the past begin to fall away, healing is activated, and you discover a purpose for being, knowing, loving, and serving. You observe the world as God does and you feel deeply the heartbreak for the things that break His heart. You abide in Him and your path becomes clear.
Tags: Christ, Christianity, Epistle to the Hebrews, evangelism, God, holy spirit, Jesus, Religion & Spirituality
Posted by Tami Heim. Posted in Christ, Uncategorized
Read More
23May
As my hands formed you, I whispered purpose into your bones.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. Psalm 139:7-8
by Toni Birdsong
So many times we overcomplicate the simple. We wrestle with things for a lifetime that could have been settled in a moment had we stopped to really listen and truly understand. How many riches have we rushed past on our way to fill another gap? Whether you are Christ follower, a fence walker, or a non-believer who just stumbled on to this post “by chance,” Jesus Christ has something to say to you right now. He has called out your heart amid a digital stream of millions to make sure you hear His voice and understand how far His love will go to find you.
Here’s what Jesus wants you to know:
- You are my beloved. (Eph. 5:1)
- I knew you before you were born. As my hands formed you, I whispered purpose into your bones. I can’t not love you. (Ps. 139:1-6)
- I love you beyond human reason—even at your very worst, steeped in sin. (Rom. 5:8)
Tags: evangelism, Jesus, salvation, scripture, sin
Posted by Toni Birdsong. Posted in Christ, Devo, Uncategorized
Read More
