...its a difficult feeling to return home after spending a beautiful Sunday Morning with our church family in New York, to hear of the horrific violence inflicted upon the worshipers at Southerland Springs Texas. It's reported that the church had a usual attendance of nearly 60 person and nearly half of them were the victims of an assassins bullet, ...while in their house of worship. Coming from a church of comparable size, the impact of this incident hits too close to home, despite the distance and possible theological differences.

The range of emotions that confront us, can not be easily measured. I was confronted today with sorrow, disgust, fear, compassion, and anger.

Then in prayer, I was mindful of today's message at church. Building on Galatians 5:22-23 we discussed the "Fruit of the Spirit" and how this fruit, starts with "Love" and is accessed by "Self Control". I was reminded that, while we live in a world where Cane is still Killing Abel, we are called to be the very presence of God in this world. We are called to shine a light in the dark places, and to inject Love into situations that are overwhelmed by hate, anger, sorrow and fear. We are called to exercise control over the knee jerk darker emotions, that will seek to overwhelm us, and lead us towards a space governed by evil and devoid of Love.

So in the name of the Prince of Peace, I reject violence and all of its intended consequences. I refuse to be conquered by evil, and recommit myself to the Army of Jesus Christ that is conquering evil with divine Goodness, with his holly weapon of Love.

I pray for all of those who are suffering from violence all over our country. Yet even more so, I recognize that my prayers will be only an empty noise, if they are not accompanied by earnest labor on behalf of Jesus's Gospel of Peace and Restoration.