Yesterday, June 28, at about 10:00 pm, three suicide bombers attacked the Istanbul Airport and were taken out by airport security. It looks like 41 dead and over 100 injured. Everyone travelling to a retreat in the southern part of the country are fine.
This morning a retired CSIS senior staff commented that it is almost impossible to completely stop this kind of attack. His best idea and advice is to look at the root of this and address these issues. Otherwise we are treating the symptom and not the cause. I agree with him.
God knows exactly where these dynamics come from. At the risk of being incredibly simplistic, I quote James 3:18 – 4:2 (MSG)
June 6 to July 5 is the month of Ramadan. One thing many Muslims do on the last evening of fasting is pray for visions from God.
I want to propose something to us.
Can we begin to pray that God will give thousands a vision of the Lord Jesus, reaching His Hands down to us all, calling us to peace, reconciliation and decrying violence? That He will give each one of us a profound sense of His Presence and each one of us will experience personal renewal and conversion and a new love for one another?
I will be doing this. I have my watch set to go off at 10:02. In Luke 10:2 Jesus calls us to pray for labourers:
He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.
Please pray together with me for labourers, for healing of our relationships and hearts, and for Jesus to appear to many Muslims finishing up their month of fasting! And to me too!
This morning a retired CSIS senior staff commented that it is almost impossible to completely stop this kind of attack. His best idea and advice is to look at the root of this and address these issues. Otherwise we are treating the symptom and not the cause. I agree with him.
God knows exactly where these dynamics come from. At the risk of being incredibly simplistic, I quote James 3:18 – 4:2 (MSG)
You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.
Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves.You lust for what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn’t yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it. You wouldn’t think of just asking God for it, would you?
June 6 to July 5 is the month of Ramadan. One thing many Muslims do on the last evening of fasting is pray for visions from God.
I want to propose something to us.
Can we begin to pray that God will give thousands a vision of the Lord Jesus, reaching His Hands down to us all, calling us to peace, reconciliation and decrying violence? That He will give each one of us a profound sense of His Presence and each one of us will experience personal renewal and conversion and a new love for one another?
I will be doing this. I have my watch set to go off at 10:02. In Luke 10:2 Jesus calls us to pray for labourers:
He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.
Please pray together with me for labourers, for healing of our relationships and hearts, and for Jesus to appear to many Muslims finishing up their month of fasting! And to me too!
