In Life: For or Against?

I believe you can far more effective by being in support of things instead of being against thing. In this way you are building something instead of trying to tear something down. Unfortunately it seems today that people are more drawn to being against things. Change that trend in yourself and you have a better chance of changing the world. Continue Reading…

Posted by Paul Gernhardt on Oct 04, 2008

In Relationships: Men and Doing

The majority of men are wired to do, fix, conquer, accomplish. The fastest way to frustrate a man is to tell him about something that is wrong that he has no ability to do anything about. Most certainly this includes things he has done in the past but can't undo. Frustration comes out in a vast variety of emotions including anger, moodiness, and depression. Continue Reading…

Posted by Paul Gernhardt on Sep 27, 2008

In Life: Difficult Decisions

It seems that the decisions we consider the most difficult are those that pit our principles against our desires. They seem hard because you are going to loose either way. It seems to me, however, that one is a short-term loss while the other endures for eternity. Continue Reading…

Posted by Paul Gernhardt on Sep 24, 2008

In God: My Responsibility to the Non-Believer

As a Christian I have to ask myself what is my responsibility to the non-believer.

Empirical Christian studies would suggest the process is to inform the non-believer of all the ways they are sinning. The goal appears to be to tell them to stop being sinners and, through this helpful corrective education about their actions, for them to turn to God. I should be concerned, and probably offended by their sinful ways. Empirical Christian studies suggest that this hasn't been a particularly successful strategy.

In my biblical Christian studies I find the process suggested by Jesus is to meet individuals, accept them without reservation, identify a need, provide for that needs, and move on. The goal is introduce them to a loving god by being an example of that love. I should be concerned about loving them and having an opportunity to help them move closer to a spiritual birth. Biblical Christian studies suggests that this was a wildly successful strategy.

It seems to me that if I was able to get a non-believer to stop sinning they would still remain spiritually dead. If I introduce them to God they may have opportunity to be spiritually alive -- which is the only way to open the door for the Holly Spirit to begin transforming them.

As a Christian I have to ask myself what is my responsibility to the non-believer. I have come to the conclusion that I should measure every encounter by how much love and support I show and whether I have moved the person's heart close or farther from God.

Continue Reading…

Posted by Paul Gernhardt on Sep 21, 2008