But when the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7
Dear Sweet Moms,
I greet you this December day in the spirit of the kindness and love of our precious Lord. He pours out His abundant love and grace each and every day. He, as a good Father, wants us to be heirs of His glory and blessing. Above all, we have hope in this life—hope that He knows us, guides us, will bring us safely home into His presence where we will see Him face to face and be filled with His joy. We also have freedom from guilty or anger or inadequacy because of His provision, abundantly given through the Holy Spirit.
Yesterday, a terrible tragedy occured at our church here in Colorado. The lives of 3 people were taken at our church, just minutes after we left the parking lot. I wrote an article on it on itakejoy.wordpress.com to let you know a few of the details that touched our lives. One sweet family lost an 18 year old and 16 year old daughter. Their sorrow must be immeasurable. Our precious web staff, Renee Culver, came upon the shooting of the girls as her own family fled the church. She spent all night ministering to the family and giving help in the hospital. Please pray for her and her family to receive peace and comfort for all that they saw and experienced. You can read the rest of the story on itakejoy.wordpress.com. But what I really want you to know, is that God is being exalted in our midst, and His power and love are being displayed in amazing ways. May you find the depth of His reality in your own lives as you ponder the reality of His gift of eternal life, which came to all of us through the wonderful, normal venue of a family devoted to God.
More soon!
Sally
Sally@wholeheart.org
Dear Sally,
We are praying for you and your family and your church family..Thank you for your incredible testimony about the Love of the Lord in all this..
Just found your blog. I go to Gateway Church in Southlake, TX where your new pastor, Brady Boyd, came from. I didn’t think too much of him leaving to become a pator in CO, but now realize that he walked into a huge roll. I am praying for him and your church, and especially the families in the shooting. Our world is so full of hurt that it can overwhelm me sometimes. But God! Looking forward to reading more from you.
Glory
THE LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
Psa 23:2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
Psa 23:3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Psa 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Psa 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell[fn1] in the house of the LORD
Forever.
When one part of the body suffers the whole body dose with it. This tragedy is desturbing, and at times confusing. But i fall back on Gods Word to bring things into a more clearer perspective. We are just passing through. This is not our home. We do not mourn as the world without hope. But with the hope of the soon return of Christ we pray even so Lord come quickly. In the mean time, my heart hurts for those who had loved ones taken away from them. I could not possible imagin going through anything of the sorts. May they and the whole body be restored, healed, and streangthened. Give the Pastor streangth and wisdom, and a peace that surpasses all understanding which will gaurd his heart and mind through Christ Jesus.
With much Love and sincear heart break,
Nettie
Praying for your family and church during this terrible time
God bless,
Jen in CA
I live in a town not to far from Omaha NE. and I was stunned by our recent shooting in the mall there. This was a tragety. But then not but a couple of days later I heard about the shooting at your church. Wow, God is good. I feel really aweful for the young gals that were taken. They are in such a wonderful place with Jesus. I will be praying for the healing that your church needs and the protection of Jesus Christ.
Godbless, from Tanya in IA
This has me in tears~I will go and read the rest of the story. I am crying for your loss, but I am also crying that I myself do not possess such peace just doing the daily grind. and isn’t that selfish to post here?
I love you sooo much, Sally! Praying for all involved. (((((HUGS))))) sandi