There are times when even pastors shake their heads and shed tears. The tragic shooting at the Connecticut elementary school is one of those times. Yet, I continue to trust in God, whose thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways. And so, we cry out with the psalmist: “Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men, who plan evil things in their heart. ...” (Psalms 140:1-2)
It is important to remember that this is not God’s doing ... this is a truly evil act brought about by the work of Satan in this young man’s life. This is a terrible reminder, in the midst of preparations for Christmas, that we live in an evil world that is corrupted by sin (there, but for the grace of God, go I).
And so, we give thanks that God, in His mercy, sent His Son into the world, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem us who are under the law. God knows what violence to a child is as His Son was crucified at the hands of evil men for our salvation. God knows the grief and anguish these parents are experiencing. We commend these families into His most gracious care.
An passage from Lutheran Service Book 764, “When aimless violence takes those we love,” stanzas 1, 4 and 5:
“When aimless violence takes those we love, When random death strikes childhood’s promise down, When wrenching loss becomes our daily bread, We know, O God, You leave us not alone. ...
“Because Your Son knew agony and loss, Felt desolation, grief and scorn and shame, We know You will be with us, come what may, Your loving presence near, always the same.
“Through long grief-darkened days help us, dear Lord, To trust Your grace for courage to endure, To rest our souls in Your supporting love, And find our hope within Your mercy sure.”
Rev. K.C. Dehning, pastor
St. James Lutheran Church
Opinion
PUBLIC FORUM: God understands overwhelming grief
- Opinion
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SOUTHERN: District boundaries show lack of respect
I can imagine no real reason why a county like Cass would be split up into three districts except to show it a lack of respect.
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OUR VIEW: Are you prepared for a disaster?
As you read today’s final installment on disaster preparedness, which focuses on earthquakes and their very real threat right here in Indiana, we hope you take the message to heart and make the decision to prepare yourself. If you don’t, no one else will.
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KNISELY: What are odds of that?
As you read this, I’ll be basking in the warm sun on a Florida beach. I’m not sure where you’ll be when reading this, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be coming out the winner. Seems only fair considering I was moving boxes in the rain just a few Sundays ago.
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PUBLIC FORUM: Minimize our risk before making bet
A Logansport letter-writer calls a local proposal to generate energy from refuse-derived fuels a risky gamble.
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PUBLIC FORUM: Thanks for making event a success
A Big Brothers, Big Sisters representative is grateful for the community's support in a recent fundraiser.
- THORNS & ROSES: Week of May 16
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WOLFSIE: Writing on the walls
Sometimes when I am trying to think of an idea for my column, I just stare at the wall. That’s not a bad thing, because on the wall in my home office is a collection of special pieces of memorabi-lia that inspire me to write, reminding me of the talented people I have had the privilege to meet.
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HAYDEN: From good to great in education not the way
On the campaign trail last year and early into his administration, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said repeatedly that his goal as governor would be to take Indiana from “good to great.”
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THEIR VIEW: Big Brother looms large in D.C.
The federal government, working under the cloak of secrecy, has been having a heyday at the expense of all Americans.
First we learn the IRS has been targeting conservatives — applications for tax-exempt status by tea party groups were wrongly singled out for extra scrutiny. -
KITCHELL: Waste-to-energy a big waste of time
Had all of Logansport attended the Indiana Society of Professional Journalists Awards ceremony last month in Indianapolis, we all would have learned that the No. 1 editorial written in the state in the past year was about a subject that sounds familiar to Logansport residents.
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