When Words Fail

"I ran in to a couple that lost their baby. The husband was broken. We cried together and then prayed and talked. I was a mess."

These few messy sentences summarize so much pain and emotion. I didn't have any words of wisdom for this couple that lost their child. Words failed me. I had tears, prayers and eventually some encouragements. I don't think an immediate response of anything other than that would have even been appropriate. 

Many people are just like this couple. Tragedy has hit and there are no words to comfort or settle them. We see it every day. Pain and trials are the norm. 

Recently in our nation we have seen loss and tragedy on many levels. In our social and political structures we are divided. Racially we are heading down the wrong path. In the natural realm disaster has struck and devastated lives. With our national relationships abroad the word 'tense' seems to understate the current norm. 

People are looking for answers. All these things impact people personally. Even without the things that have happened in our nation we see people living amidst personal trials. While the Christian life is not easy I can't imagine doing life any other way. How do people make it without God? 

The only hope we have in the midst of tragedy is that God is good. Some scoff and some don't believe in the goodness of God. I can't see any other option. Without it I am without hope. God's goodness is the only thing that assures me that the suffering and pain we endure in this life will be worth it all in the end. 

God is near to the brokenhearted and collects our tears as His treasures. That in itself is mind blowing. But when you think of a God who cries with us, Who listens to our prayers and Who speaks words of comfort and wisdom to us there can be no other conclusion than that God is good. He loves us and love never fails. His words are eternal and when words fail us His word stands strong. 

If you're experiencing pain or tragedy know that God is with you in your pain. He loves you and hasn't left. Your emotions are normal and it's okay to experience anger, confusion, sadness and to have questions. But when you settle in to the reality that God is good it will help you to go through the trial and the pain. 

One Year After a Terrorist Attack

"Looking back over today I never would have thought it would turn out as it did. The head of our safety ministry came in to our pastors meeting to tell us that there was an active shooter down the street and that we were locking down the facility. Soon after we started working again our administrator came and asked if we could bring the people from the site to our church while they were interviewed by the police. I immediately thought of the school but then knew that in a time like this we needed to be a light and extend care to our hurting community. We watched some of the news reports and then started preparing for the arrival of the people. We had snacks, sodas, water and coffee available for them. Some counsellors showed up and set up in the youth auditorium. Police and probation officers arrived first. One of the detectives who attends our church showed up with a shirt soaked in blood. I remembered I had two shirts in my office that were samples from Man Day that I went and grabbed. I gave him one and his partner the other one. They were both very grateful. When the people arrived they separated them by who saw something and who was just there. The people had tears in their eyes. They were very grateful we were open for them. When the bus pulled in and parked at the church one person yelled “Thank God we're safe!” One of our members who worked at the IRC said she has never been prouder of her church than today. Some of our other members were there and greeted me as they walked in the building. Many of the officers and peer support personnel were from our church as well. The cafe was packed. They were getting most of their names and pictures and busing them to another site to be picked up. We had a second bus load of people come bringing the total from 200 to probably 400 not counting the hundreds of volunteers, chaplains, police, detectives, and counsellors. They started to ask about if we were going to have a church service. I had told Pastor Luke we would have a prayer service tonight. They were concerned about opening the campus. We decided to move forward and believe God for safety. A guy went to Costco to buy a pallet of water for the people and when Costco asked him what he was doing and found out they dumped chickens and bagels, croissants and bread in his truck to bring. It was great to see pastors from other churches and the community uniting for this. When the sun had set I walked across to get ready for the prayer service. It was God orchestrated. There were 16 salvation's and who knows how many online. We prayed and preached the gospel. That was all. People from all over the world were texting and hitting us up on social media."

One year later after these events I woke up and came to church to pick up Pastor Luke and our Administrative team and we all headed to the IRC for a memorial gathering where they honored the organizations who opened their doors for the people being evacuated. There were somber moments and words of hope given. They presented a plaque to The Rock Church for our involvement and had Dr. Fred Adams, our administrator at the time of the event, say a few words. 

