This subject has come up before on the boards and we've all read differing responses. Many of us are also living differing responses.

I like the following response

One Year Later:
Luke Gabriel Bird
October 20, 2000 – July 16, 2022

When the phone rang a year ago today, I remember where I was standing. I can still hear the conversation. I know exactly where I crumpled to the floor in utter terror. There are things you cannot unhear. There…

— Chad Bird (@birdchadlouis) July 16, 2023

Thanks for posting. He expressed himself beautifully yet simply. Loss of a child must be the most difficult to wrestle with, accept, understand or reconcile. In the long run, we should all be more aware of everyday opportunities God plants along our path to bless someone. Simple kindness, patience, and empathy can be in short supply these days, but so needed across all walks of life. I appreciate the reminder.

There is no comprehensible answer for the government sanctioned mass murder regardless if it involved Stalin , Hitler, Pol Pot, Mao, or Joe Biden .

KaiBear said:

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There is no comprehensible answer for the government sanctioned mass murder regardless if it involved Stalin , Hitler, Pol Pot, Mao, or Joe Biden .

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wrong thread

I lost a close friend when I was 18 and had just been over at his house the week prior to his death. He died in a car accident.

It was difficult for me, but I witnessed what his father went through and I can't imagine, especially after having a child myself. At the funeral his father simply couldn't accept it. He kept saying it was a big joke his son was playing on him and that there was just no way he was dead.

I can't imagine and feel horrible for any parent who has experience this.

LIB,MR BEARS said:

---

This subject has come up before on the boards and we've all read differing responses. Many of us are also living differing responses.

I like the following response

One Year Later:
Luke Gabriel Bird
October 20, 2000 – July 16, 2022

When the phone rang a year ago today, I remember where I was standing. I can still hear the conversation. I know exactly where I crumpled to the floor in utter terror. There are things you cannot unhear. There…

— Chad Bird (@birdchadlouis) July 16, 2023

---

In tragedy, some find God in the resilience of the human spirit, in acts of kindness, in shared memories and community support, or in the endurance of love beyond physical loss. Some find divine presence in the quest for meaning, in the silence, in the questions themselves, or in the mysterious workings of life and death.

Personally, as someone who does not believe in God, tragedies often underscore the importance of human connection and the role we play in each other's lives. They serve as a stark reminder of our shared vulnerability but also our collective strength. In the story of Luke, his ideals of brotherhood, sacrifice, and integrity continue to impact and inspire people, even after his physical absence.

When I was 12, three boy scouts in my troop were killed in a camping accident. A sudden storm blew through the Davy Crockett National Forest near Alto. A large pine tree had rotted in the roots and fell through some power lines and landed square on a tent with three scouts in it, with branches injuring three men in adjacent tents. It took about two hours to get help to come with chainsaws and cut the tree down to a size where it could be removed, but by that time the three scouts had been crushed to death. The three men injured in the next tents over were the three fathers of those young men, and they suffered broken bones and concussions.

To make matters worse, the Dallas Times Herald tried very hard to suggest that the Scoutmaster was negligent in picking the campsite; his son was one of the dead scouts. My father was the only adult able to speak to the press, and the reporter for the Herald tried to suggest the Scoutmaster was afraid to talk to the press, when in fact he was in a hospital himself and in every conceivable kind of distress and pain. My father was a cautious man and tape-recorded the press interview, and finally got the Herald to print a retraction some time later, but the damage was done.

Two of the families who lost their sons ended up divorced, and I don't think any of those families saw much peace in their lives after that day. I recall that all three of the fathers died relatively young, and I think the grief was part of that.

It's hard to look back at that day and see God's hand in it. I do know that it gave many of the survivors a better sense of how fragile Life can be, and of the importance of making peace with others because you didn't know for sure you would get the chance to mend fences later. One of the boys who died had been prone to getting into arguments and the occasional fight, but no one would have wished this on him.

The tragedy also gave me insight into the kinds of evil we take for granted, like a media so hungry for a big story they would deliberately lie and add to the pain of a victim's family. It reminded me that personal tragedy is relative, that a bad day at work or some mechanical issues are nothing compared to losing friends or family in a single moment. It also showed me some things that all these years later, I cannot help but remember but cannot bring myself to describe even to family.

Life is precious. Absolutely nothing takes its place when you lose someone.

