Friday, October 2, 2015

Don't Be Afraid




They followed his instructions, laying on the ground in the classroom.

Then one at a time, he called them to stand. "Are you a Christian?"

My husband says to never show a gun unless you intend to use it.

Twenty-six years old. What could entice him to use the gun he held -- to pull a trigger that sent a bullet thudding into vulnerable flesh -- Christian flesh. The body of Christ. Family.

My sister and brother-in-law drove out of our driveway on Tuesday. Just Tuesday of this last week. After spending four and a half wonderful days visiting. We talked and laughed. We visited and caught up. We talked about family, and God, and being a Christian. We loved on each other. It was special.

And then I watch the news.

Why?

Why, why, and why?

I hear words.

Reeling. Shocked. Anger. Prayer. Heroes. Gun control. Sickened.

There have been 45 school shootings in the United States this year, according to The Independent and the Huffington Post.

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:27-31

Linking with Kate and the wonderful family at Five Minute Friday 


10 comments:

  1. Oh, the contrast between your beautiful photos, and the joy that shines out of them, and your words....there are no words, really, to describe the horror.

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    1. "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one." Jesus's prayer in John 17 is SO full of truth - today. It's the contrast that makes everything seem so unbelievable and horrifying, isn't it? Praying continually...

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  2. Janet, I too, have been horrified by the statistics I have heard shared last night. I was stunned to realize there have been 4 college campus shooting just since August. May God be with us all & give us words of encouragement & peace & comfort at ties like this. Blessings!

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  3. So sad that the family of Christ is being challenged, but it is nothing new when we read of the trials and martyrs within the Bible. Sad, scary, and prompting us to pray more and stand more. Thank you for this post. Jenn, FMF

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    1. No, it isn't new. Scripture is full of trials and martyrdom - and even though it was written years ago, it remains contemporary - "....in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,kneither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Faith, hope, and love - and the greatest of these is love. Praying for the victims, their families, and for those who feel so hopeless and abandoned....

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  4. The contrast from your pictures and the words about the shooting are incredible. My heart is so sad but I too think of the words "Do not be afraid." Your family is s beautiful friend. Parked in the 16 spot this am.

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    1. My heart is sad, too. But I know I serve a big God capable of big things. Mighty, supernatural things. And I know that He can use bad things to make wonderful things happen. I am looking forward.... and continue praying.

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  5. It breaks my heart. And I know it breaks Gods. I don't know what causes such darkness in hearts. I just know that now more than ever, we have to share the Light. Great words today. Visiting from FMF.

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    1. We have to share the Light. I agree! Thank you for visiting -- I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

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I know we probably haven't met in person, but I believe that the sharing of our ideas and thoughts, sometimes our hearts and souls, makes us more than strangers. I would like to say friends. Thank you for taking the time to contribute to my little space - I appreciate you.