|
Users viewing this topic:
none
|
|
Login  | |
|
RE: Do you talk about your faith at work? - 10/27/2008 6:28:55 PM
|
|
|
PopsiLufsJesus
Posts: 5238
Joined: 5/6/2008
Status: offline
|
Well since I am not working right now that would be a firm NO, but when I worked before I would try to bring up my faith whenever the opportunity arose.
_____________________________
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
~ Romans 12:12
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Do you talk about your faith at work? - 10/27/2008 7:00:23 PM
|
|
|
SavedByGraceMD
Posts: 910
Joined: 2/13/2008
From: the poconos
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: RubySparkles
Ooh, I'm a bad christian girl. This guy walked into my office today and I know I've met him before at the Bible studies that go on on Tues lunch times. Instead of being grateful that God has placed me in a country and with an employer where Bible study at lunch time is ok, I hoped that the guy wouldn't recognise me. But he did. He said 'I know you from the Christian Union'. I played dumb and someone else in the room distracted him with another conversation.
I was embarassed for my colleagues to know I have been to bible study at work. I don't go that often because I just usually forget. Some of my colleagues know I go to church and everything, but these are only the ones I trust and would have lunch with. All the others (and there's a lot of them cos I work for the government) don't need to know about me. It's just my private life. Last time I was really open was a couple of years ago and I had the misfortune to have this really outspoken woman in front of me who would rant about 'The Church' and the Pope used to be a Nazi or something. I just don't want some big debate. I don't really care what other people believe (I'm no evangelist), I can only share with someone if I'm sure of getting mutual respect. 
I am not sure how to respond to this. I don't know if you are just asking us if we talk about our faith at work, or if it is ok for you to feel the way you do.
Why is it a bad thing if every1 at work know you attend the bible studies from time to time?
Are you really embarrassed? You shouldn't be.
I want to respond with scriptures about denying Jesus b4 men, but I am not sure you will receive that the way I intend it.
I know it is hard be out in the world. People all have their opinions. They are judgmental, and mean at times. But you should never be ashamed of your faith. I apologize if I read into your post the wrong way, but that is what it seems like to me.
Sharing our faith with someone should not be about us getting respect from someone. It should just be about sharing Jesus with whoever we can. I do know that it is hard at work, and most companies have rules against speaking about religion while at work. So I do understand concerns in that regard.
To answer the question your topic states-
I have spoken with a few people about my faith at work, but not as many as I should have. I try to make my actions relay what I believe, and I fail quite often at that. It can be difficult at times, but I pray for more opportunities to share my faith.
< Message edited by SavedByGraceMD -- 10/27/2008 7:23:22 PM >
_____________________________
Isaiah 41:10
"Fear not for I am with you,
Do not be dismayed for I am your God,
I will strengthen you and help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand"
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Do you talk about your faith at work? - 10/27/2008 7:14:15 PM
|
|
|
Walker311
Posts: 1343
Joined: 4/11/2005
Status: offline
|
quote:
was embarassed for my colleagues to know I have been to bible study at work.
M'r:8:38: Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Jesus hung nearly naked on a cross and spilled His blood for you and you are embarrassed because of what someone may think about you going to a bible study.
When you truly have a relationship with Christ, you cannot contain what you feel in your heart and soul wherever you may be.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Do you talk about your faith at work? - 10/27/2008 7:16:35 PM
|
|
|
ladyichigo
Posts: 544
Joined: 10/23/2007
From: Honolulu
Status: offline
|
To answer the Title of your post:
As a matter of fact, I do talk about my faith at work. My boss (an attorney) is a Christian also, and devout one at that. It's really cool when he starts sharing about all the things the Lord does for him and his family through the little things in life. About a year ago, he lost his father to cancer and now his mother has stage 4 colon cancer that has spread to her liver. She's been getting chemo treatments and the tumors have shrunk, but the treatment itself is really affecting her psychologically. He often asks me to pray for her and for his family.
