http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/04/16/...in2686709.shtml


Seems like I remember very clearly someone posting a dream on interepreted or not interrepreted about a future school shooting over a year ago...can anybody remember?

32 people now being reported killed. UNBELIEVABLE!!!

April 20 Columbine school shooting
April 19 Waco TX branch davidians & Oklahoma city bombing

What is it with this week in April?

How can you put words to this kind of violence.

There are no words to any violence.
I am and
Nothing makes much sense anymore.

Only Jesus makes sense to me.

Deadiest shooting in the United States history.

Have they found anything out about the gunman. Do they know anything about him???
Kim

I feel this type of attacks will increase in future.

Yes things are happening at a rapid pace.
Lord Jesus we need you now and always.

Can you come and get us soon.
Okay there I go again. I know all in your timing.

love,
rosie who doesn't know how people live without You Lord!
Yes I do, they go and shoot innocent people. ACK! and that's
putting it very mildly.

This is truly tragic. Been watching the news unfold over here in England. Just terrible.

This is horrible. I just wonder with all the money being spent on "homeland security" why is security in our schools so bad that this idiot had time to shoot DOZENS of people?

I been thinking today and wondering about when they took prayer out of school the guns went in.
Kim

I find it very interesting that Cho Seung-Hui, the killer, signed a note that was found in his room as Ismail AX. Just another form of the name Ishmael!

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/news_theswamp/


Va. Tech shooter left note


Posted by the Washington Bureau at 9:25 a.m. CDT

Cho Seung-Hui, the Virginia Tech student identified as the campus shooter responsible for the largest, gun-related mass murder in U.S. history, was a troubled 23-year-old legal permanent resident from South Korea who investigators believe left an invective-filled note in his dorm room that included a rambling list of grievances and died with the words "Ismail Ax" in red ink on the inside of one of his arms.

And he had shown recent signs of violent, aberrant behavior, according to an investigative source, including setting a fire in a dorm room and allegedly stalking some women. A note believed to have been written by Cho was found in his dorm room that railed against "rich kids," "debauchery" and "deceitful charlatans" on campus.

http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/1/Ismail


The boy's name Ismail \i-smail, is-mail\ is of Arabic origin. Variant

of Ishmael, who built the temple of Kaaba at Mecca. Film director Ismail Merchant; football players Raghib Ismail, Qadry Ismail.

Ismail has 8 variant forms: Ishmael, Ismaal, Ismael, Ismal, Ismayl, Izmail, Ysmal and Ysmail.

baby names that sound like Ismail are Ysmael, Esmeling and Jesimiel.

Ismail is a very rare male first name and a very popular surname (source: 1990 U.S. Census). Displayed below is the baby name popularity trend for the boy's name Ismail. Click here to compare Ismail with related baby names.


Your Friend in Christ,
Val
Messiahiscoming

Interesting, as I sit here watching the schools' convocation, how many other religions they are mentioning besides Christianity and Judaism....

Praying for the families that have been affected by this sensless act of violence.

Just saw this! Oh my! Is this another sign of the times?

Threats Rattle 3 Universities, 2 Schools
Published: 4/17/07, 2:25 PM EDT

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8...;show_article=1

Israeli professor killed saving students at Virginia Tech
By israelinsider staff and partners April 17, 2007

A 75-year-old Israeli professor and Holocaust survivor was killed in the massacre at Virginia Tech on Holocaust Memorial Day, Monday when he leaped between the gunner and his students.

According to eye witnesses the heroic action of Liviu Librescu, a lecturer in the Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, saved the lives of an unknown number of students in his class. Asael Arad, an Israeli Virginia Tech student told Army Radio that "all the students lived -- because of him," The Jerusalem Post reported.

Librescu's wife told the NRG Web site that her husband had loved his job with "all his heart and his soul."

Librescu was a gifted scientist in Communist Romania, and the government tried to prevent him from moving to Israel. He was eventually allowed to leave the country after then Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin made a special appeal to President Nicolae Ceausescu, Ynetnews reported.

Librescu immigrated to Israel from Romania in 1978 but moved to Virginia in 1986 for his sabbatical and had remained their ever since. The professor has two sons, one named Arieh who lives in Israel, and another, Joe, who resides in the US.

