Hi Doreen, it's kinda tough. My friends have come to know me as someone who digs into his Bible, so they see this as just another opinion from just another person/s - just another phase. They still respect me though, but before it was more accepted when we shared our Bible-knowledge with each other. Now, some of them feel, I'm way off-track.
Last night, one of my best friends popped around my place for about a half an hour - he had a hectic day, and just wanted to blow off some steam and have a cup of coffee before he went home, so, we chatted. He mentioned that maybe I feel the need to be 'right' and all other people 'wrong'. Well, instead of jumping on my horse and drawing my sword, I felt that the conversation needed changing, and that he needs a friend right now, so we chatted away about all kinds of stuff. I didn't feel the need to 'defend' my stance, because I remembered what Ray mentioned about "the foolishness of preaching" - I could've sat there and talked his ear off with all the new words and stuff I've learned, but decided not to - rather be a friend - No, I don't put Christ aside, but rather let Christ shine through us.
Just to obey Christ's simple commands, puts alot of my own personal issues into perspective, by just remembering that all works out for the good, whether now or later, God is in TOTAL control - that's when you realize that Christ's yoke is soft and the burden light.
Keep fighting the good fight, and let your light shine :-)
Regards
CDJ