“Kill ‘Em All” or “Lord, Forgive Them"

A little more than three weeks ago, my grandson’s car was stolen from a Dallas downtown parking garage. It wasn’t the car being stolen that hurt near as much as it was what was in the trunk of his car that hurt him and his mama the most.

This side of our family are the fishing lovers which was initiated years ago by Papa, my husband, who loved any kind of fishing and passed it on to our daughter, Staci, and onto Payton. When Papa left for heaven, I knew I would pass along Papa’s fishing gear, tackle, fishing vests, fly rod, and fishing necklaces that held all the tools for making leaders for lines, getting the fish off the hooks, etc. All of that was in Payton’s car trunk, plus Papa’s briefcase which held many other treasures from Papa. We prayed and hoped beyond hope that the thieves would leave all of that in the trunk.

The police found the car. Payton and Staci went to see the stripped-beyond-recognition remains yesterday. Nothing was left in the trunk – even the liner was gone. Staci sent me the photos, and my first words were: “God, kill ‘em!” Immediately, I thought: “Lord, have mercy, did I really say that?” Staci quickly retorted:
“I think it’s better to pray “Lord, bring them to repentance and to You.” Lord, have mercy! Yes, that’s what I meant! 😊

I know the scripture: “What the heart is full of, the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45) and I had to ask that God purify my heart so it’s not so quick to speak words I don’t think I really meant. I was prompted to write this post after I saw the video of Brandt, the younger brother of Botham Jean speak to former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger from the witness stand after she was sentenced for killing 26-year-old Botham Jean in his apartment. At the sentencing phase, Jean’s younger brother told her: “I think giving your life to Christ would be the best thing that Botham would want for you.” He added: “I love you as a person, and I don’t wish anything bad on you.”

He then asked the court for permission to hug her. The image of the two embracing made national headlines. The prosecutor said that in 37-years of practicing law, “I never saw anything like that.” Brandt was right about his older brother’s character and faith. Botham Jean was born in Saint Lucia, an island in the eastern Caribbean. He became a Christian at an early age and began preaching as a teenager. He sang in his church choir, in college, and at Dallas West Church of Christ, where he led worship the Sunday before he was killed.

CNN reported that after Brandt Jean’s remarkable act of grace, District Judge Tammy Kemp gave Guyger a Bible and also hugged her. “You can have mine. I have three or four more at home,” the judge said. “This is the one I use every day. This is your job for the next month. It says right here. John 3:16. And this is where you start. ‘For God so loved the world . . .'”

If that isn’t love – the ocean is dry; if that isn’t love – there’s no stars in the sky; if that isn’t love – the little sparrows can’t fly; if that isn’t love – then heaven’s a myth; there’s no feeling like this. If that isn’t love. And that is the love of Jesus – Who could say “Forgive them, Lord, for they know not what they do.” That is the love I pray for – to be able to love like that.

Being on Assignment -- Joyfully

I drive into Kroger's Food Store parking lot, eyeing the aisles for a parking space. As a prayer team member, I’m in a hurry to get to our Praise and Healing Night at my church. I signed up to have the pre-meeting meal ready for the team. No time to waste! Aw! I see a space and as I turn in, lo and behold, I see broken glass, a windowless car, and lots of stuff all over the ground in the spot next to mine. I don’t have the time to deal with this. But, as I make my way to get a grocery cart, a little voice says “Donna, be Me!” Thank you for the reminder, God! I head to customer service and wait for the store manager. We go to the car, take photos and we see a State Trooper entering the store. We tell him about the break-in and he calls the police. Then, I hasten to get the items on my grocery list.

I pay my bill and head to my car. The State Trooper's car is parked behind mine, the police officer is there, and I see a distraught woman (the owner of the car) and her two teenage sons. I can tell the angst she feels as the police officer is asking her all kinds of questions. The State Trooper kindly moves his car so I can get on about my "God" business.

God had other plans; He tugged. Listening, I reluctantly shushed my inner voice of rushing (now I was way behind schedule) to hear God’s inner voice of selflessness. “She’s distressed, Donna. She needs peace and comfort.” Clarity struck. Rather than seeing this whole debacle as a deterrent from my schedule and my plans, I can choose to be the compassionate one. Rather than seeing things from my limited view, I can see from God’s caring view. Rather than keeping my pace, I can offer her, through Christ, access to a better place. I breathed deep. I was about to do something, I really didn’t want to do. “Now God? Bad timing, God.” But, with Christ, you suddenly do what you thought you couldn’t. It’s a typical thing in a Christian’s life. I signaled for her to step away from the officer and I asked her if I could pray for her (a not-pray-for-you-later-prayer, but a now- prayer). Without hesitation, she said “Yes!”

God never leads wrong. I prayed for her wisdom and peace right then and there, in the parking lot of Kroger’s Food Store, with people gawking. She expressed gratitude. I made it to church in plenty of time to set up the meal for our team.

