The following is an adaptation to my responses to a social media platform the day following the school shooting in Florida:
It's sad and difficult to try to process what happened yesterday at and in the Florida school and to grieve with the families, students, and staff while seeing and hearing debate on policy so soon (it's understandable in ways, but is still sad and difficult in light of what happened.)
Pray for the ones in the hospital right now, and for the long process of counseling that will be much needed, and looking closer at the effects of mental illness (and I realize this is only one issue involved.)
I'm not wasting my time talking policy right now (trust me, I have a view and I could enter in), but instead I wanted to try to refocus on what is initially necessary. No one is going to "win" an argument on “gun control” or “gun rights” (and there are many good and valid points from different perspectives.) It seems that everyone is concerned about the safety of kids and teachers in schools. We must seek to lay the blame deeper and to state the hope higher than simply a blame game and debate on gun rights, safety, and gun control laws, et al.
It breaks my heart for these neighbors in Florida who are in such deep and lasting pain. (Jesus: "'And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” -recorded in Mark 12:30-31)
Much needs to be done in regard to what is being asked; so I appreciate the passion about safety and the value of life from people from all sides of the social-political spectrum. Though I do want to enter into the discussion at a more appropriate time (including, but not exclusively, with our church family - and we have been discussing it for two months now, especially as it regards church safety and working with our law enforcement officials here. We have had classes, and hope to do much more. We also have a member of the School Board in our church.)
However, my highest passion is that people come to love God (and not only claim to love people.) Both are imperative, but to love God actually accentuates and deepens ones love for people. The way to love God is to come to know the majesty of the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. His purposed and performed sacrificial death for our sins and His resurrection for everlasting life (and abundant life now) for any and all who believe in Him (trust in Him and His sacrifice) is what opens the gate for one to love God. Only when one comes to love God through the Lord Jesus Christ will he or she be whole for time and eternity.
I must work for the present time but also for the time to come, and I encourage all to think deeper and more lasting than what is typical. I see from the news that the funerals have begun. Let us weep with those who weep.
It's sad and difficult to try to process what happened yesterday at and in the Florida school and to grieve with the families, students, and staff while seeing and hearing debate on policy so soon (it's understandable in ways, but is still sad and difficult in light of what happened.)
Pray for the ones in the hospital right now, and for the long process of counseling that will be much needed, and looking closer at the effects of mental illness (and I realize this is only one issue involved.)
I'm not wasting my time talking policy right now (trust me, I have a view and I could enter in), but instead I wanted to try to refocus on what is initially necessary. No one is going to "win" an argument on “gun control” or “gun rights” (and there are many good and valid points from different perspectives.) It seems that everyone is concerned about the safety of kids and teachers in schools. We must seek to lay the blame deeper and to state the hope higher than simply a blame game and debate on gun rights, safety, and gun control laws, et al.
It breaks my heart for these neighbors in Florida who are in such deep and lasting pain. (Jesus: "'And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” -recorded in Mark 12:30-31)
Much needs to be done in regard to what is being asked; so I appreciate the passion about safety and the value of life from people from all sides of the social-political spectrum. Though I do want to enter into the discussion at a more appropriate time (including, but not exclusively, with our church family - and we have been discussing it for two months now, especially as it regards church safety and working with our law enforcement officials here. We have had classes, and hope to do much more. We also have a member of the School Board in our church.)
However, my highest passion is that people come to love God (and not only claim to love people.) Both are imperative, but to love God actually accentuates and deepens ones love for people. The way to love God is to come to know the majesty of the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. His purposed and performed sacrificial death for our sins and His resurrection for everlasting life (and abundant life now) for any and all who believe in Him (trust in Him and His sacrifice) is what opens the gate for one to love God. Only when one comes to love God through the Lord Jesus Christ will he or she be whole for time and eternity.
I must work for the present time but also for the time to come, and I encourage all to think deeper and more lasting than what is typical. I see from the news that the funerals have begun. Let us weep with those who weep.
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