What's on Your Heart?- A Lesson from Columbine?

Sent to be by a friend:

Guess our national leaders didn 't expect this, hmm? On Thursday, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton , Colorado , was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee. What he said to our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful.

They were not prepared for what he was to say, nor was it received well. It needs to be heard by every parent, every teacher, every politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every so-called expert! These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal. There is no doubt that God sent this man as a voice crying in the wilderness. The following is a portion of the transcript:

"Since the dawn of creation there has been both good &evil in the hearts of men and women.. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers.

"The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was no t the club he used.. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart.

"In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA - because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder I would be their strongest opponent.

I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy -- it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best.

Your laws ignore our deepest needs, Your words are empty air. You've stripped away our heritage, You've outlawed simple prayer. Now gunshots fill our classrooms, And precious children die. You seek for answers everywhere, And ask the question "Why?" You regulate restrictive laws, Through legislative creed. And yet you fail to understand, That God is what we need!

" Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, mind, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up , we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and wreak havoc. Spiritual presences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history.

Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact. What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs -- politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties. We do not need more restrictive laws. Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts.

"As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes, he did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right! I challenge every young person in America , and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools. Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him. To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA -- I give to you a sincere challenge. Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone!

My daughter's death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!"

Do what the media did not - - let the nation hear this man's speech.. Please send this out to everyone you can. God Bless

You can also read this on Chuck Campbell Show WPJL 1240-AM Radio Raleigh, NC & RTN-10 TV Host & Producer’s Blog

In His Love and Blessings
annb

Internet Chat Cafe - Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control.
Against such things there is no law.

After looking at the verse in Galatians, what specific “fruit” (love, joy, peace…) do you find yourself lacking in your daily life? Give an example if you can.

What circumstance in your life shows your weakness with the specific “fruit” you mentioned above.

Probably the “fruit” I lack most in my daily life is self-control! I feel like this characteristic encompasses each of the other “fruits”, as well. I can only speak for myself and know that in order to strengthen my daily walk in the Lord, I must use self-control in the choices I make in all circumstances.

One of the areas of my life in which it is most evident that I lack self-control is in the way I respond to people when I feel threatened, unaccepted or unimportant - by their comments or actions. I often react, with words, quickly – without thinking of the impact my words will have on someone. It’s a problem for me and I am in prayer over it and really working to correct this behavior.

Galatians 5:
16) So I say, live by the Spirit,
and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
17) For the sinful nature desires
what is contrary to the Spirit,
and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.
They are in conflict with each other,
so that you do not do what you want.
18) But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

In the past I experienced abuse – emotional, verbal and physical. During the worst of the abuse, I had a gun held to my head and knew that I could very well die at the hand of my husband. Those years changed me forever! I believe the experiences of the past caused me to harden my heart and build walls that have been difficult to break down!

I still struggle with feelings of unworthinesss, lack of self-esteem and rejection. I know that only God can heal me and I pray for that healing. I know that He is working in me and I have experienced many positive changes over the past year and look forward to even more healing in the future - through prayer, study and I trust that He will completely free me of these strongholds.

I recently wrote a post on my blog about my defensiveness and had a comment left on my blog that, at first, I took as personal criticism and believed it to be sent from one of a very few people that I know in my life (the author was anonymous). As I read the comment over, several times, I also prayed, asking God to help me to be open to what the commenter had said and to see it in a positive light and I then began to see that it didn’t matter who wrote it or what the intent behind the comment was – it was true.

My constant prayer and my desire is to be filled with God’s love and to express myself – full of the “fruit of the Spirit” - so that others can see Christ living in me!

In His Love and Blessings
annb

"Happenings" around here!

I haven’t blogged in a while – mainly because I’ve either been really busy or . . . really tired! I am, after all, running Elizabeth’s daycare for a little while. She started back to Duncan Brothers about a month ago and then discovered that she is expecting a “wee one” in October, so things are busy around here!

I first want to say that on my last blog post a comment was left by “anonymous” telling me that I am an “offender” rather than a “defender” as I had chosen to see myself. Over the last couple of days I have reread the comment several times and have to say that I agree with the author!

When I first read the comment, I immediately thought I could narrow down the author as being one within a small group of people that I know. As I’ve thought about it, I have decided that it doesn’t matter – nor do I care – who the author is, they are right in their comments. I will take the information and use it in my daily walk by considering the things I say . . . before I say them! I do not want to be an offender – I want others to be able to see Christ in me in everything that I do each moment!

I’m still not perfect. I’m still a work in progress. But, thank you, anonymous for helping me to see my actions in a much more reflective light!

Now back to our happenings around here! We have six children enrolled in the daycare –
Batman, a 3-year old little boy who is so full of energy! He’s never still and very articulate. When he looks at me with those sweet little eyes – I melt!
Spiderman – another 3-year old little boy who when matched against Batman is a force to be reckoned with! He’s a very sensitive little guy, a great helper in everything whether it’s picking up toys or pushing in the chairs after meals. I love to just scoop him up and hold him – especially because he likes to get away from hugs as quickly as possible! He only loves hugs from his Mommy!
Snow White – a 3-year old little girl, sweet and loving and always wants to please. She has some tough transition periods when being dropped off and picked up, but always ends up with smiles and sweet good-byes. My day would not be the same without her!
Little Miss – Snow White’s 10 month old sister. She is definitely a Mommy’s girl, but she’s adjusted well to being here. She loves playtime on the floor – so much more than the other kids love her floor playtime. She’s at the perfect age to try to take everything they have in their hands. They’re all great with her and show patience and love toward her all the time!
Sleeping Beauty – she’ll be 2 in a couple of months and is a sweetheart. She’s always in a good mood and never gives us any trouble! She plays well with the older kids (still learning to play with Little Miss) and gets right in the middle of whatever they’re playing. She, too, is a light in my day!
Little Big Guy – a little boy who just recently turned 1 and started at the daycare just a couple of weeks ago. In that short time, he’s also won my heart. He’s so cute and he has the deepest voice I’ve ever heard in a young man! He loves to drive cars and trucks – with the sounds to go along! We’re still getting to know each other, but so far – so great!

I absolutely love having the kids here each day. I love the innocence and love they show each other and that they show me. Even after they have a “tiff” they’re best friends again before they even turn around! I learn so much from these kids – and I’m thankful to have this opportunity!

Poor Elizabeth! She has really been sick the last few weeks. She was so sick during her pregnancy with Addy and had to go to the hospital about every other week – spending time on the monitor, receiving IV fluids and medication to help with her nausea and vomiting. I’m praying that she is not so drastically ill with this baby and that the nausea will pass soon! I’m so excited about the baby coming! I love being a grandma and wouldn’t trade it for the world!

Jody and I are doing great and I’m so happy! Chance is spending so much more time with us now and I can’t even tell you how much that thrills me! God is working in our lives and I’m seeing it in so many ways! I support Jody and was able to show him that support a few days ago. It was one of the most difficult things I’ve had to do in a very long time; I cried all the way home after the event - from the stress and reactions we received and was physically ill all day yesterday because of the stress. Even with all of that, I’m thankful I could be with him – at his request! I was thankful that he asked me to be with him and very pleased to be able to oblige!

That’s what’s happening around here. What’s happening where you are?

In His Love and Blessings
annb