Librescu was described by his colleagues as a "true gentleman."

He was one of 32 people killed in what has been described as the biggest single shooting attack in US history. The attacker, who has yet to be positively identified, but who has been described by some witnesses as a young Asian man, went on a killing spree in two attacks. It is unknown whether the gunman was a student and in investigators gave no motive for the attack.

Virginia Tech reported shootings on two sides of the 2,600-acre campus, the first at about 7:15 a.m. at a co-ed residential hall called West Ambler Johnston, and resuming about two hours later at Norris Hall, an engineering building.

According to students, at around 7:15 a.m. the gunman appeared in West Ambler Johnston and began searching rooms for his ex-girlfriend. He killed two people, Ryan Clark, and a freshman identified by students as Emily Hilscher.

In the second attack, the gunman shot professors and students in classrooms and hallways of the engineering building, killing around 30 people.

The carnage ended Monday with the gunman shooting himself in the face. There were 33 deaths in total.

Students complained that the university did not adequately warn them about the gunman until over two hours after the first incident and around the time that the second round of killings began. At that time, an e-mail was sent.

Virginia Tech President Charles Steger defended the university, saying authorities believed the shooting at the dorm was a domestic clash and an isolated incident. They also mistakenly thought the gunman had left the campus.

"We had no reason to suspect any other incident was going to occur," Steger said.

He added, "We can only make decisions based on the information you had on the time. You don't have hours to reflect on it."

Steger explained that it was difficult to inform everyone at Virginia Tech because there were thousands of people arriving to the campus on Monday morning.

"Today the university was struck with a tragedy that we consider of monumental proportions," Steger said. "The university is shocked and indeed horrified."



http://web.israelinsider.com/Articles/Culture/11184.htm

We have schools for the military, you know the ones in combat; we have schools for police personell to keep you safe out in the public, to arrest speeders and drunks; we even have places that they instruct on security around dark places in the middle of the night around the multi-billion dollar market rooms; they probably have classes on protection of the border. Now, if you were of the mind to become a violent terrorist and you had a mind that figured out these things, where would be the first place to go? Where the most people are with least protection that I could cause the biggest rampage.
Now, what's done is done. There is no reverse in time. Who was the chief of homeland security?

John 15:13:
13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.


What a hero

That is the saddest thing that any nation could endure to have to rely on ancient ancient writings to absolve absolutely dead and dieng people. Jesus Christ died a long long time ago. He died for you, he died for me. He is the only one that can lay down his life for his brethren. The man being a hero is beside the point. The Holocaust lost one more survivor. My question is now WHERE WERE THE MEN OF THE SCHOOL? WERE THEY DUCKING BEHIND CHAIRS AND SCRAMBLING FOR THE WINDOW? i WATCHED A NEWS BROADCAST LAST NIGHT OF A CELL PHONE PICTURE OF THE INCIDENT AND IT WAS RIGHT NEXT TO THE CLASSROOM WHERE THE SHOTS WERE COMING FROM AND YOU COULD HEAR THE GUNSHOTS! MY GOD, PEOPLE! LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN TO THIS - - 'THOSE WHO SAVE THEIR LIFE WILL LOSE IT.' WHAT ELSE DO Y'ALL PRETEND TO KNOW?

I do not have cable but I did hear this on the radio--- awful indeed! My heart and prayers go out the community, school, and families that were effected by this terrible event.

It is interesting that the killer left a that note as Ismail AX. While it is rare version of Ishmael, it is also more closer to reference to the Ismaeli. You know I recently mentioned the Ismaili the other day as they started the 12th Imam sect of Islam. The Ismaeli were also called the assasins back during the times of the crusaders--- and yes it is said that Knights Templar adopted their practices. Hmmm... I wonder if this is more poltically motivated since it was Holocaust Memorial Day? Ismail= Ismaili(assasin?)

OH Valerie!

And then Isaac saves students (pointing to tigger's post).

What a prophecy.

QUOTE(jhamner @ Apr 17 2007, 03:53 PM) [snapback]109670[/snapback]

QUOTE(Messiahiscoming @ Apr 17 2007, 12:53 PM) [snapback]109654[/snapback]

I find it very interesting that Cho Seung-Hui, the killer, signed a note that was found in his room as Ismail AX. Just another form of the name Ishmael!

