Today is Red Wine Gum’s 24th birthday. Stop over to his blog, Random Reflective Ravings, and say Happy Birthday!!! I was watching his birthday video, and he mentioned a quote that struck me as interesting.
A fanatic is someone who can’t change his mind, and won’t change the subject. ~Winston Churchill
I know people like that. Do you know the ones I mean? The ones that will push and push until you want to scream and fall over backwards foaming at the mouth? 
I consider myself a bit of a fanatic when it comes to my faith… but I have never been someone who will not drop it, and who keeps forcing my beliefs upon someone. Should I be? I don’t know. I’ve had my moments where I have “preached” at people… and to be honest, it wasn’t helpful, and it didn’t accomplish anything except them pushing me away so that they could breathe.
I find that people are open to discussing things with me as long as I can listen as much as I talk… and if I can respectfully disagree with them without getting the attitude that I am somehow better than they are. That reminds me of another quote that I have found of great interest over the years…
Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words. ~St. Francis of Assisi
What turns you off? What works for you?
