Emanuel AME Church, Charleston, SC When you look at the imposing exterior of this beautiful old Southern church, you would never expect it to be the scene of a horrible crime committed by a mad man filled with hate. Yet just a few days ago a troubled young man, Dylann Roof, walked into the Wednesday night prayer meeting, sat with the small group and their minister, Reverend Clementa Pinckney, for about an hour and then rose, pulled out a weapon and killed nine good Christian men and women including the pastor.
I wrote about the mourning of Charleston, a city which has grown and prospered over the years, several days ago and at that time everyone was fearful that more hate from agitators and those trying to capitalize on this tragedy would emerge. After all, we've all seen the carnage in Ferguson, Missouri and in Baltimore, two far distant cities of greatly divergent size and all Americans are worried about anything that might light another fuse. And yes, there have been a few in Charleston looking for blood and revenge but surprisingly the city has come together in a way that is something to cause the singing of praise.
When Roof was arraigned, the relatives of those slain were allowed to be present and even speak to Roof via closed circuit television. And the words stated, truly words of forgiveness, represented the true Spirit of God that is so needed in this country.
One woman who was distraught said through her tears that despite her grief and her despair, "I forgive you. Even though you have caused great pain, I forgive you."
And the good people of Charleston have come together in Christian love and forgiveness. They are dealing with their pain and sorrow in Christian love, and it is a scene that all of America needs to see. We have had everyone from the President and the headlines thirsty media try to point out the evil and find a way to capitalize on it for politics and/or profit, but Charleston can be proud for being above that. It is an example for all and maybe, just maybe, it will create a spark to quell the violence and hate that is growing ever present in America.
Good Americans outnumber bad by huge numbers, yet they have normally remained quiet and fearful of speaking out. Maybe the example of Charleston will change that. Maybe Christians and all other Americans of decency and kindness will stand up and speak out against the agitation and violence that can do nothing but destroy this great country of ours.
Speaking with truth, openly and honesty and without hostility is the way that things can be made different. The problem isn't with flags and guns in the hands of good honest citizens, the problem is in the heart. And the only way the heart can be changed is to open it to the light of the real Truth. And the real truth, in the personage of Jesus Christ our Savior, can heal any wound and solve any problem. All we need to do is ask.
I think the good people at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston and their good neighbors, both black and white, know this and that's why they have come together. So out of sorrow, they may create a new joy: the joy of a reborn community in God.
God bless them. Let them mourn and heal in peace and let the hucksters, the politicians, and the agitators and mischief makers be gone. They deserve their quiet time to get their families and their city back in order. May God stay with them as they do just that.
And for young Dylann Roof, his day in court will come and he will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law as it should be. It is quite likely that he may face the death penalty for his actions which is certainly appropriate in such case. But may God have mercy on his soul and help him to feel the sorrow for the pain he has caused. And may he come to grips with his crime and ask the Almighty for forgiveness before his permanent fate is sealed.
It's never too late to ask for God's grace, but it's up to each of us to ask Him. After all, we were all forgiven for all of our transgressions at the moment He died on the Cross for us, but we must humble ourselves before Him and accept that forgiveness by truly following Him. And yes, that opportunity is open to even a Dylann Roof if he sincerely accepts His terms.
And may God bless and keep the nine who died last Wednesday, now safely at home with their Lord and Savior. What a truly loving God we have. Amen.
You might enjoy my broadcast tonight about the Spirit of Charleston. It airs live at 9 ET on North Florida Writer Live. Here's the link:
tobtr.com/s/7716951
I wrote about the mourning of Charleston, a city which has grown and prospered over the years, several days ago and at that time everyone was fearful that more hate from agitators and those trying to capitalize on this tragedy would emerge. After all, we've all seen the carnage in Ferguson, Missouri and in Baltimore, two far distant cities of greatly divergent size and all Americans are worried about anything that might light another fuse. And yes, there have been a few in Charleston looking for blood and revenge but surprisingly the city has come together in a way that is something to cause the singing of praise.
When Roof was arraigned, the relatives of those slain were allowed to be present and even speak to Roof via closed circuit television. And the words stated, truly words of forgiveness, represented the true Spirit of God that is so needed in this country.
One woman who was distraught said through her tears that despite her grief and her despair, "I forgive you. Even though you have caused great pain, I forgive you."
And the good people of Charleston have come together in Christian love and forgiveness. They are dealing with their pain and sorrow in Christian love, and it is a scene that all of America needs to see. We have had everyone from the President and the headlines thirsty media try to point out the evil and find a way to capitalize on it for politics and/or profit, but Charleston can be proud for being above that. It is an example for all and maybe, just maybe, it will create a spark to quell the violence and hate that is growing ever present in America.
Good Americans outnumber bad by huge numbers, yet they have normally remained quiet and fearful of speaking out. Maybe the example of Charleston will change that. Maybe Christians and all other Americans of decency and kindness will stand up and speak out against the agitation and violence that can do nothing but destroy this great country of ours.
Speaking with truth, openly and honesty and without hostility is the way that things can be made different. The problem isn't with flags and guns in the hands of good honest citizens, the problem is in the heart. And the only way the heart can be changed is to open it to the light of the real Truth. And the real truth, in the personage of Jesus Christ our Savior, can heal any wound and solve any problem. All we need to do is ask.
I think the good people at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston and their good neighbors, both black and white, know this and that's why they have come together. So out of sorrow, they may create a new joy: the joy of a reborn community in God.
God bless them. Let them mourn and heal in peace and let the hucksters, the politicians, and the agitators and mischief makers be gone. They deserve their quiet time to get their families and their city back in order. May God stay with them as they do just that.
And for young Dylann Roof, his day in court will come and he will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law as it should be. It is quite likely that he may face the death penalty for his actions which is certainly appropriate in such case. But may God have mercy on his soul and help him to feel the sorrow for the pain he has caused. And may he come to grips with his crime and ask the Almighty for forgiveness before his permanent fate is sealed.
It's never too late to ask for God's grace, but it's up to each of us to ask Him. After all, we were all forgiven for all of our transgressions at the moment He died on the Cross for us, but we must humble ourselves before Him and accept that forgiveness by truly following Him. And yes, that opportunity is open to even a Dylann Roof if he sincerely accepts His terms.
And may God bless and keep the nine who died last Wednesday, now safely at home with their Lord and Savior. What a truly loving God we have. Amen.
You might enjoy my broadcast tonight about the Spirit of Charleston. It airs live at 9 ET on North Florida Writer Live. Here's the link:
tobtr.com/s/7716951
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