For Newtown -

We've all been shaken. Unless you live where there isn't a radio or a television or internet, you've heard about the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut that happened yesterday morning. 

My immediate reaction was gut-wrenching and heart-sinking. Because they were children. Children. How can you take a gun and kill a child? I just don't understand how you can do that. 

We've seen the pictures, and we can't forget their shocked faces and the images of their tears.
 I can't imagine, and I don't know what to say, and I don't understand. 

We try to find reasons and explanations and there aren't any in the people that we talk to. So please, my friends, don't allow yourselves to point fingers and say "If they hadn't been in school, this would never have happened." or "Guns are the reason this happened.", because you aren't God, and you don't know, so don't make up reasons that hurt others and start wars. Do not allow yourself to judge what is not the reason. Do not allow yourselves to think like that because you hinder the compassion and comfort you could offer. Evil happened, and Evil used a 20 year old young man to kill children. 

"Let's not offer pat, easy answers to the grieving parents and communities in Connecticut. We don't fully understand the mystery of iniquity. We don't know why God didn't stop this from happening. But we do know what this act is: it's satanic, and we should say so. 

Let's grieve for the innocent. Let's demand justice for the guilty. And let's rage against the Reptile behind it all." 
~ Russel D. Moore. 

This quote from Dr. Moore had me astounded, because we look at that young man and we see a killer. But Satan is the killer, and Satan is the one who used that young man. We should be praying for that young man's family as much as the ones who have lost their babies. 

So please. I'm asking you to join me on this. Don't allow yourselves to judge. Just weep with those who weep. And pray that the God who has already suffered more than they have will bring them comfort that surpasses their pain. 

Pray for the families who have lost children and loved ones. Pray for the churches who will minister. And please also pray for the CT 1st responders that worked the scene and the families. It is the death of children that is hardest on them. Keep them in your prayers as well. 

In light of that, here are some wonderful articles to read, to help those grieving. I know they are a little long, but please read them all the way through, you will be blessed as I was. 

"How Does Jesus Come to Newtown?" by John Piper.

"Rachel Weeping for Her Children - The Massacre in Connecticut" by Albert Mohler.

"Christmas and Child Killers" by Stephen Altrogge. 

"School Shootings & Spiritual Warfare" by Russel D. Moore. 

A few days before this, I heard a song that went straight to my heart, and my heart said "YES.", because it was where I've been living for the past year. For the past few years. It's a beautiful song called "Who You Are" by JJ Heller, and I want you to take a listen. She sings and her husband Dave plays the guitar and sings with her. She talks about writing the song, and the volume is a little low, so you will probably need to turn it up. It is so raw, and I can't help crying when I listen to it. 

After the shooting, she decided to release this preview earlier to bless those grieving. She has offered this and the preview to her album for FREE download here - JJ Heller.

To the families in Newtown - I'm so, so sorry for your loss. It is great. We are praying for you. I don't know what God is doing. But God loves you with a deep, unfathomable love and He is near to you. Reach out, because He is there.

"Yes, You know what it is like to lose a child." ~ JJ Heller. 

Lord Jesus, please come quickly.
~ Jean Marie ~