Talk, Argue, Second-guess & Debate Later!

(Picture of mourners gathered in AZ holding hands after the fatal shooting)

Before we start jumping to conclusions based on rumor, supposition, innuendo and a lot of misinformation about the Arizona shooting tragedy let's focus on what we know. Let's pull the soapboxes out from under the political media pundits (from both major parties) and agree to discuss and debate vitriolic political rhetoric, access to handguns, unstable people and the rest of it at a later date. None of that matters right now. Right now we need to pray. We need to pray for:

• The victims of the Arizona shooting who are battling for their lives.
  
• The families of those who were killed at the hands of an unstable person.
  
• First responders, leaders and citizens of Pima County, Arizona.
  
• All of our elected officials (local, state and national) and their families.
  
• The alleged shooter who is obviously deeply troubled and his family.
• Leaders to lead with wisdom and discernment and that reason will prevail.
  

A friend shared a recent post from Pastor Mark Batterson's blog that contained a blessing (based on Deuteronomy 33) for the new year from a pastor (Joel Schmidgall) at his church. I think its worth repeating. After praying for the above concerns maybe those of us who follow Christ might consider this blessing as a covenant for 2011:

May you be full of life and good health. May you be surrounded by authentic friends. May you find strength in the Lord when others tear you down. May you live by the covenant God has given and hold his Word dear to your heart. May God bless the talent He has given to you, that it would be realized in full potential for His purposes. May you find rest and peace in the midst of God’s presence. May this be a year of abundant provision for your every need. May God give you resolve and persistence to overcome for His good purposes. May you live in thankfulness and lead others into righteousness. May God give you the courage to speak grace and truth. May you grow into the place of leadership God has destined for you. May the favor of the Lord drench the fullness of your life. May you trust the living God to guide & protect you. May you continue to live with the knowledge of your salvation. God is your protector and helper in all times. May you experience the fullness of God’s destined blessing this coming year. Amen.