Christians and the slaughter in Texas

How we should respond

Okay first, I can’t thank you all enough for the wonderful response to this new venture we’re about to embark upon. The response was such a blessing, and all systems are go for our June 1 launch. As I mentioned in my announcement, before the official launch, I wanted to send a couple samples of what is to come for our paid subscribers. Remember, if you’re still signed up to receive the free content, after June 1 that will become more sporadic rather than a consistent M/F schedule.

For subscribers (who can still get 20% of a monthly or yearly subscription), you’ll be receiving a weekly written Memo, one of my brand new VidCasts that will be both viewable if you want to watch it, or downloadable audio if you want to just listen. You’ll also be part of our monthly Q&A which will be done on video as well.

But, as I mentioned, I want to be more intentional about the direction of my content. I want it to be focused on discipleship – helping believers in Jesus grow their faith and learn together how we can “shine like stars” in this increasingly dark and corrupt generation. To make sure you know what I mean as you decide whether or not this is worth the investment for you, I’m going to send you a sample VidCast early next week. Today I’m going to show you a sample of what the weekly Memos will now look like.

If you sign up to be a paid subscriber (which you can do by clicking the link above or the one below) this is the kind of email you’ll be getting…

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The news just keeps getting worse the more we learn about what unfolded at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX earlier this week. Here’s the latest that we “know”:

• The Uvalde police department is less than a mile from Robb Elementary.

• The killer stood outside the school for up to 12 minutes firing his gun at people, yet the door remained unlocked and no officer arrived to disarm him.

• Once the killer was inside, the responding officers stood outside for up to 40 minutes without attempting to enter the building.

• As gun shots were apparently heard, desperate parents gave up begging the police to intervene and discussed charging in themselves.

• Police then used restraint methods on the parents, including tasers and tackling.

• When police eventually entered, they unwisely called for kids to shout back if they needed help. At least one girl who did was then murdered by the gunman.

Pretty horrifying stuff, and based on at least this video (tough to watch), it seems that these allegations of police ineptitude and failure have some merit. Still, as believers, we are cautioned that while the world loves to jump to conclusions, casting both aspersions and accolades accordingly, we must be wiser.

Proverbs 18

13 “He who answers before listening — that is his folly and his shame.”

In fact, the counsel to avoid hot takes runs even deeper in the book of wisdom. Proverbs 18:17 warns against making hasty judgments, and Proverbs 12:18 encourages us not to be the one who loves to express his own opinion for others to hear. Fight that impulse, Christians. Think how many times the timeline of this awful event has been altered or changed.

Those who mocked the idea that a good guy with a gun could stop an intruder based on the initial report that the shooter was ineffectively confronted by a security guard, are now finding out there was no security guard. Those who praised the quick response of law enforcement are now finding out there were severe, tragic, inexplicable failures committed by police. Hasty judgments aren’t wise, and it’s even more foolish to advertise them publicly when we make them. Just like the Proverbs teach.

So what’s our better approach? James instructs us:

James 1

19 My dear brothers, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

Our pursuit of truth should be relentless, but James is telling us that such a pursuit includes getting all the facts, listening to all the testimonies, and discerning thoughtfully from there. Doing so will certainly separate us from the hysterics of the world.

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To do:

1. Choose not to speculate over motives of others relating to the tragedy in Texas.

2. Avoid sharing intentionally provocative posts that may further our political preferences but also skew or misrepresent the full story.

3. Pray for all those grieving.

4. Ensure our social media posts and public comments relating to this situation are life-affirming and embody the humility of the One who actually did have all the answers rather than the pride and arrogance of those who pretend to.

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Additional resources that might help you in this regard:

• This piece offers four solid steps we can take to tame our tongue and check our personal filter before commenting publicly.

• The apologists over at GotQuestions have a good explanation of how we can be quick to listen and slow to speak.

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Finally, I wrote a few articles recently that address the unfolding abortion drama in the U.S. These might help you in your conversations with the world:

• All it takes are the simplest questions to undo the case for legal abortion

• Pro-lifers DO care for the mom and the baby, will abortion supporters now do the same?

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So this is the basic format – a standard Memo style, with a more purposeful focus on an issue of the day, and discussion for how we Christians can (1) THINK and (2) ACT like we should in response to it. Early next week I’ll send out a sample VidCast so you get a full idea of what those will be like for paid subscribers.

So there it is. I’d really love for you to be part of our little subscriber community. You can still get 20% off if you do it soon (as in, before June 1).