Upward Soccer Memorial
Title
Upward Soccer Memorial
Description
Go to: <a href="http://www.coolspring.org/upward2007_devotional_5.asp">http://www.coolspring.org/upward2007_devotional_5.asp</a>
For full set of photos and story.
On April 21st, in support of those who have suffered from the tragedy at Virginia Tech, Upward Soccer players, parents, and guests were invited to sign a card and write a note to Virginia Tech. A memorial was also created, honoring the 32 individuals who lost their lives, by placing their photographs on crosses under the United States' and Virginia Tech's flags.
Reflect on the photographs below, and read the words of New Hanover Presbyterian Church's Co-Pastor Shane Roberson:
This week began with the shocking and horrifying news of the tragedy at Virginia Tech. As we heard over the media airwaves of the devastating death toll mounting due to one person's actions, we were all dismayed and in shock. Tragedies like this lead us to a place of bewilderment and the questions arise. Why would someone do something like this so horrible and devastating? Why did so many innocent people lose their lives for no reason? Why would God allow this? Why did this happen?
We may never know the answers to some of these questions, but I do want to share a couple of truths about God that we can hold firmly to in the midst of this tragedy. Each one of us is plagued with a condition called sin. The Bible says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:23- 24). Sin causes us to do things that are not right, to live in darkness, to hurt people, and to be destructive. We're all in the same boat, but we don't have to be left there.
We may never know what caused this individual to go on a shooting rampage throughout the campus and take innocent lives. There will be a lot of speculation and theories posited in the weeks to come. Actions like these are rooted in our sinfulness as people. Sin, and the actions that accompany sin, does not have to have the final say in our lives. God came up with a solution for our sin. He sent His Son Jesus Christ to pay for our sins.
1 Peter 3:18 says, "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God." Jesus Christ, God's one and only Son, paid the price for our sins when He went to the cross. That gives us hope and gives us life. He paid the price for our sin, from the horrible actions to the smallest unseen offenses. God has the final say in each one of our lives.
Here is the final Truth I want to leave with you. God is supreme in His wisdom, and He can make something good of a horrible tragedy such as this. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Notice the passage says, "in all things." Only God can take a horrible tragedy and bring good out of it. Look at some of the stories coming out of 9/11. Only God could cause such good. He takes evil acts caused by the choices of men and creates good out of those acts. Look no further than the cross and what God accomplished at Easter. Because of our sinfulness, people beat Jesus and put Him to death, but God had the final say in that tragedy. In fact, that tragedy was our saving grace.
We may never know all the answers to the questions that surface, but we can rest assured we have a loving God who went to all lengths to make sure that sin does not have to have the final say in our life. Just look at the empty cross and the empty tomb to show that God can make good things come out of tragedies. We continue to pray for all the families, students, faculty, staff and loved ones affected by this horrible tragedy. Please join with us in praying for all those impacted.
In Christ,
Shane Roberson
Co-Pastor New Hanover Presbyterian Church
Lord, right now we acknowledge You, and we acknowledge Your presence and Your sovereignty. Lord, we lift up Virginia Tech and the people affected by the evil that has taken place on the campus. We pray that Your Spirit be with them. We pray that Your loving arms be wrapped around them and comfort them in this tragic time. We pray for families, neighbors, and friends. We pray for staff, professors, and administrators. Lord, we pray for people. We pray for humanity. We pray that this event will not cause people to turn from You but it will cause a nation to run to You like they have never run before. We pray for increased faith. We pray for spiritual growth. We pray for Christian fellowship and salvation of souls. We pray that your hand will move mightily over Blacksburg, VA and over this nation. Touch souls right now and comfort broken hearts.
Forgive us for our sins, Father.
In Your Son Jesus Christ name we pray.
Amen.
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. "
- 2 Chronicles 7:14-15
For full set of photos and story.
On April 21st, in support of those who have suffered from the tragedy at Virginia Tech, Upward Soccer players, parents, and guests were invited to sign a card and write a note to Virginia Tech. A memorial was also created, honoring the 32 individuals who lost their lives, by placing their photographs on crosses under the United States' and Virginia Tech's flags.
Reflect on the photographs below, and read the words of New Hanover Presbyterian Church's Co-Pastor Shane Roberson:
This week began with the shocking and horrifying news of the tragedy at Virginia Tech. As we heard over the media airwaves of the devastating death toll mounting due to one person's actions, we were all dismayed and in shock. Tragedies like this lead us to a place of bewilderment and the questions arise. Why would someone do something like this so horrible and devastating? Why did so many innocent people lose their lives for no reason? Why would God allow this? Why did this happen?
We may never know the answers to some of these questions, but I do want to share a couple of truths about God that we can hold firmly to in the midst of this tragedy. Each one of us is plagued with a condition called sin. The Bible says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:23- 24). Sin causes us to do things that are not right, to live in darkness, to hurt people, and to be destructive. We're all in the same boat, but we don't have to be left there.
We may never know what caused this individual to go on a shooting rampage throughout the campus and take innocent lives. There will be a lot of speculation and theories posited in the weeks to come. Actions like these are rooted in our sinfulness as people. Sin, and the actions that accompany sin, does not have to have the final say in our lives. God came up with a solution for our sin. He sent His Son Jesus Christ to pay for our sins.
1 Peter 3:18 says, "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God." Jesus Christ, God's one and only Son, paid the price for our sins when He went to the cross. That gives us hope and gives us life. He paid the price for our sin, from the horrible actions to the smallest unseen offenses. God has the final say in each one of our lives.
Here is the final Truth I want to leave with you. God is supreme in His wisdom, and He can make something good of a horrible tragedy such as this. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Notice the passage says, "in all things." Only God can take a horrible tragedy and bring good out of it. Look at some of the stories coming out of 9/11. Only God could cause such good. He takes evil acts caused by the choices of men and creates good out of those acts. Look no further than the cross and what God accomplished at Easter. Because of our sinfulness, people beat Jesus and put Him to death, but God had the final say in that tragedy. In fact, that tragedy was our saving grace.
We may never know all the answers to the questions that surface, but we can rest assured we have a loving God who went to all lengths to make sure that sin does not have to have the final say in our life. Just look at the empty cross and the empty tomb to show that God can make good things come out of tragedies. We continue to pray for all the families, students, faculty, staff and loved ones affected by this horrible tragedy. Please join with us in praying for all those impacted.
In Christ,
Shane Roberson
Co-Pastor New Hanover Presbyterian Church
Lord, right now we acknowledge You, and we acknowledge Your presence and Your sovereignty. Lord, we lift up Virginia Tech and the people affected by the evil that has taken place on the campus. We pray that Your Spirit be with them. We pray that Your loving arms be wrapped around them and comfort them in this tragic time. We pray for families, neighbors, and friends. We pray for staff, professors, and administrators. Lord, we pray for people. We pray for humanity. We pray that this event will not cause people to turn from You but it will cause a nation to run to You like they have never run before. We pray for increased faith. We pray for spiritual growth. We pray for Christian fellowship and salvation of souls. We pray that your hand will move mightily over Blacksburg, VA and over this nation. Touch souls right now and comfort broken hearts.
Forgive us for our sins, Father.
In Your Son Jesus Christ name we pray.
Amen.
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. "
- 2 Chronicles 7:14-15
Creator
Jeff Sigmon
Date
2007-05-02
Contributor
Jeff Sigmon
Language
eng
Citation
Jeff Sigmon, “Upward Soccer Memorial,” The April 16 Archive, accessed November 2, 2024, https://april16archive.org/index.php/items/show/92.