cjrose

Sandra Cantu of Tracy California. An 8 year old girl last seen skipping happily to her home through a web cam only later to be found in a suitcase floating to the top of the water of a pond. Melissa Huckaby, a Sunday school teacher and mother of Sandra's playmate arrested for murder and sexual assult. I am going to school for Criminal Justice hoping to become csi or investigations and I watch a lot of true crime drama but this has touched me in a way that is hard to explain. I feel a personal sadness and anger against this woman though I forgive her, I find it incredibly hard to find reason for this senseless and brutal act. Huckaby was tearful in the courtroom as she was charged with her lower lip quivering but was she aware of what she was doing as she murdered and raped this innocent little angel? Is it wrong to want her to pay for this horrible crime with a death sentence? My view on the ultimate punishement of death has been anti in nature mostly because I don't believe we as human beings have the right to impose death but rather a life sentence may be more apropriate allowing the Lord to be the final judge. I am keenly aware of being forgiving and have had my own personal experience with tragedy where forgiveness was mandatory for me because of my faith. But this.... it's not personal but it feels personal and my soul is discontented and with turmoil finding forgiveness extremely difficult with this perpetrator Melissa Huckaby. Not only did she murder this young girl, she tortured her with malice. How do one come to terms with this person?

I agree with Pastor Wilkins as he quotes: "Pastor Wilkins said he does not begrudge those churches that get the chance to move into a better building in a safer environment, away from city centers. But he still needs their presence and their partnerships. The church should be on the frontlines, fighting for better-quality education and intact black families, Wilkins said. "When we abandon our post, the Enemy will come through. The church is the wall of the city. If there is no wall, there the Enemy will come right through." It is very sad that this happens. We can only pray that more homes will open for fellowship and that the Word of God reaches out to all regardless of a church or not. I have faith that God will send in courageous messengers to these cities with no structure to call home.

OneLight I love the church I attend. They are the most self-sacrificing Christians I've ever met.

I have been told since I became born again in '83 that there will be signs and wonders soon and I wait upon the Lord but I agree with the group that has posted and OneLight's post to pray for discernment.

Happy New Year all, be Blessed in 2009!

I can appreciate your thinking about and posting about our resolutions. I say for myself in setting goals is that nothing will or will not happen if it is the Lord's will. I think that individuals have good intentions when setting goals... actually I don't make resolutions, I set goals and finally feel it's time I achieve a few with prayer and thanksgiving at having the opportunity to be able to have goals and the paths to make them happen. (does this make sense? I am exercising brain finally )

Yes Joe! That one too!

Great topic... maybe if I share my goals/resolutions with all of you, I might have to be accountable to follow through Seriously, I may have too many and may be putting high expectations on myself but hey, why not reach for the moon. What is the worst that can happen besides if I fail, I just keep trying. My life continues to get shorter as I get older (now 48) and I find myself having to start all over again. The difference now is that I am totally serious about accomplishing these things. If I knew then what I know now.... hindsight and all that. So, here we go: 1. Read my bible & pray everyday, give thanks. 2. Exercise 3. Begin classes to earn my AA degree in Criminal Justice/Investigations 4. Self Defense class 5. Spend more time with friends and family 6. No more isolating 7. Continue to paint (oils) 8. Walk my dog everyday the sun shines 9. Post more on Worthy :-) 10. Keep the commitments I make to others and to myself 11. Enjoy the beach regularly 12. Start a journal 13. Spend my time more wisely Well, that's a start folks... what'd y'all think? Am I doomed to fail?

We may be in agreement here but it the nature of the questions that can allow for confusion. God sees to our growth when we are ready for it and in His timing. Everything is in His timing. One question should be if a situation comes up, is this of the Spirit or is it not followed by prayer and petition in His Holy name. Questioning God can cloud faith and judgement. We learn when we listen and obey, there is where the growth is. I do believe we are coming at the same issue, just each from a different end!...

all it takes is a tiny seed

Amen!

Jesus, who lived and breathed as a man in the flesh, made the first commitment. 1 Peter 2:23: who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously. I don't see how making a choice to commit my life to God is hiding my faith or in any way boasting but rejoicing in giving everything to Him.

That's tough. Just remember that you are not in any way responsible. I couldn't say it any better than nebula. (way to go nebula)

I have been through some of the same struggles regarding anger and arguing and have come to the conclusion that it only hurts myself so why allow it to destroy what little self esteem and self worth I had. I have learned that arguing doesn't solve the issues especially if one is arguing with another who also believes he/she is 100% correct. Both sides usually end up dissatisfied for the most part. Over the years I have learned that good communication skills are essential in life. There will always be issues that get us heated up but we can make a choice in how to deal with them. An example of that for me is, knowing when to quit while I am ahead, reading books on how to get those communication skills and exercising them at every opportunity. There are classes on learning communication skills, life skills, building self esteem, etc... Truly, the more you exercise these skils, the easier it becomes. Have you ever thought about channeling your desire to argue into a profession? Attorneys do it all the time and get paid for it Seriously, anger can continue to grow and become destructive if not dealt with. Pick and choose your battles to start with, don't stop praying because God is always listening and loves you. You are His precious child and He is the Great Physician. I am a bit rusty and hoped to impart some words of wisdom but one thing I can do and will do is pray for you.