Virginia Tech Questions

The best I could do for these people is pray for them and remind them that life is precious and that if there are any hard feelings between two people, that they try to patch things up. Putting it off until tomorrow may be too late. My heart aches for them and grieves with them. May they know that God is there for them.

Thank you, James, for making these strong statements of Truth. God's sovereignty is the ultimate comfort.

Thanks for the encouragement James. My name is Kevin. I've grown up in Blacksburg and lived there all my life until I went to Bible College last fall. Pray for the local churches in our area. God is God and He will get glory from this! I am about to complete my second year of studying at Piedmont Baptist College. This summer, I will be home and I'm so anxious to see how God is going to use this. I have a huge burden for REAL revival. Please pray for the Pastoral leadership in our local churches. We may truly never see Blacksburg broken again like it is now.

praise THE LORD that the pain and suffering and times of great trial that we go through in this life are not wasted, but God uses them. what a great blessing from THE LORD...

Thank you James for the words of truth from the word.I was in Mexico on a mission trip last Monday when we herd of this tragedy.I't was just a reminder that this life is vapor,we are here today and then gone tomorrow.We will continue to pray for the families involved,Knowing that God will get the glory through this tragedy.

I so appreciate your ministry to this troubled world we live in. I was encouraged by the first two survivors who offered their forgiveness to the shooter. THEY understand the gospel message!! I pray that their example is "contagious". There is tremendous power in forgiving. Praise God for being present in the midst of this horrible situation!!!

It is heartbreaking to see our world torn apart this way. It is shocking and hearbreaking. However, to Christians it should be no suprise when we see the tides of the times. It should be our encouragement...and our opportunity to point others to the Way, the Light and the Truth. When we see the horrors of our world day-to-day worsen we should rejoice that the Lord is on His way, and help others to expect His arrival.
VA Tech's horrors was painful but there are other horrors just as bad: incest, child abuse, diseases, pride, selfishenss. The list goes on and as the list gets bigger and more horrid we, Christians, should fall on our knees and prayer for a personal revivial, family revivial, neighborhood revivial, a city revivial, a state revivial, a nation revivial, a world revivial. We need prayers but we need revivial more. Thanks Pastor for your words of comfort for VA Tech and us.

Amen to that, Amen!

In times like these we need to remember Gods truths. He will never leave us or forsake us. Many at times like these feel God is gone or "on break". He however is saddened , just like us.
There was a time in my life when I had just lost both parents two years apart to cancer, and several years after that my youngest sister was killed in a car crash. But, through all that, God was with me and my family. Through this devistational loss the rest of my family (siblings and myself) committed our lives to Christ and are serving the Lord.
God is with us through it all! He cries with us, just like with those who are so terriably saddened by these horrific killings. But, He is going forward with us and has a plan. We need to hold on to truth and rely on God in all circumstances.

I finished grad school at VT last Fall and one of the classes hit was my department. Nine members of my dept lost their lives that day and four lived through the horror. The overwhelming outpouring of support and prayers from all over the nation is felt by those so closely affected. As most of the funerals are taking place this week, continue to pray now and in the coming months that those hurting turn to the ONE TRUE COMFORTER and that others of us would have the faith to point them to Him. Brian Bluhm was a friend who loved Jesus--how honored and excited he would be to know that his life brought others to KNOW Christ!

I am from Lynchburg VA, 90 miles from VA Tech. I am the daughter of an alumni, and the mother of a son who graduated there in 2005. We are Hokies. We have been praying for revival in Lynchburg, in VA, and the USA. We give thanks in all things, and ask the Lord to show us how to use all situations to glorify and bring honor to the holy name of Jesus. Thank you for sharing your wisdom from God with us all. Life is short, we are not offered tomorrow. Turn off the TV, throw it away. Let's get to work, ..."summer is over, the harvest is past and we are not saved." Let's work with a smile though, God is LOVE.

I've read so much bad news about this incident, and so many sorrowful words, but this, these words are inspiring and worth reading again and again, God WILL call our attention when he feels the need to, when we have strayed, and if we pay attention and listen to his calling, and soften our hearts HE WILL GET THE GLORY! Thank u Lord for your mercy and everlasting love! My prayers are with the hearts that suffered and with the stone hearts that will soon melt to the Lord's feet!

Great truths pastor! We do serve a great God who is big enough to handle all our questions and fear.

