Grieving, Praying & Remembering

The tragedy of the VT massacre hits home for every American. We are each left with a hollow feeling in our gut and a torrent of confusion in our mind. Add to this the media deluge and the plethora of talking heads all trying to analyze, understand and learn from this tragedy. And then throw it all into the frenetic activism of a society that thinks it can somehow create a perfect world where troubled youths don’t become psychopaths and every kid is safe from evil and you end up with this tempest of national angst.

What are we to do amidst all this?

Here are a three suggestions:

1. Grieve, weep and mourn with those who mourn, without trying to bring trite or Pollyanna answers to people deeply affected by this tragedy. (See John Piper’s apropos comments from 911 here. )

2. Pray for the families affected and the VT community. (See Tim Challies listing of prayer requests from pastors on site here, see a list of the victims here and pray for their families and friends.)

3. Remember
a. Remember that the world we live in is fallen, peopled by fallen human beings who are capable, at times, of great evil and not inherently worthy of a life free from tragedy and death. (See John Piper’s thoughts here.)
b. Remember that God came as a man amidst all this evil to rescue us from ourselves and our society and Satan – the three sources of evil. (See Al Mohler’s thoughts here.)
c. Remember that God is in control and short of the return of his Son, he does not guarantee us safety but ultimate salvation. (Listen to an excellent message from CJ Mahaney on this here.)

May God bless you and use you as you grieve, pray and remember truth.

Paul

Easter Thoughts and An Invitation

I have been celebrating Easter since I was a little kid. Most of my early memories are of spring mornings, baskets full of candy and clip-on bow ties, eating ham at Grandma’s and ambrosia fruit salad for breakfast. I also remember Easter morning worship in church and how the church would have the tabernacle (the ornate box that contained the communion bread) open on Sunday morning signifying that our Savior had risen from the dead.

It was always a special morning but it wasn’t until I was 17 years old that I really understood the magnitude of the meaning, for me and for all humanity. As a matter of fact, now at 42 I am still yearning to better comprehend this most profound event of all cosmic history! It is well stated in "The Gospel Song" -

"Holy God, in love, became

Perfect man to bear my blame

On the cross he took my sin

By his death I live again"

"..Jesus our Lord,
who was delivered up for our trespasses
and raised for our justification."
Rom. 4:24b-25 (ESV)

A message so simple that a child can understand but so profound that not even the most gifted theologian can fully grasp its significance!

May you enjoy all the blessings of Easter but most of all, may you stand in awe of Jesus Christ, Risen Savior and Lord, and your forgiveness and new life in Him today!

He Is Risen!

Happy Easter &
Please celebrate with us this Sunday if you can!