Amen. If I brought this concern before my parents, they would not listen, since they would think I was "overreacting." And yet I walk by that table each day, wondering about it, particularly because my cousin now lives with us when he is home from college, and he is a neopagan.<br><br>My parents accuse me of taking theology "too seriously." They think it is a Christian-highschool graduate, Baptist college graduate, seminary librarian thing. They are stuck in their mainline "Christian" world. I grew up with my family telling me that it was the "conservative fundamentalists" who took anything absolutely seriously.<br><br>I am the only evangelical in my entire extended family. They are all Disciples of Christ, PCUSA, United Methodist, Catholic, and non-Christian.<br><br>And not one so far is responding to the Gospel. In fact, I witnessed to my great aunt, who is a relativist who won't even call murder evil ("It's not a good thing, but I don't want to judge") My aunt told my parents about our conversation, and all my parents said to me was "We admire your faith, but maybe you could pick your battles and back off. There are so many other things to talk about besides God." And this was only the second time I had gotten to witness to my aunt! Do they not know Christians have an obligation to witness to others?? My dad thinks witnessing is asking people to pray for him. My mom thinks witnessing is all about not stealing, not lying, and not being rude. Yes, we should witness by our lives, but sharing the truths of the Bible is essential too.<br><br>And what is the Lord teaching me through this? Patience, for one. A dependency on God, knowing it is He who hardens and softens hearts. The fact that He is the sovereign and merciful Potter, and I am but the clay. Humility and a thankful heart because I do not deserve God's grace.<br><br>I want to take the time right now to thank you all for the many conversations we've had on this board. I've grown so much in the Lord this past year, and I want to say you all have played a part in that. We are like iron sharpening iron. And I look forward to so many good conversations to come. And then comes Heaven, when we the redeemed will worship Christ forever and ever! Our faith will be made sight, and the cares of this world will be long past.<br><br>Goodnight, my fellow pilgrims.

True godliness is a sincere feeling which loves God as Father as much as it fears and reverences Him as Lord, embraces His righteousness, and dreads offending Him worse than death~ Calvin