Conversation Starters: A Helping Hand in a Crisis

"In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:6-7, NASB). 

News of the bombing at the Boston marathon last week sent a shock wave through me. As a runner and an American, with friends living in Boston, I was left praying and trying to process it all as the story unraveled. It inspired me how some runners ran straight to the hospital to donate blood and how other cities are organizing runs to honor Boston. 

As Jesus' disciples, we have insight into how He responded in crisis moments and how we can try to help others in practical ways. God has told us that life isn't always easy. Jesus was in touch with God the Father through prayer and was into God's Word. He got to know the community, helped the sick and spoke of an everlasting hope to all, including the outcasts. 

Kelli Martin

We may not be able to do much physically to help people, but we can pray, listen to God and listen to others who are going through a crisis. We can trust God and simply be there for others. We can pray for an opportunity to share how God gives a peace through His Son that outlasts whatever circumstances are going on around us.

Study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).

Conversation Starters: Compliments

"I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are your works, and my soul knows it very well" (Psalm 139:14, NASB). 

Recently, I’ve gotten to see how much a compliment can encourage four-year-olds as they play soccer. As I was thinking about this and reading this part (Conversation Starters: Compliments) of the HeartCall course book, I see that truly everyone could use some encouragement. God created us and sees us as valuable, valuable enough to send His Son, Jesus, to show us how to walk in honor of God and to suffer in our place on the cross. This Creator has the power to turn our ashes into beauty, and He desires a deep relationship with the people He made.

Kelli Martin

A compliment may give us the chance to at least show - and maybe even share - the pure love God has for the world with someone else. As believers, we can point out the good we see in others, encourage them and help them see God's love and desire to bring people into His family.

Study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).

See Shane and Shane play "Beauty for Ashes" on YouTube here.

Conversation Starters: Interests

"But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24, NASB).

What is something you're interested in? Do you know others with a similar interest?

For me, I love to run and I love Christ. As God becomes more a part of my life, I can see ways that He fits into the world we experience and decisions we make. As I have grown closer in my walk with God, I am drawn to sometimes pray while I run, and I can relate to passages about perseverance in the faith in the Bible. God is my strength, so He will help me press on as I run and in the faith. He offers forgiveness and renewal when I feel I've failed. He will give me wisdom when I need it (which comically can come in handy as things cross my path when I run in a park). When I don't run quite like I wanted to one day, then I know my God has grace and will be there with me the next time I try. All of those things relate so closely to my spiritual walk, I see, and so it is neat to get to talk about that with other runners.

What are some things that you are interested in? Is it business, art, family, technology, developing systems, entertainment, reading or exercise? Whatever it may be, how does God apply to it? How is He a part of that picture?

When you talk with others, ask them what their interests are. Try to find a common one, or listen to them as they share theirs. This is a great way to learn where someone is coming from. If you get to bring up how God works in our everyday lives, then you may get to share with someone about who Christ is.

God is a part of our lives, and so when others are open to sharing about life, then we may get to share about ours as well. Let's pray for the words to say and for a connection with others so that we can have these conversations.

Questions to think about:

• What are your interests? How does God relate to them? 
• What are your best friend's interests? How does God relate to them? 
• Is there someone you know now who doesn't know Christ, but that you have a common interest with?

Study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).

Photo from www.runnersworld.com/masters-racing/price-competition.

Conversation Starters: Nature

"Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have not storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable are you than the birds" (Luke 12:24, NASB).

Do you love the crisp air in fall or the beauty of new life that you see in spring? I used to have a professor who couldn't help but stop on vacations to take pictures of eroded rock formations as he took road trips with family. What stands out to you in God's creation? This can be a great way to start a conversation with someone, to share more about our Creator.

Nature can be simply striking. Its beauty tends to draw us in, and its intricacy can lead people to wonder about its designer. As life in unfolds around us, we can talk with others about how carefully and intelligently God made the world. He didn't just make everything and then walk away. He is ever-present, watching over every living thing, like the birds of the air. He desires a relationship with the people that He made in His image.

"The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands" (Psalm 19:1, NASB).

Study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Photo by Keith Williams from www.birds.cornell.edu.

With God All Things Are Possible!

"But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26 (HCSB)

Please meet one of our family praying friends, Brian. You can see him in the picture we see to the left having a great time last week in the East Texas SNOW. We had about 6-8 inches of snow last week in East Texas and Brian was outside in the snow making "donuts in his wheelchair"! This has got to be my favorite picture that I have seen of all the fun and excitement everyone enjoyed during this unusual SNOW DAY in East Texas! Brian not only is a picture of God's Amazing Power, but he also shares The Lord wherever he can as an inspirational motivational speaker. Brian has a very special testimony that you can watch some of it below on the u-tube that I have pasted as an inspiration for all!

