Sunday, March 8, 2009

A Safehouse for Christians

This past week I participated in a debate on a site called, "Proud Atheists."

I was lured there because of a poll question addressed to Christians. I answered the poll. Then I posted my reasons for my vote. Afterwards,I fielded questions.

The discussion with the atheists started nicely enough, with polite chit chat. But soon it became apparent that the blog site owner was only interested in provoking Christians into argument, then publicly ridiculing them. Eventually, he went so far as to alter my posts and then blocked my responses to further accusations that were hurled at me.

Today we heard the sad news about a pastor who was shot to death during his services. This same blog owner decided to use the incident as a platform and to ridicule the shooting victim for his faith.

So ... I decided ... why not create a blog that's a "safehouse" for Christians?

We put ourselves out there. We defend our faith. We allow ourselves to be taunted and slandered. This goes with the territory. Jesus tells us we're in good company with those who have gone before us.

That said, we need to support each other. Although many of us have Bible studies, Sunday School classes and other types of community through our churches, I also thought it would be nice to have a place online where we can chat.

I called this blog, "Priscilla's and Aquila's Place," because Paul writes, "Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house." (1 Cor. 16:19 NASB; see also Acts 20:20, Romans 16:5, Colossians 4:15, Philemon 1:2).

Welcome to the place where you are safe.

Do you have a situation with an unbelieving family member, friend, colleague, even enemy?

How can I pray for you?

And are others out there willing to add their supportive words and prayers?

7 comments:

  1. Hello Heidi

    Must be one in a million that I chanced upon you after you posted on my blog http://breakthroughtogod.wordpress.com/ about the same subject. As I said then, it is useless to argue with people who may know enough about the Bible to argue, but completely lack faith in its inherent truth. Don't worry about them - they are happy in their misery :-) Keep up the good work.

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  2. Thank you Heidi for setting up this blog. Until we venture out into the world beyond our Christian friends and church activities, I think we forget what a minority we are and how strangely we are viewed by non Christians.

    I have a wonderful brother who was baptized as a child but has since pretty much left the church -- any church. He is a college professor surrounded by liberal intellectuals and so I am sure it is hard for him. What concerns me most are his children. They are not being raised with any faith. Otherwise, they have charmed lives --two educated, involved parents, private lessons of all sorts, opportunities to travel, bedtime stories every night. My question to Christian bloggers is how do I approach this with him without turning him off. He is well aware of my faith and I would be the guardian of his children should anything happen to him and his wife. But they tell me they are glad the boys are now 8 and 11 because it would be hard for me to "indoctrinate" them. Otherwise, they think I would make a great substitute parent. Any ideas?

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  3. For sure, I shall regularly read and pray as Christians just chat. What a wonderful idea...to have a place simply dedicated for "getting to know each other", not for any other reason than to discuss situations that confuse or distress or bring us close to God. Thank you for your creative blog.

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  4. Hello Breakthroughtogod,

    Thank you for your encouragement! I was thrilled to find your site yesterday, and my little boy was especially intrigued with the cool photo of the scrolls. It led to an opportunity for us to discuss what scrolls were, etc.
    I appreciate the bolstering.
    Your site is great, and you keep up the good work, too!

    Heidi

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  5. Hi copywrite,

    I am so sorry about your nephews and this situation. How heartbreaking.
    For encouragement, we can rely on what happened in Acts with the Roman Centurion -- he was saved as well as "his whole house."
    Regarding what to do in the short-term, now that your brother feels his kids are "old enough not to be indoctrinated," why don't you offer to take them to church with you? You could argue that he himself has said they're old enough to make their own choices. I wonder what he would say. I will pray about this with you.
    On another note, don't be discouraged, because you can remember that Jesus uses children as examples for how willing their hearts are. "Come as a child" is not just an expression. We have had unchurched children in our home and I have been amazed at how open they are to the Gospel. On top of that, they take their newfound faith back to their homes, and soon their parents want what they have! It's wonderful to witness.

    Does anyone else have any suggestions for copywrite? How have you handled a situation like this?

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  6. Thanks, Anonymous, for your encouragement and for being willing to pray for the folks who visit here.

    By the way, if anyone out there has a prayer request, let me know. I will pray for you.

    Heidi

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  7. Most of all enjoy quality chatting and meeting some great fellow Christians. Christian chat

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