Oldbear83 said:

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When I was 12, three boy scouts in my troop were killed in a camping accident. A sudden storm blew through the Davy Crockett National Forest near Alto. A large pine tree had rotted in the roots and fell through some power lines and landed square on a tent with three scouts in it, with branches injuring three men in adjacent tents. It took about two hours to get help to come with chainsaws and cut the tree down to a size where it could be removed, but by that time the three scouts had been crushed to death. The three men injured in the next tents over were the three fathers of those young men, and they suffered broken bones and concussions.

To make matters worse, the Dallas Times Herald tried very hard to suggest that the Scoutmaster was negligent in picking the campsite; his son was one of the dead scouts. My father was the only adult able to speak to the press, and the reporter for the Herald tried to suggest the Scoutmaster was afraid to talk to the press, when in fact he was in a hospital himself and in every conceivable kind of distress and pain. My father was a cautious man and tape-recorded the press interview, and finally got the Herald to print a retraction some time later, but the damage was done.

Two of the families who lost their sons ended up divorced, and I don't think any of those families saw much peace in their lives after that day. I recall that all three of the fathers died relatively young, and I think the grief was part of that.

It's hard to look back at that day and see God's hand in it. I do know that it gave many of the survivors a better sense of how fragile Life can be, and of the importance of making peace with others because you didn't know for sure you would get the chance to mend fences later. One of the boys who died had been prone to getting into arguments and the occasional fight, but no one would have wished this on him.

The tragedy also gave me insight into the kinds of evil we take for granted, like a media so hungry for a big story they would deliberately lie and add to the pain of a victim's family. It reminded me that personal tragedy is relative, that a bad day at work or some mechanical issues are nothing compared to losing friends or family in a single moment. It also showed me some things that all these years later, I cannot help but remember but cannot bring myself to describe even to family.

Life is precious. Absolutely nothing takes its place when you lose someone.

---

As an eagle scout, this story especially breaks my heart. I cannot fathom the effects such an event could make on the survivors.

Were you there during the incident? My deepest condolences for the loss of your friends, as well as the grief their families have and continue to experience - it's truly heartbreaking.

BearWithMe said:

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Oldbear83 said:

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When I was 12, three boy scouts in my troop were killed in a camping accident. A sudden storm blew through the Davy Crockett National Forest near Alto. A large pine tree had rotted in the roots and fell through some power lines and landed square on a tent with three scouts in it, with branches injuring three men in adjacent tents. It took about two hours to get help to come with chainsaws and cut the tree down to a size where it could be removed, but by that time the three scouts had been crushed to death. The three men injured in the next tents over were the three fathers of those young men, and they suffered broken bones and concussions.

To make matters worse, the Dallas Times Herald tried very hard to suggest that the Scoutmaster was negligent in picking the campsite; his son was one of the dead scouts. My father was the only adult able to speak to the press, and the reporter for the Herald tried to suggest the Scoutmaster was afraid to talk to the press, when in fact he was in a hospital himself and in every conceivable kind of distress and pain. My father was a cautious man and tape-recorded the press interview, and finally got the Herald to print a retraction some time later, but the damage was done.

Two of the families who lost their sons ended up divorced, and I don't think any of those families saw much peace in their lives after that day. I recall that all three of the fathers died relatively young, and I think the grief was part of that.

It's hard to look back at that day and see God's hand in it. I do know that it gave many of the survivors a better sense of how fragile Life can be, and of the importance of making peace with others because you didn't know for sure you would get the chance to mend fences later. One of the boys who died had been prone to getting into arguments and the occasional fight, but no one would have wished this on him.

The tragedy also gave me insight into the kinds of evil we take for granted, like a media so hungry for a big story they would deliberately lie and add to the pain of a victim's family. It reminded me that personal tragedy is relative, that a bad day at work or some mechanical issues are nothing compared to losing friends or family in a single moment. It also showed me some things that all these years later, I cannot help but remember but cannot bring myself to describe even to family.

Life is precious. Absolutely nothing takes its place when you lose someone.

---

As an eagle scout, this story especially breaks my heart. I cannot fathom the effects such an event could make on the survivors.

Were you there during the incident? My deepest condolences for the loss of your friends, as well as the grief their families have and continue to experience - it's truly heartbreaking.

---

Yes, I was there. That's why my dad was there.

We were hiking through the forest to get the 50-mile award , and the night before Palm Sunday we reached the campsite where the tragedy happened.