Thank you for speaking what I already KNOW to be TRUE... you are a trusted Brother in Christ & I praise God for your heart, passion & ministry!
Cathy Barnes

I'd be curious to know who wrote that this is the largest murder scene in U.S. History. If memory serves me correctly the Twin Towers in New York City on September 11, 2001 was a murder scene as well. I think that one had many more people who lost their lives.

Blessing and heart felt sorrow from Scotland

Just to say, that we are truly sorry for you all in this tragic event. We remain hopeful that our great God will indeed show up in amazing ways even in these dark days.

As to you Dr James, I still thank the Lord for the time you spent with us in Scotland and you still bless my heart and life and ministry here. I am unable to say just how much God has used you to shape my life. May you continue to know his abundant blessing and you brother keep going and run till the end.

Your brother in Christ

Roddy MacRae

Thank you James for you words and your inspiration from the Holy Spirit. I needed to read you words today. I am on a 2 day fast today and tomorrow to prepare for a surgery (number 20) which I am having on Wednesday am. I would appreciate your prayers and I do know that God is in control. I, of course am not excited out this - but it is necessary. Thanks for all you do.

Thank you for the encouraging words. I just want the people affected at VT to remember God is God, and dosen't have to answer our every question. Just remember that He is in control, and will work all things for His glory. He does love us all, and wants the best for us all. You are all in my prayers.

This was a blessing to receive in my email today. I was in VA visiting family the week before this happened and driving to MD to visit a friend on the day. I am from Miami, but regardless this has hit and affected me. Just moments before receiving this I overheard a child, maybe 12, at the library saying that he wishes he "could have been the guy at VT with 32 hits," to take out Barney. I was startled! I was compelled to speak with him, to never wish something so evil even in jest. Our youth are becoming tolerant of crime and murder and morality is the way out giving way to "civil liberties". Pray for us all and especially for the youth, the times are near so things are inevitable, but pray anyways. God bless you all.

Without trying to focus on the semantics of "murder", I believe it was intended to mean face-to-face killing; typically thought of as more depraved than indirect killing via bombing/explosion. Regardless, killing of any kind is an evil act.

I did a devotional on Sunday about grief:
2 Samuel 1:11-12 shows us that it's ok to show/express our grief & sorrow, even if it's only for someone we know of (versus a close friend or relative).

Nehemiah 1:4 shows us that we need to pray, and to seek ways to move beyond the grief to specific action that helps others.

John 11:33-35 shows us that we have a loving God who shares in our grief and sorrow. We can be honest and reveal our emotions to Him, for he understands the same feelings.

Romans 8:28 tells us that God works in "everything" for our good; He doesn't only work in specific, isolated incidents. That doesn't mean that everything that happens to us will be good, because evil is present in our world. But God has His ultimate plan, and everything that happens is according to His plan, and is for our long-range good. Our security as Christians is in the promise of heaven -- not our earthly happiness.

Matthew 28:20 "... And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Let us take comfort in knowing that we have a God who loves us and will always be there for us -- including times of grief.

I would like to also remind everyone to pray for all the survivors in the hospital, that they would find it in their hearts to forgive! They have to forgive to be forgiven! I praise God for this sight to be able to give God all the Glory and all the Honor he deserves, even in times like these! IN HIS SERVICE WITH LOVE AND ALL MY PRAYERS FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED!!

It is a wonderful feeling to know that God is Almighty and in control over everything.

Great word, Pastor! Thank you for standing on the truth of Scripture. God is the same wonderful God He was the moment before and the moment after this tragedy. We must continue to pray for those that have yet to hear! God Bles Virginia Tech and God Bless us all.

Pastor McDonald, I think it would be helpful and healing if you were to tell us where in the Bible we can go to be comforted by where it "goes out of its way to explain that God Himself suffers when we suffer."

Thank you for that comforting message. I do ask you to pray for me though, to help trust in God more, thank you.

The timing of the horrific massacre so close to our celebration of Easter/Resurrection Sunday is to be taken into an odd appreciation and could be a blessing for the victims as well as their loved ones - through a real hope that some were just beginning their Christian walk with the Lord based on an Easter experience. If it was only a thought about what He suffered which in turn stirred compassion or really forced even one thinking about what He did for us - if only a rare infrequent connection to Him during a short life - that one attention to Him in an Easter Sunday service provoking a moment of thought which maybe saved an otherwise eternally lost soul. Maybe amazingly prompted by the celebration of our risen Lord and His generous deed done out of His love for each of us at Easter gives hope some were saved in spite of all the pain and grief in those moments.

