"Hear the bells, hear them ring. It's Christmas time in the city." While that is true for most of us, different bells are also ringing. The bells of mourning are ringing up in Newtown, Connecticut. It is
Wednesday, December 19, 2012, and while many would rather not hear or see anymore of this unspeakable horror, it is, nonetheless, a reality that is being lived out by the families involved, and, it's also our shared reality as a nation. Making sense out of something like this, to me, is very difficult. At the same time, we do fully realize that we live in a world permeated with evil, one where every individual needs God, and that's about all that I can come up with, and while I know it's not an explanation, it is the generalization that I see. And, I do think it is one that can be seen in God's Word, therefore, while folks wait on the experts to tell them exactly what happened and why, I believe we can find answers, we can find help, we can find comfort, and yes, we can find peace, as we seek the Prince of Peace. Meanwhile, those of us who know the Lord God of heaven can seek His intervention and help for all those touched by this most tragic of tragedies. We need Him. The Apostle Paul writing in his second letter to the local fellowship meeting in Corinth, Greece, greeted them in this way: "Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and
the God of all comfort." (Chapter 1, verse 3) And, may we all remember that we, as recipients of His grace and comfort, we, are His instruments to do what we can, with His help, to extend love and comfort to the hurting.
Amen.
I wish the advocates for pro and con regarding different types of gun control would allow their issues to be discussed at a later time. Filling up page after page of rhetoric proposing or defending their positions, does not, in my opinion, give the full measure of respect to those who are suffering at this time. I'm not saying there are not matters to discuss and debate, however, I just think they should be postponed until after an appropriate time is given to those dealing with this most sad event. My opinion. Freedom is a messy business and there will be the right time to deal with these matters. Through this vale of tears, we have all been inspired by the reported courageous acts of the teachers who did what they could to protect their students. Their testimonies should be recognized and remembered. Some of them made the decision to face death itself in order to shield the little ones they were responsible for. May God bless their memory and may their stories become a source of inspiration to our nation. God bless their families and may He bless all our teachers who give of themselves on behalf of our children.
Amen.
I too have felt the tug to turn the channel. I also thought about not writing anything about it. But, it was on my heart and mind, therefore, I felt like I should share my thoughts. I asked our grandson, Jimmy Don, if they had heard about it at school on Friday. He seemed incredulous. "Poppy, we have so many smart phones on campus, nearly all the students knew about it as soon as it was reported." That too is the world we live in. Breaking news in real time available to anyone who has a cell phone, including our children. Jimmy's belief is that most of the students knew about it way before the school staff and administration. I report this in order to help us all to understand why we have to do our best, with God's help, to share with our kids, who already know a lot about things like this great tragedy. We pretty much have said goodbye to a world where we can protect our children from the sordid details that saturate our news feeds. The unbelieving world asks where God was when all this mayhem was happening. Why didn't He stop it? If He is a good God, why does He allow things like this to continue? Those are all excellent and may I add, reasonable, questions. The response is to share the truth about the hearts of sinful people and how that plays itself out. We share truth in a loving way, knowing that we stand first in line in need of salvation, a Savior, and the grace to live out a life that is pleasing to almighty God. That's my take on a situation that is filled with such sadness. And, that's why the only Source of help is to seek the Lord God of heaven for He is the God of all comfort.
Amen. .....More later.
I wish the advocates for pro and con regarding different types of gun control would allow their issues to be discussed at a later time. Filling up page after page of rhetoric proposing or defending their positions, does not, in my opinion, give the full measure of respect to those who are suffering at this time. I'm not saying there are not matters to discuss and debate, however, I just think they should be postponed until after an appropriate time is given to those dealing with this most sad event. My opinion. Freedom is a messy business and there will be the right time to deal with these matters. Through this vale of tears, we have all been inspired by the reported courageous acts of the teachers who did what they could to protect their students. Their testimonies should be recognized and remembered. Some of them made the decision to face death itself in order to shield the little ones they were responsible for. May God bless their memory and may their stories become a source of inspiration to our nation. God bless their families and may He bless all our teachers who give of themselves on behalf of our children. Amen. 
I too have felt the tug to turn the channel. I also thought about not writing anything about it. But, it was on my heart and mind, therefore, I felt like I should share my thoughts. I asked our grandson, Jimmy Don, if they had heard about it at school on Friday. He seemed incredulous. "Poppy, we have so many smart phones on campus, nearly all the students knew about it as soon as it was reported." That too is the world we live in. Breaking news in real time available to anyone who has a cell phone, including our children. Jimmy's belief is that most of the students knew about it way before the school staff and administration. I report this in order to help us all to understand why we have to do our best, with God's help, to share with our kids, who already know a lot about things like this great tragedy. We pretty much have said goodbye to a world where we can protect our children from the sordid details that saturate our news feeds. The unbelieving world asks where God was when all this mayhem was happening. Why didn't He stop it? If He is a good God, why does He allow things like this to continue? Those are all excellent and may I add, reasonable, questions. The response is to share the truth about the hearts of sinful people and how that plays itself out. We share truth in a loving way, knowing that we stand first in line in need of salvation, a Savior, and the grace to live out a life that is pleasing to almighty God. That's my take on a situation that is filled with such sadness. And, that's why the only Source of help is to seek the Lord God of heaven for He is the God of all comfort. Amen. .....More later.
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