When to separate yourself

[dwinkjr]

I just wanted to bring this thread to life one more time to give an update...if anyone will read it. The lunch hour seems to be the time that we complain the most and the other day I had enough. In a joking manner I told them that when we walk through the lunch room doors that we would be entering the no gossiping/complaining zone (much like the "no spin zone" on the O'Reily factor). I told them that complaining and gossiping had to be reserved to emails only which I thought was clever considering we seldom email each other. To my suprise everyone was amused by this and so far it has been going well. Something happened yesterday in the lunch room that I knew some wanted to gossip about and when the person I left I just looked at them and said no one needs to say anything...They laughed and the subject was changed. It's awesome to me how God was able to work in this situation. I was able to tell them how I felt to some degree and was able to maintain my relationships with them. The Lord does move in mysterious ways...

Amen, this was a great way to deal with this... If they still choose to gossip they can do so when you are not around...

God Bless,

Dave

[Orr v'emet]

I just wanted to bring this thread to life one more time to give an update...if anyone will read it.  The lunch hour seems to be the time that we complain the most and the other day I had enough.  In a joking manner I told them that when we walk through the lunch room doors that we would be entering the no gossiping/complaining zone (much like the "no spin zone" on the O'Reily factor).  I told them that complaining and gossiping had to be reserved to emails only which I thought was clever considering we seldom email each other.  To my suprise everyone was amused by this and so far it has been going well.  Something happened yesterday in the lunch room that I knew some wanted to gossip about and when the person I left I just looked at them and said no one needs to say anything...They laughed and the subject was changed.  It's awesome to me how God was able to work in this situation.  I was able to tell them how I felt to some degree and was able to maintain my relationships with them.  The Lord does move in mysterious ways...

Amen, this was a great way to deal with this... If they still choose to gossip they can do so when you are not around...

God Bless,

Dave

yep! I have been seeing more and more and I think they are realizing it more that we all have very little in common. Not sure where that will take us. I just hope God can continue to use me in some way. I would love to see them saved.

[dwinkjr]

I just wanted to bring this thread to life one more time to give an update...if anyone will read it.

[Orr v'emet]

There was one time with one of the girls that I have been friends with the longest. We had been doing one of those dumb email question things where you ask random questions to get to know one another, a chain thing and one question was "do you believe in God". Well her response was I think so. I took that opportunity to talk with her about it. She didn't seem too receptive so I told her that there was more that I could tell her and that I would love to tell her what Jesus did in my life and if she was ever interested to come to me. I left the door open because I could see she was not taking it in too well. Her dad had just died and she was pretty angry at the time so I just tried to comfort her and tell her about the hope that I had and left it with her.

As far as the other girls, they know where I come from...I'm the good girl, the good baptist (though I don't really care about being baptist necessarily). I have never done like the whole plan of salvation thing but they know what I'm about and when the opportunity presents itself I am going to jump on it.

I did miss one opportunity one day a long time ago when I was afraid to share my faith. A girl commented that when she died she hoped that she was good enough to get to heaven. Oh to have a comment like that again...it would open the door. I am just waiting... sorry I was a bit long winded here....

[dwinkjr]

There was one time with one of the girls that I have been friends with the longest. We had been doing one of those dumb email question things where you ask random questions to get to know one another, a chain thing and one question was "do you believe in God". Well her response was I think so. I took that opportunity to talk with her about it. She didn't seem too receptive so I told her that there was more that I could tell her and that I would love to tell her what Jesus did in my life and if she was ever interested to come to me. I left the door open because I could see she was not taking it in too well. Her dad had just died and she was pretty angry at the time so I just tried to comfort her and tell her about the hope that I had and left it with her.

As far as the other girls, they know where I come from...I'm the good girl, the good baptist (though I don't really care about being baptist necessarily). I have never done like the whole plan of salvation thing but they know what I'm about and when the opportunity presents itself I am going to jump on it.

I did miss one opportunity one day a long time ago when I was afraid to share my faith. A girl commented that when she died she hoped that she was good enough to get to heaven. Oh to have a comment like that again...it would open the door. I am just waiting... sorry I was a bit long winded here....

You know some times we just gotta come out with it... it is nice to wait for an "opportune" time and i think we all do this... but what i try to remind myself, is there may not be a tomorrow.. do i really wanna take that chance on the soul of someone i truly care about? Just something to consider...

God Bless,

Dave

[BobTriez]

You know some times we just gotta come out with it... it is nice to wait for an "opportune" time and i think we all do this... but what i try to remind myself, is there may not be a tomorrow.. do i really wanna take that chance on the soul of someone i truly care about? Just something to consider...

God Bless,

Dave

Amen!!!

Hear God's word -

Mark 1:15

"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"

NEAR!!! Hear that ? The Kingdom is near!!!

There's a war goin' on people...go fight! Go get someone saved in Jesus!

Come Lord Jesus, come! :hug:

In His love that knows no end,

Bob

[dwinkjr]

Come Lord Jesus, come! :hug:

It all comes down to this statement... we donot knwo when he will be coming for us... Some feel it will be in this generation some don't... I donot presume to know anything of that nature when he is ready he will come back for us...

The bottom line is he coudl be ready before i even finish typing this thread, we have no way of knowing that exact moment. But i can Gaurantee you one thing. Every moment we put it off is a moment closer to the return of Christ..

God Bless,

Dave

[artsylady]

I was also going to say that you shouldn't separate yourself from them. They would only see that as you being too good to hang out with them.

When they complain, you can say "Yeah, I hate to have to work on the holiday too.... But at least they're giving us Tuesday off! And the beach won't be nearly so packed on Tuesday" Or if they're complaining about the boss, you can say "Well, yeah but at least he's pretty good when it comes to sick days." Be the eternal optomist. Always seeing the good, but maybe not so much that it's nauseating. lol. Fine line. You don't want to be constantly disagreeing - agree but add some optomism. I guess you want them to know that you're still human and have human feelings just like they do but you choose to see the good. That's the way I'd approach it. Could be wrong though.

[artsylady]

In a joking manner I told them that when we walk through the lunch room doors that we would be entering the no gossiping/complaining zone (much like the "no spin zone" on the O'Reily factor). I told them that complaining and gossiping had to be reserved to emails only which I thought was clever considering we seldom email each other. To my suprise everyone was amused by this and so far it has been going well. Something happened yesterday in the lunch room that I knew some wanted to gossip about and when the person I left I just looked at them and said no one needs to say anything...They laughed and the subject was changed

Yes! Humor is good! Use the sense of humor God gave you!! It makes everyone feel at ease, even when you're trying to make a serious point! Awesome!

[artsylady]

Another good humor technique to stop gossip, is if they start, turn around quickly and say "shssshh. Here she comes"!! Then when they realize you're joking just laugh. It puts them in a position to know they wouldn't want the person to hear them and they're very likely to just stop.

It's very important that you don't engage in gossip and I'm sure you don't because they'll know full well that you'll never gossip about them.

Or, allow them to talk about someone to a certain point. "You know Sheila takes way too many sick days. You noticed that?" Jump in with a very concerned look. "Wow, I hope she's all right." Turn it from malicious to concern and then everyone will feel silly for sounding malicious.