Broken

I look at this kid and I say, "What has happened to this kid to be so filled with hatred?"

Whether people believe it or not- whether people like it or not- we are all born in sin.  We are born sinners and born with a sin nature.

Every single person has the tendency to end up like this young man.  Filled with hatred and violence.  Further more, satan- whether people believe it or not- whether people like it or not is out to KILL, STEAL and DESTROY. Each community.  Each family.  Each person.

How is the best way satan does this?  Turning people away from the Truth.
John 8:44
You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

But Jesus!  He came to give us a new life.  He came to make things right.  He came to take away our sin nature and give us a new nature (2 Peter 2:4)- one in which He lives and abides.  He came to bring us to His Father, so we have a new Father.  He came to set the captive free and heal the broken.  Yes, you and me!  He gives life and life abundantly!

The Scriptures are VERY clear that who we were before we believed in Jesus is NOT who we are now.  We have been exchanged.  A believer can't just say, "Oh, I've decided not to be a Christian."  Because you have been changed from the inside out and that old inner man is dead and gone.

The breakdown of a community starts with the breakdown of the family and continues with the brokenness of an individual. But the healing of a community starts with a person who has been healed from their brokenness and this healing of love and grace speads to their family and then the family to the community.

Where does Dylans continual brokenness lie?  His family?  Is his family broken? Poor parenting?  Is his Dad around?  (You can say whatever you would like about that but from what I have seen of teenage boys in detention centers they ALL lack a loving father that has trained them up with proper teaching of how to be a man.)  Is his parents emotionally healthy?  Was he raised in a healthy, stable environment?  Was his parents verbally abusive?  Broken parents have broken children.  Yes, I know- a lot of people don't want to take the blame for their children's behavior.  But we have to face it.  At one time I was NOT the mother God intended from me to be.  I was emotionally and verbally abusive at times.  And guess what- our children learn their behaviors (conversation and conduct) from us.  Are you fearful, angry, depressive, explosive, secretive, manipulative (add your own to this list)?  Well then eventually if something...aka Someone...doesn't come in and heal that brokenness then your children will follow YOUR EXAMPLE.  Someone has to "stop the madness"!  Why not you?

Looking at Dylan all I see is- a kid who could have had a different future.  A kid who could have peace instead of anger.  A kid who could have loved instead of hated.  A kid would was kind and good instead of violent and unforgiving.  He could have been made whole.  Before the darkness within overwhelmed him.  Maybe someday- Light will shine in that darkness.

What about you?  Believer or unbeliever, is there peace in you?  Is their joy?  Is their love?

Luke 4
14 And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district. 15 And He began teaching in their synagogues and was praised by all.

16 And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. 17 And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written,

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor.
He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives,
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set free those who are oppressed,
19 To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”
20 And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/19/us/on-facebook-dylann-roof-charleston-suspect-wears-symbols-of-white-supremacy.html?mabReward=A7&moduleDetail=recommendations-2&action=click&contentCollection=Science&region=Footer&module=WhatsNext&version=WhatsNext&contentID=WhatsNext&configSection=article&isLoggedIn=false&src=recg&pgtype=article