- An evil man fires on helpless people at a concert in Vegas and we are sickened.
- A lone wolf rents a truck and mows down helpless people on a bike trail in New York and we are angry.
But then a man entered a church – one of ours – in Sutherland Springs, Texas, and opened fire and we have no words.
Counts say that 27 people may be dead, among them the 14-year-old daughter of the pastor, Frank Pomeroy. Somehow, that gets me the most. I know it’s selfish, but as a pastor, the idea that Pastor Pomeroy lost his daughter strikes a cord in my heart. I search for something to say, something wise, something that puts perspective on this, that seems apt. Nothing comes.
The pastor and people of FBC Sutherland Springs have upheld the name of Christ very well in what I have read and watched. They have spoken of returning good for evil and someone preached the gospel very clearly, though I do not know who it was.
Details are sketchy at this time and I am not going to opine on what I don’t know.
At times such as this, when words fail and wisdom escapes us, we can be thankful for the Psalms of Lament, such as Psalm 142, where David poured out his heart to God.
I cry aloud to the Lord;
I plead aloud to the Lord for mercy.
2 I pour out my complaint before him;
I reveal my trouble to him.
3 Although my spirit is weak within me,
you know my way.
Along this path I travel
they have hidden a trap for me.
4 Look to the right and see:
no one stands up for me;
there is no refuge for me;
no one cares about me.
5 I cry to you, Lord;
I say, “You are my shelter,
my portion in the land of the living.”
6 Listen to my cry,
for I am very weak.
Rescue me from those who pursue me,
for they are too strong for me.
7 Free me from prison
so that I can praise your name.
The righteous will gather around me
because you deal generously with me.
Pray for Pastor Pomeroy and First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs. I cannot imagine what the days ahead hold for him and for them.
(One thing: the trend toward never mentioning the name of the gunman seems like a very good trend to me.)
And all God’s people say “amen.”
Yeah
There isn’t much more to say.
Dave,
I’m with you. I’ve become somewhat desensitized to the hate and violence (to my shame) but today brought me to my knees, both physically and spiritually. And the reason is, as you said, he is one of ours!
On behalf of Berkeley Baptist, I’ve reached out to Pastor Pomeroy informing him we are praying for him, his family, his church and his community. We’ve asked him if there is anything we can do for him and his community, please let us know. Outside of this, we can only pray and preach Christ.
God bless our brothers and sisters in Christ in Sutherland Springs, TX.
This one hits home for me. The first church my husband served as a pastor was in the same association as Sutherland Springs. It was a very similar situation–congregation of about 50 in a town of less than a 1000. I can imagine all too well that it must have been like.
I’m hearing from our former DOM that there is a need to help with funeral expenses. This is the information I have from him and his wife on how to help:
Here’s what I’ve heard for now:
Make funeral donation checks to:
South Central Baptist Area
P O Box 603
Gonzales TX 78629
(508 St Louis St)
OR
San Antonio Baptist Association
5807 IH-10 West
San Antonio, Texas 78201
In the memo line: FBC Sutherland
Okay, the latest info is that the attorney general has notified the families that medical and funeral expenses will be covered since this was a criminal act. The association is collecting funds that will be used for the extensive repairs on the building. Here’s the link to donate online: http://sanantoniobaptist.org/index.php/about-us/donate-online
I totally agree with NEVER MENTIONING THE SICK CRIMINALS NAME. Our enemy needs NO MENTION. We and OUR LORD already know who he is !!!
PTL OUR GOD STILL IS STILL ON HIS THRONE!!! May we never forget our fallen brothers and sisters in Christ , though we cannot totally understand OUR LORD’S STEPS on the way to Glory. While it is dark—- Our Lord NEVER LEAVES US IN THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW!!
ME HE , somehow, be GLORIFIED through this unspeakable tragedy !
Bart Barber has a wonderful article in Christianity Today.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2017/november-web-only/small-rural-church-is-hard-to-kill.html