On the day that you were born the angels got together
And decided to create a dream come true
So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair
And golden starlight in your eyes of blue
Remember this one by the Carpenters? It should be a theme song for Christians as a reminder of what we want to do with people in the world…. get close to them.
Someone asked what to do with a New Age friend with lots of objections to Christianity. Well first and last, you love him. Then you realize he is seeking the same God you know. He may be a Christian on a path to truth, and though that path may look like it is aimlessly winding nowhere, as far as God is concerned, it’s a straight line to Him.
When you realize this, then you realize you don’t have to talk anyone out of believing anything. If given the opportunity, you want to talk them into Jesus. You are not trying to win an argument. You are not trying to prove Christianity by disproving everything else. You are seeking truth and rejoicing when you find it. Remember, we are not confronting people; we are walking alongside, pointing.
Mostly, you want to get close to people. You want them to talk while you learn to listen. You want to learn as much as you can about what someone believes — not to shoot it down, but to find what truths are present there. If someone is into New Age, they are realizing a spiritual dimension to life. This is good, and something you want to encourage, not do away with.
Remember our job is to walk alongside people and point to the truth. The priority is getting close to people. You can’t point someone somewhere unless you are next to them; otherwise, they might think you are pointing at them and get defensive. We are all pilgrims on a journey. You can only see what someone else sees by getting close to them, and you can only show them what you see in the same manner.
John Fischer The Catch 
Yes so true. You have of course noticed that when you are trying to point out something to someone, you say look right over there. At first the angle is off a bit, so then you move closer and closer to merge the angle. They might get a little uncomfortable at first but as the objective comes into view. There you are right up next to them. Eureka! Great Catch Thank You
Hi Pastor John, wanted to say thx 4 today’s Catch – as I often do, got a lot out of it. You see over the weekend I got paid a very high compliment on Facebook that deeply touched my heart. An old selcular college girl friend told me she thought i have a good and loving relationship w/ God. I thanked her 4 it and replied it is not because of any good in me, it’s because He loved me and died a horrible death on a cross 4 me and thx God rose again 3 days letter and lives in my heart, which to this day, i am often baffed over, yet very thankful that He desires a relationship w/ me a sinful and @ times a very selfish man.. and wat a blessing it is, has you put it: “We are all pilgrims on a journey. You can only see what someone else sees by getting close to them, and you can only show them what you see in the same manner.”
PS plz also whisper prayers 4 Mindy she’s been out of a job for a long time now and in fact loss her car because not having a job, yet as we all know our Lord is in the miracle working business and that’s what she needs…
Interesting that you should mention “paths” today, John. I trekked down to my family reunion this weekend, and the night before I left, my cousin emailed me to ask me to talk about my life to “catch up” some of the relatives who had not seen me since I was a kid. “Oh, dear,” I thought. “If tell all these little old folks all the things I’ve done, I’ll shock them right into their graves!” So, I told the Lord I was going to let Him field this one. Well, the verse, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight” came to mind, and I got this mental image of a path like a ribbon twisted first one way then the other and looping back on itself, and the Lord taking that ribbon and with a flick of His wrist pulling it straight. I thought, “if He makes my path straight, it has to be crooked to start with!” So I talked about crooked paths and how we all have them, some more than others, and WHO it is that makes them straight, even though we keep meandering our whole lives. It was funny – mu cousin wanted me to stand up to give my little speech, but I reverted to my days teaching Pre-K and we made a circle with our chairs instead. Best part is everyone survived (including me) and I didn’t get booted out of the family! Is God good or what?
Fantastic!
Love your story and thx 4 the chuckles it gave me too, my very helpful and friendly Catch buddy, Carole and like to add an Amen to this: “Is God good…” 🙂
hey John, love the catch today. and totally agree with what was said, as usual. but getting to the real important stuff…. : ) ( please make special not to that smiley face before i continue. i know you can take a bit of ribbing!! ) i feel i must point out the error in the lyric post. in my opinion Karen had THE best alto voice ever to grace the planet. so to misquote such a legendary voice could not go without correction. i submit to you….
So they sprinkled moondust in your hair
Of gold and starlight in your eyes of blue
ah John. being the Spiritual Giant that i am, i am willing to let this travesty pass. ( 70 X 7 and all that, you are hip. )
i love you brother. keep up the great work.
i’ll leave you with an excerpt from another great Carpenters tune. I Won’t Last A Day Without You.
Day after day, I must face a world of strangers
Where I don’t belong, I’m not that strong
It’s nice to know that there’s someone I can turn to
Who will always care, you’re always there
man…. i am so glad i know this is not my REAL home, cause i do feel that way sometimes.
thanks John.
Bare
I stand thoroughly corrected and agree with you about that voice. Too bad it was so short lived.
too bad indeed. i did actually get to see her live once. amazing. thanks for the reply John. i knew you could take it!! : )
Thanks for the reminder.
Last night, I was reading a book written by Victoria Osteen who learned from her husband, Joel, not to be too critical and harsh on difficult people. His advice to her was “We are not placed on earth to straighten everybody”. I really like that 🙂
Totally agree with this catch. Of course, some of the sticky parts come when those who are following a “different” path (New Age or whatever) are in our churches. How does the church hold true to what it believes without appearing to be judgmental or critical of those who are different? On a personal level, I agree wholeheartedly and I wish all Christians could grasp this. But when this person who is seeking but looking somewhere besides Jesus wants to be baptized or take communion, or hold a place of authority in the church, I think the church as an institution needs to draw a line. And that is where we often get a bad rap and come across as being “better than thou.”
The Biblical precedent is to keep preaching/teaching the truth. If false teachers are present, they will eventually leave on their own.