_____________________________
Mari
My avatar picture is my father-in-law, Rev. Yuichiro Nakano jumping over fireworks on 12/31/08 to entertain his grand-kids. He's 70.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Do you talk about your faith at work? - 10/27/2008 7:57:13 PM
|
|
|
bravjim
Posts: 395
Joined: 10/8/2008
Status: offline
|
Listen, I have shared my faith at work, and when I go into find a job, it is something that I make clear about myself. I am a christian, and I am not ashamed of that. It is the greatest joy that I have. Paul wrote, and I definitely agree, that "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." I admit at one point I was a little embarrassed to have someone to think of me as a "Jesus Freak". But that came from my carnal life, before I had grown to experience more of Him. Since I have come more under His influence, it is a joy to share my faith and the reason for the hope that I have in Christ. You say that it is your private life, but it is supposed to be working it's way into our public life as well. It is who we are, and who He has made us to be. We are ambassadors, and we are to reflect the life of Christ within us. I hope that you don't consider this a rebuke, it is just my attempt to help you have confidence in your faith and who you are in Christ.
< Message edited by bravjim -- 10/27/2008 8:04:42 PM >
_____________________________
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfilll the lust of the flesh.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Do you talk about your faith at work? - 10/27/2008 8:00:33 PM
|
|
|
Wild-Rose
Posts: 427
Joined: 1/11/2006
From: Upstate NY
Status: offline
|
I used to talk about my faith all the time at work, when I was employed.You should try it a few times. It would help you get over being embarrassed.
_____________________________
Wild-Rose
Rejoice that your name is written in heaven. Luke 10:20
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Do you talk about your faith at work? - 10/27/2008 9:13:59 PM
|
|
|
eaglesfeather
Posts: 193
Joined: 5/17/2005
From: Michigan
Status: offline
|
I was the same exact way before, but now I talk about my faith often.
If you can overcome this feeling and realize it's nothing to be embarrased about you will feel a great sense of freedom from that one simple thing. People like that guy that came and said that might is the exact thing that helped me. Now, coworkers hear me and my friends talking and they even join into the conversation on rare occasion.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Do you talk about your faith at work? - 10/28/2008 12:03:02 AM
|
|
|
Focusing
Posts: 6014
Status: offline
|
Yes I do. I don't go around announcing it to everyone in the office, but it's pretty obvious. There are only a few people I can have down-and-out Jesus talks with though ... and those are the other firm believers.
_____________________________
Instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend. That would be giving as the angels give.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Do you talk about your faith at work? - 10/28/2008 6:25:54 AM
|
|
|
makarizo
Posts: 3000
Joined: 4/13/2005
Status: offline
|
if it's not on the inside, it won't be on the outside either.
I don't know if I talk enough..... I listen to contemporary Christian music all day, I pray all day. it used to be just me and the manager, now 2 have given their lives to Jesus, 4 have rededidcated their lives to Christ, one (and her husband) have just started going back to church.....hardly a day goes by where someone doesn't ask me to pray for them about something.
.... it wasn't like that a year ago, and I am beginning to wonder if I need to go somewhere else to work.
at my first review I told the gm and pm that my boss was a Jewish carpenter who lived about 2000 years ago, I call Him savior and that nothing and no one would ever come ahead of Him.
so YES, I talk about the things I love while I am at work, and one of them is Jesus and my faith in Him.
_____________________________
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Do you talk about your faith at work? - 10/28/2008 8:28:17 AM
|
|
|
AboundinginHisGrace
Posts: 408
Joined: 4/28/2008
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: Walker311
quote:
was embarassed for my colleagues to know I have been to bible study at work.
M'r:8:38: Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Jesus hung nearly naked on a cross and spilled His blood for you and you are embarrassed because of what someone may think about you going to a bible study.
When you truly have a relationship with Christ, you cannot contain what you feel in your heart and soul wherever you may be.