My dad was 6'5", and so was too big for the tents being used, so he had a foam rubber mattress in the back of our station wagon and was sleeping when the wind woke him up because the car was rocking. He got out of the car and witnessed the tree fall. Seeing the other three adult men were unable to get out from under the tree, my dad got us into cars and drove us to Alto for help; one of the scouts was old enough to drive another car.

At Alto, the town raised an alarm and about a dozen men sped back as fast as possible to help. The rains were still heavy and the winds high, so it took a very long time to cut the tree and try to help anyone.


Falling Tree Kills 3 Scouts - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Oldbear83 said:

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BearWithMe said:

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Oldbear83 said:

---

When I was 12, three boy scouts in my troop were killed in a camping accident. A sudden storm blew through the Davy Crockett National Forest near Alto. A large pine tree had rotted in the roots and fell through some power lines and landed square on a tent with three scouts in it, with branches injuring three men in adjacent tents. It took about two hours to get help to come with chainsaws and cut the tree down to a size where it could be removed, but by that time the three scouts had been crushed to death. The three men injured in the next tents over were the three fathers of those young men, and they suffered broken bones and concussions.

To make matters worse, the Dallas Times Herald tried very hard to suggest that the Scoutmaster was negligent in picking the campsite; his son was one of the dead scouts. My father was the only adult able to speak to the press, and the reporter for the Herald tried to suggest the Scoutmaster was afraid to talk to the press, when in fact he was in a hospital himself and in every conceivable kind of distress and pain. My father was a cautious man and tape-recorded the press interview, and finally got the Herald to print a retraction some time later, but the damage was done.

Two of the families who lost their sons ended up divorced, and I don't think any of those families saw much peace in their lives after that day. I recall that all three of the fathers died relatively young, and I think the grief was part of that.

It's hard to look back at that day and see God's hand in it. I do know that it gave many of the survivors a better sense of how fragile Life can be, and of the importance of making peace with others because you didn't know for sure you would get the chance to mend fences later. One of the boys who died had been prone to getting into arguments and the occasional fight, but no one would have wished this on him.

The tragedy also gave me insight into the kinds of evil we take for granted, like a media so hungry for a big story they would deliberately lie and add to the pain of a victim's family. It reminded me that personal tragedy is relative, that a bad day at work or some mechanical issues are nothing compared to losing friends or family in a single moment. It also showed me some things that all these years later, I cannot help but remember but cannot bring myself to describe even to family.

Life is precious. Absolutely nothing takes its place when you lose someone.

---

As an eagle scout, this story especially breaks my heart. I cannot fathom the effects such an event could make on the survivors.

Were you there during the incident? My deepest condolences for the loss of your friends, as well as the grief their families have and continue to experience - it's truly heartbreaking.

---

Yes, I was there. That's why my dad was there.

We were hiking through the forest to get the 50-mile award , and the night before Palm Sunday we reached the campsite where the tragedy happened.

My dad was 6'5", and so was too big for the tents being used, so he had a foam rubber mattress in the back of our station wagon and was sleeping when the wind woke him up because the car was rocking. He got out of the car and witnessed the tree fall. Seeing the other three adult men were unable to get out from under the tree, my dad got us into cars and drove us to Alto for help; one of the scouts was old enough to drive another car.

At Alto, the town raised an alarm and about a dozen men sped back as fast as possible to help. The rains were still heavy and the winds high, so it took a very long time to cut the tree and try to help anyone.


Falling Tree Kills 3 Scouts - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

---

I'm truly sorry for what you experienced. The courage your father and all of you showed in such dire circumstances is remarkable.

Thank you for sharing.

Oldbear83 said:

---

When I was 12, three boy scouts in my troop were killed in a camping accident. A sudden storm blew through the Davy Crockett National Forest near Alto. A large pine tree had rotted in the roots and fell through some power lines and landed square on a tent with three scouts in it, with branches injuring three men in adjacent tents. It took about two hours to get help to come with chainsaws and cut the tree down to a size where it could be removed, but by that time the three scouts had been crushed to death. The three men injured in the next tents over were the three fathers of those young men, and they suffered broken bones and concussions.

To make matters worse, the Dallas Times Herald tried very hard to suggest that the Scoutmaster was negligent in picking the campsite; his son was one of the dead scouts. My father was the only adult able to speak to the press, and the reporter for the Herald tried to suggest the Scoutmaster was afraid to talk to the press, when in fact he was in a hospital himself and in every conceivable kind of distress and pain. My father was a cautious man and tape-recorded the press interview, and finally got the Herald to print a retraction some time later, but the damage was done.

