by Su Elliott

There was a lady whom I spent time with a year or so ago. I made a vow to myself never to bring up the topic of religion with her. She knew I was a Christian and had openly told me of her antipathy to Christianity and being preached at. She made it clear that she enjoyed my conversation but did not want to talk about religion. So why is it that it came up in every conversation? I didn’t bring it up. I mostly listened. And when I did talk, I just told stories from my life with no commentary. It was very difficult for me not to respond to the many ‘openings’ in the conversation, to all the provocative things she said that almost demanded I speak up for God, but I was determined to keep my vow. But once she knew she was going to be listened to, then she apparently felt safe and she really did want to talk about God.

In fact, she told me every time we got together that she just loved talking to me, that it opened her mind to new ideas, that I was so intelligent and thoughtful, that it was a surprising thing to her to find this in a Christian.

ROFL! Evangelism can be so easy! Just don’t talk and suddenly you’re wise and insightful. That’s a joke that will never get old.

by Monika Luongo

I just saw your website on The Shack website. I read some of the posts and I decided to post my own thoughts.

First and foremost I am an Agnostic. I don’t believe in the church. I was brought up Catholic and take the bible with a grain of salt.  I do believe in God…not the old white man figure with the white beard, but in a spiritual being. I believe in the 10 commandments, because these make sense.

My only daughter passed away seven years ago. I did not blame God, the doctors or anybody else. I did not ask why, because I figured it would be answered, “Why not?” I have a hard time explaining my life now. It has changed in ways I never imagined. Let me try to explain anyway.

My daughter was sick for a long time. I lost my job, because I needed to take care of her. I lost all my money, because some of her medications were not covered by her insurance and after she was gone, I had a hard time finding a new job. She passed away in February of 2002. I was trying to get myself together. In December of 2002 (I will never forget…it is burned into my mind) my boyfriend asked me if I would like to go to Cape Cod. We live on the south shore near Boston. He said there would be some festivities and it would be good to get out of the house. so we drove to the cape. When we arrived at the Cape Cod canal and started to cross on one of the bridges, the sun went down and it was so absolutely beautiful, it took my breath away.

I knew then, in a way I can’t really explain, that everything would be ok. I could feel the hand of God.

That month I started my life all over. I lost weight, got a new job and appreciated everything around me. This was my present from God. Oh, I talk to him all the time. I complain, I am thankful, and I get mad at him. My daughter is always with me, and so is God. I am still not going to churches, and I still do not listen to preachers or priests, and I am still an agnostic.

by Linda Davis

I was eating lunch with a friend during the break at the Doable Evangelism seminar in San Jose when I noticed a young family at a nearby table. The mom looked like she was Native American. The dad was dressed in camouflage fatigues and their son was a toddler.

I kept eating as I prayed (behind their backs!) that God would bless the young family with abundant love, and protect them. After I finished eating I looked at their table again and noticed that only the mom was sitting there. I assumed that dad and son had gone to the restroom. When I walked outside I was surprised to see dad and son stretching their legs. Dad was chatting with another guy in his age group. I overheard dad say, “…to Afghanistan.” Just then I saw the son start running toward the parking lot. I was closer to him than dad was, so I stepped between him and his destination and said, “Your dad needs you,” as I pointed him back toward his dad.

A day later I heard on the news that one of our National Guard groups was going to Afghanistan. Somehow I feel a bit connected to them.