So - I've been thinking of starting this back up. I signed in today, and saw that I've for some reason continued to have page views! Lent is starting, so I will try to post on this through lent. This will be a good discipline, plus these thoughts continue to run through my head.

"I will be with you."

I was gone today. I'm home for a few days, and we spent the day in a city just north of us - taking my dad to the doctor. I got a haircut, and then we went to lunch and came home.

Upon arriving at home, I started flipping through the channels, and found the news. "30+ dead in Virginia Tech Shooting."

What? How horrific, how horrible, terrible, shocking, sad, and horrendous! I think I'm still in shock.

I began reading on one of my forums I take part in - seeing the posts as the news came in throughout the day. I just can not believe it. I had flashbacks of the Columbine shooting (I was working in our local school system at the time.)

I sit now, realizing people will wonder... Where is God in this?

I had to struggle with that answer myself, but I was reminded of the verse from Isaiah. Isaiah 43:2 - "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you."

I do not see God in the shooting itself. I believe God to be hurting. When I read that verse - I believe God to be with us during this tragedy. Bringing together people from around the school, the community, and across the nation.

That's where God is now. God is sitting with us - mourning the loss and healing the wounded. God is with the doctors, the families, and God will be with us in the coming days.



I pray tonight for the families and friends of those who died. I pray tonight for the community of Virginia Tech - it's students, faculty and staff - and the surrounding community. I pray for the doctors, nurses, and other emergency staff that dealt with and will be dealing with this tragedy today. I pray for all of us affected by this tragedy. I pray for all who deal with tragedy everyday. May God be with us in our times of trouble.

Looking for God

Looking for God, admittedly can sometimes be hard.

I resigned from my position this week. It was a mutual decision, but it's been a difficult week.

Then one place I expect find God - a forum I'm on - has a section on it that has several threads that have broken into not a discussion about current events, but rather an argument about politics and who's party is better, "big" media, etc...

How can we as Christians show God's love to the world, when we have so much dissension amongst ourselves?

So, yes - it certainly can be hard to find God somedays.

Intensive Care

I saw an Intensive Care Unit nurse this week talking to a family member of a patient. The family member was having a difficult time seeing her parent following surgery. She couldn't understand what the problems were, and was full of anxiety seeing all the tubes, wires and machines hooked up to her parent.

The nurse, almost instinctively began talking - in a very calm, relaxing voice - to this family member. She explained what each machine was doing, what exactly they were watching and looking for. It immediately eased the family member's mind, putting her at ease.

I saw God in that nurse that night.

Love Thy Neighbor

So I have been not posting lately. I apologize. There's been a lot going on personally, and this is a discipline I need to keep up with.

I saw a video today that reminds me how much I need to do this...

Through the Eyes of a Child...

Today I was riding the "LRT" (Light Rail Transportation - Minneapolis' Public Train system) to work. A few seats in front of me, there was a father with his 2 young children, maybe 2 and 4 years old. The whole ride, the little girl (the older one) was looking through the window at all the buildings that passed. "Is that mommy's work? Where's mommy's work? What kind of building is that?"

I smiled, wondering what life would be like if were all like children. Looking at the world through curious eyes - everything new and everything exciting.

I saw God in that girl. Everything was wonderful. Life was good.

Listen Carefully to Those Songs...

Our youth choir sang as part of the Sunday morning worship on Christmas eve. They have been focusing this year on popular secular songs that have a Christian message. The song they sang on that Sunday was a song I've heard many times, but I guess I just haven't listened carefully enough.

"Better Days" by the Goo-Goo Dolls

And you ask me what I want this year
And I try to make this kind and clear
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
Cuz I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
And desire and love and empty things
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days

So take these words
And sing out loud
Cuz everyone is forgiven now
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again

And it's someplace simple where we could live
And something only you can give
And thats faith and trust and peace while we're alive
And the one poor child that saved this world
And there's 10 million more who probably could
If we all just stopped and said a prayer for them

So take these words
And sing out loud
Cuz everyone is forgiven now
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again

I wish everyone was loved tonight
And somehow stop this fight
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days

So take these words
And sing out loud
Cuz everyone is forgiven now
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again