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/news_theswamp/


Va. Tech shooter left note


Posted by the Washington Bureau at 9:25 a.m. CDT

Cho Seung-Hui, the Virginia Tech student identified as the campus shooter responsible for the largest, gun-related mass murder in U.S. history, was a troubled 23-year-old legal permanent resident from South Korea who investigators believe left an invective-filled note in his dorm room that included a rambling list of grievances and died with the words "Ismail Ax" in red ink on the inside of one of his arms.

And he had shown recent signs of violent, aberrant behavior, according to an investigative source, including setting a fire in a dorm room and allegedly stalking some women. A note believed to have been written by Cho was found in his dorm room that railed against "rich kids," "debauchery" and "deceitful charlatans" on campus.

http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/1/Ismail


The boy's name Ismail \i-smail, is-mail\ is of Arabic origin. Variant

of Ishmael, who built the temple of Kaaba at Mecca. Film director Ismail Merchant; football players Raghib Ismail, Qadry Ismail.

Ismail has 8 variant forms: Ishmael, Ismaal, Ismael, Ismal, Ismayl, Izmail, Ysmal and Ysmail.

baby names that sound like Ismail are Ysmael, Esmeling and Jesimiel.

Ismail is a very rare male first name and a very popular surname (source: 1990 U.S. Census). Displayed below is the baby name popularity trend for the boy's name Ismail. Click here to compare Ismail with related baby names.


Your Friend in Christ,
Val
Messiahiscoming

OH Valerie!

And then Isaac saves students (pointing to tigger's post).

What a prophecy.

Wow Julie! That is amazing! Maybe it was not by coincidence that Ismail AX and "Isaac" Meet up! He does say that.....


Isaiah 46:10
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

From Genesis we have had this conflict that has continued down through the years. The Lord may be showing us that in the not so distant future that it will All End just as it began!

You know I told Dani early this morning, what the Lord laid to my heart when I 1st woke up this morning. The news coverage was flashing this all over the news. I was reminded of several dreams here on the forum. The 1st was Dani's dream about the Lamb being attacked! I have said since a few days after her dream that the EWE was Israel! The Lord spoke to my spirit and said this is a WARNING! This will occur on a massive scale! Then he reminded me of something he had shown me over a year ago. Ironically this was my very 1st thread I started on this forum. I feel He gives warnings and then It happens on a massive scale. Maybe this is what is going to occur.


Your Friend in Christ,
Val
Messiahiscoming

http://www.christian-forum.net/index.php?c...=39650&st=0

Hi, I've been observing for a while now, but feel its time to jump in. I am from the
heartland of Oklahoma. I was about 10 miles away from the OKC Bombing and
only a few blocks from the largest Tornado ever recorded in history. Both of which impacted my community. My church alone lost 2 active members in the bombing.
Not to mention the number of friends that lost everything they had by the tornado. I have a passion for God's Word. From a very early age the Lord gave
me a desire to study prophecy. So when things happen in the world I tend to view
things through these eyes. In the Fall of 2005, September to be exact I had been fasting for 3 weeks to receive some answers from the Lord. For several years
the Lord had laid 1 Peter 4:11&12 on my heart. "For the time is come that judgement must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall
the end of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely
be saved, where shall the ungoldy and the sinner appear?' One evening I was
talking on the phone to my "prophecy friend" We begin discussing all the things
going on in the world. Katrina had just taken place. I began talking about the
okc bombing, tornado, 911, katrina and the Lord began to show me a connection.
I started to see that the two events in Oklahoma were right in the heartland of the U.S. not to mention the heartland of OK. The BIBLE BELT to be exact, I began to
see a connection with this verse 1 Peter 4:11&12. It was if God was saying wake
up children. The OKC Bombing took place on April 19, 1995 coming symbolically to the "House of God" The 1st ever attack on American soil. Ironically 6 years later 911 occured on a much larger scale. Then on May 3, 1999 once again right here in the Bible belt just a few miles away from the OKC Bombing, we are hit with the largest Tornado. (Symbolically=The House of God) Then once again 6 years later in 2005 Katrina slams the US. Not so sure this was a coincedence. There seemed to be a pattern forming. So I looked to see if anything else happend here in the Bible Belt. What do you know Okc bombing 1995+4 years=May 3rd 1999 Tornado plus 4 years= May 8, 2003 Tornado. This tornado took exactly the same path as the May 3rd Tornado. It was if God had put His finger down in the middle of the US and said WAKE UP! REPENT! HERE IS THE LINE CHOOSE WHICH SIDE YOUR ON! He has come to the House of God in judgement. What will the future hold. There have been 6 years from every OK event to the larger scale disasters that have taken place. 6 years + 6 years if there are another 6 years from 2003 you have 666. How ironic? Is anyone familiar with J.R. Church? He has a Prophecy show called Prophecy in the News. I was so blessed to sit under his teaching at Meridian University for a 16 week course. Anyway he looks at the Book of Psalms and how they line up with the years of 1900-2000's. Each psalm is fulfullied (for instance 2006 would be Psalms 106 etc. Well what do you think Psalms 109 has to say? Remember 666, Psalms 109:6 states, "SET THOU A WICKED MAN OVER HIM: AND LET SATAN STAND AT HIS RIGHT HAND." Wow I was floored! I'll be the 1st to admit that I don't have all the answers, but I do know one thing and that is God is Soveriegn and He will do what he says he will do! I've felt within my spirit for some time now that His return is very soon. My prayer for America and the World is to wake up. Get on your knees and Repent! To many of Gods children are speaking of an impending attack on the USA. I believe God is warning his children now to get right! The Messiah is Coming Be Ready!

