Church Shooting in Charleston, SC

A state senator (edit* or representative?) who is a pastor is among the dead.
 
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Thats terrible, I heard the report on the news. I dont like hearing stuff like that.
Can you post a prayer we can all pray with you.
 
Father, Creator of all, we trust in You. In all things that come, help us know that you are there, Consoling, Healing, exercising Mercy. There is no one that You answer to.

In our weakness and sin, we cry out to you for what Mercy you choose to bestow on us, and we ask the same for those who suffer. We see our hopeless condition without You, and have no hope other than in You.

We thank you for all your ways, for they are Trustworthy and True. We are Blessed by the presence of your Spirit in all things we face, and are grateful for your constant and unending Love and Care.

For those who have recently been thru a hell on earth, in Charleston, and for those who experience the terrible horrors of life and those who would seek to harm that tranquility, we pray from the depths of our hearts. That those who survive are comforted with a peace that only You can give. That those whose lives were taken, are being embraced in Your Presence, finally free of the tensions and stresses, evil and corruption done by those who have no knowledge of You.

In all things, in all circumstances, we remain ready and willing to live for You, and ask you for the strength to continue in our faithfulness according to the measure You grant us.

Amen

-Soupy
 
ASUK said:
Why would God allow his children to be slaughtered in his house?
Click to expand...

Do you think that maybe, just maybe that Satan had something to do with this event??????

Bad/evil mentally disturbed people do terrible things without regard to people. It seems however that this person choose this church because of his attitude toward black people and churches like schools are "soft" targets.

Remember, God has given man a free will.
 
ASUK said:
Why would God allow his children to be slaughtered in his house?
Click to expand...
Persecution is a guarantee. They killed Jesus, they'll kill us. The church's response has been one of love and prayer for this kid. Their response is God's doing. Don't blame God for man's freedom. It's a gift, otherwise you'd have been struck by lightning for that comment... just say'en...

P.S. His house is us, not a building...
 
Major said:
Do you think that maybe, just maybe that Satan had something to do with this event??????
Click to expand...

While I believe people have to be accountable for what they do, I think Satan has a hand in every evil deed.

Bad/evil mentally disturbed people do terrible things without regard to people. It seems however that this person choose this church because of his attitude toward black people and churches like schools are "soft" targets.

Remember, God has given man a free will.
Click to expand...

I doubt I'll ever get as far as understanding why God allows what he does. But, yes, I do get that free will can be a terrible thing and that it is also a gift...
 
boltardy said:
free will can be a terrible thing and that it is also a gift...
Click to expand...

Ah, "free will."

Let me attempt to draw a word picture here, that might help some in balancing "free will" with "God's Will."

Suppose I got hold of a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood and laid it up on two saw horses.......

Then I took some 1 x 3's and nailed them on end, all around the perimeter of the board, as well as a multitude of maze-like patterns within the confines of the 4 x 8 sheet..........

Then I went out and scooped up a bunch of ants, and set them free within the maze I created on the 4 x 8 sheet.......

In terms of understanding, in relationship to the creator, the ants could go wherever they wanted, do whatever they wanted, but would be confined to the limitations of the world I created for them..........

Now obviously, this example falls apart on some level. For instance, I did not "create" the ants; the plywood "world" I created for them is finite, as opposed to God's creation of us, and his Infinite Creation..........but those are minor points to the main issue of "free will."

There are going to be trials, sins, crimes, inhumanities to man, BY man, as well as Satanic forces............God knows; God Sees; and all of it operates within the confines of God's Creation and the limitations that HE places on the creatures He created, and the world He designed for that creation.

"Free will," is only truly "free," within the context of God's limitations that He (the only one who rightfully CAN impose it) places in our lives. When tragedy strikes, we would all agree, God is not unaware. Gods "Justice" is not thwarted. It may seem delayed, and God may not seem to be "watching the store" (if you will) but that doesn't mean Gods Justice won't be executed, nor that He is sleeping.

To understand that terror, evil and injustice CAN occur, and that bad things CAN happen to good people, and to leave all of the fear and doubt at His Feet ("...casting all your cares on Him, for He careth for you.") .........is the beginning of the building blocks of confidence that we (that "I") need, to trust Him, no matter what.

-Soupy
 
It's always been man's desire to fly like the birds. Because we weren't born with feathers, many believe we're grounded with no hope. With the gift of free will, the Lord gave us another gift: imagination. Whatever we imagine we can complete, Gen 11:6. So men thought that even though we don't have feathers, the idea of "do we really need them" allowed for other imaginations to be used. Cloth. Cloth was used and man flew. This kid imagined false hatred. This false imagination lead to other false ideas of seeking vengeance. This false idea led to imaginations of killing, so finally he acted in kind. He didn't deal with the evil thought and it took root until it bore fruit. While his evil has ruined his life, so do the little foxes spoil the vines of our everyday life, Song 2:15; a foul word to a colleague or spouse or child can ruin them for life. If a meter existed to measure control of thoughts, this kid would have registered on the scale at 0.01 of 100. Each of us fall on this scale, some at 80 out of 100. What we think is just as important as what we do or don't do. This is why the Lord says:

2 Corinthians 10:5-6 (KJV)
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
​
Philippians 4:8 (KJV)
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.​

If this kid, and us, were to follow these verses, things would have been different:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 (KJV)
Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.​

Why? Because they occupy the mind instead of vain imaginations. That kid was Agrippa, Act 26:28, in that bible study. He was almost dissuaded to act so heinously. What does it take for us to be dissuaded from thinking evil thoughts? Now you can appreciate Paul answer:

Romans 7:25 (KJV)
I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.​

These verses are the Law of God written on our hearts. Today we have the benefit of seeing it in written text.
 
