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the flood and His Voice

These are just the local pictures. The big city ones were much worse as was the video on the news of the building floating down the interstate that eventually crashed into a semi and came apart. The middle TN area has this past weekend experienced on e of the worst weather related tragedies ever recorded. And yet much of the media has not even noticed. Thousands without power, the downtown area of Nashville and Franklin flooded, water supplies tainted and compromised and dead bodies being pulled from cars that are under water. Local here we had downed fences like never before, our pond/lake left it’s banks and threatened to come in our house, but instead ran underneath it. We have lots of messy clean up and repairs to do but praise the Lord, not so much as a chicken hurt to the best of my knowledge. Our friends were not so fortunate. I received a local prayer request for a family whose husband tried to rescue his two children from a raging creek. One was saved but one was not and the father and husband lost his life. There is a grieving woman who now is minus her loving husband and a 15 yr old daughter. There have been lots of lives lost and much destruction. Yet none of it surprises heaven. And unlike the leadership of this country the Lord will not remain silent when we ask for help.

I don’t believe in accidents. I don’t believe in a powerless God. I don’t believe that the enemy has ultimate power in a believers life. I believe Jesus knew exactly what was going on and still does. I believe He is speaking to us always. I believe His ways are higher than ours and I believe that He loves us with a love so deep that we as mortals cannot even understand it. I believe He will do what is ultimately best for us.

I have not been without my own trials in life. I have a child in the arms of Christ. I know all about pain and suffering. More than I would ever wish on anyone. And I also know enough to not let things go without asking the Lord, “what are you saying to me?” I know better than to not glean what the Lord has for me and those around me in every situation. I would rather go straight to Canaan than to walk around the mountain for 40 years.

I encourage you to not let trials happen in vain. Sometimes they could be punishment, and if so you won’t need to wonder why, none of us is ever disobedient without the Lord gently reminding with the mercy of a loving parent before He gets out the spanking rod. But many times He just has a message, or wants to change our direction. Or many times He has a gift for us, something that can only be understood when we are in a broken state.

I encourage you to have the courage to become the clay and let Him handle your life. You won’t be sorry.

(this event actually happened over the May 1 weekend but fell within the April publishing schedule)

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By 20th Century Fox

Based on a true story! Travel to Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, where a man murders five Amish girls in a senseless schoolhouse shooting before taking his own life. Through the eyes of a grieving mother, the film explores the Amish community's reaction---particularly how they extend unconditional forgiveness and support to the gunman's widow. Stars Kimberly Williams-Paisley. Dove Approved. Approx. 89minutes.

DVD Features:

  • Widescreen
  • Closed Captions
  • Spanish Subtitles
546985: Amish Grace, DVD
Amish Grace, DVD

We watched this movie last night so I thought I would share my opinion. Yep you get my 2 cents worth for free :) . This is the story of the Amish school shooting that happened a few years back. Having a heart for children and seeing clearly the dangers of public school, I pay close attention when I hear of school shootings, and I pray, hard. It truly breaks my heart and this one was no different, I remember it happening even though it was several states away.

I don't know know how closely this story follows the real one but it is believable that it could be close. The Amish folks were not much at all like our real Amish neighbors here in TN but I know there are different sects so who knows. The story line was good but the "realness" could have been much better. The guys appeared to have fake beards and the women had makeup on. I think any actress could forgo makeup to make a part real. But maybe that is just me. The story goes through the process of forgiveness after the shooting that resulted in the deaths of several young girls. And with some it was really hard to do. It brings up good family discussion but in general my crowd described it as "sad". Very sad. And I think they all cried. The actress who played the murderers wife was very good and made you really feel for her character.

Tragedy is sad. All the way around. But when we choose to take matters in our own hearts and harbor unforgiveness we are taking away the sovereignty of God. Judgment is His place. We can judge actions and determine whether they are right or wrong but it is up to God to dole out justice. We have received mercy so we should react with mercy, the rest is up to Him.

Anyway as for the movie, well is was pretty good, not really good but pretty good, and very tastefully done. The movie is family safe, and non offensive (except for the beards, lol) . The subject matter is the only reason you may need to consider whether or not it is appropriate for your family. Without spoiling anything I will say the end was worth sticking through the movie. God wins as usual. :)