Your Friend In Christ,

Valerie
Messiahiscoming


Amos 3:7, "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto
his servants the prophets."

VIRGINIA TECH MASSACRE
University convocation told of Allah, not Jesus
Speakers encourage healing, seek reflection, remembrance
Posted: April 17, 2007
8:10 p.m. Eastern



Speakers at the Virginia Tech convocation yesterday called on Allah and Buddha in their efforts to minister to the survivors, family and friends of victims of the shooting massacre at the school – but Jesus wasn't mentioned.

It was left up to President Bush to come the closest to offering a biblical message of hope, when he suggested the school community that lost 32 members to the shootings by an out-of-control resident alien student find "comfort in the grace and guidance of a loving God."

But even he didn't bring Jesus, the only hope of comfort and future life for Christians, into the memorials.

"I'm sitting here watching the convocation service at VT," wrote a WND reader who was given anonymity. "Five minutes ago they had four representatives from the local 'religious community.' The Muslim specifically invoked Allah's blessings… and he didn't shy away from saying the name of Allah. The Jewish rep asked for God's blessings. Buddha was represented. The only name that [was] omitted, of course, Jesus Christ."


And another WND reader cited the speakers, in order:

* "1st Speaker: A Muslim cleric invoking the name of Allah and quoting the Quran."

* "2nd Speaker: A Buddhist Community Leader preaching that mankind is basically 'good.'"

* "3rd Speaker: A Female speaker from the Jewish Community quoting Ecclesiastes: 'There is a time for everything.'"

* "4th Speaker: A Liberal Lutheran Minister talking about 'healing,' etc. and how everyone needs to come together (blah, blah, blah…)."

"BUT NOT ONE EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN PASTOR/PREACHER. NO INVOCATION OF THE NAME OF CHRIST JESUS," the reader said.

"The only thing that surprised me, though, is that they didn't have a rep from the Universal Life 'church' or the 'Church of Satan.' Go figure," said the first reader.

It was up to the president to deliver references to Christianity.

"People who have never met you are praying for you," Bush said. "They're praying for your friends who have fallen and who are injured. There's a power in these prayers, a real power. In times like this, we can find comfort in the grace and the guidance of a loving God."

Most of the other official statements of condolence released also ignored the savior of the Christian faith.

"Today is a day to reflect on our many blessings of family, neighbors, and our Blacksburg community, which includes the students of Virginia Tech," said a statement from the town of Blacksburg, where Virginia Tech is located.

"I urge Virginians to keep these victims and their families in their thoughts and prayers," said Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, a Democrat.

