12.14.2012

A Few Thoughts on This SAD Day 12.14.12

WOW- what a day! I have gone back and forth on posting this today- seems appropriate to just be silent and pray. It also seems appropriate to share what is on my heart and possibly offer a bit of peace for those of you who need to hear it. So here it is- if this can encourage you in any way or remind you of our Heavenly Father who LOVES us and created us- then here it is! 
I am not sure what to even say about the tragedies in Connecticut other than COME LORD JESUS! I am serious- my heart is just aching and crying out to him- to return, rule and reign on this earth! There will be freedom from all heartache, all pain, all evil, all disappointment, all failure- there is freedom with God through Jesus Christ. Here are a few points on my heart (you know I love BP (bullet points)!

  • God is good. (period)
  • The happenings of today break God's heart- he hates evil. 
Proverbs 6:16-19 (NIV)
There are six things the Lord hates,
    seven that are detestable to him:
        haughty eyes,
        a lying tongue,
        hands that shed innocent blood,

        a heart that devises wicked schemes,
        feet that are quick to rush into evil,

        a false witness who pours out lies
        and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

  • There is good that can come from something like this- (as horrific as it is): a) it makes us long for God- for his righteousness, His peace, His glory b) we need to wake up to the fact that we are kicking God out of everything- our schools, our government- pray over your children's school- even if they say not to- pray fervently! Kicking God out and making everything accepting to everyone never works out- just read the Bible or look in a history book. We welcome you Lord...we NEED you! c) it can make us squeeze our babies a little tighter- appreciate the time we have with them and cherish the moments. Maybe we shouldn't be as concerned with mismatched clothes and more concerned with spending time and loving our children.
  • I already wrote my thoughts down on the fact that we are desensitizing our children to violence through movies/video games/TV, etc.. HERE -we really need to take a stand against violence with the things our children watch- reality and fiction are blurring more and more Let's STAND UP- Acts 18:9b “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent."
  • THIS is a great article about discussing the events with kids
  • I will NOT live in fear- I will not fear my child going to school, a theater, the mall, on an airplane, on a boat, in a car- I cling to HIS word alone and He tells me not to be afraid.  Jeremiah 29:11 says For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Even if our earthly bodies suffer- we will live in complete restoration and peace in eternity. 
  • Finally, join me in praying for the families and the community- The prayer "break my heart for what breaks Yours" is easy on this one- our hearts are BROKEN for those people- The Lord alone can bring them peace. Pray, keep praying for them- I cannot imagine the pain, the heartache, the terror, the loss- I cannot imagine. 
Here is some scripture to cling to- memorize- have your kids memorize- write on a wall...believe and trust in HIM who has never and will never let you down!                                                      
- John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 

Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 
- Matthew 10:28 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.
- Romand 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 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.
- Deuteronomy 31:8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
- Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
- Psalm 91:4-8 He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
    nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.
You will only observe with your eyes
    and see the punishment of the wicked.


I just received this email from Max Lucado- AMEN!!! 

A Christmas Prayer

from Max Lucado
-
 Dear Jesus,
It’s a good thing you were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately.
These killings, Lord.  These children, Lord.  Innocence violated.  Raw evil demonstrated.
The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons and nuclear bombs. Are we one button-push away from annihilation?
Your world seems a bit darker this Christmas.  But you were born in the dark, right? You came at night. The shepherds were nightshift workers. The Wise Men followed a star. Your first cries were heard in the shadows. To see your face, Mary and Joseph needed a candle flame. It was dark. Dark with Herod’s jealousy. Dark with Roman oppression. Dark with poverty.  Dark with violence.
Herod went on a rampage, killing babies. Joseph took you and your mom into Egypt. You were an immigrant before you were a Nazarene.
Oh, Lord Jesus, you entered the dark world of your day. Won’t you enter ours? We are weary of bloodshed. We, like the wise men, are looking for a star. We, like the shepherds, are kneeling at a manger.
This Christmas, we ask you, heal us, help us, be born anew in us.
Hopefully,
Your Children





4 comments:

  1. Thank you Jenica for not being afraid to share your heart! This is a powerful posting and oh so true! The world needs more like you who are not afraid to stand up and speak about the power of prayer and God's word. God is Good All of the Time!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I want to thank you for this post. As many others, I feel deeply affected by this incomprehensible event. I am a former teacher, and I have 2 daughters; a 3 year old and one who is about to turn 5. I keep crawling into bed with her at night, crying. I keep picturing her beautiful face in the midst of that attack and thinking of those poor children, and their families, and I feel incredible sadness.
    I have read so many articles and blog posts about this, but I keep coming back to yours. It has given me peace about it. When I can't sleep at night, I pull up this post and I read the Bible verses to calm myself.
    With all that is out there about this, I want to let you know that your blog post has really made an impact on me, and I thank you for this. For taking the time to write it down. For having such strong faith in God (which I am in the midst of trying to reconnect with God these past few months and on). Thank you. My prayers continue to be with the families and every affected by this tragic event.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. WOW- thank you so much for sending me this message- it blessed my soul! I want you to know that I am praying for you- praying for Peace that only HE can give! I might not know you...but He knows every hair on your head- isnt that amazing! Blessings to you and thank you for taking the time to bless me!
      Merry Christmas!

      Delete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...