Take Courage

Another week has gone by and another senseless tragedy has unfolded.

This one took place inside a church located in a small town only two hours away from me.

While the worship service was going on, a man armed with a rifle entered.

In all, 26 people were killed and still others were wounded.

Among the dead was the pastor’s 14 year old daughter.

Also killed was the visiting pastor.

There are so many people that need our prayers right now.

I pray for the surviving members of this church who are dealing with the kind of shock and anguish I cannot even begin to comprehend.

I pray for this small community where everyone knew at least one person who worshipped there.

I pray for others outside this community who might now be too afraid to go to church because of what happened.

I pray for other church leaders who now have to consider what steps they might take in light of this tragedy.

Of all my prayers, I find my prayers for this congregation’s pastor to be the most intense.

He is a man of God, but, he is a man.

He is a man coping with his own grief.

He is a man coping with his own loss.

He is a man coping with his own questions.

As he wrestles with these things and more, others are turning to him.

They are turning to him with their own difficult questions.

They are turning to him for guidance.

They are turning to him for hope.

He will likely lean on God more in the days to come than he has ever leaned on Him before.

God will be there for him.

God will be with the others as well.

One question that always arises is: “Why must bad happen?”

Jesus gave us the answer.

He also gave us hope.

John 16:33 (NET) - I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage—I have conquered the world.

Together, let us pray together for shattered lives.

Together, let us pray for peace.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, November 17, 2017.

I will be back here on Friday, November 24, 2017