Inspiring

The Sand Creek Massacre

I read this story in the book Under God by tobyMac and Michael Tait. The story is so tragic and sad that I couldn’t help posting it here. Here is a short summary of what happened.

Old men, women, and children. These were the people that Colonel John Chivington attacked at Sand Creek in 1864. On that day, 163 Cheyenne and Arapaho were killed, two thirds of them women, children, and infants. Quoting from the story, which was quoting Silas Soule, a witness of the attack:

“It is hard to see little shildren on their knees have their brains beat out by men professing to be ‘civilized,'” wrote Silas. “One squaw was wounded and a fellow took a hatchet to finish her, she held her arms up to defend her, and he cut one arm off and held the other with one hand and dashed a hatchet through her brain. I saw two Indian’s hold one another’s hands, chased until they were exhausted, when they kneeled down, clasped each other around the neck and were both shot together.”… (Under God, pg. 333)

Our history is filled with so many atrocities just like this one. Wars, segregation, the KKK’s lynchings. So many horrifying stories. We’re seeing more of that even now: terrorist attacks, school bombings and shootings, ongoing worldwide slavery (including in the United States) and drug and alcohol abse.

It may seem like an impossible situation that’s out of our hands. We can’t change the past, but with the help of God, we can sure change the future. So ask him to show you how you can make a difference. And then do it.

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Live by the Truth

But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

John 3:21

Do you live by the truth? Do you come into the light?

Isaiah 53:4-6

Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

-Isaiah 53:4-6

Treasures

A poker chip. A pair of dice. A screwdriver. A rock. All hidden in an old, rotten box shoved in an old, rotten tree.

The collection wasn’t much. Just a boy’s favorite treasures, dirty and smudged. The woman traced the A. H. carved on the lid of the box. A tear slipped down her cheek as she fondled each f her son’s precious memoirs.

“Goodbye, Alex,” she whispered softly, stroking the smooth rock. “I’ll take care of your treasures, and I’ll see you again in heaven someday.”

The little girl next to her looked down into the box.” I hope he’s got better treasures in heaven than he left us down here.

~~~~~

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

Matthew 6:19-20

Who Loved Me

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

-Galatians 2:20

I love how this berse states that the Son of God, God’s Son, loves us! Isn’t that amazing? God’s Son not only loves us, but he sacrified His life for us. We have been crucified with Him, and now it’s not us living in our bodies, but Him living within us and guiding us. How will you live differently now that you have God living in you?

Wisdom from Diversecity

These are some quotes I found on tobyMac’s website, on the About Diversecity page. The names in parentheses are the band members. Enjoy!

He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” -Luke 10:27 (Tim “Timmy Rose” Rosenau)

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven!” -Matthew 5:16 Don’t be afraid to “LET” your light shine so that God can be glorified through you. At your job, let it shine, at home, let it shine. In your marriage or friendships, let it shine! So … SHINE! (Byron “Mr. Talkbox” Chambers)

Time & Eternity Are Connected…: It’s like driving down a long road and then {BAM} it changes names. Are you in good hands? (That’s a Maj original so don’t bite.) (DJ Maj)

Great moments are born from great opportunities, so seize every opportunity! (Brian “da Bomb” Haley)

Outside of a relationship with Jesus, everything loses its luster after a while. He is the only inexhaustible treasure. (Nirva “Nirvessence Dorsaint Ready)

Be honest. Say what you mean and mean what you say because half-truths and flattery eventually catch up to you. (Dave Wyatt aka dDubb)

I’ve always loved 1 Timothy 4:12- “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” I think the young are overlooked a lot, but this verse talks about how they can be an example in certain aspects. (Gabe Real)

You are as beautiful as your thoughts. -Maurice White (Toddiefunk)