One thing we can do is to not adapt the godless world's way of thinking and talking...

Jesus tells us to be "salt" and "light."

Maybe pepper your speech with the truth of God.

Maybe, instead of saying "bless you!" when someone sneezes, say, "God bless you!"

If someone says, "Why do you have to bring God into this?," say, "This is America. You aren't being *intolerant* are you?," or "You believe in freedom of speech, right?" (With humor and a smile, for God's sake!!)

Maybe, instead of "Happy Easter," say "Happy Resurrection Day."

Maybe in addition to saying "Merry Christmas," say, "This is the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus our Savior."

Instead of saying, "If he does that, he's gonna die!," say: "If he does that, he's gonna see Jesus in Person!"
(I did this the other day at work at the canteen counter, and it gave an electric shock, with eyes wide open--so fast, so assumed, no one can say anything without opening a can of worms and all of THEIR non-provable faith/assumptions that they don't want to talk about...)

Jesus said be as "shrewd as snakes." Shoot your arrows of love and faith and truth into the hearts of the "faithless."

Give them some hope. Give them the good news, first and foremost.

Let's hold on to the Truth--we, all of us. Our American culture is a far cry from where it should be, spiritually.

Our faith is our armor (our "shield")--and Holy Scripture is our sword.

Get my drift? No spin.

That's the way.

No more of the "monkey business" of accepting assumed evolution.

The Spirit blows where He wants to.

That's the main thing.

Put on your bravest face and lovingly confront the malignant forces in our culture.

Stand against the self-centered Narcissism of our "Have it Your Way!" age.

We'll be workin' them angels overtime-- they'll be trying to help us in every situation!

Let's save some from the larger bowl of God's wrath.

To the pure, all things are pure.

To know Him, obey Him.

Trust & obey.

The people who don't like this, will be the ones to be be bringing up the "taboo" subject of faith.

Then you can tell them how to get their sins forgiven and get to Heaven. (Through faith in Christ.)

Assume the truth of your faith, in the same way they assume the lies of atheism and evolution and moral relativism in theirs.

Let's not let God die out, or be forced out, of our conversation.

It is your God-given right and your right as an American.

Just a suggestion.

God willing, you will see the wisdom in this. :)

Heaven knows we need it.

It will hit them like Scripture.

Jesus bless you,

C

P.S. Other salt and pepper suggestions:

"God's creation."

"That's the Bible truth."

"That's the Gospel truth!"

"Thank God for atheists."

"The boss is giving a 'Come to Jesus' message.'"

"He thinks he can walk on water."

"Do not judge hypocritically."

"As you believe, so shall it be done unto you." (Done with a little dramatic flourish.)

"He's laying down the law, like Moses."

"...knowing right from wrong."

"Charlton Heston was great in THE TEN COMMANDMENTS..."

Have you seen the movie "THE APOSTLE"?

"Those Philistines over at..."

"He preached a jeremiad to the board."

"A voice crying in the wilderness."

"He suffered like Job in that hospital."

"Thank You, Jesus!"

"Praise God..."

"Lord knows...."

"God's wisdom says..."

"The Bible says..."

"The Golden Rule says, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

"He was a God-fearing man."

Replace the word "religious" with "believing" or "person of faith." (It is a gracious way to get people to ask what (or Who) you believe in.")

Instead of saying you are a Christian, say you are a "believer in Jesus."

"Until the Lord comes again."

"That living Hell over in Iraq."

"The difference between Heaven and Hell."

"From on High."

"God loves you."

"Jesus forgives."

"Jesus saves."

"Believe in Jesus and be saved forever."

Use some salt--just don't overdo it! :)

One final one: each and every time someone screams "Jesus!" or "Jesus Christ" in vain, as a blasphemy, using His Holy Name as an exclamation point, say:

"Now that you've brought up Jesus..."
"He loves you."
"He died for you."
"Praise His Holy Name!"
"Preaching the Gospel again, Bill?" (with humor and irony)

or, if you really got guts:

With total kindness and total firmness...
"Please don't take the Name of my God and Savior in vain. That is really offensive to me, and it is against H.R. policy."

Everyone deserves respect, even Jesus, don't you think?

Never use these with sinful ego or sinful anger, but in the power of the Spirit of Grace.

Use these with kindness and grace, or humor, or loving confrontation, as the Lord leads.

There was a blessed Hispanic man named Joe Valdez at T-Mobile where I used to work. He was a bearded man with, at times, a "big presence." He would lovingly salt his speech with the phrase, "the Lord.." That changed the atmosphere in that call center building from godless to reverent. It definitely had a big effect on me.

May Joe's tribe increase!

Jesus bless you,

C

PPS: I peppered this email with the titles of every single song on the latest RUSH album, "Snakes and Arrows."

That's what some Old Testament Messianic prophecy is like--you can't see some of it except in retrospect...

Later, it's so obvious that it flashes out at you!