Two of the families who lost their sons ended up divorced, and I don't think any of those families saw much peace in their lives after that day. I recall that all three of the fathers died relatively young, and I think the grief was part of that.

It's hard to look back at that day and see God's hand in it. I do know that it gave many of the survivors a better sense of how fragile Life can be, and of the importance of making peace with others because you didn't know for sure you would get the chance to mend fences later. One of the boys who died had been prone to getting into arguments and the occasional fight, but no one would have wished this on him.

The tragedy also gave me insight into the kinds of evil we take for granted, like a media so hungry for a big story they would deliberately lie and add to the pain of a victim's family. It reminded me that personal tragedy is relative, that a bad day at work or some mechanical issues are nothing compared to losing friends or family in a single moment. It also showed me some things that all these years later, I cannot help but remember but cannot bring myself to describe even to family.

Life is precious. Absolutely nothing takes its place when you lose someone.

---

This is a powerful story that really highlights tragedies in our lives and the consequences and God's presence in all of it.
For you, I was wondering how you got through it spiritually. How did it affect your faith.

I know you don't think much of me as a Christian but I am a Christian pastor and always struggled with how to give spiritual direction in circumstances like this one.. I am sincerely, asking.
I am thinking of Romans 8:28 " 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." Platitudes shrink away when faced with the death of a child.

I am not arguing.

Waco: "I was wondering how you got through it spiritually. How did it affect your faith."

Thank you Waco, that event comes back to me every so often. At first every few weeks, then less often, but it's never completely gone. At my age, there are certain things you never forget.

I was a teenager when this happened, and I really didn't come to grips with it for years. I started really thinking when I went to college, and realized these three young men would never have the experiences I did, see the places I did, grow into adulthood.

I often think about the other victims - the fathers of three young men who were out there expecting they would be able to protect their boys from any threat. The families who attended funerals for sons and brothers. The people of Alto who jumped out of their beds to help save lives, only to find they were too late.

Oldbear83 said:

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Waco: "I was wondering how you got through it spiritually. How did it affect your faith."

Thank you Waco, that event comes back to me every so often. At first every few weeks, then less often, but it's never completely gone. At my age, there are certain things you never forget.

I was a teenager when this happened, and I really didn't come to grips with it for years. I started really thinking when I went to college, and realized these three young men would never have the experiences I did, see the places I did, grow into adulthood.

I often think about the other victims - the fathers of thee young men who were out there expecting they would be able to protect their boys from any threat. The families who attended funerals for sons and brothers. The people of Alto who jumped out of their beds to help save lives, only to find they were too late.

At the time how did you get through it spiritually? Talking to your pastor? Youth director? Pray? Did it challenge your understanding of God?

---

Oldbear83 said:

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Waco: "I was wondering how you got through it spiritually. How did it affect your faith."

Thank you Waco, that event comes back to me every so often. At first every few weeks, then less often, but it's never completely gone. At my age, there are certain things you never forget.

I was a teenager when this happened, and I really didn't come to grips with it for years. I started really thinking when I went to college, and realized these three young men would never have the experiences I did, see the places I did, grow into adulthood.

I often think about the other victims - the fathers of thee young men who were out there expecting they would be able to protect their boys from any threat. The families who attended funerals for sons and brothers. The people of Alto who jumped out of their beds to help save lives, only to find they were too late.

---

In your understanding and as the OP states, "Where is God in tragedy?' I am preaching Romans 8:28 this Sunday and need your feedback. I am using the scouts as an illustration on how God helps us get through such horrific events? Our family is also experiencing the slow dying of an uncle. Again, no entrapment. I believe in your faith in God. How did that relationship with God sustain you?

Waco1947 said:

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Oldbear83 said:

---

Waco: "I was wondering how you got through it spiritually. How did it affect your faith."

Thank you Waco, that event comes back to me every so often. At first every few weeks, then less often, but it's never completely gone. At my age, there are certain things you never forget.

I was a teenager when this happened, and I really didn't come to grips with it for years. I started really thinking when I went to college, and realized these three young men would never have the experiences I did, see the places I did, grow into adulthood.

I often think about the other victims - the fathers of thee young men who were out there expecting they would be able to protect their boys from any threat. The families who attended funerals for sons and brothers. The people of Alto who jumped out of their beds to help save lives, only to find they were too late.

---

In your understanding and as the OP states, "Where is God in tragedy?' I am preaching Romans 8:28 this Sunday and need your feedback. I am using the scouts as an illustration on how God helps us get through such horrific events? Our family is also experiencing the slow dying of an uncle. Again, no entrapment. I believe in your faith in God. How did that relationship with God sustain you?

