IN TIMES LIKE THESE

Many of you will have seen the new of the senseless killing of 12 children in their school in Realengo, a suburb of Rio de Janeiro. Just one of many tragedies that are occurring all over the world. Some are called  (wrongly in my opinion) "acts of God", others like this atrocity in Rio, are acts of crazed and disturbed people.
The young man who was responsible for this latest massacre was a former pupil of the school and so was allowed to walk in without suspicion. His mother died years ago and he was adopted by a family where there were 5 other children. Some of them noted sadly that he had become more and more detached of late but nobody could have foreseen such madness.
When we see and hear about such outrages we naturally feel for all those concerned, we wonder what has happened to our fellow humans who foster such despair and hatred that it turns to wicked and destructive acts against others.
What other thoughts go through your mind when you hear of tragic events? Do you shrug it off because it has not happened to any one close to your heart? Do you blame others for their intolerance and hatred of all that is different to their own particular belief? Maybe you decide that you cannot believe in a god who allows such atrocities to happen to innocent people. Whatever you think, the fact remains that we live in a fallen world that is full of injustice and pain. That is why Jesus told us that we should not fix our hearts or affections on the things of this world  because it is not our final resting place.Instead, we need to recognise that we are part of this fallen world, as sinners ourselves we must seek his forgiveness and recognise Him as our Lord and Saviour through his death on the cross. By doing this we acknowledge our need and our desire to be part of his everlasting kingdom. Some  mockingly call it "pie in the sky when you die" I call it hope and I thank him daily for faith to follow in Jesus' footsteps.
Please take time to look at this short video and pray for those whom you know who are suffering just now.                            http://www.artofgodmovie.com/