Where Do We Go From Here?

PRAY FOR THE FAMILIES OF UVALDE, TEXAS!

It is horrible thing when two neighbors have a quarrel, and one kills the other. It is so unthinkable when an evil person kills at random one or more who are innocent and vulnerable with whom he had no quarrel. It is unthinkable because normal, descent folks just cannot imagine why anyone would do such a thing—it is unthinkable.

There is the usual rush to put a “why” on the “what”. Most of us who have an ounce of compassion first think about those in our lives who approximate the same age as the victims, then a deep sick feeling wells up in our souls to the point we quickly change the channel in our mind to something less painful. We whisper a prayer for the hurting while our souls scream, “WHY?”

One says, “Why did this happen?” Another says, “How could this happen?” A third asks, “What do we need to do to prevent this from ever happening again?” All these and other questions are worthy of asking, but I am not betting on any great answers. These questions have been asked since Cain killed Abel. Yes, there are sensible things security experts can do to harden access to the vulnerable but how can we prevent evil from germinating in the heart.

Imagine standing in a checkout line at a big store. There are people in front of you, behind you, and many more on either side at the other check-out lines. If someone were to give you futuristic information that one person among you would be in tomorrow’s news as a mass murderer—who would you suspect? You would probably pick wrong! When his photo is broadcast, you might say as we have in the past, “Wow, he looks like any other normal guy down the street!” Most of the killers do not look like a wild-eyed Charles Manson.

I have known a lot of weird people who have never killed or hurt anyone. However, I have personally known some very ordinary looking and acting folks who have murdered (as a matter of fact, four murderers). Plus, one more who was not a surprise.

Evil exists in this fallen world. Our world is filled with broken individuals, and broken families who live in broken societies. Thank God there are wonderful and loving people in this world, yet we live in a fallen world. Knowing that does not lessen the pain but it is an aerial view of the landscape in which we live.

Evil can be checked or lessened but evil cannot be ultimately stopped. Cain probably killed Abel with a stick or rock.

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Society is the nest in which evil is hatched.

When we lessen the value of life, we lessen the dignity of individual lives.

People are spiritual beings. Every individual has a god whether he claims religion or not. He either serves the one true God, the god of himself, or the god of this world. Parents unknowingly place their children on the altars of their chosen god.

When a child is saturated in love, it is difficult for that child to hate. When a child is saturated in hate, it is difficult for that child to love.

When we sow seeds of division, we will reap a harvest of destruction.

When families break down, society breaks down. When families and society are severely broken, their offspring are prone to go to Hell and cause Hell until they get there.

Self proclaimed enlightened ones have scorned the Bible, Christ, and the Church. They have replaced the foundations with futility, confusion, and wickedness. They have caused lost souls to wander in darkness, creating chaos and destruction in their lives and others. They proclaim to be wise, but their results show themselves to be mere fools.

When we walk in darkness, we will stumble and fall.

When we wink at sin, we become blind to evil.

We have a spiritual deficit in our country and the note has been called.

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Here are some simple steps to revive the deadness of our souls.

Repent to God of your personal sins. Surrender your life to Jesus.

Study the Bible and navigate your life and your family according to the principles of God’s Word.

Fathers and mothers need to take responsibility for your own children. Train them up in the ways of Christ. Do not relent your responsibility to any institution however noble they sound. It is your primary responsibility to train your children in the true principles of life.

Live in community with others through your local church, neighbors, and extended family. Teach your children that they are responsible to live in community as productive and good members.

Pray for your family and community.

Bless your children with the blessings of God. Yes, pray real blessings over your children.

Parents, impute an identity into your children that they are the Children of God. They were created to be good, loving, beautiful, and smart. Your child’s identity should not be dictated by their friends, Facebook, TikTok, or Instagram. Parents, tell your kids who they are in Christ. Tell them, over and over and over. Grind it into their souls that they are the Children of God and they will eventually give an account to God. The picture you paint will be the life they live.

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In the Forrest Gump movie, Forrest said, “I’m not smart but I know what love is!” You do not need to be a genius to love and to treat others as you would want to be treated. Even a very simple man can love God and love his neighbor. It’s not rocket science—it is just simple love and understanding. Love God and Love Others!!!

Matthew 22:37-40 NKJV
(37) Jesus said to him, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’
(38) This is the first and great commandment.
(39) And the second is like it: ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’
(40) On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Yours on the Journey,

Harry L. Whitt

PRAY FOR THE FAMILIES OF UVALDE, TEXAS!