---

Waco, I have answered what I feel is appropriate. Out of respect for the young men, I do not want to turn this into discussion or debate on God or Religion. If you had been where someone died when they did, someone you knew well as a person, you might feel as I do on the matter.

Thank you for respecting boundaries.

Where is God in tragedy? I am preaching this word Sunday and I am working out my thoughts

Maybe Paul gives the best answer.


Nothing can separate us Romans 8: 28, 35-39 07.30.23

We hold, in Christ, an impregnable position
The universe happens in all its chemistry, biology, and physics and in the evil of humankind. BUT
If God is for us,
Who can be against us? No One! God gave us everything else that we can need.
Who would dare to accuse us? The judge has declared us free from sin.
Who is in a position to condemn? No one! Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us!
Who can separate us from the love of Christ? No one! Can trouble, pain or persecution? Can lack of clothes and food, danger to life and limb, the threat of force of arms? Indeed some of us know the truth of the ancient text: 'For your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter'.
No, in all these things we win an overwhelming victory through God whose love approved us all.
I have become absolutely convinced that neither death nor life,
neither messenger of Heaven nor monarch of earth,
neither what happens today nor what may happen tomorrow,
neither a power from on high nor a power from below,
nor anything else in God's whole world has any power to separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord!


The universe happens in all its chemistry, biology, and physics and in the evil of humankind.
This love of God calls across the dark void of the meaning in tragedy, reaches into the depths of human despair, embraces those who live in the shadow of death, and the perils of our present life, challenges the rulers of the world, and, at the end the day, this love looks at the present with clear faith and at the future with a sure hope, overpowers all the fears inherent in our being, and declares the Good News so the world might know God is God and God is love.

This powerful love grasped Paul, first, during his persecutions of Christians and then in his praying, his preaching, his journies, his writing, his pastoring, and his suffering, so Paul simply declares God is love and nothing in all of creation can separate us from that love in Christ Jesus.

This faith is not instantaneous because doubt and, mostly, fear stop our ears from hearing. but Christians go on proclaiming the Good News until listening is finally hearing.

If you go by what is in the Christian bible he is the one causing the tragedy.

ron.reagan said:

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If you go by what is in the Christian bible he is the one causing the tragedy.

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That's not the 'Christian' Bible, rr. I think you must be looking at the Moloch version ...

Oldbear83 said:

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ron.reagan said:

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If you go by what is in the Christian bible he is the one causing the tragedy.

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That's not the 'Christian' Bible, rr. I think you must be looking at the Moloch version ...

---

Did you see my question?

BearWithMe said:

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Personally, as someone who does not believe in God, tragedies often underscore the importance of human connection and the role we play in each other's lives. They serve as a stark reminder of our shared vulnerability but also our collective strength. In the story of Luke, his ideals of brotherhood, sacrifice, and integrity continue to impact and inspire people, even after his physical absence.

---

But that human connection in many ways is driven by the Holy Spirit. It's the loving your neighbor as you love yourself.

Waco1947 said:

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Oldbear83 said:

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ron.reagan said:

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If you go by what is in the Christian bible he is the one causing the tragedy.

---

That's not the 'Christian' Bible, rr. I think you must be looking at the Moloch version ...

---

Did you see my question?

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Yes. Apparently you missed my answer.

Oldbear83 said:

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Waco1947 said:

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Oldbear83 said:

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ron.reagan said:

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If you go by what is in the Christian bible he is the one causing the tragedy.

---

That's not the 'Christian' Bible, rr. I think you must be looking at the Moloch version ...

---

Did you see my question?

---

Yes. Apparently you missed my answer.

---

I was probably clumsy in my asking of the question. I was simply wanting your answer of faith when confronted by the tragedy that you eloquently and empathetically describe. My question goes to the OP Where was and is God in that tragic remembrance.

Waco1947 said:

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Oldbear83 said:

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Waco1947 said:

---

Oldbear83 said:

---

ron.reagan said:

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If you go by what is in the Christian bible he is the one causing the tragedy.

---

That's not the 'Christian' Bible, rr. I think you must be looking at the Moloch version ...

---

Did you see my question?

---

Yes. Apparently you missed my answer.

---

I was probably clumsy in my asking of the question. I was simply wanting your answer of faith when confronted by the tragedy that you eloquently and empathetically describe. My question goes to the OP Where was and is God in that tragic remembrance.

