Oddest promise ever extracted?

[paula 4]

I read the whole thing too. Loved it!

I knew you had a story, and knew it would be a good one! Thanks for sharing.

Has your husband ever tried to get you to sway towards christianity?

[vinesqueen 2]

thanks Paula! Nope, he totally respects my belief structure, and I respect his.

I had these really great neighbors, and naturally they were concerned for my mortal soul. Chuck was working on becomming ordained as a Baptist Minister...

Chuck was always trying to get me to convert, but I always resisted, and I never tried to convert him to my way. One day we were driving to the grocery store, and as usual, he was being concerned about my soul. Getting a little tired of constantly being saved, I made the simple statement "since God is part of everything, everything is part of God." He flat out disagreed with me. I let it got for a few minutes. ...

So I started a conversation about art and great artists. He agreed with me that the true Masters left part of themselves in their work. So we chatted about various Masters for a while.

"Look at that sunset! Don't you think that God is the greatest of all artists?" Chuck agreed with me whole heartedly. Then I went in for the kill. "So, since God is the greatest of all artists, and you agree that all great artists leave some of themselves in their work, everything is part of God?" Chuck promptly agreed with me.

Then it dawned on him.

He didn't talk to me for a whole month, and then once again he went back to trying to save my immortal soul...

[New Hope 37]

Crystal, you have really had some interesting events happen to you! I hope some day that you will meet some average Christians ...who won't tell you what type of career to choose, who won't care if you decide to look up towards Heaven during a prayer (and in fact will do the same), and have the opportunity to be involved w/a Christian school who won't try to stifle your spirit and creativity. You definitely would be an asset to them.

[dylansmom 27]

I was going to keep silent, but I agree with Marie. As a Christian I don't go around telling people to not look up at heaven, and telling them how they should/shouldn't live their lives. I'm truly sorry that you had those experiences, and SHAME ON THEM for doing that to you! That truly saddens me.

And I don't go around pushing my beliefs on others either. If someone asks me how I believe, then that's totally different. But if not, then I don't go shoving it down their throats.

I know that I wouldn't appreciate someone doing that to me, thus I return the kindness and favor to them as well.

I'm glad to see that you've turned out to be a pretty great person despite all of those misfortunate happenings! Sometimes people don't stop to think how they can hurt a person by what they say or do to them, even as children. Good for you girl!

P.S. And contrary to some people's thoughts, most of christians don't go around claiming to be perfect either. My God is perfect, and I try to mimick that as closely as possible. I have my days where I get upset, cuss, and do other sinful things too (which proves I'm not perfect LOL) but I strive to live my life in His image as much as I possibly can. I believe that giving respect, love, kindness, and support to others is just one way that I can show love to the world. It's living by example.

[vinesqueen 2]

oh, I didn't mean to give y'all the impression that all religous folk I know are insensentive or pushy. I know many fine folk of all persuasions . (Dang I wish I could spell...) If my friend and neigbor Chuck didn't care for me, he wouldn't have been so stong in his caring. That is how he knows how to share his love. And I'm grovey with that.

[Alexandra 55]

"Grovey," huh?

[vinesqueen 2]

yeah, I'm on a one woman campain to make "grovey" cool again. It's so retro, I might be able to pull it off...

[paula 4]

Poor Chuck...

you do realize that you are his personal mission work.

[Jammin & Losin 1]

Vinesqueen~ Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. I found it very interesting!

[dylansmom 27]

Yes, thanks for sharing! I love to learn what makes people tick, and why they think the way that they do. Thank goodness for so many different kinds of people. Without them the world would be so blah!

You're truly a precious person!

[Alexandra 55]

Actually, I was picking on the spelling. I use the word, too, but it's spelled "groovy."

Sorry about that! I'm an incorrigible editor.

[vinesqueen 2]

oh, well, we all know how fond I am of quotes.... "I could never respect a man who could only spell a word one way..." Mark Twain