heavy day

:: Today was a tragic day in America...we were so saddened with the news of the Boston bombings. It is so scary and surreal. In 2010, Aspen and I waited for Chris right in that same area...he came through and it was such a proud moment and one he will never forget. All of those people have been robbed of their Boston experience...and worse than that, innocent lives have been taken and so many people hurt. It is so hard to wrap my mind around. I pray for all of the families affected by this senseless act, and I pray that God's will be done in the aftermath. He can take all things and weave them into his plan...He does not stop bad things from happening, but can always use those bad things for good. If you know anything of what God did for us in Jesus, you will know the horrific event he allowed to happen, and all for our good...

:: While on that topic, I watched The Passion of the Christ Sunday night/tonight. It was the absolute worst thing I have ever seen...you can imagine these things in your mind all you want, but until you actually see how it all happened,  you really have no idea. It was so much worse than I ever imagined. It is outrageous the way they treated Jesus, and his death was horrific. Completely and utterly evil. But the ending...the ending is the reason we are filled with hope and with forgiveness and with mercy. God has given us the greatest gift, and I don't know how you can watch this and not feel eternally grateful for this sacrifice. All I can say is thank you, Jesus...thank you God...