silver and gold have i some...

My 13-year old son Matt decided to rewrite an old Sunday school song. He was just trying to be funny, but it's also great commentary on the attitudes many conservatives towards the poor. If you've ever heard the song, prepare to laugh out loud...

Silver and Gold have I some (clap clap)
But none will I give unto thee!(clap clap)
In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth
Go get a job!

amish shooting and other unexplainable conundrums

On Monday October 2, 2006, Charles Carl Roberts entered a one-room Amish schoolhouse. He would not come out alive. Neither would many innocent young girls.

Embittered by the death of his own premature daughter just minutes after her birth 9 years ago and haunted by sins he committed more than 20 years ago, Roberts bound ten girls and began shooting them in the head at point blank range - execution style.

The girls were just babies. The youngest was only 6. The oldest was 13. Simple, modest girls. They just went to school. Did they kiss their parents goodbye that morning? Did they laugh and joke as they ran to school?

There are no words to describe such an act. Inexplicable. Incomprehensible. America is great no more - if it ever was to begin with. The land of the free and the home of the brave is now a prison for tortured minds. Where did the brave ones go?

God weeps for us even as He wipes the tears from little girls' eyes. His Spirit scours the land searching out those who would stand for Him - for brave souls to stand for the defenseless, the weak and the poor. Are there any?

And then, i read this story about the Amish community's response...

so i pray...

GOD! i want to be one who you can use, but i lack strength and courage! My own sins have me strangled! My lack of integrity exposes me when i come before You! i see what has become of our society and i am ashamed - i am at fault. i see the response of those true believers in the Amish community and i am ashamed - i am embittered and full of hate!

TRUE GOD - ONLY YOU CAN HELP! We must know You! Do any of us even have any remote idea of who You are? Would any of us be moved to action? Do you still change hearts? Do you still set the souls of mortal men on fire with holy zeal? As we worry about our careers, retirement and all our posessions, our children inherit a world of violence and fear. CHANGE MY HEART! What must change? Is it my pride? My riches? What must i do?

i lay this unbearable burden at the foot of Calvary and look for the Spirit that's looking for...Me.