In the hymn by Harry Emerson Fosdick, "God of Grace and God of Glory," the third verse has always stood out to me: "Cure thy children's warring madness; bend our pride to thy control; shame oru wanton, selfish gladness, rich in things and poor in soul."
"Thy children's warring madness" came to the fore today in reading and listening to the shooting at Umpqua Community College, 180 miles from where I am writing this in Roseburg, OR. This is the 45th massacre in 2015. 45th. That is 45 too many. 13 dead. 20 year old killer, also dead.
We have a problem in this country. It is of epidemic proportion. As a Christian community of faith, we stand foursquare against gun violence like this. And not only in this country, but anywhere in the world. Violence begets violence. Period.
"Cure thy children's warring madness" is our prayer.
Pax!
Pastor Brett
