No one knows the deep


ache and/or numbness one can experience 


when they lose a loved one. 

Lethal violence is distinctively 


a major global phenomenon. Violence 


perpetuated against another 


can escalate and take on many forms,


 including death.



We live in a world where power


is often established through violence.


High levels of crime and violence 


have now become a major societal 


challenge. It is one of the leading


 causes of death worldwide.


💡The following heartfelt thoughts 

are provided 


When we allow hateful ideologies to make groups 


or classes of people to be viewed as different, bad, 


or even less than human... violence increases. 


All too often, violence is linked to misunderstandings, 


fear of the unknown, and hatred.

The adverse effects of violence are harmful to us all.

For some... the culture of fear cripples their ability 


to even entertain the possibility of building a relationship


with anyone who is different from them.


For some... the culture of fear diminishes one's ability 


to see anyone different from themselves as fully human,


or worthy of dignity and respect.


For some... this culture of fear legitimizes 


their vicious acts of violence. 

The more any group is misunderstood, 


the more the unknown can fuel fear 


and misunderstandings.

Misunderstandings, insecurity, inferiority complexes,


jealousy, ego, frustration, petty nonsense, bullying,


revenge, and being judgmental can also lead to 


hateful words which can snowball


into violent and unpredictable behavior.

Does family dysfunction


 attribute to violent behavior?


We believe being a victim of physical 


and/or verbal abuse at home 


or witnessing others being abused at home


may be a factor for violence outside of the home.

We believe whether children witness or experience abuse,


 it can take a toll on their development and increase the


risk for emotional behavioral problems.

It is also possible one may feel alienated, left out,


unworthy, unattractive, unappreciated, unloved 


by those at home... and will act out. 


Some may be encouraged or dared by peers 


to commit heinous acts of violence.


To add insult to injury...


glamorized violence in the media, 


including television programming,


  movies, music programming, self recorded videos, 


print, internet, videos and video games 


can contribute to the reduced sensitivity to violence. 


We believe exposure to media violence 


can trigger all kinds of mayhem.


Researchers suggests that performing violent acts 


in video games may be contributing 


to children’s aggression more than passively watching 


violent acts on television.

 According to this view, the more children 


play violent games, the more likely they are 


to perform violent acts.


It is believed that acting out such violence 


as opposed to just viewing the violence 


causes the children to become more familiar


 with how to act out violence... without consequences.


Unfortunately, violent situations are all too common 


in everyday entertainment and there are far less


 programming choices that are non-violent 


than there are violent. 

According to our research... 


media violence is somewhat of a precursor 


to increased aggression in children and young adults.


This, in and of itself, should be enough for parents 


to become more involved 


in what their children are exposed to. 


Violence has been normalized, 


and that is not a good thing. 


It has become a way of life for far too many.

Even more disturbing, is some human beings,


like few other species,


have become extremely violent predators 


and murderers of other human beings.


They lurk for victims, set traps, are full of evil plots and 


wicked deeds, their feet make haste to run to evil, 


and they will perform heinous acts of violence...


without a second thought. 

There will be a price to pay for violent lifestyles.

If we are not very prayerful and careful...


and don't take the time to think about


the consequences of our actions...


we run the risk of losing connection with ourselves,


each other, and God.

Those profoundly affected



by violence are:



individuals, children, communities, ethnic and/or minority


 groups, etc., from all socioeconomic backgrounds and


educational levels.

The death of a loved one is one of the greatest sorrows 


that can occur in one's life.

Dealing with death is a life experience


 no one wants to face.

No one knows the deep ache and/or numbness 


one can experience when they lose a loved one.

The loss of a loved one can leave one totally devastated. 


A tragic loss can be one of the most difficult


experiences that one will encounter 


during the course of life. 


The overwhelming feelings and emotions that surround 


the experience is bound to be accompanied 


by a great deal of  mental suffering, intense sorrow, 


grief, regret, numbness, disbelief, and shock.

When someone important to us dies... 


our lives suddenly become different. 


There is an end to what has been familiar for us,


 and we find ourselves trying to adapt to the new reality.



It takes time to know and decide what to do


and where to go in this new territory... 


and changed life that is left behind.


Loss is understood as a natural part of life, 


but one can still be overwhelmed and numbed


when emotions begin to take over.



Grieving is uniquely personal. 


For the survivors...


it can take time to adjust to feeling safe,


 especially if the perpetrator was severely violent.



It is easy for the sting to lead to prolonged periods of 

numbness, sadness, and/or depression.

Violence defined:

Violence is a complex phenomenon 


that is very difficult to define in one capsule. 


Violence is the intentional use of physical force or power


intended to cause physical pain or kill someone. 


Damaging or destroying property also fits in this category.



According to wikipedia, violence is a force that could be


threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, 


or a group or community, 


that either results in or has a high likelihood


 of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm,


mal-development or deprivation.

Scripture also shows us that the very words we speak 


can be considered as a form of violence.

Common types of violent acts:


Homicide, which is defined as killing 


regardless of the circumstances,


assault, aggravated battery, manslaughter,


verbal abuse, slapping, biting, sodomy, date rape, 


punching, marital rape and spousal assault, 


intimate partner abuse, family violence,


 peer group violence, community violence, etc.


Impact of violence:


Violence affects the whole community. 


 Everyone’s quality of life suffers.


Violence reduces productivity and 


decreases property values. 


The cycle of violence can continue into new generations.