I’m done holding back God’s unlimited power because of my limited mind. I am pulling the leash off my being bold. I’m going to be eyes-wide-open to God’s nudges. I just may be the answer to someone’s prayer today. I’m going to rush to God, full-throttle, with being His daughter-on-assignment, and who is willing to offer the biggest, boldest prayers for others that I can. What's the worst-case scenario? Embarrassed? Feeling awkward? What's the best case scenario? Someone’s life is changed forever. They see the actual power of Jesus. They are left never the same for it. Care to join me? What we don’t believe by faith, we won’t see by faith. What we cannot imagine and cannot fathom, won’t happen. What we don’t give a chance, remains unchanged. Yet, what we believe in, God works in.
"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. (Matthew 21:22)

Taking Safety Measures Against the Enemy

Yesterday afternoon, I and other greeters at my church attended a Mandatory Greeter Safety Environment Training. I wasn't sure what that meant until I heard the explanation by the City of Dallas' Police Department's Commander of Strategic Forces, who is a member of our church and is the Coordinator of our church's Safety Ministry. I never knew we had a "Safety Ministry" but I soon learned what that meant.

He spoke to us about the safety measures that the church has been taking for months now and is amping up the Safety Ministry another notch by equipping those of us who are greeters to play a significant role in being vigilant in our Greeters' Ministry to help keep our church and its members safe against enemies.

With compassion, He told us the Police Department receives over 800K "911" calls in a year from people who carry heavy burdens from society, relationships, family, schools, and workplaces. Figuratively, he said, "Everyone carries a backpack full of heavy bricks that represent their struggles and burdens and it is up to us to help lighten their loads. Those of you who are 'Greeters' can do some incredible things with a smile, a 'hello', a 'welcome'. Those simple expressions may be the best thing that has happened to them in a long time. We really do want everyone to be in the church where they will find healing and help,"

He went on to describe our new role, not only as burden-lifters in our warm and welcoming expressions of love to those who enter the church but also to be "assessors", not judging or profiling, but since mental illness has become such a critical public health issue, we need to keep our eyes open for questionable demeanor or someone who is displaying a deep sense of pain, depression or is very emotional.

Now we will be asked to carry a walkie-talkie and if we question someone's demeanor, wearing an out-of-season trench coat, has a disheveled appearance, has signs of mental illness or is carrying a bag or backpack, we should alert our "Safety Ministry" team members who will simply get sets of eyes on them to watch their behavior. We all need to have "situational awareness".

1 Peter 5:8 says: "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour."

Initially, I was taken back by the mere notion that anyone would come to a church and pose a threat of any kind to those who are innocently worshipping God, but then, I remembered the schools and churches where indescribable harm came to innocent people The enemy of our souls is a thief and he came to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10) and now, not only in the physical and natural realm do we need to be prepared and vigilant against his tactics, we need to continue to shore up any little chinks and holes in our armor. We need "Safety Ministry" teams in the physical realm and in the spirit realm. Perhaps we need to set up a "Safety Ministry" in our homes and pray these scriptures as our greatest shield of defense:

~ "The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?"
Psalm 27:1
~ "But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one." 2 Thessalonians 3:3
~ "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
~ "You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance." Psalm 32:7
~ "In peace, I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8

Stealth Super Powers

I'm sure you've heard about the petite woman who was able to lift the car off of a child who was pinned under it. The people who have done that accomplished an almost unthinkable feat of strength.

I read this in Pscyhology Today: The human body can unleash some amazing RESERVES that deadens "temporary" pain. So in a time when stealth reserves are needed, it's possible to become super-powered.

Those life-saving people are the epitome of Super Heroes. Think about our armed forces who do the inexplainable in serving us and our country. Think about firefighters and police who have the uncanny ability to operate daily on those reserves while handling real life situations that call for spontaneous, heroic faith that is swift to action -- those situations that don’t allow for time to survey the situation or pray for hours to muster up courage. But NOTHING is impossible....especially when God is the biggest part of the equation.

You and I are just common, ordinary, Clark Kent kind-of-folks that are just hard working, doing-what-we-have-to-do to get by. Yes, we love and trust God for sweet calm in the storms of life. We would rather be stress free and care free kind-of-folks.

Oh, but wait just a minute, Mr. Postman!!! We really shouldn't settle for being the Clark Kent kind-of-folks. In the midst of the most horrific, overwhelming, challenging, faith-tested, heartbreaking times....we don't have to run and hide. We just activate our "RESERVES". And those reserves are our spiritual “Superman”, infused with God’s wisdom and power, who takes charge of the siutation. We remember THE Superman who lives in us -- God Almighty!! "Through our God we shall do valiantly. It is He who will tread down our enemies." Psalm 108:13

There just may be situations today that call for an immediate response of faith -- like a friend in pain, and we quickly offer to pray with them, or someone in despair, and we don’t hesitate to encourage them, or helping a friend in need, or taking a leap of faith in making a family decision or jumping into a new business opportunity. Let’s stealth up with the knowledge of WHO lives big in us. Let's go to the place of strength, whether it's a phone booth like Clark Kent used, or to the THRONE booth where God’s “super” powers kick in and we make the difference in our world today!!

Expect GREAT THINGS from God. Attempt GREAT THINGS from God.