Let's think about the people we know right now that need Jesus, what impossible situation are they in right now in their life? One way to share Jesus is to share the things that He has done in our lives, our testimonies, our life-changing experiences that God has done in our lives. There are things in our lives that we can say, "with man this is impossible, but with GOD all things are possible"! Jaye Martin has referred to these kind of things in our lives as being ready to share our "pearls" with others. "Pearls" can be anything positive or negative that we have experienced and how God has turned those things into His beautiful "pearls" to wear and share with others. For example, share a time that you experienced an unexpected blessing, gift, intervention, how God helped us when we were discouraged, depressed, or grieving. Both positive and negative "pearls" can help build a bridge to people that need the Lord and may be feeling that "no one understands" or "God can't accept me just the way I am".

Challenge: Listen closely to what is going on in the lives of people that we come into contact with and be willing to share an example of how God has helped you with the same kind of experience that they may be walking through right now (share your pearls!) "Taken from HeartCall~Women Sharing God's Heart, Written By Jaye Martin".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV5rtalFGD0 (Brian Brown Sharing Part of His Testimony)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ys4YgiZ392Y (Mercy Me-God With Us)

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/photo.php?pid=31081978&id=1247060398 (Brian's Snow Pictures!)

Eleven Conversation Starters

"Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel...Pray that I might be bold enough in Him to speak as I should" (Ephesians 4:19-20, HCSB).

As promised, here are eleven tips for beginning conversations when you are out in the world. Once you have them talking, you can share the love of the Lord. Be sure to add your tips to the comments!

1. Notice your surroundings. Comment on what is around you. What’s in the grocery basket? How’s the weather? Those kids are very well behaved. Use what you see to prompt you when starting a conversation.

2. Give a compliment. Do you love her hair cut? Where did she get that beautiful scarf? Tell her if that color looks great on her. People love to get compliments and usually don’t hear enough of them. Be sincere and you will gain entry to speak of more meaningful things.

3. Share a verse for the day. Maybe you were reminded that morning that God gives strength and you can share that with someone who needed to hear it too. Suppose you read about the love of God, share how God loves the one you are standing next to.

4. Read the paper or listen to the news. Knowing what is happening is a shoe-in for starting conversations. As you pray and ask God’s perspective on current events, you can share that viewpoint as God opens the door.

5. Listen to what people are really saying. People often share bits of truth about having a bad day or going through a difficult time. When you are listening, you are not planning what you will say next. You are hearing what the person says and needs. Be the encourager and the one who gives mercy as needed.

6. Offer to pray for those in need. As you see a clerk with too many people to wait on, tell her that you will be praying for her. As a mom with a crying child gets upset with the situation, tell her it is okay and that you will say a prayer for her. Sometimes it might be appropriate to stop and pray for someone right then. The Holy Spirit will guide you.

7. Give something away. Some people give business cards, some give sealed and wrapped candy, others may give pens. If you have little things you can give, then keep them with you. A balloon for a grade-school kid in line can create excitement. As you have extras of safe things, put them in your purse and pray about when you can give them away.

8. Just smile. Smiles can put people at ease. They can say that you are in a good mood and are not a threat. Smiles just let people know that you might be a really nice person. Smiles can open the door to share the love of the Lord – even when you can’t think of anything to say.

9. Body language is important. Standing with one hand on your hip may communicate that you have little patience let. Looking down and avoiding eye contact says you want to stay in your own world. Having open arms and looking at people communicates they are important and that you are open to conversation.

10. Ask about beauty tips (or sports). Who does your nails? hair? Where did you get that purse? I notice your lipstick stays on well, what brand do you use? There are so many directions one can go about beauty tips.

11. Open-ended questions are also great conversation starters. What good books have you read lately? What did you watch last night? What’s your favorite candy? What do like to serve for the holidays? The variety of options is endless.

Blogging Buddies
I am thrilled to have several capable leaders join me on this blog: Tracy Jones, Sharon Beougher, Kristi Beougher McCartney, Regina Gibson, and my daughter, Kelli Martin. We are excited about what the Lord is doing and can't wait to share with you!

Regina will be with us tomorrow. You will see Regina's photo all over Southern Seminary's info as she is a recent grad (MDiv in Women's Leadership) and is presently a women's enrichment specialist at LifeWay and great with child! Congrats to Regina and Chris.

Remember to add your comments on your ideas for conversation starters!