What I think left the greatest impact was the scripture he read from Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

There are many people whose lives will never be the same after December 2, 2015. Fourteen individuals are now gone from our lives. Their families and friends left in the wake of terror. I am sure many questions and sorrows still linger. Only in Jesus will we find rest for our souls. He alone has the answers. He alone can calm our fears and give us peace amidst the storms of life. He was acquainted with sorrows and if you listen to some of the statements He made regarding current events of His day you will find that there was plenty of tragedy and many questions. 

It was the mission of Jesus to point us to and show us the Father. That is exactly what He did when He went to the cross. Not only in that one instance but also throughout His entire life He showed us the Father through his life, His words, the miracles He performed, His emotions and His actions. 

Now He calls us to the same life. He wants us to show others the love of Jesus through our lives. We can share the words of life. We can act in a way that displays the goodness of God. Whether it is through a prayer, a shoulder to cry on, buying a pallet of water at Costco or giving someone a fresh shirt it all displays the love of Jesus.

We will not forget those who lost their lives. We will work towards love and unity in our nation. Over and above all, we as Christians, will show the love of Jesus to a lost and dying world. 

Day 338 - Here is why we pray

"God is a God of order and not chaos. He is a God of the fullness of time and of plans from ages past. He patiently waits to bring forth all things in their time and season."

Yesterday's tragic events in our city were on my mind as I woke up today. I prayed. I gave all my concerns and cares to God. I asked God for His peace and comfort for the families of the victims and for those traumatized by the events. I prayed for protection and blessing for our city. 

There are people who don't understand why authorities and others are saying that thoughts and prayers are going out on behalf of San Bernardino. I don't expect them to. They don't understand spiritual things because they aren't spiritual people. Spiritual things can only be spiritually discerned. Of coarse they wouldn't think prayer would do anything because they see it as foolishness. So they post that God isn't going to fix the gun control problem. 

God forgive them. 

This is why we pray. God is the only one who can fix anything. We are barking up the wrong tree if we think that laws or government can renew a mind or soften a heart. It simply won't. It may keep some order and help the common good but it will never save a soul. One little prayer can change the course of history. One prayer can bring down empires. One prayer can get past armies into the inner chambers and secret places and thwart the best laid plans of generals and kings. 

The reason prayers work is because God works with them. We pray because as God hears us ask His will on the earth it is His good pleasure to carry it out. God knows what we are going through. He knows the pain and suffering better than we do because He sees and knows it all fully. He even sees the things we cannot like motives and hearts. 

So we pray. I am thankful to those around the world who have reached out and offered prayers, love and support for our city and our people. I pray for you as well. I still am praying for Ukraine, for Paris, for Iraq and Syria, for Israel and for the areas all over affected by war and violence. There is far too much unjust activity on the earth and only God is the answer. So we pray. 

Feel free to offer any thoughts or even write a prayer in the comments section. 

Day 337 - Worst Case Scenario

"Before church I was able to sit at the table with the kids. I am a blessed dad."

Today these words jumped out at me because the worst case scenario happened. There was an active shooter less than a mile from our church and fourteen people are dead with seventeen wounded. Thankfully they found the shooters and they are no longer a threat. 

Our church opened its doors to the police and those who were working in the building where the shooting took place. It was an honor to serve these hurting people and encourage the brave men and women who were putting their lives on the line and running to the fight rather than away from it. One detective had a blood soaked shirt when he came in. Thankfully I had some shirt samples from past events and was able to bless him with a fresh shirt to wear. We also provided drinks and snacks for hundreds of people as they came on our campus. 

One chaplain that came left after several hours and as he said goodbye he shared that he was going to hug his children and grandchildren. On a day like today when it is the worst case scenario remember what is important. Loving God means loving people. Make sure you say "I love you" to those closest to you as much as you can. Serve others and preach the gospel in word and deed. 

Instead of asking any questions feel free to post your thoughts. Would you take a moment and pray for San Bernardino and for the families effected by this tragedy?