We have a wonderful friend whom we love a lot -- but he is a Jehovah's Witness. He was up to visit this weekend and he is still a favorite person of ours. We have known him about two years and the friendship only builds.
He came up because he wanted to talk to us. So last night we talked. We have talked about our different faiths before, but always we try to back off when he shows signs of being disturbed. We only want him to think about what we say and the passages we show him and not just reject the whole thing and shut down.
We haven't had a total payoff, but it may be coming. Last night we talked about Isaiah 44 and Revalation 1. We talked about Michael in Jude (JW's believe Jesus is Michael the archangel). We talked about John 1, Colossians 1, Hebrews 1. We talked about so much else. This time he started writing down verses so he could read some more when he got home. Just that much response had me so 'wired' it took a while to settle down and sleep when we finally went to bed. I was really happy. He wants the truth, and that is the biggest thing.
But I also know from past experience with JW's who have become Christians that it is probably the hardest thing they have ever done. They get hounded by the JW's in their area and disfellowshiped and threatened with all kinds of spiritual and even physical retributions. It's hard.
Please, if anyone here happens to remember, pray for Marvin.
We have tried to do what the Holy Spirit told Philip to do regarding the Ethiopian -- just walk alongside and listen. And then be ready to answer questions. We've learned a lot about patience with him, as well as a lot about how easy it is to really care for someone even when he or she is not a 'sibling' in Christ. He's a special guy. And he's in a trap.