DPCHURCH
Celebrate. Connect. Contribute.Archive for January 10, 2011
Reflecting On The Tragedy In Arizona
First, my heart goes out to all of the families who have had their lives forcibly changed by the horror of one man’s action. I pray that Christians throughout Tuscon will rise up and become instruments of peace and that their churches will be houses of healing. Further, my heart goes out to the gunman, Jared Loughner. He obviously had no accountability, which means he had no true friends. I can think of nothing more sad than to walk through life without a friend.
Yesterday at Dardenne Prairie Church we talked about our responsibility to the people God has supernaturally and strategically placed in our lives. We have been “commissioned” (Colossians 1:25) to be good stewards of those relationships. I would suggest that this kid had no one close enough to challenge his beliefs, attitudes, and actions.
One of the reasons DPChurch lives out her mission through Connect Groups is to provide us with the opportunity have others speak directly into our life about our attitudes and actions. It requires permission which is granted through relationship. Make your Connect Group a priority this year. Our group members need us as much as we need them. We need accountability and the discipline that comes from being real with one another.
I am not suggesting that a DPChurch Connect Group would have disarmed Loughner in his current state. I am suggesting that a CG may have kept him from getting that disconnected from right and wrong. The schemes of Satan are powerful, which is why we need to be constantly surrounded by other Christ Followers. Loughner’s eyes were blinded and his heart hardened by Satan (Ephesians 4). His only hope was (and still is) Jesus Christ. The same is true for you and me.
