The guy I'm talking about is engaged to another friend of mine. She's a Christian, but I know that's going to be a sticky issue on down the road. In the years I've known him, I've gotten him to talk about God once. He's basically apathetic; believing in God, but not really caring beyond that. His main argument about not going to church is the hypocritical people he's seen. I've explained that the hypocrisy he's seen isn't what it's all about. I've tried to be very delicate in how I brought it up so that I wouldn't be abrasive and ruin the chances of getting farther in the conversation later on. For now, I've just tried to "witness by example" so to speak. After all, isn't that one of the primary ways we're supposed to be a light to the world?
The second request is for a girl I know. We've been friends for several years, but not close. Lately, we've been spending more time together and I've gotten to know her a little better. She's a really nice caring person, and would do anything for anybody. But, she's one of the "all paths" people... Actually, she thinks that we can't really know anything about God, but given that he can see what we're up to, the least we can do is be entertaining... Cute, but not quite gonna cut it when the books are opened. God knows the details, so I'm going to leave those out. I don't think he gets legalistic in prayer and says "well you didn't specifically mention that".
Lets just say this girl truly needs some love in her life. Jumping from one fleeting experience to another in the hopes of finding something satisfying or that sticks is really a sad way to live life. My problem is that I'm starting to like this girl a little. Sounds odd, but to give you the very condensed cliff notes: I got out of a two year relationship a while back, and I've been praying for a specific kind of girl I want. I've also asked God to either fulfill my desire, or change it to reflect his will. My desire is simple: To show her, whoever 'her' ends up being, more love than she thought she would ever find, regardless of past mistakes/experiences. I've been no saint myself. This girl seems like the answer to that prayer. The problem is that missionary dating is a bad idea. It's a good way to have your faith life drug down, get hurt, or both. Paul knew that, and wrote about it. Obviously "missionary marriage" is off limits unless one comes to faith while already married. It seems to me that God often has to break someone in order to build them back up. Jesus did say that "those who fall on this stone will be broken". The way I see it, I can't "fix" anybody. That's between her and God. What I can do though, is hold out a hand to help her back up.
I ask that you would pray for both of them, in any and all ways they need it. I also ask that you pray for me too. There's no danger for me in dealing with the first friend, but with the girl, there is plenty.
Jack