Major said:
Do you think that maybe, just maybe that Satan had something to do with this event??????

Bad/evil mentally disturbed people do terrible things without regard to people. It seems however that this person choose this church because of his attitude toward black people and churches like schools are "soft" targets.

Remember, God has given man a free will.
Click to expand...

Why do mentally ill people have to be bad?
My mom's dad was a schizophrenic.and he never harmed anyone thank God...

I just think.. When it comes to a malicious nature, its just ingrained from the beginning.
 
Steve Campbell said:
Ah, "free will."

Let me attempt to draw a word picture here, that might help some in balancing "free will" with "God's Will."

Suppose I got hold of a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood and laid it up on two saw horses.......

Then I took some 1 x 3's and nailed them on end, all around the perimeter of the board, as well as a multitude of maze-like patterns within the confines of the 4 x 8 sheet..........

Then I went out and scooped up a bunch of ants, and set them free within the maze I created on the 4 x 8 sheet.......

In terms of understanding, in relationship to the creator, the ants could go wherever they wanted, do whatever they wanted, but would be confined to the limitations of the world I created for them..........

Now obviously, this example falls apart on some level. For instance, I did not "create" the ants; the plywood "world" I created for them is finite, as opposed to God's creation of us, and his Infinite Creation..........but those are minor points to the main issue of "free will."

There are going to be trials, sins, crimes, inhumanities to man, BY man, as well as Satanic forces............God knows; God Sees; and all of it operates within the confines of God's Creation and the limitations that HE places on the creatures He created, and the world He designed for that creation.

"Free will," is only truly "free," within the context of God's limitations that He (the only one who rightfully CAN impose it) places in our lives. When tragedy strikes, we would all agree, God is not unaware. Gods "Justice" is not thwarted. It may seem delayed, and God may not seem to be "watching the store" (if you will) but that doesn't mean Gods Justice won't be executed, nor that He is sleeping.

To understand that terror, evil and injustice CAN occur, and that bad things CAN happen to good people, and to leave all of the fear and doubt at His Feet ("...casting all your cares on Him, for He careth for you.") .........is the beginning of the building blocks of confidence that we (that "I") need, to trust Him, no matter what.

-Soupy
Click to expand...


Hi, for me when it comes to free will..I have conflicting opinions about it.

I kinda feel, we dont really have free will..it just feels lil it..

Were either listening/doing what God wants or listening and doing what Satan wants ..

It seems there's no middle ground, if there were ..why is there not a third alternative.. You either have heaven..or hell ..

I kno some will say..hell is where you go when you choose to do what u wanna do..

But were born into sin,its our very nature...

In a way its our default (so how's that free will?)

And if we do manage T do good and follow Christ ... It's only BC he intervened in our lives ( something as basic as our faith I a gift from God)


Now before people bring out the pitch forks...
My post is in no WA to deterr anybody... It's just something I always thought about...

And its okay to think and have questions..it helps you study better
 
pancakes said:
Why do mentally ill people have to be bad?
My mom's dad was a schizophrenic.and he never harmed anyone thank God...

I just think.. When it comes to a malicious nature, its just ingrained from the beginning.
Click to expand...

I do not think that mentally ill people are bad people at all.

But in the same thought, how could any rational sane person murder 9 people simply because they are black.

It seems to me the action identifies at least that one person has a mental problem.
 
ASUK said:
Why would God allow his children to be slaughtered in his house?
Click to expand...
If some stranger hurts your child, do you blame yourself or the stranger who hurt the child? God is never ever the reason for evil.. Let that be far from our mind even in this difficult time.. The only hope we have is the promise from Lord.. Peace that surpasses understanding can come only from Lord..
 
Did anyone find it a little weird that he got the gun as his birthday gift? I strongly believe this generation is in this state because the previous generation lost connection with their children..
 
Major said:
I do not think that mentally ill people are bad people at all.

But in the same thought, how could any rational sane person murder 9 people simply because they are black.

It seems to me the action identifies at least that one person has a mental problem.
Click to expand...

I think there is a massive grey area between the possibilities of demons (and yes I believe they exist) and those of mental health. Still, having been through the mental health service a couple of times with my own problems, I'd suggest either way, most are just suffering their own agonies.

I'd speculate one has to agree with a pretty awful thought and let it ferment to do something like this.
 
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