I feel the same way, I share my faith whenever possible. It is all I want to talk about. My wife and I both were talking about this the other day, how discouraging it is when you want to talk about Christ, discuss scripture, personal things, etc "christians" do not want to talk about it. You start talking about it and they say yeah thats good, did hear about the football game last week..... it is very disturbing to me that christians are that way. If they had the same experience I had when Christ saved my unworthy soul, I mean what else compaires to that???? It is whats on my mind and there is no way for me to get it out of mind, nor do I want to get it out of mind, because it is the only thing that is going to last forever....But the bible talks about spirtually minded people and carnally minded people....It has been really scary to me to see so many professed Christians that really do not care about knowing God better, and learning how to be more like Christ. We really do need to pray for Christ's body as a whole that we really would be spritually minded and seek to be more like Christ.
_____________________________
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Do you talk about your faith at work? - 10/28/2008 9:17:17 AM
|
|
|
d4nnyb0y02
Posts: 318
Joined: 9/24/2008
Status: offline
|
Paul wrote about being not ashamed, which means there were those who would have made him think he should be ashamed. Think about it. The only reason Paul would say he isn't ashamed is if he is combating a tendency to be ashamed, either in himself, or in other believers.
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
We just have to decide if this is true or not. If it is the power of God unto salvation, then why on Earth would we be ashamed? Paul also writes that if it is not true... then we are the most pittiable of all people... so, what it comes down to is faith. It sounds like you should ask God to strengthen your faith, because if you don't have faith... you will feel that you are pittiable (because what you believe isn't really true), but if you have faith... you will realize that it is the power of God unto salvation, and there will be nothing to be ashamed about.
2 Timothy 1:12
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
Paul was not ashamed because He knew a PERSON. He knew WHOM He believed--Jesus Christ. He knew Him, and so He was not ashamed.
_____________________________
OSAS is the Gospel.
(Gal 1:6;5:4) I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Do you talk about your faith at work? - 10/28/2008 9:25:28 AM
|
|
|
TorchHeart
Posts: 1951
Joined: 6/4/2008
From: One of the coldest places on Earth
Status: offline
|
I'll talk about it, but I usually don't bring it up. Faith is something that's very personal and can cause a lot of problems in the work place, so I'm very careful about it.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Do you talk about your faith at work? - 10/28/2008 1:14:04 PM
|
|
|
DeeAnnBailey
Posts: 2638
Joined: 3/23/2006
From: SC
Status: offline
|
quote:
Some of my colleagues know I go to church and everything, but these are only the ones I trust and would have lunch with. All the others (and there's a lot of them cos I work for the government) don't need to know about me. It's just my private life.
Jesus said "I am come that they may have life". While my decision to accept Christ was a very personal one, there is nothing more precious than the gift of life. To withhold it is unthinkable.
Sunday night a guest evangalist made a statement at our church that hit home. He said "I believe as Christians we should always be the first to help others. He said if the blood bank pulled up down the street, Christians should be the first to give blood because someone who needs that blood to live might be lost and we could save their live to give them the chance to find Christ as their Savior. But if Christians don't give, there are others who will. I believe that Christians should visit the elderly and lonely and provide food to those that need it. But if Christians don't Meals on Wheels will. I believe that Christians should help when there is a disaster, they should be the first to go to give aid but if they don't the Red Cross and other agencies will. I believe that Christians should follow the Great Commission and go into all the world, even their communities and tell others about Jesus and His saving power. Sadly, if they don't, there is no other person or organization that will fill this void."
I do not believe a Christian should be pushy or abrasive but I do believe they should honor their Lord and Savior and not be ashamed to speak of Him if the opportunity arises.
_____________________________
D. Ann Bailey
My Blog Dee's Delights and Delusions
<<<<<<The love of my life - precious Erin!
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Do you talk about your faith at work? - 10/28/2008 1:37:16 PM
|
|
|
rae_of_light
Posts: 3050
Joined: 2/15/2007
From: The true North strong and free!