"In time, Americans will learn more about the circumstances of this senseless tragedy. For now and forever after, our hearts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the other students, faculty and staff of Virginia Tech, and their families," said Sen. John W. Warner, a Republican.

"My heart goes out to the parents and families of the victims of this senseless act," said Sen. Jim Webb, a Democrat.

The school has announced a candlelight vigil to honor the victims of the mass killing Monday. The campus also was ordered closed through this week, and counseling services were being made available to students, faculty and staff.

"We come to express our sympathy in this time of anguish. I hope you know that people all over this country are thinking about you and asking God to provide comfort for all who have been affected," the president told the community assembly.

"May God bless you and keep you and keep the souls of the lost and may his love touch all of those who suffer and grieve," he concluded.

He earlier had ordered U.S. flags to be flown at half staff at the White House, federal buildings and grounds, naval craft and military posts through Sunday.

"Our nation grieves with those who have lost loved ones at Virginia Tech. We hold the victims in our hearts. We lift them up in our prayers, and we ask a loving God to comfort those who are suffering," Bush said in the flag proclamation.

Authorities have identified the shooter as Cho Seung-Hui, 23, a senior English major at the school whose class writings were so disturbing he previously had been referred for counseling.

http://wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55252

QUOTE(diverteach @ Apr 17 2007, 07:37 PM) [snapback]109680[/snapback]

VIRGINIA TECH MASSACRE
University convocation told of Allah, not Jesus
Speakers encourage healing, seek reflection, remembrance
Posted: April 17, 2007
8:10 p.m. Eastern



Speakers at the Virginia Tech convocation yesterday called on Allah and Buddha in their efforts to minister to the survivors, family and friends of victims of the shooting massacre at the school – but Jesus wasn't mentioned.

It was left up to President Bush to come the closest to offering a biblical message of hope, when he suggested the school community that lost 32 members to the shootings by an out-of-control resident alien student find "comfort in the grace and guidance of a loving God."

But even he didn't bring Jesus, the only hope of comfort and future life for Christians, into the memorials.

"I'm sitting here watching the convocation service at VT," wrote a WND reader who was given anonymity. "Five minutes ago they had four representatives from the local 'religious community.' The Muslim specifically invoked Allah's blessings… and he didn't shy away from saying the name of Allah. The Jewish rep asked for God's blessings. Buddha was represented. The only name that [was] omitted, of course, Jesus Christ."


And another WND reader cited the speakers, in order:

* "1st Speaker: A Muslim cleric invoking the name of Allah and quoting the Quran."

* "2nd Speaker: A Buddhist Community Leader preaching that mankind is basically 'good.'"

* "3rd Speaker: A Female speaker from the Jewish Community quoting Ecclesiastes: 'There is a time for everything.'"

* "4th Speaker: A Liberal Lutheran Minister talking about 'healing,' etc. and how everyone needs to come together (blah, blah, blah…)."

"BUT NOT ONE EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN PASTOR/PREACHER. NO INVOCATION OF THE NAME OF CHRIST JESUS," the reader said.

"The only thing that surprised me, though, is that they didn't have a rep from the Universal Life 'church' or the 'Church of Satan.' Go figure," said the first reader.

It was up to the president to deliver references to Christianity.

"People who have never met you are praying for you," Bush said. "They're praying for your friends who have fallen and who are injured. There's a power in these prayers, a real power. In times like this, we can find comfort in the grace and the guidance of a loving God."

Most of the other official statements of condolence released also ignored the savior of the Christian faith.

"Today is a day to reflect on our many blessings of family, neighbors, and our Blacksburg community, which includes the students of Virginia Tech," said a statement from the town of Blacksburg, where Virginia Tech is located.

"I urge Virginians to keep these victims and their families in their thoughts and prayers," said Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, a Democrat.

"In time, Americans will learn more about the circumstances of this senseless tragedy. For now and forever after, our hearts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the other students, faculty and staff of Virginia Tech, and their families," said Sen. John W. Warner, a Republican.

"My heart goes out to the parents and families of the victims of this senseless act," said Sen. Jim Webb, a Democrat.

The school has announced a candlelight vigil to honor the victims of the mass killing Monday. The campus also was ordered closed through this week, and counseling services were being made available to students, faculty and staff.

