What about the Sutherland Springs church shooting?

Agents of Goodness and Light

There is a darkness that sows fear, intimidation and terror in our world because of the existence of evil. We sadly encountered the truth of this darkness in a drastic and tragic way this past weekend. Our hearts are grieved and we pray for the innocent victims—our fellow citizens—who were needlessly killed or injured as a result of this horror.

Like many of you, I have been brought to tears as I’ve seen the images and heard the stories from the sight of the shooting in Orlando.

But we do not have to be overcome, overwhelmed, completely disheartened and defeated by the darkness. In fact it is genuinely important that we do not allow ourselves to believe the darkness will prevail.

We can still be agents of goodness, grace, truth and light. That is my prayer.

The light of God is greater than the darkness.

Where Is God In Our Troubled And Chaotic World?

Sometimes the world appears to be so troubled and chaotic it may seem like God has turned His back and is no longer there.

God has created human beings with free will and there will be people who will exercise free will in ways that are terrible, foolish, dangerous, tragic, inhumane and, yes, evil. If God were to intervene and stop a person from exercising his/her free will, then it would no longer be free will.

But God has not turned His back.

Our understanding is limited. I realize remarks like this can sound like trite cop outs when tragedies occur but it is true. We only see in a partial way. I do not write this to excuse or minimize the atrocious things which happen in our world. They anger me and they break my heart.

I only mean to suggest that as we try to analyze and think about the events in our world—as we try to make sense of what surely seems to be senseless—we are doing so with limitations in our knowledge and understanding.

When I am frustrated by the pain, turmoil and hate in our world and I think, “Where are you, God?” it helps me—at least a little bit—to remember God understands what it means to be the recipient of pain, turmoil and hate in a very personal way. He is not a deity who stands removed from the difficult realities of life. He is, the Bible reminds us, a God with wounds.

Life can definitely be perplexing and perhaps we will not always be able to see it, but He does care.

Let's Not Remain Silent In The Face Of Evil

“According to the International Society for Human Rights in Frankfurt, Germany, 80 percent of all acts of religious discrimination in the world today are directed against Christians.”  John L. Allen, Catholic Reporter.

I’m not surprised that Christians are facing persecution.  After all, two thousand years ago Jesus told His followers, “You will be hated by all because of My name…” Matt. 10:22.  However, it’s still fair for believers to bring attention to these truths.  It’s still fair for those who can speak out to call for the end of evil.

Kirsten Powers of the Daily Beast writes, “Christians in the Middle East and Africa are being slaughtered, tortured, raped, kidnapped, beheaded, and forced to flee the birthplace of Christianity. One would think this horror might be consuming the pulpits and pews of American churches. Not so. The silence has been nearly deafening.”

I don’t have a large platform for reaching and informing people but I don’t want to be one of those who was later known for remaining silent.

 “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”  Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Here is a link to the article by Kirsten Powers from which I quoted above:   http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/09/27/a-global-slaughter-of-christians-but-america-s-churches-stay-silent.html

E-Flash From Dan - School Shootings, Sadness

Dear E-Flash Friends;

My heart breaks with sadness and I have tears in my eyes as I write these words.  Like many of you I’ve been watching coverage of the school shootings that occurred today in Newtown, Connecticut. 

I keep shaking my head and saying, “How could he do this to children?”

I’m thinking about families who sent a child off to school this morning and because of the unimaginable wickedness and evil of this deranged person their precious lives have been taken and the lives of these families have been irrevocably altered.  Certainly, there are no adequate words to describe their pain.  I am praying for them and I know you are, too.

“Lord have mercy and somehow bring love, support, strength, peace and hope to these families in the midst of this horrendous tragedy.  We grieve.  We are thankful that you welcome these young ones into your loving arms.”

Love and blessings,

Dan

A Christian Thinks About 9/11 - Video

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