Toni was born and raised in a small town in Oklahoma.She graduated from East Central University with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Economics.After college, she returned to her hometown to marry her best friend, Charles.Toni is a stay at home mom to their three teens, two boys and a girl, whom God led them to homeschool.Her goal is to raise her children to love and serve the Lord.They live on a farm where they grow produce to sell at several farmers markets.She also plays the piano at church and teaches piano.
As I turned on the television this morning, a Bible verse came to mind:
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV)
An Act of Pure Evil
The news this morning was about the shooting in Las Vegas. The information is still sketchy, but it appears this was a man acting alone. Pure evil overtook him that he might commit such a horrendous act, the worst mass shooting in the history of our nation.
There are so many questions but not many answers. We do know that this world is full of evil. Satan roams the earth causing death and destruction. This is what he wants, chaos and fear.
Good in the Midst of Tragedy
Fortunately, in the midst of tragedy, there are always stories of good. So many cared for the injured and dying, rushing to their vehicles to drive them to the hospital. There were people who took in those running into their rooms and cars. Some stayed with the dying so they would not be alone. There were the police that put their lives on the line to go in after the gunman and those that helped and sheltered the concert goers. There was Good there. God was there! God is always there!
The stories coming out are heartbreaking. The images are horrific. We may never know why this happened. Just know that the devil is here seeking to destroy what God has created.
Prayer for Las Vegas
Dear Lord, we live in a fallen world. We know that this world is not our home. Through Your Word, we know that You love us and You sent Your Son to die for our sins. We know that the devil roams this earth, seeking to destroy. Help us to be Your Light in this world. Be with those who have lost loved ones. Comfort them and give them peace in their grief from this tragedy. Be with those who have been injured and help them make a full recovery. Be with the medical staff treating the injured and give them strength and wisdom. Lord, there are so many that need You now. Help us to all lean on You for our strength. We love You, Lord. In Your Son’s Holy and Precious Name we pray, Amen.
I am an Oklahoman by birth, a Texan by current living situation, but claim the world as my playground.I love to travel and hope to someday soon take our family on adventures to far off lands, where we can share God with others and experience all the wonders He has created.
I am a mother of 5 crazy, homeschooling children ages 10 & under, wife to an amazing man, and daughter of the King of the Universe!I enjoy reading, making my kids laugh, cooking, all things natural, learning to play guitar and dusting off my piano skills.One day I hope to run again, but until then I’m learning patience.
Every time we turn on the news, there is another tragedy being reported. It can become overwhelming and disheartening, but we have to keep pushing back the dark. It is completely important to not allow the negativity and evilness to consume our lives and our thoughts because when we do, fear takes root and fear and trusting God cannot coexist.
One way to combat this fear from taking root is by admitting we live in a fallen world and with this fallen world comes tragedy. Even though these dark tragedies lurk all around us, we are called to be the shinning lights. We are called to not become disheartened.
Jesus, in John 16:33, spoke this truth to his disciples and he means it for us too:
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
Here Jesus is referring to the fact that He is about to be crucified and raised from the dead. He will conquer and overcome the hold this sinful world has on us. Because of God’s miraculous powers, this resurrection is possible for us and even for those who intend evil to happen.
Yes, indeed, even those who hold ill will against others, who will carry a gun with ill intentions lurking in all corners of their heart need the light we carry. We should not be afraid to be this light for them.
Mark Gunger relays an amazing story in his seminar Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriageof hitman who had his life changed by our Lord and Savior as he was waiting to pull the trigger on his intended target. The hitman was hired by a local porn shop owner, because his sales were down since a revival came to town. He figured if he killed the pastor, then sales would go back up, so he hired the hitman to take out the pastor. As the hitman sat there waiting for the right moment to kill the pastor, the message being presented sunk into his heart. When he finally stood up and came towards the pastor, he ended up giving his life to Christ instead of murdering the man giving the message.
Yes, in every moment we need to be the shinning light and let Christ’s light pierce the souls around us.
Even in tragedy, we are called to shine brightly no matter who the victim(s) OR the perpetrator(s) are. We are called to love, comfort and be shinning lights to everyone!
As I pondered these thing, Josh Wilson’s song Pushing Back the Dark came to mind. The lyrics are so powerful and the song will ignite you to keep pushing the back the dark and shining Christ’s love on everyone.
Whatever you do, just don’t lose heart Keep on pushing back the dark Keep on pushing back the dark
The city on a hill, it should be shining still Every sinner saved by grace, has a purpose, has a place Inside the bigger plan, we might not understand But if we just keep walking on, we will see the Kingdom come, yeah lyrics from Push Back the Dark by Josh Wilson
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