Status: offline
|
I've never witnessed to a co-worker, if that's what you're asking. But as a Christian, my faith is part of my daily life. I don't try to hide it, and if someone asks what I'm doing on the weekend, I will tell them that I'm going to church. That I am a Christian is evident to anyone who cares to notice, but I don't try to start "discussions" (aka arguments).
_____________________________
I don't need to swear to get my point across
I don't have to change who I am to be cool
I don't have to drink to have a good time
...And you're asking me what MY problem is?
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Do you talk about your faith at work? - 10/28/2008 5:12:26 PM
|
|
|
RubySparkles
Posts: 245
Joined: 4/18/2005
From: United Kingdom
Status: offline
|
Thank you for your replies and thanks for not hating me. There are a lot of other issues that I won't bore you with but I'll just have to keep praying about it. The easiest people to share with are actually people of other faiths, cos at least they understand faith, and they'll keep it respectful.
_____________________________
Lord, all our success is because of what you have done, so give us peace.
Is 26:12
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Do you talk about your faith at work? - 10/28/2008 6:53:50 PM
|
|
|
Lufia
Posts: 187
Joined: 5/25/2008
From: Canada, quebec province
Status: offline
|
I would love to talk about God and Jesus at work and i have tried but i had two reactions: not interested and 'how can someone in today's modern world would believe in God?
I also tried with some friends. I talked to them about science and the wonders in the universe and also numerous propheties in the Bible. Answer: ah i don't know what your talking about and please stop.
I'm amaze that they are not interested about their destination after death. Or not even trying to learn a little bit about spiritual things. It is sad.
_____________________________
Give your life to Jesus and enjoy the ride!
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Tell me how you share your faith at your workplace - 10/28/2008 8:10:25 PM
|
|
|
laditricia
Posts: 23
Joined: 4/13/2008
Status: offline
|
Actually faith at work found me, shortly after i started a new job last year, one of the women there had asked me if i wanted to meet on Saturday for a lunch she was throwing for some friends, i thanked her but told her i was doing some volunteer work that day. That opened the door cause she naturally asked so i thought well lets see so i told her i do some volunteer work for a local Christian radio station, she gave me the biggest smile and told me she knew i was her sister in Christ, she then let me know during lunch time they sometimes have prayer sessions.
shortly after that while having lunch at work one day, another girl one i knew from a previous job who is now working here with me, came in and we started talking and i can't even remember how but i mentioned the church i go to, from that day on she wanted to talk to me about my faith, and now she is part of the prayer group, she has found her love of our Heavenly Father, and she has gone back to church, she says i helped her see what her life was missing.. and i didn't even know i was doing that... but i can't tell you how wonderful it made me feel...
i have my Christian CD's that i listen to i love how up lifting the music is, and it really keeps me very positive at work, even when things get stressed i just humm along and feel better. i keep a devotional there so in the mornings before work starts i sit with a cup of tea and read before my day starts....
_____________________________
tricia
"pour Thine words into this soul,
purify mine humbled heart"
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Tell me how you share your faith at your workplace - 10/30/2008 8:44:55 AM
|
|
|
kmangel
Posts: 443
Joined: 4/12/2005
Status: offline
|
I don't think you have to worry about getting into a debate with someone. Just don't. No one can make you debate if you don't want to.
Before I was a Christian, my friend would bring up God to me and I would change the subject. I had no interest in discussing God much less debate about Him. I'm thinking most people don't have any real interest in debating you either about your beliefs.
I bet if you were open about your attending the Bible studies, no one would care one way or the other. For whatever reason, the enemy has convinced you to keep silent about the matter out of a misplaced fear. I am venturing to guess that it may be a step of faith for you the next time it occurs that someone mentions it to be honest in answering, but let it drop after doing so and see what happens.
_____________________________
Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.