Should we be surprised? I mean don't you think things as tragic as this are just the beginning? Perhaps to those folks who have longed for true spiritual awakenning this is just the start. I think of all the tragic scenes in scripture that are behind the incidents like Jesus on His way to the cross. Or like Peter when he just couldn't hold back his sword. There are somethings that just can't be stopped. Evil visited then as it did that day at VATech. I don't like it or do I admire the way the media gorged itself it the infectious tragedy. But God who was present with His Son is also present with the sons of God there that day. I don't understand it just like I don't understand why bad things happen to good people except that God is still on the throne in all His glory. Someday we'll understand but I can only as a 2o year police officer recall that even when it is seemingly dark God will reveal Himself--even when it seems impossible.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
From Tingira Community Church Newcastle Australia We send our love, prayers and heart felt condolances to all.
Yours in Christ,
Stuart Torrance

God is always God, and we thanks Jesus who suffers for us. Pray for the families and friends who suffer from this incident, and may God's love to shine on them. There may be may questions but I trust God already has an answer for all of these. Seek him and we shall understand. Amen.

We need to turn towards God. Our schools need to hear our voices. Let these colleges konw we want God present in our classrooms, in our dorms, at our sporting events and in all school environments. This country was formed because of the pursuit of religious freedom. Save our children Lord. Give them the strength to fight satan and defeat him.

Greetings to all.

My prayers go out to all that have experienced pain because of this massacre.

With that said, let us please remember that there was a significantly worse massacre in 1852 - The Natural Bridge of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest Massacre where more than 100 Indians (women and children) were slaughtered.

May God be with us all, especially our soldiers and may we all hold strong in knowing that God is always on time.

Violent video games.
Violence in the movies.
Violence on TV.

No God in public schools.

Should we be suprised by the violent acts at Virginia Tech?

I'm afraid there will be more.

I pray that our nation returns to God through Jesus Christ as THE foundational building block.

My thoughts and prayers are with the VT family.

Steve

James -- one of my favorite parts in your book, Gripped by the Greatness of God, is the section on "sitting on a throne". "Our God is not pacing nervously around his throne, but sitting. He is not struggling or searching. He is seated, settled, secure and certain."

God is in control! This picture has sustained me many times. Our Great and Mighty God is not surprised by anything and certainly not the events at VA Tech.

As it says "Love one another"

While my prayers are with those affected by the VT murders, let us not forget there are many people in this world who are suffering everyday..Let us not forget to pray for them. Thank you pastor James, thank you Holy Spirit for giving Pastor James these very wise and comforting words...for those in the area..I recommend you share Joe Stowell's Shattered Making sense of the Brokenness of Life..through my own suffering I found comfort in this CD series.GOD IS GOOD..JESUS LIVES!!!

Thank you Pastor James for proclaiming the word of our Lord so clearly. I am praying for this tragedy to be used for Gods glory and cause us to repent, as Jesus said... "unless you repent you will all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3) God bless you, Michael, Chicago,Il.

... "the conclusions will only satisfy hearts open to God and minds receptive to truth." WOW! incredible statement!
Thank you,
The mom of your biggest fan!

Dear Pastor James, We praise the Lord for the wisdom He has given you. My prayers are with the ones grieving for the lost lives in this horrible tragedy and may we know that the Word tells us:"it is the beginning of sorrows." Read Matthew 24, and see the description of the end times,by Jesus..Love,Rita.

Pastor James...So Well Spoken,
YOUR Coments about this Tragedy. I just returned from a Recovery Group Meeting and read through your blog...
WOW...HOW WAY AWESOME GOD IS...EVEN In Such A Tragedy as this HIS TIMING...HIS WAY...HIS PURPOSE for WHich He gave HIS SON as a Sacrifice
even Unto Death...SHALL REVEAL
THE WHY's To Life's UNCERTAINTIES...Like I shared with the Lady's Tonight...It's In THE VALLEY's
...that We SEEK GOD THE HARDEST...and when We Do...
HIS GRACE WILL PROVE ITSELF SUFFICIENT...MAY ALL THOSE WHO
GRIEF in this VT Tragedy KNOW
THIS TO BE TRUTH!!!...

