Family, Food, Fun, & Faith

Yesterday Kristin and I spent some time at my oldest sister's house. We went there because my sister Jean's house was the meeting place for a family picnic. We couldn't wait to see, talk, and mess around with my brothers and sisters! The Jordan's are too much when we all get together. In addition to seeing them, several of our childhood friends would also be attending the picnic. It was sure to be an awesome time!

Now I need for you to know, not all my brothers and sisters are serving the Lord. Many of them know about the Lord because we were all raised in the church. Yet, somewhere along the way they lost their relationship with Him. Knowing this, Kristin and I try to attend these get-togethers with an open mind and a prayerful heart. We pray for them constantly and believe that some day they all will return to the Lord.

With that said, I want to give you some practical steps you can take when getting together with your unsaved relatives. Now these suggestions aren't exhaustive, but some simple steps you can try:

(1)  Pray in advance of your get together. Ask the Lord for some specific things to see and experience while at the get-together. When you see any of your prayers being answered be sure to share it with someone there.

(2)  Don't nag them when they do what sinners do! This is critical because most of them know that their lives and behavior is not where it should/could be nor is it expressive of a true life and knowledge of Christ.

(3)  Be willing to lead. I say the prayer for the meals made at nearly every get-together. Thus, my siblings have recognized that God has and is doing something in my life. I also help everywhere I can (taking out the trash, making runs to the store, or whatever). I believe by doing this, my brothers and sisters see Christ in me as opposed to hearing about Christ from me.

(4)  Let them know that you are always praying for them. I love the fact that my siblings know that Kristin and I are praying for them. As a result, they email or call us with their prayer requests and the things they're faced with. When that happens we can then minister to them by sharing with them how a real relationship with Jesus Christ can make things dramatically different.

I know many of you are saddened at the fact that those you love don't have a true relationship with Christ. Take heart and know that God wants them found in Him more than we ever could imagine or desire. His will is that all be saved!

Be blessed and keep it practical!