"We come to express our sympathy in this time of anguish. I hope you know that people all over this country are thinking about you and asking God to provide comfort for all who have been affected," the president told the community assembly.

"May God bless you and keep you and keep the souls of the lost and may his love touch all of those who suffer and grieve," he concluded.

He earlier had ordered U.S. flags to be flown at half staff at the White House, federal buildings and grounds, naval craft and military posts through Sunday.

"Our nation grieves with those who have lost loved ones at Virginia Tech. We hold the victims in our hearts. We lift them up in our prayers, and we ask a loving God to comfort those who are suffering," Bush said in the flag proclamation.

Authorities have identified the shooter as Cho Seung-Hui, 23, a senior English major at the school whose class writings were so disturbing he previously had been referred for counseling.

http://wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55252

Yes I too noticed this and certainly made a comment to Dani and also to my family! I was quite frustrated more at the Christian Representative, I believe he was Luthren! I feel that he really dropped the ball. What an opportunity to give some hope to these hurting people and never once mentioned Jesus, God, never quoted a scripture or said a prayer! I was very disappointed that this happened!



Your Friend in Christ,

Val

Messiahiscoming

JESUS is being taken out of everything...so as to not offend other "religions", namely Islam...the truth is it offends CHRISTIANS! Don't they get that this US government was built on the Biblical principles...our founding fathers fled religious persecution, and here we are again...it really is an outrage.

this is such a horrible tragedy of loss of life. I pray for God's comfort to all those familes, In Jesus' name we all pray. Lord give our leaders a mouth to speak in YOUR NAME JESUS.
Ismail Ax ...yes it is so evident that there is a definite war with the principalities and powers of darkness...(and those whom wish to stop your Name Jesus from being heard...and I'm praying that people witness for Christ in reaching out to others with boldness and with the Holy Spirit as our Witness...pour out your spirit Lord we pray(the enemy wishes to cause chaois and fear) ...Jesus we pray for our nation and peoples to come to you...turn and repent and love you and one another as you would have us to...and abide in your will.
keep us in prayer Lord..let our hearts fixed on you Jesus. amen we're greiving for this terrible loss of lives.

On NPR radio this morning, they said the shooter wrote that Christianity failed him, and the news mentioned that his parents were very devout.

Gunman sent package to NBC News
‘I didn’t have to do this,’ says message mailed between shootings
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18169776/

April 18, 2007
When Bad Things Happen
by Chuck Missler

It has been described by the press as the worst incident of its kind in US history. While that description of Monday's massacre on the Virginia Tech campus may be accurate, the distinction is hardly necessary. Irregardless of its place in history, the brutal murder of 32 people has plunged this nation into a state of sadness and utter disbelief: How could someone do such a thing? Is there anything that could have been done to prevent it? What is happening to our society? Why is there so much evil in this world? If there really is a God, why do bad things happen to good people?

The inability of some to reconcile the existence of a loving God with that of an evil and depraved world is one of the primary reasons why many reject the message of the Bible. However while this tragedy will prompt some to question the existence of God, in truth, it is only by turning to God that any real answers can be found.

The Bible teaches that God created the whole universe. He created our world and everything in it, but the world he created was very different from the world we live in today. Genesis 1:31 says that "God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good." However when Adam and Eve disobeyed God everything changed, sin and death entered into the world.

God created man with a free will - the ability to make choices. He could have made us like robots, preprogrammed to love and obey him. Instead he gave us a choice, because he wanted us to come to him willingly. Mankind suffers because of its sin, and it is because of our sin that we are separated from God, who is perfect and holy. However there is hope. Our suffering need not be in vain.

The Bible says that everyone has sinned, that the punishment for sin is death (both physical and spiritual), and that our sin separates us from God. Furthermore, there is nothing we can do to obtain the holiness (or perfection) necessary to enter into God's presence. Left to ourselves, without God's intervention, we are hopeless. However because God loves us, he has graciously given us a way out of our predicament. He provided us with a substitute, Jesus Christ, who was perfect and blameless, to take our place and bear the punishment for our sins. Because he died for us we can be forgiven.

When we trust God and choose to follow him, our suffering is not in vain. The Bible says that God uses trails and obstacles to teach us and draw us closer to him.

Why Do Christians Have Trials?