Do not forget: This world here and now is NOT the big picture. If God never allowed sin to do anything bad, we would never see the results of sin and not know how evil it truly is. But...this is not the end. All the righteous people that were killed will live again!! Jesus is coming again, and He will make everything right at that time. We are only seeing now a tiny fragment of the whole picture of eternity. God can use this tradgedy for good. Perhaps more people will realize that life is short at best and very uncertain and give thier lives to Jesus. We don't know. But we can trust God. He is GOOD!!

It's hard to understand such tragic situations like this but God is in control of all things and his name will be praised forever and ever.
May the peace and grace and love of Jesus Christ pour into the hearts and lives of all the affected parties.

Nothing surprises God,we should be proud of this and cast all our cares to Him for He cars for our every need and detail of our every day of our lives.
I come from Kenya,God bless America!

What a great reminder of our AWESOME God! If we are in Him all things will work for His good and His glory. That good is that we are transformed into His image! Please include the law enforcement men and women in your prayers. Many are struggling physically, emotionally, and spiritually as they were called upon during and after this horrific incident to protect, investigate, and work the scene. May the God of all comfort strengthen us to help share His comfort with others.

I used this quote this past weekend, and in context it is true with what you are saying...
"(we need to)wrap our minds around God's sovereignty, and not bring the bible down to our IQ" - Tommy Nelson

It is hard for us to imagine that all things are done for the glory of God, but ultimately, in his plan, he will be glorified, even in this - AMEN

my heart and prayers goes out
to all familys and ones hurt
by this killings...,cho said he died like Jesus Christ, which is a lie, Jesus did not kill or hurt others.
Bottom line is that it is
S I N that cause disaster in our lives and the world. ever since adam and eve and the great flood after
effect of S I N cause great problems.

The world need Gods love, love for one another,Gods Truth. and Forgivenes.
Matthew 7:24-28

I just read this verse today and I think it fits with James' thoughts. "But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place." (2 Corinthians 2:14)

It doesn't matter what we face or where we are, God leads us on victoriously in our brother Jesus. Every place that we set our feet, we spread the knowledge of Him to others.

God is so amazing. He owes us nothing, and yet out of overflowing love for us, He willingly suffers along with His people. If that wasn't enough, He actually gives them victory in everything they encounter. I don't think we've even begun to grasp how wonderful God is and will be to us.

Words cannot express the heartache of losing someone so close in an instant. My prayers go out to all the family members in their time of loss. Always remember that God gave His only Son for us that we might be saved. Please pray for revival in our homes, schools, community, our world.

My prayers are with those families and others affected by the VATech massacre. Let us not forget that God is in control, even when it seems that he isn't! Let us also not forget that for those who's hearts are with Him, He will never leave us, nor forsake us! Praise the Lord that His strength will get us through this horrible time!

At times such as this, I like to remember Romans 5:8 "God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us."

Life is but a vapour in the big picture of eternity. Whether it is 5 years or 76 years, it starts and it is finished. We will all die some day, maybe sooner, maybe later. The important thing to remember is that for those who trust in the Lord, it is not over. Death is but the beginning of eternity with Him. And then there will be no more pain, no more sorrow, and no more shedding of tears. All because Christ took the punishment for our sins, on the cross so we may yet live.

What we know now, is just for a little while. It's all we know now so we must have faith in the big picture of eternity revealed in God's Word.

My heart goes out to the families of the victims as well as the shooter. People need to remember his family is suffering also. God is in control.

It is a horrible thing to see that even our institutions of learning aren't exempt from such terrorism. What are we teaching our children today? I wish to call all to pray for these students and faculty members for strength in this time of need.It is a terrible feeling to lose ones friends and loved ones in such a way.I only hope that we can set stricter guide lines for our colleges and universities,so we may be able to screen some of these problemed people out.

Thanks so much for you words Pastor James. It is important for us to remember that our time here is short and the only true place of safety in this world is in the arms of JESUS CHRIST our SAVIOR!!!

Thank You for sharing the Awesome Gift that our Lord Jesus has blessed you with. We hear you on KMBI 98.1 MHz on the Shaw Cable Dial. Let your family and friends know that this is one of many ministries that our Lord will bless with Moody Radio for years to come !! Rob (Hi-Tech Technologies Inc.)

As I embrace God daily, I hope God holds the minds, hearts and spirits of the families of Virginia Tech victims.