Greetings from Helena,
This past Monday we again were subjected to reports on another mass shooting. This time in Nashville, Tennessee where six individuals were shot – three children and three adults in a Christian elementary school. The whole nation is mourning the horrific loss of life and especially that of the 9 year old children. Our prayers go to God on behalf of all who lost loved ones. We also mourn the death of the confused individual that committed this terrible crime.
There are certain elements of this shooting that have many concerned and fearful. First since it was at a Christian school, many Christians feel attacked and that they are being persecuted for their faith and being Christians. Some media outlets have fueled these feelings saying that it is the fault of Christians because they supported the state of Tennessee’s ban on drag queen performances in public places and passed laws denying gender “affirming care” for minors. https://www.foxnews.com/media/nashville-school-shooting-journalists-mock-prayer-drag-show-ban-christian-school-massacre. Note that this”gender affirming care” is often irreversible and scars children for life, and, that often children will outgrow their confusion about identity
The second thing that was unique about this shooting is that the shooter was transgender, evidently a biological woman wanting to be identified as a man. This is causing the transgender community to be fearful that they will suffer retaliations. CBS News told their reporters to not talk about the aspect that the shoot was a transgender individual. https://www.foxnews.com/media/cbs-news-reportedly-barring-staff-from-using-term-transgender-reference-nashville-shooter
Additionally the White House made statements of concern and support for the transgender community on Thursday, also blaming the laws against drag queen performances in public places and denying gender affirming medical care for minors as hateful. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/white-house-says-trans-community-under-attack-nashville-shooting
The bible is quite clear that homosexuality and other related sexual acts are sin and not condoned by God in his word. This is common knowledge that even many Christian websites provide. For an example see: https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-homosexuality/
Yet our government and President are supportive of transgender YOUTH and supportive of them receiving sex change therapy even as minors. This article cites the President’s support: https://www.foxnews.com/us/church-assembly-debate-urging-us-government-renounce-sin-transgender-procedures-minors. On Friday the President railed against Republicans for not supporting transgender youth. He has “called efforts to restrict transgender rights in Florida as “close to sinful.” https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/31/politics/biden-transgender-day-of-visibility/index.html.
Isaiah 5:20 NLT – What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.
Numerous sites on the internet document how many children are pushed into becoming transgender and then with minimal counseling are given treatments that can impact them for their entire lives. They also document how transgender children, teens, and young adults are at MUCH higher risk for suicide. Many want to go back to their former sex and gender identity. Studies show that often times their ideas of becoming transgender are fueled by counselors and peers at school, or pro transgender books they are given access to in school libraries that promote transgenderism.
Medscape Article: Doctors Have Failed Them, Say Those With Transgender Regret https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/970223?reg=1#vp_1
Our Duty – their website says “Our Duty is a group of parents and their supporters who know that the medical pathway for young people with gender dysphoria is harmful. We support each other and work to improve the provision of beneficial healthcare for our families.” https://ourduty.group/
We live in society that is tuned into the ways to a spiritual enemy that wants to destroy people and doesn’t want them to be happy. “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12, New Living Translation.
Rather than tell the truth about the negatives of transgenderism and other sexual perversions, they promote it. Romans 1:18 NLT – But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. What is the result?
Romans 1:24 NLT – So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies.
Romans 1:25 NLT – They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.
Romans 1:26 NLT – That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other.
Romans 1:27 NLT – And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.
Is it a surprise that they would attack a Church? When they HATE God?
Romans 1:29 NLT – Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip.
Romans 1:30 NLT – They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents.
What happened in Nashville was terrible. And yet with the denial of God and His word by many we will most likely continue to see more violence in the future. To have true happiness we must follow God’s way.
This coming week we will observe the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that made it possible for ALL mankind to have their sins forgiven, and to be reconciled back to God. We need to be praying that He would extend His mercy and open the minds of more of mankind to see His way, and turn their lives to Him, to accept the sacrifice made for them that will allow them to find real peace and happiness. And we also need to be praying fervently for God to send His Son back and replace Satan with His loving and merciful government – the Kingdom of God!
The whole world is going amuck! The whole world needs Christ to return and teach it the way to real happiness.
We wish you all a good, restful, and spiritual refreshing Sabbath! If Val or I can be of any service or help, please don’t hesitate to call, text or email!
Warm regards,
Dan
Additional Resources
Fox News Article: Nashville school shooting: Journalists mock prayer, drag show ban after Christian school massacre
https://www.foxnews.com/media/nashville-school-shooting-journalists-mock-prayer-drag-show-ban-christian-school-massacre
Fox News Article: I was a public school teacher and I’m blowing the whistle on transgenderism before its too late
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/public-school-teacher-blowing-whistle-transgenderism-before-too-late
Fox News Article: Transgender activist tells MSNBC ‘God made me in her image’
https://www.foxnews.com/media/transgender-activist-tells-msnbc-god-made-me-her-image
Beyond Today Article: Sexual Identity: Another Assault on Biblical Authority | United Church of God
https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/beyond-today-magazine/sexual-identity-another-assault-on-biblical-authority
Beyond Today Article: “We’re Coming for Your Children!”
https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/beyond-today-magazine/were-coming-for-your-children
Beyond Today Article: Alternative Lifestyles – Are They Really Harmless?
Hollywood, government, politicians, academia, the mainstream media, corporate America and even the U.S. military are pushing alternative lifestyles as normal and even admirable and desirable. What they’re not telling us is the enormous toll of human suffering this brings. What is the truth?
https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/beyond-today-magazine/alternative-lifestyles-are-they-really-harmless
Medscape Article: Doctors Have Failed Them, Say Those With Transgender Regret
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/970223?reg=1#vp_1
Our Duty – their website says “Our Duty is a group of parents and their supporters who know that the medical pathway for young people with gender dysphoria is harmful. We support each other and work to improve the provision of beneficial healthcare for our families.”
https://ourduty.group/
Fox News Article: Nashville Transgender School Shooter’s Messages to Friend Show ‘Much Deeper Issues”, Says Ex-FBI Special Agent
https://www.foxnews.com/media/nashville-transgender-school-shooter-messages-friend-show-deeper-issues-fbi-special-agent