It has been said that you can best discern a person's true character by observing them in times of trouble. It is easy to claim to be a faithful follower of Christ when things in our lives are going smoothly; it is often a very different story when the road gets rough. The Bible has a lot to say about trials and tribulations, and it is filled with example after example of God's faithfulness. So why do many Christians bolt at the first sign of trouble? If we really believe that God is good, why are we so quick to turn our backs on Him in anger and resentment when things don't go our way?

There are two major errors we can make regarding trials: The first mistake is the failure to anticipate trials. Jesus suffered trials. Jesus promised us trials (John 16:33). All the apostles suffered trials. Trials are an expected part of the Christian life. And, like all storms, preparation can be critical in successfully enduring them. A second mistake is to harbor a morbid fear of trials. Remember 1 Corinthians 10:13: "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

The Apostle Paul certainly knew sufferings (2 Corinthians 4:7-11, 16-18; 2 Corinthians 11:23-28; Hebrews 11:32-40). And he regarded them as opportunities. There are many reasons why we face trials. Here are just a few:


To glorify God (Daniel 3:16-18, 24-25)

Discipline for known sin (Hebrews 12:5-11; James 4:17; Romans 14:23; 1 John 1:9)

To prevent us from falling into sin (1 Peter 4:1-2)

To keep us from pride. Paul was kept from pride by his "thorn in the flesh" (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

To build faith (1 Peter 1:6-7)

To cause growth (Romans 5:3-5)

To teach obedience and discipline (Acts 9:15-16; Philippians 4:11-13)

To equip us to comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

To prove the reality of Christ in us (2 Corinthians 4:7-11)

For testimony to the angels (Job 1:8; Ephesians 3:8-11; 1 Peter 1:12)
When faced with times of trouble remember that God loves you, He knows what is best for you, and He has a plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11). The Bible says: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:35, 38-39)."

Copied from: Koinonia House eNews archives

***Note from Mike: Thanks to everyone who has written me offering words of support, encouragement and prayer in this difficult time for everyone in Blacksburg. Someone sent me this article written by Chuck Missler which helps put things in a perspective I know to be true and am beginning to see fruit of in Blacksburg. It touched my heart and I hope it will yours as well.

I'm exhausted but, before I stumble off to bed, I want to let my readers know that, in the midst of our community's great sorrow, I met two brothers in Christ and a sister in Christ in downtown Blacksburg today, all of whom were operating separately of one another, taking this opportunity to pray with people, share Scripture, offer hope to the hopeless, and, most importantly of all, show love for their fellow man.

While I talked with the wife of a Virginia Tech faculty member downtown who had a sign up offering to talk to people, as well as give free hugs, we were appraoched by a huge amount of media personnel who thought we made a good story I guess? She and I were interviewed by a Houston Texas Fox News affiliate, a Canadian Radio reporter from Ontario, the New York Daily News and others.

When we parted ways after about a 20-minuite chat, you would've thought we had held a press conference when we gave each other a hug before parting. Cameras were clicking all around us as I, in my uniform, hugged this kind-hearted woman in a bright orange VT sweatshirt. I heard a reporter say, "There's our money shot."

It wasn't a money shot for us. It was healing.............................................................................................................benny

Supposedly wikipedia pulled a picture of Cho Seung Hui in US marines outfit from their site???


http://www.libertyforum.org/showflat.php?C...424943&t=-1

I totally agree.

People think that when they come to christianity life will be enjoyable,pleasure for them. Well it wrong to say that. Christianity is a challenge. For some people they say christian is a failure because for them they think they did not get pleasure has they promised. Who promised them?. Jesus did not promise that. He promised a external life. He did not say that promise is for this earth. How can we enjoy in this earth when we are sinners and when we dont accept Jesus has our savior?. Lastly most christian will undergo severe trials and tribulation has a test for faith. Trials and Tribulation has also got so many gifts like Patience,faith and it will increase our relationship Jesus. The more we suffer they more we are closer to Jesus the more we enjoy in this world they far the relationship with Jesus. We are to save our wealth in heaven not in this earth.

Lastly be blessed.

Father is coming soon. Be ready.

The earth's magnetic sphere is changing a little more rapidly.

Amen