2010 Retreat
Ask Carl
Hey Carl. I went to Camp Caswell in November and I thought you were totally cool. But I want to know what is a good way to tell people about God.

Hello there, the best thing is to live it out loud, my brother. If you are really living a life with and before God, that is noticeable to others. Like this, if you and God are tight, and then you get around some people who are cussing or telling bad jokes, you'd be offended and you'd merely say so. You might say so by leaving and telling them why--not ugly, just direct--"Uh, hey guys, I'm out. I really don't like those kinds of stories you know (or gossip or sex jokes or whatever). Talk at you soon." You see, no judgment, but you make a stand. Same as if you heard someone dissing another person or being racist or lying or stuff like that.

Again, this all flows from your real life--someone asks you about where you are going for college or something like that. Well, honestly, you should be praying about that decision and that is what you'd say. No big fakery about your spirituality, just a simple "Well, I've got in narrowed down to these schools and I'm just praying about it." Or perhaps a conversation occurs where you are dealing with a decision and your parents have put their foot down about something. As a Christian, you'll submit to that, so it comes up at school or with your boys and they ask about it and you simply admit that you are submitting to your parents because that's the way God likes it.

See, all of that has to come from where you really are. And if you keep doing that, people notice. Of course you can tote the bible around and pray before your meals--all totally cool--but not like a requirement. Eventually, people will know. Well, that opens up other conversations. Like they come and tell you about them and their parents--instead of just going "wow that's bad" or "sucks for you," you gently remind them that submitting and honoring their parents is what God wants. Tell them you'll pray for them and actually do it as soon as you can, with them, right then if possible. Blows their minds--especially if they are not Christians.

In other cases, you'll hear someone talking, offering an opinion about life and such, and it'll be a non-God opinion. You can probably offer a God opinion and not be dissed because they have seen you living it out loud. And many of them will actually want to know what you think.

Peace.