Just Continue That Thought...

A thought by Brant Hansen (2015-04-14) from his book, Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better (p. 83). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title of the book to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) But I thought my purpose as a Christian is to change people.   Isn’t that why I am here? Here is the whole thought by Brant, “My goal with relationships is no longer to try to change people. It’s to introduce people to a God who is already reaching toward them, right where they are.” Brant goes on, “This changes everything. It means everyone is welcome, and not just theoretically, but really: everyone— no matter what their political or religious beliefs— is welcome in my home, at my table. I happen to be a pro-life, limited-government Jesus-follower. So you’re an atheist and a socialist who’s pro-choice and thinks Jesus is for losers? Fascinating! Say, how do you like your toast? Tell me more about your thoughts about Jesus and losers . . .”   That

A thought by Brant Hansen (2015-04-14) from his book, Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better (p. 76). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title of the book to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) Now that is only the last part of the thought.   It did what it was suppose to do, it got you to stop and read the rest.   Here it is. Brant says, “If you think people are drawn to you by an impressive religious résumé, you’re in for a shock.” He goes on, “When people are in crisis or need to know that God loves them, that they’re not alone, they don’t seek out the guy who thinks he’s Mr. Answer or who radiates superiority and disapproval. They want someone who loves God and who loves them.”   They will go to someone who shows through their life that they love God and they love them.   He continues, “Refusing to be offended by others is a powerful door-opener to actual relationships. I don’t expect people who aren’t believers to act like follow

A thought by Brant Hansen (2015-04-14) from his book, Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better (p. 59). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title of the book to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) But we have to carry the world and protect the world and conquer the world, don’t we? Here’s what Brant says, “We’re told, in Psalm 46: 10, to ‘be still,’ or to ‘cease striving’ (NASB), and know that He is God. Some people are familiar with this verse but not the larger context, which is that of someone looking over the remains of a battlefield. The original Hebrew is suggestive of stopping the fight, letting go, and relaxing. God wants us to drop our arms. No more defensiveness. No more taking things personally. He’ll handle it. Really.” He goes on, “Trust Him. Rest. Quit thinking it’s up to you to police people, and that God needs you to ‘take a stand.’   God ‘needs’ nothing.”   We need Him.   He doesn’t need us.   Yes, He loves us and yes, He us