--Mark Twain
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Tell me how you share your faith at your workplace - 10/30/2008 11:38:50 AM
|
|
|
PolarBear
Posts: 561
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Moving to San Antonio!
Status: offline
|
I have yet to talk about it much but very much want to. I believe I am where I am because God has someone for me to reach. I'm just not the type to blurt out about sensitive topics, and the topic doesn't come up much. People know I am a Christian so it will come up. I'm kind of praying for doors to open and waiting until they do.
_____________________________
My current ministry dream:
http://victorymuseum.org
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Tell me how you share your faith at your workplace - 11/27/2008 11:05:55 PM
|
|
|
anicecupofcoffee
Posts: 104
Joined: 11/27/2008
Status: offline
|
I'm not sure if it's the embarassment or the fact that because of the circumstance you were't capable of sharing your faith???
Here's a link to a great site that has helped me to understand my faith in the workplace. Hope it helps. God bless!
http://www.marketplaceleaders.org also click the link for TGIF (Today God is First). Great devotional before going off to work!
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Tell me how you share your faith at your workplace - 11/28/2008 12:55:34 AM
|
|
|
SonInMe1
Posts: 3164
Joined: 4/16/2005
From: my mom by God
Status: offline
|
I am not somone who hides anything, from my faith to my faults. I am, what I am. I wear my heart on my sleeve and its plain to see every emotion.
They know I am christian. As with the rest of the world they focus on my faults and hypocrit comes up.
Well, I can't argue with some of it. I am what I am.
My witness is subtle. I am not liked at work, I think mainly because I serve my employer while they do not, and cannot. I am, like I siad, very open in what I believe, and what I believe in is a work ethic.
Now, through a long time of conflict there is light at the end of the tunnel. They haven't chnaged but through this, often selfmade tribulaiton, I am learning some, can I even say the word in relationship with em?....patience.
I can see God working on me. Its been a long terrible haul.
My witness? Its subtle. I do the little things. From trying to perfect my skills, to cleaning my work area, to doing the extra that others will not do. See...to me...a work place witness MUST involve the activity we engage in. Work. So, a major part of my witness is doing a good job.
The other part is...doing for those who, literally, hate me. I do everything I can to make it easier for my co-workers to do their jobs.
I use to bake cookies every week and bring them to work. It became...a chore more than a love offering. So now its once in a while.
Mainly, the extra things I do, I try to do without anyone knowing I do them. My boss is my Lord and I work for Him.
There is a bathroom, kinda out of the nomal way and on it is, the rather nasty comments you would expect. Someone, tried a witness on the wall, I guess to counter the filth. Yep, you guessed it. It was rebuked.
They know I am christian. They make the comments. One of the supervisors made a rather blunt comment to me. While its not openly hostile, to chrisitianty, I know what they think.
I am still what I am. While I am not the model christian, I will not deny Him. Cannot. I can't come from the position of purity. I won't challenge someone's language or lifestyle. I am quite sure, that, is not our place.
All I can do is work hard, work on my kindness and humility, and do things for people who don't like me...without them even knowing it.
God will work out the rest. Its not about me anyways, ( even though God, through my attempts to honor Him, will temper and grow me through my mistakes and failures ) its about Him.
They probably don't recognise Christ in me, but then, they don't know Him either. My supervisor said how can you act the way you do and be a christian? I siad, I, am not Jesus Christ. He wanted to hurt me, he succeeded but what he doesn't know is, God is in control and what satan plans to destroy us with, God makes good come from it.
I am a long ways from being who I should be. I expect God, will be there, doing His thing, bringing me through all of this, to do the good works He has prepared for ME, to do.
Not you. Not the guy down the street. ME. God knows, I am not you. His plan for me is specific, with my talents, or lack thereof, in mind.
I expect, the same is for every other christian. He has a plan. Let Him work.
_____________________________
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Tools
Printable Version
But that really just lets them know I'm not Muslim, rather than that I AM Christian. 
