Power of prayer

John R. Hall

Our community suffered its worst crime ever last weekend -- the murder of a family which included three children. At Christmas Eve church service, our minister prayed for the family and for the police.

After the kids were in bed and the presents put under the tree, I turned on the local TV news. The police had just arrested three men and were sure they had the the killers. The sword of justice was swift, thanks to the tireless work of our police department and in part, to our prayers.

Brian (Tankless) Wood

I don't envy judges

their job sometimes, but I would PRAY & PAY to be the judge over this case.

Thanks for the update, John.

Brian.

Jackchips

May your

neighborhood have some peace and justice this Holiday season.

The Lord believes in forgiveness but also justice and penance. May those who committed this receive forgiveness, justice and the appropriate punishment.

Prayers go out to all that are touched by this senseless tragedy.

kevin_5

Capital punishment

I believe even death row murderers can be "born again" and experience the love and forgiveness of Christ, but sometimes there are consequences of our actions that haunt us even after that. God can see a man's heart and whether he is truly repentant or not, but society can't. For that reason, we need to swiftly execute convicted murderers so that others will see the example and fear the law. A law without consequences is nothing more than a suggestion. Old testament safeguards against executing the innocent included the necessity of witnesses etc... but bottom line is that God gave Noah the institution of capital punishment when he got off of the ark. (read it in Genesis chapter 9) God's own law said, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." and, "The wages of sin is death." How about that? Death penalty for all mankind. Look at the 10 commandments in Exodus chapter 20, (#6 deals with Unjust taking of a life as in Murder)We've all broken those commandments, and we're all gonna die. Thank God there's forgiveness for all who truly repent and trust in the Savior, but to run a society, there still need to be penalties for things such as murder. I've heard of people getting 3 life sentences and being out in 5 years only to murder again! Our Founding Fathers taught that our form of government would only work for a moral and religious people. Freedom provides too many loopholes for those who would rip you off or kill you. It's only designed for those who fear God and exercise self-restraint. Ecclesiastes chapter 8 and verse 11 says that when evil-doers aren't punished, no-one fears the law. Imagine that! For those who would want a new testament reference, see Romans chapter 13 where it talks about the government instituted by God is to be a terror to evil works and not bear the SWORD in vain. Certain types think they have more compassion than God Himself. Even Moses thought that way once too. Read it in Exodus chapter 32. He was up on the mountain where he received the 10 commandments, and God saw the people naked and worshipping the golden calf they had made. God told Moses to get out of the way so He could kill the people. Moses interceded and God told him to go down and deal with the people himself. When Moses got near enough to see what God had seen all along, he was furious enough to smash the tablets of the ten commandments, and wanted to kill the people himself. I'll get off my soapbox now, but I too am furious at the unspeakable atrocities committed daily in our beloved land, and the lack of swift and consistent punishment to deter it. Say what you want about capital punishment not bing a deterrent, but the rate of repeat offenses by dead men is ZERO! Kevin

John G. Merritt

Reply to Kevin

AMEN!


John