Pastor’s Blog Nov 12, 2009:

Reflections on Fort Hood!

 It is more than irony to attend a Veteran’s Day service and immediately turn on a radio and hear about the trial of a mass murderer of the Fort Hood soldiers. This whole event defies believability in many ways, but mostly in the fact that one of their own, a major, was the attacker.

 This event gets the temper up and we want to lash out in some way.  Part of me would like to take a punch at the guy but I’d probably lose the fight.  The same sentiment goes for all of his fellow comrades (Yes, you have heard me say I am a closet pacifist, but give me a mental break for venting.).  We cannot as local people go out and accept vengeance as our motto.  The Christian faith is very clear that vengeance is God’s territory!  So, just how does one react?

 The first thing is very difficult.  Do not allow terrorists to create in us a heart of hatred.  The hymn says: “They will know we are Christians by our love.”  There are too many people today who hate and are diseased by that hatred unto losing their very souls.  Indeed it was hatred that caused the tragedy. 

 The second action for the Christian is also difficult, for it slips up on us.  We must guard against becoming Cold and Hardened!  Again, there are just too many people who use stupid events to claim the right to be mean, judge- mental,  abusive, and isolated.  These actions never do much good for the individual or the greater community.

 Thirdly, for the Christian I hope the actions of Fort Hood would show us how zealous many radicals are for their religion, but more, they would challenge us into a new exploration of the Grace of God in Christ.  Years ago during the Iranian hostage crisis, one of our pastors was in the barber shop as the t.v. reported.  One man, knowing that the rev. was a rev., said “Preacher, it really makes a difference what kind of a God you believe in, don’t it?”

 Therefore,  I say to the fallen and their families,  May we refuse the heresy of hostility and lift up the banner of “Him who transforms lives and worlds, Jesus Christ our Lord!”

 TLS