What a Weak...

This week in KC has been insane, and to be truthful an emotional roller-coaster.

Sunday we start the week as the Super Bowl Champions.

The first of the week was warm and everyone was in high spirits.

Wednesday finally arrived and an estimated 1 Million people turned out for the victory parade and rally at Union Station.

Then triumph turned into tragedy as two foolish teens decided to settle a fight with guns. Minutes later, normal citizens became heroes, yet the aftermath left Lisa Lopez dead, her two children also wounded along with dozens injured. Children, now in the hospital with gun shot wounds. Adults in the ICU at area hospitals.

Many people praise my brothers in blue and the incredible actions of KCFD responding quickly to the incident. I listened almost immediately to the scanner as the crews were transporting the injured to area hospitals.

As our week draws to a close, cold and snow descend upon our once bright and joyous city. Seems poetic that the weather matches the feelings of so many.

Friends, there is a glimmer of hope in this mess as over 200,000 has been raised in a GoFundMe account (partly from a $100,000 donation by Taylor Swift). The city is rallying again around the hurting, not just those who were at the event. Maybe our city leaders will finally do something about the violence in our metro.

I have maintained these last few days that the hope for KC and to stop violence is found only in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We launched a prayer line on Social Media for people in KC to IM, email or call the church for prayer or to talk. We are in partnership with fell pastors in KC who are standing together for the hope of KC.

Let me take us back to the example of Jesus in Matthew 26:36-39.

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

In Jesus' greatest trial, He sought the Father. In the deep anguish of His pain, Jesus prayed. Even amid suffering, Jesus went to the Father in prayer. How much more His children should seek the Father's face in a time like this.

Today, please pray with me for the Father to give peace. Hope to the hopeless, comfort the children, and unite the church. May the body of Christ be salt and Light to the hurting of KC. May the Gospel change the hearts of the youth and draw the lost from the darkness into the beautiful light of Jesus. 

Finally, pray for the two boys and their families who brought this pain. We must remember that they are also sinners needing a great savior.

One last thing: if you are reading this and would like prayer, please let us know, and we will lift you up to the Lord as well.

 

Praying that God will work mighty in your life today!

Pastor Charles