My heart is sad this morning. I am still in total shock over the shootings in Texas this past Sunday. I have tried to put myself in the place of those attending church and visualize what it must have been like for a shooter to come into your place of worship. But I just can’t comprehend it. All I can do is grieve for the families and friends of those who were taken.
Things like this change the way we live and think. Neal is on the security committee at our church, and it just startles me to think we have to consider incidences like this happening while we are gathered to worship.
For all our Ribbon friends in Texas, please know of our prayers and love. There is nothing that can be said to relieve your grief and sorrow. We offer hearts of love that are praying for you. Just like those involved in the horrific Charleston church shooting, you will never be the same. In fact, none of us will. Our lives will be forever changed. Situations like this rob us of the innocence of life. We are on guard all the time, and, now, even in church.
We can’t begin to understand why these awful situations occur. All we can do is pray for peace. Peace is something I’ve clung to these past few days. I offer these verses today in hopes that we will be reminded of the peace of God, which will carry us through these times.
Philippians 4:6–7:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Comments 27
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your beautiful words and for all your prayers. I am a Texan.
The innocent shall become angels. He has not forgotten us and so it is for us the living to comfort each other in their hour of need. Let the words of the scriptures that Phyllis has brought to our hearts be the guidepost during this unspeakable horror in one of His houses. Please love one another as He loves us.
Dearest Phyllis and all on this blog,
Phyllis, the passages you chose, Philippians 4:6–7, are the perfect verses for these times. It is so horrible to wake up and hear that another unfathomable incident has occurred. Yet, if we can focus on the Peace and Love of Jesus there is comfort there.
He said to “Love one another as I have loved you.” I believe all on this post do that already.
Last Sunday we sang “When the Saints Go Marching In,” with full gusto. It was so encouraging to hear those words. So, I encourage all you saints, let’s pray together for our fellow Texans and for all of us around the world for Peace, comfort and an end to this madness. There is great power in prayer.
Thank you Phyllis for opening your heart to us.
Love and may Peace be with you…
Thank you Phyllis and everyone else who unabashedly said prayer is the only thing we can do and God iscthe only one we can rely on in the face of this and other tragedies. The devil is indeed among us and trying to break us as individuals and as a country. I too, pray for all who have been killled and their grieving families. These are just unthinkable crimes. Those of us who are baby boomers cannot believe how the world has turned since our childhood and growing up years. Peace, pray for peace!
I too extend prayers and condolences to those Texans lost in the church shooting. I also would like to request prayers for the people of Orange, Tx. Our city was really devastated by Hurricane Harvey. Many peoples lives were left lying on the curb due to the damage caused by the hurricane. We are recovering slowly, but prayers for healing are very welcome. Thanks for your encouraging words Phyllis.
Thank you Paula for bringing that to our attention. Yes you are right.
Thanks you for this post. Our Bible Study group is currently studying Philippians. Wise words for believers.
It’s beyond imagination how someone could kill these sweet innocent people inside of their church. Our church has hired policemen on Sunday mornings. It’s sad to have to shoulder the extra cost for safety when there is so much need, but this is the world we live in now. It’s an unsettling reminder when entering the church to see their black and white police car parked at the curb that things are not as they used to be. Thank you for your message of encouragement, I’m so thankful to see an uninhibited message about the comfort and peace of Jesus. God Bless you and your sweet readers and I will be praying, too.
Thank you for this beautiful post. Sending more prayers for Texas!
I join you and your readers in praying for loved ones lost in Texas and praying for peace. As you said, it is difficult to comprehend such a horrific thing in a house of worship. Thank you Phyllis.
You are exactly right, sister. Our only help is in our Lord and Savior.
Mental illness is a serious, present issue in our country. This man, the perpetrator was seriously ill. He needed help. Prison is not the place for a human in that condition. He should have been in an institution for the criminally ill.
Until we come to grips with the mental health crisis in this country these acts will continue.
Pray the Lord moves our legislators to face the crisis and act accordingly.
Our hope and salvation, Jesus is coming!
Such heartbreaking events can only be dealt with through prayer. I pray for the repose of the souls of the victims. For their families and all who grieve, I send my heartfelt sympathy, thoughts and prayers.
I also pray that our Lord will calm the spirits of those who are filled with such anger and bring them to a positive way dealing with their frustrations.
In Jesus name.
Amen
Sending prayers to all who have suffered this unimaginable horror and now sadness.
Rest In Peace for the victims. May the love ones have comfort,peace .
Marion
May all those who lost their lives have eternal rest and comfort to the loved ones grieving.
Marilyn
Prayers for all .
Joan
Thank you Phyllis for the beautiful scriptures and pointing us to the only perfect peace! We have a security team at our church and who would have ever thought a few years ago that it would be necessary. I continue to pray!
Thank you for your prayers. We live in Tx.,not near the horror. But, it helps to have those prayer filled expressions of grief. We all must pull together and go on… Your concern is certainly appreciated by all. We join with you in prayerfulness. Ann Leamy
Your post really hit home with me today, not only for the sadness for the victims of the shootings and the state of our country, but in my personal life as well. Thank you for a perfectly timed reminder.
Praying for you.
We all, just like you have done, need to encourage others in faith to trust and seek our sweet Jesus in all matters of life including death ! Those who are readers of your blog who are not yet believers in Jesus may they know He is here to save and comfort them also in these extremely challenging and sad times! Thank you, Phyllis, for your words and may God continue to guide and bless you and yours!
How horrible that these murders took place on the Sabbath in Gods church. The evil one has infiltrated our world and we don’t even recognize it but keep on doing things God said was wrong and have now made those wrong things right. I believe those Saints at church that day that died were present with our Lord Jesus Christ immediatly upon being absent from their bodies. It is the only way I can cope. God bless you Phyllis for bringing this up for discussion.
Thank you for this post. I am in total agreement with you and Elaine and Alissa. We must continue steadfastly in prayer for peace, and for our world. I am joining you in prayers for our brothers and sisters in Christ in Texas, and sending them love.
I think a lot of us cannot understand the horror of going to worship in our churches and see what happened. The world has seemed to become a negative in all things. We must continue to pray everyday for peace and for all people everywhere. Thank you so much for your post. I look forward to your messages everyday, you are such a positive person.
May God bless you and yours. Sincerely, Elaine
Appreciating your comments today.
Yes! Even when we don’t understand, even when there is no explanation we can count on Jesus Christ. He is the only source of true peace.