Monday, April 15, 2013

Tragedy

Support for Boston and all the runners

A few people have suggested wearing blue and race t-shirts today to show support for Boston, the Boston Marathon, the marathon runners, and all those affected by the tragic bombings on Monday during the race. My own city's race shirt was the best one for the job. I have no good words to describe how disheartening this is. AJ and I had been watching the entire elite race, and I felt like I'd been there all morning. SR shared this Chicago Tribune News link, which tells more about what happened. Obviously authorities are still trying to figure out what happened and who caused it. All I know is that it's unthinkable, devastating, and senseless.

It also makes me wonder what is going on on the running world. The New York Marathon was canceled by a so-called "Act of God" (all things are acts of God, but natural disasters like hurricanes tend to be referred to as that because they can't be better explained). This marathon was stopped due to ridiculous and heartless acts of men. God is allowing us to make our own decisions and do our own thing, and we are choosing to not follow Him. There are always consequences for that!

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Romans 1:18–32

My dear friend Anna's birthday presents

Newly planted poppies

I planted tomatoes and strawberries back on March 23. The tomato plants were over 3 inches tall and required replanting, so I bought a larger 3-pot planter and replanted both. Then I got a third plant, flowers, to fill the third pot once they start growing. Hopefully the two I moved still grow!

What's on sale at Kroger this week...

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love the verse from Romans. It's hard to fathom the cruelty of man sometimes, that they would do such things, especially those bombings. I'm new to running, and I wish I had a race shirt to wear in honor, but I haven't raced yet. Instead I say my prayers for those injured and lost to such a tragedy.

Unknown said...

Prayer is so much more valuable than a t-shirt, though often times less visible. It IS hard to fathom the cruelty of man, especially when something like this happens.