Dear Friends,
Over the past week Bonnie and I have mourned for our country as we tried to make some sense of the tragedy in Dallas. What follows is a letter from Pastor Dan Carroll of Water of Life Community Church in Fontana, CA that has helped us as we struggle to deal with this tragedy.
Pastor Dan’s letter of July 9th:
As Gale and I travel in Australia and watch on the news the unfolding of this great tragedy in America, we like many of you find our hearts are deeply troubled, saddened and grieved. Psalm 73:26 describes how we, as well as many of you, are feeling today…
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Injustice however it is perpetrated is heart wrenching and demands a response. Often the first and most correct response is, as a Christian, to bow low in repentance. If only we were not so unloving and harsh with one another. If only we prayed for our leaders and others in our communities as I Timothy 2:1-2 instructs us to do, Paul said; “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.”
I think Paul understood the difficulty we would face as people who struggle to stop and pray, but what if we decided today that arguing a position is not going to heal our land? Loving Jesus and serving others is certainly a starting place. But it takes far more to battle the work of hell. Do Black lives matter? Of course they do. Are police crucial to our safety and the wellbeing of our communities? Of course they are. Is Jesus overwhelmed by this great divide threatening our land? Of course He is not.
When John the Baptist was unceremoniously beheaded by King Herod, Matthew 14:3 tells us Jesus did something we should all do at times like this. He withdrew to a secluded place. Withdrawing, stopping, grieving, feeling is so important to all of us. When things are wrong and painful, stop and feel the pain, ask the questions we all should be asking daily. What would Jesus want you to do? Argue a position? No, love people, all people, pray for leaders, all leaders however capable or incapable they may seem.
Pray! And keep praying for Holy Spirit driven insight into the times our world is experiencing. Pray for people you feel angry and discouraged with, pray for your heart not to fade into depression and fear. Pray. Pray for those in authority so we can live in peace, with our lives marked out by God. Pray for the families of all those killed, Black, White, police and citizens. Pray for a spirit that only Jesus can give to love those you may disagree with. Pray against the temptation to strike out even with your words. Ask Jesus to put a guard over your mouth and your heart. Do not participate with evil deeds of darkness even in your thought life. Yield to God and remember Jesus said, “In the world you have tribulation, take courage I have overcome the world.”
This is a painful and sad time in our land, it seems a month doesn’t go by without innocent people being killed. It is not fair, but the world never is, that is why Jesus came to offer humans healing, help, and wholeness in a time of need. Run to Him; cry out to Him, He and He alone has what you need now. Read Psalm 63 and remember David wrote this at a time he lived under a ruler who was completely unjust, but he lived in a God who was his rescue. Let Him lift your head and your heart He can do it. I am praying for all of you.
With Deep Affection and Love,
Pastor Dan
As we were getting ready to post this edition of our blog, we heard the news of the horrific terrorist attack in Nice France. Pastor Dan’s words, “Do not participate with evil deeds of darkness even in your thought life” came to mind. Lord, help us to avoid becoming what we hate. Amen.
Your Friends in Christ
Psalm 63 (NLT)
A psalm of David, regarding a time when David was in the wilderness of Judah.
1 O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. 2 I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. 3 Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! 4 I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. 5 You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy. 6 I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night. 7 Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. 8 I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely.9 But those plotting to destroy me will come to ruin. They will go down into the depths of the earth. 10 They will die by the sword and become the food of jackals. 11 But the king will rejoice in God. All who swear to tell the truth will praise him, while liars will be silenced.
Blessings,
Your Friends in Christ
Because He Loves Us Press 