Over the last few weeks we've had an explosion of people linking, liking, friending, following and subscribing to Ciloa. On Facebook we've added almost 2000. Twitter has about 20,000. It's been amazing. People have come from around the world---all walks of life, ages, backgrounds, ideas, churches, denominations, and religions. And to each one...Welcome!

The religious leanings have been interesting. Our ministry is Ciloa, which stands for Christ Is Lord Of All---the very core of what we believe. Our mission is simple---to carry out Jesus' instruction to love one another. This world is often a very hard place. Living from one day to the next can be incredibly difficult. Wouldn't it be better if we actually cared for and encouraged each other?

Not everyone agrees with us, of course. But of those who don't, many still want to connect in some way. Some share what they believe and---just as important---why. When we fail to discuss the why of things, the what is often meaningless.

But there's another group. It's quite large, spanning denominations, sects, orders, and religions---Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Taoist, etc. This group includes many religious leaders, devoted followers, as well as those whose religious affiliation is simply a bullet point on a resume. While lives, countries, and cultures may be vastly different, they share certain disturbing characteristics.

They spend more time denouncing your beliefs than sharing their own. They live in the world of "you can't", ignoring the experience of "He can". They judge by comparing you to themselves, as though they were perfect. They want only to stand and speak, never to sit and listen.

Important in my writings is respect toward those willing to read what I share. We should not shy away from expressing what we believe, but especially for those who follow Jesus, our expression should never be an opportunity to put someone down. And yet I see people doing that all the time.

Peter wrote that we are to live as servants of God (1 Peter 2:16), and such a life  REQUIRES  that we show proper respect to everyone (v. 17). He urged us to be prepared to tell anyone who asks, "What is the reason for the hope that you have?", and the answer  MUST  come with gentleness and respect (3:15).

In practicing law, I discovered something interesting about witnesses and their testimony. Good witnesses looked me in the eye, spoke with confidence, and clearly expressed what they believed to be true. Poor witnesses looked around me, muttered in hesitation, and repeated what they'd been told to say. But bad witnesses looked right through me, shouted in anger, and merely attacked what others had to say.

Think of the messages you receive and the people you listen to. What kind of witnesses are they? Do they give the reason for what they believe? Do they mutter and hesitate? Do they spend their time attacking others? And when it comes to your own testimony, what kind of witness are you?

We are called to share, not shout...explain, not demand...respect, not tear down. Others will never hear where we believe they can be---if we're not willing to accept them where they are.