A time for prayer & reflection ... thoughts about the shootings in Dayton & El Paso

Sometimes words fall short.

This is a time to pause & pray for the hurting people in Dayton, OH & El Paso, TX … to “weep with those who weep” ~ Romans 12

We have been given this promise from heaven: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8

I love these comforting words from Isaiah 49

This is what the Lord says...

"I will not forget you!

See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;

your walls are ever before Me." 

God knows you … He is with you & for you. His greatest gift is that you can know Him.

God is Almighty, All-Seeing, All-Knowing, All-Powerful, All-Sufficient, Omnipotent & Omniscient

“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you … to show you compassion” ~Isaiah 30:18

God knows you better than anyone: your parents or siblings … your best friend … your spouse … even better than you know yourself… In Psalm 139 this truth is beautifully written: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I am fearfully & wonderfully made. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. You have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise, you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out & my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.”

God loves you: continually & unconditionally. In His love letters to us … it is written: “I have summoned you by name, you are mine … you are precious & honored in My sight” ~ Isaiah 43:1,4-5

We have this assurance from God: “I am the Lord, your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you … do not be afraid … I myself will help you” ~ Isaiah 41:13-14

Jesus Christ has given His Word: “I will not leave you an orphan; I will come to you.” ~John 14

“I am with you always.” Jesus (Matthew 28)

What better time than now to “Draw to God” … with an earnest heart, in a quiet place … in child-like faith … just pour our your heart

No appointment is required God is available 24/7 … “he never sleeps or slumbers”

A time for reflection:

The unrelenting & increasing verbal attacks & accusations that aim “racism” like shots fired from an over-used poison-platitudes gun.

… Do they really not know that accusations are also violence? 

... Do they really not know that their thoughtless, yet intentionally aimed wounding words tear us apart: incite anger, division and resentment? This is at its core: a spiritual problem (explained further on)

If only the accuser could see himself (or herself) as others do.

In truth: It is as though the “accuser” is looking in a mirror and speaking back what the mirror reveals. Sadly they just cannot see their own truth.

Any attempt to capitalize on … or TWIST tragedy to some perceived advantage is shameless… WRONG-thinking & WRONG-speaking … always produces wrong outcomes. This principle is as sure as gravity.

Words can be TRUTH or words can be lies

Words can be foolish or words can be WISE

Words can wound or words can heal

Words of strife … our peace can steal

Words can DIVIDE … or words can ignite

A nation … a family …to fight or UNITE

In this recent buzz/you can read my entire “Words” poem & thoughts about “Words”

What do your words say about you?

https://www.bebee.com/producer/@fay-vietmeier-pennsylvania/what-do-your-words-say-about-you

We all need to develop more discerning ears … so that we can better detect & reject the accusations & poison platitudes

Perhaps this insight will help some look beyond the immediate & the obvious. The shootings in Dayton, OH & El Paso TX are just the most recent “events” … that follow years of increasing violence in America. The increase of such violence is a reflection of the decline of our values … arrived at though wrong-focus and wrong-thinking …

For years I have had the thought that:

“Physical problems require physical cures & spiritual problems require spiritual cures” ~ fem-v

These are spiritual problems: hate, evil, violence, murder, fear, confusion, prejudices (racism) … to name just a few …

The root & source of evil: is Satan … he is THE “evil one” … a murderer, the Accuser, the “Father of LIES” and the author of division, fear, confusion & chaos … Satan’s strategies are “radical” and he has an army to carry out his (spiritual) warfare

Evil is its own motive ... there is no need to look further.

Knowingly or unknowingly people cooperate with the “evil one” & become instruments of evil.

Only God knows the human heart & motives for destruction … the uncounted details of every “broken” human being whose wrong-thinking, wrong-focus, hardened heart & devastatingly bad decisions end in tragedy.

When events such as these in Dayton & El Paso unfold … consider the root & the fruit

… People look for some outward “motive” … when the root cause lies deep in the heart, soul, and spirit.

“Man looks at outward appearances but God looks at the heart” ~ 1 Samuel 16

Do not be deceived: hate, evil, violence, murder, fear, confusion, prejudices (racism) … these are spiritual problems ... that reside in the human heart. Be aware: the cure does NOT rest with any government or any leader in government. Evil cannot be regulated.

The cure for spiritual problems is found in heart-transformation.

First one must recognize … then be willing to be transformed and cooperate with the process.

“Be careful”

You don’t want to be found here: “The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane” ~ Marcus Aurelius

Or here: "Given over by God"

“Since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God…he gave them over to a depraved mind to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness: evil, greed, depravity, envy, murder, strife, deceit & malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant & boastful (pride) … they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless & ruthless.” ~ Romans 1

Again: This is a time to pray … but also a time to reflect. Look inward ... at the heart.

A glimpse of me ;~)

My curious nature makes me a “queen of questions” … but gifted with the ability to listen ;~) I'm a woman of deep faith, a blessed mother, a voracious reader, a blossoming writer, a grateful person, and a lover of beauty … I treasure family, true friendships and my loyal clients ... enjoy traveling, learning, good movies, good wine and golf. I’m a heart-to-heart communicator.

If my words make you think … Great ;~) let me know your thoughts “iron sharpens iron” https://www.bebee.com/@fay-vietmeier-pennsylvania