Shootings in Colorado
Man! What is going on? Yesterday, in our state and city, two people were fatally shot at a housing complex for Youth With a Mission in Arvada, Colorado (associated with Faith Bible Chapel, pastored by George Morrison). Just 13 hours later, a gunman shot five people here in Colorado Springs at New Life Church (pastored by Brady Boyd), a mile from the Focus on the Family campus — killing two of them. These kinds of things are happening much too frequently.
Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter said, "When innocent people are killed in a religious facility or place of worship, we must voice a collective sense of outrage and demonstrate a renewed commitment to keeping our communities safe." Our Senator Ken Salazar issued a statement, "It is incomprehensible that such atrocities could occur in places of faith and worship." Dr. James Dobson commented, "The Focus on the Family community is grieving over the Sunday shootings. ... It is always tragic when these senseless acts of violence occur. ... Yesterday, however, the targets were two religious organizations where men and women worship, serve their neighborhoods and seek care. There are no 'sanctuaries' in today's culture."
Since February 17, 1991, we have noted 12 occurrences where gunmen have invaded the solemn confines of a church to kill and maim innocent worshippers.
There is no way to make sense of all of this except to say the nature of man is to be wicked, and only a changed heart and loving relationship will insure wholeness.
I am sure your people will ask you a lot of questions related to these tragic events. We have some material that you can download if you desire. They are complimentary and provide some helpful information as you seek to guide your people through the maze called "unthinkable and unimaginable."
Good Grief
http://www.parsonage.org/images/pdf/GoodGrief.pdfSurviving the Crises of Life
http://www.parsonage.org/images/pdf/SurvivingCrises.pdfWhy, God, Why?
http://www.parsonage.org/images/pdf/WhyGodWhy.pdfHelping Children Cope
http://www.parsonage.org/images/pdf/HelpingChildrenCope.pdf
Please pray for all of us. Stay safe, guard your heart and enjoy the beauty of the Advent Season.
P.S. Don't forget that, if any member of your family ever needs us, he or she can call our toll-free Pastoral Care (Crisis) Line at 877-233-4455 Monday through Friday between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM (Mountain). We can also be reached by e-mail at pastors@family.org and you can always visit our Web site, The Parsonage, at www.parsonage.org 24 hours a day.
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