Daily Devotions: Resident Evil

Our community in Knoxville is grieving and angry this morning. A while ago, a young couple – Chris Newsom and Channon Christian – were car-jacked, kidnapped, raped, tortured, horrendously mutilated, and savagely murdered by a gang of people over several days. The details of the crime have sent shock waves throughout our town and we are all heartbroken for the families concerned.

Yesterday, the first trial of one of the gang members ended. Everyone thought that the death penalty was assured because the brutal and monstrous killing of these young people was so savage that only a State execution would satisfy those who were looking for justice. The jury, however, decided that life imprisonment without parole was deemed enough punishment for the perpetrator.

Local radio shows and newspapers have been swamped with callers and comments who are outraged. The families of the young couple are also very angry and disappointed with the jury. The one consolation, if there is any in this case, was expressed by a family member: “At least he will never be allowed on the streets of Knoxville again.”

As Christians, we are supposed to forgive those who sin against us, but in this particular horrendous case, can anyone of us find that ounce of forgiveness in our hearts? It is so difficult.

The other four gang members are to begin their trials in the next month. The ringleader of the group is being tried soon. The Newsom and Channon families will have to again go through the public hell of hearing how their children were savagely assaulted and wickedly killed. Our hearts and prayers go out to them.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, there seems to be so much wickedness in the world, even in the midst of our own community. We feel shocked and helpless, numbed and powerless in the face of such blatant evil. Help us to find a way of turning these horrible events into goodness and strength, healing and wholeness for our broken community. In Your Holy Name, we helplessly pray. Amen.

4 Minute Devotions: Seeking God's Strength

The fatal shootings in a Knoxville Church have shocked our religious community, but we will not be defined by such a heinous act.

Podcast version here

Psalm 105:4 Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

The religious community here in Knoxville is hurting. Last Sunday morning, a deranged man entered a local church with a shotgun and started blasting away at the congregation. Two people were killed and several others were seriously wounded. The shooter was tackled by three other men and over-powered before he could reload. The police arrived within four minutes and quickly arrested the guy. Our whole community is in shock and we are mourning for the victimized families.

The shooter had written a four page note blaming liberal churches for his anger. He has a long history of drunkenness and has violently threatened other people in the past. He bought the shotgun from a local pawn shop and planned the whole event a week ago. He didn’t think that he would have survived this wicked deed.

Instead of taking responsibility for his own disappointments, he blamed other people. Instead of looking for help from the very people who could have embraced him, he made a cowardly choice of shooting defenseless people. He allowed himself to be overcome by his own anger and wickedness, frustration and fear. Instead of seeking good, he got a gun. Instead of looking for heaven, he created hell.

The religious community in Knoxville is rallying around the targeted church. In the midst of all this pain, shock, and tragedy, good will prevail. We look to God for our well being and seek His strength in times like these. Next Sunday, the churches in Knoxville will be full of people, looking for comfort and guidance, forgiveness and hope. This tragedy has shocked us, but it will never define us. Our faith is in God and His Kingdom, not in the fear of bullets or deranged people. We look to the Lord and His strength; we will continue to seek His face always because that’s what we do, that’s who we are, and that’s how we express our faith here.

Prayer: Lord God, we do not understand why people seek to hurt other people. We do not know why this tragic event occurred in our beautiful town, but we do know that You are always with us, in the best and worst of times. Be near to us this day and comfort all those who are grieving. In Christ’s Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to reply to this message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org

Religious News: two American Preachers Accused of Hate Crime in Britain

Ministers Arthur Cunningham and Joseph Abraham were handing out Gospel leaflets in a Muslim area in the city of Birmingham, UK, when they were stopped by a passing Community Police Officer. He allegedly became aggressive and told the preachers to stop talking to local youth. The two preachers were accused of trying to convert Muslims and, because they were Americans, the community police officer ranted to them about the Iraq war. He also allegedly warned them that they would be “beaten up” if they returned to evangelize in the area.

The two preachers have complained to West Midlands Police and are seeking an apology. The Police Force, however, have stated that the officer merely intervened to defuse a row between the preachers and the youths.

Article source from the Sun