I know I've seen Godspell, but I don't remember it. I do recall a moment where the Jesus character appears in a fountain and then vanishes... I think.
Not exactly vivid memories.
Gospel.
Good News.
Don't we have good news to share with others? You can homeschool your children and find joy in it! There is more to this life than the here and now! There are a ton of great books just waiting for you to read! It's possible to have children in the comfort of your own home! Sonlight is the best homeschool curriculum in the world! <cough>
All cool stuff.
I got thinking about this because of what looks to be a great series that Robin has started on her blog. She mentions the analogy of telling people that their house is on fire, and that there is a similar urgency in our message as well.
And that's true.
But, as I thought about it, the fire analogy doesn't work for people who don't agree with us (no matter what the subject matter). Spreading this kind of good news is like trying to convince your neighbor that he needs to stop using his microwave because it is killing him and his family.
"But I like my microwave," your neighbor replies. "And I'm happy with it. And everyone else is using their microwaves just fine. I think you're a kook and just trying to disrupt my good life. Besides, there are plenty of medical studies that show your view to be wrong."
Similar responses arise when you try to share the good news of Christianity, homeschooling, home birthing, eating organic foods, going "off-grid", exercising, etc. It's good news--often, very good news with significant ramifications--but if people think you're a nut, your urgency just makes you look all the more batty.
So what do we do? One option would be to make a '70s movie with people vanishing from fountains--or some other more culturally applicable work.
But other than that, I think the best promotion is a life that has been positively changed by whatever it is. Sharing your story--your testimony--of how wonderful home birthing, homeschooling, eating healthy, Christianity, or whatever other bit of good news you have is the most powerful tool I can think of.
And that's one of the many reasons I absolutely love the Sonlight Moments forum. And that's one of the many reasons I pushed to make it so everyone can read it.
If you haven't glanced at the Sonlight Moments widget on the right there or visited the forum lately, I highly recommend it.
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
Sally, I tired to use an example that wouldn't cause people to get mad at me.
To my knowledge, we are fine using our microwaves (but shouldn't nuke plastics or Styrofoam). I have heard some talk about mircowaves killing us slowly, but I still use mine.
From what research I've done, breathing increases your chance of lung cancer by 10%. Put another way: 100% of life is fatal. <smile>
~Luke
"but if people think you're a nut, your urgency just makes you look all the more batty"
This one made me laugh. So very true.
Is there really something wrong with microwaves? Tell me you're kidding. I use mine all the time.
Jenn, totally! May we always keep it real and dig into things so we can learn and grow. Absolutely.
Heather, there certainly much truth to that. I think the other reason people fight against things so vehemently is because of personal baggage/pain.
Dan, I write about the problems with Christian filmmaking from time to time. Not here, but places like here. I think it currently boils down to two things: Funding (we don't put enough money into these things) and, more importantly, not preaching... or, more accurately, preaching the way films should <smile>. Keep sharing truth and talking about Sonlight <smile>.
Se7en, yep! That quote about "preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words" <smile>.
Andi, may we all be so gracious and loving! Absolutely.
~Luke
Right on, I agree. I have found too, that the best way to witness is to be an example. I think a lot of times we have big expectations. We think we should be evangelizing and preaching all over the world. If that is your calling, great! But, what does it mean for the rest of us living an ordinary life in our neighborhoods? How do we witness? Our job can be quite simple: praying for others, showing them kindness, offering to help in times of need. Taking someone a meal or inviting them into our homes to share a meal together can be powerful as well.
Hi there... I am always so amazed at how ardent people are about parent choices: birth, feeding, schooling etc... these are real make or break friendship barriers for some people... But at the same time seem they less concerned about how others feel spiritually!!! It always appears that people are more intense about their parenting choices than their spiritual choices... I must say when I started homeschooling and parenting I was exactly the same... I thought absolutely everyone should homeschool, home birth and so on... until I realized I was really more concerned about their parenting than about where they were spiritually... it kind of stopped me in my tracks! and left me a little less intense about the whole "You must do this or that!" and now I just let my life be a living witness - it is amazing how many doors or windows open up to witness just by living your life!!!
One option would be to make a '70s movie with people vanishing from fountainssounds awesome!
from one filmmaker to another, when will we ever get to make a Christian film that blows everything out of the water? a high impact film for Christ that doesn't sound like a Chrsitian film but does. sorry, does that make any sense?
off topic here, sorry. but back to your post - yeah, i find that i can be so enthusiastic about sharing all the cool things i think are the way to go in terms of education, practical living etc. do people suddenly pledge allegiance to the Dan Abbey cause? nah. but they do become interested. the twinkle in their eyes the moment i explain what sonlight is all about is priceless.
IME example is always the best way to get people to see anything your way. I've also noticed that the things which people fight against the hardest are generally the spot in their life where they feel like maybe they aren't doing the right thing and the one they are fighting against is.
This is so true! We can't expect other people to jump on our bandwagon if we talk it up big, but in the next moment we are ready to leap off our own wagon.
I think the best way for others to see the positives of homeschooling or christianity is through the way we live our lives. Keeping it real, keeping it positive, digging into the problems not running away and continuing to learn, learn, learn.