Our hearts and our prayers go out to all of the people affected by this unimaginable tragedy in Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.
I’ve never heard of Sandy Hook Elementary, nor do I ever remember hearing the name of this community in Connecticut called Newtown. I doubt any of us will be forgetting it now.
Our hearts bleed for the loss of life of the victims as well as the concern for all of the loved ones that have to deal with that loss…
unopened Christmas presents left to wait under trees…
empty spaces in Christmas programs at school and at churches around the area of Newtown…
beds that will not need to be made tomorrow morning…
the happy sounds of little feet running down the halls…
lessons that will NOT be taught by the school teachers next week…
My heart… our hearts … feel like their going to close in on us at times like this …
There is NO sense to be made of this ...
Now is NOT the time for lessons ... It is simply a time to GREIVE…
Take note of the Tragedy … Look at the emptiness and the hurt in the EYE and “FEEL”
Jesus taught us to go ahead and MOURN …
Matthew 5:4 – HE said – “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."
Don’t just go on … it’s a mistake to just “tough your way through it.” You must take time to mourn, to grieve.
You may remember hearing about Jesus weeping over Jerusalem – the grief he felt for the rejection of His love that was only known to him to be so soon in coming.
But that is the thing … He had such LOVE – that Jesus carried on – but in His love, He grieved over His city.
He did not respond with anger. He did not allow their behavior to change His love for them.
Don’t let others anger and hatred determine your or our attitude.
GOOD GRIEF – it is good to grieve.
Love your family – look for opportunity to share some act of love or kindness with a stranger. If you see someone that looks a lil’ hurt, a little “off” – take your heart – that great instrument of compassion and share your heart with them.
Let your Grief motivate you to LOVE.
I am GRIEVED that Hatred is Raging.
I promise you this … hatred will not be destroyed with more hatred. But it can be overcome with LOVE.
I will be praying that our nations' grief is relieved by the TRUE spirit of CHRISTmas – And that is LOVE.
in the courageous actions of the school principle & the others ... how they cared about the lives of innocence - at the risk of their own life ... that reminds me so much of the example we have set before us in the life if Christ.... the unfathomable part to me is how we could as a nation - publicly and proudly push God out the classroom - push him out of the public arena and then be surprised when the Godless actions of evil men start to appear in the very places we have asked God to leave. this young man full of hate and rage does not remind me of Jesus at all - but I can see Jesus in the actions of the teachers, and the actions of the police, firefighters and medical personal that rushed in to protect / aid and heal.... did you see that picture of a police officer walking holding hands with a lil' boy wearing his Sheriff's coat??? THAT reminded me of Jesus... that was a great picture of MERCY ...
We are an American family. All these innocent lives are our children. All who have died in these massacres everywhere in the country, including our Sikh Temple, are our brothers and sisters. Too much sorrow, strife, division, corrupt politics, shooting, self-seeking, poverty. And now we are even more poor than before. The so-called "leaders" in this country, whether in the White House or Congress, capital buildings or city halls, are cowards. Every time there is a tragedy they cry on television and wring their hands, saying "never more". Until the next time. Why do we have millions of assault weapons in the hands of civilian citizens? These are tools of death. They cannot be called anything but that. These tools of death are made only for the killing of human beings. There is no other purpose for them. Therefore, they need to be taken out of circulation and destroyed. There are four words coming down to us through the ages: Thou shalt not kill!
our youth pastor preached a tremendous message yesterday - teaching us to NOT ignore the PAIN of those around you - ... our best response is ALWAYS going to be one of LOVE - don't give anyone power over you ~ by you giving someone else the right to chose your response - just because someone comes at me with HATE - does not dictate that I must respond with HATE - Jesus said - in Matthew 5: But I tell you: LOVE your ENEMIES and pray for those who persecute you ...
Dominic, Just for starters - I STILL really feel that the whole PC push for "Tolerance" owns a HUGE piece of responsibility to our societal woes ...