On Sunday morning, we awoke to the ongoing coverage of a national tragedy. As of this writing, 49 families lost a loved one, killed in cold blood. 53 other families are still waiting for their loved ones to heal and recover from life-threatening wounds. Still others are wondering how they made it out alive. All affected by this tragedy will never be the same. And a nation mourns. Now is the time to pray. Pray for recovery – both physically and emotionally – and that all would feel the healing and comfort of Christ Himself. Now is not the time for blame. Now is not the time for hidden (and not so hidden) agendas to take priority over the care required for the hurting. Now is not the time to presume upon God whatever motive suits us. And, now is not the time to score political points for our preferred politicians. There will be time for remedial action but in the near term, we have a healing role to play in our fa...
We are thoroughly enjoying the spring this year. In our part of the world, it is green, green, green. While we know that humidity comes with the green, we are enjoying the beauty of the growing world around us - especially, in our backyard. However, the growing comes not only in color but in sound. We have so many birds in our backyard. Loud ones, too. And, an owl. God is so good. If we wait on Him and listen, He speaks. Even through the sights and sounds of spring.
I did not coin that phrase. I got it from Kathy Guy, Director of Community at Granger Community Church . Nearly all who attend church are Steppers - that is, they are taking steps toward Christ. However, there can be, regrettably, those who stalk the Steppers. Church security has become a big deal. Look no further than the recent headlines in Tennessee and Colorado Springs for tragedies among the trusting. Difficult decisions need to be made as we seek to balance Christ's mandate to be innocent and shrewd with regard to the ungodly. I am meeting with a very experienced volunteer who continues to help the staff, me, and the rest of the church understand what we need to do to encourage as much "stepping" toward Christ while repelling those with ill intent toward the Steppers. There will be more postings on this as we learn more. Until then, we pray for God's continuous protection and guidance so that we enable the steppers as we protect them too.
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