Violence has consequences for the person who experiences


it and for the person who perpetrates it, and the impacts 


can be long lasting.



Victims of violence can experience serious and long-


lasting consequences such as: 


death, physical injuries that can lead to disability-


like injuries to the head, eyes, ears, chest and abdomen.


Victims may have to deal with mental health consequences


 like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, 


eating disorders, self-harm and suicide attempts, 


and poor self-esteem, etc.


Violence in our neighborhoods and communities 


cannot be overlooked.

We can't heal a wound by saying it's not there!

Perhaps we can, one day, break the cycle of violence 


that has plagued humanity.

Inasmuch as the Scriptures address us about these issues,


so we are called to speak on issues of human violence


with clarity.

Violence is as close to us...


as our own hearts.

 

For it is from within, 


out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—


sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice,


deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly. 


All these evils come from inside. 


Mark 7:20-23

A profound truth is found in Genesis


in relation to the moral wrongdoing of violence.

"Whoever sheds human blood, 


by humans shall their blood be shed; 


for in the image of God has God made mankind. 


Genesis 9:6

Genesis 9:6 shares the fundamental reality regarding


violence against human beings.


According to the Scriptures... 


violence is wrong because human beings 


were made in the image and likeness of God.

 


Life is a gift from God. 


Since life belongs to God, humans do not have 


absolute autonomy over their own lives, 


but we are to be stewards of the life given to us by God.


The lives of all humans, both their own and others’, 


are to be cherished and guarded.



The value of human life is intrinsic,


 for it derives from God, who made human beings 


in his own image.


Genesis 1:26-27



Consequently, the person who takes the life of another


 will be held accountable and punishable by God.


Genesis 9:5–6; Romans 13:1–7



There is value, worth, and dignity in every human life.


That, in and of itself, makes violence a moral offense.

I am your brother, your sister,


your neighbor, your friend.

Too many, in our society, have become desensitized 


to violent acts, not realizing the true effects 


of a being punched, kicked, hair pulling, being choked, 


being threatened or cut with a knife, 


having a body beaten and slammed against something, 


being suffocated, having harsh, unkind, demeaning words 


hurled, being humiliated, isolated, intimidated, 


being subjected to sexual acts against one's will,


or a bullet passing through a human body. 

The healing process, the loneliness, confusion,  


and despair for families, friends, and survivors 


of lethal violence has to be overwhelming.

Coping with the violent death of a loved one,


by murder or accident has to be one of the most 


severe challenges anyone can face. 


If you and your family have experienced such a loss, 


our hearts go out to you...


you have our deepest sympathy and condolences.

God reserves Himself all authority over life and death. 


God alone has the right to initiate and terminate life.


This is clearly stated in the Scriptures.

The intentional, premeditated killing of another person 


with malice is murder.


Why would anyone deliberately take it upon themselves 


to plan and methodically carry out 


a murderous attack on another?


How can one feel justified in maliciously depriving


another of their likely future?


Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:21-22 that murderous anger 


can lead the angry man to judgment from God 


as quickly as a physical blow. 


The violence he exhibits toward someone else 


can be brought back upon himself by God.


Sadly, the major predators of humans...


are humans who are angry and empty.


All too often, violence is fueled by 


anger and emptiness within.

The availability of all kinds of weaponry


adds fuel to the fire, and it increases the probability of 


lethal violence.

Personal vendettas against those one may dislike,


is the inevitable outcome of pride...


which is likened to a spiritual cancer.

Let us put an end to the madness.



The cycle of violence needs to 



STOP...

Violence gives birth to more violence.

A person who lives violently 


will probably at some point be killed in a violent manner.


Violence begets violence. 


Those who practice violence will come to violent ends.


The proverb “Live by the sword, die by the sword”


 has a biblical origin.


 It comes from a conversation between Jesus 


and His disciple Peter just before Jesus was arrested 


in the Garden of Gethsemane.

On the night of Jesus' arrest, 

when violent men made their move on Jesus, 

He told Peter who had already

pulled out his sword and struck the servant


 of the high priest, cutting off his ear:


“Put your sword back in its place… 

for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.” 

This was a statement of principle, 

consistent with all of Jesus’ teaching.

Jesus’ placating of Peter also showed His concern


 for His disciple—


in warning Peter against using violence, 


Jesus prevented Peter from being arrested himself.

How can we overcome



 these challenges?


Jesus models the power 

of non-violence.
Jesus’ teaching elevates non-violence

as the preferred response to violence.

If one does not want to be picked on, bullied, alienated,


or ostracized, one should not pick on, bully, alienate, 


or ostracize anyone else. 


No matter how one may treat us, 


let us do right... and treat them well.

MORE POWER TO THE


 PEACEFUL!!!

May we... 


Honor the King.



When we obey God's command to honor all people, 


we are following our heavenly King and honoring Him.



 Then what happens? 


Jesus answers in John 12:26: 


"If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me;


 and where I am, there My servant will be also.


 If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor."



So first, we humble ourselves, 


then give honor and respect even to those who might


appear to be unworthy of honor and respect.



 The result? 


God the Highest, the Supreme Being in the entire universe,


will personally bestow honor and glory on those 


who have obeyed this and other commands. 



This is God's way: 


The more we give, the more we receive. 


The more honor we give,


 the more honor we will also receive.



May we make it our goal to respect the feelings, 


wishes, and rights of others and not hurt, 


harm, hinder, or be rude to anyone.



May we cherish life and treat others 


in the same manner 


in which we would want to be treated.

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