When to Email and When Not to Email

Ok, so I had to write about this one because this just happened. It got me so fuming mad and I know I should have just blown it off but it effects so many people, including my mother, so I can't help it.

Basically the story goes like this.... my mother sent out an email to her "list" asking for prayer for our country. My mother is a Christian as well as I and the majority on her list are as well. All except for a small number and there is one of those that is very vocal about anything religious or political. You may have heard the saying, "Not to mix friendship talk with 2 things, religion and politics because someone will end up getting offended." Well this was all too true the other day. I think my mom didn't think anything of it because she sent it to her list of family and friends and this particular person is one of her oldest friends. Keep in mind, this was a simple email to pray for our country. Well, this friend emailed back to the list of people, to keep in mind that there are other faiths besides Christianity. Ok, that totally hacked off not only my mom but the majority of the email list. I should also say, that this friend doesn't even have a faith, she is an athiest! So why gripe!!!? Why make it an issue?! I'll tell you why she made it an issue... because Satan hates when Christians come together. He was feeling outnumbered and attacked and what better way to defend himself and to cause tension than to attack. 

I normally don't even reply to these emails because this person has said things like this before. My mom, on the otherhand, immediately responded and let the woman know she would not be getting anymore of these emails from her. Probably the correct thing to do. I, on the other, had couldn't let it go this time. I probably should have but something inside me said, "No! Not this time! Why do we as Christians have to silence ourselves?! Especially when we are asking for prayer to benefit our country!? No, we will not be quiet! You be quiet if you don't want to pray or are not of Christian faith!" We respect the right she has to not have any faith, that is her God given right. She can believe whatever she wants to believe, no one asked her to believe in Christ. It's not like my mom was emailing out The Sinners Prayer and asking everyone to sign it! I mean, come on here! So anyways, I caved in and wrote back stating that we Christians will not be quiet and basically, if we want to have support of prayer for our country, they we can ask for it. I was tired of her silencing my mom. A couple of others emailed more to her. Oh this just fueled her fire. I figured as much. She shot back quoting a scripture. My mom warned me about this, that her friend has read the bible cover to cover many times and could win any Jeapordy question on the subject. Most athiests have read the bible in completion. I informed the woman that I was not interested in getting into a Bible debate with her but that she didn't understand the meaning of the scripture she chose. She tried to debate that Christians should not pray in public, instead inside, in private. NOT TRUE! Sorry to tell ya, so not true! In the same book of Matthew Jesus said that where there are two or more gathered together in His name, they shall have what they ask. Jesus asked us to come together in prayer. This is what my mom was doing. Asking her fellow family and close friends to come together in prayer.

So, a few other people on the list chimed in and asked this friend to remove them from her email list. This just infuriated the woman. She wrote a huge email back, quoting scripture. Honestly, I couldn't tell you what it said because I didn't read it. I had told her that I wasn't going to debate her but Satan is always ready for a fight. Oh how Satan loathes Christians.

I called my mother and left her a message on her machine about what had happened. Just warning her that it had blown up. I also emailed her. I tried calling her again when I knew she would be home but she didn't answer. Now I think she is upset with me. What the heck?!! Do I wish this whole thing would have happened, no! But if you are going to get mad at me for defending you, God and other Christians, I will not apologize for it, I will not do it! I stood up for what is right and if this woman was unhappy about my moms email which was intended for Christian prayer, then she should have deleted it! Her response was unnecessary.

Yes, I know there are other religions out there. Yes, I believe they are free to worship and practice their faith. This friend has the right to be an athiest as well. Her call. But, this email wasn't to any other religion, it was to Christians to pray. If she isn't a Christian, then ignore it, delete it, or email my mom and ask her to take her name off the list. My mother will not be sending her anymore Christian emails. No, this one shouldn't have been sent to her in the first place. Hard lesson learned.

God said something else about differing faiths - He said that people mistake him for being a peaceful God. He didn't send Jesus to Earth to make peace, He came with a sword causing friends and even family members to wage war against one another. It doesn't mean they will be enemies or hate eachother for life. It just means, these different faiths will not agree. Jesus warned of this happening.

This was a very hard lesson for all of us involved. Not sure what will come of it. I'll keep ya posted!

Think I'll pray about it!! Ha! Cuz I can!