Matthew West

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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All One

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith…There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

-Galatians 3:26, 28

If you have accepted Jesus into your heart, you are a child of God. You are one of God’s children!!! Isn’t that amazing? God values you, just as he would a birth child. Sure, you’re adopted, but you were chosen. You are a chosen child of God! Isn’t it awesome to know that you are God’s kid, and that he picked you?

The second verse, Galatians 3:28, gives us some good reasons for not discriminating against others. Everyone is one in Jesus. You shouldn’t discriminate against someone because they’re different from you. After all, we’re all unique! If not for us all being different, it would be a pretty boring world out there. A plain white wall is pretty boring, since it’s exactly the same all over. You most wouldn’t find someone there staring at it in awe. Unless they have a thing about white walls… But paint a mural on that wall, a super detailed and diverse mural, and people probably won’t mind trying to find all the interesting and hidden details in the painting. It would be something really interesting. That’s my opinion on diversity and discrimination.

Diverse, adj.

Having variety; assorted, distinct in kind

Challenge: 1) Remember that you’re a child of God, and 2) Don’t discriminate! After all, other people are God’s children, too!

It’s A Relationship

Mathematical Christianity. Formula Christianity. Checklist Christian.

Whatever you call it, Christianity without love is simply a checklist you go through. It’s just a list of things you do to try and stay on God’s “good side.”

But what is Christianity without love? All of the Christian faith is based on a relationship with God. Going through the motions just won’t work. You’ve got to listen to God, talk to Him, and stay in His word. Christianity is all about a relationship with our Lord, our Savior, our Redeemer, and our King.

God Bless You.