---

Here is my answer again, Waco:

Waco, I have answered what I feel is appropriate. Out of respect for the young men, I do not want to turn this into discussion or debate on God or Religion. If you had been where someone died when they did, someone you knew well as a person, you might feel as I do on the matter.

Thank you for respecting boundaries.

Oldbear83 said:

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Waco1947 said:

---

Oldbear83 said:

---

Waco1947 said:

---

Oldbear83 said:

---

ron.reagan said:

---

If you go by what is in the Christian bible he is the one causing the tragedy.

---

That's not the 'Christian' Bible, rr. I think you must be looking at the Moloch version ...

---

Did you see my question?

---

Yes. Apparently you missed my answer.

---

I was probably clumsy in my asking of the question. I was simply wanting your answer of faith when confronted by the tragedy that you eloquently and empathetically describe. My question goes to the OP Where was and is God in that tragic remembrance.

---

Here is my answer again, Waco:

Waco, I have answered what I feel is appropriate. Out of respect for the young men, I do not want to turn this into discussion or debate on God or Religion. If you had been where someone died when they did, someone you knew well as a person, you might feel as I do on the matter.

Thank you for respecting boundaries.

---

I did not want to debate or discuss. I have been in several rooms where a church member died, and I was present when my father died. It is heart wrenching. Suddenly, there is this empty void and it can only be partially filled by the love of spouse and friend. The rest is sharing with friends and pastors, reading the Bible, praying and remembering. My faith sustains me.

My apologies if I was intrusive.

Waco1947 said:

---

Where is God in tragedy? I am preaching this word Sunday and I am working out my thoughts

Maybe Paul gives the best answer.


Nothing can separate us Romans 8: 28, 35-39 07.30.23

We hold, in Christ, an impregnable position
The universe happens in all its chemistry, biology, and physics and in the evil of humankind. BUT
If God is for us,
Who can be against us? No One! God gave us everything else that we can need.
Who would dare to accuse us? The judge has declared us free from sin.
Who is in a position to condemn? No one! Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us!
Who can separate us from the love of Christ? No one! Can trouble, pain or persecution? Can lack of clothes and food, danger to life and limb, the threat of force of arms? Indeed some of us know the truth of the ancient text: 'For your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter'.
No, in all these things we win an overwhelming victory through God whose love approved us all.
I have become absolutely convinced that neither death nor life,
neither messenger of Heaven nor monarch of earth,
neither what happens today nor what may happen tomorrow,
neither a power from on high nor a power from below,
nor anything else in God's whole world has any power to separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord!


The universe happens in all its chemistry, biology, and physics and in the evil of humankind.
This love of God calls across the dark void of the meaning in tragedy, reaches into the depths of human despair, embraces those who live in the shadow of death, and the perils of our present life, challenges the rulers of the world, and, at the end the day, this love looks at the present with clear faith and at the future with a sure hope, overpowers all the fears inherent in our being, and declares the Good News so the world might know God is God and God is love.

This powerful love grasped Paul, first, during his persecutions of Christians and then in his praying, his preaching, his journies, his writing, his pastoring, and his suffering, so Paul simply declares God is love and nothing in all of creation can separate us from that love in Christ Jesus.

This faith is not instantaneous because doubt and, mostly, fear stop our ears from hearing. but Christians go on proclaiming the Good News until listening is finally hearing.

---

The guy that wrote this knows tragedy all too well having lost his son in an accident

Gamzu Christians

There was a first-century rabbi nicknamed Rabbi Gamzu because whenever adversity came along, he would say, "Gam zu l'tovah," that is, "This, too, is for the good." Those first two words in Hebrew, גם זו (gam zu), mean "This too..." Therefore, he was called Rabbi…

— Chad Bird (@birdchadlouis) July 28, 2023

Jesus is no stranger to suffering.

Chamberman said:

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BearWithMe said:

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Personally, as someone who does not believe in God, tragedies often underscore the importance of human connection and the role we play in each other's lives. They serve as a stark reminder of our shared vulnerability but also our collective strength. In the story of Luke, his ideals of brotherhood, sacrifice, and integrity continue to impact and inspire people, even after his physical absence.

---

But that human connection in many ways is driven by the Holy Spirit. It's the loving your neighbor as you love yourself.

---

Thank you for the response. While I disagree human connection is driven by the Holy Spirit, I can certainly get on board with loving your neighbor as you love yourself.